The International Fincastle Competition is a contest of skills between the air forces of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. During the competition, crews compete in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and intelligence and surveillance 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 bombing 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

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. Year Winner 1961 RAAF 1962 RCAF 1963 RAAF 1964 RNZAF 1965 RCAF 1966 RAF 1967 RAAF 1968 RAAF 1969 RAAF

ASW Competition Format as per previous competition (in home waters), but using a wider range of ASW skills to evaluate the winner. Year Winner 1970 RAF

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. Year Venue Host Submarine Winner 1971 Comox CF RAAF/CF (tied) 1972 Tengah RAF RAAF 1973 Edinburgh RAAF RAF 1974 Whenuapai RNZAF HMAS Oxley RAF 1975 Greenwood CF RAF/RAAF 1976 Kinloss RAF RAF 1977 Edinburgh RAAF RAF 1978 Whenuapai RNZAF HMAS Otway RAAF 1979 Greenwood CF HMCS Okanagan RAAF 1980 St Mawgan RAF HMS Ocelot RNZAF 1981 Edinburgh RAAF HMAS Oxley CF 1982 Whenuapai RNZAF RNZAF 1983 Greenwood CF HMCS Okanagan RNZAF 1984 Edinburgh RAAF HMAS Oxley RAF 1985 Kinloss RAF CF 1986 Edinburgh RAAF HMAS Onslow RAF 1987 Greenwood CF HMCS Okanagan RAF 1988 Edinburgh RAAF HMAS Onslow RNZAF 1989 St Mawgan RAF HMS Conqueror CF 1990 Greenwood CF RAF 1991 Edinburgh RAAF RNZAF 1992 Kinloss RAF RAF 1993 Greenwood CF RAAF 1994 Edinburgh RAAF HMAS Onslow RAAF 1995 Kinloss RAF CF 1996 Whenuapai RNZAF HMAS Onslow CF 1997 Comox CF HMCS Ojibwa RNZAF 1998 Edinburgh RAAF HMAS Onslow RNZAF 1999 Kinloss RAF RAF 2000 No Competition - - - 2001 Edinburgh RAAF RAF 2002 Kinloss RAF RAF 2003 Pearce RAAF RAAF 2004 No Competition - - - 2005 Whenuapai RNZAF RAF

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. Year Venue Host Exercise Winner 2006 Kinloss RAF NEPTUNE WARRIOR RAF 2008 Comox CF MAPLE GUARDIAN RAF

Fincastle Patches

Maintenance Trophy In 1996 Lockheed Martin sponsored the first Fincastle Maintenance Trophy. According to the Canadian Air Force, competition for the Maintenance Trophy "evaluates each team’s skills with maintenance, support, and flight line operations."

Sources

Canadian Air Forces article 2005 competition 2006 competition Fincastle Committee

References