Flying Officer Robbie Harlow in Timor-Leste
14 March 2008
For Christchurch man Robbie Harlow, the only downside to being in Timor-Leste with the Royal New Zealand Air Force is missing the start of the rugby season, but he says the rewarding nature of the job he has there more than makes up for it.
The former Christchurch Boys High School student is the Adjutant of the Dili-based RNZAF helicopter detachment which provides helicopter support to the Australian-led International Stabilisation Force (ISF).
As Adjutant, Robbie is responsible for the day to day management of the detachment’s base area and ensuring everything and everyone works smoothly.
Robbie joined the RNZAF through the RNZAF Undergraduate Scheme, a programme that recruits young university entrants and pays for their study in exchange for providing them a job as an Air Force Officer. Robbie finished university in 2005 and joined the RNZAF full time the next year as a Supply Officer, a trade which allows him to fully utilise his commerce degree.
The adjutant’s job is different to Robbie’s normal work in the supply field, but he says that makes it more enjoyable.
“In my job I don’t always get to work too closely with the operational side of the Air Force and the people who fly, so its great to be able to have a job like this where I am part of a small and focused team.
“I had some practice at this role last year when the helicopters deployed to Townsville in Australia on exercise. The purpose of deployments like that is to test our systems and processes to ensure that when we do it for real, like here in Timor-Leste we get it right. That exercise was great training for what I am doing now.
“I am glad to be here, the heat knocks you a bit when you first arrive and you seek out the nearest air conditioned building, but it doesn’t take too long to get used to it.
“We do appear to be making an impact for the better on the lives of the Timorese people, that alone makes it worthwhile being here”.
ENDS
Currently 425 New Zealand Defence Force personnel are deployed on 17 operations, UN missions and defence exercises around the world.
For further information please contact Nicole Munro-Johnson, Defence Public Relations, on 04 529 6033 or 021 569 148.