WONZ 268 – Changing Times at No. 5 Squadron

Guests: Wing Commander Glen Donaldson, Commanding Officer of No. 5 SquadronFlight Sergeant Tony Strugnell, Flight EngineerSquadron Leader Paul Barrett, MFC, Flight Engineer, Engineer OfficerFlight Lieutenant Tom Peterson, PilotFlying Officer Holly Graham – Air Warfare OfficerCorporal Nikita Crookbain – Air Warfare Specialist

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 16th of November 2022

Released:  12th of December 2022

Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes 53 seconds

In this episode of the WONZ Show, Dave Homewood visits No. 5 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force at RNZAF Base Whenuapai. Dave sat down with a group of aircrew and engineers from the squadron to talk about their experiences with the Lockheed P-3K2 Orion as the sun sets on its very long RNZAF career. And they discuss the new Boeing P-8 Poseidon that is just entering service to replace the Orions.

This discussion gives a great insight into the amazing work that the Orion has done over five and a half decades for New Zealand, and also looks forward to how the now Poseidon will fulfil the roles that the Orion spent so long doing, and what is to come for the new aircraft.

This episode is being released on the very day that the first RNZAF Poseidon, NZ4801, arrived in New Zealand after the delivery ferry flight from the USA.

Dave Homewood wishes to thank all those who took part in the interview, and those behind the scenes that helped to make it happen, especially No. 5 Squadron Adjutant Flight Lieutenant Mandy Ferguson, Simone Millar of the Defence Public Affairs department, and Peter and Karola Wheeler.

Quick Links:

• The Royal New Zealand Air Force website

• The Royal New Zealand Air Force Facebook page

• The No. 5 Squadron Association

The episode participants in the squadron commander’s office where this episode was recorded. From left to right: Wing Commander Glen Donaldson, Flight Sergeant Tony Strugnell, Squadron Leader Paul Barrett, Flight Lieutenant Tom Peterson, Flying Officer Holly Graham and Corporal Nikita Crookbain. (Photo Dave Homewood)

An RNZAF Lockheed P-3K2 Orion on the flightline at Whenuapai. (Photo Dave Homewood)

Two of the three remaining P-3K2 Orions still in service, soon to be replaced by the P-8 Poseidon. (Photo Dave Homewood)

Air to air view of No. 5 Squadron Orion NZ4201 in flight over the Auckland Harbour bridge. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo WgG1223-73

Air to air view of No. 5 Squadron Orion NZ4205 in flight over a ship in New Zealand territorial waters. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo Oh700-30-97_1_1

The music heard in this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud