The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration:
STOCKLEY, Squadron Leader Paul Leslie
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Squadron Leader Paul Stockley has devoted more than 32 years to the New Zealand Defence Force as a pilot and instructor.
As a qualified flying instructor since 1996, Squadron Leader Stockley has flown for New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. He has served with the Royal Air Force flying the Short Tucano T.1 which included a tour as Officer Commanding 207(R) Squadron. As the New Zealand Exchange Officer, he has flown with the Royal Australian Air Force. He has flown with the Red Checkers Aerobatic Team flying the CT4 Airtrainer and led the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Aerobatic Team – the Black Falcons. He was a qualified pilot with the Air Force Heritage Flight, with a North American Harvard and Grumman Avenger rating, and was assigned the only Grumman Avenger display pilot for the Air Force Heritage Flight. He has contributed to the T-6C Texan Introduction into Service, instructing and managing pilots on their first organic Flying Instructors Course on the aircraft, through the development of training and syllabus material. Throughout his career Squadron Leader Stockley has filled every key leadership position in the RNZAF flying training system including Commanding Officer Flying Training Wing (as a Wing Commander), Officer Commanding Central Flying School and Officer Commanding Pilot Training Squadron.