NZ Defence Minister Mark Arrives Today

New Zealand’s Minister for Defence, Ron Mark, arrives today for the unveiling of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) 5 Squadron monument.

The unveiling will take place at the University of the South Pacific (USP) tomorrow. This was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Josh Wineera of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

Mr Mark, a former military officer himeself, will arrive at Nadi International Airport on board a RNZAF Boeing 757 with veterans who served at the Laucala Bay base from 1940 until its closure in 1967. “A contingent of RNZAF personnel, including current members of RNZAF 5 SQN, band and Maori culture group are travelling to Fiji to attend the commemorations that are part of the University of the South Pacific’s 50th anniversary celebrations,” LtCol Wineera said.

He said a C130 Hercules would make two trips from Nadi to Nausori International Airport and the minister would be on the first trip.

“The first trip will be at Nausori Airport at 11am and they will be met at Nausori by the Government protocol officer,” LieutenantColonel Wineera said.

The other senior New Zealand staff coming, Lieutenant-Colonel Wineera said, would be Vice Chief of Defence Force Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short, who was a RNZAF No.5 SQN navigator and captain in his early career.