Security boost for airbase

NEIL DUDDY/Suburbans

SECURITY CONCERNS: Whenuapai airbase security officer Gavin Leckner, left, and airfield manager Brian Phillips survey the temporary barricade.

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Security is being beefed up at the Whenuapai airbase to deter vandals and trespassers.

The site’s defence perimeter is being strengthened amid increased security concerns locally and internationally.

A temporary barbed wire barricade is in place until a permanent 2.4-metre high barbed wire barricade goes up next month.

The move follows a number of security breaches.

The last major incident was in September when vandals scaled the original 1.2-metre high fence and spraypainted graffiti on a visiting Australian Air Force aircraft.

"People also use the field as a shortcut to Whenuapai village and seem to think it’s not a serious matter to encroach on a military base," airfield manager Brian Phillips says.

"There are real dangers where military hardware is present and for their safety people need to heed the warning signs clearly posted around the perimeter. And the public should be aware there are guard dogs on-site.

Mr Phillips says visitors from overseas military forces are often surprised at the lack of base security.

"We have people here who were with the Royal Air Force in Britain and they couldn’t believe how low our security measures were. Most military sites around the world have undergone upgrades recently because of perceived higher security risks."

Base security officer Gavin Leckner says ongoing problems with trespassers convinced staff that the old fencing was inadequate.

"The original fence did not deter people and compared to overseas military bases and international airports we had minimal security, so an upgrade was necessary."

Mr Leckner says there are plenty of legitimate opportunities for people to see the airbase up close.

"They can come to our open day on March 21 to see what goes on without putting themselves and others at risk."

- © Fairfax NZ News