New commanding officer takes control of Poseidon squadron at Ohakea
Wing Commander Mark Chadwick’s career has skyrocketed from his early days as a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) aircraft technician.
13 December, 2024
His latest peak is as commanding officer of No. 5 Squadron, which forms the RNZAF’s cutting-edge Airborne Surveillance and Response Force with its four P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
A change of command ceremony was held at RNZAF Base Ohakea on 10 December.
The Poseidon can conduct a range of tasks including aerial surveillance of areas of interest such as New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone, as well as fisheries in the South Pacific and the Southern Ocean.
Wing Commander Chadwick said the Poseidon was the world’s most advanced maritime patrol aircraft and is designed to find and monitor targets on and below the water.
“Like the P-3K2 that came before it, the P-8A can drop sonobuoys and torpedos in the anti-submarine warfare role,” he said.
Wing Commander Chadwick said he was lucky enough to inherit a new capability that has years of further development potential for the RNZAF.
A change of command ceremony was held at RNZAF Base Ohakea on 10 December.
“After a period of testing and evaluation the Poseidon is ramping up its involvement in advanced tactical warfare exercises and supporting security operations overseas.”
The P-8A has modern surveillance sensors, electronic support measures, self-protection systems and a communication suite of radios, data links and satellite communication.
With a fuel capacity of almost 34 tonnes the P-8A has the ability to remain in the air for up to 11 hours. P-8As are required to be ready to go 24/7 365 days a year and are often used in search and rescue missions around New Zealand and the Pacific.
Wing Commander Chadwick said another key focus for 2025 was relocating No.5 Squadron into a new purpose-built hangar at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
“Te Whare Toroa consists of two hangars spanning 180 metres by 60m and will house the squadron’s four Poseidons.
“The name was inspired by the albatross on the squadron’s crest. The new building will be one of the largest and most complex the Defence Force has ever seen.
“As you can imagine it is a massive project and will take up a significant amount of time in planning and managing the actual move.”
Two P-8A Poseidon aircraft at Base Ohakea.
Originally from Wellsford, north of Auckland, Wing Commander Chadwick began his RNZAF career 30 years ago as an aircraft technician at RNZAF Base Auckland.
In 2005 he switched career to aircraft crew and went on to work as a navigator, tactical coordinator, air warfare instructor and operations flight commander.
Wing Commander Chadwick said personal highlights of his career included numerous successful search and rescue operations - being able to reunite someone with their loved ones.
“I’ve also served in Bougainville, East Timor and the Middle East. Being able to assist and support the local people in those regions was very rewarding. Additionally, being able to deploy to Antarctica was another experience I will never forget.”