Loadmaster on target at Exercise Bullseye
Sergeant Dave Cresswell was back on home ground and taking part in an international exercise at Base Ohakea.
Exercise Bullseye is a combat readiness exercise, involving the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force. The highlight of the week-long event was an airdrop accuracy competition between the three countries. The Royal New Zealand Air Force team took away top honours, with Sergeant Cresswell playing an important role in the team.
As a loadmaster on №40 Squadron C-130 Hercules, one of Sergeant Cresswell’s roles during the exercise was to ensure the aerial delivery bundles leave the aircraft and land safely in the drop zone. Working with our international friends at the same time was a highlight, he said.
“Working with the Australians is like working with your family because a lot of these guys we serve in the Middle East with, do humanitarian relief work with, fly with them around the Pacific and exercising together.
“So it’s catching up with old friends and sharing ideas and information between the squadrons.”
Sergeant Cresswell grew up in Bulls near Base Ohakea and joined the Air Force because of his grandfather, who was a chippy who built aircraft parts including flooring in the Sunderlands — “when planes were made out of wood”.
“Also, I would see the C-130s fly over and I said, ‘I want to be one of those guys’.
Sergeant Cresswell joined the Air Force in 2004 and has worked as a loadmaster for about the past five years. The best part of the job was all the hard work, he said.
“Being on №40 Squadron, we’re at the forefront of most NZDF operations. The job role we have has a major impact and you can see that. When we’re delivering humanitarian aid to people, undertaking medivacs, doing search and rescues, or flying scientists to Antarctica, you really see the fruits of your labour unfold and see the impact our squadron makes.
“There’s a lot of variety and that keeps it fun and interesting.”
