Edition 5206, April 15, 2010 - Department of Defence

AIRR F
RCE
Vol. 52, No. 6, April 15, 2010 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Forc Force
AMAZING
COURAGE
Full story P2
SPECIAL BOND: Left, Air Force
medics and good friends CPL Sharon
Jager and FLTLT Jo Darby are proud
and relieved to be together again a
year after being caught in the centre
of the tragic SIEV 36 explosion at
Ashmore Reef (below). Above, they
treat one of the survivors aboard
HMAS Childers on that fateful day.
Their incredible actions not only
saved many lives, but forged an even
stronger bond between them. Photos:
LSIS Helen Frank and LCDR Brett Westcott
SIEV 36 DRAMA: THE UNTOLD AIR FORCE STORY
CAPT Joe Nyhan
WHEN the suspected illegal entry
vessel known as SIEV 36 exploded
near Ashmore Island in April
last year, seven members of the
Air Force found themselves at the
centre of the tragedy.
They were immediately called
upon to play key roles in the rescue
and medical repatriation that
followed.
Only now, after the conclusion
of the Northern Territory
Coroner’s Inquest into the explosion
and deaths of five Afghan
men, can the full story regarding
the incredible actions of the Air
Force personnel be told.
Specialist medical assistant
CPL Sharon Jager was on board
SIEV 36 fulfilling her dual role as
a Transit Security Element (TSE)
member when the vessel exploded.
CPL Jager was blown into the
sea from the rear of the SIEV.
PS IN FOCUS: MIDDLE EAST P3-6 OP RESOLUTE P15
Continued Page 2

2 News AIR F
RCE April 15, 2010
From Page 1
Watching events unfold from
HMAS Childers was medical officer
FLTLT Joleen Darby, who immediately
feared the worst.
“I saw the boat explode, knowing
my good friend Sharon was on board,
along with eight other ADF personnel,”
she said. “I didn’t know whether
they were dead or alive.”
FLTLT Darby had to put her
immediate fears and grief aside. As
the only doctor on scene, she knew
there would be seriously injured people
needing her help immediately.
She went straight from the bridge
of Childers to the quarterdeck where
badly burned survivors were already
being plucked from the sea. With no
more than a small backpack containing
basic medical supplies, she began
triaging and treating survivors, turning
that part of the patrol boat into a hospital
and ordinary sailors into nurses.
It would be nearly 15 minutes before
she would know the fate of CPL Jager
and the other ADF members who
were on the SIEV when it exploded.
Back in the water, CPL Jager was
fighting for her life. Her life vest
did not properly inflate and, with an
Afghan man trying to climb over her
to be rescued, she may have drowned
if not for the actions of the Navy
RHIB (rigid hulled inflatable boat)
crew who dragged her on board their
boat. The Afghan man was subsequently
rescued.
The RHIB coxswain, AB Adrian
Medbury, told the Coroner that CPL
Jager’s head was only just above
the water and she looked terrified.
The RHIB bowman, AB Quinton
Boorman, described the desperation to
save CPL Jager as being like rescuing
someone from his own family, such
are the bonds developed when Army
and Air Force personnel combine
with the Navy’s patrol boat crews on
Operation Resolute.
It was nearly a quarter of an
hour before all ADF members were
accounted for and, remarkably, 47
civilians were rescued within the same
period. But there was no time for celebration.
Two Afghan men were still
missing, their bodies never recovered,
and others had suffered horrific burns.
With the closest hospital in
Darwin, more than a day’s sail away,
FLTLT Darby told the Childers CO,
LCDR Brett Westcott, they didn’t
have a day. She feared at least 10
patients would die if they did not
reach hospital within hours.
In conjunction with Headquarters
Northern Command, a permanently
positioned tanker just 90 minutes from
the site of the explosion was contacted
and asked to assist. Significantly, that
ship, Front Puffin, had a heli-deck and
was located within helicopter range of
the mainland. Despair turned to hope
as both Childers and Albany made
best speed towards Front Puffin.
Despite her terrible ordeal in her
very first SIEV boarding, and ignoring
her own injuries, CPL Jager immediately
went to work, moving between
Childers and Albany to treat survivors
and showing the crews of both patrol
boats what they needed to do to keep
people alive and as comfortable as
possible. Many have described the
scene as organised chaos, the smells
Director
Rod Horan: (02) 6265 4650
Editorial
Editor
Simone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253
Mobile: 0400 003792
Deputy Editor and sport
John Martin: (02) 6265 7219
Senior reporter
Andrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 7611
Photographer/reporter
LAC Aaron Curran: (02) 6265 1355
SHARED MEMORIES: CPL Sharon Jager and FLTLT Jo Darby were praised for “exhibiting leadership
way beyond their experience levels in the aftermath of the explosion”. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank
Story of
heroics
revealed
and sounds forever etched in their
memories.
FLTLT Darby recalls CPL Jager
looking immaculate and not the least
bit flustered, despite what had just
happened to her, and their CO said
both women exhibited leadership way
beyond their experience levels in the
aftermath of the explosion.
“CPL Jager was an inspirational
medic whose role was central to the
success of the rescue effort,” LCDR
Westcott said.
“Many more lives would have
been lost if it were not for the efforts
of CPL Jager and FLTLT Darby over
a prolonged period.
“FLTLT Darby turned sailors into
nurses and the quarterdeck of Childers
into a hospital ward. Her presence and
actions were central to the saving of
the lives of those who were rescued
from the water with horrific injuries.”
AIR F
Contact us:
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The most seriously injured Priority
1 casualties were taken on board
Childers and subsequently transferred
to Front Puffin in a painstaking operation;
using a crane to lift people up the
side of the massive tanker. Leaving
Childers behind, Albany made for
Darwin with the remainder of the
casualties.
As events at sea were unfolding,
back in Darwin the 92WG
Detachment Commander, SQNLDR
Stephen Parsons, received a phone
call not long after standing down his
AP-3C crew following a night mission.
He was told medical supplies
were needed urgently for emergency
air drop.
A frenetic operation immediately
swung into gear. An aircraft was readied
for flight, crew members recalled
to duty and a dash to Robertson
Barracks made to gather stocks of
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Disclaimer
Actions
recognised
CPL Sharon Jager
will soon be awarded
a CDF Commendation
for her actions on
that day. A number
of other awards
will also be presented,
including
a Chief of Joint
Operations Group
Commendation to
the Patrol Boat crews
of Ardent Four and
Assail Two.
pain killers, burns dressings and medical
consumables.
The Orion launched with SQNLDR
Parsons at the controls. To save time,
the heli-boxes and emergency supplies
for aerial delivery were assembled and
packed mid-flight with the aid of volunteers.
The aircraft arrived on station
overhead Front Puffin just as Childers
and Albany were approaching. Over
the next 90 minutes, flying 50 metres
(150ft) above the water, the AP-3C
crew dispatched 18 heli-boxes containing
life-saving supplies. The cardboard
tubes were recovered from the ocean by
RHIBs.
At the completion of the airdrop,
in a short but moving radio broadcast,
LCDR Westcott spoke directly to
SQNLDR Parsons, his words and tone
giving some insight into the emotions
on board Childers at the time and a
sense of the incredible bonds that the
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THAT TERRIBLE DAY: Above, an
AP-3C flies over Front Puffin as
HMAS Childers transfers survivors
to the ship. Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey
Below, CPL Jager (back) and
FLTLT Darby treat survivors
aboard Front Puffin.
Photo: LCDR Brett Westcott
three services of the ADF can form in
times of crisis.
“[Thank you for] your sensational
effort this afternoon; it’s been a long
day for us as I’m sure it has been for
you. Your efforts are well appreciated.
I wish you good luck with the
remainder of your tasking and will
remember this day.”
WGCDR Sandra Riley led part of
the Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME)
retrieval effort involving C-17A and
C-130 aircraft. WGCDR Riley said
that when the airborne critical care
and AME teams took over they were
amazed the injured were in much better
condition than expected, considering
the conditions those on the patrol
boats were working under.
“What they achieved was nothing
short of incredible. It would have been
unbelievably difficult to treat so many
seriously injured people at once with
the supplies they had available, but
through the judicious use of equipment
they did a marvellous job under the
most austere conditions imaginable.
“The efforts of those who provided
care in the immediate aftermath of the
explosion ensured our job was made
much easier during the AME from the
Top End to hospitals in the southern
parts of Australia.”
One year on and all involved
take pride in the fact that every
person pulled alive from the water
survived. FLTLT Darby, CPL Jager
and the other six Air Force members
who were involved that day now
share an unspoken bond that only
they and those who were there can
understand.
See Page 15 for more on Op Resolute.
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RoyalAustralianAirForce

AIR F RCE April 15, 2010
perations
Celebrating 20,000
LAC Aaron Curran
WHEN C-130 A97-440 returned
to the United Arab Emirates from a
Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME) of
wounded Australian soldiers from the
1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) in
Afghanistan on March 19, its crewmembers
got quite a surprise.
They learnt that their flight brought
up a milestone for the ubiquitous
workhorses – 20,000 flying hours
since the detachment started in 2003.
The pilot of A97-440, FLTLT Glen
Foster, said the achievement was a
credit not only to the aircrew, but to
the maintainers that keep the C-130s
in the air.
“You won’t see another Air Lift
Group asset reach this many hours
in the MEAO (Middle East Area of
Operations), that’s for sure,” FLTLT
Foster said.
The crew of A97-440 did not know
that they broke the mark until they
landed.
“We were lucky to be the ones
airborne when the milestone was
reached,” FLTLT Foster said.
“20,000 hours is an indication of
just how many rotations some of our
people have done.
“We have some loadmasters here
on their fifth rotation in the MEAO.
They have always done their job without
fuss or fanfare.”
Executive Officer of the C-130
detachment, SQNLDR Sarah Stalker,
said during the past six months the
Detachment’s mission success rate
had been more than 95 per cent.
“An increased rate of proactive
maintenance by the ground crew has
provided us with a full complement of
aircraft more times than not,” she said.
“That usually means three out of
three aircraft available every day. The
people who crew the Hercs can do up
to 18 hours per day.”
In a cruel twist, A97-440 was itself
‘wounded’ after picking up the five
MTF-1 casualties and suffered pro-
AME went like clockwork
LAC Aaron Curran
WITH A97-440 playing its part,
ADF medical and aircrew personnel
again proved their capabilities with
the Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME)
of wounded Australian soldiers from
Afghanistan.
The members of the 1st
Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1)
were wounded in an IED strike on
their Bushmaster on March 16 in
Chora, Oruzgan province.
Shortly after, the C-130 from the
UAE took off with medical personnel
onboard.
FLGOFF Jason Lynam, FLTLT
Brenda Morgan, FLTLT Al Turner,
LTCOL Geoff Matthews and CMDR
Simon Winder all played a role in
their safe return.
Senior Medical Officer of the
Australian Medical Facility in the
UAE, FLTLT Carmel Newitt, said
FLTLT Morgan – OIC of the AME
mission – and LTCOL Matthews
were already at Kandahar Airfield
(KAF) conducting training.
“Initially the casualties were
taken to the medical facility at Tarin
Kowt (TK) and three were moved
to KAF for CAT scans and further
investigation,” she said.
“LTCOL Matthews then went
forward to TK to prepare the other
two for movement.”
Two members were cleared
of significant injuries and were
returned to their unit, while another
SURPRISE ACHIEVEMENT: Crew members who brought the Hercules fleet’s flying hours to more than 20,000 in
the MEAO. Front, from left, loadmaster SGT Andrew Travers and aircraft captain FLTLT Glen Foster. Rear, from left,
co-pilot FLTLT Chuck Baylis, loadmaster FSGT Stu Wilson and co-pilot FLTLT Alex White. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
peller damage. It was subsequently
repaired and the aircraft returned to
Australia as part of its scheduled rotation.
The C-130s are only allocated 3000
hours per year and can average up to
50 flying hours per week.
was evacuated to Landstuhl Medical
Facility in Germany by nursing
officer FLGOFF Lynam.
The flight back to the UAE on
March 19 also had returning ADF
personnel on board.
“When we landed, the soldiers
on board were the first ones to jump
up and offer to help with the litters,”
FLGOFF Newitt said.
For loadmaster SGT Andrew
Travers, it was his second AME in
12 months. “The guys were in good
spirits, laughing and joking with their
mates, taking photos and giving handshakes
as they said goodbye,” he said.
“We had a lot of help putting them
on the aircraft from the AME personnel
that were with us. When the doctor
said they were right to be moved we
did it steadily and slowly.”
The loadmasters and pilots knew
about the upcoming AME the night
“When we do a big rotation in
and out of Afghanistan, whether MTF
or SOTG (Special Operations Task
Group), we have to use two aircraft
per day,” SQNLDR Stalker said
Much to the delight of ADF personnel
on the ground, the C-130s
WELCOME
FACES: At
the airbase’s
medical facility
in the UAE,
from left, LTCOL
Geoff Matthews,
FLTLT Brenda
Morgan and
FLTLT Carmel
Newitt. Photo: LAC
Aaron Curran
before and configured the aircraft
accordingly. It only takes them
about half an hour to set the aircraft
up for the task.
After landing back at the
Australian base, the patients were
transported into a Canadian ambulance
and taken to the new medical
facility there which had been open
for only two months.
The AME was the first time that
facility had been used in a 24-hour
capacity, so it was a good test for
all involved.
“It was a really good response, not
just from the medical staff, but from
the entire base,” FLTLT Newitt said.
On March 19, an AME team
from 1 Expeditionary Health
Squadron arrived from Australia
to help with the repatriation of the
five soldiers. They left for home on
March 21.
will remain a common sight in the
skies above the Middle East, continuing
their excellent record in tactical
airlift.
On March 24, the detachment celebrated
the achievement in Aussie style
– with steaks on the barbecue at dusk.
HERC LOG
AME personnel
moved: 2308
Personnel
transported: 140,737
Missions: 3195
Sorties: 11,301
Cargo (lbs):
68,260,852
Total hours (as of
March 22): 20,007
3

4 perations
AIR F RCE April 15, 2010
LAC Aaron Curran
AIR FORCE assets are finally together
on the ground in the Middle East after
the move of the C-130 Detachment to
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was
completed in December.
The AP-3C Orion Detachment has
been at an airbase in the UAE since
2003 and after a few months of transition,
the C-130s are now in place and
continuing their excellent record of
service.
Due to their completely different
roles – C-130s are tactical airlift; the
Orions are Intelligence Surveillance
and Reconnaissance (ISR) – they
do not rely on each other for operational
support.
Where they do meet is at the coal
face – the maintainers and their equipment
on the ground.
AP-3C Shift Boss B Spider
Maintenance FSGT Neil Pinker said
the extra equipment brought by the
C-130 maintainers was a bonus for his
personnel.
“The key points are commonality
with their Ground Support Equipment
(GSE),” he said.
“We now have a greater stockpile
to choose from and versatility in the
use of GSE. If either of us needs a
particular piece we can source it from
each other.”
One area FGST Pinker said that
they can look at in the future is aircraft
structural fitters, or metal bashers
as they are commonly known.
“One thing we are looking at is our
metal basher capability,” he said.
“The Orions have one on each
shift, whereas the Hercs have one
covering three shifts; maybe we can
have a central metal bashing shop
for all.”
Deputy Australian Air Component
Commander in the MEAO, WGCDR
John Young, said the logistics advantages
cannot be understated.
“We have consolidated our efforts
and removed duplication by having
the two detachments here,” he said.
“Instead of Air Force assets being
scattered around the MEAO, we have
everything here. Having a bigger air
component footprint in this location is
good for us.”
He said it was not an easy job
moving the C-130s to the UAE, but
Hercs
and Orions
join forces
when they started to arrive, the base
was well and truly ready to receive
them. “Everyone now operates in a
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common location,” WGCDR Young
said. “So if you need to know something
you can literally just walk down
the hall.”
One of the challenges
faced by the co-location of
the Orions and Hercs is space.
There is limited space currently
on offer at the airbase.
Australian, coalition partners
and contractors all use
the runway and many airfield
facilities.
Ramp space is tight. “The
last Herc can sometimes block
access to the new hangar,”
FSGT Pinker said.
“They don’t work the
same times as us, so we have to ring
them up to ask them to move their
aircraft. If you move one, usually you
have to move them all. It’s like having
to move the Cortina to move the
Kingswood to get the Torana. But we
work around it to get the job done.”
WGCDR Young agreed that the
space is an issue and at the start it was
a little dysfunctional.
“We operate on a very, busy piece
of ground with coalition aircraft and
our own,” he said.
“But we have a positive working
relationship with them and that makes
things work.”
He said even with that issue, they
all have a common aim – to get air-
SHARING AND CARING: FSGT Neil
Pinker, left, the AP-3C Shift Boss B
Spider Maintenance, and FSGT Gavin
Nott, the maintenance coordinator for
the C-130 Detachment, on the flightline
in the UAE. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
‘ We
craft in the air and back safely, and on
time. “The Orions are the great unsung
achievers,” WGCDR Young said.
“They may fly for 10 hours, and
what they do in those 10 hours is quite
incredible.”
In relation to the C-130s, he said
with only three aircraft in theatre, the
level of cargo they move is disproportionate.
“They are very efficient at what
they do,” he said. “Our Orions and
Hercs are all doing great work and not
dropping missions.
“We have the foundations of a very
functional airbase here – it is not there
yet, but it’s very close.”
www.airforceleatherjackets.com.au
have a
positive working
relationship with
them and that
makes things work
– WGCDR John Young

AIR F
RCE
LAC Aaron Curran
April 15, 2010
ASKING an eskimo to build a sand
castle is something that wouldn’t, on
the surface, seem possible.
The same could be said for a
nurse leading a major multi-million
dollar construction project in the
desert – except in this case it did
work, and work well.
GPCAPT Geoffrey Robinson,
a nursing officer from HQ Joint
Operations Command led the HQ
Joint Task Force Rebasing Project
Team at the Australian base in the
United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The AUD $63m rebasing project
was completed on March 31 – the
Air Force’s birthday.
GPCAPT Robinson and his team
of six Air Force and Army personnel
took on the monumentous challenge
of building a significant amount of
infrastructure to allow the relocation
of a number of Australian assets in
the Middle East to this one location.
He pointed out that if it wasn’t for
the dynamic, dedicated and professional
people who made up the team,
none of it would have happened.
“I consider it a privilege to
have worked with them,” GPCAPT
Robinson said. “I got to know them
personally and was guided by their
expertise.”
He said the efforts of the project
engineers, MAJs John Venz and Lisa
Platt, were particularly important.
“We have established an air
logistics hub in the Middle East by
relocating the C-130s and the Force
Support Unit from their previous
locations,” GPCAPT Robinson said.
“There only used to be the AP-3C
Orion Detachment here on its own,
but because it makes more sense to
route personnel and stores that will
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perations
Air hub big success
BUSY BEES: ADF personnel
watch the construction of new
buildings on the base.
end up in Afghanistan through here,
a design for rebasing was done up
and costed.”
The rebasing project started in
2008 and many people were involved
in how it came together. The project
was split up into six work packages
they needed to complete.
Work package one was the biggest
and was spread across six precincts.
Facilities such as the mess,
gym, medical, permanent and transit
accommodation was established.
There is also a large logistics precinct,
new range and facilities to
support the air component.
“In mid October, the precincts
were still just flat pieces of dirt,”
GPCAPT Robinson said.
“Gulf Leighton – a subsidiary
of Leighton Holdings (which built
HQJOC) – signed the contract in
early September.”
He said after moving on to the
base, they went to work and at the
height of construction there were up
to 1200 workers coming and going
through the front gate each day.
“The host nation has been very
gracious in accommodating our busy
schedule,” he said.
The reason for the high work
tempo was the contract stipulated
that it be completed in just 81 days.
“On a building project of this
size, you’d expect to have at least
180 days,” he said.
“In the end, that is what it took.
But we achieved relocation of personnel
and capability by January 20
and by late January over 90 per cent
of construction was completed.”
Units moved into their new facilities
while work was still going on
around them and the mess served its
first meals to hungry personnel on
January 26.
“Due to necessity we occupied a
number of the new facilities before
they were finished,” GPCAPT
Robinson said.
“We now have a new 24-hour
medical facility and a gym that is
as good as anything in Australia and
can cater for up to 1000 people over
the course of a day.”
At the other end of the base is a
new 100m range, movements and
warehouse facilities.
GPCAPT Robinson felt honoured
to be involved such a major
construction, and when asked why
he was chosen to lead the project,
responded: “I guess nurses are particularly
versatile people.”
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5
BANG ON TARGET: Members of the Rebasing Project for the Australian base
in the UAE at the new firing range. From left, FLGOFF Bryce Harris, MAJ Lisa
Platt and GPCAPT Geoffrey Robinson. A significant amount of infrastructure
was constructed on base as part of the project. Photos: LAC Aaron Curran
lateralaspect.FNW1110

6 perations AIR F
RCE April 15, 2010
Setting bar
on embeds
LAC Aaron Curran
AN AIR FORCE officer in Kabul, Afghanistan,
is setting up the important
role of looking after the increasing
number of embedded personnel (embeds)
in the Middle East Area of Operations
(MEAO).
FLTLT Wayne Donchi, an administration
officer (ADMINO) from
Canberra, is the first person to take on
the position within HQ JTF 633-A.
Initially deployed to Task Unit
633.2.2 at Al Minhad Air Base
(AMAB) in the MEAO, FLTLT
Donchi was given three days’ notice
to move to Kabul to start up the new
position.
“They needed a J1 Admin/Pers
Officer for HQ Kabul,” he said.
“I never thought I would come to
Kabul and I am enjoying it. It is a
brand new position that is looking to
be manned full-time and it’s important
to set the foundations for the people
who follow.”
The embeds across Afghanistan
currently receive their administrative
support through HQ Kabul and the
‘A lot of
ADMINOS who
follow will
either thank
me or curse me
for the work
I have done
here.
implementation of the new J1 position
will enhance this capability across
Afghanistan. Additionally, the J1 will
provide administrative advice and
guidance to the HQ in Kabul.
“This position was created to facilitate
the increased support requirements
of the increased number of
embeds within theatre placing additional
workloads on the current staff,”
FLTLT Donchi said.
“It’s going to be a big job.”
After travelling from AMAB to
Kabul, FLTLT Donchi moved into
‘Aussie House’, the former HQ in
Kabul. “KAIA will be slightly safer
than Aussie House for most of the
personnel as the need to drive the
streets of Kabul is reduced slightly.
The biggest danger to Defence personnel
in Kabul is IED strikes and
suicide boomers.
“The biggest eye-opener is that this
is happening every day throughout the
theatre. There is lots of it around and
the struggle with the insurgents is a
constant threat.”
FLTLT Donchi also has the pressure
of the new position and dealing
with Australia’s coalition partners.
“But its all part of the job and it’s
when your training comes to the fore.
“I had never worked in a coalition
environment before and dealing with
the dynamics of all the coalition partners
is interesting.”
FLTLT Donchi said if the position
was established full-time it would
most likely become an ADMINO
spot.
“It is a totally new position so it’s
what I make of it.
“A lot of ADMINOS who follow
will either thank me or curse me for
the work I have done here.”
Defence Honours and Awards to visit
6 Capital Cities on Anzac Day
On Sunday 25 April, Defence Honours and Awards staff will attend Anzac Day
ceremonies in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Hobart.
You and your family are invited to visit the Defence Honours and Awards display as
part of the commemorative activities for the day. You will fi nd helpful staff at the
following locations:
The Australian War Memorial, Canberra
Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park South, Sydney
The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne
Queens Park, Brisbane
Stirling Gardens (prior to march) and Anzac House (at completion of march), St
George’s Terrace, Perth
The Hobart Cenotaph, Hobart
Staff from Honours and Awards welcome this opportunity to answer any questions,
provide application forms and assist with general information on medals contained
within the Australian honours and awards system as well as information on Imperial
and foreign awards.
For more information on medals and eligibility criteria or to subscribe to
automatically receive policy updates and the Defence Honours and Awards
Newsletter, please visit the Defence Honours and Awards’ website at www.defence.
gov.au/medals or phone the Customer Response Team toll-free on 1800 111 321
between 0900 and 1700 AEST.
EVER ALERT: ADMINO FLTLT Wayne Donchi at Aussie House in
Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
New home in Kabul
LAC Aaron Curran
AFTER four years, the ADF’s home in
Kabul, Afghanistan, has moved to a new
location at Kabul International Airport
(KAIA).
It replaces the affectionately known
‘Aussie House’, the headquarters (HQ)
in the Green Zone which has served the
ADF well.
Due to Australia’s ongoing commitment
to Afghanistan, a new HQ was needed
to accommodate the expanding number
of personnel who operate from it.
The HQ’s new location at KAIA
North, a new multi-national facility at
the airport, offers a more traditional
environment.
Aussie House served as a HQ,
accommodation, mess, recreation area
and vehicle park all rolled into one.
Personnel of all ranks worked and
lived within a very small area.
Buy 1 main meal, get 1 main meal FREE
Present this voucher to redeem
Valid ANZAC Day only. Conditions apply
Deputy Commander JTF 633-
Afganistan (JTF 633-A) BRIG Wayne
Budd said that the move to KAIA was
administratively beneficial for everyone.
“The movements staff will actually
be where they work the whole time,”
he said.
“They previously had to convoy to
the airport to meet aircraft and then
come back to Aussie House because all
their admin was done there.
“Also the move means we are going
to be where the bulk of our people are,
therefore reducing some of the administrative
burdens on everyone.”
The decision to move was made a
few years ago due to the International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF) HQ
planning to go to KAIA from its present
location in the Green Zone.
Up to 70 ADF personnel will be permanently
stationed at KAIA North.

AIR F
RCE
April 15, 2010
ON TOP OF IT: Personnel scaling a
communications tower for maintenance work
in the Middle East. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
Fiona van der Plaat
THE future of many veterans’
health care could depend on what
the Defence Military Health Outcomes
Program (MilHOP) finds
when it turns the microscope on
tens of thousands of personnel who
have been, and will be, deployed to
the Middle East Area of Operations
(MEAO).
A survey of all members who
have served in the Middle East
and ongoing pre- and post-deployment
physiological tests on future
MEAO deployed personnel will
be the key to proving a crucial link
between illness and deployment.
Professor Sandy McFarlane,
principal investigator for the
MilHOP studies, said nailing down
scientific evidence of this link was
critical, both for helping veterans
who believe deployment has affected
their health and for finding ways
of preventing such illness.
“The best evidence comes from
studies that begin as close as possible
to the deployments of interest,
so that is why a major study of the
MEAO deployments is about to
begin,” he said.
PROF McFarlane, from the
Centre for Military and Veterans’
Health at the University of
Adelaide, was also a scientific
adviser on studies done after the
first Gulf War.
WHILE the Defence workforce
might be young and healthy,
trauma expert Professor Sandy
McFarlane says the ADF is facing
the reality that military service
exposes people to particular
risks to both mental and physical
health.
“Dealing with this is very
important if it is to maintain the
performance of its members,”
the chief investigator for the
ADF MilHOP (Military Health
Outcomes Program) studies
says.
MilHOP researchers will start
the job of identifying the risks
for military personnel by looking
for a “baseline measure” of
ADF health in a survey to run
in conjunction with the MEAO
Health studies. This study will
look at personnel with military
service other than in the MEAO.
Dr Alan Verhagen, a
research fellow for the Defence
Directorate of Mental Health,
is overseeing the survey and
says it will analyse the health
and wellbeing – and, ultimately,
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News
Middle East focus
Support reform for
our future: CAF
Chief of Air Force
AIRMSHL Mark Binskin
MORE than 300 members of the Defence
Senior Leadership Group and I met to
discuss Defence moving forward under
the Strategic Reform Program (SRP) on
March 31.
Led by Defence Minister Senator
John Faulkner, CDF ACM Angus
Houston and Secretary of Defence Dr
Ian Watt, the group considered the challenges
of delivering future capability and
the importance of SRP improvements
succeeding right across Defence.
The most important message that
emerged from the day was one that Air
Force senior leadership has been discussing
throughout Air Force for some time
now. We can’t have the new equipment,
ICT and support infrastructure that is in
Force 2030 without the SRP improvements,
and we can’t have the improvements
without everyone in Air Force and
Defence doing their part.
The Minister said resources wasted
were resources lost.
“Achieving Force 2030 in its full
potential will not be possible without
achieving the SRP in all its dimensions,”
Senator Faulkner said.
The CDF and Secretary emphasised
that the SRP is the highest priority after
support to current operations.
This means working as one team to
build a more agile, sustainable and costconscious
Air Force.
Working in partnership with the other
services and Groups, Air Force must
transition to new capabilities such as
the Super Hornets, KC-30 tankers and
Wedgetail and improve support, infrastructure
and ICT.
For each of us it means actively
reducing waste and using Air Force
resources like we really do own them.
Making improvements will be challenging
but the rewards are big.
I expect all of us to be involved, to be
creative and make the workplace more
effective. Remember, in order for Air
Force to achieve Force 2030 there is no
alternative other than to implement deep
and sustainable reforms.
We are all a part of the future whether
we’ll be here in 20 years or not.
I am looking to each and every one of
us to lead the charge and be supportive
of the changes we need to make.
Our Air Force will be capability led,
people focused and cost conscious. We
will make this happen together and we
can lead the way for the rest of Defence.
There will be more information on changes
in Air Force in upcoming issues of Air Force
News and in a handbook to be released by
the end of April.
Hercules contract on track
THE Defence Materiel
Organisation (DMO) has reached
an important milestone with
industry partner Australian
Aerospace and its prime subcontractor
Lockheed Martin in
the Through Life Support (TLS)
contract for the fleet of 12 C-130J
Hercules aircraft.
It has met the C-130J TLS
Operative Date, according to
GPCAPT Michael Brown, Officer
Commanding Air Lift Systems
Program Office.
Australian Aerospace assumed
responsibility from March 11 for
C-130J platform stewardship,
engineering management, logistics
management, and aircraft deeper
maintenance.
MilHOP: Beyond the MEAO
He said researchers hoped to
discern just how mental and physical
factors work “hand in glove” on
the immediate and long-term health
of deployed personnel.
While psychological conditions,
such as post-traumatic stress disorder
and depression can arise from
deployment, PROF McFarlane said
researchers would look at how prolonged
exposure to high levels of
stress can disorganise a person’s
physiology, particularly the ability
to fight infection.
Physical and environmental
factors specific to the Middle East
deployments – mild traumatic brain
injury from blasts and the respiratory
effects of constant exposure
to dust, for instance – will also be
investigated.
PROF McFarlane said the
MilHOP studies would build on
knowledge gained from past investigations,
such as those from the Gulf
War, Bougainville, Solomon Islands
and East Timor and would take a leaf
from modern analyses of elite athletes.
“Work done with Olympic athletes
has shown that improving performance
depends on careful sci-
7
medical needs – of up to 30,000.
“I would not consider we had
finished the job until we had
written reports the department
can use to tailor resources to all
of its people,” he says.
Dr Verhagen says the results
will allow comparisons not only
between genders, services,
roles and ranks within Defence,
but with the general population
(using results from national
surveys). These results will
inform future health support
systems for Defence.
entific studies of physiological and
psychological factors.”
And this is why well members
are just as important to the MilHOP
studies as people with health concerns.
“If you are a fit and healthy member
of the ADF, you might think such
studies have no relevance to you,” he
said.
“But the best way to help your
mates is for you to be involved. We
need to understand what keeps people
healthy just as much as we need
to find what exposures make people
sick.”

8 News AIR F
RCE April 15, 2010
oung pilot
its the road
n Hobart
AN AIR FORCE officer cadet has
successfully landed his light aircraft
on a Hobart highway after it suffered
engine failure on April 4.
The Australian Defence Force
Academy’s OFFCDT Patrick
Humphries, 18, was visiting his family
during the Easter break. A private
pilot, he was practising aerobatic
manoeuvres in a flying club-owned
Victa Airtourer over Ralphs Bay
when the engine failed.
Responding calmly and confidently,
he determined the nearby
Brooker Highway was the safest
place to put the aircraft down.
“I considered several football fields
and had a look at a couple of roads but
quickly ruled them out because of the
cars on them,” he said.
“When I looked at the Brooker,
I noticed that there were no cars on
the highway as they were stopped at
the traffic lights.”
OFFCDT Humphries manoeuvred
the aircraft beneath an overpass
before his right wing hit a concrete
road divider. The aircraft then
clipped a tree and spun before coming
to rest on an embankment.
Unhurt, but concerned at the risk
of causing a car accident, OFFCDT
Humphries ran down the road and
signalled cars to slow down, redirecting
traffic until police arrived on
the scene.
OFFCDT Humphries is studying
a Bachelor of Arts degree at ADFA,
with the goal of becoming a pilot.
OFFCDT Humphries tells his story to
Air Force News next edition.
Annual Rent Allowance Review
The annual Rent Allowance review
has now commenced.
If you are currently in receipt of Rent Allowance,
and you are included in this year’s review, you
should have already received your review letter
and statement. If this is the case, you will need
to respond quickly.
You will need to complete a statement with details of your rental
situation and provide a current rent receipt or tenant payment
history. NOTE: Other supporting documentation may be requested.
It is important you respond to this review as it establishes if there
have been any changes to your domestic circumstances that could
affect your Rent Allowance.
Failure to respond by the due date may cause your Rent Allowance
to be stopped.
If you have any questions, please contact your
regional DHA offi ce on 139 DHA (139 342).
call 139 DHA (139 342)
visit www.dha.gov.au
Remembering
Nias victims
DEFENCE personnel joined
relatives of those who died
in the Nias accident to
remember the Sea King Shark
02 disaster in which nine
young ADF lives were lost
while on humanitarian duties
in Indonesia.
Led by Navy Chaplain
Garry Lock, the April 1 service
was attended by Defence
Minister Senator John
Faulkner, CDF ACM Angus
Houston, Defence Secretary
Dr Ian Watt, CAF AIRMSHL
Mark Binskin, CN VADM Russ
Crane, DCN RADM Davyd
Thomas and CAPT George
McGuire representing HMAS
Kanimbla.
Addressing the service,
ACM Houston recalled when he
first heard of the worst tragedy
that befell the ADF in his time
as CAF.
ACM Houston honoured the
nine men and women and their
families. He also recognised
the two survivors, Scott
Nichols and Shane Warburton.
“Today I must acknowledge
that for five years those who
were left behind have had
to endure life without [their
loved ones],” ACM Houston
said.
“I also extend my gratitude
and esteem to the survivors
of this terrible accident. They
too have endured five years
DEFENCE’S Ministerial team has
a new look with the swearing-in on
April 1 of Alan Griffin as Minister
for Defence Personnel, in addition
to his responsibilities as Minister
for Veterans’ Affairs.
Greg Combet will retain portfolio
responsibility for Defence
Materiel and Science.
As the senior Minister, Senator
John Faulkner has overall responsibility
for all matters covered by
the Defence portfolio, including
Cabinet matters.
Mr Griffin’s Defence Personnel
responsibilities will encompass personnel
policy, including workforce
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of great challenge. Their
courage and strength in the
face of adversity has been
remarkable.
“Today, try as I might, no
words of mine will do proper
justice to the memory or the
many achievements of these
outstanding Australians.”
The service ended with the
laying of wreaths for those
who were lost: SQNLDR Paul
McCarthy, LEUT Matthew
Davey, LEUT Jonathan King,
LEUT Paul Kimlin, LEUT
Matthew Goodall, FLTLT
Lynne Rowbottom, PO
Stephen Slattery, SGT Wendy
Jones and LS Scott Bennet.
Griffi n joins Defence ministry
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planning, recruitment and retention,
pay and superannuation, equity and
diversity policy, personnel support,
housing policy and health.
Responsibilities that remain
with Mr Combet are:
T h e D e f e n c e M a t e r i e l
Organisation (DMO): tendering
and contracting; sustainment
issues; industry capacity, structure,
policy and engagement;
skills policy; and equipment disposal.
The Defence Science and
Technology Organisation.
Specific capability responsibilities,
including oversight of
NOT FORGOTTEN:
Above, CDF ACM Angus
Houston salutes after
laying a wreath at the
Sea King Memorial; top,
relatives pay tribute.
Photos: LSIS Phillip Cullinan
DMO involvement in acquisition
strategy throughout the capability
approval process; management
of acquisitions after second
pass approval; and assisting the
Defence Minister on development
of the Defence Capability
Plan; Defence Capability Plan
programming and budgeting;
and processing of unapproved
projects up to, and including,
second pass stage.
Mr Combet will also retain his
responsibilities in terms of representing
the Defence Minister in the
House of Representatives.
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AIR F
RCE
April 15, 2010
Best of 2009 named
CHIEF of Air Force AIRMSHL
Mark Binskin has announced
the winners of the 2009 Air
Force Proficiency and Leadership
Awards.
The awards recognise the
outstanding performance and
achievements of Air Force
units and personnel and other
Defence personnel and elements
that project or support
air operations over the previous
year.
At the same time, CAF
announced the winners of the
Air Force Safety Awards.
“I congratulate all award
winners,” AIRMSHL Binskin
said.
“Your achievements are of
the highest order and are in
keeping with the finest traditions
of the Royal Australian
Air Force.”
The awards will be presented
to the winners at the Air
Force Awards night on May
18 in Canberra. Further details
will be released at a later date.
For more information, contact
FLTLT Justin Cox on (02) 6265
3669.
And the winners are ...
Air Force Proficiency and
Leadership Awards:
The Air Force Australian Public
Service (APS) Team Member of
the Year Award: Mr Mick Gower,
RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The AVM B.A. Eaton Award:
CPL Michael Gifford, RAAF Base
Richmond.
The AVM Dietz Memorial Quality
and Achievement Medallions:
SGT Joanne Rankine, RAAF Base
Edinburgh and Mr Glen Ridley,
RAAF Base East Sale.
Her Majesty The Queen’s Gold
Medal: FLTLT Paul Schaper, RAAF
Base Pearce.
The J.R. Bartram and R.A. Kee
Sword of Honour: LAC Michael
Bragg, RAAF Base Williamtown.
The McCarthy, Rowbottom and
Jones Memorial Award: WOFF Ian
Swney, RAAF Base Richmond.
The Lipshut Family Bursary: CPL
Lauren Cunningham, RAAF Base
Edinburgh.
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The Chief of Air Force Instructor
of the Year Award: FLTLT
Denis Bergamasco, RAAF Base
Edinburgh.
The SQNLDR W.T. Riggs
Perpetual Trophy: SGT William
Guthrie, RAAF Base Richmond.
The Thales Australia Leadership
Sword: FLTLT Paul Schaper, RAAF
Base Pearce.
The Warrant Officer of the
Air Force Instructor of the
Year Award: CPL Christopher
Rounsley, RAAF Base East Sale.
The Air Force Association Trophy:
No. 26 (City of Newcastle)
Squadron.
The Duke of Gloucester Cup:
11SQN, RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The Hawker Siddeley Trophy: 325
Expeditionary Combat Support
Squadron.
The Markowski Cup: 1 Combat
Communications Squadron.
The RAAF Maintenance Trophy:
44WG Detachment Darwin.
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The Stonehaven Trophy: Air
Movements Training and
Development Unit.
Air Force Safety Awards:
The Best Solution to an Identified
Workplace Health and Safety
Issue: Mr Giuseppe Di Sario,
RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The Best Individual Contribution
to Health and Safety Category
4A: Mr Bruce Hansen, RAAF Base
Darwin.
Commended Award: MAJ (then
CAPT) Michael Virtue DCO; Mr
Bradley Fleming, RAAF Base
Edinburgh and SGT Kerryn Oehm,
RAAF Base Tindal.
The Best Individual Contribution
to Health and Safety Category 4B:
SGT David Griffiths, RAAF Base
Amberley.
Highly Commended Award: FSGT
(then SGT) David Jenner, RAAF
Base Darwin.
Commended Award: FSGT
Kristian Hein, SGT Colin Giles,
RAAF Base Amberley.
News
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9
THE RIGHT STUFF: Air Force’s best for
2009 will be congratulated on May 18 at
the awards night. Photo: FSGT John Carroll

10 News AIR F
RCE April 15, 2010
Air power looks ahead
THE RELEVANCE of Sun Tzu’s
widely-studied analysis of war, the Art
of War, came under the microscope
at the National Convention Centre in
Canberra on March 29 and 30 when
the Air Force held its 2010 Air Power
Conference (2010APC).
Sun Tzu was a Chinese general,
strategist and philosopher who is
believed to have been born in 544BC
and died in 496BC. Sun Tzu’s Art of
War presents a philosophy of war for
managing conflicts and winning battles
that is as relevant today as when it
was published.
CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin
said 2010APC, organised by the Air
Power Development Centre, was critical
to the development of professional
mastery of air power among all airmen.
More than 700 Air Force personnel
attended the conference, along
with delegates from a range of countries
including Malaysia, United Arab
Emirates, China, Vietnam, Thailand,
United States of America, United
Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand,
FIRST PRIZE: AIRMSHL Mark Binskin with
the Art first prize winner John Leeden and his
painting. Photos: FSGT John Carroll
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THE EYES HAVE IT: Air Power Conference
participants watch and learn. Photo: FSGT John Carroll
Japan, Indonesia and Brunei. Their
numbers included 10 foreign Chiefs
of Air Force and many former RAAF
leaders, including three former Chiefs
of Air Force.
The conference focused on four
main topics: the role of air power
in national security in terms of the
2009 Defence White Paper; the
challenges to air power in meeting
its full potential in difficult geopolitical
and security environments;
the role of air power in irregular
warfare; and key air power capability
requirements such as space
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and Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) identified in
the 2009 Defence White Paper.
The attendees heard a wide-range
of perspectives from a variety of
speakers headed by Defence Minister
Senator John Faulkner, CDF ACM
Angus Houston, and the National
Security Advisor, Duncan Lewis.
Senator Faulkner and CDF said
the Air Force was transforming from a
modern Air Force to a future force characterised
by fifth-generation air combat
aircraft, uninhabited aerial systems, networked
ISR and global reach.
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“The Air Force of today and the air
capability it provides is a key component
of operations such as Operation
Slipper in the Middle East and, closer
to home, ADF operations to respond
to the Victorian bushfires, Operation
Padang Assist in the wake of the
Indonesian earthquake, and Operation
Samoa Assist after the earthquake and
subsequent tsunami there,” Senator
Faulkner said.
ACM Houston said: “If the developments
in Air Power in the 21st
Century are as dynamic as those of
the preceding one, we will witness
profound changes in the technology
and capabilities of air power and the
types of conflicts in which the Air
Force will find itself engaged.”
In summarising the conference
proceedings, DCAF AVM Geoff
Brown said the Air Force needs to:
“understand the way conflict, and the
critical role of air power within it,
has evolved; study current and emerging
characteristics of conflicts and the
strategies required to prevail in them;
have a strategic understanding of the
JOHN Leeden’s painting The Last Air
Strike of World War II was awarded
first prize in the art section of the
2010 RAAF Heritage Awards which
were announced at the Air Power
Conference.
The painting depicts 100SQN conducting
the last air strike undertaken
by any air force in WWII.
The biennial awards, established in
1987, are intended to enhance the Air
Force’s historical records by encouraging
individuals to produce original artistic
and literary works that record and represent
the range of Air Force activities
since the inception of the RAAF in 1921.
The 2010 awards were very competitive
with a large number of high
quality entries being received in both
categories.
The Heritage Awards are judged
by CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin, with
the assistance of a panel of assessors
composed of representatives from
the Office of Air Force History, the
RAAF Museum and the Australian War
Memorial.
The Art first prize carried $5000
winnings.
The Art second prize ($2500) went
to Drew Harrison’s painting Nowhere
government’s requirements of the
military for Australian national security;
further develop air power-enabled
ISR and space capabilities to meet the
Future Joint Operating and Future Air
and Space Operating Concepts, while
at the same time, retaining capability
to meet high-end conventional threats.
“The presentations have challenged
our perspectives of air power
– in particular, where it is now, what
its future may be, and the implications
for Australia and its Air Force,” AVM
Brown said.
The conference included another
important task, the launch of a book
entitled The Art of Air Power written
by Dr Sanu Kainikara of the APDC.
Dr Kainikara’s book is the first to
examine Sun Tzu’s the Art Of War
and relate it directly to the concepts
and theory of air power.
The Art of Air Power is available through
the Air Power Development Centre
website, http://airpower.airforce.gov.au,
and is free for all members of the ADF.
WINNER’S GALLERY: The paintings on display at the conference.
to Run depicting Mustang fighters of
3SQN pursuing an Italian fighter on
Boxing Day, 1944.
AIRMSHL Binskin also awarded
a Highly Recommended Certificate
to Conway Bown for his painting
Commander – RAAF Combat Surgical
Team depicting SQNLDR Sharon
Cooper RN in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
The Literature first prize ($7500)
went to Leon Kane-Maguire’s Lost
Without a Trace, which tells the story
of the service and loss of SQNLDR
Wilbur Wackett, the son of famous
Australian aircraft designer Sir
Lawrence Wackett.
The Literature second prize ($3500)
went to Kevin Gogler’s We Never
Disappoint: A History of 7 Squadron
RAAF 1940-1945, a detailed history of
7SQN during WWII.
The next RAAF Heritage Awards competition
will open in 2011, with the winners to
be announced at the 2012 Air Power
Conference. For further information on the
next competition, as well as a look at this
year’s entrants and winners, visit the Air
Power Development Centre website: www.
raaf.gov.au/airpower
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AIR F
RCE
April 15, 2010
POIGNANT: Catafalque Party member LACW
Tobi Fischer from Australia’s Federation
Guard stands with arms reversed at the RAAF
Memorial ceremony. Photo: FSGT John Carroll
Celebrating 89
years of service
AIR FORCE has celebrated its 89th anniversary
on March 31 with a mixture
of reflection, ceremonial and entertainment.
All bases across Australia held
receptions for members, visiting personnel
and local dignitaries while
RAAF Base Edinburgh also conducted
a Flag Party and Chaplain’s service in
Adelaide.
All functions included a cake-cutting
ceremony performed by the senior
officer and youngest member.
The significance of the day was
not lost on the 14 Air Force personnel
assigned to Operations Astute and
Tower in East Timor. They attended a
barbecue dinner staged by the Defence
Attaché in Dili, GPCAPT Ralph Kettle.
The primary focus, however, was
in Canberra where CAF played host
to a service at the RAAF Memorial
Grove and later a formal reception at
the Australian War Memorial.
In his speeches, AIRMSHL Binskin
spoke of the challenges of putting a
new Air Force together after WWI, and
the way it had grown to become the
formidable international fighting force
it is today.
He also reminded his audiences of
the reasons why Air Force celebrates its
birthday and the many sacrifices of the
men and women who have served in the
past, including those who died on active
service.
“Celebrating the Air Force’s anniversary
provides us an opportunity to
reflect on the achievements of our Air
Force,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.
“It also gives us time to remember
the men and women who have served
before us – those whose contributions
have forged the values and traditions
we all hold dear today.
“The historical milestones that we
commemorate have a distinct relevance
to our Air Force. As in 1940 in Europe
and 1950 on the Korean Peninsula, Air
Force men and women in the Middle
East Area of Operations are once again
deployed in a conflict far from our own
shores as part of a multi-national coalition.
An understanding and acknowledgement
of our history enables us to
find examples to which we aspire, and
lessons we can draw upon, as we ensure
our Air Force meets Australia’s defence
and security needs.
“That is the task we continue to
commit ourselves to, as we celebrate
the Air Force’s 89th birthday and guide
our service into the future.”
CAF paid tribute to Air Force’s
people over the decades who, “through
their professionalism, determination
and courage” have made the service the
respected force it is today.
“Our growth has been driven by
high quality people and it has been in
PARTY MOOD: From left, CPL Dee Irwin,
LACW Amanda Olzard, Dee Wood and CPL
Lisa Connors at the RAAF Base Darwin
Officers’ Mess. Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
BIG DAY BEGINS: At 8am in Canberra, WOFF-AF JJ Millar took the salute on the behalf of all Australia’s airmen
as a 7m x 3.5m Air Force Ensign was raised at Regatta Point. The Ensign raising ceremony signalled the dawn of
all Air Force anniversary ceremonies. Air Force personnel from Australia’s Federation Guard ceremonially hoisted
the Ensign by hand the full 40 metres of the mast. Photo: FSGT John Carroll
our people that the Air Force has
been well served through the years,”
he said.
CAF paid tribute to the determination,
courage and sacrifice of Air
Force personnel both in the past and
today.
“You can see determination in
every unit across the Air Force. We
saw it in East Timor, in the aftermath
of the Boxing Day Tsunami,
and in the Solomon Islands. Our Air
Force men and women are rising to
the challenges of war and of natural
disaster in places like Afghanistan,
East Timor, Solomon Islands, Sudan,
and Iraq.
“I mentioned the attribute of
courage. I have neither the time nor
the words to give due homage to all
the members of our Air Force who
have shown outstanding courage in
the carnage of war and in the supposedly
quite, safe years of peace.
“I am constantly humbled by the
enduring human qualities that our
forebears and serving members have
brought to the Air Force. Their sacrifices
have made the world a better
place and made the Air Force values
and traditions elements of real substance;
they have also made us into
an Air Force that I am very proud to
be a part of today,” he said.
HAPPY LOT: Commander CSG
AIRCDRE Noddy Sawade,
right, and his wife Aldona with
AIRCDRE Mark Gower and his
wife Julie in the Officers’ Mess at
RAAF Base Amberley.
Photo: ACW Rosaleen Normoyle
A TOAST: GPCAPT Frank Grigson
from Air Command raises a glass
at RAAF Base Glenbrook.
Photo: AC Christopher Hall
RIGHT NOTE:
CHAP Yogananda
Juste-Constant
leads the 89th Air
Force Anniversary
Commemorative
Service at the
Cross of Sacrifice
in Adelaide.
Photo: ACW Nichola
Freeman
News
MILESTONES
11
JOINING THE PARTY: Above, CPL Sam
McLaughlin, left, here for four months on
Exercise Long Look from the Royal Air
Force, with LAC Mark Shakes at RAAF
Base Amberley.
Photo: ACW Rosaleen Normoyle
TAKING THE CAKE: Left, the birthday
cake that looked too good to eat at the
Officers’ Mess at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
Photos: LACW Shannon McCarthy
THE year 2010 marks some
notable milestones in Air
Force and Australian aviation
history. It heralds the 100th
anniversary of powered flight
in Australia.
In 1909, early aviation
enthusiasts formed the Aerial
League of Australia to foster
aviation here. It offered a cash
prize for the first successful
powered flight in Australia and
persuaded the government
to offer a prize for the first
locally-built aircraft.
Harry Houdini won the
Aerial League’s prize when,
outside Melbourne on March
18, 1910, he took off in a
French-built Voisin biplane he
imported for the purpose. He
remained aloft for more than a
minute before landing safely.
Then, in June, an
Australian named John
Duigan won the government’s
prize when he successfully
flew in an aircraft he had
designed and built himself.
In WWI, he served as a flight
commander with 3SQN and
was awarded the Military
Cross for gallantry during the
Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.
2010 marks the 70th
anniversary of the start of
aircrew training under the
Empire Air Training Scheme,
which provided the RAF with
aircrew during WWII.
In April 1940, the first
Australian aircrew trainees
started training under the
scheme. During the war 38,
400 men completed basic
aircrew training in Australia
and three quarters of
them served with the RAF,
predominately with Bomber
Command.
Australia lost 3486 men:
nearly 20 per cent of all
Australian deaths in combat
in the war.
2010 marks the 60th
Anniversary of Air Force’s
involvement in the Korean
War.
On June 25, 1950, 77SQN
started combat operations
against North Korean forces
following the communist
invasion of South Korea.
Initially equipped with
Mustang turbo-prop fighters,
as the war progressed, the
squadron converted to
Australia’s first jet fighter, the
Meteor. Korea also marks the
last time (to date), the RAAF
has engaged in direct aerial
combat against an enemy air
force.
2010 also marks Air
Force’s continued journey in
the world of jet aircraft with
the arrival of its latest fighter
aircraft in the shape of the
F/A-18F Rhino.

12 News AIR F
RCE April 15, 2010
Humble techo scores
award for top job on
jet upgrade project
FLTLT Skye Smith
SERGEANT BEN Knabe was “honoured
and humbled” when he was
awarded a Head of Aerospace Systems
Division (HASD) commendation recently.
The commendation was awarded for
SGT Knabe’s exemplary performance
as an aircraft technician in the Hornet
Upgrade (HUG) Resident Project Team at
Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake,
California.
Commander Air Combat Group
AIRCDRE Mel Hupfeld presented the
commendation on behalf of HASD, AVM
Colin Thorne, during a visit to the Hornet
Upgrade Resident Project Team.
“Your contribution to the Hornet electronic
warfare systems upgrade and Joint
Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile integration
projects has been exceptional,”
AIRCDRE Hupfeld said on presentation
of the commendation.
“You possess a tremendous diversity
of skills, knowledge and excellent
trade knowledge and have successfully
applied those skills to have a real impact
on enhancing air combat capability.
“Your ability to provide flawless maintenance
capability across six Hornet trade
groups with extensive system knowledge
in each area is without parallel in your
peer group and has been instrumental in
the attainment of project objectives.”
AIR FORCE BAND
April 16: Force10 will support the
RAAF Williams Autumn Ball at the
Laverton Officers’ Mess.
April 18: The Air Force Jazz Ensemble
will perform at the Elmhurst
Community Festival in Elmhurst,
Victoria at 10.30am and 2pm.
April 18: A band trumpeter will
sound the Last Post and Rouse at an
Anzac commemoration service at the
Doncaster RSL Sub Branch at 3pm.
April 19: A band trumpeter will support
the Anzac Stand To Service at the
Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital at
10.30am.
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AIRCDRE Hupfeld highlighted the
importance of the work SGT Knabe has
been doing and acknowledged the efforts
of the whole project team.
“It is impressive to see what the
Resident Project Team is doing here and
then see it reflected in the top level of
capability on [the recent] Exercise Red
Flag.
“These excellent results achieved can
be directly attributed to the hard work
members such as SGT Knabe have undertaken
throughout the entire life of the
project.”
SGT Knabe said: “It was an honour to
be singled out for such an award, but this
has been a team effort and I am just one
member of the team doing my job like
everyone else.”
The Hornet Upgrade program is arguably
the most comprehensive upgrade of
any combat aircraft. It allows Air Force to
maintain a qualitative edge over regional
capabilities.
HUG HAPPY:
Awardee SGT
Ben Knabe.
April 21: The Ceremonial Band will
provide musical support to the 1RTU
graduation parade at RAAF Base
Wagga from 11am.
April 25: The Ceremonial Band
will support the annual Anzac Day
Dawn Service at the AFC Memorial,
Point Cook from 6am.
April 25: The Ceremonial Band will
March in the Anzac Day parade through
the Melbourne CBD.
April 25: The Ceremonial Band will
march in the Anzac Day parade down
George street, Sydney.
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TOP PILOT RECOGNISED: Pathfinder award winner FLTLT Dean Bolton of 36SQN in front of the C-
17 he captained on an aid relief mission to Burma. Photo: CPL Mark McConnell
Workhorse
a winner
FLTLT Eamon Hamilton
THE TOP award for Air Lift
Group (ALG) aircrew excellence
has gone to a pilot at the leading
edge of our C-17A force.
FLTLT Dean Bolton of 36SQN
was honoured with the 2010
Pathfinder Award at a dining-in
night on March 19.
He was recognised for his
efforts as Deputy Operations Flight
Commander and Standards Officer
with 36SQN.
FLTLT Bolton’s citation read:
“Drawing on his previous operations
on C-130s he has demonstrated
solid competence in his role,
allowing the continued employment
of the C-17A capability as it continues
to expand.”
The award is presented by the
Pathfinder Association, formed
from the Pathfinder Force which
led night-time bombing raids over
Occupied Europe in the Second
World War.
The Pathfinders were the ‘first
in, last out’ over their targets, suffering
devastating casualties and being
among the most highly decorated
units of the war.
Today, ALG and the Pathfinder
Association have a close relationship
which is highlighted by an
annual dining-in and award presentation.
Veteran Pathfinders presented
the 2010 award to FLTLT Bolton,
who said he had no idea it was coming.
“I was very humbled, particularly
given the nature of the award,”
FLTLT Bolton said.
“ S p e a k i n g t o t h e o l d e r
(Pathfinder) guys about the things
they’ve done, to be recognised by
CELEBRATION: From left, Ken Youdale, AVM Greg Evans,
AIRCDRE John Oddie, WGCDR Carl Green and Cec Barlow at the
Pathfinder of the Year dinner. Photo: LAC Michael Green
them and considered in their world
is a little overwhelming.”
Joining the Air Force in 1999
and initially flying C-130Js, FLTLT
Bolton converted to the C-17A in
March 2007.
“My goals were to get qualified
on the aircraft as soon as possible
and qualified for all the aircraft’s
roles, which I’ve luckily managed to
do,” FLTLT Bolton said.
“I was the captain on the first
C-17A missions in to Iraq and
Afghanistan. Personally that was
a pretty big deal – I’d flown it on
Hercules before, but to fly it on a
new platform for the very first time
was special.
“Captaining a task for Operation
Burma Assist, and achieving my airdrop
command, were both big highlights.”
Receiving his award, FLTLT
Bolton thanked his peers at 36SQN.
“Introducing a new platform and
bringing it in to theatre is not a one
man show – it takes a lot of planning
and support from executives
and maintenance to get it all lined
up and to go in,” he said.
“We do our job as a duty and
it’s often good fun, but we don’t
do it for recognition. But when it
comes through, it’s an unexpected
but pleasant surprise.
“The squadron has done a great
job to get it all done.”
CO 36SQN WGCDR Adam
Williams said the nomination was
the result of FLTLT Bolton’s high
personal standards at the unit.
“He is experienced, and demonstrates
a very high professional level
of flying capability and attention
to detail,” WGCDR Williams said.
“He’s a workhorse.”
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AIR F
RCE
FLTLT Skye Smith
April 15, 2010
Flip-fl opping for
Relay for Life
WITH his feet covered in blisters, FLTLT
Joshua Smith perhaps epitomised the effort
made by Air Force personnel this
year for the Cancer Council’s Relay for
Life.
FLTLT Smith, who is serving in
Afghanistan, set himself the task of running
100km in four days.
The Heron UAV task unit raised
nearly $3000 among the small contingent
which is managed by Air Combat
Group (ACG), and one of the event
organisers, SGT Anita Godfrey, was
amazed at FLTLT Smith’s effort.
“FLTLT Smith said that if he was
unable to run the 100km in the time
period, then he would personally donate
the money to make up the total amount
set for his challenge,” SGT Godfrey
said.
After two days, FLTLT Smith’s feet
were covered in blisters to the extent
that he had to run in thongs for a portion
of the challenge.
“Through either stubbornness or
stamina, or a little bit of both, FLTLT
Smith ran 105kms and raised $329.40,”
SGT Godfrey said.
Relay for Life is a fundraising
event for The Cancer Council to help
defeat cancer. Funds raised through
Relay for Life are spent on cancer
research, education, support services
and advocacy.
Despite the extreme desert conditions,
17 members from the Heron UAV
task unit also took up a treadmill challenge
to run as many kilometres as they
could over a four-day period.
SGT Godfrey, a senior analyst, said
the challenge was a team effort, using a
log book as a baton to ensure only one
person was on the treadmill at any given
time.
The relay was a personal challenge
within the task unit to raise money and
complete as many kms as possible. Over
the four days the task unit completed
581.5km.
“This was amazing considering we
were working very long hours over the
four days, so personnel had to take time
out of their rest period to join in,” SGT
Godfrey said.
Some of the fundraising highlights
include CPL James Reilly who shaved
his hair for $109.80, and FLTLT Grant
Leader who wrote a poem that had to
include certain words selected by the
task unit. FLTLT Leader’s poetic skill
helped raised $410 towards the cause.
The task unit made a t-shirt that
states “for cancer I ran 100kms in
four days” to reward FLTLT Smith for
his fundraising efforts and provide a
memento of his time on deployment.
Task unit members also pulled together
as a team to come up with sponsorship
deals across the detachment.
This included CAPT Phillip James
raising $50 for completing 50km in the
four days and then another $5 per km
for every kilometre over 50. Through his
efforts CAPT James contributed $100 to
the cause.
DRIVING
FORCE: SGT
Anita Godfrey
from the Heron
UAV task unit
in Afghanistan
which did such a
great job. Photo:
CPL Andrew Eddie
33SQN’s Purple power
33SQN’s Relay for Life team
members proudly parade their
cause before the fundraising
event on March 27. From left,
CPL Brooke Jacoby-Saunders,
CPL Christopher Greenall, SGT
Clare O’Drisoll and SGT Craig
Dunn, took part in the 18-hour
walk at Ipswich, along with
nine other team members,
seven from 33SQN. The team
completed 184 laps of the
500m circuit, which equated
to 92kms, raising more than
$4700 for the Cancer Council.
Photo: LACW Jessica Smith
“The successes from this challenge
were a team effort and Task Unit 633.2.7
are honoured that we were given the
opportunity to show our support during
a fellow member’s battle with cancer,”
SGT Godfrey said.
Task Unit 633.2.7 ADMINO,
SQNLDR Trevor Alley, praised SGT
Godfrey. “She was the motivator and
catalyst for the event and what was
achieved,” SQNLDR Alley said.
Joint effort
ACG, Surveillance and Response Group
(SRG) and Task Unit 633.2.7 raised
more than $9000 when they joined forces
to participate in the Relay for Life.
CO HQACG WGCDR Tammy
Hodge set members the task of raising
money and running for the cause to support
a member recently diagnosed with
cancer.
The team of 15 members from
RAAF Base Williamtown bound together
under the banner ‘Find and Fight’ to
participate in the Port Stephens Relay
for Life.
“The team name is representative of
SRG’s surveillance or ‘find’ capability
and ACG’s strike or ‘fight’ capability,
as well as finding a cure and fighting
cancer,” WGCDR Hodge said.
LAC Robert Gibson from SRG took
the lead in organising the event and
motivated the group to ‘find and fight’.
The task unit challenge coincided
with the Port Stephens Relay for Life
that ACG and SRG members participated
in Newcastle.
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News
13
RSL starts online branch
THE RSL has established an online sub branch to
make membership, support and advice services more
accessible to ADF members. CDF ACM Angus Houston
said that the RSL continues to play an important role
in supporting our ADF members past and present. The
RSL online sub-branch www.rsldefencesubbranch.
com.au is accessible from the Defence Restricted
Network.
AVM takes Legacy reins
RETIRED AVM Chris Spence was installed on March
21 as the 85th president of the Melbourne branch of
Legacy for 2010. AVM Spence enlisted in the Air Force
in 1969 and retired in 2007. AVM Spence followed in
his father’s footsteps when he joined Legacy in 2007,
following his retirement from the PAF.
Combet visits Williamtown
MINISTER for Defence Materiel and Science Greg
Combet visited RAAF Base Williamtown recently,
meeting members of the Air Force’s Air Combat
Group, Surveillance and Response Group and Combat
Support Group. The visit included briefs on the Hornet
Upgrade Project, future base plans, and maintenance
of F/A-18, MK-127 Hawk and Wedgetail aircraft based
at Williamtown. Mr Combet also inspected an F/A-18
static display at 2 Operational Conversion Unit and
met students undergoing their final six months of
conversion training before becoming qualified Hornet
pilots.
Magazine’s award winners
SEVEN Defence and industry teams have won the
2009 Australian Defence Magazine’s DMO/Industry
Team of the Year Awards for Excellence. The Head
Maritime Systems Division RADM Peter Marshall and
DCAF AVM Geoff Brown presented the awards at the
annual dinner in February.
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BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER CALL 131901 OR VISIT DEFENCEJOBS.GOV.AU/NAVY
BUILDING A SHIP OUT OF PEOPLE
BY LAUREN RAGO
One of the most important things to
remember about a warship is that it is
made up of people. It is not just steel,
machinery and high tech weapons
systems. It comprises a diverse
group of individuals from all walks
of life working in close knit teams
to achieve amazing things.
This idea was the premise for the
new Defence Force Recruiting (DFR)
brand print and online advertisement
for the Navy.
DFR Navy Marketing wanted a brand
advertisement to complement and
extend the successful Navy television
commercials. The intention was to
promote the compelling and unique
truths inherent in Navy, which would
serve to both motivate potential
candidates and inspire current
serving members.
On 1 December 2009, DFR, advertising
agency George Patterson Y&R, world
renowned photographer Andréas
Smetana and HMAS Albatross
embarked on an ambitious photographic
shoot. The idea was to literally create
the shape of a frigate and the shape
of an LPA out of Navy personnel and
capture it as a photograph.
“Interestingly, it was once we were
on the shoot that we realised only
an organisation like the Navy could
make this ad. No one else has the
level of discipline needed to organise
themselves into such a unique shape,”
said Chris Northam, Senior Art Director
at George Patterson Y&R.
The photographs of the ‘ships of
people’ were built by lining Navy
personnel up to create the separate
layers of the ship. Staging was
employed to give the Navy personnel
the height required for the top levels.
The layers of the ship were then
constructed together digitally.
The Navy personnel from HMAS
Albatross and various units at Fleet
Base East participated in the shoot
for a long nine hour day, and were
subjected to constant uniform checks,
drill and many hours waiting around.
For photographer Andreas Smetana,
it was the first time he had worked
with DFR. “What I loved on this job
was the commitment the Navy people
showed. Such a good client to work
with, and I think very much part of the
shoot running smoothly,” he said.
“It is always great to see the image come
to life, because you get stuck on seeing
the picture just in your head,” he said.
The photographs have been used
to create magazine and press
advertisements, internet banners and
posters. The idea can be applied to a
variety of Navy platforms and different
Navy can be featured.
“It is a media neutral idea that can be
used across many mediums. DFR hopes
to undertake the same initiative with
Submariners to create a Collins Class
Submarine in 2010,” said Lauren Rago
from Defence Force Recruiting.
A ‘making of’ video has also been
created of the shoot and can be seen
at www.defencejobs.gov.au/navy/.
Defence Force Recruiting would like
to thank HMAS Albatross, Directorate
Recruitment Management Navy
and Directorate Navy Reputation
Management for their outstanding
support. An extra special thanks goes
to Warrant Officer Graeme Bromley,
Executive Officer HMAS Albatross Cmdr.
Darryn Jose and Leut. Kara Wansbury
from Fleet Public Affairs for helping
DFR realise this campaign.

AIR F
RCE
April 15, 2010
SQNLDR David Holt has
had numerous challenges
during his 24 years in the
Air Force but he said none
were more thought-provoking than
sea-riding in Navy vessels on the
frontline of Australia’s border protection
efforts.
SQNLDR Holt, a medical officer,
was one of the Air Force members
seconded to the Navy’s patrol boat
force during maritime patrols in
support of Operation Resolute.
Operation Resolute is the maritime
operation to protect the borders north
of Australia.
Permanent and Reserve Air Force
medical and security personnel are
assigned to Resolute, the latter with
the Transit Security Elements (TSE).
The TSE’s main role is to provide
boarding parties and maintain security
on detained foreign vessels.
The members said they believed
they were making an important contribution
to the operation.
The Air Force medical rotation
comprises two doctors, one at sea and
one ashore at short notice to move.
One of SQNLDR Holt’s roles is to
provide Potential Irregular Immigrants
(PIIs) with medical care.
“I was posted to Operation
Resolute on January 27 for approximately
two months; sea riding with
the Navy’s patrol boats, which intercept
the Suspected Irregular Entry
Vessels (SIEVs),” he said.
He served on board HMA Ships
Ararat, Armidale, Bundaberg and
Maryborough and was involved in 10
SIEV interceptions.
After a SIEV was intercepted and
boarded, he would go on board to
conduct medical checks of the PII.
“I conducted health examinations to
ensure the PIIs were fit for further sea
travel and the next leg of their journey
and to provide humanitarian assistance
whenever it was needed,” he said.
Dehydration and seasickness were
the most common health issues he
encountered on the SIEVs.
“Overall it’s been interesting, challenging
and rewarding from a professional
perspective,” SQNLDR Holt
said. “I would recommend the experience
to other ADF doctors.”
LAC Shayne Robbie enlisted in
2007 as a security policeman after
transferring from the Army. He started
a four-month deployment as a member
of TSE 56 in January, and made
his first boarding of a SIEV in mid-
February, followed by another two.
LAC Robbie said the training the
Air Force TSE completed was very
comprehensive and contributed greatly
to his confidence to get a difficult job
done. It included briefings on Rules of
Engagement, Law of Armed Conflict
and escalation of force scenarios.
“In addition to force preparation,
which involved weapon proficiencies
as well as self defence, we completed
a lot of boarding exercises with the
Navy’s Sea Training Group,” he said.
He was surprised by the tempo of
the operation, which offered Air Force
personnel a completely different experience
of life in the Navy, and how
hard the Navy patrol boats worked.
“Op Resolute is a very important
operation being conducted right on
Australia’s door-step,” he said.
CPL David Brett, a military
working dog handler, volunteered
for TSE service and embarked in
HMAS Ararat at the same time as
LAC Robbie. Both men shared the
first intercept on February 17. He was
relieved the first one was out of the
way. “What we have done validates
the training we have undertaken and
gives us confidence for the remainder
of the deployment,” he said.
Before that, his one experience
at sea was on a P&O cruise in 2005.
However, Operation Resolute was a
great opportunity for Air Force personnel
to diversify their skill sets and
see life in the other services.
“This is a very important border
protection and homeland security
operation, which I’m proud to contribute
to,” CPL Brett said.
“This is also an opportunity for me
and other Air Force personnel to make
a small but meaningful contribution
to such an important [border] security
operation as Op Resolute.
“This is such an important operation
and it’s great to see the Air Force
contributing more than just AP-3C
surveillance patrols,” he said.
The tempo of the operation was
grinding but he was enjoying the challenge.
He had struggled to get his sea
legs and to adjust to life at sea, particularly
to the Navy’s jargon which
was “like another language”.
Air Force Reservist LACW
Gabrielle Gross, one of six women
deployed with TSE 56, described her
patrol on board HMAS Armidale as a
baptism of fire.
“In the five years I have been in
the Reserves this is one of the best
opportunities yet, as well as my first
time at sea,” she said.
Like CPL Brett, her biggest challenge
was trying to understand naval
language on board, which they call
“Jack speak”.
“This was a real challenge for the
first few days, along with getting my
sea legs,” LACW Gross said.
She was confident she could perform
her duties after weeks of intensive
training.
“The boarding training exercises
we conducted with the Navy in
Sapphire Bay were quite challenging
but very good preparation for the real
thing.”
News
15
Finding their sea legs
Thirty-six Air Force
personnel are serving
with the Transit Security
Element on Operation
Resolute. Michael Brooke
recently joined some
of them aboard Navy
patrol boats on station at
Ashmore Reef.
ANOTHER DAY: Medical officer SQNLDR David Holt prepares to be launched in a
rigid hull inflatable boat from HMAS Ararat while on an Operation Resolute patrol.
THE JOB: HMAS Ararat’s boarding party
and Transit Security Element 56 personnel
observed and apprehended a Suspected
Irregular Entry Vessel (SIEV).
LOOK OUT: Above, CPL David Brett
comes to grips with the helm of an
Armidale Class Patrol Boat.
READY TO GO: Below, LACW Ingrid Balic
and LACW Gabrielle Gross in front of a
rigid hull inflatable boat.
Photos: Michael Brooke
The TSE members also conducted
a number of collective training activities
such as fire drills and man-overboard
exercises that enabled them to
integrate better with the Navy crew.
“It’s been really fantastic to work
with this crew. They’ve helped us to
become accustomed with the way
Navy does business,” she said.
LACW Ingrid Balic is another
Reservist, from RAAF Base Pearce.
She put her civilian career as the
owner of a landscaping business on
hold for four months to make what
she described as a small but meaningful
contribution to border protection.
She said she was proud to contribute
to the TSE.
Coverage of 92WG’s involvement in Op
Resolute will feature in a future edition.

16 Centrepiece
AIR FORCE April 15, 2010 17
Rhino revolution begins
As Air Force continues to celebrate
the arrival of the first Super Hornets,
1SQN ramps up for the next wave,
writes FLTLT Skye Smith.
THREE years of hard work
and planning paid off when
the first five Super Hornets
arrived at RAAF Base Amberley
on March 26. But, the
work (and fun) for 1SQN has only just
begun.
With the new jets safely home,
1SQN personnel have little time to
rest as they not only start operating the
aircraft, but also training more crews
for the next wave of aircraft that are
expected in July.
CO 1SQN WGCDR Glen Braz said
the training tempo must remain high
to ensure the squadron has sufficient
numbers of qualified personnel for
each wave, while maintaining progress
toward achieving initial operational
capability (IOC) in Australia.
“Our aim is to achieve IOC by
December 31 this year.
“This means the Air Force will have
12 Super Hornets on Australian soil
with at least 12 qualified flying crews
and full in-country logistic support,”
WGCDR Braz said.
The squadron will also maintain
a six-turn-four rate of effort, with the
ability to deploy within Australia and
the near region and operate in all roles
by the end of the year.
To achieve this, 1SQN will continue
training both air and ground crews
throughout the year.
The next ferry phase for 1SQN
aircrew is scheduled for the June/July
timeframe, which includes up to 96
hours of test and evaluation flying and
two weeks of Electronic Warfare flight
trials at Naval Air Station Lemoore,
California.
During this intense period, each
aircraft will undergo comprehensive
maintenance and air test flights before
it is accepted into service.
Aircrew will undertake both day and
night air-to-air refuelling qualification
sorties and currency flights before
embarking on the long journey home to
Amberley with the next set of jets.
Former Classic Hornet pilots can
convert on to the Super Hornet in as
few as five flights. 1SQN aircrews
comprise a good balance of former F-
111 and Classic Hornet crews, with
air combat officers (weapon systems
officer) straight from the School of Air
Warfare expected later this year.
The technical workforce must
also complete trade qualifications
and become authorised on the Super
Hornet.
Super Hornet maintenance teams
three through nine will be trained by
278SQN Technical Training Flight
(TTF) – Amberley. The TTF will
have their work cut out for them with
a student training throughput of 120
personnel per year, plus additional nontechnical
and managerial courses.
However, the two new integrated
visual enhanced maintenance trainers
(IVEMT) are due to be ready for
training in September this year and will
greatly enhance both student learning
and instruction.
Technical training will include
theory consolidation, test and trouble
shoot activities and performance
assessments across all trades.
6SQN also has a challenging time
ahead with the F-111 withdrawal from
service in December and then the
transition to become the second Super
Hornet squadron next year.
There are five scheduled waves to
bring home the 24 aircraft by the end
of 2011.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING
NEW: Three Super Hornets are
escorted in by an F-111 on the flight
to Amberley. Photo: ACW Kylie Gibson
BIG HUG: Above inset, SQNLDR
Cameron Cornell is welcomed home
by his family after the long flight from
Lemoore. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith
JET BROTHERS:
6SQN’s CPL
Jarrod Carter
(left) and 1SQN’s
CPL Joshua
Rhodes join
forces to welcome
home the Super
Hornets. Photo:
LACW Jessica Smith
BUSINESS END: Super Hornet
A44-202 on the flightline at Naval
Air Station Lemoore before the
historic flight. Photo: ACW Kylie Gibson
RHINO JOKES: CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin (left) and CO 1SQN WGCDR
Glen Braz (right) with cartoons presented to them by Ipswich Mayor Paul
Pisasale (second from lefti) and drawn by newspaper cartoonist Wil Mitchell
at the welcome home reception. Photo: LAC Benjamin Evans
BIG HAND: Above, from left, CDF ACM Angus Houston, US Ambassador
to Australia Jeffrey Bleich, Secretary of Defence Dr Ian Watt, and DCAF
AVM Geoff Brown head the Australian/US welcome home party.
Photo: LACW Tricia Wiles
DAD’S BACK: Above,
SQNLDR Richard
Peapell is reunited with
his family at Amberley.
Photo: ACW Kylie Gibson
Left, SGT James
Russell is reunited with
his daughter Annie at
the ceremony.
Photo: LACW Jessica Smith
AIR POWER: Below,
the five new aircraft
near journey’s end at
Amberley.
Photo: SGT Rob Mitchell

18 News AIR F RCE April 15, 2010
Executives stretched
to the limit at 21SQN
FLGOFF Baz Bardoe
THE 30th instalment of Exercise
Executive Stretch, to show employers
the benefits of having reservists
in their organisations, has
been hosted by No. 21 (City of
Melbourne) Squadron.
More than 30 bosses from
organisations as diverse as Thales,
Bunnings, Suzlon Energy, and the
Victoria Police, as well as local government
bodies, undertook activities
ranging from abseiling and water
survival to marksmanship, fire fighting,
leadership and problem solving.
Divided into three teams named
after iconic Air Force leaders
(Williams, Dalton and Newton), the
participants were led by a tri-service
team of Navy, Army and Air
Force personnel during the exercise.
It provided a great opportunity for
the employers to experience firsthand
the invaluable skills that can
be gained in the military and transferred
to the civilian workplace.
For many it was also a time to
push the envelope, undertaking new
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challenges designed to increase self
esteem, personal courage and group
trust. Most participants undertook
the activities with enthusiasm, and a
few had to overcome personal fears
but the consensus was that it had
been a unique opportunity.
Suzlon Energy’s resident daredevil
Felicity Leach set the bar high
early on by taking up the challenge
to abseil facing downwards.
“The weekend was a wonderful
way to gain insight into how reserve
service can benefit groups and individuals,”
she said.
“It underlines the importance of
good planning and being able to
trust team members.”
Adam Gordon from Korrumburra
Lime and Spreading said he freely
admitted to being afraid of heights.
“With the supportive and professional
instruction I can now claim to
have abseiled twice,” he said.
Taranjit Sawhney from Thales
also tackled the abseiling face down,
but it was clear from his reaction
that he had experienced the kind of
adrenalin rush only possible when
you push outside your comfort zone.
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“I would recommend it to anyone,”
Mr Sawhney said. “I understand that
I can now be more mission focused
rather than task focused.
“I was impressed by the quiet
professionalism and leadership style
of the instructors; I had expected
something more regimented.”
CO 21SQN SQNLDR Marcelle
Mitting said 21SQN had presented
a number of activities for employers
and potential employers of reserve
personnel during the exercise.
“These activities are designed
for them to experience some of the
challenges faced by their employees
during their military service,” he
said.
“A desired outcome is a greater
appreciation of the reserve member’s
military education and the
skills they bring to the civilian
workplace.
“Another desired effect is to
foster a favourable outlook towards
reserve employees in future.
“The comments made by participants
throughout the weekend
indicated that the activity was a success,”
SQNLDR Mitting said.
ROPE WORK: Left, Taranjit
Sawhney from Thales (front) leads
the team of Executive Stretch
participants to build a bridge using
heavy rope.
TESTING TIME: Above, exercise
participant Debra McCollum tries
her nerve abseiling.
Photos: SGT Dave Grant
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HIGH-FLYING CADETS: Current BFTS students OCDT Stephanie White,
LT Erin Pederick, ASLT Samantha Gilan, PLTOFF Emily Thorvaldsson and
PLTOFF Jacqueline Baird. Photo: courtesy BFTS
All eyes on
the prize in
the skies
Andrew Stackpool
TWO pilot officers are part of the largest
group of future female pilots to attend
the Basic Flying Training School
(BFTS) at Tamworth, NSW, and the
five women also represent 25 per cent
of the total course number of 20 students
PLTOFFs Jacqueline Baird and
Emily Thorvaldsson started putting previous
flying training to good use when
they recently took their first fledgling
steps into a career in the skies.
Along with ASLT Samantha Gilan,
LT Erin Pedrick and OCDT Stephanie
White, they began ADF38 basic pilots’
course on February 18.
PLTOFF Baird has been flying
Cesna-172s since she completed Year 11
in 2005.
“My first experience [flying] was
unreal,” PLTOFF Baird said.
“To be in control of an aircraft was
something I never thought I could do.”
Now, she has her eyes set on a bigger
aircraft; the C-17A, as well as gaining
operational experience outside Australia.
“I decided to enlist in the Air Force
as I wanted to try something exciting
that civilian aviation couldn’t quite
match,” she said.
“I chose Air Force specifically so I
could fly transport aircraft operationally.”
She is the first in her family to serve
in the ADF and pursue an aviation
career.
She said the course was challenging,
but “we haven’t started the hard work
yet”.
PLTOFF Thorvaldsson has set herself
a wide choice of aircraft; the F/A-18, the
Super Hornet or the C-17.
Raised in Adelaide, she enlisted
through ADFA, completing a Bachelor
of Science degree. “I’ve always wanted
to fly,” PLTOFF Thorvaldsson said.
“The first time I went up was awesome;
that’s why I chose to pursue flying
as a career. The ADF is challenging
and offers me an exciting way to do it.”
She said the course was going well
and that her course mates were a good
bunch of people.
Despite their previous experience,
they still have a long way to go before
they become military pilots.
CO BFTS WGCDR Mark Smith
said the course had only just completed
the six-week ground component of the
course. They began flying at the end of
March.
“They are performing very well;
however, they’re only at the beginning
of training and there is a long way to go
yet,” WGCDR Smith said.
On average they should undertake
nine dual flights and go solo on their
10th.
“For some of them, this will be the
first time in their lives,” he said.
He was pleased that so many had
been successful in gaining a place on the
course.
“It is very encouraging to see such
a large percentage of females on the
course,” WGCDR Smith said.
On graduation, the two officers will
post to 2 Flying Training School at
RAAF Base Pearce for more advanced
flying training.
BFTS is responsible for all pilot basic
training for the ADF. The unit, together
with its contractor BAE Systems, provides
basic flying training, a Flight
Screening Program and a Qualified
Flying Instructor (QFI) development
program.
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AIR F
LEAD TWICE THE LIFE
DMO
RCE
April 15, 2010
Winning
in the EW
world
JEWOSU in the spotlight
Andrew Stackpool
WING Commander Pete Mitchell
says the greatest challenge facing the
Joint Electronic Warfare Operational
Support Unit (JEWOSU) is the introduction
of a significant number of
new ADF capabilities, all of which
bring with them significant enhancements
to their EW systems.
“These systems are more complex
and capable than anything else we’ve
seen. They are integrated into the platform
as a whole, not just as an add-on
item,” WGCDR Mitchell says.
He assumed command of JEWOSU
on January 11.
Based at RAAF Base Edinburgh,
as part of Information Warfare Wing
JEWOSU is an integral part of the
Aerospace Operational Support Group.
It stood up in 2002 with the amalgamation
of the Air Force Electronic
Warfare squadron and the Navy’s
Electronic Warfare Support Section’s
(RANTEWSS) Support Division.
JEWOSU is a somewhat unique
squadron in that it comprises Air
Force, Navy, Army, APS personnel and
supporting contractors.
It comprises the Executive Flight,
Analysis and Mission Support
Flight, Countermeasures Flight, EW
Systems Flight, Regulation, Quality
and Training Flight and Information
System Flight. It has a staff of 198.
“Air Force holds the majority of
billets due to the greater number of Air
Force systems requiring support; however,
our support to Naval platforms is
significant and the introduction of the
[new helicopters] along with Counter-
Improvised Explosive Device (IED)
capabilities means the Army presence
grows steadily,” WGCDR Mitchell
says.
The JEWOSU’s mission is to provide
EW support, products and services
to the three services, at home and
when deployed.
It also provides support to other
Defence organisations, including
the Defence Materiel Organisation,
(DMO), Defence Science and
Technology Organisation (DSTO) and
Defence Intelligence Group.
It maintains a close relationship
with other intelligence agencies, such
as RANTEWSS and the Defence
Signals Directorate and sister intelligence/EW
agencies overseas.
The unit runs two offshore training
courses and in-house training for its
employees. What does JEWOSU have
to offer them as a posting choice of
preference?
“JEWOSU is at the cutting edge of
the ADF’s EW capability,” WGCDR
Mitchell says. “We provide opportunities
for personnel to obtain in-depth
knowledge of EW systems and equipment
as well as being involved with
development and trials of the latest
electronic countermeasures and tactics.
Also, Adelaide is a great place to
live.”
WGCDR Mitchell brings to his
command a not-inconsiderable experi-
TECH TESTS: Above, SGT Tony Logan and WO2 Mark
Skrabal work on a system to check the EW programs on
the Tiger helicopter. Photo: AC Glynn Jones
Left, FLTLT Sargon Mrad uses a Baringa Laser, while
CAPT Christopher Porada checks the Countermeasure
Dispensing System. Photo: LACW Shannon Urie
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ence in EW. “As a Hornet pilot I had
interaction with EW systems using aircraft
countermeasures, radar warning
receiver and the on-board jammer,” he
says.
“In my previous job as capability
manager for Air Combat Group,
I worked closely with the Tactical
Fighter Support Project Office on the
operational requirements for the new
capabilities for the F/A-18 through the
Hornet Upgrade (HUG) 2.3 program.”
JEWOSU is working with other
agencies to address the challenge of
the new acquisitions.
“The team has been involved in
the acquisition process for all the new
capabilities and is working closely
with DMO and the Project Offices.
This allowed us to start developing
the appropriate level of understanding
for each unique EW system and how
it interacts with each new weapon system
as a whole.
“By building these relationships, in
conjunction with those we already have
with DSTO, the Force Element Groups
and our coalition partners, we will be
best placed to support the future EW
capabilities not only for the Air Force,
but the wider ADF.”
Multi-tasking in EW
The JEWOSU staff
comprises 142 Air
Force, 23 Navy, 12
Army and 21 APS
personnel. Eight Air
Force personnel are
reservists.
JEWOSU runs two
courses for ADF personnel.
They are the
EW Key Concepts
and RAAF Electronic
Warfare courses.
Since 2008, 136 Air
Force and 170 Navy/
Army personnel have
graduated.
Between 150 and
200 students are
expected on 10
courses to be held in
2010.
Approximately 30
per cent of the staff
deploy each year,
providing EW and
countermeasures
support.
JEWOSU uses the
Ghost Bat as its
badge and sponsors
the Ghost Bat exhibit
at the Adelaide Zoo.
Feature
19
NET WORTH: Above, CPL Rachel Batt, a signals operator at JEWOSU,
provides deployed linguist support during a recent operation.
BIG CHALLENGES AHEAD: Left, JEWOSU’s new CO WGCDR Pete
Mitchell (left) in the foyer of the unit with the OC of the Information
Warfare Wing, WGCDR John Heinrich. Photos: LACW Shannon Urie
Looking at the broader picture, with
new air and naval assets and technology
coming on stream, and a continuing
uncertain strategic outlook, WGCDR
Mitchell says there are many challenges
facing the EW world in general
and the JEWOSU over the next two
decades.
“Firstly the number and complexity
of EW emitters within the region
is increasing exponentially and in all
domains – air, land and sea. Keeping
track of these developments is a challenge
in itself,” he says.
“Secondly, irregular warfare and
the use of remotely-detonated IEDs is
a particular challenge, and EW protection
in this regard is often very reactive.
We need a networked approach
to counter these threats, which will
involve the use of both manned and
unmanned aircraft.
“With the introduction of the new
platforms, our ability to collect data
increases significantly – this further
adds to the data processing required.
“JEWOSU has the expertise and
dedication to meet these challenges
and looks forward to leading the support
to and development of the ADFs
EW capabilities.”
COMPUTING POWER: ABCSOs
Jaimey Strathdee, Amy Fisher and
Shaun Keane work on the Naval
EW library. Photo: AC Glynn Jones

Received your posting
before 1 July 2010?
Moving before 31 August 2010?
You will need to talk to us as we will manage your
relocation. Any postings received after 1 July 2010
will be handled by Toll Transitions.
www.dha.gov.au | 139 DHA (139 342)

AIR F
RCE
FINDING THE WAY: Right,
10SQN’s WOFF Steve
Murnik (right) explains
the navigator’s station on
an AP-3C to Australian
Command and Staff
College (ACSC) student
WOFF John McMahon
during a recent visit by
216 personnel from ACSC
to RAAF Base Amberley
for a Joint Capability Tour.
Photo: AC Benjamin Evans
TOP GUN: Below, during
the same visit, WGCDR
Mark Larter (left) from
the ACSC is briefed on
a SR98 sniper rifle by
LAC Dean Muscat from
2AFDS.LAC Muscat is
wearing a ‘Gillie suit’ used
by snipers to camouflage
themselves.
Photo: ACW Rosaleen Normoyle
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EGGCITING TIME: Above, LACW
Sheree Deane from the Combat
Support Unit in the MEAO hops into
the Easter spirit. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
CHEQUE THIS OUT: Right, 37SQN’s
PLTOFF Justin Della Bosca presents
Director of Inpatient Services,
Hawkesbury District Health Service,
Sister Kathleen Cotterill with a cheque
for $250 from the 37SQN social club
in front of a C-130J at RAAF Base
Richmond. Photo: LAC Michael Green
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22 Flightline AIR F
RCE April 15, 2010
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: FSGT Trevor Jacobs
(top) of 322ECSS with the plasma television being
presented to the Alan Walker Cancer Care Unit in
Darwin. He is currently undergoing Chemotherapy
at the unit for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. During his
treatment, FSGT Jacobs enlisted the help of his
322ECSS colleagues to raise funds to purchase new
equipment for the patients. Among those colleagues
were LAC Lincoln Little and LACW Phoebe Treagus
(above) who organised a coin collection at RAAF
Bases Tindal and Darwin. Right, LAC Steven
Richards collects a donation from FLTLT Wayne
Dicks at the Tindal front gate. Photos: SGT Pete Gammie
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FRONT LINE: Above, engineer FLTLT Rachael Webb,
from the Strike Reconnaissance Systems Program Office,
performs flightline maintenance on an F-111 at RAAF Base
Amberley. Photo: ACW Kylie Gibson
PAST AND PRESENT: Below, the Airman Aircrew’s reunion
in Brisbane on March 20 provided the opportunity for
36SQN’s oldest loadmaster to meet its newest. SGT Bernie
Desmond graduated in 1960; SGT Shane Christall in 2010,
50 years after Bernie’s graduation. Photo: courtesy Colin Coyne

AIR F
RCE
April 15, 2010
Reserve pers
branch own
entity again
THE Director-General Air Force Reserves (DGRES-
AF) branch has stood up again as a stand-alone
branch.
This change to the management of Air Force
Reserves took effect from March 1 and is a direct
result of impacts on the Air Force Reserves cascading
from the Strategic Reform Program (SRP).
In 2008, DGRES-AF joined DGPERS-AF branch
to facilitate the integration of permanent and reserve
force personnel and management into one permanent
and part-time workforce.
However, the tasks associated with the SRP
Reserve Stream now require further strategic adjustments
to Air Force Reserve capability to make it more
relevant and cost effective. Accordingly, DGRES-AF
Branch has reverted back to standalone status.
Under the change, DGRES-AF reports directly
to DCAF and is accountable for Reserve capability
policy, and the development and management of the
DGRES-AF Branch.
DGRES-AF will advise commanders throughout
the Air Force to support the management of their
Reserve capability, which will continue to be integrated
into Air Force’s operational capability through the
command chain under the total force concept.
Also, DGRES-AF has a policy development
and compliance management role for the Air Force
Reserve capability, in conjunction with DGPERS-AF,
which encompasses the following policy matters:
the Air Force representative on the SRP Reserve
Stream Steering Group;
the organisation and flexible employment of the
Reserve;
the functionality of the Reserve, such as readiness,
number, ranks and skills sets required of the
Reserve;
the disposition of the Reserve across the Air Force
as well as other groups and divisions;
the legislation and conditions of service for reservists
and related policy developed in Reserve and
Employer Support Division;
the training of the Reserve; and
the interaction of the Air Force Reserves with
industry and the civilian community.
Policy and development of the Reserves in these
areas will be managed by DGRES-AF in close coordination
and cooperation with Air Command Australia,
DGPERS-AF and the Force Element Group commanders.
Further information is available from Director General
Reserves – Air Force GPCAPT Carl Schiller on (03) 9256
3254 or carl.schiller@defence.gov.au
Personnel
23
New look for a new age
IN LINE: An
aircraft brushed
steel effect, a
uniform dark blue
colour and more
prominent use of
the Roundel has
been adopted by
Air Force News
to reflect the Air
Force’s modern
new look.
Andrew Stackpool
AIR FORCE News has a new look
to reflect the changing face of the
service.
Air Force Standards and
Compliance Manager Michele
McGee said the changes were the
result of a lengthy period of discussion
and trial and error. Now,
the new look better reflects the
‘new age’ Air Force.
“The previous blue tended to
reflect the old blue/grey uniform
and also gave the newspaper a
dated look,” Ms McGee said.
“The new look has a more
contemporary feel, which better
reflects the modern Air Force.
“The darker blue reflects the cur-
rent uniform and emulates the people
who are Air Force. The steel
texture reflects the aircraft, which
is the whole basis of having an Air
Force.”
She said that the clouds have
been retained but are now darker
blue for a more interesting slant.
These clouds will be used on
feature page straps (as seen on
Page 19).
Also, the steel colour worked
better with the red and blue of the
Air Force Roundel used on the
news page straps.
“This, together with our Air
Force branding, reflects our Air
Force values and identity as a
professional service,” Ms McGee
said.
She said that a modern inter-
pretation of the Air Force brand is
important to the organisation.
“The Air Force brand is a
reflection of who we are and the
values that we hold as a service.
This is not a revolution but an evolution
to better reflect a professional
and valued Air Force,” she
said.
“The brand is wider than just
marketing campaigns and includes
our values and behaviours; how
we deliver our brand message in
our internal and external communications
is crucial to the image of
Air Force.
“Air Force News has only a
snapshot of our full brand but it
reflects a more refined, cleaner and
fresher look.
“As we move further into the
21st Century and look beyond, we
can say that we have come of age
and have evolved into a modern
professional organisation. Our
brand should reflect this,” she said.
T h e n e w A i r F o r c e
Headquarters Air Force Visual
Identity Guidelines manual will be
delivered after July this year and
feature all the new elements, logos
and templates for those personnel
tasked to promote Air Force to
stakeholders and the wider community.
For further information regarding
branding and how it applies to Air
Force, visit http://intranet.defence.
gov.au/raafweb/sites/AFHQ/comweb.
asp?page=164541&Title=Air-Force-
Brand

Defence Relocation
Services are changing
in 2010
Effective 1 July 2010 Toll Transitions
will be the primary contact for all
ADF member and family relocations.
Toll Transitions
will be responsible for the co-ordination
of ADF member and family relocations and
relocation entitlements and allowances.
ALLOWANCES
UNPACKING
CAR HIRE
PACKING UPLIFT
TEMP ACCOM
Freecall 1800 819 167
or visit www.tolltransitions.com.au
TRAVEL
VEHICLE TRANSPORT
VEHICLE TRANSPORT
LUGGAGE
Defence Housing Australia
will manage ADF member and family housing and
related services.
ONLINE SERVICES
INVESTMENT
SPECIAL NEEDS
ALLOCATIONS TENANCY
REDEVELOPMENT
Freecall 139 DHA (139 342)
or visit www.dha.gov.au
CONSTRUCTION
MAINTENANCE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
RENT ALLOWANCE

AIR F
RCE
April 15, 2010
Take RAAFA’s advice
AIR VICE-MARSHAL Roxley
McLennan (ret’d), the national
president of the RAAF Association
(RAAFA), has some words of advice
for members thinking of leaving
the Air Force.
“I encourage you to seek the
advice from a qualified pensions
officer from an ex-service organisation
(ESO), preferably at least six
months before transitioning to civilian
life.”
AVM McLennan was introducing
the first of a periodic column about
RAAF matters that will be run in the
history section of Air Force News.
Major Japanese
WWII defeat
commemorated
Past and present Air Force members joined
together for the Battle of the Bismarck Sea
commemoration ceremony held at RAAF
Base Richmond on March 4.
Photo: AC Christopher Hall
22SQN pilot
is mourned
NUMBER 22 (City of
Sydney) Squadron lost its
last surviving WWII pilot on
February 23 when FLTLT
Harold Rowell OAM (ret’d)
passed away at 89.
Born in Perth on December
13, 1920, Harold Mitford
Rowell, pictured right, enlisted in
the RAAF on May 26, 1941 and
eventually was posted to 22SQN
in New Guinea. The squadron flew Boston aircraft.
FLTLT Rowell discharged on May 5, 1945 and commenced
flying with the now defunct MacRobertson
Miller Airlines until he retired in 1980.
He then turned his energies to community service
and in 2006 received the Order of Australia Medal for
service to the community through ex-service, social
welfare and medical research organisations.
A memorial service to him was held at Bundanoon
(NSW) Uniting Church on February 26. CO 22SQN,
SQNLDR Rav Singh, XO 22SQN SQNLDR Frank
Galea and members of the 22SQN Association attended
the service, along with the squadrons’ historian,
FLGOFF (AAFC) Alan Campbell.
A second memorial service to FLTLT Rowell and his
deceased spouse Sylvia was held in Perth on March 11.
He said that all Air Force personnel
are accorded provisional membership
of the association.
“You may ask, ‘What is the
RAAFA?’” he said.
It is an ESO, similar to the Royal
Australian Naval Association and the
RSL; however, it has an Air Force
bias. Its membership consists almost
entirely of ex-RAAF personnel who
wish to retain those bonds of comradeship
that they experienced while
serving in the service.
It also assists members and
former members when they are
applying for compensation and/
or pension entitlements under
the various Legislative Acts such
as the Military Rehabilitation and
Compensation Act (MRCA), which
currently applies to serving Defence
personnel.
More information on the
Association, its activities and the
various pension and compensation
Acts is available from the
Association’s website at: www.raafa.
org.au
This article is the first in a series of
advice and Association news planned
to be published on a periodic basis in
future editions of Air Force News.
Travel Insurance
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PROUD MEMBER:
Right, State president of
the RAAFA Queensland
Division, John Carlile,
at the Air Force’s 89th
birthday commemorative
Service in Brisbane.
Photo: LACW Jessica Smith
History
Your tour
This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure
Statement in deciding whether to acquire this product. You may wish to seek independent advice. This product is underwritten by American Home Assurance Company (ABN 67 007 483 267, AFSL 230903) trading
in Australia as Chartis. Defence Health receives remuneration of 20% of all premiums you pay to Chartis. The Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement may be obtained by calling 1800 102 994 or
downloaded from www.defencehealth.com.au
25

26 Finance
AIR F
RCE April 15, 2010
Driving
under
cover
ASIC Chairman Tony D’Aloisio says look at
your car insurance carefully.
THE TYPE of cover you take
out will affect how much
you have to pay if you’re
involved in an accident.
So if you’re about to buy a new
vehicle or if your insurance is up for
renewal, shop around for the best deal.
Compulsory third party
Compulsory third party (CTP)
insurance is the most important type of
car insurance. It covers death and injury
to other people if you are involved
in an accident. You must have CTP
insurance to register your car. This is
sometimes known as a green slip. Go
to your state or territory roads and traffic
authority website to compare quotes
on CTP car insurance.
Questions to ask
If I crash into a luxury sports car
will I be able to afford the repairs?
Is my car likely to be broken into?
How will I get around if my car is
stolen or written off?
Choosing a policy
Car insurance policies are based
on either ‘agreed’ or ‘market’ value.
An agreed value policy has a set dollar
value for your vehicle. Market
value policies value your car based on
the make, model and condition. The
agreed value is usually higher than the
market value.
When you purchase a car insurance
policy you will agree to pay a
premium, that is, a regular amount that
covers the cost of the insurance, and
you will agree to an excess, which is
the initial amount you will have to
pay if you make a claim on the policy.
Weigh up the difference between hav-
Finding it
hard to help
your people with
financial
issues?
KEEP IT SAFE: Assess the risks. Make certain your pride and joy doesn’t
become valueless scrap metal. Photo: SGT Andrew Hetherington
ing a high premium and low excess
versus paying a lower premium and
having to pay a higher excess if you
have an accident.
Typical exclusions
Make sure you understand the level
of cover before signing up. All insurance
policies come with ‘exclusions’.
Exclusions are things not covered by
your policy. Typical car insurance
exclusions to watch out for include:
Damage from mechanical failure,
modifications, depreciation, rust
and wear and tear;
Lost wages if you can’t drive;
Damage caused because your car
was unsafe or in a race;
Intentional damage;
Damage caused if the driver was
unlicensed, drunk or under the
influence of drugs;
The driver wasn’t covered by the
policy.
Case study
LAC Smith gets into debt
LAC Smith decided not to get any
extra car insurance on top of his CTP
because his car was old. A few months
later, he hit a new sports car, which
needed $10,000 worth of repairs.
Because he was not insured for
damage to other cars and without
access to such a huge amount of cash,
LAC Smith had to take out an expensive
personal loan to pay off the debt
over three years.
Drivers under 25
The cost of insurance is determined
by the level of risk your insurer is taking
on.
As more young drivers are involved
in accidents than older drivers, most
insurance companies charge a higher
premium for drivers under 25.
It pays to be extra vigilant with
checking the details and doing all
This film will help you.
Watch the video or order the DVD on the website
www.adfconsumer.gov.au
VOLUME SIX
Helping ADF
members with
their finances
the
DOs &
DON’Ts
VOLUME SIX
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
WHAT YOU ARE
COVERED FOR
Additional types of car insurance
include:
CTP insurance only covers injuries
or death to other people in
an accident;
Third party property insurance,
which covers damage to other
people’s property (their car or
home) and your own legal costs;
Third party, fire and theft insurance,
which covers damage to
other people’s property, and
provides limited cover for damage
to your own car caused by theft
or fire;
Comprehensive insurance, which
covers damage to your own car
and other people’s property if
your car is in an accident (including
fire) as well as theft.
the appropriate paperwork and back
checks before buying any vehicle.
It’s wise to go to your state or territory
roads and traffic authority for
helpful information on what you need
to do when buying a car. It’s also very
important to call your insurer before
you buy to find out everything they
need to know about the car in order to
insure you.
If you’re not covered when you
drive away having just bought your
new vehicle and you’re involved in a
crash, even if it’s not your fault, you
could end up with an expensive debt
and no vehicle.
Visit ASIC’s consumer and investor
website, FIDO at www.fido.gov.au or call
1300 300 630. E-mail ASIC with topics
that interest you via ADFcolumn@asic.
gov.au
Helping ADF members
with their finances
the DOs & DON’Ts

AIR F
RCE
RAAF WELFARE
RECREATIONAL
COMPANY
April 15, 2010
Test yourself
Is alcohol putting you at risk? Find out, says Hugh McKenzie.
THE OUTPATIENT Alcohol
Treatment Program (OATP)
has been running since
2004.
It’s a four-day program run by the
Directorate of Mental Health and this
year has been evaluated and revised.
Jennifer Harland’s background
is in nursing, mental health and she
has extensive experience in the drug
and alcohol field. She is the National
Coordinator Alcohol, Tobacco and
Other Drugs Program.
“You can see the change in people,”
Ms Harland said. “It’s what you
might call the light bulb moment or
the tipping point.
“During the four days, usually
about the end of day two or three, you
can see a change.
“Some people come along feeling
that they have been ‘sent’. By the end
of the program they can see the value
as they recognise that they do have a
problem with alcohol and can change.
“During the first day there is generally
some resistance. By the end of
day two some people comment ‘Well
hang on, maybe I do have an issue
with alcohol’ and by the end of day
four most of the evaluations that come
back say: ‘I do realise that I have a
problem with alcohol and I’m going
to do something about it’,” she said.
She considered the program a success
when she heard comments like:
“I wish I’d done this years ago” or “I
think everyone in my unit should do
this.”
Marrakai Apartments
Darwin
2 bedroom apartment
Telephone: 08 898 3711
MAJ Michelle McInnes is SO2
Projects in the Directorate of Mental
Health and has worked as a clinician.
“Many times I’ve been doing counselling
one-on-one with ADF members
and wished there was something
like this I could have referred them to.
“I think it’s a fantastic initiative
because it’s a step in between those
who are dependant on alcohol and
require in patient care and the one-onone
counselling they can get from a
psychologist in the regions where they
can be strapped for resources.
“As part of the Mental Health
Reform process we’re putting eight
alcohol and drug specialists around
Australia,” MAJ McInnes said.
Ms Harland and MAJ McInnes are
hoping to see more people attending
the OATP program as they discuss
their problems and seek assistance.
“There is nothing quite like this
program in the civilian world, so
Defence members are lucky to have
this level of intervention at an early
stage,” Ms Harland said.
The OATP objectives are to:
Inform and educate participants
about alcohol and other substance
use and alcohol consumption;
Create awareness in each individual
of their alcohol consumption;
Gain an awareness of the participants’
alcohol use and workplace
values;
Assist participants to understand
blood alcohol content in relation to
safe drink driving practices;
Explore the participants’ motivations
and readiness for change;
Explore the positive and negative
aspects associated with engaging
in risky drinking behaviours
“The program was first developed
by CAPT Alison Kaine and the
revision has ensured that the original
intent and content has been maintained,”
Ms Harland said. “Some people
come thinking they’re going to be
lectured or hounded or talked at for
four days but that’s not the case.
“It’s really about each of the individual
participants, it’s their course
and they get an opportunity over four
days to explore their own reasons for
drinking,” she said.
MAJ McInnes said a change in attitude
became obvious in the 1980s and
1990s. “There’s been a slow and gradual
change in people’s attitudes in the
community and that change has filtered
through into the ADF.
“The latest sign is the CA saying
‘This is not acceptable’ he’s drawn
a line in the sand. The key is getting
people to realise that drinking responsibly
means taking care of yourself
and your mates,” she said.
Read up on the ADF Mental Health
Strategy at: http://intranet.defence.gov.
au/dsg/sites/dmh/ or www.defence.gov.
au/health/DMH/i-dmh.htm or email:
DMH.mentalhealth@defence.gov.au
Read SGT Andrew Hetherington’s special
report on the longer live-in AREP course
in the next edition.
NEED A HOLIDAY?
BOOK ONE OF THESE APARTMENTS
CHOOSE FROM 3 LOCATIONS
Ambassador Apartments
Chevron Island
2 or 3 bedroom apartments
Telephone: 07 5531 5692
Mobile: 0417 780 961
Email: aambassador@bigpond.com
Tuscany Apartments - Merimbula
2 or 3 bedroom apartments
Telephone: 02 6495 3845
Email: info@tuscany.com.au
HOW DO YOUR RATE?
Questions 0 1 2 3 4
1. How often do you have a drink? Never
(Skip to
Q9&10)
2. How many drinks do you have
on a typical day?
3. How often do you have six or
more drinks on one occasion?
4. How often during the last year
have you found you were not able
to stop drinking once you had
started?
5. How often during the last year
have you failed to do what was
normally expected of you because
of drinking?
6. How often during the last year
have you needed a first drink in
the morning to get yourself going
after a heavy drinking session?
7. How often during the last year
have you had a feeling of guilt or
remorse after drinking?
8. How often during the last year
have you been unable to remember
what happened the night
before because of your drinking?
9. Have you or someone else
been injured because of your
drinking?
10. Has a relative, friend, doctor
or other health care worker been
concerned about your drinking
and suggested you cut down?
VACANCIES
Marrakai
Tuscany
Ambassador
LEGEND
= VACANCIES
= NO VACANCIES
RAAF WELFARE
RECREATIONAL
COMPANY
APRIL MAY JUNE
Email: Info@marrakai.com.au Want more information?
Check out the RAAF Recreational
Welfare Company website
www.raafholidays.com.au
Monthly or
less
2 to 4 times
a month
2 to 3
times a
week
27
4 or more
times a
week
1 or 2 3 or 4 5 or 6 7 to 9 10 or
more
Never Less than
monthly
Never Less than
monthly
Never Less than
monthly
Never Less than
monthly
Never Less than
monthly
Never Less than
monthly
No Yes, but not
in the last
year
No Yes, but not
in the last
year
Monthly Weekly Daily or
almost
daily
Monthly Weekly Daily or
almost
daily
Monthly Weekly Daily or
almost
daily
Monthly Weekly Daily or
almost
daily
Monthly Weekly Daily or
almost
daily
Monthly Weekly Daily or
almost
daily
Yes, during
the
last year
Yes, during
the
last year
Do not score questions 11 & 12 Total
11. Do you think you presently
have a problem with drinking?
12. In the next three months, how
difficult would you find it to cut
down or stop drinking?
No Probably
not
Very
easy
Health
Place an X in one box that best describes your answer to each question and total your score for
questions 1 to 10. See the bottom of the page for an interpretation of your score.
Fairly easy Neither
difficult nor
easy
Unsure Possibly Definitely
Fairly
difficult
Very
difficult
A score of 8 or more indicates drinking in excess of low risk guidelines. Your ADF health provider
can give you some information and support to help you cut down to a less risky amount. Navy
members can also see their ADPA or contact their local ADPC for further assistance.

A MilHOP, SKIP
AND A JUMP
TO A BETTER
HEALTH FUTURE
For a better health service for you and your ADF
teammates, participate in the MilHOP survey.
milhop@cmvh.org.au
cmvh.org.au/milhop
1800 886 567

AIR F
RCE
WITH not-out scores of 66 and
70 and a spell of second-innings
bowling that reaped four wickets
for 20 runs off 11 overs, CPL
Matt Monaghan certainly led from
the front when the RAAF Base
Richmond Cricket Club (RRCC)
won the Hawkesbury District
Cricket Association (HDCA) second-grade
grand final on March 28.
CPL Monaghan was rightly awarded
the umpires’ Bradman Medal for
his outstanding game, which helped
guide the RRCC to an outright eightwicket
win against civilian team
Windsor at Bensons Lane 2nd Main
Cricket Oval.
This was the first major win by
the RRCC since its rebirth within the
HDCA two years ago. Last season,
two teams made the finals but fell just
short of going on.
RRCC progressed to the grand
final by finishing the roster season
as minor premier and then beating
Wilberforce by 11 runs in its semifinal.
Before someone claims that CPL
Monaghan could do no wrong in the
grand final, consider this.
CPL Monaghan did lose something.
As captain of the team, he lost the
coin toss and Windsor decided to bat
April 15, 2010 Sp rt
Batsman,
bowler,
winner
1CCS topples
37SQN
TWO of the busiest units
at RAAF Base Richmond
found time to set aside
their tools and ‘wield the
willows’ on the cricket
pitch on February 25.
No. 1 Combat
Communications
Squadron (1CCS) beat
37SQN after facing
off on the Richmond
Oval. LAC James Clews
(37SQN) won the toss,
opting to bowl. 1CCS
posted 133, and in reply,
37SQN was out for 105.
first in the two-day match on a hard,
even wicket with just a touch of green
grass on top.
Windsor looked in a commanding
position before LAC Matthew Lloyd
came on late in the innings (3 for 12)
with help from FSGT Stephen Wynne
(3 for 17). Windsor was all out for 147.
TAKE THAT:
Above, a magpie
watches as CPL
Jimmy Watters
goes on the attack.
AND THAT: Left,
the star of the
show, CPL Matt
Monaghan.
After an early wicket the RRCC
team stabilised to be 1 for 45 before
CPL James Watters (21) was dismissed.
This led to wickets falling on a
regular basis and the team slumped
to 8 for 121 before No 10 batsman
CPL Michael Douglas (21) helped
WELL DONE:
The victorious
1CCS
players have
something to
celebrate after
beating 37SQN
at RAAF Base
Richmond.
Photos: AC Philip
Sharpe
MOMENT OF IMPACT: LAC Rob Sutterby, of 37SQN, connects with the ball.
CPL Monaghan (66 not out) steer the
side to a first innings lead of just eight
runs.
With an entire day’s play left,
Windsor attempted to set RRCC a second
innings run chase, but lost their
last eight wickets for a modest 31 to
be all out for 102.
CPL Monaghan again led from
the front (4 for 20 off 11 overs).
PTE Jarrod Thomson and FLGOFF
Benjamin Gierke offered great support
from the other end.
RRCC made short work of the 95
run chase.
It lost an early wicket before SGT
Ian Smith (19) and CPL Monaghan
(70 not out) put on a partnership off
76 runs before SGT Smith played on
with the win in sight.
HONOUR ROLL OF
OUR PLAYERS
29
1. CPL Matt Monaghan (C) (1CCS)
2. CPL Jimmy Watters (VC) (1CCS)
3. FSGT Stephen Wynne (37SQN)
4. PTE Brock Gibson (176SQN)
5. LAC Matthew Lloyd (1CCS)
6. PTE Jarod Thomson (176SQN)
7. LAC Barry Petersen (325ECCS)
8. LAC Phil Hanley (325ECCS)
9. FLGOFF Ben Gierke (1CCS)
10. CPL Michael Douglas (37SQN)
11. SGT Ian Smith (285SQN)
12. PTE Dougie Linnett (176SQN)
Tracking the
Grand Prix
An F/A-18 starts
a flyover of
the Australian
Formula 1 Grand
Prix Circuit during
an aerial display
on March 27.
Inset, the RAAF
Roulettes fly in
formation with
a Qantas A380
around Port Phillip
Bay during the
race. The Hornet
and Roulettes
were part of the
ADF display at
the Grand Prix
at Albert Park,
Melbourne.
Photos: ABIS Andrew
Black and CPL Steve
Duncan

30 Sp rt
AIR F RCE April 15, 2010
Footy
stars’
Anzac
messages
EIGHTY-EIGHT of Australia’s best
AFL footballers have written heartfelt
messages on guernseys destined to be
worn by ADF personnel in the Middle
East Area of Operations, the Solomon
Islands and East Timor.
Along with six Sherrin footballs,
the guernseys are gifts from the
Australian Football League to the
ADF to help promote the Telstra
‘Message to the Troops’ on Anzac
Day.
Outside of AFL grand final day,
Anzac Day is the biggest occasion
on the AFL calendar, with AFL
clubs, players and fans embracing the
opportunity to show their respect and
appreciation to Australian servicemen
and women who have served or are
currently on active service overseas.
The guernseys come from four
teams who are scheduled to play
games on Anzac Day – Richmond and
Fremantle, which will play at Subiaco
Oval, and Essendon and Collingwood
which will play at the Melbourne
Cricket Ground.
ADF personnel will be
photographed in the guernseys for
footage to be used promoting the
Message to the Troops in the week
leading up to April 25.
ADF representatives from the
Army, Navy and Air Force were given
VIP treatment when they attended the
guernsey-signing day by Richmond at
Punt Rd Oval last month.
Air Force was represented by
SQNLDR Tim Stacey, of Victoria
Barracks, who can offer a first-hand
perspective on how well received the
guernseys will be.
He was deployed on Operation
Slipper for six months, returning in
January this year.
“I know how much mail means to
you while deployed. I have no doubt
that the players jumpers and footballs
will be warmly received,” he said.
Pup Elliott
HISTORY remembers great battles,
epic challenges and even sporting
events by location rather than the
units or participants. So, too, will
the weekend of March 27 and 28 be
remembered not for those who competed
but the terrain itself, Sparrow
Hill.
On an unexpectedly warm autumn
weekend day in Canberra, ADF members
rode alongside more than 3600
other mountain bikers in the Mont
24-hour race.
This year the race was cut down to
23 hours because at noon on Saturday,
the usual start time, the field, includ-
OLD HAND: Essendon veteran
defender Dustin Fletcher.
Photo: Cameron L’Estrange
He said he had a great visit to Punt
Rd Oval. “Thanks has to go to the
AFL clubs for their support,” he said.
“It’s initiatives like these that
reinforce the level of respect there is
for the ADF.
“Many lives of people gone before
us were sacrificed for the greater
good, and Anzac Day is a time for
reflecting on this.
“It’s also a time for reflecting on
the efforts of those men and women
of the ADF that continue to serve on
operations.”
The 22 Essendon and 22
Collingwood guernseys and
two footballs are destined for the
Middle East; 11 Richmond guernseys
and 11 Fremantle guernseys and
two balls will go to East Timor;
and 11 Richmond guernseys and 11
Fremantle guernseys and two balls
will go to the Solomons.
ing the Defence riders, instead
did a short lap in tribute to James
Williamson who died while competing
at the Cape Epic in South Africa
during the week leading up to the
Mont.
Williamson, a former Australian
and world champion, was a regular
participant at 24-hour events and was
part of the four-man team which won
the Scott 24-hour last year.
For the next 23 hours, the riders
threw themselves around a 19km single
track course at speeds that would
make some road cyclists cringe in
fear.
So what is single track riding?
Imagine riding a bicycle through
OFF THE MARK: SQNLDR Tim Stacey finds himself out of position
in a marking duel with PO Adam Bamford, Richmond player Daniel
Jackson and SGT Daniel van Emmerik. Photo: Foto Group
Circular Quay on a Saturday morning,
all the obstacles you could imagine
with prams, joggers, dogs and packages
conflicting with the direction you
want to proceed. Now replace these
objects with immovable items such as
trees, rocks and a creek or two. Place
these immovable objects randomly on
a hillside, both up and down slopes,
and then draw a Mr Squiggle path
through it all randomly. At times you
have covert native animals hurl pine
cones and rocks in your path just to
aid in obstructing passage.
CPL Jarrod Hughes led the race for
a short period at the Le Mans sprint
start. He came ninth in the fastest male
day laps, with a time of 45min 48sec,
and 19th in the fastest male night laps in
53min 9sec.
His team, the Ghostriders, which
included CPL Ryan Morgan, came
second in the foursomes – open male,
and placed fourth overall.
Other Air Force participants included
SQNLDR Tim Floyd, SQNLDR
Richard Wolf, SQNLDR David Smyth,
SQNLDR Greg Foord who rode for
the My Camelback team; SQNLDR
Cameron Leslie, FLGOFF Michael
Olsen, SQNLDR Gordon Saunders who
rode for the Inglorious Bustups team;
and FLTLT Shane Taylor who was part
of a Merida ACT four-person mixed
team which won its category, came 21st
outright.
DOING THEM PROUD: SQNLDR
Tim Stacey with one of the
guernseys and Richmond players,
from left, Trent Cotchin, Brett
Deledio and Daniel Jackson.
Photo: Foto Group
Hawks full of
anticipation
THE Air Force Hawks aim to give
Navy and Army rivals a run for their
money at the Australian Services Australian
Football Association (ASAFA)
Championships in Melbourne.
The championships are due to start
on April 14 at Whitten Oval.
Navy dominated last year, winning
both the Jim Smail Trophy for men and
the Geoff Ledger Cup for women.
The president of the Air Force
Football Club, FLTLT Justin Taylor,
drew confidence from the Hawks’ win
in the Kapooka 12s recently.
“I am excited with the new talent
available this year,” he said.
The titles are the centrepiece of the
ASAFA calendar.
A championship dinner and awards
ceremony will be held on April 18,
when the respective men’s and women’s
All-Stars’ teams will be named.
The men’s team will play against the
Australian Combined Emergency Services
(ACES) team in a curtain-raiser to the Port
Adelaide-St Kilda AFL match at Adelaide
Oval on the Anzac weekend.
Mountain-bikers roll up for the battle of Sparrow Hill
LEADING LIGHT: CPL Jarrod
Hughes in action.

AIR F RCE April 15, 2010
Sp
Happy to be home
The Red Bull Air Race World
Championship moves to Perth
on April 17 and 18, which
means that one of the Air
Force’s favourite sons, former
WGCDR Matt Hall, will be back
in our air space. And he says
he’s excited at the prospect.
The 2010 Red Bull Air Race
recently kicked off in Abu
Dhabi, with a disappointing
result for me.
After spending the week getting
faster and faster with the aircraft, and
several times setting a time within
the top three, we were forced out on
race day due to mechanical problems,
specifically being unable to start the
engine.
This event alone jolted me back to
my past, when I sat in an F/A-18 on
the ramp, trying to get it serviceable
… failing an FCS BIT multiple times,
the INS not kicking in on start, and
Inlet Ice caution on a rainy day. The
difference was that in the Air Force
we were almost always able to solve
the problem on the spot, or at least
‘jump the spare’ and complete a successful
mission.
To miss a race was the most devastating
‘abort’ I have ever faced.
There were also some pretty good
memories brought back during this
race, though.
While I was in the Air Force, I
was fortunate enough to be sent on an
exchange program to the US flying
the F-15E Strike Eagle.
During my tour, I ended up being
deployed to the Middle East with the
336 Fighter Squadron (336FS), for
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
While in Abu Dhabi, which was
itself quite geographically close to the
base I was deployed to on that operation,
I received an email from a sec-
Who me? Our new ironman gets
a shock in triathlon marquee
From Back Page
It has been a stellar year for FLTLT
Withers, of the Airborne Early Warning
and Control Systems Program Office
at RAAF Base Williamtown.
In February, he finished second in
the ADF long-course championships
at Huskisson, NSW.
And on March 21, he finished third
in the ADSTA section of the Olympic
Distance Triathlon held in association
with the Newcastle Triathlon.
That Newcastle race was certainly
a landmark event for Air Force veterans.
It was FSGT Craig Hardwicke’s
150th triathlon.
FSGT Hardwicke, 52, placed seventh
in the 50-54 age group and completed
the race – which incorporated
a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and
10km run – in 2hr 56min 52sec.
Afterwards, he said he’s not finished
yet, either. He now has his sights
set on 200 triathlons.
“Newcastle was my 150th triathlon,”
he said.
Fleet Network Pty Ltd D/L No. 20462
ond lieutenant in the 336, informing
me that the squadron was nearby and
wanted to drop in to say hello.
As it turned out, the commander of
the squadron was a mate of mine who
was on my instructor course.
The result was 30 fighter pilots
turning up to my hangar the day
before race day, and talking about the
transition from flying fighters to race
planes. After a few photos, and a couple
of stickers ‘zapped’ on my cowl,
JUST
KEEP
GOING:
SGT John
Caples in
the cycle
leg of the
triathlon.
“I began in 1987 and have completed
at least one triathlon every year
since then. I plan on competing until I
can no longer swim/bike/run.”
FLTLT Withers isn’t finished yet
either – though just quietly he was
contemplating retiring on top.
His aim before the race was to
record a time that qualified him for the
famous Hawaiian Ironman later this
year, but he fell nine minutes short.
For the record, FLTLT Withers did
we said farewell and who knows when
we shall catch up again.
So, moving to Perth. I am excited
by the prospects of a home race, and
the location of Perth is exciting. It is
where I graduated from pilots’ course
18 years ago, and started flying jets;
the Macchi then.
I am excited by the support I have
been getting from the ADF, and specifically
the Air Force, and know that
there will be a great number of friends
catch sight of Tony Abbott, but only
early on.
He finished way, way ahead of the
Opposition Leader, finishing 169th
overall, which made him 14th overall
in the 45 to 49 years section.
The winner of the Huskisson event,
SGT Craig Ewen-Crawford, was
one of the pre-race favourites again
at Newcastle but he had some major
mechanical problems on the bike and
finished in the back pack.
FLTLT Withers, known for his
strong bike leg, finished with a wellpaced
run.
Another notable performer for Air
Force was SQNLDR Julian Weller
who took out the second-fastest 1.5km
swim of the day in 21min 41sec. He
finished the race in 2hr 53min 11sec.
SGT Ewen-Crawford completed
the Ironman in 10hr 50min 34sec,
299th overall.
and associates on the ground watching
and cheering me on.
With RAAF Base Pearce just up
the road, there is a large mobile fan
base just waiting to turn up, hopefully.
I am also expecting the opportunity
to catch up with a lot of my old
friends whom I have not seen for
a number of years, just like in Abu
Dhabi.
The one remarkable thing about
the ADF, is your old friends are
Sp rt
Your Vehicle Salary Packaging Experts 1300 738 601
31
ON HIS WAY: Left,
Matt Hill soars above
the Emirates Palace
hotel and the Etihad
Towers during the
Abu Dhabi Red Bull
Air Race fly in and
calibration day on
March 23.
Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty
Images
OLD FRIENDS:
Below, Matt catches
up with some of the
US pilots.
Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty
Images
always there, even if you have not
seen or talked to them for years.
So, if you are around, come to the
race track and watch, cheer, bring
an Aussie flag. I am proud to be
Australian, and very proud to be a
retired ADF and Air Force member.
If you can’t get to the Perth race, follow
me on my website: www.matthallracing.
com or on Facebook. I will try my best to
do you all proud.
For more information,visit the ADSTA
website: http://intranet.defence.gov.
au/raafweb/sites/ADSTA/comweb.
asp?page=104629 BIG EFFORT: SQNLDR Julian Weller. Photos: LACW Amy Trebilco

SP S RT
April 15, 2010
CPL
He didn’t even know he had won the ADF title until
he was called to the stage in front of 3000 people
STILL FULL
OF PUFF:
FSGT Craig
Hardwicke,
contesting
his 150th
triathlon,
grits his
teeth on a
steep climb
at Newcastle.
Photo: LACW
Katharine
Pearson
Matt Monaghan stars in cricket win – Page 29
Our very
own
ironman
AND THE WINNER IS: FLTLT Terry
Withers who put in his usual big effort on
the cycle leg. Photo: LACW Amy Trebilco
AFL players’
messages
to ADF
personnel
overseas
John Martin and AB Michael Baruch
Page 30
IN HIS 20th year as a Defence triathlete,
FLTLT Terry Withers has become
Defence’s ironman champion.
To his own surprise, he was crowned
the Australian Defence Sports Triathlon
Association (ADSTA) champion at Port
Macquarie on March 29 – more than a day
after completing the gruelling event, which
includes a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride
and a 42.2km run.
FLTLT Withers, 45, was one
of 3000 people assembled in a
giant marquee for the awards
ceremony the night after the
event, which had a wider
media focus this year due to
the much-heralded presence of
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott
among the colour, movement
and confusion of more than
1500 entrants.
FLTLT Withers had been
pleased with his time – 10hrs
22mins – which was nine seconds
faster than his last ironman
triathlon attempt 10 years
ago.
“I was expecting a second
or perhaps third,” he said.
So imagine his surprise
when he was called to the
stage to accept first place.
Continued Page 31