- University Graduation and Award Ceremonies
RNZAF Officer Earns Master from US University
Scholastic Excellence Abroad
Group Captain Grant Crosland has recently returned home after study in the United States where he completed the International Fellows Program (IFP) from June 2008 to June 2009 at the National Defense University (NDU), Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. He shared his experiences with Air Force News following his year of full time professional development.
“The IFP comprised 53 Fellows from 54 nations around the globe. There were 20 of us integrated with 300 Americans at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), and the remaining 34 Fellows integrated with 200 Americans at the National War College (NWC).
“I became the first RNZAF officer to graduate from ICAF and only the second from the NZDF – CDRE P. Williams RNZN graduated five years ago. I was very pleased to have been awarded ‘Distinguished Graduate’ status in addition to a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy. The curriculum focussed heavily on the resourcing of national security strategies including economics, acquisition, industry, strategic leadership, diplomacy and political/military interfaces in addition to the military aspects of grand strategy.
There were excellent opportunities to meet civilians across the range of government agencies in addition to Department of Defence military counterparts, and it was also a great environment to form lasting relationships with counterparts from around the world.
The Masters programme involved deliberation of key security issues facing the world and presented an opportunity to consider the security environment and potential solutions from the perspective of those we seek to influence. Other opportunities included self reflection and the chance to think about thinking.
“In essence, the programme was challenging academically across a broad range of core and elective subjects, professionally enlightening and rewarding, and a great chance to take stock of the current and likely future security environments.
“I am very grateful to have been afforded the time and opportunity to think and deliberate about how strategic leaders may truly make a difference and add value in the complex and uncertain world in which we live.
“Throughout it all, my learning served as a reminder of the professionalism of the people of the NZDF and the high esteem in which we are held throughout the world. It was an honour to represent our team on the International Fellows Programme.”
Master of Science in Aerospace Vehicle Design
By FLT LT Adrian Grey
FLT LT Grey
In order to provide engineering officers with training that enables them to be employed in specialist engineering positions, the RNZAF offers postgraduate level opportunities in a variety of fields. I was fortunate enough to be selected to undertake specialist structures training and completed a Master of Science in Aerospace Vehicle Design (MSc AVD) at Cranfield University (UK), between October ’07 and September ’08.
The MSc AVD is a one year full time qualification which covers all aspects of aircraft design through a group design project and an individual research thesis. The group design project encompasses the preliminary design of an aircraft which has been conceptually derived by the university staff. My course was tasked with designing a family of aircraft which included an air-to-air refuelling tanker. We addressed traditional air-to-air refuelling concepts but also introduced the idea of civil air-to-air refuelling. My individual research thesis investigated the residual strength of GLARE, a new fibre metal laminate composite material which is used in the crown section of the Airbus A380 fuselage. Both projects proved challenging and rewarding, keeping me very busy throughout my time in the UK. As a result I was awarded the Joe Young Memorial Prize for best overall student and the Roy Tetlow Prize for my composites research. Cranfield University attracts students from around the world; my course had students from the UK, France, Luxembourg, Greece, Nigeria, Mexico, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia, Poland and China. It was a great group to be a part of and the multi-cultural nature of the course added to its appeal. The group dynamics replicated the structure of large design organisations, as well as our own participation in multi-national exercises or operations.
The RNZAF has had officers complete structures and propulsion systems MSc courses at Cranfield and hopes to extend this to avionics systems in the future. Cranfield University offers a high level of tuition, and provides exposure to the latest advances in the aviation industry. I would highly recommend this type of training to engineering officers who aspire to specialist training and who wish to pursue professional development in an academic environment.
No. 2 Air Combat Officers’ Course
By FLT LT Mark Whiteside
FGOFF Weavers
On 16 April 2009 FGOFF Rob Weavers and PLTOFF Juliet Urlich successfully graduated from the No. 2 Air Combat Officers’ Course at RAAF Base East Sale. The graduation parade was reviewed by New Zealand’s Defence Attaché to Australia, AIRCDRE Peter Port, ONZM. FGOFF Rob Weavers upheld the long standing tradition of RNZAF students ‘claiming’ the course’s awards. He executed a clean sweep and was awarded the BAE Systems ‘Highest Academic Achievement award’, the BAE Systems ‘Mongili Award’ for demonstrating Mission Command Excellence on course and the Hawker Pacific overall Dux of course award. The ceremony was significant event for the RNZAF. Rob and Juliet were the first RNZAF Air Warfare Officers (AWOs) to complete the new Air Combat Officer (ACO) syllabus which was introduced at the School of Air Warfare in Jan 2008. The ACO course includes a common module of training followed by a specialist stream module. The ACO common course includes ground school, simulation and airborne training and focuses on the common proficiencies of systems management and mission command skills. The common course is twenty six weeks long. Post common course students are streamed into one of three specialisations: Maritime Patrol and Response (MPR), Air Combat and Tactical Support (ACATS) or Air Battle Management (ABM). RNZAF students complete the ACO course in their ‘streamed’ specialisation which not surprisingly, involves a fourteen week simulator and flying period in either a maritime or overland tactical environment. FGOFF Weavers and PLTOFF Urlich are posted to No. 40 Squadron, RNZAF Base Auckland, for conversion onto the C130 Hercules.