AIR F - Department of Defence

AIR F 

RCE 

Vol. 53, No. 23, December 8, 2011 1 The Th official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

Orion helps out Pacific neighbours 

FISHING 

PATROL 

Jets swarm 

east coast 

90th year 

in review 

P5 P18-19 

P3 

Mo bros 

raise $80k 

EYES ON THE 

OCEAN: Flight 

engineer WOFF 

Steve Condon 

and pilot FLGOFF 

Daniel Evans, of 

11SQN, in the 

cockpit of their 

AP-3C during a 

surveillance patrol 

near the Solomon 

Islands as part of 

Operation Kuru 

Kuru, an annual 

Pacific Islands 

law enforcement 

operation aimed 

at detecting illegal 

fishing activity. 

Left inset, the 

Orion flying over a 

vessel. Photos: SGT 

Mick Davis and CAPT 

Aaron Oldaker 

P23

2 News 

AIR F RCE December 8, 2011 

Gift to Indonesia 

FOUR RAAF C-130Hs have been 

offered to the TNI-AU (Indonesian 

Air Force) as a bilateral initiative 

between the two defence forces. 

The gifting of the aircraft would 

boost Indonesia’s capacity to deliver 

humanitarian assistance and disaster 

relief. 

Indonesia is the world’s largest 

rchipelagic nation, with more than 

3,000 islands stretching from West 

apua to Sumatra. In recent years, it 

has been struck by numerous natural 

Last edition 

for 2011 

THIS is the last edition of 

Air Force News for 2011. 

The first edition next year is 

February 2, with contributions 

required by January 18. 

Send your stories and 

high resolution images to 

raafnews@defencenews.gov. 

au or contact the editor on 

(02) 6265 2253. 

Editorial team 

Director 

David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650 

david.edlington@defencenews.gov.au 

Editor/Deputy Director 

Simone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253 

Mobile: 0400 003792 

simone.liebelt@defencenews.gov.au 

Deputy Editor and sport 

John Martin: (02) 6265 7219 

john.martin@defencenews.gov.au 

disasters including the 2004 Boxing 

Day tsunami and the 2009 Padang 

earthquake. 

All four C-130Hs being offered 

are surplus to requirements and were 

withdrawn from service in 2009. 

They will require refurbishment 

to reach an airworthy flying state. 

Refurbishing the aircraft will be a 

matter for Indonesia to negotiate with 

whichever commercial provider it 

chooses. 

The offer is subject to Indonesia 

New scholarships open 

for future female pilots 

IR Force and the Australian Women 

ilots’ Association are providing two 

cholarships worth a total of $9500 

o encourage more women into flying 

areers. 

One scholarship is for the RAAF 

PL(AF) navigation component; the 

ther for the RAAF formation or 

erobatic endorsement. 

Defence Science and Personnel 

inster Warren Snowdon announced 

he exciting new initiative on 

ecember 2. 

Mr Snowdon said the scholarhips 

form part of Air Force’s ongong 

Gender Diversity Strategy, aimed 

t increasing the number of women 

n non-traditional employment roles, 

uch as technical and aircrew employ- 

ment fields. “Air Force is already 

implementing a range of strategies to 

increase the attractiveness of a career 

with the service,” Mr Snowdon said. 

“These scholarships are a great 

opportunity for recipients to build on 

their careers and take to the sky as a 

pilot, a role which is still predominately 

male. 

“Experience shows women make 

fine aviators.” 

Currently there are 19 female 

pilots in the service and 32 female 

pilots across the ADF. 

The scholarships are for females 

aged between 16 and 24 years, and 

will assist the successful applicants 

with their flight training costs. 

SPR Nick Wiseman 

ANDROID phone users now have access 

to Air Force News directly on their phones 

and tablets, thanks to the development 

team at iArmy. 

The application is free to download 

and can be found on the Android Market 

by searching for “ADF – Air Force News”. 

Once launched, the application checks for the current 

version of Air Force News and prompts you to download 

if available. 


Reporter/Photographer 

LAC Bill Solomou: (02) 6265 1355 

Contact us: 

Email: raafnews@defencenews.gov.au 

Website: http://www.defence.gov.au/ 

news/raafnews 

Mail: Air Force News, PO Box 7909, 

Canberra BC, ACT 2610 

HELP THY NEIGHBOUR: Four C-130Hs have been 

offered to the Indonesian Air Force. Photo: LAC David Said 

agreeing to fund all refurbishment 

and maintenance costs. 

Australia’s contribution will 

strictly be limited to the gifting of the 

airframes in their current condition. 

Australia and Indonesia have the 

opportunity to further discuss the 

offer to gift the aircraft during forthcoming 

staff talks and a visit by the 

Indonesian Chief of Defence Forces 

to Australia in early December. 

As it is a US-sourced and produced 

aircraft, Australia is required 

Application forms are available from the 

Australian Women Pilots’ Association 

website: www.awpa.org.au. Applications 

will close on January 31. 

RCE 

Subscriptions ons 

Trish Dillon: (02) 6266 7607 

tdillon@defencenews.gov.au 

Once downloaded, it is stored on the 

device and able to be viewed offline. 

Reading Air Force News through the 

application is as simple as swiping back and 

forth between pages and using pinch-tozoom 

techniques to read stories and view 

photos. 

The application is also available on the 

iPhone and iPad with an updated version 

available soon from iTunes. 

For more information on these and other applications visit 

iArmy at http://teamweb/army/iarmy/default.aspx 

Advertising 

Tim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 

Mobile: 0459 842551 

advertising@defencenews.gov.au 

to talk to the US about the disposal 

and transfer of aircraft in accordance 

with US foreign military sales provisions. 

Indonesia became the second 

foreign Hercules operator after the 

RAAF in 1960, when it received its 

first C-130Bs. 

Today, it operates a mixed fleet of 

C-130Bs, C-130Hs, KC-130Hs, and 

L-100 Hercules from two airbases on 

the island of Java. 

GET ON BOARD: Two new 

scholarships have been created 

to encourage women into flying 

careers. Photo: LAC Scott Woodward 

AIR FORCE NEWS NOW COMES TO YOUR ANDROID DEVICE 

Disclaimer Disc 

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th the 

e ri right to refuse advertising if it is 

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other specifications if material is not 

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an ad is accepted for publication does 

not mean that the product or service 

has the endorsement of Defence or 

Air Force News. 

IN BRIEF 

Three-star to depart 

CHIEF of Capability Development Group 

(CCDG) AIRMSHL John Harvey will retire 

in January after what CDF GEN David 

Hurley described as 35 years of exemplary 

service. CDF said AIRMSHL Harvey 

had led his team extremely well through 

a demanding time and provided Defence 

with solid support in planning the expansion 

of the ADF’s capabilities into coming 

years. VADM Peter Jones will replace 

AIRMSHL Harvey this month. Next edition 

will feature a full story on AIRMSHL 

Harvey. 

Final gig for band CO 

AIR Force Central Band CO SQNLDR 

Steve Wright will wave his baton for 

the last time during a concert at the 

Victorian Arts Centre in Melbourne on 

December 19. SQNLDR Wright has been 

the unit’s musical director since 1997 

and has been instrumental in setting the 

band’s high standards. Full coverage on 

SQNLDR Wright’s final performance in 

the next edition. 

Ausindo exercising 

RAAF and Indonesian Air Force Hercules 

crews have joined forces at RAAF Base 

Darwin to participate in Exercise Rajawali 

Ausindo, which began on December 

1 and was due to end on December 6. 

The exercise comprised crews from the 

RAAF’s 37SQN and Indonesia’s 31SQN, 

and involved cargo airdrop missions. 

Indonesian visitor 

THE Commander of the Indonesian 

National Air Defence Command, AVM 

Johnny Fritz Pandapotan Sutimpol, visited 

RAAF Base Williamtown on November 

22, where he met with Surveillance and 

Response Group, Air Combat Group, 

and counterpart AIRCDRE Mel Hupfeld, 

who was representing Air Commander 

Australia. Discussions included potential 

training and exercise opportunities that 

would further strengthen the relationship 

between the RAAF and Indonesian Air 

Force. 

China cooperation 

AIR Force members were part of an ADF 

contingent who participated in Exercise 

Cooperation Spirit 2011 with the People’s 

Liberation Army in Sichuan Province, 

China, from November 27 to December 

1. The bilateral humanitarian assistance 

and disaster relief exercise aimed to 

enhance coordination and cooperation 

between the two countries in responding 

to unforeseen disasters that occur in the 

Asia-Pacific region. 

Rhino rudders to stay 

RUDDER pedals for the F/A-18 Super 

Hornets will continue to be manufactured 

in Australia after Boeing signed a contract 

with Brisbane-based company Ferra 

Engineering to manufacture the pedals. 

The contract is part of its global supply 

program. Over the past four years, 

Boeing has signed 101 contracts with 24 

Australian companies to a value of $256 

million. 

Data centre upgrades 

THE government has given first-pass 

approval for Defence’s Centralised 

Processing Project to begin consolidating 

data centres. An initiative under the 

Strategic Reform Program, the project 

will gradually reduce the number of data 

centres around Australia from 280 to 

fewer than 10 new modern facilities. 

Air Force online 

AirForce.gov.au 

facebook.com/ 

RoyalAustralianAirForce 

youtube.com/AirForceHQ 

twitter.com/AirForceHQ 

feeds.feedburner.com/ 

RoyalAustralianAirForce


RCE 

December 8, 2011 

Pacific vigilance 

AIR Force has again come to the assistance 

of Australia’s Pacific island neighbours, 

this time by helping them protect their 

valuable fisheries resources. 

From November 7 to 14, an AP-3C 

deployed in support of Operation Kuru 

Kuru, an annual law-enforcement operation 

aimed at detecting illegal fishing 

activity. 

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries 

Agency (FFA) conducts the operation as 

part of a wider FFA-coordinated campaign 

of air and maritime anti-illegal 

ishing patrols. 

Aircraft captain FLTLT Richard Court 

aid the Orion joined assets from neighbouring 

Pacific Island countries in patroling 

a 30-million sq km area and that it 

as very rewarding to support Operation 

30th for 

Gateway 

THE latest rotation of mem- 

bers deployed on Operation n 

Gateway marked the 30th 

anniversary of the longest peacetime 

operation in ADF history on November 

26. 

The operation, conducting Indian 

Ocean and South-East Asian maritime 

surveillance patrols, involves 92WG Orion 

aircraft and crews, maintenance and 

support staff from 10, 11 and 292SQNs, 

based out of RAAF Base Edinburgh. 

Kuru Kuru. “We are contributing to securing 

food supplies and economic interests 

of these South Pacific island nations,” 

FLTLT Court said. 

The Orion flew four missions during 

which it located, identified and documented 

about 100 fishing vessels. 

The information was provided to 

the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries 

Agency Joint Coordination Centre, 

which conducts Kuru Kuru. 

CMDR Mike Pounder, the Forum 

Fisheries Agency surveillance operations 

officer at HMAS Cairns, led 

the Australian team at the Joint 

Coordination Centre. 

He said the operation was aimed 

at securing a vital, yet threatened food 

resource. 

WINGS OVER THE 

OCEAN: Top, the view 

of the Orion’s wing at 

low level during a sortie 

on Operation Gateway; 

inset, AEA WOFF Steve 

Peters in the aircraft’s 

flight station. 

Photos: LAC Scott Woodward 

News 

3 

FOUR MISSIONS: An 11SQN AP-3C lands at Honiara International Airport in Solomon Islands during 

Operation Kuru Kuru. Inset, AEA SGT Ross Tindale at his station aboard the Orion during one of the 

survelliance flights. Photos: SGT Mick Davis

4 News 


Project winners 

Capability boost for Air Force 

Michael Brooke 

AIRSPACE battle managers and 

Super Hornet, Classic Hornet and 

future Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) 

aircrew will be the big winners 

of three major Defence capability 

projects approved by the government. 

Defence Minister Stephen 

Smith and Defence Materiel 

Minister Jason Clare announced 

approvals for phase 1 of the Leadin 

Fighter capability assurance 

program project, phases 2 and 3 

f the Air Traffic Management 

nd Control Systems project, 

nd phase 2A of the Battlespace 

ommunications Systems project 

n November 28. 

First pass approval has been 

ranted for phase 1 of the Leadn 

Fighter program, which will 

upgrade Air Force’s capability 

o produce aircrew with the necssary 

skills to operate current 

ombat aircraft like the Classic 

nd Super Hornet fleets as well as 

he JSF. 

The government has approved 

unding of $43 million for 

efence to develop options and 

onduct risk mitigation activiies 

before second-pass approval, 

cheduled for 2013-14. 

The total cost of this program 

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First-pass approval was 

also granted for the Air Traffic 

Management and Control Systems 

project, which will replace existing 

radars and command and control 

systems which are reaching 

the end of their life of type. 

A key feature of this project 

will be to enhance interoperability 

between military and civil air traffic 

control management systems. 

The government has approved 

funding of $6.9 million for capability 

development activities, 

before second-pass approval, 

scheduled for 2013-2014, with the 

total cost of this project between 

$300 and $500 million. 

For phase 2A of the 

Battlespace Communications 

Systems project, the government 

has provided first and second pass 

approval and funding of about 

$450 million, which will provide 

an enhanced digital communications 

capability, including the 

purchase of about 11,000 new 

digital radios for use by the ADF’s 

ground forces. 

“When complete, these projects 

are likely to represent a commitment 

to Australia’s national 

security of up to $1.2 billion,” Mr 

Smith said. 

BOOKINGS 

Phone: 07 5531 5692/0417 780 961 

PHASE 2A GO-AHEAD: Existing Air Traffic Control radars and 

command and control systems will be replaced under one of the 

projects approved for Air Force. Pictured is FLGOFF Chris Schmidt, 

of 452SQN, in the RAAF Base Tindal control tower. Photo: CPL Col Dadd 

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and the Top End 

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Why not try one of the 

RAAF Welfare 

Recreational Company’s 

apartments in one of three 

amazing locations 

www.raafholidays.com.au 

New program for 

health assessments 

Fiona Brindle 

JOINT Health Command (JHC) is introducing 

a new process for conducting Periodic 

Health Assessments to streamline the 

current health monitoring and assessment 

processes. 

The current Comprehensive Preventive 

Health Examination (CPHE) and the Medical 

Employment Classification Review (MECR) 

will be replaced from February 1 with a 

combined Periodic Health Examination/ 

Medical Employment Classification Review 

(PHE/MECR). 

“The PHE/MECR is a consolidation of a 

suite of examinations and assessments into 

a single, modular process,” Commander 

JHC MAJGEN Paul Alexander said. 

He said the greatest advantage of this 

new process was that at the completion of a 

PHE/MECR Defence Force personnel would 

have a confirmed MEC, SPEC, PULHEEMS 

and Employment Restrictions. 

With the new Webform – PM600 – personnel 

can complete much of the administration 

online through the DRN. 

“This speeds up the process for health 

facility staff who can focus on completing 

the clinical examination which will essentially 

remain the same,” MAJGEN Alexander 

said. 

As service personnel become due for 

the PHE/MECR they will be contacted by 

their health facility staff and requested to 

complete a PM600. 

More information on the introduction of the 

PHE/MECR process is detailed on the JHC 

website. Follow the links at http://intranet. 

defence.gov.au 

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Yellow Pinch Wildlife Park 

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RCE 


News 

After many months, it’s the final countdown 

Taking to sky 

on east coast 

FLTLT Skye Smith 

THE east coast of Australia was a 

frenzy of jets as they took to the 

skies en masse for the East Coast 

Air Defence Exercise (ECADEX) 

at the end of November. 

Up to 30 aircraft from RAAF 

Bases Amberley, Williamtown and 

Tindal are participating in the biannual 

exercise, which started on 

November 28 and is due to end on 

ecember 9. 

They include F/A-18F Super 

ornets, F/A-18 Classic Hornets, 

k127 Hawk Lead-in fighters 

nd a Wedgetail Airborne Early 

arning and Control aircraft. 

The majority of the aircraft 

ssets and personnel are operatng 

out of their home bases of 

illiamtown and Amberley during 

he exercise. 

Commander Air Combat Group 

IRCDRE Mel Hupfeld said 

CADEX was a vital training 

ctivity. 

“The exercise provides an 

pportunity for Air Force personnel 

to practise their skills at mainaining 

the integrity of Australian 

irspace and protecting vital infratructure, 

such as a shipping port 

r an airfield,” he said. 

The exercise scenario was 

esigned to test both passive 

nd active air defence capabiliies 

where a ‘Blue’ force would 

protect the integrity of Australian 

ir space and vital infrastructure 

gainst attacks from a ‘Red’ opposng 

force. 

Passive air defence measures 

nvolve practising procedures 

here Air Force aircraft and sur- 

HIVE OF ACTIVITY: Above, 

F/A-18s from RAAF Base 

Williamtown take off for a 

simulated air attack during 

ECADEX; right, FLTLT Barry 

Skennar after a mission. 

Photos: LAC Mark Friend 

veillance assets are required to positively 

identify all traffic within the 

designated airspace. 

Active air defence measures 

involve maintaining air exclusion 

zones. 

ECADEX is also providing the 

opportunity to further develop integration 

of Air Force’s new capabilities, 

such as the Wedgetail and 

Super Hornets. 

This was the first time the 

Wedgetail and Super Hornets had 

participated in ECADEX and will 

allow further development of integration 

and doctrine between Air 

Combat Group and Surveillance 

and Response Group (SRG). 

Chief of Staff SRG GPCAPT 

Krista Thompson said the Group 

used ECADEX to continue its 

training of operational crews and 

development of tactical procedures 

within a highly complex and integrated 

network. 

“ECADEX is a significant 

training activity for 41WG air 

combat officers and air surveillance 

operators, and we have been 

further developing our operational 

proficiency during the exercise.” 

Also during ECADEX, 3 Control 

and Reporting Unit has been working 

with the Wedgetail aircraft, 

Vigilaire and Navy ships to practise 

command and control integration 

into an air warfare environment. 

ECADEX is also providing 

vital training for crew and ground 

personnel in preparation for 

domestic and overseas operations. 

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RELOCATING? 

5 

SEEING RED: Above, an F/A-18 playing the 

role of Red Air, or the enemy for the students to 

play against, taxis out for another mission; left, a 

student prepares for take-off during Exercise High 

Sierra 2011. Photos: CPL David Gibbs 

AUSTRALIA’S next generation of fighter pilots are 

set to graduate as F/A-18 pilots after participating in 

Exercise High Sierra in Townsville. 

It was the final phase of the six-month long 

operational conversion course for the pilots from 2 

Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) at RAAF Base 

Williamtown. 

High Sierra, which started on November 21 and 

was due to end on December 8, provided the last three 

weeks of the F/A-18 operational conversion course, 

which converts fighter pilots from the Hawk Mk127 

Lead-in fighter aircraft to the F/A-18. 

More than 150 Air Force personnel and up to 12 

F/A-18s participated in the exercise in the Shoalwater 

Bay and Townsville field training areas. 

The exercise was aimed at allowing Air Force to 

maintain its key capabilities such as the performance of 

precision strike missions. 

It also provided participants with high complexity air 

combat training opportunities for Air Force to test and 

practise its deployment capabilities so that it can operate 

away from its home bases when necessary. 

CO 2OCU WGCDR David Smith said Exercise 

High Sierra provided vital training for the new pilots. 

“They must achieve and maintain the skills needed 

to operate very sophisticated flight and weapons systems, 

ultimately for the defence of our nation and to 

maintain peace and security into the future,” WGCDR 

Smith said. 

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6 News 


ITAL JOB GOES ON: Extinguishing a fuel fire. 

Photo: LAC Casey Smith 

Andrew Stackpool 

THE RAAF School of Fire and Security 

(RAAFSFS) was presented with 

ts Governor-General’s Banner (or 

olour) by Queensland Governor Penelope 

Wensley on November 23. 

The school stood up for the first 

time on November 23, 1982, as the 

Defence Security Training School 

and was renamed the RAAFSFS on 

January 1, 1987. Its various elements 

came together at its current location 

last year. 

After Ms Penelope Wensley 

inspected the parade, the new ban- 

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All 

fired 

up 

ner was consecrated by the three Air 

Force principal chaplains, CHAPs 

Kevin Russell, Peter O’Keefe and 

Murray Earl, and then marched past 

the assembled guests. 

Ms Wensley said she was reminded 

of the enormous significance that 

colours, standards and banners held 

for serving and past personnel of the 

Air Force and the ADF and the long 

tradition of military training that their 

heritage provided. 

“The RAAFSFS stands firmly in 

that long military tradition of training 

excellence and to understand just how 

far professional training has raised 

the bar we need only consider the 

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RAAFSFS colours presented 

PROUD MOMENT: Reviewing Officer Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley stands 

before the Colour Party as they slow march during the parade. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith 

origins of the units that today make 

up the Fire and Security School,” Ms 

Wensley said. 

“Records show there were fire 

response teams among the grand total 

of 150 personnel that made up the 

RAAF when it came into being in 

1921. However, these teams were 

made up of rostered personnel borrowed 

from other duties and their 

equipment was absolutely primitive. 

“What really made the difference 

to the skills and the efficiency and 

effectiveness of the firefighters in 

the RAAF was the establishment in 

the mid 1950s of the first RAAF fire 

training school.” 

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She reminded the attendees that 

over three decades the school had 

turned out more than 14,000 trainees. 

They had then taken those skills 

to bases around Australia, to overseas 

deployments, and to humanitarian 

missions following natural disasters. 

“The school has more than lived 

up to its motto of ‘Security Through 

Training’, building a major skills base 

that the RAAF needs to operate effectively 

as a modern air force,” she said. 

“All of the school’s history, its 

dedicated and distinguished service 

to the RAAF, the ADF and the 

Australian people is now recognised 

by and embodied in the Governor- 

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CARRYING ON A TRADITION: 

Personnel march on to the parade 

ground. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith 

General’s Banner consecrated and 

presented to the school today. 

“I share the school’s great pride on 

this important occasion and I wish it 

every success as it continues to serve 

the ADF under its beautiful new banner. 

“Closer to home to Queenslanders 

affected by the floods earlier in 2011, 

I as governor and on behalf of the 

people of Queensland express my 

deep gratitude [to the school].” 

After the parade, more than half its 

participants graduated: the firefighters 

on November 24, airfield defence 

guards on November 25 and military 

working dog handlers on December 1. 

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THE remains of another Australian 

Spitfire pilot missing in action from 

WWII have been found in northern 

France. 

He was SGT William Smith, 

from 457SQN RAAF. 

SGT Smith, 24, was from 

Whittlesea in Victoria and was 

posted to the squadron, which was 

ttached to the RAF. 

Defence Science and Personnel 

inister Warren Snowdon announced 

he discovery on November 28. 

It comes about a year after 

LTLT Henry ‘Lacy’ Smith and his 

pitfire and body were also found 

n northern France. 

The latest story can be traced 

back to May 9, 1942, when 12 

57SQN Spitfires had escorted 

bombing mission to Bruges 

n Belgium and on the return to 

ritain were engaged by between 

0 and 25 Focke-Wulf Fw-190 

ighter aircraft from the German air 

orce, the Luftwaffe. 

One of the Spitfires was VB 

M180, which was flown by SGT 

mith. 

SGT Smith was last seen in a 

ogfight with an enemy aircraft 

t 20,000 feet over the English 

hannel. 


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News 

Spitfire pilot found 

FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE: 

SGT William Smith’s dog tags 

and charms. 

Mr Snowdon said that the 

remains of SGT Smith’s Spitfire 

were discovered at Hardifort in 

northern France by a film crew producing 

a WWII documentary. 

“They were searching for a Czech 

aircraft, which was historically documented 

as having been evacuated 

safely by the pilot before it crashed,” 

Mr Snowdon said. 

“They unexpectedly discovered 

human remains and stopped filming.” 

The remains of the aircraft and 

SGT Smith were buried underground. 

RAAF historian Dr Chris Clark 

said the aircraft was destroyed and 

its wreckage buried when it crashed 

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nose first at high speed into a paddock. 

In his post operation report, 

the then CO 457SQN, SQNLDR 

Brother, RAF, said SGT Smith was 

a good and popular pilot “whose 

quiet calm way of going about his 

duties gave confidence to his fellow 

pilots”. 

Identification of the remains was 

based on official war records, including 

the last known sightings of SGT 

Smith’s location, identification of the 

aircraft type and a number of personal 

artefacts, which included RAAF 

uniform items and an identification 

disc inscribed with SGT Smith’s 

name and service number. 

Mr Snowdon said Air Force 

had started planning to reinter 

SGT Smith in the nearest 

Commonwealth War Grave in 

France next year. 

Dr Clark said that when WWII 

ended, the RAAF had 884 personnel 

recorded as missing in action, most 

in the South-West Pacific theatre. 

Only 16 were listed as having disappeared 

over Europe. 

“Whenever the past yields up 

another of these discoveries, the 

Air Force will continue to do everything 

it can to recover and honour 

the remains that are found, and 

ensure they are properly reburied,” 

Dr Clark said. 

7 

LAST SEEN IN 

A DOGFIGHT: 

SGT William 

Smith who was 

killed, age 24, 

in his his Spitfire in 

France on May 

9, 1942.

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RCE 


Accident response 

Jacqui Payne 

EMERGENCY services have praised 

RAAF Base Williamtown personnel 

for their timely and critical response 

to a motor vehicle accident outside the 

base on November 21. 

A head-on collision occurred on 

Medowie Road near the south (main) 

gate of the base at about 10.30am. 

Williamtown Air Base Executive 

Officer WGCDR Glen Johnson said 

the base emergency response crews 

were on the scene within five minutes 

of the impact. 

“Air Force medical personnel stabilised 

the patients and waited for 

civilian emergency medical crews to 

arrive at the scene,” WGCDR Johnson 

said. 

“Two people received minor injuries 

and the other vehicle occupant 

as trapped in his vehicle and was in 

serious condition. 

“Air Force firefighters were 

placed on standby at the scene in 

ase of fire or other assistance was 

required, and Base Security Police 

managed traffic and performed the 

role of incident site controller until 

NSW Police arrived.” 

NSW Police Assistant 

ommissioner Carlene York and 

NSW Police Port Stephens Local Area 

ommander Superintendent Charlie 

aggart witnessed Air Force personnel’s 

actions and interagency cooperaion. 

“Air Force personnel on scene 

ere extremely professional, diligent 

and critical in saving the patient’s life 

and that he was ‘lucky’ to have had 

the accident where he did,’’ Inspector 

Matthews said. 

Inspector Matthews, who was 

commander when the tanker Pasha 

Bulker ran aground off Nobbys Beach 

in Newcastle in June 2007, said the 

incident was one of the most calm, 

controlled and organised accident 

scenes that he had attended. 

WGCDR Johnson said all Air 

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Force respondents did 

an incredible job. 

A debrief was conducted 

on the day with 

NSW Police, Air Force 

medical, fire, security 

police and air base 

command post staff. 

The base psychologist 

and chaplain briefed critical incident 

response action and follow up was 

initiated on November 25. 

AT THE 

READY: 

Emergency 

service 

members, 

from left, AC 

Christopher 

Adams, CPL 

Matthew Allen 

and LACW 

Brenda-May 

Chick, who 

were part of 

the Williamtown 

team which 

responded to 

the accident. 

Photos: LAC Mark 

Friend 

THE WHOLE TEAM: the 

emergency service team who 

attended the accident outside the 

front gate. 

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9 

RAAF Base Williamtown personnel 

rolled up their sleeves in a big 

way to give blood in this year’s 

Australian Defence Organisation 

blood challenge, but it was not 

enough to help give Air Force the 

title for the third year in a row. 

Army came out on top in the 

percentage-based competition, 

which ran between September 

1 and November 30, with 2.09 

per cent of Army giving blood to 

Navy’s 1.83 per cent, Air Force’s 

1.5 per cent and the civilians’ 

1.17 per cent. 

So while Air Force donations 

were not enough to hold on to 

the title, Williamtown still gave it 

an impressive shot. 

From November 21 to 25, 

272 personnel from 34 units 

across the base donated to the 

Red Cross Blood Service. 

It was a competition within a 

competition. A tally for each unit 

was kept at the donor mobile and 

the winning unit was the one with 

the highest participation rate. 

Williamtown Blood Challenge 

coordinator Sam Hays said the 

winner was Headquarters 78WG 

with nearly every second person 

on staff donating. 

OC 78WG GPCAPT Bernard 

Grealy said he was pleased with 

his team’s response to the challenge. 

“It was all for a good cause 

and the challenge has obviously 

drawn a great response from the 

base,’’ GPCAPT Grealy said.

10 Christmas messages 


DEFENCE MINISTER STEPHEN SMITH 

I 

EXTEND my best wishes and 

season’s greetings to you and 

your families. 

Over the course of the year 

I have had the great privilege to 

meet and talk with Defence personnel 

and their families, both here 

and overseas. 

As the year draws to a close, 

we are able to take time to reflect 

on our accomplishments and the 

challenges we will confront in the 

future. 

This year has been an extremely 

busy year for the ADF. We have 

continued to conduct operations 

in Afghanistan, East Timor and 

Solomon Islands, peacekeeping 

in the Sudan, border security and 

substantial humanitarian assistance 

and disaster relief operations at 

home and abroad. 

For most of us the festive season 

is a time spent with family and 

ACROSS 

THE MILES 

CHRISTMAS 

ALL WRAPPED 

UP: ISF 

member SGT 

Rhonda Ball, 

based in Dili, 

East Timor, 

prepares 

Christmas 

presents to 

send home to 

her family in 

Australia. Photo: 

CPL Janine Fabre 

GOVERNOR-GENERAL QUENTIN BRYCE 

S COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 

of the ADF, I extend warmest 

season’s greetings and the best 

wishes of our nation to all Air 

Force personnel and the extended Air 

Force family. 

The “family” extends around the 

world, from Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor, 

olomon Islands, Sinai and Sudan. I know 

hat the business of defence, mentoring 

nd peacekeeping is a 24-hour, seven 

ay a week operation, with little time for 

relaxation or reflection. 

At this festive time of the year though, 

hope there will be the opportunity for 

you to relax a little, share emails, letters 

nd phone calls with families at home, and 

ontemplate the year ahead. 

2011 has been one of the toughst 

in recent times for the ADF family. 

fghanistan continues to be one of our 

reatest challenges, but the conversations 

have with Defence personnel leave me in 

no doubt that they are absolutely commited 

to “finishing the job” there. 

My experience gives me confidence 

hat the families of our soldiers killed in 

ction and of those who are wounded will 

receive unstinting and long-term support, 

s they struggle to re-establish their lives. 

t will be harder for them at Christmas. 

Michael and I express our deep appreciation 

to all Air Force airmen and women 

and to wives, husbands, partners, friends 

and family members who give them invaluable 

support. 

Best wishes for Christmas and the New 

Year. 

loved ones. At this time, please 

keep in your thoughts those who 

are on duty abroad in Afghanistan, 

the Middle East, Sudan, Solomon 

Islands and East Timor. 

We have seen our forces in 

Afghanistan make good progress 

in their mission to train the Afghan 

National Security Forces to take 

on lead responsibility for security 

in Uruzgan by 2014. We take great 

pride in the men and women who 

are working in difficult conditions 

every day to help bring about peace 

and stability in a country that needs 

the international community’s 

assistance. 

Christmas will of course be a 

very difficult time for 32 families 

who will be reminded that their 

loved one, a son, father, husband 

or partner, is not with them. For 

11 families this will be a terrible 

time because it will be the first 

Christmas without their loved one. 

We honour and remember those 

brave young Australians who have 

lost their lives serving their country. 

Our eternal gratitude continues 

and the nation’s thoughts and 

continuing support are with their 

families and friends. 

Over the course of the year the 

Defence Organisation has seen 

many changes. New capabilities 

have been acquired such as ADF 

Ship Choules, a fifth C-17A and 

the start of the purchase process 

for a sixth, and the purchase of 101 

new Bushmasters. 

We welcomed new Service 

Chiefs and a new Secretary. I thank 

them for their efforts since their 

appointments and look forward to 

working with them next year. 

During the past year, the ADF 

has also delivered life-saving 

humanitarian and emergency 

assistance to the people of New 

Zealand, Japan, Tuvalu and of 

course here at home, building on 

our proud tradition of humanitarian 

relief to disasters. 

As I have travelled around bases 

and Defence sites in Australia and 

overseas, I am impressed by the 

commitment, enthusiasm, focus 

and professionalism shown by the 

men and women of the ADF. 

Australia is thankful for your 

service. You are part of a proud 

Australian tradition going back 

more than a century and its importance 

does not diminish. 

On behalf of my ministerial and 

parliamentary colleagues and all 

Australians, we wish all members 

of the ADF, their families and 

friends a peaceful Christmas and 

a safe and happy New Year. I look 

forward to working with you all in 

2012 to meet the challenges ahead. 

DEFENCE SCIENCE AND PERSONNEL 

MINISTER WARREN SNOWDON 

AS MINISTER for 

Defence Science and Personnel, 

I extend season’s 

greetings and congratulations 

to all our men and women 

in uniform serving on operations 

around the globe. 

We are proud of the courageous 

work our Defence personnel are 

doing in very challenging circumstances, 

in what has been a very 

difficult year. We will not forget 

those Australians who have died 

and have been wounded on operations 

in Afghanistan and in current 

peacekeeping operations this 

year. While our families’ and our 

nation’s losses are often difficult to 

comprehend, please know that all 

Australians share in these losses 

and our thoughts continue to be 

with those affected. 

We are currently supporting the 

effort to bring security and stability 

to Afghanistan, assisting in peace 

monitoring activities in East Timor 

and the Solomon Islands, contributing 

to UN and international 

missions in many countries and 

protecting Australia’s borders. I am 

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR 

DEFENCE SENATOR DAVID FEENEY 

AS 2011 draws to a close 

I want to acknowledge 

the outstanding service 

that the men and women 

of the ADF have given to Australia 

in the course of the year, and to 

extend my thanks to all of you. 

As Parliamentary Secretary for 

Defence for the past 15 months, 

it’s been my privilege to work 

with personnel at all levels of all 

three services, and I continue to be 

impressed by the professionalism, 

dedication and good humour of 

ADF people wherever I travel. 

This has been a challenging 

year for everyone in Defence. We 

have all felt deeply the losses we 

have sustained in Afghanistan, 

and our thoughts at this time of 

the year are with the families of 

those who have made the ultimate 

sacrifice. 

The year began with the 

disastrous floods and cyclone in 

Queensland, and the ADF rallied 

to help their fellow Australians as 

they have always done in the past. 

proud to see our men and women 

rising to these challenges. 

ADF personnel have a reputation 

around the globe for their 

professionalism, dedication and 

compassion. They are respected by 

our coalition partners, as evidenced 

by US President Barack Obama’s 

comments during 

his recent 

visit, praising 

Australia’s “legendary 

diggers” 

for their service. 

On behalf of 

the government 

and the Australian 

people, I sincerely 

thank the men and women of the 

Australian Defence Force and their 

families, for their professionalism 

and for the sacrifice they make on 

behalf of us all. 

My thoughts are especially with 

those personnel who are serving 

overseas away from loved ones at 

this time. 

I wish you all a happy and safe 

Christmas and I look forward to 

your safe return and the successful 

completion of your mission. 

We also saw earthquake disasters in 

New Zealand and Japan, and again, 

Australia was able to rely on the 

ADF to provide assistance to our 

friends. 

Our part-time and full-time 

personnel 

continue to do 

great work for 

Australia, not just 

in Afghanistan 

but also in the 

Solomons and 

Timor. It has been 

my privilege to 

visit part-time 

personnel in the Solomons twice, 

and their commitment to helping 

our neighbours restore peace and 

security to their country is most 

impressive. 

It has been a privilege for me 

to spend this year working with 

you all. I sincerely thank you for 

your devotion to your duty to your 

country and community. I wish 

you all a peaceful and joyous 

Christmas and look forward to 

working with you all in 2012.


RCE 


CAF AIRMSHL GEOFF BROWN 

HIS has been a significant 

year for Air Force. Not only 

did we celebrate 90 years 

as an organisation, but as a 

eam we undertook a diverse range of 

perations in a period where Air Force 

s amid the largest transition to new 

apabilities since the 1960s. 

2011 started with a number of 

high-profile humanitarian operations, 

beginning with the Queensland and 

Victorian Floods, where we helped 

move 3.3 million pounds of essential 

upplies to devastated communities 

n Queensland, and delivered more 

han 100,000 sandbags to Victoria. 

ir Force enhanced its reputation as 

lifeline and a force of capable and 

professional airmen and women, both 

n the air and on the ground helpng 

clean up our communities in the 

ftermath. 

Soon after these tremendous 

chievements, we again came to 

he rescue of Queensland when we 

rrived in Cairns within three hours 

f the request to evacuate Cairns 

ospital. We provided critical medial 

support, showcasing our strategic 

ero-medical evacuation capability. 

The first quarter of the year culminated 

with our assistance to Japan 

fter their earthquake and subsequent 

sunami. At one stage we had the 

-17As deployed, providing vital support 

to the Japanese people. 

Later in the year during Exercise 

Red Flag in Alaska, we undertook our 

first bilateral flight with the Japanese 

Air Self Defence Force with our 

Classic F/A-18 Hornets, before visiting 

Misawa Air Base for the first time. 

In addition, exercises with our coalition 

partners, such as Talisman Sabre 

and Cope Thunder, ensured we are 

prepared for whatever 2012 will bring. 

Air Force’s operational tempo 

also remained high with our ongoing 

commitment in the Middle East and 

domestic border protection. 

In the Middle East, the C-130 aircraft 

transported about 25,000 passengers 

and nine million pounds of cargo 

to and around theatre, and also conducted 

75 aero-medical evacuations, 

while the Heron has conducted dual 

concurrent operations in Afghanistan, 

providing about 4500 hours ISR support 

to land forces. 

The AP-3C aircraft flew about 2400 

hours conducting overland and mariime 

ISR operations. While in Australia, 

ur aircraft provided about 2000 hours 

upport to the whole-of-government 

omestic border protection operation. 

Combat support personnel 

ontinue to provide vital enabling 

apabilities in the Middle East and 

ustralia, which this year included 

he activation of RAAF Base 

Learmonth to support Operation 

Resolute. 

More recently, we provided a crucial 

security role for the Commonwealth 

Heads of Government Meeting in Perth 

and the visits by the Queen and US 

President Barack Obama. 

Among all these achievements, 

there was also some great work 

being done to improve our capability. 

We have received three of our five 

KC-30A multi-role transport tankers; 

our Wedgetail AEW&C completed 

its first international exercise; a fifth 

C-17A arrived, with a letter of request 

sent to purchase a sixth from the US; 

and the final four F/A-18F Super 

Hornets arrived to make our full complement 

of 24 aircraft. 

Introducing a complex array of 

capability, while maintaining operations 

without increasing our staffing levels, 

acts as a testimony to your ability. 

Without you, our Air Force would 

not provide the nation with responsive 

and decisive airpower. 

While the focus is often on our 

operators, the basis of our success is 

the engineering, logistics and support 

behind our aircraft and aircrew. 

It is your skills and our comprehensive 

training system that allow us to 

maintain our busy operational tempo 

across all of our Australian bases. 

For example, our combat support 

squadrons carried out the short notice 

activation of RAAF Base Learmonth 

while continuing to operate the air 

bases at Tarin Kot and Al Minhad; 

all proof of Air Force’s agility and 

responsiveness. 

While we reflect on our successes, 

we should not forget the important contribution 

we are making to Defence’s 

Strategic Reform Program through the 

Air Force Improvement Program. I am 

pleased to see our junior airmen and 

women making significant contributions 

toward improvement activities. It 

is these suggestions from the bottom 

up that have made some of the biggest 

differences. 

Your commitment to Air Force 

Improvement has already delivered 

some excellent capability outcomes 

while also reducing our costs, and I am 

confident this momentum will continue 

in 2012. 

As we prepare to spend time with 

family and friends, my thoughts and I 

hope yours, will be with our deployed 

personnel who will be a long way 

from home this Christmas. 

Take care, relax and enjoy the 

overdue break. I look forward to 

working with you all in 2012. I know 

whatever the New Year brings, the 

people of Air Force have the skills 

and professionalism to respond to the 

challenges we may face in 2012. 

Christmas messages 

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR OPENING HOURS 

Monday 26 December CLOSED 

Tuesday 27 December CLOSED 

Wednesday 28 December CLOSED 

Thursday 29 December 8:30am - 5:00pm 

Friday 30 December 8:30am - 5:00pm 

Monday 2 January CLOSED 

If you have an emergency or an urgent maintenance request, our hotlines will remain open 24 hours, seven 

days a week. If required, you will also have access to a local manager through our emergency hotlines. 

MAINTENANCE HOTLINE: 139DHA (139 342) 

CDF MAJGEN DAVID HURLEY 

I 

WOULD like to take this opportunity 

to recognise your contribution 

to the ADF and to thank 

you for your efforts throughout 

a very busy year. 

The high operational tempo we 

have experienced in recent years 

continued while natural disasters 

at home and abroad tested our 

capacity to respond at short notice. 

I am proud of the way we met this 

challenge with the level of skill and 

compassion Australia has come to 

expect from us. 

At its peak almost 3500 ADF 

personnel, both regular and 

reserves, provided assistance in the 

wake of Cyclone Yasi and following 

the Queensland and Victoria 

floods. 

Those of you who have 

deployed overseas to our missions 

in East Timor, Solomon Islands 

or on maritime and border protection 

tasks have made a valuable 

contribution to the peace, stability 

and security of our region. So, 

too, have the many thousands of 

uniformed members and civilians 

who support them. 

I visited Afghanistan several 

times this year and I am always 

impressed by the people I meet. 

I am confident our role in mentoring 

and training the Afghan 

National Security Forces will 

WOFF-AF MARK PENTREATH 

I 

AM NOT sure if everyone is 

looking back with the same 

thought as I am – but where has 

this year gone? 

I write my first Christmas message 

as your Warrant Officer of the 

Air Force with tremendous pride in 

what we have achieved over the past 

12 months. 

We continue to meet every challenge 

required of us, whether that be 

in supporting the people of Australia 

and around the world during the 

devastating and tragic events that 

have occurred, or as we continue 

to provide air power in support of 

Australia’s national security. 

We achieve this through the 

dedication and commitment of an 

amazing team of people; one team 

comprised of uniformed personnel, 

Defence civilians and contractors. 

In my short tenure I have had 

the privilege of talking to some of 

you, both at our air bases within 

Australia and overseas on operations. 

Without exception, I see an 

11 

enable them to take the lead for 

security in Uruzgan province. 

Progress is our legacy to the 

soldiers who have been killed and 

wounded in action in Afghanistan. 

Eleven men were killed this year 

and 50 wounded. A total of 32 

men have been killed and 213 

members wounded 

since operations 

began in 2001. 

We are thinking of 

them, their family 

and their friends. 

We ask a lot of 

you as members of 

the ADF and I recognise 

the unique 

challenges this presents to our families. 

I want to thank them for their 

valuable contribution. 

I know many of you will be 

separated from family and friends 

this festive season. Although this 

can be difficult, we have made 

arrangements to ensure you still 

have the chance to celebrate with 

your colleagues. 

Finally, I wish you and your 

family a safe and happy Christmas 

and a prosperous New Year. It is a 

great privilege to lead this organisation 

and I look forward to another 

productive and successful year in 

2012. 

amazing level of commitment to 

get the job done. Unfortunately, 

this is sometimes at the expense of 

our family, friends and ourselves. 

Please spare a thought for those 

personnel who continue to serve 

our nation, either 

at home or abroad. 

To those personnel: 

your selfless 

dedication to our 

country is appreciated 

by us all and I 

thank you for your 

service. 

While I would 

like to say next year is going to 

be a breeze, the likelihood is that 

we will continue to be challenged 

across every facet of the organisation. 

Personally, I am excited about 

these challenges and look forward 

to working with you all for the betterment 

of our Air Force. 

I wish you and your families a 

merry Christmas and a happy New 

Year.

12 Air Force Improvement 


I’M LISTENING: WOFF-AF Mark Pentreath talks with personnel from the AP-3C detachment at Al Minhad Air 

Base in the United Arab Emirates during his recent visit to the MEAO. Photo: PO Damian Pawlenko 

It takes focus, 

says WOFF-AF 

Kamini Davenport 

A MORE flexible, streamlined and effective 

Air Force is what WOFF-AF 

Mark Pentreath sees as the result of Air 

Force Improvement (AFI). 

“AFI isn’t so much about saving 

dollars, although we must live within 

our budgets. It’s about identifying 

those nugatory, non-value-adding 

tasks which, when removed, should 

lead to mission success and a happier, 

healthier and sustainable workforce,” 

WOFF-AF Pentreath said. 

“I have absolute confidence that if 

we focus on improving the way we do 

our business, being more conscious 

of the time, resources and money we 

are investing in doing it, then we will 

achieve what we have to under the 

Strategic Reform Program and we 

will be a better Air Force as a result.” 

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WOFF-AF Pentreath highlighted 

that Air Force members need to have 

the courage to look at the things they 

hold dear and question whether they 

are still appropriate for the Air Force 

today. One example of this is the way 

Air Force operates and uses its messing 

facilities. 

“I’ve recently visited combined 

messing facilities within Australia 

and overseas on operations and was 

impressed at how well they operate, 

delivering the services our people 

need,” he said. 

“While we have implemented this 

type of facility at some of our bases, 

I believe we can look closer at similar 

initiatives as we continue to evolve as 

a service.” 

WOFF-AF reinforced that it was 

the responsibility of every member to 

look for ways to improve what they 

We have over 30 years service in 

and around the ADF 

We know you 

Contact Roy Hasda 

roy@bc-lawyers.com.au 

www.bc-lawyers.com.au 

Ph (08) 8212 1322 

0412 635 515 

do – as individuals, as a team and as 

a service. 

He said it was the people doing the 

tasks that often had the best understanding 

of what needed to be fixed or 

improved because they dealt with the 

frustrations of it not working properly 

in their day-to-day work. 

“We need our leaders and colleagues 

to support them with those 

ideas, so the improvements can actually 

be achieved. This means giving 

people the time, resources and positive 

encouragement that they need 

to make things happen,” WOFF-AF 

Pentreath said. 

“The Air Force is full of professional, 

committed people who have 

great ideas about how we can improve 

what we do. With the right level of 

support you’ll be amazed at what they 

can achieve.” 

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Never 

Stand Still 

Faculty 

of Science 

DP-AF improving 

business through 

smart savings 

Graham McBean and 

Kamini Davenport 

FULFILLING capability requirements 

through effective personnel 

management is what the Directorate 

of Personnel-Air Force (DP-AF) is 

all about. 

Senior administration officer 

SQNLDR Jeroen Ruardij said to 

deliver the best possible service to 

Air Force and its members, DP-AF 

had been improving its processes 

and had been able to reinvest the 

resource ‘savings’ it had made back 

into sections that were struggling 

under a heavy workload. 

“We ran an activity to improve 

and streamline our processes which, 

together with a re-prioritisation of 

tasks, meant that we could free up 

two people to assist another section 

clear a large backlog of work,” 

SQNLDR Ruardij said. 

“One of the great things about 

this activity was that we had two 

sections supporting each other and 

it demonstrated how improvements 

can really benefit the team.” 

DP-AF has set up a Continuous 

Improvement (CI) team responsible 

to the leadership group for coordinating 

and leading improvement 

across the directorate. 

The team has a representative 

from each section and each of the 

members has done an AFI practitioner 

course so they can lead 

improvement activities. 

School 

of Aviation 

CI team member FLTLT Tania 

Williams said it was great to be able 

to make a real difference to how 

they worked. 

“The leadership team have supported 

us a lot, adjusting priorities 

so we can involve people in identifying 

and then implementing the 

improvements,” she said. “Without 

this, particularly the support from 

GPCAPT Geoff Harland [former 

DP-AF], we wouldn’t have been 

able to achieve nearly as much.” 

One of the projects DP-AF 

implemented was to map its end-toend 

processes to identify areas for 

improvement. The understanding 

gained from this project led to the 

implementation of standard workflow, 

tools and processes for airmen, officer 

and reservist postings and promotions. 

This in turn has enabled the use 

of a common IT system and meant 

less time and effort is spent maintaining 

different systems. 

The CI team has found that 

people have become more positive 

about continuous improvement and 

have been increasingly willing to 

put up ideas and implement change. 

“Embrace change and don’t be 

scared of it,” SQNLDR Ruardij said. 

“That’s one of the lessons that 

has come from our experience – 

take change and see where it goes. 

By getting people involved, we’ve 

changed ourselves rather than having 

the change done to us, and this 

has made it a much more positive 

experience all round.” 

ACCURACY COUNTS: 

CPL Sharon Geddes 

and LAC Scott Bryant 

check a PAR at DP-AF. 

Photos: LAC Bill Solomou 

It’s PAR time 

DP-AF staff are hard 

at work preparing for 

the next promotion 

boards. To see what 

promotion targets 

have been released for 

2012, turn to Page 26.


RCE 


In their 

honour 

F-111 memorial unveiled at Amberley 


EXACTLY one year after the F-111 

flew for the last time, members who 

flew, maintained and supported the 

aircraft were honoured at a special 

dedication service and the unveiling of 

a special memorial to them at RAAF 

Base Amberley on December 2. 

The service was also attended by 

family and friends of those personnel. 

New OC 82WG GPCAPT Geoff 

Harland dedicated the memorial. 

GPCAPT Harland said it was 

established as a celebration of all 

those who supported the aircraft during 

its long service, as well as honouring 

the special memory of those who 

died providing the F-111 capability. 

Amberley Chaplain Paul 

Goodland, Amberley Base WOD 

WOFF Steve Holland and 82WG’s 

WOFF Trevor Dix conceived the idea 

and design of the memorial. 

The design comprises a bronze top 

plaque in the shape of an F-111, with 

wings swept back as it flies toward 

the skies, topped by the Air Force 

badge. Surrounding the aircraft is 

a bronze wreath of wattle with the 

inscription: “In Honour of those who 

flew, maintained and supported F111 

operations 1973 – 2010.” 

Below is a stone plinth upon which 

are the words: “Dedicated to the 

men and women who proudly served 

F-111 operations and to the special 

memory of those who died providing 

this capability in the defence and 

security of our nation.” 

Former OC 81WG GPCAPT 

Steve Roberton said the design of the 

memorial and the inscription paid 

tribute to all personnel who supported 

the F-111 capability. 

“The memorial allows for the special 

remembrance of those deceased, 

as well as those who are still affected 

by F-111 operations,” he said. 

“We hope the significance of the 

memorial resonates with current and 

future generations, and that the sacrifices 

of those personnel affected are 

never forgotten.” 

The memorial also acknowledges 

those personnel that suffered, or are 

still suffering, from effects of F-111 

support systems, including the deseal/ 

reseal process. 

“The F-111 was an iconic aircraft, 

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unveiling at RAAF Base Amberley. Photos: LAC Dan Pinhorn 

which became a central part of the Air 

Force community, as well as the wider 

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GPCAPT Harland said. 

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13

14 News 


Spotlight on 75SQN 


NUMBER 75 Squadron’s coming 70th 

birthday was heralded at the inaugural 

arbirds Downunder Airshow at Temora 

on November 19. 

A squadron F/A-18, painted in 

unique celebration livery, thrilled the 

crowds. 

CO 75SQN WGCDR Phil Arms 

said he was pleased to see a number 

of 75SQN WWII veterans attended 

the airshow. 

“We had the privilege of displaying 

the high-performance capability 

of the Hornet during an aerobatics 

display before joining with warbirds 

that served with 75SQN for a tribute 

he biggest gathering of RAAF CT4 aircraft since the closure of 1 Flying 

raining School in 1993 occurred at RAAF Base Wagga the day before 

he inaugural Warbirds Downunder Airshow at Temora. Pilots and passeners 

flew in from Victoria, NSW and Queensland on November 18 for the 

endezvous of former military CT4 airtrainers. WOFF Mark Lees, pictured 

bove in front of RAAFSTT aircraft A19-071, and a lineup of CT4s from 

AAFSTT, the RAAF Museum and private collections, said the reunion 

rovided a chance for owners and operators to exchange ideas and see 

ow others are maintaining their aircraft. Photo courtesy WOFF Mark Lees 

Leav ing the Forces? 

Make sure you’re squared away 

from day 1 of civilian life. 

fly-past to all veterans and their families,” 

WGCDR Arms said. 

Temora Aviation Museum president 

and founder David Lowy was 

excited to see the Hornet involved in 

the flying program for the airshow. 

CT4s converge on Wagga 

Leaving the Defence Force is a big decision. 

Make the transition to civilian life easier by getting your insurance coverage 

and Super sorted out before you go. 

Talking to a qualified financial planner who also knows the ins and outs of 

the military can help ensure your financial security does not get left behind. 

If you are planning your transition to civilian life, I can help with financial 

advice on Superannuation, Insurance and Savings strategies. 

Contact Jason Westerhof on 08 9483 4765 or 0417 327 120 or 

jason_westerhof@amp.com.au 

Jason Westerhof is a Representative of 

AMP Financial Planning Pty Limited ABN 89 051 208 327, AFSL No. 232706. 

“The museum is about our history 

and it is about our veterans 

who placed their lives on the line in 

defence of our country,” he said. 

“Warbirds Downunder is a celebration 

of their commitment and sac- 

NS6122 09/11 


TECHNICAL trainees at RAAF 

Base Wagga got a glimpse of what 

lies ahead when 75SQN dropped in 

for a visit after the Temora airshow 

on November 21. 

HORNET’S H BEST: Above, an 

F/A-18 F is towed into position for 

a static display during the 2011 

Temora T Airshow; left, historical 

75SQN 7 aircraft fly alongside the 

F/A-18 F during a display flight. 

Photos: LAC Mark Friend 

rifice. This airshow brought together 

many of our friends that fly antique, 

warbird and military aircraft.” 

The airshow featured former 

RAAF Tiger Moth and Spitfires 

though to jets such as the Meteor and 

Sabre. 

The Tindal-based aircrew, maintenance 

and support personnel 

conducted a series of motivational 

and capability discussions with 

staff and trainees from the RAAF 

School of Technical Training and 1 

Recruit Training Unit. 

During WWII, 75SQN was formed 

on March 4, 1942 with the ‘Mighty 

Magpie’ on the unit’s crest. The 

squadron deployed to Port Moresby 

and achieved its first aerial kill only 

two hours later. 

75SQN, along with 6SQN and 

76SQN, was instrumental in inflicting 

the first defeat of the Japanese land 

forces in the war. 

Sixty-one years later, in 2003, after 

continuous service since the war, a 

new breed of Magpies deployed to 

Iraq during Operation Falconer, the 

ADF’s contribution to the US-led 

Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

The squadron will celebrate its 

70th anniversary next March. 

QUESTION TIME: 75SQN pilot FLTLT Brendan Smith, right, shows trainees over an F/A-18 during a 

static display at RAAF Base Wagga. Photo: LAC Mark Friend 

Trainees get bird’s-eye view of their future 

More than 800 trainees got the 

chance to look over an F/A-18, 

which they may one day work on as 

qualified technicians. 

AC Bronwyn Turner said seeing 

the Hornet up close was an eye- 

opening experience. 

“It was great to see 

what the trade I’m training 

for at the moment is 

going to really be like,” 

she said. 

75SQN CO WGCDR 

Phil Arms said the visit 

aimed to provide an 

insight into what the 

trainees would be doing 

when they finish their 

training. “They got to see 

some real hardware and 

get a real insight into what 

it is they’re preparing for,” 

he said.


RCE 


Proud to be 

new patron 


MICHAEL Bryce is the new 

patron of the 75SQN Association. 

Mr Bryce, husband of 

Governor-General Quentin 

Bryce, was humble in accepting 

the honour. 

“This distinguished fighter 

squadron has served Australia 

at home and abroad for nearly 

70 years,” Mr Bryce said. 

“75SQN has played a vital 

role in protecting Australia’s 

interests throughout our proud 

nation’s aviation and war history. 

I am truly honoured the 

Association has invited me to 

be their patron.” 

2012 marks the 70th 

anniversary of the squadron, 

which fought in the Battle for 

Australia defending Australia’s 

northern approach from 

Port Moresby in Papua New 

Guinea. 

With 25 Kittyhawk fighters 

and only nine days to prepare 

themselves, 75SQN was on its 

way north to fight back against 

the Imperial Japanese forces. 

“I am, like many 

Australians, eternally grateful 

for the brave resistance that 

75SQN on Kittyhawks put 

up against the Japanese, and 

equally proud of the role that 

75SQN plays at Tindal, safeguarding 

our skies,” Mr Bryce 

said. 

“The unique history of the 

squadron makes it a symbol 

of the story of the RAAF, and 

its actions and deeds are legendary 

in Australia’s wartime 

diary.” 

Mr Bryce is also patron of 

the Royal Australian Air Force 

Association in Queensland and 

Toll Transitions wishes all ADF members 

and their families a Merry Christmas and 

Happy New Year. 

December and 

January are very 

busy times for 

relocating members 

and their families. 

Here are some 

helpful hints for 

those who are 

on the move. 

has a long association with 

the Air Force Reserves, having 

served five years in the 

Air Training Corps before 

joining the reserves as an 

intelligence officer. 

Serving from 1956 to 

1970, first as a member of 

the Queensland University 

Squadron and later No. 23 

(City of Brisbane) Squadron, 

Mr Bryce also performed an 

appointment as honorary Aidede-Camp 

to the Governor of 

Queensland. 

He was awarded the Air 

Efficiency Award in 1970. 

� Advise Toll if your contact details change. 

� Clean and prepare your goods for the removalists to pack. Refer to your 

Defence Relocation Guide (available online at www.tolltransitions.com. 

au/defence) for items that can/cannot be moved and/or stored. 

� Cash, jewellery, stamp and photo albums and irreplaceable items cannot 

be moved; if they are and are subsequently lost or damaged they are not 

covered by Toll Transitions Warranty System. 

� Vehicles and towables being freighted are not covered by Toll’s Warranty; 

check with your insurer to see if they are covered while in transit. 

� You or your agent are required to be present at all times throughout the 

uplift and delivery. The removalists will proceed only if you or your agent 

are on site. 

� When your uplift is complete, you will be provided with a copy of the 

Inventory Condition Report (ICR). This is an important document that 

numbers your items/boxes, confirms they have been uplifted 

and notes the condition of your effects. If you do not agree 

with the ICR, please mark this on the document and call Toll 

Transitions on 1800 819 167. You must retain your copy of 

the uplift ICR and present this to the removalist at delivery. 

� If you are delayed in transit or otherwise require a change to 

your temporary accommodation advise Toll immediately. If you 

fail to arrive you will be liable for any “no show” fee from the 

accommodation provider. 

Toll Transitions: Freecall 1800 819 167 

SPECIAL 

ROLE: 

Michael 

Bryce. 

LIVERY: 75SQN’s 70th 

anniversary Hornet. 

Photo: LAC Terry Hartin 

From 1 July, Toll 

Transitions will donate 

$1 to Legacy for each 

Application For Relocation 

(AFR) entered online via 

Toll Transitions’ website. 

Our aim is to raise more 

than $10,000 in the coming 

peak posting period. 

In addition to helping 

Legacy, you will also go 

into a monthly draw * for 

a Valet Unpack Service. ** 

*Terms and Conditions apply. 

** Valet Unpack Service includes: Furniture arranged in n 

each room, beds made, goods unpacked and put away y in 

cupboards, bench tops wiped down, cartons fully 

emptied and collapsed ready for collection by removalist. st. 

Enter your AFR online 

today to help us increase 

our donation to Legacy 

and for your chance to win. 

News 

GOAL 

$12,000 

15 

COMPLETE YOUR 

AFR ONLINE! 

Help us raise vital 

funds for Legacy 

54th HUG jet 

handed over 

to Air Force 

ANOTHER significant 

milestone of the $700 million 

Hornet Upgrade (HUG) 

Phase 2.3 project was 

recently reached when the 

54th modified airframe was 

returned to Air Force 

The HUG 2.3 project is 

introducing an upgraded 

electronic warfare selfprotection 

suite to the F/A- 

18 fleet and requires some 

modifications to the aircraft 

to allow a number of new 

electronic warfare systems to 

be installed in the Hornets. 

It includes installing 

upgraded electrical wiring 

into the aircraft, along 

with some minor structural 

changes to integrate 

a Radar Warning Receiver 

system, Supplementary 

Countermeasures Dispensing 

System, Hornet Data 

Recorder and Electronic 

Countermeasures System. 

The modification includes 

installation of upgraded aircraft 

software to operate the 

new systems. 

Boeing Defence Australia 

is carrying out the aircraft 

modifications and installations 

at facilities at RAAF 

Base Williamtown. 

The program will continue 

until late 2012. 

$10,996 

www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

16 News 


Coffee table-style book launched 

Looking 

back on 

90 years 


HE service of the 310,000 men 

and women who have served in 

the Air Force over its 90 years 

was acknowledged in Canberra 

n November 30 when CAF AIRM- 

HL Geoff Brown launched an excitng 

new book. 

The coffee table-style book is 

alled 90 Years of the RAAF – A 

Snapshot History. 

It was published by the Office 

of Air Force History (OAFH) as a 

significant contribution to the celebration 

of the Service’s 90 years; a 

book that reflects the innumerable 

changes that have occurred during 

those often turbulent years to the Air 

INQUIRY INTO UNRESOLVED RECOGNITION FOR PAST ACTS OF 

NAVAL AND MILITARY GALLANTRY AND VALOUR 

INVITATION 

BOOK GIVEAWAY 

Air Force has one of each book 

to give away. To enter, email 

your name and contact details 

and your choice of book to raafnews@defencenews.gov.au 

by 

December 23. Put ‘book giveaway’ 

in the subject line. 

Force’s organisation, personnel and 

equipment. 

Launching the book, AIRMSHL 

Brown said that he believed the 90 th 

anniversary was an important one to 

commemorate. 

“As you read this book you will 

find a wealth of information and it 

The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) is directed to 

inquire into and report on the appropriate recognition for specifi c acts of gallantry or 

valour performed by the following naval and military personnel: 

Gunner Albert Neil (Neale) Cleary - Army 

Midshipman Robert Ian Davies - Navy 

Leading Cook Francis Bassett Emms - Navy 

Lieutenant David John Hamer - Navy 

Private John Simpson Kirkpatrick - Army 

Lieutenant Commander Robert William Rankin - Navy 

Able Seaman Dalmorton Joseph Owendale Rudd - Navy 

Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean - Navy 

Leading Aircrewman Noel Ervin Shipp - Navy 

Lieutenant Commander Francis Edward Smith - Navy 

Lieutenant Commander Henry Hugh Gordon Stoker - Royal Navy 

Leading Seaman Ronald Taylor - Navy 

Captain Hector Macdonald Laws Waller - Navy 

The Tribunal is directed to make recommendations on the eligibility of the naval and 

military members, as listed, to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the Victoria Cross for 

Australia or other forms of appropriate recognition for their gallantry or valour. 

The Tribunal is conducting public hearings to hear evidence in relation to this 

matter. The following hearings will be conducted later this month. Hearings in 

other centres will be conducted in early 2012. 

Melbourne – Wednesday 14 December and Thursday 15 December 2011 

commencing at 9am at The Mercure, 13 Spring St, Melbourne. 

Launceston – Friday 16 December 2011 commencing at 9am at the Country Club 

Tasmania, Country Club Avenue, Prospect Vale. 

After a preliminary consideration of the submissions received concerning the naval 

and military members listed above, the Tribunal has invited a number of those who 

have made written submissions to appear as witnesses at these hearings. 

Interested members of the public are invited to attend the Tribunal’s hearings. For 

administrative purposes, please register your interest in attending by contacting the 

Tribunal via telephone (02) 6266 3486 or e-mail DHA.Tribunal@defence.gov.au. 

The terms of reference for this inquiry can be obtained by reviewing the Tribunal 

website at: www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au . 

The terms of reference for this inquiry can be obtained by reviewing the Tribunal 

website at: 

www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au 

captures quite well Air Force’s history,” 

AIRMSHL Brown said. 

The book grew from the OAFH’s 

CD and online history resource On 

This Day in Air Force History, which 

was compiled in 2009. It was intended 

to focus on specific events daily rather 

than provide a detailed, comprehensive 

account of those years. 

The book contains new entries and 

photographs and features content on 

each year rather than each day. 

In its foreword, CAF said that with 

the change, an entirely different 

view of the RAAF’s past 

emerges. 

“A juxtaposition of events 

is achieved, which can be 

surprising, amusing and 

sometimes quite unsettling, 

but always informative,” 

AIRMSHL Brown said. 

“The book captures not 

just the highlights of the last 

90 years, but also its low 

points and many a quirky 

moment, along with the ordinary 

milestone achievements 

that have been reached along 

the way.” 

AIRMSHL Brown said all 

ORION REPLACEMENT: The 

US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon. 

Photo courtesy Boeing 

Sneak preview of P-8A Poseidon 

CANBERRA-based Defence staff 

were treated to a glimpse of the 

Air Force’s maritime intelligence, 

surveillance, reconnaissance and 

Response (MISRR) future recently, 

with Capability Development 

Group and Boeing displaying a 

mission console from the P-8A 

Poseidon in Russell Offices. 

The Boeing-produced P-8A 

Poseidon is the capability of choice 

for AIR 7000 Phase 2B; which, 

when combined with a High 

Altitude Long Endurance Multimission 

Unmanned Aircraft System 

(MUAS) from AIR 7000 Phase 

AT THE LAUNCH: From left, CAF 

AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, the book’s 

designer, Owen Gibbons, and 

RAAF historian Dr Chris Clark. 

Photo: LAC Bill Solomou 

this activity had generated a multifaceted 

story for a service which 

had steadily scaled back to less than 

15,000 personnel [from its maximum 

of almost 200,000 in WWII], though 

one still with formidable operational 

capability. 

“I am pleased to commend this 

‘snapshot history’ of the RAAF to 

anyone with an interest in the story of 

air power in Australia and it is with 

great pleasure that I launch this book,” 

he said. 

EYES ON THE FUTURE: The 

P-8A Poseidon work station in 

Canberra. Photo: LAC Bill Solomou 

1B, will replace the Air Force’s 

fleet of AP-3C aircraft. As with 

the Orion, the Poseidon is a long 

range anti-submarine warfare, anti- 

GREAT TRIBUTE: CAF AIRMSHL 

Geoff Brown with Barbara Kane- 

Maguire, the widow of Lost without 

Trace author Leon Kane-Maguire. 


“As Air Force steadily edges 

towards achieving a century of service 

to the nation, it is entirely fitting that 

we improve our understanding of past 

events that have made the service 

what it is today.” 

The occasion was a double ceremony 

when AIRMSHL Brown also 

launched another OAFH publication, 

Lost Without Trace. 

The book was written by Leon 

Kane-Maguire, winner of the 2010 

RAAF Heritage Award for Literature, 

who has since died. 

Mr Kane-Maguire was one year 

old when his father was killed during 

WWII, flying on operations over the 

English Channel with 464SQN RAAF. 

He developed a keen interest in 

Air Force history and had previously 

written two other books, Desert 

Scorpions, the history of 459SQN 

RAAF, and Gestapo Hunters, the history 

of 464SQN. 

Lost Without Trace tells the story 

of SQNLDR Wilbur Wackett, the son 

of famous WWI pilot and subsequent 

aircraft designer Lawrence Wackett. 

SQNLDR Wackett was credited 

with shooting down the first Japanese 

bomber at Milne Bay while serving 

with 75SQN but was killed while flying 

a 31SQN Beaufighter in 1944. 

Mr Kane-Maguire’s widow, 

Barbara and members of SQNLDR 

Wackett’s family attended the launch. 

Launching the book, AIRMSHL 

Brown said: “It is a great tribute to the 

9000 airmen we lost during that war 

and it is fascinating reading.” 

The books will be available from 

the Air Power Development Centre, 

Australian War Memorial, RAAF 

Museum, Alexander Fax booksellers 

and other specialised aviation outlets. 

surface warfare, and intelligence, 

surveillance and reconnaissance 

aircraft. It will enable the ADF, and 

in particular Air Force’s 92WG, to 

remain one of the world leaders in 

the delivery of MISRR capability. 

Australia has been in a cooperative 

program with the US Navy to 

develop the Increment 2 capability 

of the P-8A since early 2009. 

Increment 2 is the first upgrade to 

the P-8A and is expected to enter 

US Navy service from around 

2015, with Australian aircraft due 

to arrive in the period 2017-18 

through 2019-20, subject to final 

government approval.


Peter Purcell 

RCE 

IF A picture is worth a thousand 

words, then the new Air 

Force Evolution poster says 

it all. 

Illustrating the transition 

from the Mirage and F-111 

to the Hornet and the Super 

Hornet, the new poster showcases 

the incoming F-35A 

Lightning II as a future air 

combat leader in the year of 

Air Force’s 90th anniversary. 

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff 

Brown believes that transitioning 

Australia’s air 

combat capability to a fifth 

generation aircraft is critical 

to maintaining Australia’s 

capability at the leading edge 

of technology. 

“Australia’s requirement 

is for a cutting edge fifth 

generation aircraft that provides 

both fighter and strike 

roles,” AIRMSHL Brown 

said. 

“Australia’s decision in 

November 2009 to acquire 

the F-35 was based on 

unprecedented analysis. 

“The multi-role F-35’s 

combination of stealth, 

advanced sensors, networking 

and data fusion capa- 


bilities, when integrated with 

other defence systems, will 

enable the RAAF to maintain 

its air combat capability.” 

Much of the present capability 

has been built around 

the F/A-18 Classic Hornets 

and the transfer of resources 

following the retirement of 

the F-111s last year. 

Australia’s first two F-35s 

will be delivered during 2014- 

15 in the US for training. 

With evolution to the 

F-35, Air Force’s training, 

intelligence, logistics, engineering 

and support, as well 

as culture, will need to adapt 

to the new capabilities that 

the F-35 will deliver. 

“There is no other aircraft 

that meets our needs and 

our analysis shows there 

are clear capability, operational 

and cost benefits by 

transitioning as soon as is 

practicable to a fifth generation 

F-35 fleet,” AIRMSHL 

Brown said. 

Copies of the poster will be 

available from the Directorate 

of Coordination-Air Force 

at AFHQ via email RAAF. 

Brandmanager@defence.gov. 

au from February next year. 

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17 

Focus on big picture 

New poster showcases JSF 

HELPING TO TELL THE AIR COMBAT STORY: The new Air Force Evolution poster, which shows the transition from the 

Mirage and F-111 to the Classic and Super Hornets and Lightning II.

IF 2010 was the Year of the Pig, this 

year was surely the Year of the Rhino 

for Air Force when all of its 24 Super 

Hornets arrived. 

Some would beg to differ. After all, 

it was a very eventful year for Air Force 

in its 90th year. 

The year opened in February with Air 

Force assets heavily involved in relief 

operations in Queensland after floods 

devastated the state (and which heavily 

impacted RAAF Base Amberley), fol- 

lowed by more devastation in northern 

Queensland from Cyclone Yasi. March 

followed up disaster relief and humani- 

tarian activities with the earthquake that 

demolished much of the central business 

district in Christchurch, New Zealand, 

and the massive earthquakes and tsuna- 

mi in Japan. Later in the year, Air Force 

combined efforts with the New Zealand 

Air Force to provide critical supplies to 

Tuvalu. 

Continuing overseas, Air Force per- 

sonnel were heavily involved in ongoing 

operations across 

the globe, including the 

MEAO, East Timor and 

Sudan. Back at home, 

Air Force personnel 

have also made con- 

siderable contributions 

to the whole-of-govern- 

18 19 

RCE 


2011 in review December 8, 2011 

RCE 

RCE 

AIR 

AIR F b 8 2011 


De 

p 

the globe, including the 

MEAO, East Timor and 

Sudan. Back at home, 

Air Force personnel 

have also made con- 

siderable contributions 

to the whole-of-govern- 


Vol. 53, No. 1, February 3, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R F 

11 The 

FLOOD OF 

RELIEF 

OUR VC & AUSTRALIA DAY WINNERS WEDGETAIL & RHINO ARRIVALS P10-11 

P8-9 

Air Force answers the call 

for help in Queensland 

Reports, P2-7 

HELPING HIGH 

AND LOW: LAC 

Justin Newby of 

382ECSS helps 

clean up a local 

Goodna retirement 

village after the 

Queensland floods 

inundated the 

eastern Ipswich 

area. Below inset, 

37SQN pilot FLTLT 

Glen Foster flies 

above the flooded 

region of St George 

during a delivery 

task. Photos: LAC 

Benjamin Evans and 

LACW Jessica Smith 


Vol. 53, No. 2, February 17, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R F 

011 The 

SAFETY IN 

NUMBERS 

ORION ENCOUNTERS PIRATES HELP FOR OUR FLOOD VICTIMS 

P5 

Mercy flights provide lifeline before and after cyclone 

P2-4 

Op Yasi 

Assist 

reports: 

MASS EXODUS: Queensland Ambulance 

Service personnel along with medical staff 

from RAAF Base Amberley prepare patients 

for evacuation from Cairns aboard a C-17A. 

Several aero-medical evacuation flights to 

Brisbane on February 1 and 2 carried 173 

patients out of harm’s way as Tropical Cyclone 

Yasi approached northern Queensland. 

Photo: CPL Peter Borys 

P7 


Vol. 53, No. 3, March 3, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

ANYTHING TO 

HELP 

R FThe 

Air Force joins 

international 

relief efforts 

OP CHRISTCHURCH ASSIST 

Coverage 

Page 3 Christchurch 

DISASTER ZONE: Rescue workers at the collapsed Pyne 

Gould Guinness building, where dozens of workers were 

trapped after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit central 

Christchurch on February 22. Photo courtesy New Zealand Herald 

TASMAN PUSH: 

LAC George 

Marshall loads 

essential supplies 

on to a C-17A 

before it departs 

for Christchurch. 

Photo: LAC Dan 

Pinhorn 



RCE 

R F 

1 Th 

AIR FORCE MARKS 90TH 

S 90T 

9 AT A 

AT AIR SPECTACULAR 

FIFTH C-17A ON THE CARDS NEWS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST 

N 

P3 

CELEBR 

BR 

BRATION 

TIME AT 

AVALON 

LIFTOUT 

INSIDE 

F 

ALSO 

INSIDE: 

P4-7 

Photo: CPL Steve Duncan 

BROTHERS IN ARMS: A 77SQN F/A-18 Classic Hornet, 

front, partners with a 1SQN Super Hornet to fly over 

Melbourne during the 2011 Australian International 

Airshow, held at Avalon from March 1 to 4. See the 

liftout inside for full coverage. Photo: AC Oliver Carter 



RCE 

90TH ANNIVERSARY 

SPECIAL LIFTOUT INSIDE 

R FTh 

N 

YOU’RE 

WELCOME 

Pages 2-3 

Japan thanks Air Force for helping after disaster 

r of the Roy 

the Ro 

the Ro 

he Ro 

he Roy 

the 

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he Roy 

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RCE 

RCE 

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Vol. 53, No. 5, March 31, 

, 

5, M 

, 

5, M 

5, M 

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5, 

5 M 

, M 

, 201 

20 

SP 

SO GRATEFUL: A member of the Japan Air Self Defense Force thanks 

FLTLT Gavin McKinnon of 36SQN in the cockpit of a C-17A after the 

aircraft landed at Chitose airport carrying fresh water supplies. C-17A 

crews worked around the clock to deliver rescue workers and essential 

supplies to Japan as part of Operation Pacific Assist following the 

March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Photo: CPL Raymond Vance 

Triton Storm 

training P3 

Pilgrimage in 

the sky 

Dingo airlines 

rescue 

Our balloon 

turns 21 

P6-7 

P9 

P10 


Vol. 53, No. 6, April 14, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R FTh 

MARKING 

TIME Air Force 

celebrates 90 

years of service 

to the nation 

RISING ABOVE: LACW Beth Brown, of Australia’s 

Federation Guard, stands tall in the catafalque 

party during the closing ceremony of the Air 

Force’s 90th anniversary commemorative service at 

the Australian War Memorial. Photo: LAC Bill Solomou 

P4-7 


Vol. 53, No. 7, April 28, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R 

PUT 

TO 

THE 

TEST 

FULL HONOURS FOR LACY SNOW BUSINESS IN NORWAY 

P3 P7 

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INSIDE: 

FIELD OF STUDY: 2AFDS airfield defence 

guard AC Alex Borman on patrol while fitted 

with a MetaMax 3B mask, which measures 

oxygen consumption during physical activity. 

AC Borman was one of the squadron’s 

ground defence members involved in trials on 

physical employment standards conducted 

during Exercise Nomad. Photo: LAC Terry Hartin 

Ground defence 

physical standards 

studied during 

Exercise Nomad 

How results will 

help open up 

these roles to 

women 

P14-15 

P2 


Vol. 53, No. 8, May 12, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R 

LANDING 

ANOTHER 

HERON BREAKS RECORDS IN AFGHANISTAN P3 

Fhe official news 

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strali 

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strali 

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RCE 

RCE 

FTh 

Eamon Hamilton 

AIR FORCE will welcome an 

additional C-17A to the 36SQN 

fleet this September. 

The fifth aircraft – which will 

carry the serial A41-210 – is cur- 

rently under construction on the 

Boeing production line at Long 

Beach in California. 

Much like 36SQN’s existing 

C-17As, this aircraft was original- 

ly intended for delivery to the US 

Air Force, but has been released 

for delivery to the RAAF. 

The C-17A will be accepted 

by Air Force in late August, but 

will remain in the US to be fitted 

with equipment before making 

the delivery flight to Australia. 

The original four C-17As at 

36SQN were delivered between 

December 2006 and March 

2008. Delivery of this fifth C-17A 

will allow 36SQN to sustain a 

busy tempo of operations, espe- 

cially as existing aircraft become 

due for scheduled heavy main- 

tenance. 

OC 86WG GPCAPT Richard 

Lennon said the new aircraft 

would allow 36SQN to sustain 

its routine efforts during periods 

of high demand for the C-17A’s 

airlift talents. 

“This additional aircraft will 

provide much-needed flexibility 

to meet Australia’s requirement 

for responsive global airlift,” 

GPCAPT Lennon said. 

“To date, the current fleet of 

aircraft have been fully commit- 

ted to supporting operations for 

the ADF, with little capacity to 

surge for unexpected and emerg- 

ing events. 

“When contingencies arise, 

this lack of flexibility causes dis- 

ruption to the 36SQN program, 

which includes routine training 

and other planned tasking.” 

The efforts of 36SQN’s 

C-17As are being felt not just by 

the ADF, but across the world. 

C-17A GETS IN FIRST 

AT TARIN KOT 

An Aussie Globemaster landed pole 

position on the new US$28 million 

airstrip at Tarin Kot in Afghanistan 

when it became the first heavy-lift 

aircraft to touch down on the tarmac. 

Read the full story on PAGE 2. 

MAKING AN 

ENTRANCE: A 36SQN 

C-17A gets the thumbs 

up to taxi into position 

at Multinational Base 

Tarin Kot after landing 

on the new all-weather 

airstrip, which was 

previously dirt. The US- 

funded multi-million 

dollar upgrade was 

coordinated by RAAF 

airfield engineers. 

Photo: SPC Edward 

Garibay, US Army 


Vol. 53, No. 9, May 26, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R FTh 

RHINOS ROCK MALAYSIA P13-15 

SAVED BY 

SKILLS 

Pilots eject safely after engine failure 

P4-7 RED CARPET ROLLS AT AMBERLEY 


“WHEN it got to the stage that 

I realised we were not going 

to make it, basically instinct 

kicked in and I called ‘eject, 

eject, eject’. 

“I was not overly concerned 

for our safety because I knew 

that if I followed the proce- 

dures I have been trained for 

we’d be ok.” 

That was how SQNLDR 

Bruce Collenette from Central 

Flying School described the 

final moments of his ill-fated 

PC-9/A which crashed about 

3.15pm on May 18 about 1km 

short of the runway at RAAF 

Base East Sale after experienc- 

ing a suspected engine failure. 

SQNLDR Collenette, a 

qualified flying instructor, 

and instructor trainee (and 

qualified pilot) FLTLT Steve 

Andrews ejected safely. 

Soon after take-off, the 

aircraft lost power and was 

turned back towards the base. 

The pilots were unable to 

restart the engine and immedi- 

ately followed the engine shut- 

down procedures checklist. 

Continued Page 2 

SQNLDR Bruce Collenette FLTLT Steve Andrews 

FLTLT Steve Andrews 

FLTLT St A d 

SQNLDR Bruce Collen 

SQNLDR B C ll 

SQNLDR Bruce Collen tt 

ette 

ette 

DRAMATIC SCENE: Base emergency 

services at the scene after a CFS PC-9/A 

crashed about 1km short of the runway at 

RAAF Base East Sale. Photo: AC Oliver Carter 


Vol. 53, No. 10, June 9, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

NEW CHIEFS 

ARE 

NAMED 

Vol. 53, 

3, 

3,, 

3,, 

, No. 10 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No.. 

No.. , June 9, 20 he Royal Australi 

stral 

ustrali 

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FS 

CHANGING OF THE GUARD 

DCAF 

TO 

CAF 

CAF 

TO 

VCDF 

P3 

R FTh 

011 

IT’S TANKER 

TIME Air Force gets the 

world’s first KC-30A 

NEWSFLASH: At the interim acceptance of the new 

KC-30A Multi-role Tanker Transport aircraft at RAAF Base 

Amberley on June 1, members of the local media interview 

the key stakeholders from Airbus Military, DMO and 33SQN. 

Photo: LACW Rosaleen Normoyle 

KER 

KER 

e 

e 

A 

P2 


Vol. 53, No. 11, June 23, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R F 

FREQUENT FLYERS AT 34SQN QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS 

P3 P8 



Vol. 53, No. 11, June 23, 

23, 

23,, 

3,, 201 

201 

2011 

011 

011 

20 

2011 

011 

2011 

11 

2011 

20 

201 

011 

11 

1 

2011 

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offi l newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

RCE 

R FTh 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Outgoing CDF 

ACM Angus 

Houston 

reflects on his 

distinguished 

41-year career 

P13-15 

IT’S BEEN A 

PRIVILEGE 

NO REGRETS: 

In his last 

interview as 

CDF, ACM 

Angus Houston 

said it was 

an “incredible 

privilege” to 

command the 

ADF and he 

had “no regrets 

whatsoever” 

about his 

career. Turn to 

the centre for 

the full story. 

Photo: FSGT John 

Carroll 


Vol. 53, No. 14, August 4, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

UNITED 

NATIONS 

Australia joins 

Japan for historic 

air combat flight 


THE RAAF and Japan Air Self- 

Defense Force (JASDF) made 

history together when they 

completed bilateral air combat 

flying operations for the first 

time during Exercise Red Flag 

Alaska. 

The historic sortie was flown 

on July 14 when 3SQN F/A-18 

Hornets joined F-15 Eagles 

from the JASDF’s 4th Wing for 

an air combat familiarisation 

flight over the Alaskan moun- 

tains. 

Exercise Red Flag was held 

at Eielson and Elmendorf US 

Air Force Bases in Alaska from 

July 4-22. 

3SQN then made further 

history on July 25 when it vis- 

ited the Japanese Misawa Air 

Force Base on its way back to 

Australia. 

Second to the US, the RAAF 

has become the only other for- 

eign military to land aircraft on 

the base. 

3SQN CO WGCDR Terry van 

Haren said the visit offered 

the opportunity to build on 

the strong friendship between 

Australia and Japan. 

“We held a cultural and 

dialogue exchange at Misawa 

to further develop the strong 

bonds fostered between the 

two nations during Red Flag,” 

WGCDR van Haren said. 

“The program included 

several cultural activities and 

capability briefs to enhance 

shared cooperation and mili- 

tary appreciation between the 

Australian and Japanese fight- 

er squadrons.” 

See pages 14-15 for coverage of 

Exercise Red Flag Alaska. 

SIDE BY SIDE: A 3SQN 

F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle 

from the JASDF fly low over 

the Alaskan mountains during 


Below inset: 3SQN’s LAC 

Matt Elliott with Technical 

Sergeant Yuhei Yosida of the 

JASDF. Photos: CPL David Gibbs 

BIGGEST EX OF THE 

YEAR WRAPS UP 

SPECIAL 

LIFTOUT 

INSIDE 


Vol. 53, No. 15, August 18, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

STILL 

GOING 

STRONG 

JSF UPDATE 

P5 

INSIDE: 

P6-7 

O J 

S 

P 

MORE RHINOS 

MIGHTY MISSION: On the flightline of RAAF Learmonth, 

11SQN aircraft technician LAC Guy Williamson marshals 

an AP-3C for take off as part of Operation Resolute. Orions 

have been providing around-the-clock support to the 

operation for five years. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy 

Orions notch up five years 

on Operation Resolute P3 


Vol. 53, No. 16, September 1, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

DOUBLE 

HONOUR 

AP-3Cs fly 

20,000hrs 

Fifth C-17 

on track 

Casper hits 

the road 

P3 P5 P8-9 

H 

Air Force pair 

awarded for their 

bravery in SIEV 36 

rescue mission 

Full story 

P2 

REWARD FOR 

COURAGE: SGT 

Sharon Jager, of 

3EHS at RAAF Base 

Darwin, reflects on her 

involvement in the SIEV 

36 rescue operation 

in 2009 off Ashmore 

Reef. SGT Jager and 

Melbourne-based 

reservist LAC Thomas 

Norton (below left) 

have been recognised 

for their efforts in the 

rescue in a Group 

Bravery Citation, along 

with one Army and 15 

Navy members. Photos: 

AB James Whittle (main) 

and LS Paul McCallum 



RCE 

LOFTY 

TOFTY 

ARNHEM DRIFTER SPECIAL LIFTOUT INSIDE 

P2 

Story 

MAGIC NUMBER: After 27 years 

flying an average of 370 hours 

a year, 11SQN pilot FLTLT Greg 

“Tofty” Toft has logged 10,000 

hours for Air Force. He achieved 

the milestone on September 1. 

Photo: LAC Glynn Jones 



RCE 

BIG 

Fifth C-17A arrives, possible sixth to come 

P2 

Full 

story 

HISTORIC OCCASION: Accompanied by CAF AIRMSHL Geoff 

Brown, Defence Minister Stephen Smith announces the possibility of a 

sixth C-17A at the arrival ceremony for the fifth aircraft at RAAF Base 

Amberley on September 23. Photo: LACW Rosaleen Normoyle 

THAT’S 

BRAND NEW: Air Force’s fifth 

C-17A, A41-210, on the tarmac 

at RAAF Base Amberley at the 

arrival ceremony. 

Photo: LACW Jessica Smith 


Vol. 53, No. 18, October 13, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

NEW 

FRONTIER 

BIG THREE MARK 95TH DOUBLE COMBAT FOR 77SQN 

P4-5 

INSIDE: 

P14-15 

BRING IT ON, SAYS SHANNAN: 

LACW Shannan Turley, a military working dog 

handler from RAAF Base Amberley, says she 

is looking forward to the opportunity to go 

‘outside the wire’ with her dog King once gender 

restrictions are removed from ADF service. Read 

her story on Page 2. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson 

Gender restrictions to 

be lifted on all roles P2 


Vol. 53, No. 19, October 27, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

Air Force welcomes four 

new Rhinos with dramatic 

20-ship formation flypast 

SECURING THE SKIES FOR CHOGM �P5 

� 

SUPER 

SIZED 

P2 

RHINO SWARM: To mark the 

arrival of four new F/A-18 Super 

Hornets, and the completion of the 

fleet for 1 and 6SQNs, a 20-ship 

Rhino formation flew into RAAF 

Base Amberley on October 21. 

The formation is shown here flying 

over Noosa. CAF AIRMSHL Geoff 

Brown piloted one of the jets, 

along with OC 82WG GPCAPT 

Steve Roberton, pictured below 

inset being interviewed by the 

media with his family. Photos: LAC 

Glynn Jones (main) and CPL Andrew Eddie 


Vol. 53, No. 21, November 10, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

Pearce ramps 

up to provide 

security for 

CHOGM 

LOADED 

BASE 

ROYAL TASK FOR 34SQN BERSAMA LIMA POWER PLAY 

P6 

INSIDE: 

P14-15 

KEEPING WATCH: LAC 

Dave Stevens, of 25SQN 

Air Base Protection Flight, 

was part of the integrated 

Air Force Security Force 

Team based at RAAF Base 

Pearce for CHOGM. The 

team’s job was to protect the 

air assets, including Hornets 

and Orion aircraft (pictured 

above), deployed to Pearce 

in support of the Australian 

Government’s security 

response. Read the full story 

on the security team, page 4. 

Photo: CPL Chris Moore 

P4-5 


Vol. 53, No. 22, November 24, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

Barack 

Obama 

receives a 

rock star 

reception at 

RAAF Base 

Darwin 

during his 

Australian 

visit 

G’DAY MR 

PRESIDENT 

P3 

AUSSIE HONOUR: Prime Minister Julia Gillard looks on as US President 

Barack Obama addresses more than 1800 people packed into an aircraft 

hangar at RAAF Base Darwin on November 17, where he spoke about 

the expanding alliance between Australia and the US. 

Photos: CPL Melina Mancuso and AB James Whittle 


Vol. 53, No. 12, July 7, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R FTh 

SUPER 

STARS 

CAF change of command parade marks historic first for Air Force 

HISTORY was briefly made on July 

1 when, for the first time in its 90 

years, Air Force had one four-star 

and three three-star officers leading 

its senior command echelon. 

The event occurred when VCDF 

AIRMSHL Mark Binskin handed over 

command of the Air Force to new 

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown. CDF 

ACM Angus Houston and the other 

three-star, Chief of the Capability 

Group AIRMSHL John Harvey, were 

also in attendance. 

Air Force historian Chris Clarke 

said the event was unique in Air 

Force and ADF history. 

“Never before has the Air Force 

had three three-star officers at once, 

let alone a four-star as well,” he said. 

“Whenever Air Force filled the 

CDF position, the usual pattern was 

for there to be one three-star – CAF 

(or CAS as it used to be known) – 

and the four-star incumbent. 

“In the past, until Sir Frederick 

Scherger was promoted to ACM in 

1965, the Air Force had two serving 

three-stars for a short time before 

ACM Scherger retired in 1966. 

“That was also the situation when 

AIRMSHL Douglas Riding was 

VCDF from 1998 to 2000.” 

This historic ‘super stars’ grouping 

only lasted for three days; AIRMSHL 

Houston retired on July 4 after hand- 

ing over command of the ADF to 

GEN David Hurley. 

Read the full story and meet your new 

chief on Pages 2-3. 

SECOND TANKER FOR 33SQN TINDAL TEAM TO THE RESCUE 

P5 

S 

INSIDE: 

P7 

HISTORIC MOMENT: From left, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, VCDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin, former 

CDF ACM Angus Houston and Chief of Capability Group AIRMSHL John Harvey were the stars of 

the show at the CAF change of command ceremony in Canberra on July 1. Photo: FSGT John Carroll 

q 

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Vol. 53, No. 14, August 4, 201 e official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

RCE 

R F 

11 Th 

SIDE BY SIDE: A 3SQN 

F/A-18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle 

from the JASDF fly low over 

the Alaskan mountains during 


Below inset: 3SQN’s LAC 

Matt Elliott with Technical 

Sergeant Yuhei Yosida of the 

of the Roy lian 

yal Austra 

of the Roy 

oy 

Roy 

oyal Austral 

al Au ra 

al A 

al A 

l ra 

Austra 

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al A 

A tra 

BIGGEST EX OF THE 

YEAR WRAPS UP 

SPECIAL 

S 

LIFTOUT 

L 

INSIDE 

I 



Vol. 53, No. 15, August 18, 201 e official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

RCE 

R F 

11 Th 

MIGHTY MISSION: On the flightline of RAAF Learmonth, 

11SQN aircraft technician LAC Guy Williamson marshals 

an AP-3C for take off as part of Operation Resolute. Orions 

have been providing around-the-clock support to the 

operation for five years. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy 



Vol. 53, No. 16, September 1, 201 e official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

RCE 

AP-3Cs fly 

20,000hrs 

Fifth C-17 

on track 

Casper hits 

the road 

P3 P5 

R F 

11 Th 

P8-9 

Air Force pair 

awarded for their 

bravery in SIEV 36 

rescue mission 

REWARD FOR 

COURAGE: SGT 

Sharon Jager, of 

3EHS at RAAF Base 

Darwin, reflects on her 

involvement in the SIEV 

36 rescue operation 

in 2009 off Ashmore 

Reef. SGT Jager and 

Melbourne-based 

reservist LAC Thomas 

Norton (below left) 

have been recognised 

for their efforts in the 

G 

AI 


Vol. 53, No. 16, Septembe yal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R 

R F 

er 15, 20 he officia 

he offici 





he offic 

he o ici l news 

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l new 

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011 Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

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MAGIC NUMBER: After 27 years 

flying an average of 370 hours 

a year, 11SQN pilot FLTLT Greg 

“Tofty” Toft has logged 10,000 

hours for Air Force. He achieved 

the milestone on September 1. 

Photo: LAC Glynn Jones 



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RCE 

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Vol. 53, No. 17, September 29, 20R F 

011 Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

Th 

BRAND NEW: 

BRAND NEW: Air Force s fifth 

Air Force’s fifth 

C-17A, A41-210, on the tarmac 

at RAAF Base Amberley at the 

arrival ceremony. 

Photo: LACW Jessica Smith 



Vol. 53, No. 18, October 13, 2011 aper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

RCE 

R1 

BRING IT ON, SAYS SHANNAN: 

LACW Shannan Turley, a military working dog 

handler from RAAF Base Amberley, says she 

is looking forward to the opportunity to go 

‘outside the wire’ with her dog King once gender 

restrictions are removed from ADF service. Read 

her story on Page 2. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson 

R Fh ffici 

cia 

cia 

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Vol. 53, No. 19, October 27, 2011 he official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

RCE 

SECURING THE SKIES FOR CHOGM P5 

� 

R F 

1 Th 

RHINO SWARM: To mark the 

arrival of four new F/A-18 Super 

Hornets, and the completion of the 

fleet for 1 and 6SQNs, a 20-ship 

Rhino formation flew into RAAF 

Base Amberley on October 21. 

The formation is shown here flying 

over Noosa. CAF AIRMSHL Geoff 

Brown piloted one of the jets, 

along with OC 82WG GPCAPT 

Steve Roberton, pictured below 

inset being interviewed by the 

media with his family. Photos: LAC 

Glynn Jones (main) and CPL Andrew Eddie 



Vol. 53, No. 21, November 10, 20 he official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

RCE 

R F 

011 Th 

LOADED 

BASE 

BASE 



Vol. 53, No. 22, November 24, 20 he official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

RCE 

R F 

011 Th 

Barack 

Obama 

receives a 

rock star 

l newspa r 

per 

pape 

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per 

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AUSSIE HONOUR: Prime Minister Julia Gillard looks on as US President 

Barack Obama addresses more than 1800 people packed into an aircraft 

hangar at RAAF Base Darwin on November 17, where he spoke about 

the expanding alliance between Australia and the US. 

Photos: CPL Melina Mancuso and AB James Whittle 

Looking back on 

a momentous 

year for Air Force. 

� Nine more Super Hornets arrived 

to complete the fleet. 

� Three new tankers were delivered. 

� An extra C-17A was acquired. 

� Air Force got a new CAF and 

WOFF-AF. 

� Humanitarian support was pro- 

vided after four major natural 

disasters. 

� Air Force celebrated its 90th anni- 

versary. 

� Restrictions were lifted on all com- 

bat roles in the ADF. 

� Two pilots safely ejected from a 

PC-9 at RAAF Base East Sale. 

� Air Force took part in major bien- 

nial events, the Avalon airshow 

and Exercise Talisman Sabre. 

� Orions marked five years on 

Operation Resolute. 

� Air Force supported visits by the 

Queen and US President Barak 

Obama. 

News of the year 

WIDE LOAD: Left, Air Force’s second of three KC-30A Multi- 

Role Tanker Transports to be delivered to 33SQN this year. 

Photo: LACW Rosaleen Normoyle 

ORIONS AROUND THE CLOCK: Left, AP-3C technician 

SGT Brock Smith in the MEAO. Photo: LS Paul Berry 

ment effort to protect Australia’s borders 

and maritime interests. 

With training, the biggest exercise in 

Australia this year was Talisman Sabre 

2011. Held in northern Australia from 

July 11 to 29, it involved 9000 ADF and 

14,000 US personnel. During the same 

period, from July 4-22, seven F/A-18s 

and a 37SQN C-17A deployed to Alaska 

for the annual Red Flag exercise. 

Six 1SQN Super Hornets also made 

history when they deployed for the first 

time to RMAF Base Butterworth for 

Exercise Bersama Shield 2011 between 

May 2 and 13. 

Air Force personnel also deployed on 

Exercise Pacific Partnership, an annual 

Humanitarian Civic Assistance program 

sponsored by the Commander US Pacific 

Fleet. 

These responses clearly demon- 

strated the value of Air Force’s airlift 

assets, particularly its heavy airlift capa- 

bility which increased on September 19 

when 36SQN’s new, fifth C-17A touched 

down after being delivered to Air Force in 

record speed. 

It was Air Force’s refuelling capabil- 

ity which also got a boost in 2011, when 

by the end of the year, 33SQN received 

three of its five KC-30A Multi-Role 

Tanker Transport aircraft. 

But it was the most recent arrival 

of four Super Hornets at RAAF Base 

Amberley on October 21 that tops the list 

of highlights. It was a spectacular affair. 

The four newcomers were met above 

the Sunshine Coast by 16 other Super 

Hornets, forming a 20-ship formation that 

approached RAAF Base Amberley. 

On March 31, Air Force units across 

the country celebrated the 90th anniver- 

sary with community engagement activi- 

ties, formal functions and cake cuttings. 

However, most poignantly, the courage, 

service and sacrifice of personnel who 

served between 1944 and 2003 were 

remembered when new Battle Honours 

were added to the National Memorial to 

the RAAF on Anzac Parade in Canberra. 

A key anniversary event was Air 

Force’s involvement in the Australian 

International Airshow at Avalon in 

Victoria where Air Force provided 40 

aircraft and more than 600 personnel. 

The Super Hornet and Heron Remotely 

Piloted Aircraft made their first Avalon 

appearance in Air Force livery, and the 

Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and 

Control aircraft also pleased the crowds 

at its Avalon debut. 

In other festivities, 60 aircrews in an 

array of vintage aircraft conducted an ‘Air 

Pilgrimage’ from Temora to the ‘home of 

the RAAF’, RAAF Base Point Cook. 

But the 90th wasn’t the only birthday 

marked during the year. The Air Force 

Balloon turned 21 on March 5, and later 

this year deployed on a month-long 

indigenous community engagement 

activity across regional and remote areas 

in NSW, QLD, NT and SA. 

The Australian Air Force Cadets 

marked their 70th anniversary with a 

special ceremonial parade at RAAF 

Base Williams, Laverton, on October 9, 

while individual units also marked the 

year with a range of events, including 

exercising their right to freedom of entry 

to their local towns and centres. 

Also in commemorative events, 

the RAAF Security and Fire School, 

2 Airfield Defence Squadron and the 

School of Air Traffic Control were pre- 

sented with their unit Colours. 

On April 9, the funeral of FLTLT Henry 

‘Lacy’ Smith, whose 453SQN Spitfire 

was shot down and lay in the Orne River 

near Caen for 68 years before being 

discovered, was held at the cemetery in 

Ranville, France. 

The remains of another Australian 

Spitfire pilot missing in action from 

WWII, SGT William Smith, was also 

recently discovered in northern 

France. 

On the community engage- 

ment side, Air Force supported 

numerous charities such as 

both the QLD and NSW Variety Bashes 

and its personnel raised over $80,000 

for Movember. The PR Assets, including 

the Roulettes, Air Force Band, Air Force 

Balloon and the RAAF Museum partici- 

pated in over 150 events this year and 

made front page news a few times. 

From a leadership perspective, there 

were changes at the top. On July 4 we 

got a new CAF, AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, 

who took over from AIRSMHL Mark 

Binskin who stepped up to become 

VCDF. CDF ACM Angus Houston retired 

on July 23 and was recently named ACT 

Person of the Year. Last month, WOFF- 

AF, WOFF JJ Millar was commissioned 

and WOFF Mark Pentreath took over as 

Air Force’s new most senior airman. 

These changes made special his- 

tory on July 1 when, for the first time, 

Air Force had a four-star and three 

three-stars leading its command 

echelon. 

Finally, the year ended on a royal 

note when Air Force assets were 

involved in the visits of the Queen 

and US President Barack Obama 

last month and provided secu- 

rity and other services 

for the Commonwealth 

Heads of Government 

meeting in Perth. 

YEAR OF THE RHINO: Air Force 

took delivery of another nine Super 

Hornets during the year to take the 

fleet to its full complement of 24 jets. 

Photo: CPL Mark McConnell 


Vol. 53, No. 13, July 21, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R F 

1 Th 

BOMBS 

AWAY 

MORE RHINOS INSIDE: 1SQN LAND THREE NEW JETS �P7 

Super Hornets 

join Air Force 

contingent 

for biggest 

exercise of 

the year 

�P5 

Talisman Sabre 2011 

READY TO STRIKE: 1SQN armament technicians prepare to load 

ordnance on to Super Hornets for Talisman Sabre 2011, a major 

international combat exercise which began on July 11 and involves 

more than 9000 ADF and 14,000 US personnel. Photo: LACW Tricia Wiles 

HEALTHY 

SHOWING: Medics 

were kept busy all 

year supporting 

humanitarian 

operations and 

training exercises, 

such as as Ex 

Thai Boomerang in 

Thailand in August, 

which 3EHS 

medical officer 

SQNLDR Theresa 

Armstrong 

attended as part 

of the 77SQN 

contingent. Photo: 

LAC Craig Barrett 


Vol. 53, No. 23, December 8, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

RCE 

R F 

1 Th 

A 

FISHING 

PATROL 

Jets swarm 

East Coast 

90th year 

in review 

Mo bros 

raise $80k 

P5 P18-19 

EYES ON THE 

OCEAN: Flight 

engineer WOFF 

Steve Condon 



11SQN, in the 

















Aaron Oldaker 

Orion helps out Pacific neighbours 

P3 

P23 

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HEALTHY 

SHOWING: Medics 

were kept busy all 

year supporting 

humanitarian 

operations and 

training exercises, 

such as as Ex 

Thai Boomerang in 

Thailand in August, 

which 3EHS 

medical officer 

SQNLDR Theresa 

Armstrong 

attended as part 

of the 77SQN 

contingent. Photo: 

LAC Craig Barrett 

of the Royal Austral 

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raise $80k 

EYES ON THE 

OCEAN: Flight 

engineer WOFF 

Steve Condon 



11SQN, in the 


















Aaron Oldaker 

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P3 

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20 News 


Obama was in 

safe hands 

SQNLDR John McCourt 

IT’S not every day you go to work with 

orders to help protect the President of 

the United States. 

For the security police (SECPOL) 

team at RAAF Base Darwin it was 

a case of putting in place what they 

had been trained to do when Barack 

Obama visited Darwin in November. 

They were responsible for ensuring 

airbase security and making sure 

it was done with the maximum of 

effort and the minimum of fuss. 

While parts of their role remain 

appropriately confidential, their 

duties included guarding Air Force 

One – the Boeing 747 used by the 

President as a virtual flying White 

House. The team of 30 SECPOL 

members also ensured the vehicles 

for the presidential motorcade 

were secure. The vehicles arrived 

days before the President and were 

housed in an air base hangar. 

Mr Obama’s visit went without 

a hitch – except maybe the threat by 

Mother Nature to literally rain on his 

parade. 

With the ready agreement of the 

US Secret Service, the SECPOL team 

posed for some photos alongside the 

President’s personal vehicle that was 

used during his visit to Darwin. 

The vehicle was part of a long – 

and very secure – motorcade that took 

Mr Obama from RAAF Base Darwin 

to the USS Peary memorial on the 

foreshore of Darwin’s CBD and back 

again for a meet-the-troops engagement 

on base. 

OIC Force Protection Flight 

FLTLT Jodie Dell said the men and 

women – and well-trained dogs – did 

a great job. 

“I’m very proud of their professionalism 

and their dedication,” 

FLTLT Dell said. “I am also very 

happy everything went so well.” 

The Secret Service obviously 

thought they were a top bunch – 

happy to let members take photos of 

themselves in front of Air Force One 

as it waited on the hardstand area at 

RAAF Base Darwin’s air movements 

area for the President’s departure. 

LEUT Peter Croce 

BARACK Obama was not the only 

one who wooed the crowd at RAAF 

base Darwin – one pressed Air 

Force blue safari suit caught the eye 

of pop star Jessica Mauboy. 

The young star, who usually 

rubs shoulders with the music 

heavyweights in Los Angeles, took 

Commander Northern Command 

AIRCDRE Ken Watson by surprise 

when she approached him for a 

photo opportunity. 

SQNLDR John McCourt 

THERE is an old saying that behind 

every great achievement there are 

those quiet achievers who simply 

make it happen. 

Fitting that adage perfectly was 

CPL David Thomson, of the Air 

Component Coordination Element 

(ACCE), who was responsible for 

ensuring everything in Hangar 31 

at RAAF Base Darwin was ready 

to provide the perfect backdrop for 

US President Barack Obama’s visit 

to the base on November 17. 

We now know Mr Obama 

received a rapturous welcome from 

the 1800-plus Australian and US 

troops and invited community members. 

However, only a very few were 

aware of the enormous effort put in 

SAFARI, 

SO 

GOOD: 

Top End 

pop star 

Jessica 

Mauboy 

was taken 

aback 

by the 

safari suit 

worn by 

AIRCDRE 

Ken 

Watson 

at RAAF 

Base 

Darwin. 

The Air Force’s safari suit is 

traditionally worn in the tropics for 

official receptions and ceremonial 

events. 

Witnesses confirmed they saw 

a tinge of blush on the officer’s 

face as he willingly posed with the 

singer after she performed at RAAF 

Base Darwin for the President’s 

visit. 

“I was as surprised as anybody 

when she stopped and asked me 

for a photo as the senior officer 

in Northern Australia; how could 

AT YOUR 

SERVICE: 

Above, 

CPL Grant 

Reibel and 

his military 

working dog 

Major stand 

guard near 

Air Force 

One during 

President 

Obama’s visit 

to Darwin; left, 

members of 

the SECPOL 

team with 

the official 

presidential 

vehicle. 

Photos: LEUT 

Peter Croce, AB 

James Whittle 

Excuse me, sir, smile for Jessica Mauboy 

by CPL Thomson and a dedicated 

team of Defence personnel and contractors 

to make it all happen. 

The OC of the ACCE, SQNLDR 

Brett Williams, said CPL Thomson 

was determined to get the job done 

– and done right. 

“He basically worked around 

the clock,” he said. “I think he’s 

I knock back a picture with one 

of the Territory’s most famous 

exports?” he said. 

“It’ll be one for the books and 

something I can bring up with my 

daughters next time I catch them 

talking about music – I met the 

President and had my photo with 

Jessica Mauboy.” 

AIRCDRE Watson was one of 

17 personnel from Headquarters 

Northern Command who downed 

tools from Operation Resolute to 

attend the event. 

Making hangar fit for a president 

QUIET 

ACHIEVER: 

CPL David 

Thomson 

amid the 

hoopla. 

Photo: AB James 

Whittle 

earned some time off now that the 

event is over.” 

The huge aircraft hangar was 

transformed into an auditorium of 

decked seating, a presidential stage, 

massive draped American and 

Australian flags and appropriate 

camouflage netting to set the scene. 

“I was just doing my job,” said 

a modest CPL Thomson.


RCE 


irst for young 

cholar 

MDR Steve Dunning 

LGOFF Chris Lowe has become the 

irst Australian military officer serving 

n Afghanistan to be awarded an elite 

cholarship to study overseas. 

The General Sir John Monash 

cholarship is a private non-Defence 

elated scholarship awarded to recipints 

who demonstrate academic 

xcellence, outstanding leadership 

nd service to Australia. For 2012, 

f an initial 200 applicants, only 10 

cholarships were awarded. 

FLGOFF Lowe said the selection 

rocess was quite rigorous. 

“Despite my past academic 

chievements and successes I wasn’t 

onfident that I would be one of the 

inalists, given the prestigious nature 

f the award,” he said. 

“After the final interview, I was 

bit worried because I didn’t feel I 

ad done as well as I could have. I 

as notified by telephone two days 

fter the interview that I had been 

uccessful. I was shocked at first, then 

cstatic.” 

FLGOFF Lowe acknowledged that 

hile it was a great achievement, he 

till had a job to do on the ground in 

andahar province. 

“It was fantastic news but this was 

tempered with the fact that I have a 

job to do and I had to get straight back 

into work – the operation certainly 

hasn’t stopped because I have been 

given a scholarship. The scholarship 

will allow me to further my studies 

and fits perfectly with my career goals 

in the Air Force,” he said. 

“Combined with my practical 

experience gained working with 

the Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft 

(RPA) detachment, this will hopefully 

allow me to make a significant contribution 

to the capability of the next 

generation of RPAs.” 

The scholarship is the achievement 

of a goal he has held since graduating 

from ADFA when he asked himself, 

‘what next?’ 

“I wanted to pursue postgraduate 

studies overseas following my first 

posting from ADFA. Professionally, 

it means adding an outstanding qualification 

to my experience as an engineer, 

and is a significant next step in 

my career,” he said. 

The next phase for FLGOFF 

Lowe will be completing a two-year 

Masters of Engineering degree at the 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

in Boston, one of the premier technical 

universities in the world. 

“My focus will be on automation 

and control of UAVs – particularly 

relevant as these platforms play an 

increasingly prominent and important 

role in aviation.” 

After seven years’ service in the 

Air Force, FLGOFF Lowe has already 

completed a Bachelor of Engineering 

(Electrical) in the CDF student program 

and graduated from ADFA with 

first class honours and the University 

Medal in 2008. Currently employed 

as a Force Communications Unit node 

commander, he is responsible for 

communication information systems 

support to all Australian elements at 

and around Kandahar. 

“I’ve been driven since I was a 

teenager to achieve but also make a 

difference; I believe my studies will 

enable me to achieve my personal and 

professional goals,” he said. 

News 

21 

ELITE HONOUR: FLGOFF Chris Lowe at Force Communications Unit, Camp Baker, in Kandahar, who has 

been awarded the General Sir John Monash Scholarship. Photo: WO2 Kristy McNaught 

“Something that has stuck with me 

since I was 15 is a question asked of 

me by a teacher at school. Seeing that 

I was driven to high achievement, he 

asked me what I wanted to achieve 

in life. I said that I didn’t know, but I 

wanted to do something that made a 

difference. 

“This is still true – I want to be 

doing something that makes a real difference 

to Australia.”

22 News 


THANKS FOR EVERYTHING: GPCAPT Steve Roberton addresses his 

personnel, family and friends after his final flight in a Super Hornet as OC 

82WG at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: LAC Dan Pinhorn 

Zed farewells fond 

command at 82WG 


NUMBER 82 Wing has a new OC after 

PCAPT Steve ‘Zed’ Roberton handed 

ver command to GPCAPT Geoff Harand 

on December 2. 

After taking to the skies in a 

uper Hornet for the last time as OC, 

PCAPT Roberton thanked the wing 

nd his family for their support over 

his two-year tenure, which had brought 

much dynamic change to the wing. 

“Going from a Classic Hornet pilot 

to now leading some of the greatest 

changes the Air Force has experienced 

in recent times has been an amazing 

opportunity,” GPCAPT Roberton said. 

“But I could not have remained 

focused on the job without the continued 

support of my family and the dediation 

of the whole team at 82WG. 

“Thank you to the entire team at 

2WG who have made my role here 

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Heartfelt words 

FLTLT Sean Watson 

AUSTRALIAN and New Zealand 

members deployed with the International 

Stabilisation Force (ISF) 

in East Timor are brushing up on 

their handwriting skills after receiving 

a flood of postcards from 

schoolchildren across Australia. 

The postcards were displayed 

in public areas throughout ISF 

SELF-MADE TREASURE: 

LAC Joel Allan with his first 

self-published novel, Revenge 

from the Skies. 


bases in East Timor, giving all 

the deployed troops the chance 

to admire the many handcrafted 

designs. 

“It is really heart-warming to 

receive such lovely cards,” FSGT 

Marz Dwiar said. 

“The children really put in 

such a great effort.” 

ISF Chief of Staff WGCDR 

Michael Dickson said the troops 

greatly appreciated the efforts 

CPL Melanie Schinkel 

AN ASPIRING young writer who 

recently self-published his first 

novel is already working on his 

next instalment. 

At just 22, LAC Joel Allan, of 

460SQN, said he wrote the sci-fi, 

action-fantasy novel, Revenge from 

the Skies, while posted to RAAF 

Base Amberley in 2009. 

“I’m a huge fan of [Australian] 

author Matthew Reilly, particularly 

his Scarecrow series. I’ve always 

written and scribbled things down 

of the schoolchildren and had 

been taking time from their busy 

duties to reply to as many cards 

as possible. 

“Such messages of goodwill 

bring a small piece of home to 

all those serving in East Timor,” 

he said. 

“On behalf of the ISF, I would 

like to thank everyone involved 

for their thoughtfulness and 

kindness.” 

SPECIAL 

GIFT FROM 

HOME: 

Military 

working 

dog handler 

LACW 

Belinda 

Smith, of 

RAAF Base 

Tindal, and 

her dog Zulu 

enjoy one 

of the many 

postcards 

sent by 

children 

from around 

Australia to 

International 

Stabilisation 

Force 

members 

deployed to 

East Timor. 

Photo: CPL 

Janine Fabre 

Publishing first novel 

no fantasy for Joel 

FREE CHRISTMAS GIFTS 

WITH YOUR ORDER 

Visit airforceshop.com.au 

for details 

Air Force Shop at Military Shop 

65 Kembla Street Fyshwick Canberra 

02 6123 2930 

for as long as I can remember – it’s 

just something I love doing,” he 

said. 

“Revenge from the Skies took 

me about a month to write and then 

two months to edit. When it was 

finally ready for print, I published it 

myself via a do it yourself website 

called Blurb.com.” 

He said his biggest customers to 

date had been deployed personnel, 

colleagues at 460SQN and family. 

While he would love to make a 

career of it, he said “it felt awesome 

to just finish my first book”. 

“Most of the time I just write 

fragments here and there 

so it is strange to have a 

novel out there that people 

can actually pick up and 

read,” he said. 

LAC Allan has prolifically 

produced first drafts 

for his next three books, 

which also fall into the 

sci-fi and action-fantasy 

genres. 

He said he started writing 

the sequel to Revenge 

from the Skies last month 

as part of National Novel 

Writing Month, the 

world’s largest writing 

challenge. 

Air Force has one copy of 

Revenge from the Skies to 

give away. To enter, email 

your name and contact 

details to raafnews@ 

defencenews.gov.au by 

December 23. Put ‘Revenge 

from the Skies’ in the 

subject line. To purchase 

a copy of the book, visit 

LAC Allan’s blog site at 

joelwallan.wordpress.com


RCE 

Eamon Hamilton 


HAIR-RAISERS: From front to back, k, 

CPL Chris Rutland, AC Matias Kewe, e, 

AC Mohammad Rahman and AC 

Ronald Droguett, of 1CCS at RAAF 

Base Richmond, show off their 

moustaches. Photo: LAC Chris Hall all 

$80,000 in 

lip service 

THE bristling upper lips of the Air Force 

have raised more than $80,000 for men’s 

health. 

At the time of going to print, 29 

Air Force teams across Australia who 

participated in charity fundraiser 

Movember had raised $83,361.85. 

In acknowledgement of the impressive 

tally, ACAUST AVM Mark 

Skidmore and his deputy AIRCDRE 

John ‘Sam’ Samulski made the pledge 

to shave off their moustaches on 

December 9. Whether they lived up to 

their promise will be revealed in the 

next edition of Air Force News. 

The proceeds of Movember – where 

men raise money through growing 

their moustaches over the course of 

the month – will go towards depression 

support initiative Beyond Blue 

and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of 

Australia. 

A team of Joint Battlespace Air 

Controllers (JBACs) – calling itself 

Mo-Schroders – topped the Air Force 

tally with more than $13,000. 

It largely comprises staff and students 

from the School of Air Traffic 

Control (SATC) at RAAF Base 

East Sale, plus ring-ins from around 

Australia. 

CO SATC WGCDR Pat Cooper 

raised more than $2700 as the highest 

donating Air Force member. 

FLTLT Peter Ferris, team captain for 

Mo-Schroders, said Movember allowed 

men to look more dashing and raise 

unds for men’s health. 

“Everyone loves a charity that’s a bit 

ifferent and most of the blokes have 

reat time grooming their mos and havng 

a dig at the blokes that struggle to 

row a mo,” FLTLT Ferris said. 

“We all think we look quite dapper, 

but I’m not sure how the wives are handling 

it. 

“As skipper of the Mo-Schroders, 

I am immensely proud of my charges 

and we are all very thankful for the 

many people who have contributed to 

the cause.” 

SGT Candida Willis was a ‘Mo Sista’, 

captaining the RAAF Base Tindal team 

and helping to raise more than $9500. 

“I formed Team Tindal in 2009 as 

there were quite a few gentlemen spread 

over the various units on base that were 

keen to participate in Movember,” SGT 

Willis said. 

“We have always received a positive 

response to our fundraising and have 

done various charity events such as a 

dog wash, front gate coin collections 

and offers for long-term moustache 

lovers to shave off their mos when we 

reach a certain target. 

“I am a very proud Mo Sista of 

Team Tindal’s efforts again this year 

and hope that their contribution will significantly 

assist the fight against prostate 

cancer and depression.” 

RAAF Base Townsville raised just 

over $10,000. FLGOFF Joshua Daish 

said the team had been supported by 

local businesses and members of the 

community. 

“Early last year, Townsville lost its 

p adre to prostate cancer,” FLGOFF 

Daish said. “Also a number of members 

around base are personally affected by 

either depression or other health-related 

issues. 

“We even managed to raise over 

$1000 towards Movember at our annual 

officers’ farewell dining-in night.” 

For full results of the Air Force network of 

Movember teams can be found at http:// 

au.movember.com/mospace/network/ 

view/id/19966 

TTHE 

RICHMOND 

CCLUB: 

Above, FLGOFF 

RRashmin 

Gunaratne, of 

AALSPO, 

looks dashing 

aas 

he enjoys a cup of 

te tea at the RAAF Base 

RRichmond 

Officers’ 

MMess. 

LLOOKING 

THE PART: 

LLeft, 

SQNLDR Corin 

MMurphy, 

of 3EHS. 

Photos: LACW Casey Gaul 

Movember 

Postgraduate qualifications that 

really do justice to your career 

23 

RRIGHT 

ON CUE: 

AAbove, 

FLTLT Dominic 

PPace, 

of ALSPO, 

rrelaxes 

after work with 

a 

game of pool. 

Photo: LACW Casey Gaul 

EEXTREME 

MMAKEOVER: 

Left, 

WWOFF 

Ian Swney, of 

33EHS, 

prepares to 

ppart 

with his 31-year- 

oold 

moustache at the 

hhands 

of Michelle 

FFitzgerald. 

Photo: LAC David Said 

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LAW-11-676 CRICOS no. 00213J

24 Flightline 


AMILY GUYS: Above, 33SQN’s WOFF Andrew Newman shows Eli 

ldridge the inside of a KC-30A tanker aircraft while, below, firefighter 

C Matthew Hadfield shows Joseph Farrow the cab of a Panther 

ire truck during a recent family fun day at RAAF Base Amberley. 

hildren and their carers from different charities, including the 

tarlight Foundation, attended the day. Photos: CPL Mark McConnell 

bove an dright 

ALL ONE TEAM: Left, 

ACAUST AVM Mark 

Skidmore and CPL Phil 

Reinen during a recent 

visit by ACAUST to 

personnel deployed at 

RAAF Learmonth. 

Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson 

IDEAS EXCHANGE: 

Right, 11SQN avionics 

technician LAC Thomas 

Ryan (left) and CPL 

David Peacock from 

5SQN RNZAF in the 

cockpit of an AP-3C at 

RAAF Base Edinburgh. 

CPL Peacock is on a 

three-month exchange 

program. 

Photo: LAC David Cotton 

THIRTY NOT OUT: Above, Task Group 

633.2 WOFF Disciplinary WOFF 

Stephanie Jacobs and LACW Tiffany 

Leeson cut a cake at Al Minhad Air 

Base to celebrate WOFF Jabob’s 30 

years of service in the Air Force. 

Photo: PO Damian Pawlenko 

MOVER AND SHAKER: Right, LAC 

Michael Ward, of 1AOSS, with the 1 Air 

Terminal Squadron Airman of the Year 

Memorial Trophy for his outstanding 

achievements in air movements at 

RAAF Base Edinburgh this year. 

Photo: LAC David Cotton 

CHECK THIS: Left, 292SQN’s FLTLT Joshua Smith shows students from the Exmouth 

District high school over an Orion deployed in support of Operation Resolute. 

Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson 

L PLATES UP: Below, Paul Jorgenson instructs LAC Cody Prentice (left) how to drive 

one of the new Mercedes ‘G’ Wagons Photo: AC Benjamin Evans


RCE 


Air movements 

push is on FLTLT 

Graham McBean 

ENCOURAGING signs from 

the Air Movements Remediation 

Project (AMRP) are showing 

that Air Force movements 

staff can expect a bright future as 

new Air Force capabilities, such 

as the KC-30A tanker, come on 

line. 

The project has been running 

since March this year with the 

aim of implementing a number 

of actions across 12 key areas, 

including updates to processes 

and practices for moving the Air 

Force and wider ADF. 

The project is consistent 

with and complements Air Force 

Improvement initiatives and it is 

expected that all recommendations 

will be completed by the 

end of 2012. 

Remediation project manager 

John Kentish said the high 

operational tempo in the past 

decade had meant that air lift 

aircraft were visiting domestic 

bases less frequently. 

He said this had caused a 

flow-on impact for training and 

ongoing competency of airterminal 

personnel at 1 Airfield 

Operations Support Squadron 

detachments around Australia. 

“Reviews have been conducted 

right back to 2005 and we are 

now ensuring that the resulting 

recommendations are collectively 

reviewed and implemented, under 

� 

Departure Lounge 

Who’s leaving after 20+ years’ service 

Name 

WGCDR Rino Carrera 

SQNLDR Charles 

O’Connell 

WOFF William Adams 

SQNLDR Alan Plummer 

SGT John Screaigh 

CPL Michael Gregory 

LAC Stephen Nicolaou 

CPL Roderick Standen 

FSGT Kylie English 

Must/Spec 

ELECTR 

LAB 

LOADM 

ELECTR 

MOV 

SECPOL 

SUP 

CETECH 

CISCON 

RAAF Associations 

Anniversary Celebrations - 2012 

No. 75 Squadron RAAF 


one program of work, across a 

broad range of air terminal activities,” 

Mr Kentish said. 

“The project board, ACAUST 

and DCAF are very pleased with 

the progress that has been made 

and we have already managed to 

implement over half of the recommendations.” 

New initiatives included 

improvements to documentation 

and IT systems, and upgrades 

to facilities to cope with new 

aircraft types. 

Mr Kentish said that an 

important initiative being progressed 

was to ensure that the 

right training was being provided 

to personnel, at the right 

time, and that there were an 

appropriate number of people to 

support air terminal operations. 

He highlighted that particular 

emphasis had been placed on 

safety. 

“Probably the most important 

thing being done is to 

ensure that the processes used 

at the terminals are safe and the 

work practices are consistent 

with the airworthiness principles 

that are used around aircraft.” 

Overall, he said, the AMRP 

was a complex program of work 

with stakeholders from across 

Air Force informing HQ and 

FEG staff as they work in concert 

to enhance the air movements 

capability today to support 

the current and future aircraft 

fleet. 

Last day 

Nov 21 

Nov 14 

Nov 13 

Nov 20 

Nov 5 

Nov 14 

Nov 27 

Nov 14 

Nov 1 


Years 

30 

30 

29 

29 

24 

22 

22 

20 

20 

No’s 75, 76 and 77 Squadrons were formed in March 1942, and 

activities are currently being planned to commemorate the 70th 

anniversary of this event 

Consequently, the squadron associations are persuing contact of 

those; 

1. Who served in these units and not on current 

association nominal rolls, and 

2. In particular, World War Two veterans with whom the 

associations have no current contact. 

Therefore, would any past servicemen/women within the above 

criteria please respond with details of squadron affi liation, name, 

address, contact phone number and e-mail address (if available) 

to; 

Mr Ron Slater DFC 

37 Braeside St 

WAHROONGA NSW 

ron.a.slater@gmail.com 

Responses will then be on-forwarded 

to the appropriate squadron association 

ON THE MOVE: Members of RAAF Base Richmond’s Air Movements 

Section push a pallet of supplies into a C-130H. The Air Movements 

Remediation Project is in the process of implementing actions across 12 

key areas, including updates to processes and practices for moving Air 

Force personnel and equipment. Photo: LAC David Said 

Personnel 

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service 

A service founded by Vietnam veterans 

25 

Supporting Australia’s veterans, peacekeepers 

and their families 

VVCS provides counselling and support services to Australian veterans, peacekeepers, eligible members 

of the Defence Force community and their families, and F-111 Fuel Tank Maintenance workers and their 

partners and immediate family members. VVCS is a specialised, free and confi dential Australia-wide 

service. 

VVCS can provide you with: 

• Individual, couple and family counselling including case management services 

• After-hours crisis telephone counselling via Veterans Line 

• Group programs including Anger Management, Depression, Anxiety, Lifestyle Management and Heart 

Health 

• Support on transition from military to civilian life, including The Stepping Out Program 

• Information, self-help resources and referrals to other services. 

We can help you work through issues such as stress, relationship, family problems and other lifestyle 

issues as well as emotional or psychological issues associated with your military service. 

If you need support or would like more information 

about us please give us a call or visit our website. 

1800 011 046* 

www.dva.gov.au/vvcs 

* Free local call. Calls from mobile 

and pay phones may incur charges. 

Gavels get 

workout at 

legal event 

Kyle Gillan 

LEGAL issues arising from the introduction 

of new capabilities in Air Force and 

the need for legal expertise in cyberspace, 

space, human rights and environmental law 

came under the spotlight when more than 

130 permanent and reserve Air Force legal 

officers attended the Air Force National Legal 

Conference from November 8 to 10. 

Former AIRCDRE Justice Kevin 

Parker, who was a judge at the 

International Criminal Tribunal for 

Yugoslavia, provided the keynote address. 

He had spent seven years trying cases of 

war crimes and crimes against humanity 

and spoke of the importance of such trials 

as well as their legal and evidentiary challenges. 

The Director-General of the ADF 

Legal Service, AIRCDRE Paul Cronan, 

spoke of the increasing demands on legal 

officers, particularly from commanders, 

and stressed the value that they placed on 

receiving timely and accurate legal advice. 

Deployments of legal officers and the 

challenges of providing legal advice on 

deployments were also examined. 

Air Force Legal Specialisation Sponsor 

GPCAPT Christopher Ward said that the 

conference was a valuable opportunity for 

him as specialisation sponsor. 

“The quality of the learning evident in 

conference presentations reflects the talent 

and dedication that Air Force Legal musters 

for the benefit of ADF commanders 

and personnel,” GPCAPT Ward said. 

He praised the efforts of permanent and 

reserve legal officers and emphasised the 

need for continued cooperation between 

them in order to provide expert legal support 

to ADF commanders and personnel 

across the full spectrum of operations and 

military law practice. 

AG45761

26 Personnel 


RCE December De Dece ce cemb mb mber er 8, 2011 20 

Promotion 

time is 

coming 

Overall increase in promotions target 

for PAF and reservists next year 

WGCDR Brock McKinlay and 

FLTLT Adam Hurrell 

THE purpose of this article is to 

update Air Force personnel on the 

ermanent Air Force (PAF) and 

ctive Reserve officers and airmen 

promotion process, including which 

promotion pools, by rank, specialiation 

and/or mustering band, have 

promotion targets for 2012. 

Promotion targets 

A modest increase in separation 

rates has again led to an overall 

increase in promotion targets for both 

PAF and Active Reserve officers and 

airmen in 2012. There has been a 41 

per cent increase for PAF officers and 

23 per cent increase for PAF airmen. 

However, as in recent years, the 

ffect is not consistent across all 

pecialisations, musterings and rank 

evels. While there are quite generus 

targets for some, there are still 

imited or no promotion opportunities 

or others. This flows naturally from 

ir Force capability requirements as 

etermined by deficiencies against 

stablishment and the choices our 

members make concerning the lonevity 

of their careers. 

Importantly, given that the primary 

ocus of the Promotion Boards (PBs) 

s to identify those who should be 

promoted, PBs will again only be conucted 

where targets exist. Those PBs 

hat will be conducted in 2012 are 

isted in the breakout box on the right. 

Reserve promotions 

The 2011 PBs was the first time 

that Active Reserve merit-based promotions 

were based on an ‘opt-in’ 

ystem. This process will continue in 

012. Simplistically, Active Reservists 

ho meet the standard eligibility 

requirements – two years time in current 

rank as at January 1, at least one 

reserve Performance Appraisal Report 

PAR), and have completed a minimum 

of 32 reserve days in the trainng 

year that concluded June 30, 2011 

– may opt-in for consideration for 

promotion against one or more speific 

positions aligned to their rank, 

employment category and preferred 

employment location. 

For example, having regard to the 

identified promotion positions, a CPL 

airfield defence guard could realistically 

apply for a SGT position at 

RAAF Base Amberley or Townsville 

depending on their circumstances, 

whereas a SQNLDR administration 

officer could apply for one or more of 

three nominated WGCDR positions in 

Canberra. 

The process for opting-in and 

details concerning the nominated 

positions, including the assigned band 

level, is described in greater detail 

on the DP-AF website. Importantly, 

members who wish to opt-in must do 

so no later than January 20. 

Importance of PARs 

PBs base their recommendations 

on all relevant documents available for 

presentation to them. Relevant documents 

include: PARs, Supplementary 

Reports (SRs), Member Statements, 

honours and awards in the form of 

Order of Australia and Conspicuous 

Service Decorations, and all Level 

1, 2 and 3 commendations issued 

under the auspices of Interim Policy 

DEFGRAM 4/2010. 

PBs also have visibility of civil 

and Defence Force Disciplinary Act 

convictions and adverse administrative 

sanctions, such as formal warnings 

and censures. 

To maximise promotion prospects, 

members are urged to ensure their 

PARs, SRs, honours, awards, commendations 

and Member Statements 

are submitted to DP-AF as soon as 

possible. Receipt of PARs can be 

confirmed using Air Force People 

Central. To confirm receipt of SRs, 

Member Statements, and honours, 

awards and commendations, members 

should contact their personnel manager 

or LACW Lori Van-Dore at lori. 

van-dore@defence.gov.au. 

For more information on the Air Force 

promotion system, visit the DP-AF 

website or contact FLTLT Adam Hurrell 

on (02) 6265 2220 or WOFF Kellie Wood 

on (02) 6265 2268. 

PROMOTION BOARD ESSENTIALS: PARs must be submitted on time 

in order to maximise promotion prospects. 

Targets for 2012 boards 

The following PAF specialisations 

and musterings and Active Reserve 

positions (by rank, specialisation, 

mustering band (B1, B2, or 

B3) have an allocated target for 

Promotion Boards in 2012: 

PAF SQNLDR to WGCDR: ACO, 

ADMIN, AERO, AFENG, ARM, DENT, 

ED, ELECTR, ENVH, GRDEF, INTEL, 

JBAC, LEGAL, LOG, MED, NURS, 

OPSO, PHARM, PLT, SEC. 

RESERVE SQNLDR to WGCDR: 

ANYO (staff focused duties) 563487 

(B3-ACT), ANYO (staff focused 

duties) 513370 (B3-ACT), ANYO 

(staff focused duties) 500490 

(B3-WAG), ANYO (staff focused 

duties) 557034 (B3-ACT), NURS 

376818 (B2-AMB), NURS 376831 

(B2-AMB). 

PAF FLTLT to SQNLDR: ACO, 

ADMIN, AERO, AFENG, ARM, CHAP, 

DENT, ED, ELECTR, ENVH, GRDEF, 

INTEL, JBAC, LEGAL, LOG, MED, 

NURS, OPSO, PHARM, PLT, SEC. 

RESERVE FLTLT to SQNLDR: 

ADMIN 376735 (B3-ACT), ED 

378798 (B3-WLM), ENVH 558829 

(B3-ACT), LOG 347175 (B3-GBK), 

NURS 377107 (B1-AMB), NURS 

388517 (B2-AMB), NURS 345989 

(B2-AMB), NURS 357441 (B2-RIC), 

NURS 499858 (B2-RIC), NURS 

519112 (B2-WLM). 

PAF FSGT to WOFF: ADG, 

ASTFITT, ATECH, ARMTECH, 

AVTECH, CE, CISCON, CLK, COOK, 

GIA, GSEMGR, LABTECH, MOV, 

MUSICIAN, SECPOL (SLE & SI), 

SIGSOP(L), SUP, WKSSPVR. 

RESERVE FSGT to WOFF: ADG 

562289 (B2-PUK), ASOP 557858 

(B3-WLM), ATECH 384594 

(B3-EDN), ATECH 565946 

(B3-AMB), AVTECH 372038 

(B3-EDN), CETECH 366200 

(B3-WLM), CETECH 366811 

(B3-WLM), CLK 377086 (B3-AMB), 

WKSPVR 498202 (B3-RIC). 

PAF SGT to FSGT: ADG, ASTFITT, 

ATECH, ALSFITT, ARMTECH, 

ASOP, AVTECH, CE, CISCON, CLK, 

FIREFTR, GIA, GSEMGR, LABTECH, 

MEDASST, MOV, SECPOL (SLE, 

SI & MWDH), SIGSLOP(L), 

SIGSOP(T), SUP, WKSSPVR. 

RESERVE SGT to FSGT: ADG 

487286 (B1-EDN), AVTECH 

561377 (B2-ACT), AVTECH 

380834 (B2-RIC), CETECH 372086 

(B3-TVL), CLK 561382 (B2-ACT), 

GIA 359118 (B3-EDN), GSEMGR 

384709 (B3-EDN), PTI 384532 

(B3-EDN), SUP 366813 (B3-WLM). 

PAF CPL to SGT: ADG, ASTFITT, 

ATECH, ALSFITT, ARMTECH, ASOP, 

ASURFIN, AVTECH, CE, CISCON, 

CLK, DENTASST, GIA, GMEFITT, 

GSEFITT/GSETECH, MEDASST, 

PTI, SECPOL (SLE, SI & MWDH), 

SIGSOP(L), SIGSOP(T), SUP. 

RESERVE CPL to SGT: ADG 

372113 (B1-TVL), ALSFITT 380023 

(B2-RIC), ASOP 366989 (B3-WLM), 

ASOP 574463 (B3-ACT), ASOP 

557795 (B3-AMB), ASOP 366412 

(B3-EDN), ASOP 533370 (B3-EDN), 

MOVING ON UP: 

The promotions 

targets have 

been released, 

below, for 2012. 

ATECH 376788 (B3-AMB), AVTECH 

371502 (B3-MEL), CLK 380391 

(B3-RIC), CLK 377141 (B3-ACT), 

GIA 359752 (B3-AMB), GIA 

497318 (B3-WLM), GSETECH 

384650 (B3-EDN), GSETECH 

386130 (B3-WLM), MTD 378302 

(B3-WLM), PTI 388521 (B3-TVL), 

SECPOL SLE 372568 (B3-EDN), 

SUP 388153 (B2-DAR), SUP 

495215 (B3-WAG). 

PAF LAC to CPL: ADG, ASTFITT, 

ATECH, ASLFITT, ARMTECH, ASOP, 

ASURFIN, AVTECH, CARP, CE, 

CISCON, CLK, COOK, DENTASST, 

ELECN, FIREFTR, GIA, GMEFITT, 

GSEFITT, MEDASST, MOV, 

PLUMBER, SDAP, SECPOL (SLE & 

MWDH), SIGSOP(L), SIGSOP(T), 

SUP. 

RESERVE LAC to CPL: ABP 384666 

(B2-EDN), ABP 377050 (B2-AMB), 

ABP 371820 (B2-MEL), ABP 357767 

(B2-PEA), ABP 375979 (B2-RIC), 

ADG 384619 (B3-PEA), ADG 505194 

(B2-WLM), ADG 376725 (B2-RIC), 

ALSFITT 497969 (B2-AMB), CETECH 

371845 (B3-ESL), CISCON 384681 

(B3-EDN), CLK 490732 (B2-AMB), 

CLK 385375 (B3-RIC), CLK 499320 

(B3-TDL), CLK 504924 (B3-EDN), 

CLK 488364 (B3-TAS), ELECN 

387193 (B3-TVL), GMEFITT 498364 

(B3-TVL), GSEFITT 388508 (B3-TVL), 

PLANTOP 383544 (B3-TVL), PLUMB 

383549 (B3-TVL), SECPOL SLE 

372512 (B3-EDN), SIGSOP(L) 



376739 (B3-EDN), SIGSOP(T) 

498496 (B3-EDN), SUP 382354 

(B3-WLM).


RCE 


ADF indigenous program ggains 

ains traction 

Happy to 

be here 

CPL Zenith King 

HEN AC Coen Henry put on 

his Air Force uniform during 

his ADF Indigenous Pre- 

Recruitment Course (IPRC), 

he was sold. 

“I knew that it was definitely a uniform 

I wanted to wear for a long time,” 

he said. 

AC Henry, now an airfield defence 

guard trainee, completed the IPRC three 

years ago – but the course is still hitting 

he mark in a big way. 

The number of Aboriginal and 

orres Strait Islanders in Defence is 

n the increase, thanks to the sucess 

of Defence-specialised pathways 

o employment and programs like the 

PRC, which help to prepare indigenous 

job seekers for the ADF recruitment 

process. 

Since the launch of the IPRC late in 

2008, 28 graduates have accepted job 

offers in the ADF, and others are still 

progressing through the Defence Force 

ecruiting processes. 

The ADF Senior Indigenous 

ecruitment Officer, WO1 Colin 

atego, has been closely involved in the 

elivery of the past six IPRCs. He said 

hat this program offered an excellent 

pathway to a highly rewarding career. 

An indigenous soldier himself, with 

more than 37 years experience in Army, 

O1 Watego said that it was not about 

owering the bar for entry. 

“It’s about giving our young people 

he awareness of what Defence can offer 

hem and then giving them the confience 

to actually apply,” he said. 

“When it comes to the Defence 

orce recruiting process, the same 

tandards for entry apply to all 

ustralians. We encourage and mentor 

ndigenous applicants through the whole 

process and through the IPRC we place 

hem in a position where they are highly 

ompetitive candidates. 

“I’ve had the privilege and opporunity 

to work with indigenous 

ustralians from remote communities, 

regional communities and urban communities.” 

Do�you�have�a�partner�from�overseas?�Family�members�living�in�another� 

country?�A�business�needing�overseas�sta�?�If�so,�we�can�help�you�apply� 

for�an�Australian�visa.� 

Director�&�Principal�Solicitor,�Kent�Chapman:� 

��Former�Department�of�Immigra�on�Legal�O�cer;�� 

��Ex�Australian�Regular�Army�Major;� 

��Over�10�years�legal�experience;� 

��Registered�Migra�on�Agent�(MARN�1173313)� 

ADF�Discount�Applies� 

Call�1300�137�747�� 

or�visit�www.legad.com.au�� 

The IPRC is the ADF’s flagship 

indigenous recruiting program and is 

aimed primarily at candidates from 

urban and regional communities, 

although several candidates from remote 

communities have experienced success 

on the program. 

A sister initiative, the Defence 

Indigenous Development Program, 

is aimed more at remote and regional 

communities and is delivered over eight 

months. 

“Apart from lack of awareness of 

what we can offer, I think education has 

been one of the major stumbling blocks 

that has prevented many indigenous 

Australians from getting into the ADF,” 

WO1 Watego said. 

“One of the fundamental strengths of 

the course is that participants are given 

extensive exposure to Defence Force 

training, values and ethos. 

“The IPRC is based on the Army 

recruit model, so when the candidates 

graduate and proceed through the recruiting 

process, we have found them to be 

strong recruits at each of the training 

schools because of their preparation.” 

AC Henry said although his journey 

into Defence had been a long one, he 

knew it was what he was meant to do. 

“I joined because I wanted to support 

my family and be the best person I 

could be,” he said. 

“I knew that by joining Air Force 

you don’t become complacent and I get 

paid to do something I enjoy not something 

I do simply to make ends meet.” 

AC Henry said the IPRC taught him 

a lot about himself and prepared him for 

a career in the Air Force. 

“The IPRC was a semi military lifestyle,” 

he said. 

“The course gave me insight into 

what to expect and it also gave me an 

upper hand because, once I did get to 

1 Recruit Training Unit, I had a good 

bit of knowledge behind me before I 

started.” 

For further information about indigenous 

opportunities in Defence, including the 

IPRC, visit www.defencejobs.gov.au/ 

indigenous/ 

SUCCESSFUL RECRUITS: AC Coen Henry, left, and AB 

Matthew Moore hold a dummy round in the 76mm magazine 

onboard HMAS Melbourne. Photo: AB Andrew Dakin 

PROPERTY INVESTING 

Personnel 

every year for 10 years? 

The National Rental Affordability Scheme or NRAS was launched for the purpose of providing assistance 

and funding to increase the supply of affordable rental dwellings, reduce rental costs to low to mid 

income earners. Eligible tenants are determined on an income basis with the service industries such as 

police, teachers and nurses targeted as potential tenants. 

Queensland Building Boost Grant ends 31 January 2012 

Don’t miss out on your $10,000! 

Call or email Tory Thurgood to find out more 

1800 248 881 

tory@rmapropertygroup.com.au 

Would you like 

Major sponsor of Defence Sports 

www.rmapropertygroup.com.au 

27 

$9,524 TAX FREE 

Purchase a NRAS approved property and take advantage of over $95,240 

in tax free incentives - supported by the State and Federal Governments 

As the holiday period approaches, RMA Property Group would like to take this 

opportunity to wish you and your families a safe, happy and prosperous festive 

season. May your time be filled with much joy, happiness and success. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

DHA help is 

at hand 

DEFENCE Housing 

Australia (DHA) has 

announced two new 

initiatives to better assist 

families moving into new accommodation 

during the coming posting 

cycle period. 

To further assist families knowing 

their responsibilities as tenants, 

it has updated its Tenants’ Handbook 

and Guide to Rent Allowance. 

The handbook provides information 

on organising utilities in 

families’ new residences, including 

making modifications, maintenance 

and inspections. It also features a 

contacts page and checklists to help 

families when moving into and out 

of their service residence. 

The guide has been updated to 

assist families who are or will be 

renting a property from the private 

rental market. 

Under its second initiative, to 

further ensure the safety and security 

of Defence families living in 

DHA-rented accommodation, DHA is 

issuing identity cards to contractors 

it has authorised to carry out maintenance 

or repair work on Defence 

homes. 

www.dha.gov.au 

Tenant Handbook 

The new publications are available 

from the local housing management 

centre or online at www.dha.gov.au, 

and the Tenant Handbook will also be 

provided in the welcome pack.

28 History 


Huey gratitude 


FOR many military aviation enthusiasts, the 

Bell UH-1 Iroquois (‘Huey’) helicopter is the 

classic rotary-wing aircraft. 

It served the ADF well at home and 

abroad for almost four decades in a wide 

range of roles from gunship to cargo carrier. 

But for former soldiers and Sunshine 

oast residents Bob Buick and Laurie 

rinkwater, the ADF icon has a far more 

personal meaning. 

On the evening of August 18, 1966, 

9SQN UH-1B choppers A2-1020 and 

A2-1022 hovered at tree-top level in bad 

weather above a rubber plantation near a 

nondescript village called Long Tan in South 

ietnam. 

Their crew members dropped ammunition 

to the soldiers of D Coy, 6RAR, 

who were fighting for their lives against 

an overwhelming force of Viet Cong and 

North Vietnamese Army soldiers. 

That is why the two Vietnam veterans 

ere delighted to hear that A2-1022 will be 

edicated as a memorial to commemorate 

he service of the Hueys and 9SQN in South 

ietnam. 

The dedication will occur at the 

aloundra RSL on March 16. 

“If it wasn’t for the helicopter, I would 

have been dead at 27,” Mr Drinkwater told 

he Caloundra Journal last February. 

In July 2009, the Caloundra Sub Branch 

of the RSL decided to acknowledge the ser- 

vice of the Huey in Vietnam and formed a 

project team. 

But first it needed a Huey that had served 

in South Vietnam. 

Project manager Bob McInnes, who 

served with both 5 and 9SQNs, said they 

found out that A2-1022 was at Nyngan. 

It had been donated to the town by the 

NSW government in 1992 to commemorate 

flood evacuations there in 1990. 

“It was ‘owned’ by the Bogan Shire 

Council,” Mr McInnes said, “and, after some 

negotiation, they agreed to release it.” 

There was one proviso – Caloundra 

would need to find a replacement and restore 

it to 1022’s condition. 

“We agreed, but that was much easier said 

than done,” Mr McInnes said. 

Yet find one they did. It was a former 

US Navy chopper that had been acquired by 

McDermott Aviation at Cooroy but had been 

badly damaged in a crash and written off. 

In August 2010, a team of volunteers, 

including former members of 5 and 

9SQNs and Air Force cadets from the local 

223SQN (AAFC) set to work to restore 

that Huey to display condition. 

Thirteen hundred hours of work later and 

the beautifully restored chopper was taken 

to Nyngan in March and the real A2-1022 

began the long haul to Caloundra. 

Its refurbishment began in May. 

Mr McInnes’s plans now are well 

advanced to mount A2-1022 on a plinth at 

the sub-branch headquarters and for the dedication 

next March. 

PIECE OF 

HISTORY: 

A2-1022 makes 

its way to 

Caloundra RSL 

where it will 

be dedicated 

as a memorial 

on March 16. 

Photos courtesy Bob 

McInnes 

Message in a 

door frame 

ANOTHER piece of A2-1022’s history 

came to light when the team started 

its restoration. Inside the cargo doors, 

it found two notes put there by the 

maintenance team that had sealed the 

aircraft in 1991 before its transfer to the 

museum. 

One said “Another Quality Product of 

Shonkey Bros Restoration, A Division 

of Bastards Inc. [stencilled]. Greetings 

from: Smithy, Fred, (SGT) Kev C, Ted, 

Kev L, (CPL) Andy G, (CPL) Andy B, 

Jackie, Mick. Oct 91.” 

Air Force events 

Air Force 

Band 

December 8: 2FTS 

graduation parade, 

RAAF Base Pearce, from 10.45am. 

December 9: OTS graduation parade, 

RAAF Base East Sale, from 11.30am. 

December 10: 21SQN annual reserves 

parade, RAAF Base Point Cook, from 

2pm. 

December 12: Free lunchtime concert, 

Melbourne Town Hall. 

December 13: SAW graduation parade, 

RAAF Base East Sale. 

December 14: 1RTU graduation parade, 

The other door read: “This aircraft 

was sealed for posterity on 4 Nov 91 by 

members of AWASCO and 3AD RAAF. 

RAAF Base Amberley, QLD.” 

Project manager Bob McInnes said 

he hoped the members saw the article 

and contacted him at the sub-branch. 

“They will be very welcome guests,” he 

said. 

Bob McInnes can be contacted on (07) 

5491 2691 or 0411 292546. 

RAAF Base Wagga, from 11am. 

December 18: Annual Kingston Carols 

By The Bay, Mordialloc, Victoria, from 

6.30pm. 

December 19: Christmas Morning 

Melodies Series, the Stage Theatre in 

the Arts Centre, Melbourne, at 11am and 

1.30pm. 

� To confirm dates and timings, call (03) 

9256 2514. 

Air Force 

Balloon 

December 10-12: 

Illawarra Region Camp 

Quality, HMAS Creswell. 

Have you thought about 

your future workforce? 

Have you considered offering 

placements through the Defence Work 

Experience Program? 

This Program provides opportunities to 

students to experience the ADF or 

Defence APS as an employer of choice. 

Send enquiries to: 

Defence.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au 

Or Visit: 

www.defence.gov.au/workexperience 

http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/workexperience


RCE 


Are you eligible for a 

DHOAS subsidy? 

Then you are also entitled to home and contents 

insurance through the Defence Service Homes Insurance 

Scheme—even if you don’t have a DHOAS home loan. 

The scheme offers: 

• Comprehensive cover 

• Economical premiums 

• No general excess 

• Contents new for old replacement, regardless of age. 

History 

Our Australia-wide network 

is easy to access. 

For the cover you can count on 

just call 1300 552 662. 

�� 

29 

Ambush 60 years on 

As 77SQN approaches its 70th anniversary, one of 

its darkest days is remembered. FLTLT Skye Smith 

and SGT Dave Morley report. 

10-MINUTE air battle over 

North Korea 60 years ago 

resulted in the RAAF losing 

three new jet fighters for the 

irst time. 

On December 1, 1951, 40-50 MiG 

5 fighters ambushed 12 77SQN 

eteors and shot down three of them. 

7SQN claimed one MiG shot down 

nd another damaged. 

The battle came just one month 

fter the squadron received a 

residential Unit Citation from the 

resident of the Republic of Korea 

Syngman Rhee) for its “exceptionlly 

meritorious service and herosm” 

during the Korean War – and it 

eems likely the ambush was possibly 

planned as a propaganda victory 

so soon after it received its award. 

77SQN was based at Iwakuni in 

Japan, flying Mustangs when the war 

broke out. 

The Mustangs were replaced by 

the British Meteor fighter in April 

1951 and it was while flying the 

new jets that 77SQN fought the battle. 

The Meteors were on a sweep 

at 19,000 feet when the MiGs of 

the Soviet 176 th Guards Fighter 

Air Regiment, led by COL Sergey 

Vishnyakov, attacked them from out of 

the sun. 

Two of the pilots, SGT Vance 

Drummond and SGT Bruce Thomson, 

ejected and became POWs after being 

captured by North Korean soldiers. 

The third pilot, FSGT Don Armit, 

was reported missing, presumed killed. 

Although 77SQN would shoot 

down some MiGs during the war, it 

was quickly apparent that the Meteor 

was no match for the agile little 

Russian fighter and in January 1952, 

77SQN was officially reassigned to 

area defence/ground attack roles, 

which it performed with extraordinary 

determination in the face of both 

fighter and anti-aircraft weapons. 

By the war’s end it had flown 

almost 19,000 sorties and destroyed 

3700 buildings, 1500 vehicles, 16 

bridges, 20 locomotives and 65 railway 

carriages. 

The cost to the squadron was also 

heavy – 54 aircraft, with 41 pilots lost 

(six RAF) and seven POWs. 

77SQN will commemorate 70 

years on March 16. Since its formation 

in 1942, it has been in action in 

many theatres of operations. 

Initially based in Darwin and 

equipped with Kittyhawk fighters, it 

scored its first victory on November 

23, 1942, when squadron CO 

SQNLDR Dick Creswell shot down a 

Japanese bomber. 

After Korea, in December 1958, it 

moved to RAAF (now RMAF) Base 

Butterworth where it flew ground 

attack missions against Communist 

guerrillas during the Malayan 

Emergency and later provided air 

defence there during the Indonesian 

Confrontation. 

Between December 2001 and 

February 2002, a detachment of 

77SQN Hornets deployed to Diego 

Garcia during Operation Falconer. 

CO WGCDR Glen Beck said 

77SQN had a long and distinguished 

history. “Every airman posted to 

77SQN should be proud of its heritage 

and take on the honoured responsibility 

of continuing its strong traditions 

embodied by our motto – Swift to 

Destroy,” he said. 

FROM THE 

ARCHIVES: 

Left, 16 

77SQN 

Gloster 

Meteors from 

77SQN fly 

in formation, 

to form the 

numerals 

77; below, 

SGT Vance 

Drummond 

one of two 

pilots who 

ejected and 

was captured 

by North 

Korean 

soldiers. 

P02018 DSHI—DHOAS 261x190 Dec 09

30 Finance 


Worth 

a look 

Fixed interest investments deserve consideration, says 

Australian Securities and Investment Commission chairman 

Greg Medcraft. 

ESPITE their compelling historical 

record, Australians tend 

to pay little attention to bonds 

and fixed interest investments. 

Yet they can play an important role 

in a diversified portfolio, particularly 

when there’s uncertainty in financial 

markets. 

If you have ever heard the saying 

that shares tend to outperform other 

investments over the medium- and 

long-term, you may be surprised to 

learn that over the 25 years to the 

end of September 2011, fixed interest 

bonds provided a better average 

return than cash (such as bank deposts), 

listed property investments and 

ustralian and international equities. 

While property and share markets 

experienced dramatic rises and 

falls, high quality bonds and other 

fixed interest investments yielded an 

average return of 9.7 per cent a year, 

exceeding Australian shares’ 9.2 per 

cent average. 

It is important to note some key 

qualifiers in relation to these performance 

figures, which are sourced 

from Vanguard’s interactive index 

chart at www.vanguard.com.au 

Not all bonds are the same – they 

range from low to high risk. 

Past performance is not a reliable 

indicator of future performance, 

and bonds and fixed interest will not 

always outperform. 

Losses are likely to happen in 

some years, as individual companies 

and even national governments sometimes 

default on their obligations to 

bondholders. And importantly, much 

depends on the timeframe you compare 

– the start and end points. 

You can expect fixed interest performance 

to lag well behind property 

and shares when those markets are 

booming. 

Email ASIC at ADFcolumn@asic.gov.au with topics that interest you 

If you just looked at the period 

2003-07, for example, you would see 

that Australian shares’ average return 

of 21.5 per cent per annum dwarfed 

Australian bonds’ 4.5 per cent (albeit 

with more volatility and risk). 

And in the 25 years to the end of 

2010, bonds did not generate the highest 

average returns, but next to cash they 

were the least likely to suffer losses in 

any given year, with two years’ of negative 

performance during that period, 

while the Australian share index lost 

value in six of those years. 

What are fixed interest 

investments? 

With fixed interest investments, 

what you are really doing is lending 

money to a government or related 

FBT 

not as easy as 

ABC 

(more so if you’re in the ADF) 

entity, or to a public company. In 

return you get interest payments from 

them. Examples of fixed interest 

investments include government and 

corporate bonds. 

Australian fixed interest investment 

lags behind other countries. Despite 

the attractive historical performance 

and relatively low volatility of bonds, 

they tend to have a small place in most 

Australian investment portfolios. 

A survey by the international 

Organisation for Economic Cooperation 

and Development (OECD) found that 

Australian superannuation funds had the 

lowest allocation to fixed interest of 30 

countries surveyed. 

Our average pension fund had just 

14 per cent of its money in bonds, 

compared with about 50 per cent in 

many of the other countries surveyed. 

Find out why. Watch this. 

Watch the video or order the DVD on the website 

www.adfconsumer.gov.au 

VOLUME SEVEN 

Understanding 

Fringe 

Benefits 

Tax 

Understanding ggg 

Fringe 

Benefits 

Tax 

ADF Financial Services Consumer Council 

ADF Financial Services Consumer Council 

How can you invest in 

fixed interest? 

Some of the avenues for investing 

in fixed interest are listed below. 

➤ Your super fund: most funds 

allow members to choose the mix 

of defensive (cash and fixed interest) 

and growth (property and 

shares) that best suits them. You 

should check what investment 

option you are currently in and 

see how your retirement money is 

being invested. 

➤ A managed fund: in an actively 

managed fixed interest fund, investment 

professionals will invest your 

money in a range of bonds to try to 

achieve positive returns. 

➤ An index fund: these investments 

aim to ‘passively’ track a particular 

market or index. Some funds 

enable people to invest with as little 

as $5000. 

➤ A corporate bond: this is not the 

same as buying shares in a company. 

By investing in a corporate 

bond, you are lending money to a 

business in return for interest payments. 

The main risk of corporate 

bonds is that the company might 

not be able to pay the interest or 

repay the capital when it is due. 

You can buy and sell some corporate 

bonds on the Australian 

Securities Exchange (ASX). Be 

aware that factors such as the current 

interest rate and the bond rating 

will determine how much you 

will be able to sell your bonds for. 

You can download ASIC’s detailed 

guide Investing in corporate 

bonds? from www.moneysmart. 

gov.au. 

For more information about fixed 

interest investments, visit www. 

moneysmart.gov.au 

VOLUME SEVEN


RCE 


t’s been a long, undulating road, d, but 

AC Bill (Adonis) Solomou is well ell on 

he way to his ultimate destination. on. 

ELL, it’s been a hard slog but I’ll not be playing 

Santa this Christmas. Trim, taught and 

terrific – that’s how I proudly describe myself 

after six months of training. 

Way back in June I put out the challenge to members 

with weight issues to join me on a journey 

to better health. The response was outstanding. I 

received support from all over Australia. Members 

sent in letters of encouragement and dietary tips, and 

most importantly they joined in. I even had encouragement 

from a member posted to Malaysia. 

Initially I started off with a bang. Under the guidance 

of PTI SGT Shane Duncan and dietitian Tiffany 

Peddle it wasn’t long before the fat was coming off. 

Training up to six days a week and cutting my 

overindulgence of food by at least half put me on 

the right track for regaining my Adonis physique and 

reaching my goal weight of 85kg. 

I leant how to portion my meal size and to identify 

when my body actually needed food rather than 

eating food because it was available. 

Well I can say that even though I have not reached 

my goal – sorry to all those guys who placed bets – 

my best result so far is weighing in at 89.5kg. 

I’m not disappointed – I am well on my way to 

reaching my target and also need to point out that since 

returning from deployment in January, I have actually 

lost 14kg. 

During my deployment I was one of the few ADF 

members who actually put on weight. I found food was 

readily available and my training motivation was low. 

As you know, scales are not my best friend and 

are often a source of disappointment. Thankfully my 

measurements, and the fact I was no longer popping 

buttons, assured me I was losing weight. 

In fact, I went down two clothes sizes and lost my 

love handles and man boobs along the way. 

I am no longer in the obese range and my blood 

pressure has improved dramatically. 

Personally, I think losing more than 1kg a month 

and maintaining it is a great achievement. 

With the knowledge gained over the past six 

months, I will maintain my schedule and by January 

next year I should be closer to my goal weight. 

Reflecting back on the journey, it was interesting 

to see how different life situations and work requirements 

affected my training. 

After two months of training it was obvious I 

wasn’t going to maintain the pace – I was not balancing 

my commitments. So I slowed down on the training, 

but most importantly I continued the diet. I still 

trained and discovered I actually enjoyed running. I 

completed two fun runs – that’s two more than I ever 

imagined I would do – and I bought a bike. 

My next challenge is to learn to squad swim. I can 

swim but I want to be able to do more than two laps (of 

the toddler pool). Move over Thorpedo, Adonis is on his 

way. 

Once again I thank all members who joined and 

encouraged me on my journey to better health. 

The Christmas period is here, but for some members 

this time of year may not be as happy as it is for 

others. I encourage them to talk to someone and/or 

use Defence’s health services. 

Please stay safe over the holiday season. The journey 

continues. 

ADF Transition 

Seminar 

Calendar 2012 

ADF Transition Seminars have been 

designed to assist with preparing your 

transition from Defence by providing 

information and directing you to additional 

sources of information. 

The following topics are addressed during 

the seminars: 

� Your Career and You 

� Your Money and You 

� Transition Support Benefi ts 

� Transition Support and Administration 

� Reserve Service 

� Superannuation 

� Health Insurance 

� Department of Veterans’ Affairs 

� Veterans and Veterans’ Family 

Counselling Services 

To fi nd out more about the 

ADF Transition Seminars contact your nearest 

ADF Transition Centre: 

http://www.defence.gov.au/transitions/index.htm 

Health 

he Adonis is back 

LESSONS LEARNT 

Here are some of Bill’s tips for success: 

� Take your body measurements, waist, chest, 

thighs and calves monthly. 

� Only use scales monthly. 

� Your motivation will fluctuate. If you find yourself 

in a rut, seek help from a PTI. 

� Watch your sugar intake – no more than three 

pieces of fruit a day. 

� Reduce meal portions but don’t starve yourself. 

� Enjoy your exercise. 

� Start off slowly and build up. 

� Seek specialist advice from a PTI or dietitian. 

� Encourage others to join you. 

� Walk, walk, walk. 

� Try a new sport. 

� Ride a bike. 

� Do cardiovascular workouts. 

� There is no shortcut to healthy weight loss. 

*BA: 98kg 

(*before Adonis) 

Month Date Location 

March 6 - 7 Canberra 

14 - 15 Sydney 

21 - 22 Darwin 

April 3 – 4 Brisbane 

18 - 19 Adelaide 

May 9 - 10 Darwin 

15 - 16 Townsville 

23 – 24 Melbourne 

June 5 - 6 Perth 

13 - 14 Newcastle 

19 - 20 Bandiana 

27 - 28 Canberra 

July 3 – 4 Brisbane 

10 - 11 Sydney 

24 - 25 Cairns 

August 7 – 8 Shoalhaven 

14 - 15 Hobart 

September 19 - 20 Adelaide 

25 - 26 Brisbane 

October 9 - 10 Melbourne 

16 - 17 Canberra 

23 - 24 Townsville 

November 13 - 14 Darwin 

20 - 21 Perth 

27 - 28 Liverpool 

31 

*AA: 89.5kg 

(*after Adonis)

32 Sp rt 


Oh, what a year 

What a year in sport 2011 

has been for Air Force. 

John Martin scratches the 

surface of just some of the 

highlights. 

HIS has been another massive 

year in Air Force sport – and in 

a very diverse range of sports 

too. 

How diverse? se? 

Well, in August ugust FLTLT Stewart 

Parkinson returned urned from Portugal 

with a gold medal edal in the world underwater 

hockey championships (now 

there’s a sport you don’t hear about 

every day). 

And in the first edition of the 

year, we brought ght the story of reservi reservist ist 

PL Jane Watts ts who won two world 

d 

bodybuilding titles in New York and 

d 

had to dismantle tle her trophies and lu lug ug 

he heavy metal al statuettes home in hher 

her 

hand luggage. 

“All the time me I was thinking thinking 

please don’t confiscate my bronze 

adies.’ I just wanted to take them 

home.” 

One of my favourite stories had 

its 

happy finale late ate in the year but one 

e 

f the key figures ures came on our radar 

r 

n just our third d edition of the year. 

We had a back ack page story on 

arch 3 about t SGT Geoff Gillard 

ho at 16 had gone to live in 

ngland as a budding professional 

occer player. 

He stuck at t that for nearly a year 

r 

before giving into homesickness 

nd eventually y joined the Air Force. 

. 

Our headline ne said: THEIR LOSS LOSS, S, 

UR GAIN. 

How true. 

SGT Gillard, d, who already had a ddis 

disinguished 

year r behind him as a playe player, er, 

ater this year was appointed the coach 

h 

f the Air Force e team which went on tto 

to 

in the Defence ce title in Sydney in late 

e 

ctober. 

It is impossible sible to sum up the 

year’s highlights hts without conjecture conjecture. e. 

f it were not for space restrictions, 

he sensible thing ing would be to men- 

ion everything. g. But even then there’d 

e’d 

be achievements we weren’t even told 

bout. (So let us know, OK?) 

But here are some things that 

made headlines on the sports pages 

his year: 

In March, the Air Force team bus 

broke down in floodwaters at Albion 

ark on the way to the ADF NSW 

urfing titles near Nowra – and had 

o be “rescued” by a bus sent by their 

Navy rivals. Thanks Navy, but apoloies 

for SGT Murray Stabler going on 

o break an eight-year Navy strangle- 

It’s a long way to the top but it’s quicker coming down 

CPL Michael Crummy prefers to talk 

about the similiarities rather than the 

differences between downhill races 

and his usual fare of endurance 

mountainbike racing. 

This might make sense to fellow 

mountainbikers – but it is probably 

quite a stretch of the imagination for 

people who shake their heads as to 

why anyone would want to hurtle 

down a mountain, over jagged rocks 

and ledges, at speeds in excess of 

50km/h. 

CPL Crummy, of 37SQN, has 

made his name as an elite endurance 

rider. Last year, he finished 20 th of 

411 riders in the world 24-hour solo 

hold by winning the NSW shortboard 

title. He could easily have been left 

knee deep in surf-less water but high 

and dry in Albion Park. 

In late March, amputee FSGT Tony 

Benfer returned from paralympic competitions 

in Canada and the US with 

four gold medals and one silver. 

On April 14, the Williamtown 

White Pointers won the Bowl final 

in the annual Kapooka rugby 10s at 

Kapooka in March. 

WHEEEEEEEE: CPL Michael 

Crummy tries downhilling. 


championships and he has continued 

to excel in those types of races in 

Australia this year. 

But he has spread his wings. In 

ON THE WAY WWAY 

TO TO TITLE: T : 

Above, Aboo 

CPL PL 

Dean Deaa 

Wright ght 

heads hea a the e 

ball right in n 

front fronn 

of the e Air 

Force Forcc 

bench, nch, 

and andd 

his coach oach 

SGT SGTT 

Geoff ff 

Gillard, Gillaa 

at the 

Defence Deffe 

soccer 

championships 

chaa 

ships 

in Sydney S y in 

October. Octto 

Photo: AB AB Alan 

Lancaster ancaster 

That turned out to be significant 

because three members of that team 

– FLTLT Andre Holmes, CPL Bodine 

Luscott and CPL Mick Wallace – 

were among the six-man Air Force 

contingent that was selected for the 

Australian Services Rugby Union 

(ASRU) team that represented the 

ADF in the International Defence 

Rugby in Canberra, Sydney and 

Auckland in October. 

The other Air Force players in 

September, he borrowed a bike to 

contest the Defence road cycling titles 

– announcing his arrival on the bitumen 

by finishing second in the B grade road 

race, eighth in the B grade criterium and 

third in the B grade time trial. 

This month he tried something 

new again – entering the Defence 

mountainbike titles in Canberra, where 

he competed in all three main events: 

the cross country, the four-cross and 

the downhill. 

He finished fifth in the elite crosscountry 

(at 28km, a mere sprint compared 

to his usual races) and, using 

another borrowed bike, reached the 

semi-finals of the four-cross and finished 

sixth in the elite downhill. 

THE E SERIOUS: SERRIOUS: 

Left, 

FLTLT TLT Stewart Steewart 

Parkinson 

got to pose posse 

with the 

trophy phy afte after er he figured in 

the Australian Austraalian 

team that 

won n the wworld 

world underwater 

hockey ckey championship. 

chhampionship. 

FOR OR TRIV TRIVIA VIA NIGHTS: 

FLTLT TLT Pa Parkinson arkinson was 

21 when 

he first held his 

breath eath for 

r 4½ minutes. 

that ASRU squad were SGT Richard CPL Rachael Gorton and LACW 

Falkenmire, LAC Chris Tuttiett and Lisa Merriman – and CPL Gorton 

LAC Alex Chan. 

was named runner-up Most Valuable 

The team got all the way to the Player for the series behind one of the 

final, only to be beaten by British Kiwi players. 

Army. 

In April, ADF beat the Royal New 

Zealand Defence Force 3-0 in a series 

of women’s netball games in Sydney, 

Albury and Adelaide. Air Force had 

four players in the team – FLGOFF 

Catherine Ferry, CPL Wendy Holt, 

Air Force sportspeople were part 

of a large ADO team that competed 

in the Arafura Games in Darwin in 

May. Amputee FSGT Benfer proudly 

carried the team flag in the opening 

parade but we excelled on the field, 

including: (continued next page) 

In truth, it wasn’t his first time 

downhilling. Two years ago he spent 

a day up at Thredbo taking his bike up 

the mountain on the chairlift and seeing 

how fast he could ride it down. 

“It was an absolute adrenalin rush,” 

he said. 

This was his first fair-dinkum contest, 

though and it didn’t start well. 

“I was first blood.” 

Please explain? Well, on his very 

first run he said he fell off his bike after 

taking a bad line after a drop off and 

took some skin off his knees. So he 

was the first to present to the medic 

that session. 

But CPL Crummy got better as he 

SOAKING UP THE 

ATMOSPHERE Below, 

amputee FSGT Tony 

Benfer is full of smiles as 

he proudly carries the flag 

for the ADO team on the 

gala opening ceremony 

of the Arafura Games in 

Darwin in May. 

Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy 

went. In his final run he clocked 

3min 28sec which he felt was as 

smooth and clean as any run he had 

done. 

Obviously, he is a man who can 

hold a good line. Like those similarities. 

”It’s not so different,” he said. 

“The best part of mountainbiking 

is the descending and I always enjoy 

those bits the best. 

“In longer races, it is a nice 

reward for the climbing efforts. 

“In downhill racing, it is all about 

the descending. Sure it is a little 

rougher, extreme even. But it’s a 

rush.”


RCE 

December er 8, , 2011 20 2011 11 1 

it’s been 

➤ shooter LAC Matthew Stokes, 

hot on the heels of being named 

in the Australian squad, who took 

the bronze medal in clay target 

shooting, continuing a climb up 

Australian rankings; 

➤ SQNLDR Richard Gardiner, one 

of Air Force’s top distance runners s 

for some years, who won the half- 

marathon; and. 

➤ golfer SGT Peter Reinke, already 

the Air Force champion, who won n 

a gold medal and two silvers. And d 

good mates CPLs Pete Hughes and nd 

Owen Yabsley, who crossed the 

line in a photo finish in the triathlon. 

CPL Hughes was adjudged 

the winner. 

In June we were writing about 

CPLs Hughes and Yabsley again 

but this time it was LAC Simon 

Hunt who upstaged them in the 

ADF ironman triathlon in Cairns. 

CPL Hughes was second and CPL 

Yabsley third. 

Also in June, CPL Aaron Kellett 

was part of the teams that won the 

doubles and triples titles at the combined 

services tenpin bowling titles 

in Brisbane. Not bad for a guy who 

two years before had broken his right ht 

wrist in a motorcycle accident. 

In late June, three Air Force players 

figured in Australian teams that competed 

in the touch football World Cup 

in Edinburgh. FLTLT Brad Squires, 

SGT John Samin and FSGT Danny 

Bretherton all won silver medals and 

Australia claimed five of the seven divisions 

to win the World Cup. 

The fairytale continued for Air 

Force women’s rugby union in July 

MUD IN YOUR EYE, SIR: We 

are sure there are plenty of club 

patrons who mix it with the other 

contestants in their sports – but we 

hadn’t seen any until photographer 

LAC Bill Solomou took this photo 

of AIRCDRE Ian Meyn competing in 

the Defence mountainbike titles in 

Canberra earlier this month. 

AIRCDRE Meyn is the patron of 

the Australian Defence Cycling Club 

and is obviously a skilled operator on 

the whirring wheels. 

He finished second in the Super 

Masters’ men’s category (over 50) 

section. 

AIRCDRE Meyn has had some 

rather unfortunate luck with his 

cycling over the past few years. 

He injured his hand last year and in 

the Scott 24 hour in early October his 

frame broke in the middle of a lap. 

This was the first race on his new 

bike and apparently he was quite 

relieved to come out of it with all 

bones and bike intact. 

when six Air Force players – OFFCDT 

Kate O’Brien, OFFCDT Sarah Hume, 

CPL Brooke Saunders, SGT Clare 

O’Driscoll, CPL Allen, FLGOFF 

Gabrielle Cook and LACW Brimlea 

Smyth, and assistant coach OFFCDT 

Dan Bligh – were members of the 

Australian Services team that won division 

two of the Australian women’s 

championships in Queensland. FLTLT 

Margie Quinn had been named in the 

LOOK WHO DROPPED IN: 

Grant Kenny in the pilot’s seat 

with Mick Doohan, centre, and 

Matt Hall. Photo: CPL David Gibbs 

COLOUR OUR 

WORLD: They call 

him Chook and 

WOFF Andrew 

Giacomo certainly 

looked the part when 

he was on our back 

page on June 23. 

WOFF Giacomo, who 

coached the Air Force 

women’s Australian 

football team this year, 

is the only coach we 

know who takes photo 

requests from his 

players, and he’s also 

one of the movers and 

shakers of a charity 

group called the 

Xmen who, aside from 

dressing in funny hats, 

have raised nearly 

$77,000 for breast 

cancer research. 

services team but missed out because of 

work commitments. 

In August, FLTLT Amanda 

Gosling continued her fine form 

on the alpine slopes by winning 

the Australian Defence Alpine 

Snowsports women’s snowboard 

championship. 

In August, OFFCDT Carrie 

Fettes, of ADFA, was selected in the 

Australian County waterpolo team 

that toured Holland. She excelled. 

FLTLT Damon Stefani celebrated 

his 30 th birthday in September by winning 

the ADF road cycling championship 

in Sydney. After winning the title 

the previous year, he wasn’t intending 

to compete this year but changed his 

mind when Australian Cadel Evans 

provided new inspiration by winning 

the Tour de France race. 

The Australian Defence Softball 

Association celebrated its 25 th 

anniversary in Werribee in early 

November, and invited the arms of the 

New Zealand Defence Force to send 

players to the ADF titles. The Kiwis 

obliged with about 100 players. 

No doubt, the fact the rest day of 

the tournament fell on Melbourne Cup 

Day – which was held just down the 

road at Flemington – gave them some 

extra incentive for coming. 

Thus, we can probably add horse 

racing to that diverse 2011 mix. 

THE FAME GAME: WHEN former 

F/A-18 pilot Matt Hall dropped into his old 

base at Williamtown recently he brought 

with him two Australian sport legends 

– five time Moto GP world motorcycling 

champion Mick Doohan and four-time 

Australian Open Ironman champion Grant 

Kenny. 

Piloting their way to Williamtown in 

a Squirrel helicopter, the aviation enthusiasts’ 

first stop at the RAAF base was 

the Aircraft Movements Section. After 

signing some ‘official’ paperwork for the 

after-flight, which is now hanging proudly 

on the fame wall in the section, the three 

sportsmen shared stories from the field 

with their Air Force fans. 

Taking the controls in a Hornet simulator 

was a change of scenery for helicopter 

pilots Kenny and Doohan who ‘took to the 

skies’ in a mission pitted against the other. 

Having earnt their wings in the simulator, 

Hall, a former Red Bull Air Race contestant 

and now acrobatic pilot, showed his 

guests over a real fighter jet at 77SQN. 

John Martin 

WHEN former CAF AIRMSHL Mark 

Binskin declared at the Australian 

Services Rugby Union championships 

in 2010 that Air Force’s aim 

was to field a women’s team in 

their own right at the 2011 titles, 

some people raised their eyebrows. 

Air Force could only muster 

five female players in 2010 and for 

some years had to join forces with 

Navy to play a full-strength Army 

team – so it was a very tall order 

indeed. 

But the Doubting Thomases did 

not count on FLTLT Margie Quinn, 

one of that 2010 mere handful of 

RAAFie players. 

FLTLT Quinn, doubling as team 

captain and team manager, set 

about with the Air Force Rugby 

Union to find prospective players. 

When the intent was 

announced, she says everyone 

clapped politely. 

But she likened the task to 

herding cats. “I knew that I had a 

hell of a lot of work to do.” 

FLTLT Quinn started emailing 

“anyone who may have said at one 

point in their lives they were interested 

in rugby.” 

Thanks to her persistence, Air 

Force took 12 female players to 

Canberra for this year’s Australian 

Services Rugby Union (ASRU) 

titles in May and FLTLT Quinn 

led an Air Force team in its own 

right against a Navy team in a 10s 

match. 

Sp rt 

33 

SURPRISE: FLTLT Margie Quinn with the trophy named in her 

honour. Photo: CPL David Gibbs 

Hasn’t she seen 

that name before? 

“Leading the RAAF team out 

to play Navy will always be one of 

the best moments in my rugby and 

service career,” FLTLT Quinn says. 

“The team had fitted so well 

together and we all just wanted to 

have a crack so to win that first 

match meant we were all just on 

top of the world.” 

Remarkably, Air Force won the 

game 17-12. 

At the ASRU presentations a 

week later FLTLT Quinn went up 

to accept the trophy for the inaugural 

game and it was only then 

she realised her name was on it. 

It says: The Margie Quinn Cup. 

Navy vs Air Force. Women’s rugby 

champions. 

She felt honoured but was 

“slightly embarrassed and pretty 

speechless” and indebted a bit to 

her former Navy teammates who 

had urged her on. Her attitude 

was: if they can raise enough numbers 

for a team, so can we. 

Fellow player CPL Rebekah 

Allen, who has FLTLT Quinn to 

thank for coaxing her out of four 

years of rugby retirement (she had 

actually converted to Australian 

football), says she has done an 

outstand job for women’s rugby in 

the Air Force. 

“She really was the driving 

force behind the team this year,” 

CPL Allen says. “There is no way 

we would be where we are today if 

it wasn’t for her. Her passion and 

love of the game is contagious to 

all the new girls and the reason 

behind why we had such a successful 

rugby campaign this year.”

34 Sp rt 


Medal haul in Reno 

John Martin 

FIRST they conquered the ADF, now 

the mother-and-daughter Wiseman 

bodybuilders have taken on the world 

n the Natural Olympia in Reno, Neada 

in the US. 

Hot off the press – actually hot 

ff an email from their stopover in 

os Angeles – we can report that 

QNLDR Kay Wiseman collected 

old and bronze medals and CPL 

ngela Wiseman two bronze medals at 

he titles on November 10-13. 

On October 2, CPL Wiseman, of 

AAF Base Williamtown, won the 

DF bodybuilding women’s title in 

arwin. 

HONOUR BOARD 

LEAD TWICE THE LIFE 

DMO 

It was the same title, her mother, 

SQNLDR Wiseman, of RAAF Base 

Darwin, had won in 2006, 2007 and 

2008. 

The women had been planning the 

Reno trip for months, and left no detail 

to chance. 

“We travelled over three days 

before the event to allow time to 

recover from jet lag and also fluid 

retention from the flight,” SQNLDR 

Wiseman said. 

“We even brought our very own 

make-up artist (my other daughter, 

Amanda). 

“Angela and I competed on separate 

days, which made things a little 

easier getting ready. 

�� 

�� 

�� 

➤ Inaugural Twenty20 champion (ACM Angus 

Houston Trophy): Air Force. 

➤ Best Twenty20 batsman: LAC Kaleb Tymko. 

➤ Best fieldsman of the carnival: AC Kevin 

Chapman. 

➤ Best player of the carnival: LAC Kaleb 

Tymko. 

➤ Air Force members in the national team: 

CPL Ricky Mace (as vice-captain), LAC Kaleb 

Tymko, AC Kevin Chapman, LAC Aaron 

Goodwin. 

➤ How the Twenty20 unfolded: As all teams 

“I competed in Ms Figure 

Masters 50-59 (equivalent to Figure 

International in Australia) where I took 

out the gold medal, and Ms Physique 

Masters 50-59 (equivalent to Figure 

in Australia) and took out the bronze 

medal. 

“Angela placed third in both 

Ms Figure Open – Class 2 and Ms 

Physique Open – Tall Class.” 

The Air Force women were among 

30 Australians to make the trip to Reno. 

“What an event,” SQNLDR 

Wiseman said. “So many competitors 

from around the world all coming 

together for the pinnacle event in 

Natural Bodybuilding.” 

AIR FORCE CRICKETERS THE MASTER BLASTERS 

had won one game each, Army and Air Force 

went into the final on superior net run rate 

Air Force batted first and scored 4/194, in 

reply Army scored 5/166 – falling 28 runs 

short. 

➤ How the 50-over competition unfolded: 

The Air Force v Navy game was washed out, 

Army beat Navy, so Air Force needed to beat 

Army in the decider. Army batted first and 

scored 8/260. Due to rain, Air Force’s target 

was set at 123 from 15 overs. But Air Force 

was all out for 114 off of 12.4 overs. 

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CHEERS: 

After months 

of dieting 

and training, 

CPL Angela 

Wiseman and 

SQNLDR Kay 

Wiseman 

allow 

themselves 

a celebratory 

drink. They 

stopped over 

in Los Angeles 

on the way 

home for 

some R&R. 

FAST AND FURIOUS: 

LAC Kaleb Tymko 

was named Player 

of the ADF cricket 

championship in 

Canberra from 

November 16 to 22. 

He was also the 

star of the Twenty20 

championship, scoring 

114 runs off 54 balls 

and 101 runs off 45 

balls in consecutive 

games to guide Air 

Force to the inaugural 

ACM Angus Houston 

Cup. 

Insets: 

1. Air Force fast bowler 

CPL Ricky Mace 

is congratulated 

by his team mates 

after taking an Army 

wicket in the 50-over 

final. 

2. APL Ricky Mace 

congratulates SGT 

Martin Blackman 

who scored a matchwinning 

115 runs 

off 127 balls in the 

50-over final. 

3. Air Force bowler CPL 

Matthew Monaghan 

puts his back into 

another delivery. 

Photos: LAC Bill Solomou


Sp rt 

150km 

done 

and 

dusted 

SGT Andrew Hetherington 

MOST athletes who punish their bodies 

training for and competing in triathlons are 

relieved after they finish the final leg of a 

wim, cycle and run event. 

Imagine what one Air Force trainee pilot’s 

reaction was when he crossed the finish line 

n first place after completing three triathlons 

back-to-back on one day. 

PLTOFF Rowan Beggs-French, of 2FTS, 

said it was an amazing feeling after he won 

his first solo 150km Sri Chinmoy Triple 

riathlon in Canberra on November 20. 

“It felt like ecstasy after I finished,” he 

aid. 

PLTOFF Beggs-French, who will graduate 

rom his advanced pilot training course early 

his month, decided to enter because this year 

his fiancée, SBLT Amy Hyatt, was not able to 

nter the team event. 

“Amy couldn’t enter as she’s at sea 

s an officer of the watch aboard HMAS 

arramunga,” PLTOFF Beggs-French said. 

“The last two years we were a part of 

team of three with another mate [LEUT] 

cott [Baxter]. Amy was the swimmer, Scott 

ran and I rode. 

“Last year we came second and the year 

before we came third. 

“I thought I’d give the solo race a go 

for the first time and I began training in 

December last year.” 

PLTOFF Beggs-French finished the race 

in 11hr 56min 23sec – 19min 23sec ahead of 

the second placegetter. 

Paintballers on target 

PAINTBALLERS LACs Stephen Wadwell and Alex 

Weston had reason to celebrate after contesting the Super 

7 series in Sydney on November 26 and 27. 

LAC Waddell’s team, Thundercats, won the semiprofessional 

division. 

And LAC Weston’s team, TAG Relentless, finished 

second in the amateur division. 

The Super 7 series, whose finals are called the 

Masters, is generally the biggest event on the paintball 

calendar. 

This year teams came from New Zealand, Western 

Australia, Victoria, NSW, ACT and Queensland. 

Adding to the international flavour, there were also 

two American professional players – one of whom is 

considered to be one of the best players in the world. 

All in a day’s work 

PLTOFF Rowan Beggs-French originally 

started out training and competing in 

triathlons to give himself a break from 

study at ADFA in late 2006. For this event 

his training routine was dependant on his 

hectic pilot training schedule. 

“I aimed to give myself one rest day a 

week and the other days I was putting in 

an average of two to three hours training,” 

PLTOFF Beggs-French said. 

“My training mainly consisted of putting 

in a lot of kilometres on the mountain 

bike and running. 

“I didn’t do much water training, as 

I’m a keen surfer and I figured it would be 

enough swimming conditioning for me.” 

“I felt good going into the race and I’d 

had a lot of fun with my training, which kept 

me sane while I was working through pilots’ 

course in Perth,” he said. 

“The race began at 5.30am with the first 

of the nine legs being a 1.5km swim in Lake 

Ginninderra. 

“I came out of the water in second place 

and went out on the first bike leg lasting 

34km, initially putting some distance on 

the rest of the solo competitors until I had a 

puncture at the base of Black Mountain.” 

This put him back four places but he 

regained the solo lead 

towards the end of the 

ride. 

PLTOFF Beggs- 

French said he took the 

last leg of the race running 

up Red Hill quite 

slowly and during the 

downhill section started to feel the fatigue in 

his quads. 

“I also began to feel sick in the stomach 

due to the food I ate during the race, which 

included carbohydrate gels, caffeine and energy 

drinks.” 

With 5km to go before the end of the race 

his support crew provided him with some 

valuable and encouraging information. 

“They said if I had it left in me I was on 

track to finish under 12 hours. 

“This flicked a switch for me and all of a 

sudden my stomach was feeling great and I 

managed to pick up the pace. 

“I always thought I’d finish the race and 

my plan was to not push too hard, too early.” 

SQNLDR Jeroen Ruardij, of DP-AF, also 

competed in the solo event, finishing seventh 

in 13hr 51min. 

In 2007 and 2008, SQNLDR Ruardij was 

on the staff at ADFA and trained with the 

then OFFCDT Beggs-French. 

But this was his first Sri Chimnoy Triple 

Triathlon. “I watched it last year and really 

wanted to do it,” he said. 

For information on the Canberra Sri Chinmoy Triple 

Triathlon, visit http://au.srichinmoyraces.org/ 

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ARE WE 

THERE YET? 

PLTOFF 

Rowan 

Beggs- 

French, 

closing in on 

the finish, 

top, and with 

SQNLDR 

Jeroen 

Ruardij at the 

finish line. 

Photos: SQNLDR 

Marty Copland 

35 

Touching 

down for 

tour of NZ 

LCPL Mark Doran 

AFTER being named player of the 

series at the Defence touch nationals, 

LAC John Andreou has high 

hopes for three representative teams 

which will tour New Zealand for 

10 days in January. 

LAC Andreou is one of 20 Air 

Force players in men’s, women’s 

and men’s 30s teams which will 

play New Zealand Defence Force 

sides. 

The Defence touch nationals 

at RAAF Base Williamtown in 

October attracted 290 players from 

the ADF and APS. 

LAC Andreou, of 37SQN, was 

the sole Air Force player on the 

North Queensland men’s open team 

which went though undefeated to 

win the inaugural David McIntyre 

Memorial Shield. 

LAC Andreou said the North 

Queensland team bonded and 

played together well. 

“It felt awesome because our 

team’s morale never dropped – we 

never dropped our heads, we supported 

each other and kept a positive 

attitude throughout the whole 

tournament,” LAC Andreou said. 

“The standard of play in this 

year’s tournament was very high 

and playing in New Zealand will 

be a good stepping-stone for the 

Nationals [at Port Macquarie in 

March] as our side is now one of 

the strongest Defence has ever had.” 

In a dramatic finish in the women’s 

competition, the undefeated 

South Queensland women played 

ACT/Country and won the match 

5-4 in a three-on-three drop-off. 

CPL Debbie Grylls, of 

382ECSS, was named player of the 

series. 

ACT/Country won the men’s 

30s against Sydney Metro region 

team 6-4 and the men’s 40s was 

won by South Queensland 5-3 in 

the final against North Queensland. 

Air Force players chosen for the New 

Zealand tour are: 

Men’s team: LAC John Andreou, LAC 

Clayton Brown, PLTOFF Joel Pollock and 

CPL David Murray. 

Women’s team: CPL Debbie Grylls, LACW 

Michaela Harris, LACW Abigail Murray, 

LACW Amy Richardson, FLGOFF Tarnya 

Sykes, LACW Kayla Woods, CPL Brooke 

Saunders, FLTLT Sonya Beyer and SGT 

Andrew Wright. 

Men’s 30s team: FSGT Sean Bell, FSGT 

Danny Bretherton, SGT Chad Crawford, SGT 

Pete Owens, CPL Bradley Sainsbury, LAC 

Ryan Whelan and FLTLT Derrick Cant. 

TRANSITION SUPPORT 

�� 

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Call 1300 112 114

SP 

John Martin 

December D 8, 2011 

AT FIRST glance, mountainbiker CPL 

Michael Crummy and rugby player 

FLTLT Margie Quinn might not appear 

to have much in common – though 

many might deduce they both are 

based at RAAF Base Williamtown, 

which seems to produce more than 

its fair share of people who excel at 

sport. 

The real answer, however, is they 

both went above and beyond this 

year to achieve something special 

and make Air Force sport infinitely 

richer. 

CPL Crummy is a mountainbiker 

who excels at races that sometimes 

require him to forego sleep and pedal 

for 24 hours straight. 

Yet this year he borrowed different 

bikes to contest the Defence 

road titles and all the main events 

at the Defence mountainbike titles – 

including the dowhill race which, in 

contrast to his usual fare, is less than n 

3½ minutes of adrenalin and defying 

gravity at speeds of up to 50km/h. 

The Air Force women’s rugby 10s 

team did not even exist last year – 

and FLTLT Quinn was pivotal in its 

formation. 

She also captained the team to 

victory against Navy. 

Then came the big surprise. She 

discovered the trophy had been named 

the Margie Quinn Cup. 

Spotlight on our 2011 

achievers, Pages 32 and 33 

RT 

LEAP OF 

FAITH 

HIGH THERE: CPL 

Michael Crummy, in 

the cross-country 

race at the ADF 

mountainbike 

championships, gets 

some encouragement 

from spectators, from 

left, LAC Alex Wynne, 

AB Jesse Palmer, CPL 

Michael Neate and 

LAC Alex Wruck. 


SURPRISE, 

SURPRISE: Left, 

FLTLT Margie Quinn 

who led the Air Force 

team to an unlikely 

victory and then 

discovered her name 

was on the trophy. 

Photo: CPL David Gibbs 

THEY CHASED 

HIM HERE, 

THEY CHASED 

HIM THERE: 

After scoring 

two rapid-fire 

centuries in the 

same day to 

guide Air Force 

to the Twenty20 

trophy, LAC 

Kaleb Tymko 

continued his 

good form in 

the 50-over 

competition 

and was 

recognised with 

the Player of 

the Tournament 

award. 

Photo: LAC Bill 

Solomou 

Mother and 

daughter’s 

medal haul 

in Reno 

– PAGE 34 

Runs aplenty in 

Twenty20 title 

LCPL Mark Doran and LAC Bill Solomou 

BATSMAN LAC Kaleb Tymko was the toast of the 

team when Air Force won the inaugural Twenty20 

cricket ACM Angus Houston Cup in Canberra on 

November 18. 

LAC Tymko, of 10SQN, scored 101 in the final 

against Army – on top of his 114 runs earlier in the 

day in a preliminary game, also against Army. 

His opening bat partner, CPL Ricky Mace, 

reckoned he had the best seat in the house. 

“I’ve never seen such clean hitting,” CPL 

Mace, of 2SQN, said. 

“He’s definitely going to play a major role in 

the future of Air Force and Defence cricket.” 

LAC Tymko was extra happy with his form. “I 

was seeing the ball as big as a beach ball,” he said. 

CPL Mace was no mug himself. He scored 58 

and 50 runs respectively. 

Unfortunately, Air Force was unable to retain 

the Lindsay Hassett Trophy 50-over championship 

in the days that followed the Twenty20 title. 

On November 22, it lost to Army in a cracker 

of a match that drew praise from players and officials 

from both sides. 

Under leaden skies, Army made 8/260 before 

the heavens opened and play was delayed for three 

hours. 

When the game resumed in light drizzle, Air 

Force was set a target of 123 overs from just 15 

overs. 

Air Force came out blazing, with opening bat 

CPL Mace making 37, and after just six overs was 

3/52 – well ahead of the required run rate – but 

they fell nine runs short when the last wicket fell. 

LAC Tymko carried his fine form into the 

50-over competition and was awarded the Best 

Player of the Tournament award. 

LAC Tymko said Air Force started off well in the 

50-over final. 

“We had Army on the ropes at one stage but 

this fell away with some dropped catches and a 

few easy misfields giving Army enough momentum 

for the remaining overs,” LAC Tymko said. 

“Army just didn’t give up, they kept plugging 

away at us when we fell apart.” 

More photos, our big winners – Page 34

AIR F - Department of Defence

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