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june 2015 | issue no. 3

being a force 4 families Better support for families

joinT TasK force 2015Putting the Joint Task force goal to the test in Vanuatu

our sTory –WW100It’s personal. It’s our story

2020 READYlaunches

The magazine of The neW zealand defence force

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2020 ready – oVerall Visionat its heart, our 2020 reaDY vision is about creating strong individuals and a strong Defence force – that’s what we mean by:

A STRONGER YOUa sTronGer force for neW zealanD.2020 ready – four Key ThemesThe vision has four key themes – Better Tools; Better support; Better Informed and Better Together. These things combined reflect the significant investment we’re making in you so, in 2020, we are ready.

To realise our 2020 vision, it’s important that 2020 reaDY is personally relevant to every sailor, soldier, airman and airwoman and every civilian. That’s why I’ve asked our senior leaders to sit down and talk to you about the overall vision – as well as the range of initiatives that support it.

You’ll find there is more information about 2020 reaDY and what it means on page 12–13 and on the enclosed poster – use this information to discuss and work out where your team will be in 2020 and how you can help make this strategy real.

launching 2020 reaDY

send in your feedbacKWe have set up an email mailbox for feedback. I encourage you to send in your thoughts, feedback and ideas about the 2020 vision to: 2020ready@nzdf.mil.nz

lieutenant general Tim KeatingChief of Defence Force

It’s my pleasure to launch 2020 reaDY - the nzDf vision for achieving enhanced combat capability, the next major milestone in our long term strategy (f35). This year we demonstrated the f35 milestone of 2015 Joint Task force in Vanuatu, which we’ll test

again during exercise southern Katipo 15.

It is now timely that we clearly define for ourselves what comprises the next vital step as we transform into a Defence force that is equipped, informed, supported and integrated to meet the security challenges of 2020 and beyond.

This phase of the strategy will see the delivery of a range of initiatives and investments that will enhance the way in which we deliver relevant military capabilities over the next five years.

From your CDF

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04

Cont

ents

Contents

Force4nZForce4NZ magazine provides information about our Defence Force and the activities of our people in New Zealand and around the world.

People are welcome to republish articles and images appearing in Force4NZ, but we ask that you first contact us at: Force4NZ@nzdf.mil.nz

What do you want to see more of?Force4NZ is a new publication for everyone in our Defence Force. We’d like to hear your ideas on things you would like to see and read about in your magazine. We’d gladly receive your feedback – what worked for you; what didn’t; what would you like more of? The only way we’ll get better, and better deliver what you want to see, is if you tell us! You can email your feedback to Force4NZ@nzdf.mil.nz.

Cover Image: Faces of 2020 reaDy.

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being a force 4 families

2020 reaDY

diversifying our Workforce

22

16 is law of armed conflict relevant today?

faces of 2020 ready

Issn 2422-8680

joint Task force in action

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our contribution to WW10018

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te AtAHAIA BARtLettTe atahaia Bartlett knows what it’s like to juggle a military career with motherhood. The able stores accountant has one child, Jesse (20 months).

she and her partner leading combat systems specialist Itaifale Toleafoa are both in the navy. Working for the same organisation “helps us gel as a family,” she says. she enjoys the strong connection she has to other military families. “In a sense having this strong connection gives my whanau an extended family within the workforce. I know my close friends are there for me if I were ever in an emergency and needed to rely on them. I would do the same for them if they needed urgent help.”

Te atahaia believes the force4 families programme will help link families and bring the nzDf community closer together.

“It makes us feel valued within the organisation. The family-oriented support we are offered is great and has been useful throughout my service in the navy.”

ItAIFALe toLeAFoAI’m currently posted to hMnzs TauPo. I supervise a handful of enthusiastic ratings, implement task book training, control and conduct seamanship operations, as well as maintain ship cleanliness and upper deck maintenance.

I joined the navy at 18 – eight years ago now – and have been deployed more than a dozen times for between four and six months. I’ve visited south Korea, Japan, china, Vietnam, Malaysia, singapore, hong Kong, united states of america, canada, australia, hawaii, Tahiti, Guam and england.

Being in the navy together definitely requires teamwork. Te atahaia recently deployed for six weeks to Vanuatu at short notice to assist with cyclone Pamela aid relief. I became a solo dad on the spot, responsible for all household duties. so, I’m all for any extra support from the nzDf. and force 4 families does seem like a great idea to me.

When we’re away we email to maintain contact – that’s our main way of keeping in touch. There’s also phone calls home when the ship is alongside and we can get reception.

It helps to have close friends in the same situation too – it brings you closer together and there’s this shared understanding of what each of us goes through when our partner is away. You need that comfort and moral support - it is a relief and it means you feel much less alone.

The Defence force actually has a lot of good stuff going on for families.

a new nZDF-wide programme called Force 4 Families is up and running, with the introduction of a new discount card and online information hub that brings together the range of existing family services provided by the nZDF. Here, we talk to some navy families to get an insider view on family life in the military.

You need that comfort

and moral support – it

can be a huge relief

and it means you feel

much less alone.

better support

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shifting to auckland, we were able to get access to naval housing. We’ve received support from social workers as part of relocating. and our son, Jesse, goes to navy day care. It’s close to work, which means no auckland traffic for us. and I’ve always found my mentor cPocss (a) Pau really helpful when it comes to advice and family support.

Possibly force 4 families will make families more aware of the support that’s already there – as well as highlight the new exciting stuff.

suzy gRIFFItHssuzy Griffiths, who is married to simon Griffiths, commanding officer of hMnzs Te Kaha has three young children who are all very keen to keep in touch with their dad when he deploys. she has immersed herself in maintaining contact with her husband, setting up a blog not just for her own family but for others connected to the ship to read and hear what is going on. simon provides content and she updates the blog with items of interest.

“It’s great to hear that the nzDf is keeping up with the times. force 4 families will see us all better connected to the nzDf welfare and wellbeing services available. It’s great they are focused on strengthening communications with us, and it’s a real show of commitment to us families working on the home-front, which goes a long way to making us feel valued.”

WhaT Does The ProGraMMe offer? a website (as the main place families can go for information), as well as several initiatives. check out the website: www.nzdf.mil.nz/families

Go To The WeBsITe for InforMaTIon aBouT:•A discount card for buying goods and

services

• Family events and networking opportunities

•Defence housing

• Information (newsletters and booklets)

•Support services

•People to contact for support

•Savings scheme

•Holiday accommodation.

FoRCe 4 FAMILIes – WHAT YOU NEED TO KnoWWhaT Is IT? a new nzDf-wide programme designed to improve communication with Defence families and build a stronger sense of community.

WhY? a group, called the force 4 families Project Group, came together this year to identify practical improvements for families. They are volunteers and the partners of serving members who support cDf’s priority of ‘growing the people we need and better supporting our military families.’

better support

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jointtask force in action

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NZDF RESPONDS TO TROPICAL CYCLONE PAMIn 2010, the nzDf set the goal of achieving a Joint Task force by 2015. We demonstrated it in Vanuatu and we’ll test it again at exercise southern Katipo. In this feature, we look at what we mean by a Joint Task force (JTf) – and how we delivered a JTf in Vanuatu, when it was needed most.

Future35

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In the early hours of 14 March Tropical cyclone Pam unleashed extreme winds and heavy swells on Vanuatu,

causing widespread damage to virtually the entire island group and numerous deaths and injuries.

While early warning of the cyclone allowed the locals to prepare as best they could there was still clearly a requirement for massive amounts of aid to be sent to Vanuatu. among others, france, australia and new zealand all quickly offered support with Prime Minister John Key the first to talk to Vanuatu’s Prime Minister to discuss our contribution.

elements of the Deployable Joint Inter-agency Task force headquarters (hQDJIaTf) arrived on the sunday to liaise with Ministry of foreign affairs and Trade (MfaT), local government and the various other nations and aid agencies.

The Ministry of foreign affairs and Trade supported by nzDf conducted a services-supported evacuation of 82 new zealand and australian foreign nationals out of Vanuatu on the Monday using the air force’s c-130. at the same time plans were being finalised to mobilise the hMnzs canTerBurY and the engineering and medical personnel that would spend the next month in the shepherd Islands.

on the initial assessment of the island and the scale of the task ahead lt col Michael Van Welie of the hQDJIaTf said: “Many areas of Vanuatu had been decimated with the force of the cyclone, levelling buildings, clearing crops and destroying supplies of food and water. It was clear that the real recovery was going to be years in the making but at that point there was a desperate need for shelter, food and water, including structures to collect and store fresh water. That was the focus for canTerBurY and her consignment.”

With such a large amount of aid coming into the country, under so many nations and agencies, coordination would be a constant challenge and the Vanuatu Government ensured they controlled the collection and distribution of aid and resources.

Because of this, even though the new zealand area of operation was confirmed, the hMnzs canTerBurY would be required to dock at the capital and unload some stores and pick up other items required for the shepherd Islands.

hMnzs canTerBurY was loaded with troops, supplies, vehicles and aid by sunday 22 March and sailed for Port Vila. In the meantime 40 squadron had flown to Port Vila numerous times dropping off personnel mainly from the hQDJIaTf and aid on behalf of the International Development Group. 42 squadron King airs were utilised for reconnaissance missions giving some general intelligence on the state of the islands in the new zealand area of operation and allowing planning to continue for the likely priority of work.

once the unloading and loading was complete in Port Vila the JTf could then depart for the island of epi, which was the initial priority for the Vanuatu government.

The navy and embarked army, MfaT, new zealand Medical assistance Team (nzMaT), urban search and rescue would now need to work in close cooperation with one another to ensure the time and resources at their disposal were used effectively. The general process of more in depth reconnaissance through rigid-hulled Inflatable Boat (rhIB) landings and seasprite helicopter drop offs followed by landing craft Mediums (lcMs) landings of the personnel, resources and aid needed was to be repeated throughout the next three weeks.

The reconnaissance teams generally consisted of engineers to assess the damage of the infrastructure in the villages, civil-Military coordination (cIMIc) and MfaT representatives to interact with the locals and determine the aid requirements and likely long term impact of the cyclone on the population there and at times nzMaT to get an idea of the medical assistance required and if needed inform the villages of any medical clinics they would need to run over the coming days. after some time at sea the embarked forces were ready to begin their tasks.

WHAT IS AN NZDF JOINT TASK FORCE?

It’s a temporary task force of units, under one commander, formed for the purpose of carrying out a specific operation or mission. We call it a Joint Task Force when it’s made up of more than one service. Our response to Tropical Cyclone Pam is an example of a JTF in action.

Future35

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peRspeCtIves on tHe jtFPreparation was continuous on the canTerBurY getting the right stores, vehicles and personnel ready to land and begin working in each area. once the Maritime survey Team had selected a landing area the ship’s amphibious loading Team would be busy landing on the beach first and preparing it for follow on forces with beach mats and coordination of the assets moving ashore.

once the plan was in place, the beach prepared and the lcMs loaded the engineers could come ashore. The canTerBurY has the ability to carry a great deal of vehicles and stores which were to be fully utilised during the operation. JcB tractors assisted in the repair and clearance tasks by doing basic earth moving and clearance of deadfall on the roads in conjunction with chainsaw teams. unimogs and Pinzgauers allowed stores and equipment to be moved around the islands at times difficult track systems so structures such as schools and hospitals in outlying villages could be repaired. In areas with damaged water supplies the water tanker carrying 5,000 litres was extremely useful allowing packaged water to be flown into other areas by seasprite.

The aTf was extremely busy over this entire time testing the endurance of both the personnel and equipment involved. Most of the smaller vessels carried by the canTerBurY were launched daily for various tasks, the seasprite flew continuously throughout the operation other than the required maintenance and rest days and the engineering, medical, nzMaT and usar teams moved from island to island repeatedly with no let up in focus.

This was by no means a simple operation however. challenges such as limited tidal windows and damaged equipment needing repair at sea all tested the JTf.

“It has been a really well coordinated activity. Everyone here has the same sense of purpose and vision, and we are all determined to provide maximum effect to improve the situation of the people on these islands as soon as possible,” said CDR Rooke, CO CANTERbURY.

Right now, more than 600 Army, Navy and Air personnel are taking part in Talisman Sabre – an international training exercise run by Australian Defence Force (ADF). An estimated 30,000 troops from the ADF, the United States military, the NZDF and the Japan Self-Defense Force are taking part in the exercise. They will train on 21 ships, more than 200 aircraft and three submarines.

The NZDF is deploying:

• hMnzs Te Kaha and hMnzs enDeaVour

• 4 x aircraft (2 x nh90s, 1 x seasprite and 1 x c-130)

• 22 x light armoured Vehicles, 11 x Pinzgauers, 10 x unimogs, 1 x combat Tractor (a highly mobile excavator) and 1 x Gap crossing system (an aluminium bridge used to support combat crossing operations).

nzdF depLoys FoR exeRCIse tALIsMAn sABRe

Future35

army engineers at work

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Mar

ch

Mar

ch

• TropicalCyclonePamhitsVanuatudestroyingvillages and the power grid, and severing communication.

hercules deployed to Port Vila carrying aid

orion deployed to conduct reconnaissance

hMnz canTerBurY begins to be loaded at Devonport with aid and 2 x seasprite helicopters

127 sailors and 137 embarked forces prepare to deploy with hMnzs canTerBurY

King air deployed to Port Vila

• HMNZSCanterbury sails 22 march, arrives in port vila 25 march.

• Confirmationofareaofoperation and plan from vanuatu’s government and the new Zealand ministry of Foreign affairs and trade.

• Reconnaissancecarriedoutusing seaspite helicopters and King air from port vila.

• ReconteamsfromHMNZSCanterbury go ashore to the islands hardest hit by the cyclone. these include the Civilian and military Cooperation team and the damage assessment team which consists of new Zealand army engineers, ministry of Foreign affairs and trade representatives and a vanuatu government representative.

• MaritimeSurveyTeamgoashoreby rHIb, do beach assessments and select beach landing location.

• PersonnelonboardHMNZSCanterbury prepare the lower deck for the landings by checking vehicles and equipment, stores and aid to go ashore. urban search and rescue and new Zealand medical assistance teams prepare gear.

Timel

ine

cyclone paM devastates vanuatu

port vIla

initial response:

2 x

1 x

1 x

joint Task force stood up and prepares to deploy.

22 2526

maritim

e survey Team

Vanuatu a

fter

the

cyc

lon

e

are

a o

f o

pe

rati

on

s

44 casualties and 11 deaths reported

hmnzs canTerbury’s lower deck being loaded with water, food and red cross supplies.

Water, fo

od and red cross supplies delivered

army engineers at work

• MarriageofLCMstobackofHmnZs Canterbury and loading.

• LCMssailintoshoreandconductlanding with assistance of the beach landing team.

• Militaryvehiclesandequipmentunloaded onshore.M

arch

apri

l

once personnel and equipment transfer is complete work begins on the islands’, including:

• Repairstoschoolsandhospitals / medical centres.

• Roadclearancetolinkupthe islands’ villages.

• Repairsandreconstructionof water supplies.

• Water,foodandRedCrosssupplies delivered to those in need.

DevonportWHenuapaI

27 27

maritim

e survey Team

12 x schools repaired7 x medical clinics repaired1 x medical clinic rebuilt4 x village water system repaired11km of roads/tracks clearedassistance to Vmf engineersmedical work7 x referrals for medeVac6 x nzmaT medical clinicsWater testing

• HMNZSCanterbury sails home arriving 27 april.

3,864

53,100

8,800

1,600nautical miles sailed

seasprite flying hours 50

9148

seasprite deck landings

landing craft movements

kilos of crackers

24 chainsaws 2 generators 16 water tanks1,100 water containers

food iTems disTribuTed

non-food iTems disTribuTed

engineer WorK

litres of water

Kgof protein

kilos of rice12,400

1,200kilos of vegetables

commander simon rooke, commanding officer of hmnzs canTerbury

i am proud of the way navy, army and air force worked together to support the people of vanuatu

a force for good

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2020 READY: MaKInG IT real

bETTER TOOLS bETTER SUPPORT

CDRE ALAN MARTIN, ASSISTANT CHIEF CAPAbILITY

When we say better tools, we’re talking about equipping our people with the tools to operate now and in the future. This means investment in credible combat capabilities that can operate in a range of threat environments and work with our coalition partners. It means the right training and personal equipment for everyone. and it means having the tools to constantly improve on how we deliver on our mission.

By 2020, we will have new weapons, new radios and new kit. our frigates and laVs will be upgraded. The new helicopter fleet will be in operation as part of the Joint Task force. We’ll be supporting our training with simulators and training aides. We will be constantly identifying and eliminating inefficiencies in our systems. We will be working more closely with Defence Technology agency to take advantage of their skills.

DEbRA FRANCIS, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

2020 reaDY means you will have better support. Your skills, energy and talent are what makes the things we do possible. When we provide you with the right support, you make our teams even stronger so they can focus on getting the job done.

In 2020, we will be better at supporting you. We will support your wellbeing – your mental and physical health. We will get better at support and communicating with your families. We will help you grow the career you want. We’ll help you track your goals so that you can achieve long term success. We will keep growing you as a leader. We will make sure you are prepared when you step into harm’s way and are safe at home. We will honour and support our veterans and their families in ways that work for them.

THE RIGHT KIT• new Personal Weapons• Integrated soldier systems• network enabled units

PERSONAL SUPPORT• force for families• Defence health strategy• Mental health strategy

COMbAT READY PLATFORMS• nh90s• frigate systems upgrade• laV refresh

WE’VE GOT YOUR bACK• resilience Training• strategic aMe capability• health and safety

MODERN TRAINING• navy seamanship Trainer and

Bridge sIM• Pilot simulator Training• special forces Battle Training• synthetic Integration of simulators

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH• leadership Development system• Defence Professional Development

framework• learning Toolkit

A bETTER WAY• lean six sigma Training• Defence Technology agency

VETERAN SUPPORT• Veteran’s support system

2020 READY

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bETTER INFORMED bETTER TOGETHER

In late June, the NZDF launched its vision for achieving Enhanced Combat Capability, the next major milestone in our long term strategy (F35). It’s relevant to everyone in our Defence Force. It can’t happen without your help. but what does it actually mean to you and me? How can we make it real?

AVM KEVIN SHORT, VICE CHIEF DEFENCE FORCE

We will be better informed. To make a difference at times of crisis and conflict we need to understand and adapt to all sorts of situations. In a stronger force, everyone is better informed, from the frontline to hQ. We understand our operations, but we will also better understand our business. our ability to develop understanding and share it across the force is critical if everyone is to make the right calls, every day.

By 2020, you will see better systems and tools to understand our operational environment. We will have a common understanding of what is going on. It will be easier for everyone to access the information needed to do your job. and we will make the right decisions at the right levels, empowering everyone to make a difference to our mission.

MAJOR GENERAL TIMOTHY GALL, COMMANDER JOINT FORCES

In 2020, we will be better together. as individuals, we are strong and diverse in our skills and abilities. Together we are even better. We will respond to any challenge with the right mix of teams and capabilities. for you, this will mean seeing more integration across units, across our three services, with local agencies and with our international partners.

We need to work closely with government to ensure that military strategy is an integral part of national security strategy. You, our people, are already great at working with others – in the future you will be supported with better structures and processes.

We will keep getting better at operating Joint Task forces. We will improve the ways we work with our government partners in new zealand. We will be a credible partner of choice in conflict or crisis.

bETTER UNDERSTANDING• littoral operations support

capability• future air surveillance• Joint Intelligence Programme

JOINT FORCES• Joint Task forces• Joint Defence services

bETTER CALLS• new Governance structure• revised operational level

command and control

MULTI-NATIONAL• International Defence engagement

strategy• Investment in Interoperability

A SHARED AWARENESS• Dc2s• network-enabled army• c4Isr

INTER-AGENCY• Inter-agency secondments• shared exercises• shared response to crisis

bUSINESS INTELLIGENCE• Knowledge Management strategy• Planview• Document Management system

ALONG-SIDE GOVERNMENT• shared sector strategy• stakeholder engagement framework

2020 READY

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MoRe MILItARy WoMen WILL BeneFIt eveRyone In 2014, the NZDF launched a strategic programme called Defence Excellence Through More Military Women Across the NZDF (MMW for short).

The programme’s launch followed a Ministry of Defence review that found the NZDF had made substantial progress on gender equity over the past 15 years, but it still needed to improve the recruitment, retention and progression of women.

Today, the programme has three work streams, six key objectives and – very shortly – three action plans, outlining

how each service will meet the programme’s objectives.

The programme is run by army col louisa o’Brien, who we caught up with to find out more about what’s going on with the programme and to see if it’s a really such a big deal for the nzDf?

Q: Women have been able to participate in all areas of Defence, including combat, since 2000. What’s the big deal here?

Indeed, the nzDf are leaders when it comes to career opportunities for women in the military. But, if we look at the Defence review, there’s an opportunity to raise the bar higher.

Just the other day, a guy was describing to me how a female army officer was his recruiter, his training platoon was led by a woman, he deployed under the command of a female officer and that he takes it completely for granted because they’ve proved themselves capable of doing the job. That’s a great situation. But we need it to be more widespread across the nzDf as a whole.

Q: Is it just a ‘girl’ thing or should everyone take an interest in this programme?

It’s everyone’s thing. Because it’s about improving the way we do things and being a better future force. The programme’s goal, my goal, is to achieve operational effectiveness. It’s about achieving excellence. To do that, we need the best recruits, to offer great career opportunities and a workplace culture where people feel comfortable being themselves and bringing everything they can offer to work. We need a diverse workforce and a workplace that’s inclusive.

Q: NZDF has around 15 percent women. Are we trying to increase this number significantly? If so, what’s our target? Do we even have a target; do the numbers matter?

The numbers do matter. Women are 50 percent of the population and about 40 percent of the workforce. We want our workforce to be made up of 30 percent women. It’s a figure that would allow us to keep recruiting top talent without compromise.

The research tells us that’s about the right figure for a good, inclusive organisational culture. It also means we’d look more like the population of new zealand and the communities we serve – after all that’s who we want to relate to and work with.

arMy colonel

Louisa o’Brien

DIversIty In tHe nZDF

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MMW pRogRAMMe – FACts In FIguRes2014 PROGRAMME LAUNCH

Q: What would happen if we did nothing, Louisa? What’s the risk of keeping things as they are?

There’s no question we need to change. for starters, when it comes to recruitment, we’re facing a demographic drop off in the number of potential recruits – that’s new zealanders aged between 17 to 25 years. selecting mostly men and only a few women won’t be enough to meet our recruitment targets in a very competitive market.

and, we’ll miss out on the best recruits if we don’t attract more women. They’re increasingly the graduates excelling across all sorts of academic and trade areas. We also know women are attracted to workplaces where they see other women doing well – so that’s an area for improvement too.

There’s more to it, of course. on deployment, we need both men and women working with the communities we serve. We want top-notch thinking within our organisation at all levels. That means we want a broad range of views at the decision making table to avoid ‘group think’.

We have a fair idea of the future for nzDf operations – it’s complex, hard power and soft power and definitely challenging. It needs versatility, smart thinking and swift action. We need teams set up to win.

CountLess BeneFIts•More agile, talented and professional workforce

•Better able to relate to and work with our communities at home and overseas

• Improved decision making at all levels of the organisation

• Improved flexibility and family-friendly policies and practices for everyone

•Better recruitment and retention of a more diverse workforce.

New marketing strategies for recruitment

Research into safety,

wellbeing and discrimination

Develop career progressions opportunities

for women to improve

decision making

Improve availability of flexible work

practices

Identify barriers to recruitment,

retention, career progression and

leadership

Identify best practice from around the

world and to the NZDF

“We need ambassadors – personnel who want to help make us a smarter, more agile, more competitive military force, working to our strengths individually and collectively. If you’re interested in finding out more or

being involved, email me,” says Army COL Louisa O’Brien.

Key oBjeCtIves6

Work stream looking at data collection, measurement, best practice and

engagement.

Careers work stream looking at recruitment, retention, progression and safety.

Organisational culture work stream to improve diversity

and inclusion.

WoRK CAReeRs oRgAnIsAtIonAL CuLtuRe

DIversIty In tHe nZDF

Q: Tell us about your time with Defence? How were you recruited, what’s career progression been like for you?

My experience has been very positive. Most of my service has been in the reserve force with some time spent in regular force units. My dad was a Warrant officer in the navy and, when I was young, I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

But, in my 20s, I was introduced to an army colonel, had an interview with him and – within a month or so – was signed up, issued a set of dark green Dacrons and on my first course. I spent a year training to be a soldier by choice (I’d passed officer selection), then went to officer cadet school. I’ve since worked with infantry, artillery and intelligence. eight years ago, I went on to become a colonel and, more recently, contribute to strategy and policy development at nzDf headquarters.

Q: If there’s one thing you’d want to tell NZDF men about this programme, what would it be?

This programme is about you, too. You’ll notice improvements for you as we increase diversity. We all benefit from a workplace offering more opportunity – a workplace that’s fair, diverse and at the top of its game. We all flourish at work when performance is rewarded, decision-making is sound and where everyone is treated with respect and acceptance.

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Is LAW oF ARMed ConFLICt relevant today?

Rapid decisions, some literally involving life or death, are regularly made in modern conflict. battles now are fought in an environment of growing complexity and uncertainty, placing increasing pressure on decision makers and commanders to make these decisions. With this increasing complexity one of the more common questions asked is: Is the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) still relevant to modern warfare?

Modern armed conflicts involve insurgents who are intermingled with civilians, tactics which are erratic

and focused on civilian and military targets alike, an enemy that might be an organised group, a disparate collection of individuals, or even a lone individual. It can also involve the blurring of what constitutes law enforcement action and military action, opponents that show disdain for adherence to international norms, as well as evolving technology that continues to change the parameters of the modern battlefield. so how is the law of armed conflict applied in these modern day situations?

The Law of Armed Conflict (or International Humanitarian Law) is a comprehensive regulatory framework underpinned by a set of core principles.

• military necessity – which requires that the use of lawful force that is necessary to bring about the submission of the enemy at the earliest possible moment with the least possible cost to a state in terms of lives and resources.

• humanity – that not even armed conflict releases humankind from the most basic obligations in respect of fellow human beings.

• Proportionality – the obligation of commanders to balance military necessary against humanity.

• distinction – the obligation that members of the armed forces must distinguish between objects and people open to attack (i.e. military objectives) and objects and people immune from attack (i.e. civilians).

• non-discrimination – that the rights, obligations and protections of the law of armed conflict apply to all persons affected by the armed conflict regardless of who they may be.

tHe LAW todAy

better InFormatIon

force4nz 17force4nz 17

The increasing importance of loac in modern warfare is reflected in the fact that most modern nations now have regular force legal officers in uniform. The unique position of a uniformed legal officer is itself underpinned by international law. article 81 of additional Protocol I to the Geneva conventions provides that: “The high contracting Parties at all times, and the Parties to the conflict in time of armed conflict, shall ensure that legal advisers are available, where necessary, to advise military commanders of the appropriate level on the application of the conventions and this Protocol...”

In the context of a modern battlefield, new zealand military legal officers provide advice in relation to armed conflict at every level, from the cDf and the commander Joint forces new zealand, right down to briefing individual soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen on their individual responsibilities. What makes military legal officers unique is the combination of the skills learned in military training and those gained as legal practitioners.

The united states army JaG corps sums this up well in their motto: “soldier first, lawyer always”. over the past decade, new zealand military legal officers have regularly deployed on nzDf operations in order to provide immediate practical advice on the application of loac, assisting soldiers and commanders to apply the law correctly.

as we head further into the 21st century, there is increasing pressure on the law to adequately come to terms with new technologies and new approaches to warfare. The emerging technological challenges include the space domain, the complexities of cyber operations, the development of non-lethal weapons that are designed to incapacitate rather than kill, and the use of unmanned combat vehicles. other complex challenges facing loac include the application of international human rights law and the blurring of the distinction between the law applicable to international and non-international armed conflict.

at the end of the day, respect for loac fundamentally supports the ethos and values of the nzDf.

Members of the nzDf must display:

• the courage to act in a humane and professional manner in times of danger and stress, even when others do not

• the commitment to respect the rules of loac, even in demanding and difficult circumstances when it might not seem to be in our short term interests to do so

• comradeship in making sure that other members of the nzDf do not do things that they and their country will later feel ashamed of

• the integrity to observe the rules of loac even when the law and order have broken down and it seems like there is no-one to judge their actions, other than themselves.

The way that members of the nzDf conduct themselves in combat is the ultimate mark by which their professionalism as warriors will be judged.

LIEUTENANT COMMANDER PREMA MCINTOSH, NZDF LEgAL OFFICER

lieutenant commander Prema McIntosh is an nzDf legal officer and naval officer. she is currently attached to hMnzs Te Kaha, responsible for providing advice to the co and his operations team on all aspects of international law and loac relating to operations at sea.

hMnzs Te Kaha has just completed diplomacy and commemorative visits in Turkey and is now operating in the Indian ocean in support of the combined Maritime forces (cMf), conducting Maritime security operations.

“as with conflict on land, conflict at sea is also changing. The threats in the 21st century are very different to those of the past and those looking to commit crimes at sea do not follow the same code or rules as once were the norm in the naval battles of the past. My job then, as a legal advisor, is to assist command in navigating this area and ensuring that new zealand continues to abide by all its obligations at law, while also enabling the ship to conduct operations to contribute to the cMf mission of providing a secure maritime environment in the Indian ocean.

“as with any nzDf operation, soldier, sailors and airmen and airwomen abide by the spirit of loac whenever they are deployed. a maritime deployment is unique in that on top of the loac, there are also a number of international laws and conventions that new zealand must adhere to. The most significant of these is the united nations convention on the law of the sea (unclos). It sets the rules around navigation and territorial waters, as well as the conduct of ships in the high seas (where no one nation has jurisdiction). It also includes provisions around piracy, slavery and other illegal activity committed in the maritime environment. This coupled with new zealand law and policy, informs much of what the nzDf can and cannot do at sea.”

nzdF And tHe LAW

MILItARy LegAL oFFICeRs on depLoyMent

RoLe oF ReguLAR FoRCe LegAL oFFICeRs

better InFormatIon

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NzDf’s heritage commemoration and Protocol Group reckon this year’s anzac Day commemorative event was

probably the most significant heritage event ever tackled by the Defence force – and one of the most poignant.

senior advisor commemoration strategy and first World War centenary Pip swaney says: “To the military, anzac Day is personal. It’s our story. Today’s soldiers have a deep understanding of what the anzacs faced and what they went through. We’re directly connected to this event. and that’s why it was so important to play a key role in the centenary at home and overseas,” she says.

Ms swaney is part of a 13-person team responsible for coordinating the nzDf’s anzac activities – an effort that began more than three years ago.

as a team, they were responsible for a wide range of tasks from supporting international events like the first-ever nzDf contingent to Belgium and france for anzac Day in 2014 to delivering an anzac Day conference in colorado springs in the united states this year.

“at home, we supported anzac Day events held from north cape to stewart Island and everywhere else in between. We also got a lot of requests for re-enactments and buglers – we’d have needed a battalion of buglers to meet all those requests.”

and it wasn’t always smooth sailing either, says Pip. “The deployment to Vanuatu rightly saw several of our people withdrawn from anzac commemorations for disaster relief.

“another planning hiccup was finding out hMnzs olphert was an earthquake risk a couple of weeks before anzac Week in Wellington. We’d originally planned to use the building as our base for the opening of Pukeahu, national War Memorial Park, the dedication of the australian Memorial and for anzac Day itself. Pretty quickly we had to find a new building.”

TO US, ANZAC DAY IS PERSONAL It’S oUr Story

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AnzAC 2015: Meet tHe teAM WHo MAde It HAppensandy mcKie, deputy director Visits and ceremonial – I was responsible for anzac Week Wellington, including the opening of

Pukeahu, the dedication of the australian Memorial and the four events that took place on anzac Day (the dawn service at Pukeahu, the national commemoration at Pukeahu at 11am, the ataturk service at 2pm and the ceremony of Beating retreat.

caPT jeremy seed, staff officer – I was responsible for nzDf support for community events throughout new zealand on anzac Day. I

conducted the outreach, recorded all requests, allocated events to the single services and kept everything on track.

elaine myers-davies, joint services director and new zealand service director, gallipoli 2015 – I was responsible for for all services at Gallipoli, including

liaison with key new zealand, australian and Turkish agencies and making sure all aspects of the services were in hand and that attendees had the best experience possible. I’m also corporate Manager at Veterans’ affairs.

matthew buck, senior advisor heritage – I helped with the historical image research and research for speeches on anzac Day. I helped create

the silent roll of honour that played at Pukeahu on anzac Day. But most importantly, I held the fort in the office for almost two weeks!

john mcleod, director heritage commemoration and Protocol – I had overall responsibility for commemorations and was the senior

new zealand official responsible for the delivery of Gallipoli 2015. I was at Gallipoli and ended up on TV quite a bit during the dawn service because some Turkish generals didn’t show up and they needed to fill the front row seats for broadcast!

Pip swaney, senior advisor commemorations – My role was to coordinate the planning and delivery of nzDf support

to community events throughout new zealand (excluding Wellington), australia and europe, as well as Gallipoli and the Gallipoli 2015 ballot. I also organised the new zealand end of the contingents going to Belgium, france and london. I was in Belgium for anzac Day

jess caldwell, advisor heritage and commemorations – I was almost solely focused on Gallipoli, as the primary person managing

the Gallipoli ballot. This involved a lot of time answering questions and ringing people. It was a huge undertaking. I was also site liaison at Gallipoli on anzac Day.

our other top team members:• Gwyneth simpson, assistant Director

Protocol• sydean Kendrick, assistant Director

Visits and ceremonial• Wo2 Tama andrew, nzDf Maori

cultural advisor• Wo Grant Waho, nzDf ceremonial

Warrant officer• sQnlDr Keith Pollock.

jane Keig, senior communications advisor – I led the strategic communications planning for all anzac Day activities and was the key

communications advisor for Gallipoli. I worked with the Ministry of foreign affairs and Trade and the Prime Minister’s office on the communications and media planning for Gallipoli and was at Gallipoli for anzac Day, helping to wrangle media and tell the all-of-government story.

My FAvouRIte AnzAC dAy pHoto: “I really wanted to get new zealand journalists on board hMnzs Te Kaha to tell the whole story of nzDf involvement at Gallipoli. We set off on a rhIB from canakkale marina at 0630 on a beautiful still morning and six sailors, including TeK’s co, cDr simon Griffiths, were interviewed. We were on the bridge when we heard a roar of “KIWI!” and saw a ferry with a crowd of people waving the new zealand flag and hailing the ship. It was the land-based nzDf contingent heading across the Dardanelles for rehearsals on the Gallipoli Peninsula. It was an amazing moment that really brought the whole of the nzDf contingent to Gallipoli together and set the mood for the commemorations.”

Jane Keig, Senior Communications Advisor

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My FAvouRIte AnzAC dAy pHoto:“I was at Gallipoli on anzac Day, working as a site liaison officer. My job was to help visitors, manage crowds and do any odd jobs that popped up. one of the only photos of me from anzac Day is with Bill chegwidden, our most senior new zealand attendee at Gallipoli. We’d had a bit to do with each other through the ballot process. In this photo, he’d tracked me down to say, hi.”

Jess Caldwell, Advisor Commemorations and Heritage

Best MoMents“There were so many best moments. let me think? The young soldier who winked at me during the rehearsal inspection, the red fabric of the spirit Woman’s dress billowing from the carillion, the silent roll of honour, the rnzaf band (all of them), the Gurkhas, the military police, the cadets, the 100-strong anzac guard, W/o Grant Waho, the weather, Willie apiata Vc, Pukeahu and wearing my dad’s second World War medals.”

Sandy McKie, Deputy Director Visits and Ceremonial

AnzAC dAy 2015 Key MILestones

MAY–JUN14nzDf sends veterans to Italy and france for

the 70th anniversary of Monte cassino in Italy and the D-Day landings in france.

AUg14national

commemorations get under way to mark

the start of the first World War.

Nov14nzDf head to albany, Western australia, to a commemorative event, marking the departure of new zealand and australian troops to the first World War.

Apr15Thousands of nzDf

personnel lead, support and attend anzac Day

ceremonies at home and around the world

to commemorate 100 years since the

anzac landings at Gallipoli on 25 april.

Apr14first time nzDf sends a contingent to Belgium and france for anzac Day; first time nzDf takes a national approach to coordinating new zealand-based anzac Day community activities.

All-of-government planning

Ran two WW100 Twitter feeds

Contributed to policy

Provided historical advice

Par tnered up with the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association, local government, schools and other organisations to support New Zealand events

Organised the Gallipoli 2015 ballot process, including a public consultation process

In France and Belgium, worked closely with local communities to develop collaborative events

In Australia, worked closely with the Australian Defence Force, the Returned and Services League (RSL) and the Depar tment of Veteran Affairs.

Organised New Zealand-based Anzac Day 2015 events in par tnership with the Wellington RSA, Wellington City Council, Depar tment of Internal Affairs, Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the WW100 Programme Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

WW100 CoMMeMoRAtIons: dId you KnoW?To support the WW100 commemorations this year, we:

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A dozen keen NZDF personnel have put their faces to the 2020 READY launch poster and briefing pack materials. Each of them,

in some way, represents the people we want to be in 2020.

hoW Does IT feel To Be a MoDern-DaY PosTer chIlD

for The nzDf?

Henry Matangi

navy

Logan vaughanarmy

What’s it like being one of the faces of the new 2020

READY vision?

It’s great to be asked – I’m totally passionate about

being in the royal new zealand navy. I’m all

for being part of a team that carries out a role

that’s both demanding and productive. It’s also given

me an opportunity to better understand cDf’s intent for

the next five years. at the individual level, 2020 reaDY

helps me align my career aspirations and what I need

to focus on with the strategic intent of the nzDf.

How do you like being a poster child for the new 2020 READY vision? What’s it like

to be a part of the launch?

It was good fun. It’s always good to get the army rugby kit on – particularly being the service champs. and it was my first foray into amateur modelling.

I had to strike a few poses and get sprayed

down with a bit of cold water to make me look sweaty.

As the Army rugby player of the photo shoot (and one of

the faces behind the BETTER TOOLS theme), what parts of

the vision reasonate with you?

Probably the focus on having the right equipment to get the job done. at the moment, we’ve got some good kit. our personal weapons are as good as anyone else’s – but 2020 reaDY sees those

weapons upgraded, which is pretty cool. so, they’ll be even better.

FaCes oF 2020 reaDy

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shona tokana

Civilian

Have you ever done anything like this before (be in

an ad campaign)?

This is a first for me – though my family did appear on the navy

christmas card in 2008 and I have been known

to like a photo bomb!

You’re one of the faces for BETTER TOGETHER,

which focuses on the Defence Force’s work

with local agencies and international partners.

How is this 2020 READY theme relevant to you as

an events coordinator? What kind of work do you do with other government

agencies and partners?

We do a fair bit of conference work together. last year,

for example, we had 80 new zealand Police here

for training and general support before deploying to Western samoa for a major

conference. usually our government inter-agency work

involves working alongside one another to achieve

common goals – and there’s the more practical

stuff like making our facilities available.

emma taylorair forCe

How was the photo shoot for you, Emma – as a poster child

for the BETTER TOOLS theme of 2020 READY?

It was good fun! I wore the MK15 life preserver used by 40 sQn in low level over-water operations. I wore the flying helmet. We use it for our land-based tactical flying. each piece of equipment is important for the job we do.

Thinking about the next five years and being 2020 READY, what are the things in the vision that most resonate with you?

It is exciting to see the progressive direction of the

Defence force and how it will be important for me personally. The new air force capabilities mean we can start going above and beyond the basics of aviation. It also brings us up-

to-speed with our international partners, which is important

as we train and work alongside them. The emphasis on family

support is also important to me. My family are always interested to find out more about what I do and contextualise my day-to-day work.

In logan Vaughan, for example, we have an army Major welcoming the new personal weapons. In his case, it’ll be the right kit to get the job done that’ll

make the difference. he’s our poster child for Better Tools.

In the case of shona Tokana, an air force civilian, we have an event coordinator whose work with a wide range of visitors (including government

agencies) will improve through the new shared sector strategy. That’s why shona’s our poster child for Better Together.

FaCes oF 2020 reaDy

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