Is the Sky Falling?
GPCAPT Peter Guy
By GPCAPT Peter Guy, Assistant Chief of Air Force Plans
Many of you know the story of Chicken Little. A chicken is convinced the sky is falling because an acorn falls on her head. The chicken then whips those around her into a frenzy of anxiety based on wrong assumptions. While acknowledging the severity of the economic climate, we should also watch out for those who are emulating Chicken Little and her friends.
The world is still analysing the global recession’s impact, the magnitude of which is unparalleled in decades. Governments, financial institutions and experts are trying to gauge the impact on national economies, businesses and their people. The NZDF is not immune from either impact or scrutiny, nor should we be. It is abundantly clear that some organisations will be forced to make changes and some will fall by the wayside, unable to sustain the impact of the recession. Others will emerge more efficient, competitive and will set standards for others to emulate. Not because they are the biggest – we have seen some of the mighty fall already – but because they have invested in sound planning, are responsive and have good leadership at all levels. Government organisations, including the NZDF, must respond to the economic situation along with all New Zealanders.
So, how does the RNZAF shape up to the recession’s challenges? Are we ready to support the Government’s expectations to do things more cost effectively, provide better services, ensure value for money and cut expenditure where necessary? My assessment is that the RNZAF is well prepared for all that and more. We are a well motivated, professional team that has clear aims and confidence in ourselves. Our track record shows we are motivated to achieve and have the courage and skills to change with the times. We have the capability to deliver on the operational tasks that are our core business, but also on organisational and corporate demands justifiably placed on us by our Government and the New Zealand people.
2009 will present some significant challenges for the RNZAF. Finance is going to be tight and we must expect to critically re-examine and justify all our expenditure, plans and programmes. We should not be surprised by this or resent it. Indeed, it is our duty to do this as a responsible arm of the Government, even more so in the current economic climate. Nor should we be disheartened if we see some of our aspirations or plans slip to the right, in order to stay within prescribed fiscal limitations. These are difficult financial times, but is the sky falling? I think not.
The RNZAF planning process is sound, well developed and transparent. Our programmes to deliver New Zealand’s next generation of air capability are comprehensive, professionally managed and geared to deliver what Government has identified as necessary for New Zealand’s continued security. We are a well led, professional and focused organisation that has the trust of the Government and the New Zealand public. CAF encourages us to think smarter, find simpler ways of doing things and be innovative. This we will continue to do. The Defence Transformation Programme is examining many aspects of the NZDF to see if there are better ways to conduct business and we should embrace these initiatives. But above all else, we have the ability of men and women of the RNZAF. Within our team is where we will, as we have always done, find the good ideas, commitment and initiatives. We are in good shape to tackle any challenge. Air Staff will shortly issue the 2009 revision to our Strategic Plan. There will be some fine tuning to reflect CAF’s Intent Statement of 2009 and the progress we have made over the past year. There are likely to be some non-radical changes to reflect the impact of the current financial climate, the Government’s announced decision to retain Base Auckland as a fully operational Base, and possibly the outcome of some reviews. The RNZAF strategic goals are in line with that of the NZDF and the Government. The RNZAF is on course, aligned and focused. There will be some turbulence. But the sky is definitely not about to fall.
GPCAPT Peter Guy is the Assistant Chief of Air Force Plans. In early 2009 he returned from Beijing where he had been the Defence Attaché in the PRC.