Progress for women in the Forces

Press, 16 June 1988, Page 12

Progress for women in the Forces

PA Wellington Male bastions in the Armed Services are crumbling, but not at the “cutting edge.” It is now naval policy that women can stay overnight at sea in the hydrographic ship, H.M.N.Z.S. Monowai, but not, according to Government policy, in combat ships, such as the frigates, the "Evening Post” reports. f Women are now flying aircraft in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, but not those used in combat roles, such as Skyhawks. A naval spokesman, Lieutenant Laurence Tye, said the decision had been taken to allow women regular postings aboard the Monowai after an 18-month trial which ended earlier this year.

The Monowai is the re-. furbished Islands trader; Mona Roa and has separate cabins and toilets, un-; like frigates which are more cramped and spartan.

Lieutenant Tye said between 12 and 15 women now formed part of the 110 crew of the Monowai. Consideration was also being given to allowing women to crew the new tanker H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour. The Endeavour has been built on Merchant

Navy lines and all officers and senior ratings have cabins with en-suite facilities. Junior ratings are not much worse off.

Lieutenant Tye said the decision on who could go to sea in non-combat ships lay with the Chief of Naval Staff.

Some changes are also afoot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

A spokesman, Flying Officer Peter Northcote, said two women were undergoing the “wings” course and when they graduated would be allowed to fly the Boeing 727 jets, Andovers, Air Trainers, Air. Tourers, Golden Eagles, Friendships and the Strikemasters in their advanced training role, and work as instructors.

However, they would not be able to fly aircraft used in combat such as Skyhawks, Orions and the Hercules Cl3os. A New Zealand Army spokesman, Major Peter Fryer, said women in the Army had been able to do a number of things much earlier than in the other two Services. What about women being allowed to charge the enemy with Steyr rifle and bayonet fixed?. Major Fryer said he could not tell what the future held.