Papakura local joins Royal New Zealand Airforce after “emotionally challenging” training
A Papakura resident has joined the airforce after completing 14 weeks of challenging training.
Aircraftman (AC) Suhailjeet Singh, 20, immigrated with his family from New Delhi, India, in 2003, and is a former student at Rosehill College.
“I am a hands-on person with interest in cars and motorbikes. My cousin, who is a mechanical engineer, suggested that I should find out about careers in the RNZAF and apply,” he said.
“He nagged me until I did find out the necessary information.”
Singh is leaning the aircraft technician trade, which includes working on airframes, engines, structure, modifications and troubleshooting of aircraft.
“The recruit training is very challenging as it takes you from a civilian to a serviceperson in 14 weeks. You are challenged physically, mentally and sometimes emotionally but at the end of it you know you have done the hard work and you can wear the uniform with pride as you have earned it,” he said.
“I have learned a lot during my training and I’ve formed lifelong friendships with many fellow air men and women. Being the only Indian, and the only Sikh male in this group, I did not feel alone or apart.“
RNZAF’s dress code accommodates people with different religious backgrounds, such as issuing material for turbans as part of the uniform.
Singh is allowed to keep on him the “five Ks” required as part of his faith: uncut hair (Kesh), a wooden comb (Kangha), an iron bracelet (Kara), a cotton undergarment (Kachera) and an iron dagger (Kirpan). He is also an ardent student of the Sikh martial art Gatka.
“We are a mixture of New Zealanders from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds and come from many different families but we now also belong to another bigger family, the RNZAF,” he said.
“This may not be the country of our birth or heritage but it is our home and I, and hopefully others, would feel privileged to have the right to defend this land and waters, to keep all New Zealand families and communities safe.”
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
Poll: Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?
There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.
Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?
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43% Yes, I've seen some illegal dumping
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56.5% No, our neighbourhood is pretty good
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0.6% Other - I'll share below
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