AIR F RCE
Vol. 52, No. 9, May 27, 2010
The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force
MORE
DRAMA ON
THE HIGH
SEAS INSIDE:
P3
HERC RESCUES
WA FISHERMEN
Orion crew
comes to the
rescue of
ship under
attack iin
n
Gulf of Aden
P4
ORIONS LOOK
FOR LOST SIEVS
Full story: P5
PIRATE
HUNTERS
THE SCENE OF THE CRIME:
Aircraft Captain FLTLT Adam
Cox and his AP-3C crew
assisted in the dramatic
rescue of 23 civilian sailors
whose merchant vessel was
besieged by pirates in the
North Arabian Sea. The siege
was captured by the Orion’s
long-range cameras (above),
which shows pirates aft of
the bridge and on the bridge
wing.
Photo: SGT Brent Tero
2 News
AIR F RCE May 27, 2010
Deal for air traffic control sharing
AIR FORCE and Air Services
Australia will be able to operate in
a more mutually supporting environment after they signed a Joint
Operations Concept (JOC) to develop
and implement new civil and military
air traffic control systems.
Defence Minister Senator John
Faulkner and Transport Minister
Anthony Albanese announced the
agreement on May 13.
The move follows on from the
formation of the Australian CivilMilitary Air Traffic Management
(ATM) Committee that was formed
by CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin
and the CEO of Airservices Australia,
Greg Russell, late in 2009.
The concept represents an agree-
ment to implement an harmonised,
cutting-edge national ATM system
between Air Force and Airservices
Australia.
“By purchasing and developing
compatible equipment and technology
together, the Air Force and Airservices
will provide better value for money and
potentially save taxpayers millions of
dollars,” Senator Faulkner said.
Both ATM authorities will be
undergoing major equipment upgrades
and replacements over the next five to
seven years and under the JOC they
will work together to acquire compatible equipment and technology.
This will ensure alignment of
multi-million dollar procurement
processes scheduled to replace ageing
and separate air traffic management
infrastructure and systems in both
organisations.
Air traffic management equipment
and technology that both organisations will purchase together includes
automation systems, tower automation
systems, radar and navigational aid
equipment, and training and simulation systems.
At the same time, while the
JOC will more closely align both
ATC activities and systems, Senator
Faulkner said the government would
ensure that Air Force’s unique operational requirements will not be compromised.
Now, as a first step, Air Force and
Airservices Australia will approach
the international market with a
Request For Information to establish
what technologies and resources are
available to deliver the next generation of air traffic management, taking
in account the specific needs of both
organisations.
By purchasing and developing
compatible equipment and technology
together, the Air Force and Airservices
will deliver safer and better planned
air traffic control over Australian air
space as well as reduce overlaps,
increase cooperation, improve communication between civil air traffic
control personnel and Air Force Joint
Battle Airspace Controllers and deliver better training for air traffic controllers.
Defence’s $26.9b
Increase for
ops in Budget
Ben Wickham
THE May 11 Federal Budget allocated $26.9 billion in total departmental
funding for Defence, including an additional $1.1 billion for operations in
2010-11.
This is a net increase of $949.4 million from the previous financial year.
The headline announcement was
a separate $1.1 billion for enhanced
force protection in Afghanistan from
2009 to 2013, including $487.1 million for 2010-11.
The operations funding increase
includes $915.6 million to stabilise
Afghanistan and combat global terrorism, $151.1 million for operations in
East Timor, $42.5 million for commitments to Solomon Islands, $19.6 million to support a broader Australian
Government presence in Afghanistan,
and $9.2 million to protect the
Australian Embassy in Baghdad.
This brings the total operations
funding for 2010-11 to $1.4 billion,
excluding Force Protection funding
and including money approved in previous budgets.
A significant component of the
enhanced force protection commitment is the acquisition of a counterrocket, artillery and mortar capability,
to reduce the threat posed to forces in
Afghanistan by indirect fire attacks.
It also features measures to provide
greater protection from small-arms
fire and improvised explosive devices.
These include improved route clearance capabilities, enhanced protection
and firepower for Protected Mobility
Vehicles, new body armour, additional
military working dogs and a range of
intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities.
Non-operational announcements
included $329 million for the Defence
Director
Rod Horan: (02) 6265 4650
Editorial
Editor
Simone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253
Mobile: 0400 003792
Deputy Editor and sport
John Martin: (02) 6265 7219
Senior reporter
Andrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 7611
Photographer/reporter
LAC Aaron Curran: (02) 6265 1355
ON TRACK: LAC John Parker, a supplier with FSU-2, checks tyres at the warehouse at the Australian base
in the United Arab Emirates. The Budget allocated $1.1 billion for operations in 2010-11. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
Base Security Improvement Program
between 2010 and 2014, a $138 million boost for Defence Science and
Technology Organisation over the
period 2010-11 through 2012-13,
$35.7 million over two years to develop a detailed business case for moving Defence units from Moorebank to
Holsworthy, $13.2 million in psychological resilience training for all ADF
members and $800,000 to train and
develop mental health professionals.
The budget also features about $8
billion for sustaining around 57,000
full-time ADF personnel.
In the past year the ADF has
not only achieved 94 per cent of its
Permanent Force recruitment target
(one of the best results for a decade),
but is experiencing its lowest separation rate in more than 20 years, with
7.0 per cent leaving as at April 1, 2010
(2.7 per cent less than last year).
Defence Minister Senator John
Faulkner outlined the Government’s
commitment to continued reform in
Defence.
In this coming year, Defence will
continue to focus on efficiency and
improved business processes.
The Defence Strategic Reform
Program will deliver more than $1
billion in cost reductions during 201011, building on the $797 million in
AIR F RCE
Contact us:
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savings Defence will achieve in 200910. These savings will be reinvested in
Defence capability.
This will give Australia a stronger,
more agile and harder-hitting ADF.
While the continued fallout
from the global financial crisis has
necessitated a restrained approach
to spending, the Defence 2010-11
Budget represents a solid investment
in the warfighter and the capabilities
and infrastructure necessary to support them.
For more on the Defence Budget, visit
www.defence.gov.au/budget/index.htm
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THE WAY AHEAD: The new Joint
Operations Concept will develop
and implement new civil and
military air traffic control systems.
Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
Progress
outlined
by CDF
CDF ACM Angus Houston held
a roundtable discussion with
Canberra-based journalists on May
17 to provide an update on ADF
operations.
ACM Houston outlined
progress in Afghanistan, the
upcoming withdrawal of the Dutch
from Oruzgan Province, force protection, body armour and protecting the civilian population.
His briefing came hot on the
heels of a visit to the Middle East
and Brussels where he discussed
issues and concerns with troops
on the ground as well as top-level
international commanders.
ACM Houston said he was
inundated with positive comments
and gratitude from ISAF and
NATO Defence chiefs for the contribution that Australia and its forces were making in Afghanistan.
“During the talks we also made
progress on identifying a new senior partner in Oruzgan Province,”
he said.
“This is obviously a high priority with the Netherlands due to
commence the withdrawal of its
military forces in August.
“As I have previously stated,
Australia does not intend to
assume the leadership role in
Oruzgan Province, but our contribution of military and civilian
resources is significant and we are
actively involved in the transition
planning.
“We are still working through
the details, however, I am very
confident we will achieve a seamless and smooth transition and a
solution that supports continued
progress in the province.”
A full transcript of the CDF’s opening
remarks is available at www.defence.
gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.
cfm?CurrentId=10302
Air Force online
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AIR F RCE
News 3
May 27, 2010
Plucked from waves
TO SAFETY: One
of the fishermen
is winched to
safety from the
seas south-east of
Esperance by the
S76 helicopter from
RAAF Base Pearce.
Photo: FSGT Grant Lamb
FLTLT Eamon Hamilton
A TRIO of fishermen owe their lives
to Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts
launched from RAAF Base Pearce.
A C-130H crew from 37SQN,
a CHC Search and Rescue S-76
rescue helicopter from Pearce, and
a group of student pilots from 2
Flying Training School (2FTS),
were among those who conducted
the rescue in waters 95 nautical
miles south-east of Esperance.
At about 5am on May 10, the
three fishermen discovered their
boat was taking on water, forcing a
hasty evacuation to their life-raft.
They activated their Emergency
Position Indicating Radio Beacons
(EPIRB), alerting authorities to
their distress.
What they had failed to do, however, was register their EPIRB before
the voyage, leaving rescue coordinators no details of the boat in distress.
At Pearce, the crew of a 37SQN
C-130H – who were minutes from
leaving for Richmond – were told
to offload their cargo and prepare
for a SAR mission.
They were quickly loaded with
a group of volunteer observers from
the base – including eight student
pilots from the RAAF Advanced
Pilots’ Course.
Once the C-130H arrived on
scene, it took over duties from a
civilian-owned Cessna which had
located the life-raft in a heavy swell
driven by wind.
The Hercules crew, captained
by FLTLT Tim Dresser, spotted
the orange life-raft and two people
waving.
The C-130H was equipped with
three Air Sea Rescue Kits (ASRKs)
and following previous discussions
with the RCC (Rescue Coordination
Centre), it was decided to airdrop
‘
– OFFCDT Thomas Sawade
Eye-opener for students
O F F C D T s M a t t h ew Tr a y l i n g ,
Tristram Gleeson, Michael Cooke,
Alexander Rolfe, Ashley Kissock,
Shannon Murrihy, Kieran Blair and
Thomas Sawade were taken aboard
the Hercules as observers on the SAR
mission.
The OFFCDTS were in Perth for the
RAAF Advanced Pilots’ Course – and
most of them had just conducted their
first flying sortie the previous week.
So it was an eye-opener.
OFFCDT Sawade said he and
his colleagues were grateful for the
opportunity to observe.
“All the guys agreed when we got
JOB WELL DONE: Members of the 37SQN crew who conducted
the rescue, from left, loadmaster NCOCDT Alysa Owen, Captain
FLTLT Tim Dresser, ACO FLTLT John Strang and co-pilot FLGOFF
Melinda Russell.
Photo: AC Christopher Hall
one. The ASRK contains radios
that would enable communications
between the occupants of the liferaft and the C-130H. It could also
provide additional survival aids that
may be utilised before a rescue helicopter could arrive overhead.
Meanwhile, the SAR helicopter
“We couldn’t do our mission
without them,” he said. “They
spend most of their time in the air
ensuring that our diggers get the
supplies that they need.”
37QN has three Hercules
aircraft currently deployed in the
MEAO.
“In the time that the C-130s
have been operating here, they’ve
there that the seas were horrible – it
looked cold, windy and the swell was
massive,” he said.
“It was good to see what we could
be tasked to do in the future, and the
professionalism of the team involved.”
C-Flight Commander for 2FTS,
SQNLDR Tony Rooke, said the rescue would give valuable insight to
their careers.
“They will be better equipped
to put into perspective why they are
being asked to do many of the things
that are required of them and will have
a much clearer picture of their end
goal,” SQNLDR Rooke said.
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packaging.
from Pearce launched for the long
flight to the fishermen. The S76 had
to make multiple refuelling stops to
reach the life-raft.
Once on the scene, it winched
out the three fishermen and brought
them to Esperance Hospital, where
they were treated for hypothermia.
Accelerate
savings.
Herculean effort in MEAO, too
THEY have moved more than
140,000 troops in the Middle East
since early 2003.
“That’s like 6500 footy
teams,” said MAJGEN John
Cantwell, who paid high praise to
the Hercules C-130J.
MAJGEN Cantwell commands all ADF units deployed in
the MEAO.
The seas were horrible – it looked cold,
windy and the swell was massive.
flown more than 11,300 missions,” MAJGEN Cantwell said.
“They’ve moved more than
31 million kilograms of stores
and equipment, which is the
same as moving 30,000 Holden
Commodores or Ford Falcons.”
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4 News
AIR F RCE May 27, 2010
Drama for
Orions
CAPT Joe Nyhan and
Andrew Stackpool
IN WHAT became a search for five
people in turbulent seas, the crews of
two 92WG Orions have been praised
for their parts in a rescue mission while
deployed on Operation Resolute.
The drama began when the two
Orions, operated by Crew 4 of 10SQN
and Crew 1 of 11SQN, were tasked
to fly about 2000 nautical miles
(3600km) from the Australian mainland to locate two Suspected Irregular
Entry Vessels (SIEVs).
On May 6, one of the boats was
located safely en route to Christmas
Island but the other boat – with 64
people on board – was found to be
in distress 180 nautical miles from
Cocos Island.
Crew 1 was asked to act as the
Scene of Action Commander to coordinate the rescue of the people aboard
the stricken vessel.
Tactical Coordinator, air combat
officer FLTLT Mick McGreevy, said
when the aircraft arrived on the scene
there were four merchant ships in the
vicinity.
‘
We flew
visual
below 1000
feet; as
slow as we
could go.
– FLTLT Mick
McGreevy
FLTLT McGreevy said the weather conditions were fair but there was
a large four to five-meter swell running, which, he knew, would make
conditions for any transfer of the
SIEV’s personnel to a ship or bringing the SIEV alongside very difficult
and dangerous. To add to the problems, the four merchant ships had
TOP JOB: Crew 1 of 11SQN, above, whose members were praised for their part in the
search off the Australian mainland and, left, FLTLT Mick McGreevy working at the Tactical
Coordinator’s Console on board the AP-3C.
Photos: ABIS James Whittle
no direct radio communications with
the SIEV.
“The sea state was such that they
could do little more than maintain a
visual watch on the SIEV,” he said.
A Russian ship, the MV Postojna,
was the closest to the SIEV, and was
asked to rescue the passengers. The
Orion coordinated the rescue opera-
tion and then departed, having been in
the area for 10 hours.
But the incident was not over.
Crew 1 learnt that five of the SIEV’s
passengers had jumped overboard about
three days earlier. At first light, the crew
set out from Cocos Island and headed
to the search area, armed with a briefing pack from the Rescue Coordination
Centre (RCC), which had set a search
area of about 55,000 square miles.
On the aircraft, all eyes scanned the
heavy swell for the five people missing
or the orange life-jackets they had been
wearing and the tyre inners they had
tied together as a makeshift raft.
“We flew visual below 1000 feet; as
slow as we could go,” FLTLT McGreevy
said.
“Two hours into the search we saw an
orange object in the water. On the second
pass we saw a black tyre tube with a body
draped over it. There was no sign of life
but in the conditions it was almost impossible to see such items, especially as we
passed them at 400km/h.”
As they continued to search they saw
two more tyres tied together; one had
deflated.
The aircraft marked the site with
sonobuoys and smoke. They eventually
found the five life-jackets and four more
tubes but there was no sign of life. They
vectored a Chinese merchant ship to
recover the items and then returned to
Cocos Island after another 10 hours in
the air.
The next day was another first-light
and 11-hour flight as the aircraft was
tasked to locate the second SIEV. The
aircraft found it and, after reporting
its location, was cleared to return to
Darwin.
“We flew over 40 hours in four
days,” FLTLT McGreevy said.
OC 92WG Darwin Detachment
SQNLDR Steven Parsons praised both
crews on their efforts.
He said Crew 4 of 10SQN was
already in the area and Crew 1 of
11SQN had arrived for a planned
Operation Resolute rotation only hours
before being sent on the search and rescue tasking.
“The efforts of both crews were
absolutely superb,” SQNLDR Parsons
said. “It was a short notice tasking and
for four days they flew night and day to
the limits of their duty times.”
Commander Northern Command,
CDRE David Gwyther, said that
although it was unfortunate the missing
people were not able to be located and
rescued, the tragedy could have been
much worse if not for the Orion crews.
“There are 59 people [who were
aboard the stricken SIEV] who have
benefited from the responsiveness and
professionalism of the aircrew, maintainers and support staff of 92WG,”
CDRE Gwyther said.
“I am very proud of the great job Air
Force and 92WG did on this task for the
Rescue Coordination Centre and more
broadly in defending the nation’s borders in support of Operation Resolute.”
AIR F RCE
News 5
May 27, 2010
Flying to the rescue
Jaimie Abbott
IN A dramatic rescue, an 11SQN crew
deployed to the MEAO has played a
key role in resolving a pirate attack on
a Russian-flagged oil tanker.
On May 5, a distress call was
issued from a merchant vessel in the
Gulf of Aden, and the AP-3C Orion
crew was re-assigned from another
mission and tasked to identify if the
ship’s crew was in difficulty.
11SQN Tactical Coordinator
FLTLT Graham Cooke, who was on
board the aircraft during the mission,
said they received a message from the
Operations Centre to investigate a suspected pirate attack on a vessel.
“When we got there, we observed
there were three smaller boats pulled
up alongside,” FLTLT Cooke said.
The AP-3C’s long-range cameras
helped to confirm that pirates had
stormed the vessel.
“The crew made contact with us
from the engine room via VHF radio
and they told us they had locked the
pirates out who were then attempting to seize the ship,” Captain FLTLT
Adam Cox said.
The captive crew’s call for help
was heard by the pirates, who then
attempted to break into the engine
room.
“We could hear how distressed the
crew were, and it re-affirmed to us
that those onboard the vessel needed
assistance,” FLTLT Cox said.
The AP-3C Orion orbited the oil
tanker for about two hours.
“We stayed airborne for as long as
we could to see what else we could
identify and offer any assistance as
best as we could – essentially reassuring them that their message had been
relayed,” FLTLT Cooke said.
The civilian ship’s crew of 23 was
rescued unharmed the next day by the
crew of a Russian warship which was
sent to their assistance.
“In passing on the message that the
crew was safe, it hopefully assisted in
all of them being rescued unharmed,”
FLTLT Cooke said.
OC 92WG GPCAPT Warren
McDonald said while they were simply doing their job, it was rewarding
to learn they assisted in the recovery
of the 23 civilians.
The ADF operates two AP-3C
maritime patrol aircraft in the MEAO
in support of International AntiTerrorism
and CounterPiracy
Operations.
Pirates
have obtained
about $AU57
million in
ransoms in
the past year
and are still
in control of
over 20 foreign vessels.
ANSWERING THE CALL: FLTLT Adam Cox and his
AP-3C crew who flew to the aid of a Russian-flagged oil
tanker crew under siege. The pirates boarded the tanker
from their three smaller boats, captured left by one of the
Orion’s long-range cameras.
Main photo: SGT Brent Tero
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6 News
AIR F RCE
May 27, 2010
Last strike
ke at
Chong Ju
Ju
FLTLT Skye Smith
TWO 6SQN F-111s demonstrated the
aircraft’s long-range strike capability in
support of ground forces when two deployed from RAAF Base Amberley to
Puckapunyal to participate in Exercise
Chong Ju for the last time.
The bi-annual exercise was held
on May 12 and 13 and marked the
final time the aircraft would participate
before it retired at the end of the year.
The exercise demonstrated the combined effects of armour, artillery, engineers, infantry and close air support on
the battlefield for students attending
the Air Combat Officers’ Advanced
Course.
The aircraft joined the Army’s
Abrams tanks, ASLAV and Bushmaster
armoured vehicles, artillery, missiles
and small arms for the live fire exercise
that simulated an attack on multiple
enemy positions during the exercise.
The F-111s demonstrated their
strike capability by employing 250kg
and 1000kg high explosive weapons
during the air support task.
CO 6SQN WGCDR Micka Gray
said the F-111s directly supported the
exercise. “Chong Ju is an important
exercise to integrate F-111 capability
in concert with the Army,” he said.
“The exercise also provides aircrew
with invaluable continuation and currency training in close air support.”
F-111s have participated since the
1980s, when the exercise was known
as El Alamein. The first Chong Ju was
conducted in 2001.
Chong Ju is conducted by the
School of Armour in conjunction with
Combat Command Wing. It is named
after the famous 1950 action in North
Korea during the Korean War, which
resulted from combat arms operating
in a combined environment.
In October, the Third Battalion of
the Royal Australian Regiment, supported by tanks and artillery, attacked
a large North Korean defensive line
during its advance to the Yalu River.
Six kilometres from Chong Ju, the
unit’s advance was stopped by a North
Korean defensive line that was well
established on either side of the main
road. The CO ordered D Company to
attack the ridgeline south of the road,
clearing the way for A Company to
attack from the north. D Company
LAUNCH SEQUENCE: A ground crew member conducts pre-flight
checks of a 6SQN F-111 prior to its take-off for Exercise Chong Ju.
WARGAMERS: Right, 6SQN pilot FLGOFF Daniel Mills (left) and air
combat officer FLTLT Leon Izatt discuss their exercise mission at RAAF
Base Amberley.
Photos: ACW Sandra Midson
came under heavy fire, but secured the
ridgeline. A Company then secured its
objective, while B Company dug in on
the road between A and D Companies.
That night, the North Korean forces launched a counter-attack against
D Company, but were held off after
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two hours of hard fighting. They then
attacked A Company with tank support. Supported by American artillery,
the Australians held out and by 11pm
the North Koreans had retreated. Nine
Australians were killed and 30 were
wounded during the battle.
2AFDS nomads test Learmonth
NUMBER 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) proved a new form of
concept of operations when it deployed
to RAAF Learmonth recently.
2AFDS was participating in
Exercise Nomad 2010, which aimed
to test the concept of operations for
clearing an air base of enemy forces,
establishing a secure operating environment and then conducting activities that would permit aircraft to commence operations there within a given
timeframe.
See the next edition for full coverage of
Exercise Nomad.
AIR F RCE
News 7
May 27, 2010
Bersama Shield best
CAPT Michael Brooke
THE world-class efforts of RAAF airmen
in the annual Exercise Bersama Shield
have been applauded.
Bersama Shield was conducted by
the Five Power Defence Arrangements
(FPDA) on the Malaysian peninsula and
the South China Sea from April 26 to
May 7.
It involved 59 combat aircraft, seven
warships and 2500 personnel from
Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, New
Zealand and Britain.
The ADF assets included eight
Hornets from 75SQN, an AP-3C from
10SQN and HMA Ships Anzac and
Success.
CO 75SQN WGCDR Phil Arms said
the exercise enabled 75SQN to test their
training, tactics and airmanship in somewhat unfamiliar environments, which
also provided them with the opportunity
to work closely with the many different
combat aircraft and crew from the other
nations.
He said Bersama Shield was an outstanding training success for his squadron, which achieved a 100 per cent
launch rate, with 12 sorties per day, for a
total of 98 throughout the exercise.
The eight Hornets conducted a range
of tactical missions including reconnaissance, interdiction, and defensive air
operations while networked with other
FPDA combat aircraft and warships.
“Most missions challenged the
Hornets to manoeuvre through an air
defence screen in order to conduct training missions with a maritime task group
in the South China Sea,” WGCDR Arms
said.
75SQN pilot FLTLT Andrew Nilson
said for the first time in his career he
flew complex training missions with
MiG-29 combat aircraft and F-16s and
found the F/A-18s’ impressive performance alongside these highly capable
combat aircraft morale-boosting.
“We quickly came to appreciate the
upgraded avionics that we have that give
ALL EYES: 10SQN’s Orion crew
conduct a mission on exercise.
us such great capability and situational
awareness,” he said.
The AP-3C also regularly took to the
air to serve as an eye in the sky. It conducted a wide range of tactical missions
focused primarily on anti-surface and
anti-submarine warfare while networked
with Malaysian and Singaporean landbased and naval units.
Commander of the 10SQN detachment, SQNLDR Keith Jelbart, said the
exercise provided fantastic training
opportunities.
“The exercise allowed the crew to
test their skills and the technologies of
their upgraded maritime patrol aircraft
against an assortment of Russian, US
and European manufactured combat aircraft and warships operated by FPDA
member nations,” he said.
Both 75SQN and 10SQN were
expertly supported by 324 Combat
Support Squadron at Butterworth,
who used their intimate knowledge of
the region to ensure the seamless and
smooth operation of aircraft from both
sides of the Malaysian Peninsula, as
well as being prepared to handle any
diverts to Paya Lebar in Singapore.
The Commander of the Australian
Contingent, WGCDR Ken Robinson,
said the exercise provided the Air Force
and the ADF with the opportunity to
develop relationships with important
regional partners while reinforcing
Australia’s long-term commitment to
regional capacity building.
Inspector General
Australian Defence Force
P R O M O T I N G M I L I TA RY J U S T I C E
‘
We quickly came to appreciate the upgraded avionics
that we have that give us
such great capability and
situational awareness.
– FLTLT Andrew Nilson
FAST-JET ACTION: Above, FLTLT
Craig Tobin of 75SQN banks his
Hornet to the right heading out
of Butterworth. Right, aviation
technician LAC Reece Dennis assists
a pilot to strap in prior to a mission
during Exercise Bersama Shield.
Photos: LAC Casey Smith
Professional Education Courses
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the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. UNSW@ADFA offers a range of
postgraduate programs and Professional Education courses for the general community
and Defence personnel. These courses provide stimulating learning and networking
opportunities within a supportive environment.
Digital Television
Digital Television: Advanced Systems, 21 - 23 June
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Introduction to Enterprise Architecture, June/July TBC
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Military Systems
Introduction to Electronic Warfare, 28 - 30 June
Naval Architecture
Introduction to Naval and Maritime Strategy, 16 July
Occupational Health and Safety
Laser Safety Introductory
1 Day & 4 Day (Sydney), 28 June - 1 July
Project Management
Managing Integration Projects, 28 - 29 June
Systems Engineering
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8 News
AIR F RCE
Home is where the Hawk is
10
years
in the
air
FLTLT Skye Smith
THE first all-Australian built Hawk,
Aircraft 27-10, was welcomed back to
BAE Systems Williamtown on May 12,
exactly 10 years after it took to the skies
on its maiden test flight in 2000.
Aircraft 10, flown by XO 78WG
WGCDR Chris Hake and T/CO 76SQN
SQNLDR Graham Williams, had a
familiar welcome when Keith Hughes
from BAE marshalled it home as he
had done on its arrival back in 2000.
BAE and Air Force members came
together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of successful production and support operations for the Hawk 127 leadin fighter (LIF) aircraft in Australia.
T/OC 78WG WGCDR Nick
Osborne said the day provided them
with the opportunity to pause and
reflect on that day back in 2000 and
look towards where they would take
the Hawk for the next 10 years and
beyond.
“We look forward to continuing
our association with this aircraft and
BAE Systems, particularly as we move
towards the future of air combat capability with the Super Hornet and Joint
Strike Fighter,” he said.
The Hawk LIF project was established to deliver and support a state-of-
Jet specs
Engine A Single Rolls-Royce
Turbomeca Adour Mk 871
Airframe Length 11.95m, height
4.08m
Wingspan 9.39m
Weight 5443kg
Speed 1207km/h
Range 1207km
Ceiling 50,000ft
May 27, 2010
IN BRIEF
Tankers buddy up
THE RAAF’s first two KC-30As
linked up to pass fuel from one
to the other over a series of three
flights above the Gulf of Cadiz in
Spain recently. Using its fly-by-wire
Advanced Refuelling Boom System
(ARBS), the first KC-30A delivered
fuel to the receptacle on the other
aircraft. Both KC-30As are being
flown by Airbus Military as part
of the test and evaluation of the
aircraft. 33SQN will receive its first
KC-30A later this year.
Hornet support
TECHNICAL support for the F/A-18
fleet is confirmed following the
April 14 signing of a $4.5 million
contract between Air Force and
Boeing Australia for the provision of technical publications
for the next three years. Other
services the company provides to
support the F/A-18 fleet include
platform maintenance, modifications and upgrades at RAAF Base
Williamtown, as well as supply
chain services such as spares
manufacturing and repairs from
Brisbane.
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES: Above, Keith Hughes
marshalls A27-10 on to the tarmac in front of the
BAE hangar after it completed a flypast. Keith also
marshalled the aircraft for the first time in 2000.
Photo: LACW Amy Trebilco
RIGHT: WGCDR Chris Hake, left, and SQNLDR
Graham Williams with Keith Hughes.
Photo: courtesy BAE Systems
the-art fast-jet training capability for the
Air Force, replacing the Macchi jet trainer fleet, which was retired in 2000.
The contract combined the acquisition of 33 advanced jet trainers with a
25-year deeper maintenance support
service delivered by BAE Systems.
The Hawk fleet clocked up 60,000
hours on February 23 this year.
The Hawk 127 is primarily used
for initial training to teach pilots vital
skills, tactics and reflexes that can be
smoothly transferred for operational
conversion to the F/A-18 jet.
Today, 76SQN operates 18 of the
lead-in fighters at Williamtown and the
remaining 15 are based at 79SQN, RAAF
Base Pearce. BAE Systems provides
onsite support at both airfields.
Assembly of aircraft 27-10 took
place in Britain from 1997.
The fuselage and wing arrived in
Williamtown in 1999 and assembly
UHF upgrade
took place between October 1999 and
May 2000.
The aircraft had its first production
test flight in May 2000 flown by BAE
Systems test pilot, Gordon McClymont,
with navigator Garth Gardner in the
back seat.
Aircraft 10 accrued 5.1 flying hours
during production test flights and the
customer acceptance flight.
76SQN at Williamtown accepted
A27-10 along with 10 other aircraft in
October 2000, marking the formal start
of Air Force in-service operations.
Air Combat Group will celebrate 10
years of Hawk operations later this year.
The aircraft became a sandgroper
in May 2007 when it was moved to
79SQN at Pearce.
Today, the Hawk squadrons’ primary role is to conduct introductory
fighter training, as well as other ADF
support missions such as Fleet support
What’s ahead
As part of Project 5438, further
enhancements will be made to
the Hawk training system as
78WG transitions from training Hornet and F-111 pilots to
Super Hornet and Joint Strike
Fighter aircrew training.
and Joint Terminal Attack Controller
training.
There are four Introductory Fighter
Courses (IFC) each year. The students
then go on to conversion courses for
the Classic or Super Hornet.
78WG also conducts advanced
jet training above and beyond what is
taught during IFC, allowing pilots to
enhance their flying skills, operational
skills and leadership abilities.
THE ADF’s satellite-borne UltraHigh Frequency (UHF) communications capability is set to receive
a major boost following a recent
announcement that government
has approved the purchase of the
full UHF payload on the Intelsat
IS-22 communications satellite.
Defence was already purchasing
part of the payload, which included
coverage over the Indian Ocean.
Purchase of the entire suite will
provide the ADF with UHF coverage
over the entire Middle East and
Afghanistan, and also provide extra
communications. The satellite will
be launched in 2012.
Super reps chosen
CDF ACM Angus Houston has
nominated former CDF GEN
Peter Cosgrove and former Chief
Executive Officer of the Military
Superannuation and Benefits
Scheme (MSBS), John McCullagh,
as the ADF’s representatives on
the proposed Commonwealth
Superannuation Corporation. The
appointment of the nominees is
subject to passage of the Bill, which
is currently before Parliament.
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Joining maintenance forces PATCHES www.lukus.com.au
FRAMED: Holding the certificates, from left, are SQNLDR Roger Laffrey
and SGT Martyn Huteau from 3SQN with CDR ACG AIRCDRE Mel
Hupfeld and other 81WG members behind them.
Photo: CPL Clint McKay
THE 81WG Combined
Workshops have been
recognised as an Authorised
Maintenance Organisation
following the amalgamation
of the 3SQN Workshops and
77SQN Avionics Maintenance
Flight.
The Maintenance
Authority was awarded by
Director General Technical
Airworthiness, AIRCDRE
David Tindal, and presented
by Commander Air Combat
Group AIRCDRE Mel
Hupfeld on May 14.
The 81WG Combined
Workshops is authorised to
conduct maintenance on F/A18 A and B aircraft, associated equipments and aeronautical product under the Hornet
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AIR F RCE May 27, 2010
Giant leap
ap for
our kind
FLTLT Eamon Hamilton
A SMALL step for paratroopers from
a 36SQN C-17A has demonstrated one
giant leap for Air Force.
The Globemaster conducted a
series of static-line paradrops over
Rickaby’s Drop Zone, next to RAAF
Base Richmond, on April 20.
The paratroops, from No. 176 Air
Dispatch Squadron (176ADS), were
the first since the personnel drop capability was cleared for Australia in mid2008.
A total of 20 members of 176AD
conducted multiple static-line drops
from 1000 feet throughout the day
through the C-17A’s left and right
hand paradoors.
The experience is much like jumping from a C-130, with paratroops
exiting via side-mounted paradoors.
Air deflectors help break up airflow as
the paratroop exits.
MAJ Neil Peake, OC of 176AD,
said the experience was similar to
jumping from the Hercules.
“From a jumper’s perspective, there
aren’t that many changes for us – we
use the same drills and equipment,”
MAJ Peake said. “It definitely is a
more comfortable ride, though.”
The C-17A, however, represents
a big increase in capability for aerial
delivery of personnel.
The C-130J can deliver up to 92
paratroops, whereas the C-17A can
carry 102.
The C-17A can also deliver paratroopers to a drop zone up to 2000 kilometres from its home base, and with
air-to-air refuelling, fly further still.
“From a capability perspective, it’s
a huge increase,” MAJ Peake said.
“Once the clearances have been
done for cargo airdrop, the C-17A will
be a massive increase on our ability to
insert an airborne force to achieve a
tactical endstate.”
News 9
JUMPING SHIP: 176SQN
paratroopers leap from the C-17A
over Rickaby’s Drop Zone, next to
RAAF Base Richmond.
Photo: LAC David Said
LOAD ’EM UP: Far left,
paratroopers file on to
the ramp of the C-17A in
preparation for the static-line
paradrop, and left, 36SQN
loadmaster SGT Dwayne
Taylor briefs paratroopers
on procedures inside the
aircraft.
Photos: LACW Amanda Campbell
10 News
AIR F RCE
May 27, 2010
Tarakan
recalled
Jaimie Abbott
THEY FORMED in the darkest days
of Australia’s war when the nation was
directly at threat and to acknowledge
its distinguished past, No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit (114
MCRU) has commemorated the 65th
anniversary of the Tarakan campaign
during WWII.
CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin
attended the Tarakan Day parade at the
unit’s home at RAAF Base Darwin.
1 1 4 M C RU d e p l oy e d w i t h
Australian troops on Tarakan Island in
1945 to provide radar air defence services in support of allied forces during
operation Oboe.
The unit was granted the Borneo
1945 Battle Honour to recognise the
members’ actions during the Tarakan
campaign, in which more than 200
Australians were killed.
CO 114MCRU WGCDR Stuart
Briese said the Tarakan campaign was
an important part of the unit’s history.
“This is the first time the parade
has been held since 2007, which is the
year 114MCRU personnel deployed
to Afghanistan where they worked in
the Control and Reporting Centre in
Kandahar,” WGCDR Briese said.
“The deployment as part of
Operation Slipper was the first overseas operational deployment for the
unit since its return from Malaysia in
1966.”
OC 41WG GPCAPT Daryl Hunter
said the unit was one of the Air Force’s
most valuable assets and has participated in almost every major Air Force
exercise since the 1970s.
“We are all proud of the history and
tradition that’s built up in 114MCRU,
not only from its contribution in
WWII in the south-west Pacific area
of operations but again in the 1950s
during the Malayan Emergency while
deployed to Butterworth,” GPCAPT
Hunter said.
The Tarakan parade included military manoeuvres and customs dating
from medieval times, including marching and drill movements, parading of
the colours, and a Reviewing Officer’s
address by AIRMSHL Binskin. The
Air Force Band provided the musical
accompaniment during the ceremony.
Following the parade, the unit held
an open day where families were invit-
TRADITION: Above, 114MCRU
members march in the Tarakan Day
parade at RAAF Base Darwin, and
right, the unit’s Colour on show.
ed to come and see what 114MCRU
does. For some of the children, it was
their first visit to RAAF Base Darwin.
It was a day of many ‘firsts’ as a
dining-in night was held that evening
for all 114 MCRU members.
“It was my first dining-in night and
it was such an enjoyable experience
I look forward to an opportunity to
attend another one,” air surveillance
operator CPL Christine Bell said.
AIR TIME: LAC James Warner, LAC
Salvatore Blasco-Celdia and CPL Richard
Sandham tune up before the parade.
Photos: SGT Errol Jones
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Less noise at Salt Ash
RESIDENTS of towns in the vicinity of
the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range can look
forward to slightly quieter skies after Air
Force decided to halve the projected use
of the range by the Joint Strike Fighter
(JSF).
Reviews by Air Force have revealed
that much of the training requirements
needed for JSF purposes can be fulfilled
by simulators.
At the same time, Air Force will not
be closing the range, which is vital for
live training, and particularly for the
lead-in fighters.
DCAF AVM Geoff Brown made the
announcement on May 17.
Local residents and councils were
concerned after Air Force indicated that
the JSF with its more powerful single
engine was noisier then the Hawk and
Hornet fighters that presently use the
range.
DCAF’s announcement follows an
extensive review by Defence into the
way the JSF would use the range and its
negotiations with Port Stephen Council
over several months.
“We have assessed that we can make
a significant difference to levels of aircraft noise near the range,” AVM Brown
said.
Reducing the JSF’s proposed use of
the range would bring the noise contours back closer to levels and ensure
the future of the range as an essential
training environment for Air Force.
“This review outcome doesn’t change
the noise contours in other parts of Port
Stephens, where we have no room to
move on our requirement to get aircraft
into and out of the Williamtown base.
“However, it does greatly improve
the circumstance of communities in
the immediate vicinity of the range and
decreases the planning challenges for
Port Stephens Council,” he said.
AIR F RCE
Air Force Awards 11
May 27, 2010
WORLD-CLASS: Described as “the best in the world”, the award recipients from the 2009 Air Force Awards night proudly display their trophies. Above inset, CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin
with Deirdre and Warwick Kiely, who accepted the Fighter Pilot of the Year Award on behalf of their son, FLTLT Adrian Kiely.
Photo: LACW Jessica Smith
Best of
the best
LAC Aaron Curran
THE last-minute change of venue for the
Air Force Awards proved to be a winning
decision, with the new combined Officers’/Sergeants’ Mess at RAAF Base Amberley displaying its potential as a major
events location.
The awards, originally planned for
Canberra, were held amid mild conditions which allowed the doors to the
mess to be left partially open, letting
fresh air circulate to the delight of the
guests.
More than 150 Air Force members
and invited guests attended the presentations, which featured quality food
and enjoyable music from the Air Force
Band, led by musical director CPL
Cameron Scott.
“It was a celebration of excellence,”
CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said.
“We acknowledged the outstanding achievements and performances of our Air Force men and women.
Achievements and performances that
reflect the values we hold dear – professionalism, dedication, determination,
motivation, innovation, and team work
that has shaped us, and delivered us, to
where we are today.”
A proud CAF said simply that Air
Force’s personnel are “the best in the
world” and with 24 awards handed out,
the winners’ achievements backed up
that statement.
That amount of awards was a lot to
get through, but the guests, surrounded by soft blue lighting, listened and
applauded each presentation.
Big applause was handed out to
the parents of FLTLT Adrian Kiely
from 81WG, who won the Sir Richard
Williams Trophy (Fighter Pilot of the
Year).
He is in the UK on a Typhoon conversion course and his parents made the
trip to Amberley to accept the award on
behalf of their son.
It was a night of firsts as well, with
three new awards handed out and two
more announced for 2010.
The three new awards were the
Chief of Air Force Instructor of the Year
Award, the Warrant Officer of the Air
Force Instructor of the Year Award and
the Air Force Australian Public Service
(APS) Team Member of the Year Award.
The Air Vice-Marshal Wrigley Essay
for air power analysis and the Pilot
Officer R.H. Middleton VC Essay for
air power historical analysis are the two
new awards for 2010.
“These make up the CAF Essay
Competition,” CAF said.
“I am pleased to see that opportunities to recognise outstanding achievement at the Air Force Awards continue
to expand.”
He said each award acknowledged
the professionalism and efforts of the
recipients and he wanted all the Air
Force to share in their pride, and that of
their achievements.
“The Senior Leadership Team and
I notice those qualities, and I strongly
encourage Air Force commanders to
nominate our people, squadrons, and
units for the 2010 Air Force Awards,”
he said.
“I know it takes time, but if you
think your people are exceptional – they
– and the rest of our Air Force should
know about it.”
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12 Air Force Awards
AIR F RCE
May 27, 2010
TROPHY LIST
The AVM B.A. Eaton Award: CPL
Michael Gifford.
APS Team Member of the Year: Mr
Mick Gower.
The AVM Dietz Memorial Quality
and Achievement Medallions: SGT
Joanne Rankine and Mr Glen Ridley.
The Queen’s Gold Medal: FLTLT Paul
Schaper.
The J.R. Bartram and R.A. Kee
Sword of Honour: LAC Michael
Bragg.
The McCarthy, Rowbottom and
Jones Memorial Award: WOFF Ian
Swney.
The Lipshut Family Bursary: CPL
Lauren Cunningham.
CAF Instructor of the Year Award:
FLTLT Denis Bergamasco.
The SQNLDR W.T. Riggs Perpetual
Trophy: SGT William Guthrie.
The Thales Australia Leadership
Sword: FLTLT Paul Schaper.
WOFF-AF Instructor of the Year
Award: CPL Christopher Rounsley.
The Air Force Association Trophy:
No. 26 (City of Newcastle)
Squadron.
The Duke of Gloucester Cup: 11SQN.
The Hawker Siddeley Trophy: 325
Expeditionary Combat Support
Squadron.
The Markowski Cup: 1 Combat
Communications Squadron.
The RAAF Maintenance Trophy:
44WG Detachment Darwin.
The Stonehaven Trophy: Air
Movements Training and
Development Unit.
The Kittyhawk Squadrons Trophy:
75SQN.
Top shot, Bill
SGT William Guthrie from RAAF Base Richmond (pictured above inset with CAF) won the
SQNLDR W.T. Riggs Trophy for the best official photograph of 2009 with this shot taken at
Exercise Talisman Sabre last July. Pictured is military working dog handler LAC Chris Hepworth
from 321ECSS on patrol with dog Chita at RAAF Base Darwin. In the background is one of
the assets he is protecting, an F/A-18 from 3SQN. SGT Guthrie’s image was selected from 96
entries by a panel of judges, headed by CAF.
REWARDS: Above CAF and Mick Gower
with the Air Force Australian Public
Service Team Member of the Year Award.
This is the first year the award has been
presented. Below, CAF and LAC Michael
Bragg, with his J.R. Bertram and R.A.
Kee Sword of honour.
Photos: LACW Jessica Smith
WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Above, back row, CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin and CO 44WG
Detachment Darwin WGCDR Robert Graham with the RAAF Maintenance Trophy, flanked by Denis
Navin and Barbara Templeton. Front row from left is Henri Raafs, LAC Dean Melia, LAC Allen
Gibson and SQNLDR Michael Kelly. Right: CAF and 75SQN’s FLGOFF Darren Klaus display the
Kittyhawk Squadrons Trophy for best fighter squadron.
Photos: LACW Jessica Smith
Pick your favourite
Air Force has introduced a
People’s Choice Award this
year for the Riggs Trophy.
To view all the photographic
entries and vote for your
favourite, visit the Air Force
intranet and click on the Air
Force Awards/People’s Choice
Award links. The winner will be
published in a future edition.
AIR F RCE
Air Force Awards 13
May 27, 2010
Michael ourr
top airman
LAC Aaron Curran
TAKING responsibility, doing a
fantastic job and offering expert advice earned CPL Michael Gifford
the AVM B.A. Eaton Airman of the
Year Award for 2009.
CPL Gifford, 26, a communication electronic technician (CETECH) from 1 Combat
Communications Squadron
(1CCS), was presented with the
award by CAF AIRMSHL Mark
Binskin at the Air Force Awards
night at RAAF Base Amberley on
May 18.
In front of more than 150
guests, CPL Gifford was presented
the award that he initially did not
believe he had won.
“I was in the MEAO and
received a phone call from 1CCS
at Richmond,” CPL Gifford said.
“It was just before April Fools
Day so I thought something was
going on and I just laughed.”
Once he started to receive
emails from senior officers, he
knew it was for real.
“Emails from those officers are
not a usual occurrence so it had to
be true,” he said.
“Once the people I was working with in the MEAO found out,
they printed out posters with the
award on it and stuck them everywhere.”
CPL Gifford was in the MEAO
as part of a Force Installation Team
(FIT) in April, 2009. The FIT
replaced the outdated Deployable
Information Systems, both DRN
and DSN, throughout all Areas
of Operations. The replacement
systems are referred to as Hybrid
Deployable Local Area Networks
(HDLAN) and they provide an
extension of the ADF strategic network in a deployed environment.
CO 1CCS WGCDR Stephen
Mallett said CPL Gifford’s outstanding leadership to the HDLAN
commissioning team established
him as a senior technical advisor
for the roll-out of the HDLAN
systems.
“CPL Gifford was effective in
communicating his thoughts and
technical ideas clearly and succinctly to superiors,” WGCDR
Mallett said.
“His input was always well
regarded and sought after by the
commissioning team. That allowed
them to make accurate and timely
technical decisions. His subject
matter knowledge has developed
from the higher work tempo he has
been exposed to since posting into
1CCS in 2003.”
Due to technical issues experienced in the Mission Rehearsal
Exercise for the Al Minhad Air
Base HDLAN installation, Thales
flew in a technical expert to resolve
a unique problem. The Thales
technician
quickly identified the technical intellect and
skills that CPL
Gifford offered
to the situation and used
his capabilities
to the fullest
extent.
“I took a
lead on the job because I wanted
to get it done,” CPL Gifford said.
“I have pride in what I do.
Being in communications, you
always have your mates going
overseas after you, so you need
to do a good job. That way, they
don’t have to worry about fixing
any mistakes.”
CPL Gifford rang his parents
in Cairns about the award and
their excitement was enhanced by
the news that they were to be joining him on the night.
“It really sunk in at the dinner,” he said.
WGCDR Mallett best summed
up CPL Gifford’s contribution to
1CCS and the wider Air Force.
“His superior knowledge and
application in an operational
arena demonstrated his commitment to strategic leadership in the
Air Force CETECH fraternity."
TECHNICAL WHIZ: CPL Michael Gifford from 1CCS earned the AVM B.A. Eaton
Airman of the Year Award for 2009 for his work in the MEAO as part of the Force
Installation Team. Above inset, proud parents Malcolm and Michelle help CPL
Gifford display his award.
Main photo: LAC Aaron Curran
OTS scores trophy trio
LAC Aaron Curran
AWARDED: CAF and CPL Christopher
Rounsley with his WOFF-AF Instructor of
the Year Award. With CPL Rounsley is his
wife Rebecca, WOFF-AF JJ Millar (left) and
CO OTS WGCDR Paul Klose. Inset left,
FLTLT Paul Schaper displays his Thales
Australia Leadership Sword and Queen’s
Gold Medal, while right, FLTLT Denis
Bergamasco holds his CAF Instructor of
the Year Award.
Photos: LACW Jessica Smith
Schaper, now at RAAF Base
Pearce.
FSGT Ben Wright from
OFFICERS’ Training School
Directorate of Coordination – Air
(OTS) members from RAAF
Force said the two new awards
Base East Sale held its head high were added to the list because
at the Air Force Awards night.
Air Force was placing a major
Of the 24 awards handed out
emphasis on education and trainbetween all of Air Force, three
ing of its workforce.
were picked up by members of
“There was nothing in our
Air Force’s premier leadership
system of honours to recognise
training school.
those vital personnel who deliver
Two of those awards – the
that training,” he said.
Chief of Air Force Instructor of
“The imminent arrival of
the Year Award and the Warrant
new technologically-advanced
Officer of the Air Force Instructor platforms means that Air Force
of the Year Award – were pretraining is going to become much
sented for the first time. These
more critical and important.
awards were presented to FLTLT There is a no more an important
Denis Bergamasco (now at
link in the chain than those indiRAAF Base Edinburgh) and CPL viduals who deliver the training
Christopher Rounsley respecthat enables these new capabilitively.
ties.”
Her Majesty the Queen’s Gold
He said trainees mirror those
Medal is awarded to the outstand- critical individuals who put their
ing officer trainee graduate from hand up and pretty much 'take
OTS to recognise exemplary con- one for the team' by becoming an
duct, performance and positive
instructor in the Air Force.
influence on fellow officers.
“Hopefully these new awards
It was awarded to FLTLT Paul go a little way in acknowledg-
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ing and supporting those crucial
people who deliver the training
required for us to provide air and
space security to the people of
Australia,” FSGT Wright said.
CO OTS WGCDR Paul Klose
couldn’t wipe the smile off his
face at the awards night.
“I feel proud of their achievements,” he said.
“OTS is basically a leadership
school and an instructor/student
relationship is very important in
developing future leaders of the
Air Force. We are keen on professionalising the instructor workforce and recognising the skills
and dedication that they have.”
He encouraged the individual approach to instruction, self
development and going the extra
yards in developing people.
“OTS is a place that promotes
professional development in its
instructors and a place to come
and make your mark on the
future of the Air Force,” he said.
“When I found out these guys
won the awards I was bouncing
off the roof.”
Centrepiece
14
AIR F RCE
15
May 27, 2010
LEADING EDGE
The first two Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)
aircraft have now been formally accepted by Air Force. As
Jaimie Abbott reports, it’s been a long journey.
of the
Wedgetail
A
BIG ADVENTURE: Above, a Boeing 737 AEW&C Wedgetail aircraft sits on the tarmac at RAAF Base Williamtown and, right, clerk
SGT Lisa Swan and logistics officer FLTLT Nick Willers work together to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Photos: CPL David Gibbs
new chapter has begun for
Surveillance and Response
Group (SRG), with the first
two Wedgetails now officially
accepted into service at RAAF Base
Williamtown. The aircraft will be a key
part of Australia’s air combat capability
into the future.
Thousands of hands have made the
project work – from contractors to military members in Boeing and its partners,
Defence Materiel Organisation, 2SQN
and Headquarters 42WG. All have
committed to delivering a world-class
AEW&C system that meets our warfighting resource requirements from day
one until final acceptance.
Headquarters 42WG Logistics
Officer FLTLT Nick Willers has been
a part of that process for the past four
years, and said it’s been among the most
challenging highlights of his career.
“There has been no manual on how
we needed to piece together this project.
The Wedgetail aircraft is a ‘first of type’
development and extremely complex,”
FLTLT Willers said.
That complexity is a result of the
cutting-edge radar technology and sensors that have been incorporated into
each aircraft. Three more Wedgetails are
expected to be delivered to Williamtown
later this year and the final one by early
next year.
There have been many hoops to
jump through along the way, particularly with respect to radar and integrated
system performance.
For 2SQN maintenance crews, the
biggest hurdle has been the process of
receiving the Authorised Maintenance
Organisation (AMO), which means they
now have the authority to do maintenance work on the Wedgetail aircraft.
Squadron Senior Engineering Officer
SQNLDR David Johnstone said the staff
had put in long hours to meet the regulations and implement the appropriate
support systems.
“Establishing an initial AMO for a
new aircraft type was always going to
be a challenge and we’ve had to wait for
spares, procedures
and publications to
be completed before
we could pass the
test,” he said.
Williamtown
has undergone a
significant and
dedicated infrastructure upgrade
to accommodate
and support the
Wedgetail aircraft.
Headquarters
42WG
Administration
Officer
FLTLT Nicole
Strybosch said
engaging regular stakeholders, including
with community leaders,
contractors
and base sup-
TANKS FOR COMING: Aircraft technicians SGT Bevan Leedham and CPL
Daniel Amiet prepare to remove the liquid oxygen tanks from the hangar.
Photo: CPL David Gibbs
NEW REACH:
Number
2SQN B Flight
Commander
SQNLDR David
Martin at work
on board the
Wedgetail
aircraft.
Photo: LAC Craig
Barrett
AT THE
READY:
Right, aircraft
technician
LAC Michael
Osgood
inspects the
frame of the
new Airborne
Early Warning
and Control
aircraft.
Photo: LAC Craig
Barrett
ENGAGING: HQ 42WG
ADMINO FLTLT Nicole
Strybosch liaises with a staff
member. Photo: CPL David Gibbs
port elements, had been the key to harmonising all of the program’s capability
elements.
When all six Wedgetails are eventually operating at Williamtown, an
extra 200 personnel will contribute to,
and benefit the local economy in the
Newcastle, Port Stephens and Hunter
communities.
Already in location, Headquarters
42WG Clerk SGT Lisa Swan said
it was exciting to finally see the
Wedgetail at Williamtown.
“I’m still getting used to looking
out the window and watching the new
aircraft take off and land,” SGT Swan
said.
The introduction of Wedgetail
changes the face of Air Battle
Management (ABM) in the Air Force.
Previously, air combat officers (ACOs)
in the ABM stream have worked from a
static ground location as part of 41WG.
Known as air defence officers since
the early ’90s, they’ve been purposely
exposed to and given AEW&C experience through liaison roles and exchanges. Those operating with the Royal and
United States air forces have trained on
the E3 AWACS and others on the US
Navy E2C Hawkeye.
Former 2SQN CO and now HQSRG
Chief of Staff GPCAPT Tracey Friend
said this had helped in gaining insight
into large-scale AEW&C operations
and enhanced understanding of their
training framework and employment
procedures.
Operators (mission crew and pilots)
and technicians have embedded with
the AEW&C Project Resident Project
Team in Seattle, and within the Boeing
Company itself.
SRG’s WGCDR Rob Saxton spent
an extended period of time in Seattle
as the Wedgetail Test and Operations
Manager. “Over there we regularly
flew the Wedgetail aircraft using the
same systems we expected to operate
with, when the aircraft was eventually delivered to the RAAF,” WGCDR
Saxton said.
“We supported the improvement
of tactical and interface procedures
with other agencies as well as developed an understanding of some of the
Wedgetail’s capabilities in a broad battle scenario.”
Working in 42WG and on the
Wedgetail, the ACOs can talk to external assets including in the Army and
Navy using the comprehensive communications system while airborne.
The Navy will provide one fighter
controller per mission crew, which will
add to the operational experience and
understanding of maritime operations
for everyone in 2SQN.
The Army has also established 14
Ground Liaison Section within the
Wing to provide special land expertise.
Number 2SQN B Flight Commander
SQNLDR David Martin said: “We now
have a further reach and can influence a
lot more of the decisions by providing a
clearer picture to ground, sea and other
air forces.”
Training has been essential for all
aircrew in preparation for the acceptance of Wedgetail. Next door to the
42WG and 2SQN Headquarters is the
AEW&C Systems Program Office
(AEW&C SPO), where modified
Boeing 737 simulators have been the
foundation for initial and on-going
training requirements for operators. The
back-end simulator is a reflection of the
real-time environment for ACOs.
Pilot SQNLDR James Pearson said
the modifications to the simulator had
resulted in Wedgetail having one of the
best air-to-air refuelling training devices.
FAMILY
INSIGHT:
SQNLDR
Amool
Prasad and
his son
Carter in
front of an
F/A-18 at
the open
day.
Photo: CPL
David Gibbs
Several of the squadron’s pilots have
also been attached to Virgin Airlines in
Brisbane to fly on their Boeing 737 aircraft to gain further experience leading up
to the delivery of the Wedgetail aircraft.
The celebrations continued with an
open day organised by the AEW&C
SPO, 2SQN and 42WG, where family
members were invited to attend.
Up to 400 people turned out to the
family day on May 16. There were static displays of a Hornet, Wedgetail aircraft tours, and children’s activities.
One of the attendees was SQNLDR
Amool Prasad who said: “It was really
exciting for my family to get an insight
into the work I’ve been doing for the past
four years, and my son Carter was excited
to see the Wedgetail aircraft up close.”
The Wedgetail aircraft will have five
broad roles: surveillance, air defence,
maritime support, force coordination,
and support to civil agencies.
The Super Hornet provides Australia with an immediate next-generation air combat capability ideally
suited to RAAF requirements. Already delivering on budget and ahead of schedule, Boeing and its
industry partners are committed to ensuring superior program performance in the air and on the ground.
AIR F RCE
News 17
May 27, 2010
Eleys’ 70 years
Photo: ACW Nichola Freeman
Jaimie Abbott
AN AIR FORCE couple has reached a
significant milestone – clocking up 70
years combined military service between
them.
But for one half of this Surveillance
and Response Group duo, the days of
ironing blue shirts are over.
92WG Executive Warrant Officer
WOFF Rob Eley has decided to
retire after completing 40 years service on January 11. His wife, 1 Radar
Surveillance Unit administration officer,
WOFF Sandy Nicholson, clocked up 30
years just a few months earlier.
WOFF Eley joined in 1970 as a communications sailor in the Navy. At 16,
he served in the Vietnam War onboard
HMAS Sydney.
In 1980 he joined the Air Force, and
continued to work as a communications
operator until 1992 when he came across
a Warrant Officer Disciplinary (WOD)
in action.
“It looked like a fantastic job and I
thought it looked like something I would
enjoy,” WOFF Eley said.
He entered the WOD world and
worked at the RAAF School of Radio
and the RAAF College at RAAF
Williams before moving to Canberra
to take up a three-year posting at the
Australian Defence Force Academy until
1999.
“That was among the highlights of
my Air Force career; I enjoyed working
with over a thousand cadets and watching them progress into fine young officers,” he said.
“There have been some emotional
highlights, including in 2007 when I
travelled to Papua New Guinea to assist
in the burial of 16 people killed in a
WWII Dakota aircraft crash.”
When he was a SGT, WOFF Eley
met up with then CPL Sandy Nicholson
at a ‘pay night disco’ in 1989. They continued a long-distance relationship for 18
months, and 21 years later they are happily married and living in Adelaide.
Come on in,
Edinburgh
WOFF Nicholson joined the Air
Force in November 1979 as a Personnel
Selection Assessor (PSA). She was
promoted to SGT in 1989 and became
one of only two PSA SGTs in the Air
Force. When the mustering disbanded
in 1994, she remustered to a clerk. From
2004 to 2007, she instructed at the
School of Postgraduate Studies at Wagga
and was OIC of the SGT and WOFF
promotion courses.
“I was very proud of her when she
received an ACAUST commendation for
the ownership, redevelopment and successful implementation of the seven-day
SGT course,” WOFF Eley said.
WOFF Eley plans to spend his newfound time volunteering for community
groups in the Adelaide area.
“Oh, and I’ll be growing a goatie,”
he added with a smile.
LONG LEGACY: WOFF Robert Eley removes his tie in
anticipation of retiring after serving 40 years in the ADF. By his
side is wife WOFF Sandy Nicholson. Together the couple have
served a combined total of 70 years in the ADF.
Photo: LACW Shannon McCarthy
Members of RAAF Base Edinburgh
conducted a Freedom of Entry
to the City of Playford parade in
Elizabeth, Adelaide, on May 8. The
Mayor of Playford, Martin Lindsell,
JP (pictured above), inspected
the parade and spoke to some of
the airmen involved. The right of
Freedom of Entry is a traditional
honour exercised to demonstrate
the strong bond held between the
base and the local community.
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18 News
AIR F RCE
MUM’S THE WORD: Right,
SQNLDR Cindy Chawner
(left) and CPL Donna Bean
savour the offerings on
the menu as fellow mums
deployed to the Australian
Support Base in the United
Arab Emirates sit down to
a Mothers Day luncheon
put on in their honour at the
dining facility on the base.
Below, not quite matching
the uniform, but LACW
Robyn Bosworth’s gift of
pink pearls gave her great
delight at the Mothers Day
luncheon.
Photos: SGT Brent Tero
May 27, 2010
Love was in the air
when Scott popped
the big question
Mums spoilt
in the MEAO
LEUT Todd Austin
EVEN in the Middle East, the mums
of the ADF were spoilt on their special
day.
The dining facilities’ staff at the
Al Minhad Air Base served up a delicious four course lunch for 13 mums
who were treated to first-class silver
service. On the menu was deep-fried
camembert, fillet of beef wellington
with dianne sauce and an Australian
favourite, rolled pavlova with raspberry
sauce.
SQNLDR Cindy Chawner, who is
on her first deployment, said it was fantastic that the headquarters organised a
special lunch for the mums.
“Receiving presents and a phone
call from my kids back at home and
enjoying a great lunch with other
mums goes along way to make up for
missing some special moments back in
Australia,” SQNLDR Chawner said.
“I literally have a ‘Brady Bunch’
back at home with six children; one
of my three sons’ is even called Brady,
so Mothers Day normally gets quite
hectic.”
OFFICER Cadet Scott Wood combined his love of
aviation, heights and his childhood sweetheart when he
got down on one knee on April 2.
The third year Australian Defence Force Academy
(ADFA) cadet said he and his girlfriend Lily had been
together for three years when he decided to pop the
question – in a very special way.
He decided that climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge
would be a great experience and set the perfect scene
to propose. He just needed the right props.
“Lily said she always imagined being proposed to
by skywriting but I figured having the planes fly right
above her would be even better,” OFFCDT Wood said.
The planes were a Pitts Special S2A competition
aerobatic aircraft and a Robin 2160/ Alpha 160 aerobatic trainer, both operated by Red Baron Scenic and
Aerobatic Flight Adventures in Sydney.
At 11.30am, the couple began the climb and
arrived at the summit at 1pm. Shortly afterwards, the
two aircraft passed overhead flying side by side. Then
they separated and went vertical, trailing smoke as
they formed Scott’s heart.
“After the planes finished I got down on one knee,”
he said. “It was a moment we would never forget and
also allowed us to be as close to the planes as we
could as they flew by.”
Scott’s plan paid off as Lily accepted his proposal.
WILL YOU?:
OFFCDT
Scott Wood
proposes
to girlfriend
Lily on top of
the Sydney
Harbour
Bridge.
LOVE BIRD: One of two
Pitts Special aircraft involved.
AIR FORCE BAND
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(08) 94096682
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Tasmania
(03) 6376 2804
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May 29: The Air Force Jazz Ensemble will support
the RAAF Base Glenbrook Officers’ Mess Ball.
June 2: The Ceremonial Band will support the 1RTU
graduation parade at RAAF Base Wagga from 11am.
June 4: The Ceremonial Band will support the OTS
graduation parade at RAAF East Sale from 11.30am.
June 6: Air Power Brass will support the Bomber
Command Commemorative Ceremony at the
Australian War Memorial from 10.30am.
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AIR F RCE
May 27, 2010
News 19
Long ride a fun raiser
LEADER OF THE PACK: Left, CAF
AIRMSHL Mark Binskin leads the way as
riders leave Katherine for Darwin and, above,
addressing the riders before leaving.
Photos: SGT Pete Gammie
HEADED by CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin, 45 Air
Force members from Wagga, Canberra, Glenbrook,
Richmond and Williamtown, participated in the Long
Ride from May 1 to 8 to raise awareness of prostate
cancer and to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer
Foundation.
At last count, donations collected during the event
topped $200,000 and were rapidly rising as they were
tallied.
Between May 1 and 2, more than 400 motorcycles, many with pillion passengers, and of ages up
to almost 70 years, set off from Sydney, Brisbane,
Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Townsville for
Darwin. Their routes ranged from 3538km (from
Adelaide) to 4612km (Townsville).
You can double those distances for the return trip.
The NSW, Victorian and Queensland contingents
met at Charleville; they were joined by the South
Australians at Tennant Creek and then the Western
Australian riders at Katherine.
The entire contingent rode as one into Darwin on
May 8.
AIRMSHL Binskin rode from Glenbrook to
Nyngan, having ridden from Canberra to join the fun.
At that point most of the Air Force riders split
from the main group and returned to their home
bases via RAAF Base Wagga for charity-related
activities.
Later, CAF rejoined the
Fast fact
ride and 20 more Air Force
riders for the final leg from
Katherine to Darwin in the
SeventyNorthern Territory.
three of the
AIRMSHL Binskin said
that raising awareness of
men who
prostate cancer was important
participated
for all males and that at one
in the ride
time or another most families
would be impacted by the
have or have
silent, malignant disease.
recovered
“One in nine men will
contract prostate cancer,
from
that’s as many as there are
prostate
women who will suffer from
breast cancer,” AIRMSHL
cancer
Binskin said.
“I’ve lost friends to cancer over the years. The Long Ride is a great cause
and I’ve been pleased to encourage bike riders in the
Air Force and the wider ADF to take part.”
Each participant was encouraged to seek donations from friends, relatives, work mates and businesses and to seek sponsorship from any source for
goods that could be donated as a prize to be raffled at
the end of the ride.
While the focus may have been on the riders, others were also determined to play their part.
RAAF Base Darwin personnel collected more
than $4000, while RAAF Base Wagga members
raised more than $1000.
ON THE ROAD: Riders near Nyngan in
central west NSW during the Long Ride.
Received your posting
before 1 July 2010?
Moving before 31 August 2010?
You will need to talk to us as we will
manage your relocation. Any postings
received after 1 July 2010 will be handled
by Toll Transitions.
www.dha.gov.au
|
139 DHA (139 342)
AIR F RCE
Flightline 21
May 27, 2010
PARTY TIME: Left, from left,
ACW Laura Dahl of 42WG
and CPLs Sarah Booth and
Jenna McLachlan of 2SQN
enjoy the formal reception
following the Wedgetail
acceptance ceremony at
RAAF Base Williamtown.
Photo: LAC Craig Barrett
SPECIAL MEMENTO: Right,
ACAUST AVM Mark Skidmore
presents WOFF Brenton
Bell a framed montage from
10SQN to mark his 20 years
service as an Orion flight
engineer. ACAUST made
the presentation in front of
10SQN personnel during his
recent visit to RAAF Base
Edinburgh.
Photo: LAC Glen McCarthy
Your crew
STAR SERVICE: FLTLT Alan White from 462SQN
received the Federation Star for 40 continuous
years in the Air Force. The electrical engineer
enlisted in 1964 and transferred to the Reserves
in 1985.
Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
FAMILY PRIDE: 87SQN XO SQNLDR Justin
Porter lays a wreath with his daughter Jasmine at
the Walkerville Memorial Gardens in Adelaide on
Anzac Day.
Photo: LAC Glen McCarthy
Life Insurance
It’s nice to know that your crew on the home front will be looked after if anything happens to you. Because life is full
of uncertainties no matter how fit and healthy you might be now. So if you have people who depend on you financially,
then consider Defence Health Term Life Insurance for their protection. It will even cover you on warlike operations if you
take it out before you know you are to be deployed. Don’t delay.
For a quote, brochure or application form call Defence Health on 1800 335 425 or visit www.defencehealth.com.au
LUCKY FEW: LAC Scott Bryant of Australia’s
Federation Guard was part of the Air Force
contingent to travel to Turkey and France for
Anzac Day services.
Photo: LAC Luke Morris
This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant
Product Disclosure Statement in deciding whether to acquire this product. You may wish to seek independent advice. This product is underwritten by Asteron Life Limited (ABN 64 001 698 228,
AFSL 237903) and Defence Health receives remuneration of 11.78% of all premiums you pay to Asteron Life Limited. The Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement may be
obtained by calling the Defence Health Member Service Centre on 1800 335 425 or downloaded from www.defencehealth.com.au
22 Personnel
Learn air power
NOMINATIONS are sought for the
Advanced Air Power Course 10-02.
The course is conducted via the
internet from July 5 to November
12.
Nominations must be received
by close of business June 18.
Apply at airpower@defence.
gov.au and include AAPC 10-02 in
the subject heading.
For more information, contact
SQNLDR Matt Xerri on (02)
6266 1161 or email matthew.
xerri@defence.gov.au. Further course
information is available at http://
airpower.airforce.gov.au.
AIR F RCE May 27, 2010
Keeping abreast of mums’ rights
Letter to the Editor
I WOULD like to convey
my thanks and provide some
feedback to the ADF women
who, in late 2008, completed
my questionnaire about their
experience of breastfeeding
and returning to active duty.
Having breastfed my three
children while serving in the
ADF, I realised there was minimal policy guidance available
to support women or command-
ers in making decisions about
breastfeeding, so I made this the
subject of my Masters of Public
Health (Defence) thesis.
The objectives of the study
included benchmarking the
rates and behaviours of breastfeeding among a cohort of ADF
women in comparison with
Australian norms. Results were
compared to Australian and
international guidelines.
My major recommendations
were the drafting of a policy
to specifically address breastfeeding and lactation breaks
in the ADF context, including
occupational hygiene issues and
reference to individual readiness, fitness testing and medical employment classification
policies. The recommendations
were passed to DGPERS-AF for
consideration.
If anyone would like further
information about the results of
this study, please contact me on
kelley_stewart@hotmail.com
SQNLDR Kelley Stewart (reservist)
No. 21 (City of Melbourne)
Squadron
Kilmore, Victoria
A MilHOP, SKIP
AND A JUMP
TO A BETTER
HEALTH FUTURE
For a better health service for you and your ADF
teammates, participate in the MilHOP survey.
milhop@cmvh.org.au
cmvh.org.au/milhop
1800 886 567
Students debate
youth challenge
in the Riverina
SGT Nadine Gallway from Headquarters
RAAF College tells participants at the
Defence 2020 Youth Challenge Forum
about her life in the Air Force. Local
secondary school students from around
the Riverina attended the ‘Defence 2020’
Youth Challenge Forum in Wagga on April
30. They discussed the theme ‘Is the spirit
of Anzac relevant to the ADF today?’ with
serving members of the three services.
Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso
Replies
needed
HOP to it and help us complete our studies. That’s
the message from researchers of the Military Health
Outcomes Program (MilHOP) to ADF personnel yet
to complete its web-based questionnaire.
Invitations were sent to more than 55,000 serving members. The study went online on April 26
and more than 25 per cent of serving personnel have
completed it.
Another 40 per cent who have not completed the
survey online are being urged to do so.
Researchers are asking many more personnel to
take part. Similar health studies conducted by major
allies have obtained response rates of up to 75 per
cent, according to MilHOP principal investigator
Professor Sandy McFarlane.
“Securing responses from the remaining 75 per
cent who have not yet taken part is critical to the success of the study,” Prof McFarlane said.
“By participating in MilHOP, they will actively
contribute to the provision of the best possible health
services for their mates and themselves.”
MilHOP aims to better inform Defence on physical and mental health challenges faced by its personnel. The MilHOP study team will spend the next two
years collecting information from serving and exserving personnel across the services.
Anyone who has not received the MilHOP survey,
has had difficulties dealing with the web-based
questionnaire or would prefer a hardcopy sent to them
by mail, should ring the freecall number 1800 886567 or
email milhop@cmvh.org.au
Departure Lounge
Who’s leaving after 20+ years’ service
Name
GPCAPT Peter Lloyd
SQNLDR Lance Austin
FSGT Peter Roberts
SGT Kimberley Wells
WOFF Leonard Truscott
FSGT Julia Unwin
FSGT Michael Johnson
Must/Spec
ACO
INTEL
AVTECH
GSETECH
ASOP
SIGSOP
ATECH
Last day
April 27
May 14
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May 8
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Years
32
28
23
22
21
20
20
AIR F RCE
History 23
May 27, 2010
Korea honours us
LCDR Chris Smith, Assistant Defence
Attache, Australian Embassy, Seoul
THE SERVICE of the RAAF during the dark
days of the Korean War was honoured in Seoul on
April 13 with the unveiling of a special plaque.
CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin and the Chief
of Staff of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air
Force, GEN Lee Kaehoon, unveiled the plaque at
the National War Memorial of Korea.
Australian Ambassador Sam Gerovich several
senior ROK military officers and 38 Australian
Korean War veterans attended the ceremony.
The plaque commemorates the participation
of the RAAF in the war from June 30, 1950,
when 77SQN was committed to the conflict.
The squadron’s Mustang aircraft flew their
first combat sorties just two days later and quickly established themselves as a vital element of
the aerial war. Although modest in size, 77SQN
represented one eighth of the total combat sortie
projections over Korea.
Its success in the air and on the ground came
at a heavy price, and by the end of 1951, one in
four of its pilots had been killed or captured.
Although 77SQN was the best-known
RAAF unit that served in the war, other notable
units included 30 Communications Flight, 491
Maintenance Squadron, and 391 Base Squadron.
These units served with distinction in vital roles
such as maintenance and medical evacuations.
At the ceremony, CAF and General Lee paid
tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of all those
who served with the RAAF in the Korean War.
Mr Gerovich said that since the Korean War,
Australian forces have served shoulder-to-shoulder with ROK forces in such diverse theatres
as Vietnam, the Western Sahara, Lebanon, East
Timor, Iraq, Haiti and Afghanistan.
“It was a great honour to be here,” Vernon
Ridge, a 77SQN veteran from the Korean War,
UNITED AGAIN: With the unveiled RAAF plaque are, front row, from left, 77SQN veterans
Vernon Ridge and Walter White, ROK Air Force Chief of Staff GEN Lee Kae-Hoon, and
CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin. Back row, in RAAF uniform, from left, 77SQN members
FLGOFF Robert Cousland, WGCDR Glenn Beck and FLTLT Farzan Kalantary with
members of the ROKAF’s 102SQN.
Photo: courtesy of LCDR Chris Smith
said. “It is fantastic to see a monument dedicated
to the exploits and sacrifices of the RAAF, particularly here at the war memorial where it will
be able to tell the RAAF Korean War story for
generations to come.”
During his three-day stay, CAF visited the
ROK Air Force Base at Daegu to the south of
Seoul and the ROK Air Force Headquarters in
Daejon. He also visited Panmunjon within the
heavily-fortified demilitarised zone that separates the two Koreas before he departed Seoul
for Japan.
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Designs for new
service memorial
being called
THE INJURED Service Persons Association
(ISPA) is inviting ADF personnel to submit
their designs for a memorial to honour and
remember servicemen and women who have
died or been injured in training to go to war,
on duty in peacetime service or on humanitarian aid overseas.
The project has the backing of CDF and
the Australian War Memorial, and it is hoped
to have a design finalised by June 30.
“The memorial design needs to reflect
service with the Navy, Army and Air Force
within Australia,” Association national president Ray Brown said.
“It’s to be built at the ADF’s headquarters
at Russell Offices.
“Ongoing maintenance is an important
aspect of the design and water features and
illumination should be avoided other than
one or two spotlights to highlight an important or prominent aspect of the memorial,”
he said.
“We want the memorial completed by
February 10, 2014, which will be the 50th
anniversary of the collision between HMAS
Melbourne and HMAS Voyager.”
As an incentive, the ISPA
will present the
winning designer a $250 gift
voucher.
YOU’RE INVITED:
Design a memorial.
Direct any
questions to
Lawrie Heath on
0408 182 375
or email lawrie.
heath@bigpond.
com.au
Tax Tip
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What this means:
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• You sold an investment property or other asset
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• Your income will be materially lower next year
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To s cialist
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r
you
Bene¿ts:
• Increased tax refund in July/August 2010
Tax you end up paying
• Potential higher tax deductions on your interest
eg. refund at 38c in the dollar, not 30c in the
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• No loan repayments for 12 months
• CashÀow positive asset which allows you to
plan/save for another growth asset
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Finding it
hard to help
your people with
financial
issues?
This film will help you.
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Watch the video or order the
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www.adfconsumer.gov.au
VOLUME SIX
VOLUME SIX
the
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Helping ADF members
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the DOs & DON’Ts
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this is a MUST SEE!
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
AIR F RCE
Health 25
May 27, 2010
Balancing act
If you keep up the proper exercise and follow
the science, you do not have to be intimidated
by food, says CPL Dean Cook.
Carbohydrates are fuels and proteins are not, unless the body is under
stress or famine. Carbohydrates will
always be the body’s principal source
of energy.
Proteins and associated saturated
fats are not preferred uses for energy
unless carbohydrate intake is influenced.
Protein may be broken into energy
during lowered levels of nutritional
undernourishment and carbohydrate
consumption.
Fats can be processed with the
help of carbohydrates during the
body’s most enduring energy-producing system, the aerobic energy
system.
The aerobic energy system needs
carbohydrates to burn stored or consumed fats.
Therefore carbohydrates are like
air is to a flame; without air, the fire
will die and stored energy won’t be
burnt.
I am often surprised to see that
many members calorie-count their
portion-controlled foods. They allow
themselves to be intimidated.
They’d be better advised to reflect
on their enlistment agreement and balance rather than portion and calorie
control.
An elevated operational focus within
all facets of the ADF
requires you to maintain a higher physical
fitness standard, so
exercise should be
part of your way of
life.
MEASURE UP
The type and
www.measureup.gov.au/
quantity of food
internet/abhi/publishing.nsf/
eaten should not
Content/Where+can+I+find+mo
be a worry for the
re+information-lp#healthy
active Defence
DIETICIANS ASSOCIATION
member. The erroAUSTRALIA
neous and unnecessary cycle of fearing
www.daa.asn.au/index.
foods, with concern
asp?pageID=2145847032
for consumptions,
GLYCEMIC INDEX
may even hinder
www.glycemicindex.com/
performance.
See the sites at
HEART FOUNDATION
right to find out
www.heartfoundation.org.au/
what carbohyHealthy_Living/Pages/default.
drates are best for
aspx
consumption and
when.
Further food
for thought
THE WAY AHEAD: Reflect on your enlistment
agreement and balance rather than portion and
calorie control.
Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
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F
EAR not. The active Defence
member does not need
to worry about occasionally overeating or eating the
wrong types of food.
This is because of our commitment
to exercise – and therein lies the key
to weight control.
It is a balancing act. What you
need to remember is the energy consumed through eating must be equal
to the energy used in activity.
When contestants on weight-loss
programs realise that, impressive
changes result.
The secret is to be aware of nutritional content along with the speed at
which foods turn into energy to gauge
your training efforts.
Allow high amounts of nutritional
foods with slow-released energy types
to parallel periods of activity.
Food’s nutritional content and
digestion speeds govern the actual
total of usable ingested energy.
Confusion often influences people’s consumption of carbohydrates
and proteins – but if they learn how
the body is fuelled, it will help them
to understand.
for eating
26 Sp rt
AIR F RCE
May 27, 2010
IN BRIEF
On target at trap shooting
SGT Rob Binstead and LAC Matthew Stokes flew the
flag high for Air Force at the Australian National Trap
Championships at Wagga on April 12. SGT Binstead, of
3SQN, finished second in A grade of the double-barrel
event and eighth out of 388 competitors in the handicap
event. LAC Stokes of 10SQN teamed with CPO Mick Bryan
against 105 other teams in the teams event and finished
second. They were part of an ADF contingent who competed against the more than 500 people who contested
seven events over an eight-day period. Focus now for
shooters will switch to the Defence national skeet championships at the Wagga Clay Target Club from June 29 to
July 1.
Tenpin bowlers line up
TWO current members and a retired WOFF will lead
the charge for Air Force at the Defence tenpin national
championships in Adelaide from June 8 to 10. CPL James
Wood was the top NSW qualifier, LAC Robert King the
top South Australian qualifier and Brett Kleidon, now
representing the APS, the top Queensland qualifier. Air
Force has other good chances too, including SGT Keiran
Wyllie from the ACT. About 60 bowlers are expecting to
contest this year’s titles, with full squads of 12 from most
states.The championships will be held at AMF Village
Bowl, Golden Grove. For more information about Defence
Tenpin, visit www.adftenpin.org
NSW netball trials
BUILDING for a successful tilt at the 2010 ADF national
netball titles begins for NSW on June 6. The ADF NSW
Netball Association’s selection trials will be held on
that day at Moorebank netball courts, Heathcote Road,
Holsworthy between 10am and 1pm. NSW netball representative SGT Megan Walker, expects up to 80 people
to contest the trials, which will help select the NSW
women’s, men’s and mixed teams for the ADF national
championships in Sydney from September 10 to 18.
Players are advised to bring their hats and water bottles.
For more information, contact SGT Megan Walker on (02)
8782 1132 or megan.walker@defence.gov.au
Defence squash titles
THE Defence squash championships will be held at RAAF
Base Williamtown from August 1 to 6. Entries close on
July 26. For more information, contact SGT Melinda
Boyd, (02) 6937 5012, Fax: 02 6937 4359, melinda.
boyd@defence.gov.au or visit http://intranet.defence.gov.
au/pspg/sites/squash/
Snow
must
go on
UNTIL not long ago, FLTLT
Glenda Preston had plans to
spend the first two weeks of
August in the snow at Mt
Hotham in Victoria training for,
then competing in the Air Force
and National Inter-Service
Cross-Country/Biathlon Skiing
Championships.
It’s where she’s been every
August for the past three years,
including 2009 when she captained the Air Force women’s
team.
Some might find that odd,
seeing as FLTLT Preston is
posted to RAAF Base Pearce,
far from the nearest snowfield.
LAST YEAR: SGT Peter
Thwaite, above.
Photo: LSPH Paul McCallum
CHANGE OF SCENE:
FLTLT Glenda Preston,
right.
Her build-up training for the ski
season consists of running and
roller-blading along the paths
lining West Australian beaches.
But it’s going to be even hotter where she’ll be this August.
FLTLT Preston is being
deployed to the Middle East.
She’s happy about that but
just a little sad she’ll see more
sand than snow this year.
“Cross-country skiing is a
challenging sport, but for anyone interested in challenging
themselves from a fitness point
of view, they will have a very
rewarding time,” she said.
“The sport has a little bit of
everything – altitude training,
strength training, shooting and
navigating – which all makes
for a full-on two weeks.”
The Air Force Nordic Skiing
and Biathlon Association
(AFNBA) is calling for applications by June 18 for the 2010
competition.
AFNBA representative Garry
Boxsell said the sport was suitable for beginners through to
die-hard athletes.
“It combines two sports which
are low impact, give better allround fitness benefits than any
other sport, and provide better
cardiovascular fitness benefits
than running or cycling,” he said.
“Cross-country skiing and biathlon are great individual or team
sports and the AFNBA makes
sure that fostering a fun and
inviting team environment is a
number-one priority with the aim
of beating the Army and Navy in
our annual inter-service competition.”
For further information, contact
Garry Boxsell, (02) 6265 4526,
garry.boxsell@defence.gov.au;
FLTLT Don Wilson, (03) 5146 6606,
donald.wilson4@defence.gov.au;
or visit http://intranet.defence.gov.
au/RaafWeb/sites/AFNBA
Way clear for paralympians
SGT Brian Hartigan
, 2010
THE establishment of the ADF Paralympic Sports Program (ADFPSP) and ADF Paralympic Sports Association (ADFPSA) opens up real possibilities that injured
soldiers, sailors and airmen could represent Australia in
elite sporting arenas.
ADFPSP and ADFPSA were launched in Canberra
on May 12. Commander Joint Health Command
MAJGEN Paul Alexander and President of the Australian
Paralympic Committee Greg Hartung signed an agreement that will give ADF members with acquired disabilities access to elite-sport opportunities, including possible
selection on the Australian Paralympic team.
CDF ACM Angus Houston said ADFPSA was now
recognised as a Defence sports association and would
provide members with the same access to sport as their
able-bodied colleagues, with all current Paralympic
sports recognised as Defence-sanctioned sports.
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1300 112 114
Women gear up for rugby
BY THE time this newspaper goes
to press, the ADF’s best women rugby
players will be hard at training for
the Australian Women’s National
Championship in Canberra from June 4
to 7.
Last year the Australian Services
Rugby Union (ASRU) won division
two of the competition and Army LTs
Kate Porter (lock/loose forward) and
Caroline Vakalahi (loose forward) were
both selected for the Australian team,
the Walleroos.
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AT THE
LAUNCH:
RAAF Base
Wagga PTI
FSGT Tony
Benfer with
CDF. FSGT
Benfer lost his
lower right leg
in a hit and
run accident
in Townsville
three years ago
and is now a
rower.
Photo: SGT Brian
Hartigan
The ASRU team for Australian championships was to be selected at the end of
the Australian Services Rugby Carnival in
Canberra from May 16 to 22.
FLGOFF Margaret Quinn (prop/hooker) will be among the contenders.
The ASRU team will play in division two again against South Australia
(Friday, June 4 at ADFA, 5pm),
Northern Territory (Sunday, June 6 at
ANU, Uni North Oval, 9am) and the
NSW Development side (Monday, June
7 at ANU Uni North Oval, 9am).
1300 738 601
AIR F RCE
Sp rt 27
May 27, 2010
Top-draw
-draw hockey
Barry Rollings
THE coach of the ADF women’s hockey team, AC Nate Ball, had reason to
worry going into a series of games
against visiting Royal Air Force in late
April.
“We expected a tough series from
them, especially after we discovered
that they had recruited six PTIs who
were all playing at high-level grades
throughout England,” he said.
To make the task harder for his
charges, about six ADF players were
unavailable because of operational
requirements and tempo.
He need not have worried, though.
The determined ADF women drew
the three games series against the
Britons at the Olympic hockey pitch
in Sydney and Albion Park field in
Wollongong.
“They were very fast but our girls
stepped up and managed to handle
their pace,” AC Ball said.
He said he was heartened by the
performances of the newcomers to the
squad.
“The depth of ADF women’s hockey is fantastic and something we have
not seen for a while.”
There was also good news for the
ADF men’s team which beat the RAF
in a clean sweep in their three games.
The RAF were fresh from winning
the British inter-service competitions
and were confident of a strong performance.
With the ADF to stage the Australian
Country titles in Canberra from August
7 to 14, the hosts were determined to
give good accounts of themselves.
The men’s Test matches were fast,
energetic contests characterised by
both giving their all across the field.
The ADF men tried to stamp their
dominance on the series early with a
2-0 lead in the first 20 minutes of the
first Test but this eventually prodded the
RAF team into action and it was fairly
even until six minutes from the end.
REV UP: Coach of the ADF women’s team AC Nate Ball speaks to his
players.
Photos: LS Alisdair MacLeod
Air Force reps
ALERT: LAC Tom
Miller.
EYES ON THE BALL: LAC Warwick
Smith.
Brilliant goalkeeping for the visitors
kept the competition alive but they still
lost 2-1.
The RAF gained the early ascendancy in the second Test with some
dynamic attacking aerial play before
being overrun by a rampant ADF side
for another 2-1 win.
Despite being a dead rubber, the
final Test match still produced attacking
play by both as the ADF wrapped up the
series clean sweep with a 4-1 win.
The women’s Tests were close and
even, with a win apiece and an extratime draw that not even a “golden
goal” could decide.
The visitors opened with a 1-0 win
Men’s team: FLTLT Ollie Bailey,
FLTLT Shaun Buckett, LAC
Thomas Miller, FLTLT James
Norman, FLTLT Peter Nugent,
FLTLT Mark Ross, LAC Warwick
Smith.
Women: AC Nathan Ball (coach)
FLTLT Kate Aitken, FLTLT Zalie
Munro-Rustean, LACW Tara
Woodward.
before the ADF came back strongly
in the rematch with a 3-0 victory that
had them thinking they now had the
will, confidence and attack that could
win the series.
The third match was an extremely
even affair and it remained scoreless
after regulation time. Despite many
opportunities for both sides to seal
victory, 10 minutes each-way of
extra time failed to produce a decisive “golden goal”. It was decided to
declare the series a draw.
The development of several new
players will result in a tight selection contest for the August titles in
Canberra.
WO2 Scott Downs said it was very
satisfying as men’s coach to sweep the
series.
Gearing up for MTB worlds 3 GREAT REASONS
From Back Page
It was held on a sandy 10km circuit with seemingly a tree on every
treacherous corner.
“You had to concentrate all the
way,” FLTLT Taylor said.
“The pace was frantic at times
and ended up taking its toll on
everyone. Lost cleat bolts, severe
cramping and heavy contact with
trees were just some of the factors
that riders had to deal with over the
eight hours.”
PO Blair was one of those who
came to grief with a tree, only about
a kilometre from the finish (he lost
about four minutes), and FLTLT
Taylor knew how easily it could
happen.
He said there were lots of corners, each of them with a tree just
lying in wait. If you went too fast,
your front wheel could easily slip in
the soft sand.
For his part, he expended plenty
of energy catching up to the leaders
after his flat.
When he got there, he found
POET Blair and LCPL Bailey riding together.
The three of them then rode
together for the next hour or so,
testing each other to see who was
still going to have the legs by the
end of the race.
CPL Crummy held back a little from the start but was starting
to put in some very solid lap times
just behind the leading three and
DIRTY
BUSINESS:
CPL Michael
Crummy grits
his teeth on the
way to a fastfinishing third
in the Defence
eight-hour
championship.
“He was
making up
time every lap,”
says second
placegetter
FLTLT Shane
Taylor.
Photo: LSIS Kelvin
Hockey
was also going to be a factor come
the finish if he could hold on to that
pace.
When the dust (sand?) did finally settle though it was POET Blair
who took out the win, 15 minutes
ahead of FLTLT Taylor. POET
Blair also finished fourth outright, a
remarkable effort given the quality
of the field who came from throughout NSW and Canberra.
CPL Crummy passed the fad-
ing LCPL Bailey for third. “He was
making up time every lap,” FLTLT
Taylor said.
It wasn’t just about the pointy
end of the field, though, and the
ADF colours were everywhere on
the track.
Army’s SGT Roger Derrick
was the fastest finishing Masters
(over 40) rider only just pipping
SQNLDR Richard Wolf to the line.
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SP RT
TAKE THAT:
British
hockey
demolition
Page 27
May 27, 2010
AIR FORCE
WHEEL POWER
‘Reach
I’ve dreamed of representing
Australia in the marathon since
I was 12 and I want to do it by
myself.
Gearing
up for
worlds
for a
dream
ATHLETE
ON A
MISSION:
CPL Cassie
Fien.
Photo: CPL
Steve Duncan
WITH second and third place
in the Defence eight-hour
mountain-bike title race near
Nowra on the NSW coast
on May 16, Air Force is in
good shape for the world 24hour title that will be held in
Canberra in October.
FLTLT Shane Taylor, who
punctured on the first lap and
then spent three hours working his way through traffic
trying to catch the leaders,
finished second behind PO
Dion Blair.
And CPL Michael Crummy
finished third, continuing the
fierce tri-service rivalry by
edging out two Army riders,
reservist LCPL Jamie Bailey
and SGT Michael Hernan.
There is some serious
training going on at the
moment for the world 24-hour
championship and these five
cyclists are among Defence’s
leading qualifiers.
FLTLT Taylor regards
Nowra as a good litmus test.
“If you can ride for eight
hours, you can ride for 24
hours,” he said.
The Defence race was held
as part of the NSW endurance
series and as such there were
350 people in the event all up.
Continued Page 27
John Martin
CPL Cassie Fien, who scored an emphatic win in the Sydney half-marathon on May 16, is certainly not one
to rest on her laurels.
No matter that she ran the
21.1km race (along with nearly
9000 others) in 71min 59sec – the
fifth-fastest time in the event’s 19year history.
CPL Fien is a PTI at RAAF
Base East Sale and she flew back to
Victoria after the race because she
had to take a class at 5am the next
morning.
And more than that. She got up
a bit earlier so she could go for a
6½km run at 4.30am, just to shake
out the cobwebs.
“You gotta do what you gotta
do,” she said, as if it was nothing
out of the ordinary.
And maybe it isn’t for CPL Fien.
That’s why she is increasingly a
high achiever in her field. Talent
plus diligence.
The Sydney half-marathon also
doubled as the Defence half marathon championship (SQNLDR
Richard Gardiner, of RAAF Base
Williamtown, won the men’s
Defence title – finishing 10th outright). CPL Fien now holds three
Defence titles – for the half-marathon, the 10km and the 5000m.
Last year she broke the late
Kerryn McCann’s race record in
the Great Ocean Road 21.1km
event and represented Australia
in the world half-marathon in
Birmingham, England.
As one of the leading half-marathoners in Australia this year, she is
in line for a call-up again later this
year.
To date, CPL Fien, 24, has not
wanted to run an actual marathon,
fearing burn-out over the longer distance.
But if all goes to plan, she hopes
to make her marathon debut next
year.
CPL Fien is self-coached and
plans to keep it that way.
“I’ve dreamed of representing
Australia in the marathon since I
was 12 and I want to do it by
myself,” she said.
Days before her 13th birthday in
1999, CPL Fien’s father and coach,
Kerry, was killed when a truck hit
the bicycle he was riding.
“When he was dying I told him I
[would become a marathon runner],
even though he couldn’t hear me.”
Fien was presented with the perpetual Kerryn McCann Trophy and
a cheque for $5000 for winning in
Sydney.
She held out 2009 winner
Melinda Vernon (74:50) by almost
three minutes, with third placegetter
Anna Thompson finishing in 75:29.
“Wow, Sydney, that was awesome,” Fien said in a packed Hyde
Park after her win.
“The buzz, the atmosphere, the
people cheering you on, it was so
good.”
DOOR OPENS FOR ADF PARALYMPIANS – PAGE 26
TREE TREACHERY: FLTLT
Shane Taylor.
Photo: LSIS Kelvin Hockey