Royal Australian Air Force Flight Sergeant Daniel McDowell has become the first international participant to receive the Warrant Officer Promotion Award from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). 

The award was presented at RNZAF Base Woodbourne on August 28 by NZDF Warrant Officer Abby Ward on behalf of the Commanding Officer of the Command and Recruit Training Squadron (CRTS). Introduced in 2013, it recognises an individual who best epitomises warrant officer values.

Earlier that month, Flight Sergeant McDowell attended the Warrant Officer Professional Development Course run by CRTS's Leadership Development Flight – the first time an Australian has been invited. 

He was selected for his outstanding performance as a facilitator at the RAAF School of Postgraduate Studies and as runner-up Air Force Instructor last year. The course, which has been running since 2006, equips warrant officers with practical tools for strategic leadership roles that support command intent.

“This development opportunity showed me how Australia and New Zealand enhance and align their training for warrant officers,” Flight Sergeant McDowell said.

The group included eight warrant officers and seven flight sergeants from New Zealand, one senior master sergeant from the United States and a Military Expert 3 from Singapore. 

'To stand out among exceptional peers was an honour.'

Their training spanned three weeks at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, a week at Base Ohakea and sessions in Wellington.

In Wellington, joint sessions with New Zealand Army and Navy warrant officer courses emphasised integration, joint operations and a warfighter mindset. Outdoor challenges at St. Arnaud included raft building, stretcher carries, orienteering and a blindfolded plunge into freezing Lake Rotoiti that built resilience during the cooler weather.

One highlight was immersive learning of Māori culture at Ohakea with the RNZAF Turangawaewae, where the international students received toki pounamu necklaces symbolising strength, determination and courage. 

Flight Sergeant McDowell was named Te Ngakau Pai, denoting a positive, virtuous gentleman, and blessed in a ceremony by retired RNZAF Warrant Officer Wal Wallace. 

The course's toughest element came on the first day – a 360-degree feedback assessment by Australian peers, superiors and subordinates. 

"This content provided fantastic insights for critical thinking on current and future challenges,” Flight Sergeant McDowell said.

Surprised and humbled by the award, Flight Sergeant McDowell was praised by staff who noted that he elevated the level of discussions throughout the course. 

"To stand out among exceptional peers was an honour,” he said. 

Lifelong bonds were forged between peers, who felt like family by the end of the course. New Zealand hosts expressed pride in Flight Sergeant McDowell’s achievement, boosting trans-Tasman ties.