The International Fincastle Competition is a contest of skills between the
air forces of the
United Kingdom,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
,
Canada and
New Zealand. During the competition, crews compete in
anti-submarine warfare,
anti-surface warfare, and
intelligence and
surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, many activities, or information for the purpose of information gathering, influencing, managing or directing. This can include observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment, such as c ...
gathering.
Origins
The Fincastle Competition began in 1960 when Mr. and Mrs. Aird-Whyte presented a silver tray, (now the Fincastle Trophy), in memory of their son Sergeant Nairn Fincastle Aird-Whyte, (who was killed in action in 1943 while flying with the
RAF Coastal Command). Initially the competition was for accuracy in
depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon. It is intended to destroy a submarine by being dropped into the water nearby and detonating, subjecting the target to a powerful and destructive Shock factor, hydraulic shock. Most depth ...
bombing
A bomb is an explosive weapon that uses the exothermic reaction of an explosive material to provide an extremely sudden and violent release of energy. Detonations inflict damage principally through ground- and atmosphere-transmitted mechanica ...
showcase but it has evolved over the years to reflect the new duties of today's
air forces. The competition fosters relations among the four participating nations while encouraging learning and skill sharing.
Results
Image:RAF_roundel.svg, RAF 17 Victories
Image:Roundel of Australia.svg , RAAF 13 Victories
Image:Roundel of Canada.svg, RCAF 8 Victories
Image:Roundel of New Zealand.svg, RNZAF 8 Victories
ASW Bombing Competition
:Crews flew over their own home waters and sent results to an Adjudicating Committee in London for the selection of the winner.
ASW Competition
:Format as per previous competition (in home waters), but using a wider range of ASW skills to evaluate the winner.
ASW Competition
:From 1971, the competition sorties were flown from a common venue, exercising ASW skills in a set format gradually evolved over the years, but kept to a broadly consistent focus.
MPA ISTAR Competition
:Format was changed to focus on a broader range of Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (
ISTAR) missions, as well as retaining an ASW component. Rather than a dedicated submarine, the competition is held in conjunction with a major exercise.
Fincastle Patches
Image:Fincastle 1984 Australia.jpg, Fincastle 1984
Image:Fincastle 1985 Kinloss.jpg, Fincastle 1985
Image:Fincastle 1987 Canada.jpg, Fincastle 1987
Image:Fincastle 1990 Canada.jpg, Fincastle 1990
Image:Fincastle 1992 Kinloss.jpg, Fincastle 1992
Image:Fincastle 1994 Australia.jpg, Fincastle 1994
Image:Fincastle 1997 Canada.jpg, Fincastle 1997
Image:Fincastle 1998 Australia.jpg, Fincastle 1998
Image:Fincastle 2001 Australia.jpg, Fincastle 2001
Image:Fincastle 2006.jpg, Fincastle 2006
Maintenance Trophy
In 1996
Lockheed Martin
The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American aerospace, arms, defense, information security, and technology corporation with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It ...
sponsored the first Fincastle
Maintenance Trophy
The Maintenance Trophy is awarded by Lockheed Martin and was introduced in 1996 at the Fincastle competition.
Origins
The Lockheed Martin Fincastle Maintenance Trophy was first introduced during Fincastle 1996, which was held in New Zealand. I ...
. According to the Canadian Air Force, competition for the
Maintenance Trophy
The Maintenance Trophy is awarded by Lockheed Martin and was introduced in 1996 at the Fincastle competition.
Origins
The Lockheed Martin Fincastle Maintenance Trophy was first introduced during Fincastle 1996, which was held in New Zealand. I ...
"evaluates each team’s skills with maintenance, support, and flight line operations."
Sources
Canadian Air Forces article2005 competition
References
{{reflist
Military excellence competitions
Anti-submarine warfare