COOK Richard Lance

J23215, Commander, Royal New Zealand Navy

CITATION

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Years Honours List 2008

Commander COOK held the appointment of Chief Staff Officer Operations at Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (HQ JFNZ) during

2006, a position normally filled by a Colonel equivalent officer. This period was characterised by a busy operational tempo that required the

Operations Branch within HQ JFNZ to dedicate an inordinate amount of time to support operationally deployed forces, all in the face of staff

shortages within the branch. His commitment to the effort was immeasurable.  His leadership ensured that HQ JFNZ provided appropriately

responsive support to deployed missions.  This was achieved by working consistently long hours, both during the normal working week and at

weekends maintaining contact with the various missions – compounded by an array of time-zone differences.  He was always at pains

however to ensure that he was inconvenienced by the time-zone differences, rather than mission personnel.  He displayed considerable

capacity, as well as meticulous planning and organisational skills to effectively respond to the numerous daily operational demands.

KNOWN AWARDS

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

New Zealand Operational Service Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal

New Zealand General Service Medal Solomon Islands

New Zealand Armed Forces Award

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT