Supporting Air Force veterans and their families

The Missing Wingman Trust exists to remember those we've lost and support Air Force families. Chair of the Trust, Ron Thacker, served as a commissioned officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for 43 years, retiring in 2022 as a Wing Commander.

"Over the past 15 years many of our servicewomen and men have benefitted from the Missing Wingman Trust. We have been able to provide support at a time when they have needed it most, through grants totalling nearly $300,000 and countless hours of volunteer support. We continue to be thankful to our donors and supporters whose generosity allows us to do this," said Ron.

The Trust was set up in 2010 by former RNZAF pilot Tim Costley, following the loss of several colleagues. It provides education scholarships, pays medical expenses, helps out around the home, sends children on sporting trips, and provides memorials and other mobility and welfare support to Air Force families when someone is killed, injured, wounded or ill.

The Trust is supported in its operations by volunteers at each of the RNZAF Bases, within Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand (Trentham) and within Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force (Wellington).

In 2020, the Trust began collaborating with the Manawatū District Council over development of the

Whakaari-Mt Stewart site near Ohakea. The plan will see the site developed as a living memorial to honour past and present NZDF personnel and their families. The paths at the site take the shape of the Missing Man aerial formation stretching from the Mount Stewart settlers' monument north towards the top of the hill. The paths are best seen from the Mount Stewart
Halcombe Road or in the air, as flights landing into NZDF Base Ohakea will experience.

The living memorial relies heavily on volunteer efforts. Personnel from RNZAF Base Ōhakea have played a massive role in the development, with successive rounds of planting involving thousands of native trees, flaxes, and shrubs. The long-term plan includes a hangar-like viewing area, walking tracks and designated areas for reflection.

Student scholarship available

With the family's approval, the Missing Wingman Trust has established an educational scholarship
with seed funding from the estate of the late SQNLDR (Rtd) Scotty Glendinning. ​

The scholarship is targeted toward students from Air Force families which have suffered due to illness, injury or death in the family. It is intended to support students pursuing tertiary education or equivalent trade training courses who demonstrate strong potential, commitment to their field of study, and alignment with the values of the trust.

Details of the scholarship and application requirements can be found here: MWT Glendinning Scholarship Applications(external link) for the 2027 scholarship close on 30 September 2026.