Robin Klitscher - continuing his distinguished military service

18/10/2008

A man busier than most in so-called ‘retirement’ is retired Air Vice-Marshal Robin Klitscher CBE, DFC, AFC, BSc (1950-54).

Robin is the national President of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) and is the first airman to lead the organisation.

Air Vice-Marshal Robin Klitscher CBE, DFC, AFC, BSc

Robin joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot in 1958. After converting to helicopters in mid-career, he spent twelve months (1970-71) on active service with No 9 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, flying Iroquois choppers based in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Viet Nam. During that year he flew 3,248 sorties clocking up 963 flying hours on operations, service which led to him being awarded the DFC.

In 1989, after many other operational and administrative postings Robin was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal. Upon retiring from active duty in 1993 he was contracted to the post of Military Policy Adviser to the Chief of Defence Force until, in 1995, he moved to the Department of Internal Affairs as National Coordinator for commemorative activities marking the 50 years on from the end of World War II.

Robin is National President of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Association, and past Chairman of the National War Memorial Advisory Council. He has served on the National Executive Committee of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association since 1997, and is a former chair of its Defence Committee, Ceremonial, Protocol and Medallic Committee and RNZRSA Affiliates Forum. He is also a member of the official Joint Working Group (now the Joint Implementation Group) on the Concerns of Viet Nam Veterans and their Families and is regarded as a leader in the fight for compensation for Viet Nam veterans affected by the use of Agent Orange.

As well as attending functions the length and breadth of the country, much of Robin’s time is now taken up with administrative work, including the overhaul and re-write of the War Pensions Act 1954 where veterans are given an unequivocal benefit of the doubt.

During his flying years Robin was a founding member of the famous Red Checkers aerobatic team, flying at Number 3 in the team’s first display at the Wigram Air Show on November 5th 1967, which marked the 50th anniversary of flying training at Wigram. He led the team in subsequent years.

That tradition is now in the hands of Squadron Leader Stephen Hunt (1978-82).