Shipmates
We had another full day in New Zealand. Starting in Auckland we visited the RNZAF Base where we received a briefing by Group Captain Ed Poot followed by a tour of Squadron 5 (P-3 Orion) with Wind Commander Nick Olney. New Zealand faces many of the same maritime patrol aircraft challenges that we do with the world's fourth largest Exclusive Economic Zone.
Next we visiting Squadron 6 (Seasprite helos). In the New Zealand Defense Forces, the Air Force maintains all aircraft. Squadron 6 deploys at sea with Navy Pilots and Air Forces support personnel. We ended the Auckland portion of our visit with a briefing by the RNZ Special Air Services.
Departing Auckland, we traveled south to Wellington, the capitol of New Zealand, on the southern in of the North Island. In Wellington we had several very good meetings with the Secretary of Defence (John McKinnon), LTGEN Jerry Mateparae (Chief of Defense), including a meeting with the Chiefs of Service (NZ equivalent of our Joint Chiefs of Staff). The day ended with discussion with other New Zealand government representatives that have responsibilities in our mission areas. Included were the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and NZ Customs.
All of the discussions were open and frank and extremely valuable. Our New Zealand partners are dealing with similar challenges to the U.S. Coast Guard and we benefitted greatly from this exchange.
Our thanks to RADM Tony Parr who continues to be an excellent host. We also appreciate the friendship of LTGEN Jerry Mataparae who is a distinguished leader.
ADM A
