Output Expense 16

Standards

Maintain the operational commitments specified by Government in its approval for each task/mission/operation.

Operational commitments for each Government-approved task/mission/operation were maintained and completed within the applicable Cabinet-approved budget.

Personnel, as applicable, to be at the Operational Level of Capability (OLOC) - for applicable ECs - prior to deployment.

Personnel were at OLOC prior to deployment for applicable ECs.

Timely replacement of each element or individual, when requested and as approved by the Government.

(See Current Operational Commitments table below.)

In most instances, individuals were replaced as required with suitably qualified personnel. Where suitably personnel were not available, in-theatre personnel resources were used or a person closest to matching the qualifications was sourced.

Measures

Generally:

• The level of capability achieved by individuals, detachments or units prior to departure will be assessed by the designated Operational Commander.
• Regular formal reporting against the stated mission of the deployed force from the New Zealand Senior National Officer on the operation.
• Occasional reports received from respective United Nations/Coalition/Force Commanders.
• Degree of satisfaction of performance of duties expressed by the authorities requesting the assistance.
• Performance of equipment provided by NZDF, when applicable.
• Evaluation by visiting New Zealand politicians and senior NZDF personnel.
• Budget considerations. (Each deployment is to be completed within a Cabinet-approved budget).

Levels of capability were assessed by the designated Operational Commander prior to departure, regular reports against the stated mission were provided by the Senior National Officer, and  all deployed equipment performed to the level expected.

In addition to letters of appreciation received from Commanders-in-Chief regarding the NZDF contributions to overseas operations and missions, advice and emails received from the NZDF Liaison Officer to the United Nations indicates the NZDF is still held in very high regard as a troop contributing nation. Letters of appreciation were also received from government departments for inter-departmental support provided by the NZDF. 

During the reporting period, a letter was received from the Commander United States Central Command thanking the NZDF for its continued contribution to Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Force in Afghanistan. 

His Excellency Mr José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste visited New Zealand during February 2009 and thanked the NZDF for its continued contribution to peace and security in Timor-Leste. He also presented medals to six individuals involved in Timor-Leste’s peacekeeping response to the outbreak of violence in Timor-Leste in April and May 2006.

In a speech to Massey University’s Centre for Defence Studies on 20 May 2009, the Minister of Defence the Hon Wayne Mapp, having returned from a recent visit to Timor-Leste, noted “our troops are truly excellent ambassadors for New Zealand and the values we hold.”

A number of personnel were awarded citations and certificates of merit from various missions. The first ever NATO Meritorious Service Medal to be awarded to a New Zealander was presented to Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Ramsden, MNZM at a special ceremony in Brussels, Belgium. The medal was awarded to LTCOL Ramsden for outstanding service while he was working for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.

United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) - Operation KORU

(Task Group TOA)

The NZDF currently has one UN Military Liaison Officer deployed to Dili under TG TOA. The role is to monitor the security environment and provide military advice to the Special Representative to the Secretary General. Other duties include ensuring a constructive border agency relationship with Indonesia and to provide specialist officers to the Joint Agencies.

(Task Group KAIHANGA)

In August 2008 there was an increase from two to a total of five personnel for TG KAIHANGA. 2 x Logistics Officer, 2 x Personnel Officers and one Small Arms Instructor are deployed to support the Office of Defence Force Development and are based in Dili. Two Bandsmen were deployed in May 2009 to assist the Timor-Leste Defence Force Band.

(Task Group GYRO)

A NZDF Infantry Company Group is deployed to Timor-Leste as TG GYRO under the command of an ADF led Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF).  An additional two aircraft re-fuel personnel and two field security specialists were also added bringing the total to 146 as of May 2009. The Senior National Officer (SNO) is the Deputy Commander of the CJTF.

A National Support Element (NSE) of five personnel is also based in Darwin, Australia.

Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI)

 (Operation RATA II)

A NZDF platoon of up to 50 personnel is currently in theatre.  A NZDF Officer is the Deputy Commander of the CTF.

Support to Multinational Operations against trans-national terrorism in Afghanistan - Operation ARIKI

(Task Group CRIB)

Under TG CRIB, the NZDF maintains a presence of 140 personnel as a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Bamian, Afghanistan.  A number of PRT personnel are based in Bagram to provide a logistic support function as the PRT NSE.

(Task Group KEA)

Under TG Kea, five NZDF personnel are employed with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) HQ in Kabul. Three personnel are located at HQ ISAF, one is employed at Bagram Airbase and one is attached to a coalition unit. 

(Task Group RUA)

Under TG RUA, two Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officers are attached to a British battalion as part of the United Kingdom Leadership Training Team (UKLTT-A) with the Office of Military Cooperation in Afghanistan (OMC-A).

 (Task Group TROY)

Under TG TROY, six NZDF personnel provide a support mechanism for NZDF force elements deployed to the Gulf Region and to assist co-located coalition partners.

(Task Group SPEAK) (USA)

Under TG SPEAK, three NZDF officers are based at US Central Command in Florida, USA to provide planning advice, liaison and assistance for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

(Task Group AFFIRM)

Under TG AFFIRM, the NZDF contributes one officer to work as a Military Advisor in the Military Advisory Unit (MAU) of the UN Assistance Mission Afghanistan (UNAMA).

(Task Group MAANAKI)

Under TG MAANAKI, two medical personnel are attached to the Canadian lead Multi National Medical Centre based in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

UN Command Military Armistice Commission in Korea (UNCMAC)

(Operation MONITOR)

Three NZDF officers are deployed to the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission in the Republic of Korea.

United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) - Operation HAVEN

(Task Group IRON)

This mission currently comprises one NZDF Military Liaison Officer who is based in Baghdad, Iraq. 

UN  Interim Force in Lebanon

(UNIFIL)

This mission comprises one New Zealand Army Legal Officer (NZALS) as a staff officer working for the Force Commander UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon from 1 June 2009 to 30 November 2009.

New Zealand Contingent Multinational Force and Observers (NZCMFO)

(Operation FARAD)

The Multinational Force and Observers is an 11 nation commitment based at El Gorah in the north of the Sinai Peninsula, established to uphold the conditions set down in the Treaty of Peace signed between Egypt and Israel in 1979. The NZDF contribution currently consists of a 26 person contingent.

UN Truce and Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO)

(Operation SCORIA)

The NZDF currently has seven personnel committed to this mission. NZDF personnel are moved and located in either, UNTSO HQ, Jerusalem; or the following outstations: Observer Group Golan – Damascus and Tiberias (OGG-D and OGG-T); Observer Group Lebanon (OGL) and Observer Group Egypt (OGE).

United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)

(Operation SUDDEN)

The NZDF currently has three officers deployed to UNMIS.  One is employed as a Staff Officer at UNMIS Headquarters in Khartoum and the two UN military observers are based in the field.