Tension rises as Air Force jobs go

By PAULA OLIVER

The scrapping of the Air Force's fighter wing marches another step forward on Monday, when 350 personnel will be told that they no longer have jobs.

The cull is part of the Government's controversial plan to axe the country's Skyhawk-led air combat force - a decision that has attracted heavy criticism, particularly since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

A total of 700 staff will be axed from the Air Force over the next three years.

Half of them will learn their fate at a series of carefully coordinated meetings next week.

The cuts will specifically target aircraft technicians, avionics and armament.

When the Herald visited Ohakea Air Force base yesterday, the home of the combat wing, staff were tense and nervously awaiting news of their future.

One admitted that the financial problems of the world's airlines meant fewer job opportunities.

"Is Air New Zealand hiring at the moment?" another said.

Many of Ohakea's staff are now occupied with tidying up and servicing the aging Skyhawks, which are progressively returning from service overseas to be prepared for sale. The last fighters will return home in early December.

Four of the 17-strong Skyhawk fleet sat idle on the tarmac yesterday, tape covering their openings to keep birds from nesting before the aircraft head to Blenheim to be sold.

Just a handful of staff were visible, some enjoying a low-key party in an effort to break the tension.

"It is a difficult time right now, both professionally and personally, for many of the guys," said Air Force spokesman Ric Cullinane. "Come Monday, it will be extremely hard."

The scrapping of the air combat wing is expected to save the Government $870 million over 10 years.

But the move has attracted strong criticism from a campaign group that has received donations totalling more than $50,000 since running a series of newspaper advertisements.

Save our Squadrons spokesman Vern Curtis said the Government should review its decision in light of the terrorist attacks.

"It's not just 350 staff, it's 350 skilled men, and once they're gone it takes a long time to replace them.

"People are really getting behind our campaign now.

"There's a lot of feeling out there, particularly after what happened in the United States."

But Defence Minister Mark Burton yesterday reiterated in Parliament that there was no intention to revisit the decision to scrap the Skyhawks.