VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHWL #0281 2662247
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 232247Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0145
UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000281
SIPDIS
STATE FOR PM/DTCC - BLUE LANTERN COORDINATOR AND EAP/ANP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC NZ
SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN LEVEL 3: POST-SHIPMENT END-USE CHECK FOR CASE
050035123
REF: 09 STATE 76933; 2006 BLUE LANTERN GUIDEBOOK
1. In response to reftel, PolOff conducted a Blue Lantern post
shipment check of Helicopters Otago, Ltd on September 10, 2009.
This helicopter rescue company is a legitimate business operating
under contract with the New Zealand government's Accident
Compensation Corporation, and it has land and sea rescue
responsibility for the southern half of New Zealand's south island.
PolOff witnessed a signed contract and a current business license.
2. Helicopters Otago, Ltd is home-based in Dunedin, NZ and has
been in business for 20 years. Graeme Gale is its sole proprietor.
This company uses night vision devices (nvd) primarily for night
rescue and medical evacuation operations over land. Management
understands the restrictions on United States Munitions List items,
especially the prohibition against unauthorized re-transfer and
re-export.
3. All nvds are kept in a safe within a locked facility when not
in use, and only pilots and paramedics who are trained to use them
have access to the safe. PolOff inspected the Dunedin facility and
verified that six ITT Model F4949F, Gen III ANVIS 9 Aviator Night
Vision Goggles (serial numbers: 25252, 25251, 21620, 21621, 11922,
and 11925) plus associated hardware were present.
4. Helicopters Otago is the only civilian ITT certified
calibration site in New Zealand, so nvds are sent to Dunedin from
around the country for 180 day calibrations.
CLARKE