New leadership at RNZAF Base Auckland

GPCAPT Clayton picked up the mantle from Group Captain Mike Cannon, who is retiring after 45 years of combined Air Force service to the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Both Base Commanders have their roots in No. 3 Squadron and GPCAPT Clayton said it was a nice aspect to the Base Commander legacy.

Starting his career in 1999 as an Iroquois helicopter pilot, GPCAPT Clayton said becoming the commander of a base had been one of his goals. 

“So I was super excited when I was approached and asked if I would express an interest in the role.

“The opportunity is huge. My first operational posting was to Hobsonville in 2000, but then I moved to Ohakea shortly afterwards. So I’m taking on the challenge with a fresh perspective, asking a lot of questions and seeing where I can add value. I’m really excited by the prospect of contributing to Base Auckland.” 

His father was a top-dressing pilot and instilled in his son an interest in aviation from a young age, particularly with stories about the military.

“Right from a young age all I can remember was wanting to be an Air Force pilot.

“My dad always said to me, if you want to learn to fly the best place is the military.”

A number of highlights have punctuated GPCAPT Clayton’s career. He was deployed on a couple of tours to East Timor and Solomon Islands as a Huey pilot, just a couple of months after earning his Wings in 2000 - which he recognised as being a fantastic way to start his operational service. 

Another highlight was leading the Black Falcons aerobatic display team for the first two seasons.

“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to contribute to the Black Falcons legacy and whenever I’ve seen the team perform I take great pride in knowing I helped set the foundations for a unique part of our military aviation capability.”

Later in his career GPCAPT Clayton was working in Strategic Commitments and Engagements Branch when Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle hit the North Island’s east coast and flooding struck Auckland in 2023.

“I was essentially in charge of the domestic portfolio. That job was really neat because while I was out of the flying game I was still deeply involved with operations, just at a different level. That role gave me an insight into how national headquarters works and how defence links into other government agencies.

“Looking back I feel very lucky to have not had one job that I haven’t liked and feel so grateful for the opportunities each role has given me. Although I have had the goal of taking command of an RNZAF base, this is not an end state, it’s just part of the journey.”

Looking to the future GPCAPT Clayton said there is still a lot he doesn’t know, but GPCAPT Cannon had left the base in very good shape. 

“We always need to work towards the safe delivery of air operations, so I’m focussed on that. People are clearly incredibly important to that, so we’ve got to strike the right balance between the delivery of operations and actually how we do that.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the people here, understanding our strengths and weaknesses and looking to see how I can lean in and take RNZAF Base Auckland into the future.”