Fincastle Trophy

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.

Fincastle Trophy

Origins

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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

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[1]

ASW Bombing Competition

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Crews flew over their own home waters and sent results to an Adjudicating Committee in London for the selection of the winner.
YearWinner
1961RAAF
1962RCAF
1963RAAF
1964RNZAF
1965RCAF
1966RAF
1967RAAF
1968RAAF
1969RAAF

ASW Competition

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

ASW Competition

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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.
YearVenueHostSubmarineWinner
1971ComoxCFHMCS RainbowRAAF/CF (tied)
1972TengahRAFHMAS OnslowRAAF
1973EdinburghRAAFHMAS OxleyRAF
1974WhenuapaiRNZAFHMAS OxleyRAF
1975GreenwoodCFHMCS OkanaganRAF/RAAF
1976KinlossRAFHMS OcelotRAF
1977EdinburghRAAFHMAS OtwayRAF
1978WhenuapaiRNZAFHMAS OtwayRAAF
1979GreenwoodCFHMCS OkanaganRAAF
1980St MawganRAFHMS OcelotRNZAF
1981EdinburghRAAFHMAS OxleyCF
1982WhenuapaiRNZAFHMAS OtamaRNZAF
1983GreenwoodCFHMCS OkanaganRNZAF
1984EdinburghRAAFHMAS OxleyRAF
1985KinlossRAFHMS ConquerorCF
1986EdinburghRAAFHMAS OnslowRAF
1987GreenwoodCFHMCS OkanaganRAF
1988EdinburghRAAFHMAS OnslowRNZAF
1989St MawganRAFHMS ConquerorCF
1990GreenwoodCFHMS OnyxRAF
1991EdinburghRAAFHMAS OvensRNZAF
1992KinlossRAFHMS SuperbRAF
1993GreenwoodCFHMCS OjibwaRAAF
1994EdinburghRAAFHMAS OnslowRAAF
1995KinlossRAFHMS TorbayCF
1996WhenuapaiRNZAFHMAS OnslowCF
1997ComoxCFHMCS OjibwaRNZAF
1998EdinburghRAAFHMAS OnslowRNZAF
1999KinlossRAFHMS TrenchantRAF
2000No Competition---
2001EdinburghRAAFHMAS WallerRAF
2002KinlossRAFHMS TrafalgarRAF
2003PearceRAAFHMAS SheeanRAAF
2004No Competition---
2005WhenuapaiRNZAFHMAS FarncombRAF

MPA ISTAR Competition

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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.
YearVenueHostExerciseWinner
2006KinlossRAFNEPTUNE WARRIORRAF
2008ComoxCFMAPLE GUARDIANRAF

Fincastle Patches

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Maintenance Trophy

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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

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References

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  1. ^ "Fincastle Implementation Guide" (PDF). Fincastle International Committee Chairman. 2007-04-23. Retrieved 2007-11-02.