New Zealand Defence Force

SPOTLIGHT 📸 Take a look at four moments captured by Defence Photographer CPL Maddy Butcher this year. 1️⃣ HMNZS Aotearoa in Pearl Harbour Hawaii for 4th July.  30mm, F8, ISO 1250, 1.0sec I really wanted to capture an image of the fireworks directly overhead HMNZS Aotearoa, but the direction of the fireworks meant I wasn’t able to get it perfectly lined up with the ship so I had to work with what I could achieve instead. 2️⃣ 16th Field Regiment gunners during Exercise Brimstone, Waiouru Military Training Area  35mm, F6.3, ISO 200, 1/160sec I love this image because I think it perfectly captures how hectic and fast paced gun drills are when in the field. One soldier quickly throws the old casing aside while another soldier quickly inserts the new round into the chamber, all while another soldier in the background screams out the orders. 3️⃣ A T-6C Texan II aircraft sits on the Ohakea Flight Line.  25mm, F8, ISO 250, 20.0sec  My coworker and I organised a Texan to be set up on the flight line, we woke up for an early morning 0600 start. We arrived, only to realise the weather was a lot more cloudy than we had anticipated it would be, making astrophotography quite challenging. Nonetheless we persevered anyway. The image captures the essence of the busy airfield all lit up in multiple different coloured lights, yet also gives a sense of loneliness with the Texan being the only thing sitting out there in the dark. It’s a nice balance. 4️⃣ Firefighters from Base Ohakea conduct live ‘hot’ fire training. 200mm, F6.3, ISO 100, 1/250sec A crew of RNZAF Firefighters conducted live 'hot' fire training assessments using an aircraft rig that produces fire, heat and smoke through pressurised fuel to simulate an aircraft fire scenario. I had to be right up there amongst the action with the crew, feeling the heat radiating off the aircraft and feeling the water spraying from the hose. The composition of this image helps give the viewer a feeling like they were there experiencing the action too. #Force4NZ #Photography

SPOTLIGHT 📸 Take a look at four moments captured by Defence Photographer LAC Jalesa Nomani this year. 1️⃣ Junior Officer & Basic Common Training 24/2 Joint Graduation, Devonport Naval Base. 38mm | ISO 200 | 1/640sec | 𝑓9 This task brought me back to the emotions I felt during my RNZAF Recruit Course 24/1 graduation. Knowing the cap toss would mark a defining milestone for these sailors, I was determined to capture the moment before it was gone. So a steady position on the ground and a high shutter speed were essential to get the shot. 2️⃣ Father and Son - Niue Language Week Naval Memorial Chapel of St Christopher. 32mm ISO 320 1/200sec 𝑓4  I had the privilege of capturing several Pasifika stories featured during the various language weeks this year. One highlight was working with father and son, Chaplain William Hay (Navy) and SIG Josh Hay (Army). 3️⃣ Ex Starlight - Medic Exercise, Kaipara Flats. 24mm ISO 4000 25sec 𝑓13 From September 9–13, RNZAF Whenuapai Defence Health Centre hosted its annual medic exercise, "Starlight," simulating deployment and domestic medical scenarios. As night fell, I used my tripod for long-exposure shots, capturing the medics in action and the starlit sky. 4️⃣ The first of the C130-J fleet, Base Auckland. 38mm ISO 320 1/250 𝑓4.5 An early start to capture the first of five C-130J Hercules aircraft to arrive in Aotearoa, New Zealand, silhouetted against the morning's sunrise. This marks the beginning of a once-in-a-generation renewal of critical NZDF capability. #Force4NZ #Photography

NEWS📢 Multiple Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) flights to Vanuatu this week have delivered emergency responders and tonnes of search and rescue equipment and aid, while 93 New Zealanders and approved foreign nationals have been evacuated. Another evacuation flight is being planned for Saturday and the aircraft will also deliver more humanitarian assistance and disaster relief supplies as part of New Zealand’s support to Vanuatu following Tuesday’s 7.3-magnitude earthquake. Yesterday, RNZAF P-8A Poseidon, Boeing 757, C-130J and C-130H Hercules aircraft were all involved in the response. After delivering more than seven tonnes of aid, the Boeing 757 arrived in Auckland last night carrying 93 passengers, most of whom were New Zealanders and their families. Twelve approved foreign nationals were also on board. We had medical staff available for evacuees in Vanuatu, and the aircraft had food, child safety harnesses and personal products for families for the flight home. Read more ➡️ nzdf.mil.nz/vanuatu-update 📸LAC J Nomani #Force4NZ #NZAirForce

WATCH🎬 The best of 2024. Join us in 2025 for more action, updates, news and stories.   #Force4NZ 

NEWS📢 We are providing assistance to Vanuatu following Tuesday’s 7.3 magnitude earthquake and are establishing an air bridge taking emergency workers, equipment and supplies to Port Vila. Crew on a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon conducted a surveillance flight over key infrastructure sites in Port Vila yesterday, such as the airport, runway and port, as well as the immediate surrounding islands. The crew will conduct another surveillance flight today. An RNZAF Hercules aircraft departed Base Auckland at Whenuapai yesterday afternoon, carrying Fire and Emergency NZ Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) personnel, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade staff, and equipment to Vanuatu. A second Hercules is also scheduled to depart today, with staff from other government agencies and two NZDF personnel who will be part of a planning team assisting with the emergency response. More equipment and stores for the emergency response will also be loaded on the aircraft. "We have personnel and platforms on standby to respond, and planning is ongoing to provide what Vanuatu needs." ~ Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Rob Krushka Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gfMe_8KA #Force4NZ #NZAirForce

SPOTLIGHT 📸 Take a look at four moments captured by Defence Photographer Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn this year. 1️⃣ Explosive Remnants of War Disposal dive in Port Vila, Vanuatu during Operation Calypso. 15mm 𝑓2.5 ISO188 1/350sec. Conditions in the shipping channel are challenging for underwater photography where you often have limited visibility and strong currents to deal with. The GoPro works well in these conditions. This is one of five 1000lb bombs in a depth of around 20 metres. 2️⃣ Hercules in Noumea. 32mm 𝑓2.8 ISO1600 1/30sec RNZAF C-130H (NZ) Hercules in Noumea, New Caledonia about to commence evacuation flights for stranded NZ citizens after the violence and unrest. We’d only just landed, the light was fading fast, this shot was taken at 1/30 of a second, handheld, fully open aperture on a wide lens. 3️⃣ From the Bridge. 160mm 𝑓2.8 ISO250 1/160sec Here’s a silhouette shot of an officer on the bridge taking bearings, the light was really bright outside so decided to up the contrast, the outline of the sailor against the bridge windows makes for a nice punchy photo. 4️⃣ Anzac Day Rugby League. 24mm 𝑓5.6 ISO320 1/250sec  The New Zealand Army Band played during the Anzac Day Rugby League in Auckland. I had to work out the best positions and angles where I went to the rehearsals the day before which was time well spent to work this out. The red tunics of the band stand out well, along with the leading lines to make this shot. #Force4NZ #Photography

Graduation season 🎓 Congratulations to over 150 sailors, soldiers and aviators from across the country who have graduated this month. 68 sailors and 11 officers graduated from the Royal New Zealand Navy Basic Common Training and Junior Officer Common Training at Devonport Naval Base on December 7. Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding reviewed the parade. 37 officer cadets graduated from the New Zealand Army Commissioning Course on the 7 December. Hosted at Waiouru Military Camp, the parade was reviewed by Chief of Army, Major General Rose King. 35 recruits from the Royal New Zealand Air Force 24/03 Recruit Course and 22 officer cadets from the 24/02 Officer Commissioning Course graduated on December 13. The parade was held at Base Woodbourne and reviewed by Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb. Welcome to Te Ope Kātua O Aotearoa - the New Zealand Defence Force. #Force4NZ

Joining forces with top educators 🤝📚 We’re pleased to share that we have renewed the contract with Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) for the delivery of the Master of Strategic Studies programme as part of our Advanced Command and Staff Course. VUW have partnered with our Command and Staff College as the academic services provider since 2018. After a competitive process, the contract has been renewed with the first course under the new contract to be delivered in 2025. This partnership has grown throughout the period of the relationship, with 40 students from 16 nations on track to graduate from the 2024 course. Our congratulations also to Professor David Capie and Associate Professor Manjeet Pardesi of VUW, as our Command and Staff College have recognised their service by appointing them as Honorary Professors.   Both Professors Capie and Pardesi have been integral to delivery of the Master of Strategic Studies programme to the Advanced Command and Staff Course over the last seven years. They are highly regarded by Command and Staff College students and staff for their collaborative outlook and approach, the quality of their teaching, and their scholarship and expertise in their respective fields. Additionally they have presented to NZDF audiences at a wide variety of forums, symposiums, academic panels, courses and alumni events. Ka rawe and ngā mihi! #Force4NZ 

NEWS📢 New Zealand is delivering a triple punch in the fight against narcotic smuggling in the Indian Ocean next year by taking command of an international task force and deploying a frigate and a mine countermeasures team to the front line. Commodore Rodger Ward will command Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), dedicated to interceptions of vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the international waters of the Middle East and northern Indian Ocean. For the first time in nine years, a Royal New Zealand Navy frigate will take part. HMNZS Te Kaha will join CTF 150 and be directed to intercept vessels suspected of smuggling. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the Royal New Zealand Navy to demonstrate our ability to lead and conduct expeditionary maritime security operations, while developing partnerships with other nations." ~ Commodore Rodger Ward Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gMqB6taK #Force4NZ

A taste of home this Christmas📦🌏 Join our NZDF personnel behind the scenes as they team up with Royal New Zealand RSA to make 140 festive packages for our deployed personnel to open on Christmas Day. A wee reminder that we’re thinking of them while they serve New Zealand away from their loved ones. This marks the 85th year of aroha sent to our people stationed across the globe over the holiday period and beyond. Tino pai to our helpers! #Force4NZ