Warrant Officer Lynette ‘Huggy’ Lowe was recently awarded the Chief of Air Force Commendation in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Aviation Refueller Trade.
CAF Commendation
W/O Lynette Lowe joined the RNZAF as a driver in July 1985 and was transferred to the Aviation Refueller trade in March 2003. During her career, W/O Lowe has served tours on RNZAF Bases Ohakea and Auckland, as well as an operational tour of duty in Bougainville (1999) and the Solomon Islands (2003). In November 2004 W/O Lowe was posted to (what is now known as) the Expeditionary Support Squadron, as Staff Officer Deployable Bulk Fuel. W/O Lowe’s diligence and commitment to deployable bulk fuel led her to identify safety concerns regarding Afghanistan fuel support that the NZ Defence Force provided to the United States. As a result of her work and diligence, safe practices have been restored in theatre and the RNZAF now correctly has the lead role for fuel and hot refuelling training for all Service personnel.
Since W/O Lowe’s posting to Expeditionary Support Squadron in 2004 she has been instrumental in regenerating the Deployable Bulk Fuel capability and equipment, and has raised the profile for the RNZAF deployable bulk fuel both within the Defence Force and internationally. Her efforts have been outstanding and her diligence has assured the safety of RNZAF and Defence Force operations.