Thread: Air Force flight lieutenant denies stealing pistol parts from Base Woodbourne

Two Air Force personnel*say they went to the New Zealand Police about their boss stealing pistol parts because they did not trust the military to take proper action.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force armament technicians gave evidence during*flight sergeant*Murray John Smith's trial on Wednesday at the Blenheim District Court.

Smith was in*charge of the armoury at Base Woodbourne in Marlborough when he took pistol barrels and slides*from the armoury on February 10, they*said.
A police summary of facts said armament technician Oliver Powell saw Smith*grinding the serial numbers off pistol barrels and slides.
"He*noticed me see him, and said 'see nothing, say nothing'," Powell*said.

Powell told three of his coworkers, who covertly took photographs of Smith's actions on a cellphone.
Smith put the parts in a plastic bag and later carried them out of Base Woodbourne to his home on a bicycle, Powell said.
"We had gone to our other sergeant*about multiple other instances of theft and nothing had been done, so we had very little confidence in the command chain to do anything," Powell said.

"We decided it was best for Jacob to report it as he was most senior and having more courage to do it."
Smith was charged with stealing pistol parts and illegally possessing a pistol, which he denied.

Ten witnesses would be called during the judge-alone trial, including Smith.
The trial would*finish on Thursday.
*-*The Marlborough Express

bet you he gets a slap on the wrist and sent to the naughty room

Surely Smith should have known that stealing parts would never fly?

Must have been a bit short upstairs to do the serial removal at work

Originally Posted by tetawa

Must have been a bit short upstairs to do the serial removal at work

He was Airforce. Says it all really.

Originally Posted by gonetropo

bet you he gets a slap on the wrist and sent to the naughty room

The defence force doesn't like bad press. I reckon once the civvy street court case is over he will face a courts martial.

Originally Posted by Rushy

He was Airforce. Says it all really.

Feel free to spell out what you mean.

RNZAF 2001-2007
RNZE 2008-2016

Originally Posted by Danger Mouse

Feel free to spell out what you mean.

RNZAF 2001-2007
RNZE 2008-2016

@Rushy - set the hook mate, do you want the stand up harness?

Woodbourne was always known as an easy place for the aquisition of firearm parts. Back in the late 80's and early 90's a number of privately owned (mainly by RNZAF personell) L1A1 SLR's sneaked through the system and were fully refurbished on the taxpayer. Various other parts have 'fallen off the back of trucks' from there over the years. 50 years ago Burnham and Trentham were also a good source of parts/ammo from soldiers wanting a bit of beer money on a Friday night, but the system of tracking such items has changed dramatically since those days. Ammo was plentiful and when the stores signed out a case or two they were not at all interested in getting the unused portion back!

Originally Posted by Danger Mouse

Feel free to spell out what you mean.

RNZAF 2001-2007
RNZE 2008-2016

I was army. Surely you understand the rivalry between the different arms of NZDF that requires us to slag off the others. Hell even my grandfather (WWII golden rivet polisher) called airmen Brylcream Boys so it isn't anything new.

Originally Posted by Rushy

(WWII golden rivet polisher)

That's no way to talk about the senior service @Rushy

Originally Posted by Rushy

I was army. Surely you understand the rivalry between the different arms of NZDF that requires us to slag off the others. Hell even my grandfather (WWII golden rivet polisher) called airmen Brylcream Boys so it isn't anything new.

Just checking, a bit over the BS that comes from joe public based off 'news'.

Iv been in two services so i guess I have to insult myself

Air Force would have to be the Army's best friend when it comes to drop off and pick up in the kero taxi.

Had a look at the Navy armoury over on the North Shore when I did a job over there a few years back. Styers where in mint condition

Originally Posted by sako75

Air Force would have to be the Army's best friend when it comes to drop off and pick up in the kero taxi.

Had a look at the Navy armoury over on the North Shore when I did a job over there a few years back. Styers where in mint condition

there is DEFINITELY a disparity in the condition of small arms between the services. Army ones get a lot more use so wear out faster. Air Force ones are in pretty good condition as of 2007.

Defence needs quite a few capital purchases at the moment. at least they have been started eg LMT rifles.

Originally Posted by Dorkus

That's no way to talk about the senior service @Rushy

And yet you understood the meaning. I rest my case.