Defence Chiefs Meet In Wellington
The Chief of Defence Staff, United Kingdom Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and the Chief of Defence Force Australia
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and New Zealand’s Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae met this
week in Wellington for the biennial BRITANZ Principal’s meeting.
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Caption: The Chief of Defence Staff United Kingdom, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, inspects a New Zealand Defence
Force Guard of Honour at the National War Memorial in Wellington.
Lieutenant General Mateparae said, “I am pleased to be hosting this year’s BRITANZ meeting with our much valued partners
the United Kingdom and Australia. Over the past two days we have covered a lot of ground, discussed a wide range of
security issues and been briefed on topics of mutual interest. Each of our countries has areas of special interest
around the World, and the BRITANZ meeting provides a good opportunity to share information.”
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston agreed that the meeting was a very important
forum for the three countries to regularly exchange information and experiences There are several areas around the world
where the three countries have common interests; from the long-standing Five Power Defence Arrangement based in
Malaysia, to operations in a number of countries. The situation in Afghanistan has been discussed in detail at this
years meeting; an area of the world where each country is significantly involved in with their respective Defence
Forces.
The three Defence Chiefs made an office call on the Minister of Defence, the Honourable Phil Goff. A number of strategic
issues were discussed, including Afghanistan.
While in New Zealand Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston attended a wreath-laying
ceremony at the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington.
At the ceremony each Defence Chief inspected a 50 man Guard of Honour, and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown
Warrior. A catafalque guard comprising personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force was paraded in support of the
ceremony.
ENDS