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FORCEAIRVol. 50, No. 10, June 12, 2008 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

Half century:Half century: Butterworth Butterworth

celebrates celebrates Page 5Page 5

Puma lift:C-17 picks up C-17 picks up African helos African helos

Page 3Page 3

40 years:40 years:Orion’s big Orion’s big

birthday bash birthday bash Page 7Page 7

CODE OF OURSTamara stands Tamara stands

out from the out from the crowdcrowd

Air Force makes a statement on being an airman

In recognition of her top quality performance at

462SQN, CPL Tamara Fielke has claimed the title of Airman

of the Year for 2007. She is pictured surrounded by

her squadron colleagues in Canberra. See Tamara’s full

story on Page 6. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

By LAC Aaron Curran

PRIDE in being an Australian airman was officially endorsed and put into writ-ing with the launch of the Airman’s Code at the annual Air Force Awards night on June 4.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd stood proudly in front of more than 200 guests at RAAF Base Richmond to launch the new initiative.

“I take great pleasure, as I move towards the end of my tenure as Chief, in being able to launch this, the Airman’s Code,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.

“In recognising the strength that lies within [our] common identity, earlier this year I initiated a project to develop the Airman’s Code – a statement about what it truly means to be an airman.

“Whether we are aircrew or support, commissioned or enlisted, male or female; we are all Australian airmen and we all have a special role as part of the Air Force team.

“In adopting this title, we acknowledge the amazing efforts of all our people, past, present and future, in contributing to the delivery of air power and making the Air Force one of the best in the world.”

CPL Tamara Fielke (pictured right), who was awarded Airman of the Year for 2007, was mentioned as an example of this.

In early 2008, input was sought from the field, through focus groups, which helped in understanding what people identify with, and what makes them proud of, being in the Air Force.

“They want to be recognised as a pro-fessional force that serves its nation well; a dedicated team that gets the job done,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.

“They cherish the sense of community and ‘family’ that comes with being a mem-ber of the Air Force team.

“These themes have been built into the code so that it can be a message and a reminder to all about what it means to be an Australian airman.”

The input also assisted greatly in develop-ing the words of the code with some fantastic lines being suggested and incorporated into the final version.

Visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/RAAFhome and click on the Airman’s Code icon. After you’ve had a look, email your thoughts to [email protected]

Check out the code

2 News AIR FORCE June 12, 2008

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THE theme of June’s Air Force Val-ues competition was ‘Anzac’. There were many powerful stories submitted, but none quite as moving as the follow-ing winner.

CPL Cynthia Swan, Base Command Post, RAAF Base Williamtown

I can honestly say that I was most proud to be in the Air Force on Anzac Day this year. It was the first opportu-nity that I had to wear my medals after receiving them for my deployments in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

I am extremely proud to have r e c e ive d m y m e d a l s , bu t t h e Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (HOSM) for Operation Sumatra Assist will always hold a special place in my heart. It is forever dedicated to the memory of my wonderful brother-in-law Christian Nott and his beautiful wife Moi Vogel (pictured above right).

It was the day after Boxing Day 2004. I can remember watching the news on TV and not quite understanding the enormity of what was unfolding around the world. A tsunami had hit parts of Asia, the death toll was rising, the list of countries affected was increasing and among the chaos we suddenly realised that my brother-in-law and his wife were on their honeymoon in Thailand.

They had sent us an SMS on Christmas Day wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and letting their family and friends know that they were expect-

Our Queen’s Birthday honoursCONGRATULATIONS

to the following members for being recognised on the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Member (AM) in the Military DivisionAIRCDRE John Hewitson

For exceptional service to the Air Force, particularly in the fields of maritime surveillance operations and personnel man-agement.AIRCDRE Kym Osley

For exceptional service to the Air Force, particularly in the fields of air combat operations and capability development.GPCAPT Peter Norford

For exceptional service in the fields of flying training and aviation safety.

Medal (OAM) in the Military DivisionWOFF Anthony McDermott

For meritorious service as Warrant Officer Engineering at 75 and 79SQNs, and as maintenance training manager within the new Air Combat Capability integrated project team.

FLTLT David Slattery For meritorious service as the

Warrant Officer-In-Charge of 278SQN, and as Warrant Officer Engineering at 76SQN.

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)GPCAPT Gavin “Leo”

Davies For outstanding achievement

as OC 82WG, RAAF Base Amberley.WGCDR Tracey Simpson

For outstanding achieve-ment as Base Commander/Commanding Officer at Combat Support Unit, Richmond, RAAF Base Richmond.WGCDR Jay Clarke

For outstanding achieve-ment as Deputy Director Remuneration Reform Project 2007 within Air Force Headquarters Personnel Branch.FSGT Craig O’Malley

For outstanding achieve-ment as a senior NCO at No. 1 Combat Communications

Squadron, RAAF Base Richmond.

Conspicuous Service Meal (CSM)GPCAPT Peter Wood

For meritorious achieve-ment as Chief of Staff at Headquarters Air Lift Group.WGCDR William

Kourelakos For meritorious achievement

as executive officer of 36 and 37SQNs.SQNLDR Colin Smith

For meritorious achievement as executive officer of 11SQN.SGT Matthew Hanley

For meritorious achievement as the acting senior NCO Officer-In-Charge of No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit Aircraft Life Support Section.

Commendation for Distinguished ServiceGPCAPT Gavin Turnbull

For distinguished perform-ance of duties in warlike operations as the Chief of Staff Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 during Operations Catalyst and Slipper.

Value your Value your memoriesmemories

Next month’s theme For July, the Air Force Values com-petition theme is ‘Pride in Service’. Tell us about a time when you have been most proud to be in the Air Force; when you have seen the Values in action within your work-place, on deployment or in the com-munity. The winner receives a $50 voucher of their choice. Submit your story to SGT Tabitha Frew at [email protected] by June 20.

ing a baby. My husband Marcus called Richard (Christian’s dad) to see if he had heard from them, but he said they had not been in touch but it was still early and they would be fine.

For the next couple of days we wait-ed for the phone to ring and for some good news. We tried to remain positive and prayed that we would hear from them soon.

On New Years Day after a day out with family and friends, we returned home to find a message from my CO on our answering machine. I returned the call, and found out that I had been selected to deploy to Medan, Indonesia, to work in the JTFHQ as the operations clerk. I remember explaining to him that we had family members in Thailand and they were still unaccounted for and that I was really happy to accept this deploy-ment as it would be my way of helping out in such devastating circumstances.

I deployed to Medan on January 3, 2005, and began working in the JTFHQ. My detachment commander and col-leagues were aware that Christian and Moi were missing and they were all extremely supportive. My commander told me to keep him informed and if I felt that I needed to go home at any stage to let him know.

Within two weeks of being deployed, I received news from Marcus that they had found Christian’s body, and that they were still looking for Moi. We were shattered; this was not supposed to hap-

pen. It was so unfair – they were on their honeymoon, expecting a baby and were so young. There were so many thoughts running through my mind. I shouldn’t be here; I felt extremely guilty that I had deployed and left my husband at home at such a distressing time.

When they had discovered Moi’s body, I knew I needed to go home to be with Marcus. After returning to work at 77SQN, Marcus approached his admino to let her know what was going on. His CO and admino were professional and supportive, and the CO requested that I be returned to Australia after three weeks in Medan.

Upon my return, Marcus and I received ongoing support from family and friends, the Air Force chaplains at RAAF Base Williamtown and the staff at 77SQN, which we are thankful for.

The memorial for Christian and Moi was held in Sydney on February 20, 2005. It was extremely emotional; they had touched so many people. They had lived life to the fullest and always val-ued the time they spent with family and friends, which would be their legacy.

I received my HOSM in 2007; I was very happy and sincerely grateful. Not only did this medal represent all of the lives that were lost and the families that were destroyed by the Boxing Day tsu-nami, it also represented the enormous humanitarian effort that the men and women of the ADF contributed to. In particular, for my family and me, this

medal represented Christian and Moi.Wearing my medals this Anzac Day was very important to me and I am happy to talk about my experiences, especially when people point at the HOSM and ask

“What is that one for?” I tell them thatit was for the Boxing Day tsunami andthat it means the most to me. It stands out from the rest and it’s rare, just like Christian and Moi.

CHERISH THE MOMENTS: Words are just as powerful as photos, so pen your pride and enter the Values competition. Pictured is FLTLT Di Ingham with her father, WWII veteran Jack Turner, on Anzac Day. Photo by AC Glen McCarthy

AIR FORCE RANKSThe following explains the rank abbreviations, as featured in AIR FORCE News

ACM � Air Chief Marshal

AIRMSHL � Air Marshal

AVM � Air Vice-Marshal

AIRCDRE � Air Commodore

GPCAPT � Group Captain

WGCDR � Wing Commander

SQNLDR � Squadron Leader

FLTLT � Flight Lieutenant

FLGOFF � Flying Officer

PLTOFF � Pilot Officer

OFFCDT � Officer Cadet

WOFF-AF � Warrant Officer of the Air Force

WOFF � Warrant Officer

FSGT � Flight Sergeant

SGT � Sergeant

CPL � Corporal

LAC � Leading Aircraftman

LACW � Leading Aircraftwoman

AC � Aircraftman

ACW � AircraftwomanON THE LIST: WGCDR Tracey Simpson was awarded the CSC for her role as CO of Combat Support Unit, Richmond. Photo by SGT Brett Sherriff

3NewsAIR FORCE June 12, 2008

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C-17’s Puma C-17’s Puma lift offlift off

By FLGOFF Eamon Hamilton

A UNITED Nations push for cy-clone relief into Burma has called on the heavy-lifting talents of a 36SQN C-17A.

The unit deployed once again as part of Operation Nargis Assist, pick-ing up a pair of SA330J Puma helicop-ters from Johannesburg in the Republic of South Africa, delivering them to Bangkok in Thailand, at the request of the UN World Food Programme.

Cyclone Nargis hit Burma on May 2, killing at least 134,000 people, and has left an estimated 2.4 million peo-ple still in need of basic supplies.

The task came less than two weeks after a 36SQN C-17A delivered 31 tonnes of humanitarian aid into the Burmese capital of Rangoon.

“The World Food Programme requested immediate support from a small number of countries as com-mercial aircraft were not available in a suitable timeframe,” Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said.

“The ADF has the knowledge and experience to make an immediate and positive contribution to this interna-tional humanitarian assistance effort.”

Making that contribution required

UN LOAD: A 36SQN Globemaster crew unloads its cargo of two SA330J Puma Helicopters in Thailand after transporting them from South Africa as part of Op Nargis Assist. Right, AMTDU engineer FLGOFF Shane Taylor removes chains from one of the helicopters. Photos by CPL Rachel Ingram

By CAPT Margaret Nichols and FLGOFF Martin Alderette

RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal are a hive of activity with the start of the much an-ticipated Exercise Pitch Black 2008 (PB08).

The international participants began arriving last week for the start date of June 6. They came from France, Germany, the US, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the UK and NATO.

For the past few weeks, 321 and 322ECSS have prepared Darwin and Tindal to receive the influx of exercise participants.

FLTLT Catherine Goody, OIC of the Base Command Post, said that Darwin was expecting to host about 1500 military per-sonnel from around Australia

and the nine participating nations.

“Thorough planning and preparation generally results in a smoother commencement of activities and allows force ele-ments to focus on the mission,” FLTLT Goody said.

Likewise, the Air Movements section has been working around the clock.

“The tempo here in Air Movements has really ramped-up; the teams are working around the clock with the arrival of foreign and domestic aircraft, including fast jets and cargo air-craft,” FLTLT Diane Jackson said.

Although the Pitch Black series of exercises are held every two years, 2008 is different. For the first time, personnel and

assets from NATO and the Royal Malaysian Air Force are partici-pating in the exercise. For the RAAF, the last B707 will conduct its final flights before it is retired at the end of this month.

This year, the exercise aims to improve and test the command, control and execution of a multi-national, coalition air campaign.

According to the Exercise Director, Commander Air Combat Group AIRCDRE Neil Hart: “Throughout this exercise, participating nations are given an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to participate and contribute in a multi-national Defence environment, across cul-tures and regions.” Extended coverage of PB08 will feature in the next edition.

Pitch Black fever hits up north

quick reactions from a number of ADF units.

As it was the first time a RAAF Globemaster had carried a Puma, 36SQN called upon the expertise of Air Lift Group’s Air Movements Training and Development Unit (AMTDU) to assist with the task.

To date, AMTDU has been involved in Chinook, Black Hawk and Sea Hawk load trials on the C-17A.

“The Puma has slightly larger dimensions and is heavier than the Black Hawk, so it required some dif-ferent load procedures,” AMTDU engi-neer FLGOFF Shane Taylor said.

The clearance of new loads by AMTDU for carriage on ADF aircraft takes weeks or months depending on the complexity of the load and/or the priority for clearance. “In this case, we have condensed a process that nor-mally takes a couple of months into a couple of days,” FLGOFF Taylor said.

Some corpora te knowledge was gleaned from the RAF, which has previously transported its own Westland Puma helicopters on board its Globemasters. South African heli-copter business Starlight Aviation pro-vided the Pumas for the UN task.

“What we had was the British instructions to form the basis of how we were going to make the load,” FLGOFF Taylor said.

“A couple of their guys had pre-vious experience loading Pumas on board RAF C-17As, so they were real-ly helpful.”

The two Pumas were load-ed on board the Globemaster in

Johannesburg on May 25, and unload-ed in Bangkok on May 28.

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PAPUA New Guinea’s (PNG) re-mote civil communities have been vis-ited again by 38SQN’s ‘angels of mer-cy’ following a recent Caribou training tour of the country.

A number of landslides in mid-April severed major roads through PNG’s highlands, cutting off access to food, medical items and health professionals for several villages and towns.

Two 38SQN Caribou crews had already planned to conduct a training tour of the country in early May, with many of their training airfields located in or near the affected towns.

As they would already be in-coun-try, the RAAF operations cell at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby coordinated with Australian and PNG government departments, along with aid agencies, to utilise the aircraft for the delivery of aid.

Trip highlights included the delivery of 700kg of medical supplies and four passengers to Tapini in Central Province, nine passengers and 200kg of medical supplies to Woitape in Central Province, and, in support of the recent landslide in Chimbu Province, one-tonne of food rations and two PNG Defence Force per-sonnel to Goroka, the capital of Eastern Highlands Province.

These same flights also allowed Caribou pilots to be trained and quali-fied to operate their aircraft in PNG.


THE GOOD work conducted by ADF personnel in assisting the PNG community is largely the responsibility of a small but dedi-cated team of RAAF personnel in Port Moresby.

SQNLDR David Ryan is an 86WG pilot who is currently serving as Staff Officer Operations within the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby.

“The operations cell within the Defence section of the Australian

High Commission is staffed by three Air Force members – myself, our supply clerk, FSGT Gavin Willmett, and our air movements operator, SGT Barry Williams,” SQNLDR Ryan said.

The cell has a key role in coor-dinating any work which may be requested from civil aid agencies or the PNG government for ADF air-craft or ships that may be in PNG.

While the Caribou and Hercules are regular visitors to Port Moresby and airfields beyond, the cell is often called upon to provide support to

much larger operational tasks, including last November’s Operation PNG Assist.

“We support all ADF operations within PNG, including in-country processing of diplomatic clear-ances, parking, security, transport and customs clearance,” SQNLDR Ryan said. “We also support the PNG Defence Force contribution to RAMSI in the Solomon Islands, pro-viding air terminal services either here in Port Moresby or in Wewak, depending where the contingent is coming from, or returning to.”

PNG provides many short, remote airstrips for which the ‘Bou’ is famous for operating to/from, as well as soaring valleys which the unpressurised aircraft has no other choice but to fly through.

38SQN pi lo t FLTLT Nata l ie Pietrobon finished the tour with a restricted PNG captaincy on the Caribou, allowing her to operate into major airfields within the country.

“Flying in PNG is awesome – I think it’s probably one of the best envi-ronments for us to go flying in the Caribou,” FLTLT Pietrobon said.

“In terms of conversion on to type, we get captaincy in Australia, but New Guinea captaincy is a separate compo-nent in itself, and it’s what the Caribou pilots aim for.

“At the end of the trip, you walk away feeling really accomplished, knowing that you can operate in an envi-ronment that is quite challenging.”

Delivering aid to a mountain airstrip was described by FLTLT Pietrobon as one of the highlights of this most recent trip. “We dropped aid off to a town called Tep Tep – which has an elevation of 6700ft – and is also one of the main airfields that we go into and train out of,” she said.

Once delivered to Tep Tep, aid had to be carried by hand to outlying vil-lages for distribution.

FLGOFF Mike Read, who qualified for his unrestricted PNG captaincy on

the trip, was proud to inherit a tradition of Australian pilots qualified to operate the Caribou in PNG.

“It’s a big honour – the flying in PNG is regarded by some as the most difficult you can do in a transport air-craft like the Caribou,” FLGOFF Read said.

“Operating in PNG safely is diffi-cult, not just due to terrain and weather, but because of a different aviation ethos. That’s where guidance from our squad-ron mentors like WGCDR Tim Shaw is invaluable, for it means that we can continue delivering aid safely and effi-ciently. For instance, we took a load of civil aid in to Woitape, including medi-

cal supplies and non-government agen-cy aid staff, because the PNG Defence Force was unable to get them in and the community desperately needed the help.

“After negotiating challenging ter-rain and then landing on a rain-soaked airstrip, seeing how thankful the locals are for the help makes achieving the task all the more rewarding.”

Maintenance personnel travelling with the aircraft also got to witness the fruits of their labour in keeping the Caribou flying. “These operations are a real eye-opener, so it’s great for the maintainers to come with us and see the end result, which they don’t always get to see,” FLGOFF Read said.

PNG tourur of duty

38SQN ANGELS: Above, WGCDR Tim Shaw, FLTLT Ross Benson, FLGOFF Mike Read and FSGT David Farrer are welcomed by locals from the village of Tapini, Papua New Guinea, after delivering aid. Right, the crew unload supplies from the Caribou. Photos by SGT Brett Sherriff

Port Moresby team vital to aid ops

THANKS, MATE: 38SQN pilot FLGOFF Mike Read hands out cartons of medical aid supplies to local villagers from Josephstahl in PNG.

5 NewsAIR FORCE June 12, 2008

By FLGOFF Anita Green

THIS year marks the 50th anniver-sary of the establishment of a Combat Support Unit at Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth in Malaysia, and 324CSS celebrated this important milestone with events over the weekend of May 23-25.

A B707 provided a spectacular back-drop to the first event, a twilight parade and trooping of the Queen’s Colour on May 23.

Members of 324CSS escorted the colour, augmented by personnel deployed for Exercise Bersama Shield and personnel from 92WG, the Air Force Band and soldiers from Army’s 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd was the reviewing officer.

Locally employed civilians (LECs) are an integral part of Butterworth and a highlight of the parade was when they joined their ADF mates for the final march past.

In his address, CAF paid tribute to the support the Malaysian and local

community had given to the RAAF since 1958.

“I would like to thank the Malaysian Government and the Royal Malaysian Air Force for being such gracious hosts to our Air Force over the last 50 years,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.

On the following evening, the Equatorial Hotel in Penang hosted more than 500 people for the anniversary gala ball. A highlight of the evening was when 324CSS CO WGCDR Frank Grigson called on everyone who had served at Butterworth to join him on the dance floor to cut the anniversary cake.

During his speech, he explained why Butterworth is special to all those who have experienced it.

“The food, the smells, the Malaysian people and the cultures are all part of that great big melting pot, but it’s that community spirit and its closeness that is so special,” WGCDR Grigson said.

On Sunday, many people met at the ‘Hostie’ in Penang. The ‘Hostie’ has played an integral role in the life of Butterworth by providing a social out-let for members and their families for

several decades. In the words of FSGT Brian ‘Mordy’ Moorcroft: “It helped keep our little community strong.”

The activities provided an important opportunity to celebrate the contribution of Butterworth, and for some, the mem-ories would last for another 50 years.

Before departing, CAF congratulated 324CSS and the organising committee

for a job well done. “[They have] done you and the RAAF proud,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.

“Your squadron’s achievement was magnificent and we shall never see any-thing like it again, up here, in our life-time. It was a sense of history and a sense of occasion.”

WGCDR Grigson congratulated the

committee, but also acknowledged theefforts of other members.

“While a small team put the eventtogether, it was a combined effort by allmembers of the squadron, including theLECs and augmentees, and all of thosewho attended from the four points of the compass that made the weekend thesuccess it was,” he said.

BIRTHDAY REVIEW: Above, members of 324CSS unite for a twilight parade and trooping of the Queen’s Colour to mark the 50th anniversary of the RAAF presence at RMAF Base Butterworth. Left, locally employed civilians join in the final march past. Photos by LAC Scott Woodward

SALAMAT MALAM: Above, Chief of the RMAF, JEN Tan Sri Dato Sri Azizan bin Affrin, and CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd with their wives at the gala ball. NO CANDLES?: Left, 324CSS CO WGCDR Frank Grigson and retired AIRCDRE Keith Parsons join current and former Butterworth members to cut the 50th anniversary cake.JAMMIN’: Bottom left, Air Force Band musicians, CPLs Greg Strong and Jeff Vague and FSGT Ian Waddel perform at the ball.FAMILY FUN: Below, SGT Nicole McKelvie from 324CSS dances with her son at the Sunday afternoon at the ‘Hostie’.

Malaysian Malaysian milestonemilestoneButterworth celebrates 50 years

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By LAC Aaron Curran

MOVING into a demanding and challenging job with limited expe-rience has paid off for CPL Tamara Fielke, who picked up Airman of the Year for 2007.

CPL Fielke, 31, was officially rec-ognised for the accolade on June 4 at the Air Force Awards night at RAAF Base Richmond.

She joined the Air Force as a clerk in January 2000 and after spending time in Townsville and Williamtown, came to 462SQN in Canberra to take on the role of an Australian network activity team analyst in February 2004.

CPL Fielke was attending the Air Force’s 87th birthday celebrations in Canberra when she was notified of her award.

“I found out the day the CAF update was released, so I sent it to my family and partner who were very excited,” she said.

“It is an honour as there is only one winner per year. At the same time, it is kind of overwhelming because there are a lot of great people out there – ACs and LACs – who do such fantas-tic work and do not get recognised. I

am actually in awe of people like that. I do what I can to make other people’s lives easier and to be recognised for that is humbling.”

CPL Fielke’s work involves researching the open source realm for threats to Defence IT infrastructure. She was posted into 462SQN with no experience for the job, but quickly took to the task and excelled. Her skill sets have improved dramatically, gaining her more insight and a broader aspect of the Air Force and the military as a whole.

“CPL Fielke has consistently per-formed her intel-related research and analytical duties at 462SQN to an exceptionally high standard; a standard especially worthy of recognition due to her previously limited experience in such roles,” 462SQN administration officer FLTLT Allan Weller said.

“With limited supervision, she has proved utterly reliable, proactive and capable of managing responsibilities far beyond those normally expected of corporal clerks.

“For example, her work has been of such quality that she was selected to represent the Air Force at the most recent Psychological Assessments

in Security Intelligence and Law Enforcement conference in Canada.”

Senior analyst SGT Ben Pedersen said it was thoroughly deserved.

“She is a linchpin in the section for getting information in a timely manner to me and her superiors and maintain-ing such a great relationship with our international partners,” he said.

“She has been a valuable asset to work alongside because of her corpo-rate knowledge of the unit and how it works. I can’t put words into how much value she has been to us and the unit.”

CPL Fielke has been receiving emails and messages of congratula-tions from around Australia, although

one did catch her off guard. “My old corporal from recruits, who is now a WOD, messaged me and said, ‘My, we have come a long way haven’t we?

“That made me laugh,” she said.

Full coverage of the Air Force Awards night at RAAF Base Richmond will be published in the next edition.

Clerk claimsaims top title

WELL DONE, TAMARA: CPL Tamara Fielke’s performance in intel-related research at 462SQN in Canberra earned her the Airman of the Year award for 2007. Demanding challenges were no obstacle for this clerk, who has been praised for her high standard performance at the squadron. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

GALA REWARD: CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd and WOFF-AF Ray Woolnough congratulate CPL Tamara Fielke for being awarded Airman of the Year for 2007 at the Air Force Awards night, RAAF Base Richmond. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

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40 for Orion family40 for Orion familyBy FLTLT Jaimie Abbott

THE “Quiet Achiever” of the Air Force made a grand appearance across the Edinburgh sky on May 30, in a spectacular fly-past to celebrate its 40th birthday.

On the ground, hundreds gath-ered to pay tribute to the Orion with a parade, including an armed escort party featuring the 10 and 11SQN colours.

On board the Orion, passengers took a trip down memory lane, as ex-serving members reminisced about the “good old days”.

Former flight engineer FSGT Peter Scovell admitted he got a bit emo-tional during the hour flight. His son, FLGOFF Daniel Scovell, is a pilot with 10SQN.

“There are so many memories, but it’s still the same smell aboard the Orion. There are just different faces,” Mr Scovell said.

The “Orion adrenalin” must run in the blood. Three father and son teams were onboard the flight, including tac-tical coordinator FLGOFF James Best and his father Chris Best, a former air-borne electronics officer and 11SQN executive officer.

It was FLGOFF Best’s idea to cele-brate the 40th anniversary of the Orion after his father reminded him of the

date. “I wanted to do something to cel-ebrate the achievements of the older guys on the aircraft,” FLGOFF Best said. “So today was more about them.”

His 64-year-old father was part of the “pick-up” of the first three P-3B aircraft from Moffat Field in California to Edinburgh in 1968.

“It’s been 24 years since my last Orion flight. It’s amazing how much it has changed inside. There is a com-pletely different Tac-Rail arrangement,” Mr Best said.

Commander Surveillance and Response Group AIRCDRE Warren Ludwig paid tribute to the Orion and its achievements over the past 40 years.

“The P-3 has provided exceptional service to the Air Force and this nation, and will continue to do so for another decade or so,” AIRCDRE Ludwig said.

“But the service of the aircraft is a direct reflection of the professionals who have contributed to operating and supporting it since 1968. Collectively, we hold a proud legacy within the Air Force and the international maritime community, and we can be justifiably proud of our sacrifices and successes,” he said.

In the Cold War, from the late 1960s through until the late 1980s, Australian P-3s were used to track Soviet conventional and nuclear submarines in the

Indian Ocean and South China Sea.The P-3 has been used for fisher-

ies surveillance and border protection, which have been prominent roles of the aircraft.

Before Coastwatch was introduced, 92WG was responsible for the surveil-lance of all of Australia’s coastline out to the 200 nautical miles Exclusive Economic Zone limit.

The aircraft has also been involved in a wide variety of search and res-cue operations, including the much-publicised Southern Ocean rescues of 1996-97.

OC 92WG GPCAPT Stephen Osborne invited all past and present

personnel who had been involved with the P-3B, P-3C and AP-3C Orions and their partners to celebrate the mile-stone.

“The AP-3C is among the world’s most capable maritime patrol and response aircraft. Enhancements and upgrades made in support of opera-tions in the Middle East have resulted in a world-class platform,” GPCAPT Osborne said.

The memories were re-l ived throughout the evening, with a for-mal cocktail reception at the South Australian wine centre in Adelaide.

The AP-3C is scheduled to remain in service until about 2018, with a number of upgrades planned until its retirement.

GENERATIONS: Above, 10SQN’s WOFF Wayne Newman joins his son, AEA trainee NCOCDT Ben Newman, aboard an AP-3C for a fly-past of the 40th anniversary parade at Edinburgh. Left, former flight engineer FSGT Peter Scovell swaps notes with 11SQN flight engineer SGT Pete Simms in the cockpit on the same flight. Photos by AC Glen McCarthy

LOOK, DAD: 11SQN tactical officer FLGOFF James Best shows his father, retired WGCDR Chris

Best, the TACCO station aboard an AP-3C during a fly-past flight for the 40th anniversary parade at

RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo by AC Glen McCarthy

MARITIME MIGHT: The official colours of 10 and 11SQNs unite during a parade to recognise 40 years of Orion service. Photo by ACW Shannon Urie

8 International AIR FORCE June 12, 2008

By Andy Anderson

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd has paid tribute to Air Force person-nel deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) during his fi-nal visit to the region as Chief.

“You continue to overcome chal-lenges and produce outstanding results. I am enormously proud of your achievements,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.

The Chief and WOFF-AF Ray Woolnough visited the Orion and Hercules task groups in early May. They spoke to personnel about the challenges they faced in daily tasks, visited flightlines and had a traditional Aussie barbecue.

A planned visit to the Control and Reporting Centre in Afghanistan was cancelled due to the additional C-130 tasking necessitated by the loss of one of our Army colleagues.

At each detachment gathering, CAF presented Australian Active Service and Iraq campaign medals and addressed the troops.

“While we are a small Air Force

in global terms, we punch above our weight,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.

“Your efforts mean our Orions and Hercules can achieve high work rates, and provide vital support to ADF and Coalition elements.

“Your outstanding work is recog-nised by our coalition partners here in the Middle East.

“I constantly get feedback from coalition commanders on the valuable contribution the RAAF is making.

“It’s great to see the Air Force spirit remains strong here in the MEAO.”

Air Force does not often deploy large formed groups like Navy and Army. Personnel from a variety of Air Force squadrons come together in the Area of Operations after deploying from around Australia.

“I can see that everyone is working well together and looking after each other,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.

WOFF-AF said this visit was a valuable opportunity to get feedback directly from deployed personnel.

“Our people work long and irregu-lar hours, in heat and dust, away from

families and mates for months at a time. It is hard,” WOFF Woolnough said.

“Visiting the detachments gives me a good picture of conditions on the ground.

“Everyone I met is handling their

job professionally and accepts the challenges of being deployed in tough conditions.

“At each location, we worked through a number of ideas to improve things. I’m confident that our people match it with the best in the world.

“Watching them work in the coali-tion environment, they are great repre-sentatives for our Air Force,” he said. AIR FORCE News will pay special tribute to AIRMSHL Shepherd in the next edition as he prepares to farewellAir Force.

WITH HIS FLOCK: CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd (centre) with members of the Orion Detachment in the Middle East Area of Operations. CAF said farewell to the 170 members of the group during his final visit to the area last month. During his visit, AIRMSHL Shepherd congratulated the personnel for their outstanding results. Photo by AB Paul Berry

NICE TO MEET YOU: WOFF-AF Ray Woolnough chats with 11SQN aircraft technician CPL Kim Bailey on the flightline during his visit to the Orion Detachment in the MEAO. WOFF Woolnough accompanied AIRMSHL Shepherd to the Middle East to thank the troops for their good work.

Photo by AB Paul Berry

CAF pays s tributeChief visits MEAO for last time

AUSTRALIA’S role in southern Iraq is over.

On June 1, the mem-b e r s o f O v e r w a t c h Battle Group (West) and Australian Army training team handed over their responsibilities to US forces.

During their t ime there, the battle groups completed approximately 8700 patrols and complet-ed more than 250 recon-struction projects, while the training teams trained more than 33,000 Iraqi soldiers.

Local Iraqi military commanders and civilian leaders joined US com-manders in farewelling the Australians and thanking them for their hard work.

Troops on way home

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Under the Federal Government Lifetime Health Cover initiative, health funds are required to apply a 2% premium loading for every year a person delays purchasing hospital cover after turning 30.

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Annual Rent Allowance review

Defence Housing Australia (DHA) wish to advise you that the

2008 annual Rent Allowance review has commenced.

If you are currently in receipt of Rent Allowance, and you are

included in this year’s review, you should have already received

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By FLTLT Jaimie Abbott

IT WAS a battle of the “sub-hunt-ers” in Canada as three countries used their own versions of the Orion to compete for the coveted Fincastle Trophy.

Sharing the Canadian skies was the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s P-3K Orion, and the host country’s own ver-sion of the P-3, the CP-140 Aurora. The RAF flew the only jet in the exer-cise; the MR2 Nimrod.

The 2008 Fincastle International Competition was held out of 19 Wing, Canadian Forces Comox Base, from April 28 to May 16, with the teams competing in overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (OISR) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) disciplines.

The OISR sorties were flown over Wainwright, Alberta, during the first week of the competition in support of Canada’s Exercise Maple Guardian.

The ASW missions were conducted at the Canadian Maritime Experimental Testing Range at Nanoose Bay. Teams were given two hours to search for and attack an Advanced Target Training System, a torpedo-shaped vehicle able to mimic the sounds and movements of a variety of submarines.

STRIKE FIRST: Above, 10SQN’s maintenance team is presented the Lockheed Martin Maintenance Trophy by Canadian Air Division Commander MAJGEN Marcel Duval. Inset, from left, 10SQN’s FLGOFF Josh Smith, CPL Justin Maxfield and FLTLT Scot Bugg display the Greenwood VPI Fellowship Trophy awarded from the 2008 International Fincastle Competition. Photos by PTE Jax Kennedy

Fincastle Fincastle rewardsrewards

TOP SQUAD: The 10SQN Fincastle team, led by CO WGCDR Kevin Murray, on the Canadian Forces Comox Base in Canada.

10SQN CO WGCDR Kevin Murray said that his team had per-formed extremely well.

“The competition depended on how you reacted to the situation and accu-rately destroyed the target,” WGCDR Murray said.

The UK claimed the Fincastle Trophy, but for the first time in 11 years, an Australian maintenance team won the Lockheed Martin Maintenance Trophy.

OIC of the maintenance detach-ment, FLTLT Nathan Rice, said his team excelled in maintenance, support and flightline operations in the parallel competition.

“Throughout the deployment, all maintenance personnel performed flawlessly, and the win is a credit to themselves and 10SQN maintenance,” FLTLT Rice said.

“The team is extremely proud to have brought this prestigious trophy back home to Edinburgh.”

WGCDR Tim Creevey, who was part of the Fincastle committee, said the exercise promoted friendship and camaraderie between the four nations.

“10SQN deserved to take out the Fellowship Award, although the com-petition was tough,” he said.

A charity event was held to

see which team of 20 could pull a 30,000kg Aurora aircraft the fastest over a 10-metre course. The Canadians won but the real winner was the British Columbia Lions, who received a dona-tion of $4500.

10SQN executive officer SQNLDR Ian Forsyth said Fincastle was a chance to learn a great deal from the other nations.

“The opportunity to represent our country like this is something the team will never forget,” he said.


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By Peter Johnson

COMBAT Support Unit, Williams (CSUWIL), one of the newer members of Combat Support Group, has celebrated the group’s 10th birthday with a barbecue and cake at RAAF Base Williams, Laverton.

CSUWIL CO WGCDR Margot Foster helped prepare the barbe-cue of sausages and hamburgers before reading a message from

Commander Combat Support Group AIRCDRE Mark Gower.

WGCDR Foster said that while CSG commemorated its 10th birthday, it had been just under two years since CSUWIL became part of the group.

“The last two years have been exciting and challenging as CSUWIL has tripled in size, and adapted to deliver flexible combat support to military aviation locally and overseas on operations,” she

said. The unit has 22 PAF and 72 reservists.

Also among those attend-ing the barbecue was Deputy Base Commander, WGCDR Bob Coopes, who was at Air Command when CSG was formed in 1998, and was instrumental in moving the unit from RAAF Base Glenbrook to RAAF Base Amberley.

The barbecue was attended by members of CSUWIL and visitors.

Happy 10th

WILLIAMS PARTY: Members of CSUWIL gather for a photo after attending a barbecue at Laverton to celebrate the 10th birthday of CSG. CSUWIL is the newest member of CSG, joining the group less than two years ago. Photo by WOFF Don Kenny

It’s an honour to play this one for you, mum

IT WAS a case of “play it again, son” when Air Force Band musician FSGT Ian Waddell led an ensemble at the recent Investiture at Government House in Sydney.

His mother, Kathleen Waddell, received the Order of Australia medal at the event for her decades of commu-nity service as an organist, choir direc-tor and music teacher in the Hunter Valley.

Mother and son are pictured above with Governor of NSW Professor Marie Bashir (left). Also present at the event was FSGT Waddell’s Army brother, COL Jim Waddell, along with other family members.

“Having my son leading the music at the investiture was a particular thrill as the music added tremendously to the experience of the occasion,” Mrs Waddell said after the ceremony.

Photo by AB Evan Murphy



Landmark farewellBy Barry Rollings

TALL TALES and true have sur-rounded the life and times of the historic water tower at RAAF Base Darwin, which is bound for a new home after its removal began on May 14.

The familiar red-and-white chequered tower will find a new resting place at the city’s Australian Aviation Heritage Museum after bearing silent witness to the comings and goings at the base since it was constructed in 1938 to replace the original – a simple open-sided box on stilts which stood near the intersection of the runway strips.

Described as easily the strangest tower built in Australia, the vintage heritage-list-ed construction incorporated a large water reservoir above the air traffic control sec-tion of the tower.

It was replaced by a more conventional looking control tower in 1959 but the old structure remained in place until May 14. The fourth and latest control tower was commissioned in 2000.

The combined reservoir-tower sur-vived the 1942 bombing of Darwin during

World War II and the devastating Cyclone Tracy which struck the northern capital on Christmas Eve in 1974.

One post-cyclone story – which may or may not be true – has it that a bathtub had to be removed from the tower in the aftermath of the disaster.

Sandra Bargery, who has lived in Darwin all her life, has an equally strange personal experience of the old tower, which also doubled as the control point for civilian traffic.

About 50 years ago, her father, Jack Montgomery, worked for the then Department of Civil Aviation, and one day while about to ascend the stairs, they were greeted by a hastily departing staff member.

“The guy shimmied down at a great rate of knots,” Ms Bargery recalled. “He stood back and watched as the tower swayed while the area experienced an earth tremor. He told us he had to get out because his mum would never have believed it if he had drowned while 60ft in the air.”

The military development of Darwin in the 1930s brought an influx of military personnel which strained the town’s water supply system. Three towers, including that at RAAF Base Darwin, were erected as part of a scheme to convey water to the town from Manton Dam.

McMahon Services were engaged by Defence Support Group to remove the water tower, which will allow unimpeded use of the military hard stand and appro-priate preservation of an important his-torical landmark with greater access to the general public. Interpretive signage will be erected on the base and at the museum.

The tank will be sandblasted and painted, and then the re-erection of the tower to the reduced height of 6m will occur by late June/early July.

Once the tower has been re-erected at the museum, it is envisaged a handover-takeover ceremony will be conducted.

RAAF Base Darwin’s historic tower finds new resting place at museum

HISTORIC MOVE: RAAF Base Darwin’s heritage-listed water tower is lowered by crane onto a waiting truck, and below left, the last morning breaks on the tower before it is relocated to the Australian Aviation Heritage Museum. Photos by PTE Shannon Joyce

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12 AIR FORCE June 12, 2008 13 Centrepiece

AIR FORCE News takes another look at Exercise Bersama Shield in Malaysia, as captured by 87SQN

photographer, AC Glen McCarthy.

Drama of Bersama

HOMEWARD BOUND: Above, AP-3C flight engineer WOFF Tony Hull and co-pilot FLGOFF Josh Brown (rear) from Crew 5 of 11SQN fly home after Bersama Shield.COMRADES: Below, RAF pilot WGCDR Jez Attridge and 3SQN pilot FLTLT Stew Seeney get acquainted in front of an Aussie Hornet at RMAF Base Butterworth.

ON POST: Above, CPL Cassandra Spain takes control in the Base Command Post at 324CSS during the exercise. COLLECTION POINT: Below, environmental health officer FLTLT Megan Timbs collects mosquito larva to examine from the storm water drains beside the flightline at Butterworth.

TEAMWORK: Above, 3SQN pilot FLGOFF Chris Baker works alongside Republic of Singapore Air Force pilot LT Dominic Wong at Headquarters IADS (Integrated Area Defence System) during Bersama Shield.SPEAK UP: Right, 324CSS communications personnel (from left) FSGT Brian Moorecroft, LAC Nathan Ranft and CPL Scott Miller maintain radios and aerials around the flightline to keep exercise members in touch.

FILL ’EM UP: Above, refueller CPL Pete Tyack from 323CSS and LEC (locally employed civilian) Balachan Dran keep busy refuelling Hornets and Orions during the exercise.TIGHT SPOT: Below, 3SQN aircraft technician CPL Dennis Schmidt conducts maintenance on the left wing of a Hornet on the flightline to prepare it for a mission.

HEALTHY SUPPORT: Above, 324CSS Health Services Flight OIC, FLTLT Dave Dunn, and senior medical assistant FSGT Karen McDonald clean a stingray wound on LCDR Tony Mather’s right foot, as registered nurse Nina Yew stands by to assist.

GALLEY CHAT: Above, 11SQN’s SQNLDR Phillip Sydney-Jones and FSGTs Steven Peters and Simon Koch take a break in the galley with a passenger while transiting back to base after a night mission during Bersama Shield.DOWN TO EARTH: Right, 11SQN aircraft technician CPL Sarah Booth connects an earthing lead for an Orion while LAC Rohan Brammall removes engine bungs in the background.READY TO ROLL: Below, a 3SQN technician signals the pilot before the Hornet taxis out for an early morning sortie.

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By FLGOFF Brice Dunbar

INTEROPERABILITY was the un-derlying goal as Combat Support Unit, East Sale (CSUESL) staged its first wa-ter-based exercise, Aqua Search, in two phases near Sale recently.

Phase one was held at Dutson Air Weapons Range North-West Peninsula, the 300m classification range and elements of Lake Wellington.

Phase two was based at Wingan Inlet campground with activities conducted on-site and at Point Hicks (approximately four hours from the base).

CSU was joined in the exercises by Reserve Airbase Protection Flight (RAPF), 21SQN and elements from 409SQN Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC). 21SQN conducted ground defence train-ing at Dutson and 409SQN AAFC was involved in adventurous training activities at Wingan Inlet.

“The aim of the exercise was to fos-ter team building and interoperability within the CSUESL organisation, AAFC and with the reserve squadrons of 21SQN and 29SQN (particularly sections under East Sale OPCON and Reserve Wartime Establishment),” CSUESL T/CO SQNLDR Debbie Baker said.

“For phase one, selected personnel from 21SQN, RAPF and CSUESL con-ducted a ground defence training exercise and range practice at Dutson Air Weapons Range. 21SQN took the lead in conduct-ing the ground defence exercise, while CSUESL and Defence Support, East Sale (DSESL) provided the necessary support such as meals, accommodation, sanita-tion and medical needs. SNCO Defence Section, FSGT John Graham, ensured the smooth running of the range shoot before phase one and was a key contributor to its success,” she said.

BULLETIN BOARDAir Force BandJune 18: The Ceremonial Band will support the 1RTU graduation at RAAF Base Wagga from 11am.June 20: The Sydney Detachment will provide background music for the Shore Cadet Unit Centenary Dinner at the Sydney Church Of England Grammar School.June 21: The Sydney Detachment will support the 37SQN dining-in night at the Sergeants’ Mess at RAAF Base Richmond.

Photographic reunionPlanning is in progress for a reunion of all photographic-related musterings next year to celebrate more than 50 years of service in the RAAF. The reunion is planned for October 14 to 21, 2009, at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. To assist in the planning, interest is being sought from photographers, air photo plotters, cartographic tracers, photo inter-preters and geospatial imagery analysts, etc. Partners are also invited.� Contact Barry Ditchburn at email:

[email protected] or SQNLDR Bruce Graham at email: [email protected]

Northern Territory 2008 BallLarrakeyah Officers’ Mess invites all ADF officers and their guests to the 2008 Northern Territory Ball on July 19. The cost is $120 per person. Dress will be summer mess dress or black tie/evening wear. Tickets for tables of eight are on sale at NT Defcredit branches or NT Defence Force Recruiting offices until July 12.� For more details, contact CAPT Wendy Say

on (08) 8935 8321 or LEUT Kylie Beumer on (08) 8935 8514.

Aqua adventure

UNITED OUT BUSH: Above, AIRCDRE Royce Thompson conducts a bush church service for the Sale personnel at Wingan Inlet, and below left, CSUESL CO WGCDR Keith Joiner leads a group of cadets through the sand dunes at Point Hicks during Exercise Aqua Search. Photos supplied by FLGOFF Brice Dunbar

For phase two, selected personnel from CSUESL, RAPF, 409SQN AAFC and DSESL conducted an expedition-ary adventurous training exercise based at the Wingan Inlet campground, in the Croajingolong National Park.

Activities were conducted within the vicinity of Wingan Inlet and Point Hicks, and involved sea kayaking, cycling and hiking. While all activities were regarded as being extremely rewarding, it was the sea kayaking, led by CPL Kirk Peacock, that was a favourite among many members.

“The sea kayaking was definitely an experience I will not forget,” LACW Kristine Morrison said.

“The chance to go kayaking near the Skerries – where the seals are – was fantas-tic and CPL Peacock is a great instructor who showed genuine care.”

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AIR FORCE women are being asked to volunteer for two new mentor-ing programs aimed at recruiting more women into the ADF.

Family history is significant-ly impacting on the ADF’s ability to recruit women, according to a research paper commissioned by Defence Force Recruiting (DFR). Women who come from families that have no previous association with the Services often face a lack of understanding, resistance, and negativity regarding their decision to join the ADF.

In comparison, women with fam-ily members currently serving gener-ally experience the opposite, receiving encouragement and support to pursue a career.

The report indicates that women without a past association with the organisation, and their families and friends, often hold significant mispercep-tions regarding the realities of becoming a serving member.

DFR has an important challenge on

In order for the alumni visits and men-tor programs to be successful, DFR needs between 300 to 400 female serv-ing members to volunteer; the aim is to establish a large database of volunteers so that the burden of signing on does not become too much for individuals to take on. DFR anticipates that volunteers would only have to conduct one visit or act as

a mentor online during one day within a year, if the required numbers are reached; unless they desired to have greater involvement. To register yourself as a volunteer for these programs, email: [email protected], with the subject line ‘ADF women – mentor and alumni’ and your name, rank, category and current posting location.

Calling all female mentors

Women in focus

its hands if it is going to reverse these perceptions and encourage more women to consider all the opportunities avail-able within the ADF, Director General Defence Force Recruiting BRIG Simon Gould said.

“The findings highlight a need to ensure that the broader community is better educated about the realities of an ADF career,” he said.

“For young women who don’t have a cousin, parents, sibling or close friend in the ADF, it can seem a very mysteri-ous place. They imagine that all of the reference points of normal civilian life are lost: no weekends, no social life, few opportunities to wear civilian clothing, and work that predominantly involves combat training.

“While the opportunity to do some-thing worthwhile and serve the coun-try sounds exciting and challenging, it is simply too different and foreign for most to seriously contemplate and our challenge is to make it less daunting and correct the record where misperceptions exist.”

DFR is working to deliver two ini-tiatives to educate potential candidates, correct the record, and keep them in the recruiting process.

A formal alumni visits program, involving current ADF women, will pro-vide access into schools and community groups to create awareness of the ADF

and encourage more positive perceptions among influencers; aiming to increase the number of potential candidates.

And, a mentoring program will enable candidates and their families to chat in real time – online – with serving female ADF members to gain insight into the real ADF. DFR hopes this initia-

tive will improve the conversion ratio offemale inquiries to enlistments.

DFR is hoping to build a database of up to 400 ADF female volunteers forthese programs, with the aim of assistingand encouraging potential female candi-dates. See box below for more details. DFR contributed this article.

RECRUITING ON A ROLL: Female ADF volunteers are being sought to assist in a new women’s recruiting drive. Two new programs have been created to help encourage potential female candidates to join up. Pictured is geospatial imagery analyst SGT Leah Karsziewicz on the job at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo by LACW Melina Mancuso

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– ECU Security Science graduate, Maggie Plumb.

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HAWKEYE: Above, LAC Peter Miani from 75SQN detected foreign object damage to the engine of a Hornet during Exercise Red Flag in Alaska. The engine was replaced and a problem was averted. Photo by CPL Steve DuncanLAST POST: Below, former CO 42WG GPCAPT David Willcox cuts the cake at his farewell function with the help of LACW Samantha Burne from 2SQN. He recently retired after more than three decades’ service. Photo by AC Mark Friend

GREEN THUMB: Above, WOFF Sandy Nicholson cleans up during 1RSU’s recent visit to a retirement village at Alice Springs. Photo by AC Vasilis SolomouFAMILY HONOUR: Left, SQNLDR Justin Porter and his daughter Jasmine lay a wreath on behalf of 87SQN at the RAAF Base Edinburgh dawn service on Anzac Day. Photo by ACW Shannon UrieVALUED: Top left, CPL Josh Keith is awarded the 2007 Technician of the Year trophy for outstanding performance by BAE System’s site manager Mark Bates at RAAF Base Pearce. Photo courtesy of 79SQN

16 Flightline AIR FORCE June 12, 2008

Caring for families of those who died defending Australians and their freedom.

Legacy is there for the families of defence force personnel killed in war, training, peacekeeping, or other hazardous service, or who have died subsequently.

Should the worst happen, all defence force services have peace of mind Legacy will care for the families le� behind.

Throughout Australia, Legacy assists more than 122,000 widows, 1,800 children and dependants with a disability, providing advice and prac�cal assistance with

pension en�tlements, special housing, medical, financial and social support.

Please volunteer, donate or consider leaving a bequest. Thank you!

Call 1800 LEGACY (1800 534 229) or visit www.legacy.com.au

Support Legacy, so that we can continue to keep theflame of care burning bright!

17PersonnelAIR FORCE June 12, 2008

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Cut Corrosion

THE MEMBER’S Guide to ADF Pay and Conditions of Service in Aus-tralia – known as the ‘Member’s Guide’ – has joined the digital superhighway and is now available only online.

The Member’s Guide is an easy-to- understand snapshot of the main ben-efits and conditions of service set out in the ADF Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN). It is designed for ADF staff from new recruits to senior officers and their families.

Previously, the Member’s Guide was produced both electronically and in hard-copy. The dwindling demand for hard-copies, together with changing benefits and conditions of service packages, has seen attention turn to providing a more streamlined, PACMAN-integrated online version.

Readers can be confident they are accessing the most current information they most likely want to know about, including housing, leave and education assistance for their children.

Being an online publication means updates to pay and conditions informa-

tion can be promptly made as new poli-cies come into effect. Members and their families can now access the latest infor-mation on: members who have a depend-ant with special needs; new pay struc-tures for members; and, from July 2008, the eagerly-anticipated Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme.

The online Member’s Guide inte-grates the PACMAN, so readers can read the summary, and then in one click, access the definitive PACMAN policy.

Members should dispose of any hard-copy versions of the Member’s Guide.

eLearning modules for members, families and partners on how to navi-gate the Member’s Guide are available through the ‘Getting the Most Out of PACMAN’ eLearning suite, also avail-able online and through CAMPUS.

The Guide and eLearning modules can be accessed through: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/ The Personnel Policy and Employment Conditions Branch contributed this article.

New appointments for senior leadersThe following officers have been identi-fied for promotion and will appointed to their new positions within the year. AIRCDRE Geoff Brown – Deputy Chief of Air Force. AIRCDRE Mark Skidmore – Air Commander Australia. AIRCDRE Brian “Jack” Plenty – Head Capability Systems. AIRCDRE Colin Thorne – Head Aerospace Systems Division. GPCAPT Gavin “Leo” Davies –

Director General Capability Planning – Air Force. GPCAPT Chris “Noddy” Sawade – Commander Combat Support Group. GPCAPT Peter Brennan – Director General Logistics Assurance. GPCAPT Anker Brodersen – Director General Aerospace Maritime and Surveillance Systems. GPCAPT Andrew Dowse – Director General Integrated Capabili ty Development.

By LCDR John Ashley

DEFENCE medical assistants (medics) are encouraged to devel-op their professional skills, quali-fications and career employment opportunities by obtaining accredi-tation of their Defence courses and obtaining new civilian certificate qualifications.

While medics are trained in line with military operational require-ments, there are many similarities with civilian health specialties and all subjects in the Defence courses are accredited within the National Skills Framework.

During 2007 and the first half of 2008, Defence contracted experts to map the medics courses against the new national Health Training Package (HLT07). The outcomes of this study include accreditation of both the basic and advanced medical assistants courses and summaries of

units achieved, which can be used to identify bridging subjects necessary for medics to gain civilian qualifica-tions.

Civilian qualifications of par-ticular interest to medics are the Certificate IV and Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) and the Diploma of Paramedical Science (Ambulance). They will provide entry into profes-sional employment areas that com-plement Defence capabilities and open up further study opportunities.

The ADF Higher Education Advanced Standing (ADFHEAS) Scheme facilitates the development of pathways to bridging study by participating vocational and tertiary institutions.

A consortium is currently devel-oping study pathways in these areas and will post the informa-tion on the ADFHEAS website soon. Early discussions suggest that

advanced standing will be awarded for Defence qualifications and extra credits may be awarded for clinical experience.

The consortium is interested in defining pathways through graduate and post graduate levels.

Medics interested in advanc-ing their qualifications should read DI(G) Pers 05-1 on the Defence Assisted Study Scheme (DASS) for information about assistance avail-able for financial and study release support.

DASS is available to full-time members, and also has been funded for reserve personnel for a two-year trial, in accordance with DEFGRAM 85/2008.

Medics should prepare a formal plan in conjunction with their chain of command and career manager. Further information is available at www.defence.gov.au/dsg/organisa-tion/adfheas/

Health path

Member’s guide to pay goes online

GET SMART: CPL Paul Banks checks stock held at the RAAF Base Tindal medical section. Medical assistants are encouraged to further develop their professional skills. Photo by LAC Casey Smith

19HistoryAIR FORCE June 12, 2008

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By Andrew Stackpool

THE RAAF Museum has a request for members, former members and next of kin of deceased members.

“Will you please send us your memo-ries”?

The museum is concerned that many serving and former personnel, or their next of kin, are selling their medals, uni-form items, ephemera, badges, souvenirs and other memorabilia of their Air Force careers on eBay and other auction web-sites, or throwing them out.

Many such items are extremely rare and irreplaceable. They may have signifi-cant historic or heritage value, but also have little monetary value.

A recent search found almost 160 items on eBay on one day. They ranged from a very rare World War II RAAF medal group through to badges, aircraft flight manuals and uniforms.

The museum is keen to see these items retained as part of Air Force histo-ry and heritage and is asking people who wish to dispose of artefacts to donate them instead.

Museum Director Dave Gardner said the museum is the custodian for the extensive RAAF Heritage collection.

“We are presently conducting a 100 per cent audit of the collection,” Mr Gardner said.

“This is an exciting project which has provided the museum with an idea of the holes in the collection. They are main-ly from any operation or exercise since Korea, both in peacetime and in war.”

He said that if anyone has anything relating to RAAF service or life in all operations since Korea and wish to see it looked after, for the benefit of future gen-erations, it would be more than welcome at the museum.

“By ‘anything’, I mean anything including items relating to operational, training, social and any other aspects.

“We may not necessarily take every-thing as we may already have examples. However, if anyone has anything at all Air Force-related that they want to dis-pose of would they please contact us. They definitely may have Air Force her-itage value, even if they don’t have any monetary value.” Those wanting to donate items should contact the museum by emailing: www.raaf.gov.au/raafmuseum or calling the Curatorial Enquiries and Donations inquiry line on (03) 9256 1300.

Our museum wants your memories

By Andrew Stackpool

SUCCESS in combat is as much a matter of luck, time and place as it is to training and experience.

At the two extremes in aerial com-bat from World War II are the leading aces, men whose names remain famous today. At the other are those who died on their first missions without having ever dropped a bomb, fired a shot or even seen the enemy that hit them.

Between them are the vast majority, men who either made it through without fuss or glamour, or at least got a few runs on the board before they perished. Most have never received anything in the way of awards and, dead or alive, only their families and the yellowing pages in the archives know their real stories.

One such Australian was a pilot named FLGOFF Ron Dawson.

‘Shorty’ Dawson was born in Bellingen, NSW, on September 18, 1917. He moved to Sydney where he found a job with the Nestlé confectionary com-pany.

At some stage, he found his real love, aviation. With the outbreak of WWII, he enlisted in the RAAF and was posted to the UK.

By 1943, he was with 13OTU, teach-

ShoShorty’s reward

ing night fighter ‘destroyer’ operations against Luftwaffe bases. From there, he joined 23SQN RAF, which flew the Mosquito fighter/bomber against targets in Sicily, Tunisia, Italy and southern France.

One of his squadron mates, James Coley, said that ‘Shorty’ and his naviga-tor, FLGOFF P. T. Murray, were “a leg-end” for their skill and courage.

In June 1944, FLGOFF Dawson returned to the UK. He was due to return to Australia but became engaged to a “sweet little English sheila in the WAAF” named Joyce Schofield. He declined the ticket home and in November 1944, post-ed to 464SQN RAAF, flying Mosquitos.

On March 21, 1945, a force of 16 Mosquitos and 30 Mustangs as escort took off for a bombing attack on the Gestapo headquarters in Copenhagen.

At the time, 26 resistance members were under arrest and interrogation/tor-ture in the complex and the Gestapo had compiled a large quantity of intelligence on Danish resistance operations.

The force made a low-level approach and the building was struck by eight 500-pound bombs. It caught fire and was razed to the ground. About 150 German and Danish collaborators and just eight of the resistance detainees died; the other 18 escaped, and most of the Germans’ records were destroyed. Shortly after-wards, in the confusion, the resistance managed to get away with two filing cabinets of the names of collaborators and informants.

As the attacking aircraft departed the area, some of them flew near some enemy ships. They opened fire and three Mosquitos went down. One was SZ999/P, flown by ‘Shorty’ Dawson and ‘Fergie’ Murray. Their bodies were never found and they remained posted as “Missing”.

In June, 1945, the Danish Freedom Movement wrote to FLGOFF Dawson’s father and forwarded a special set of cuff-links containing His Majesty King Christian’s monogram. The movement asked Mr Dawson to accept the set as “a token of our gratitude” for Shorty’s “magnificent help”.

MOSSIE: A RAF Mosquito of the type flown by FLGOFF Dawson.

June 1917 – The Victoria Cross was awarded to FLTLT F. H. McNamara, 1SQN FC, Palestine.June 1973 – The first six F-111’s to arrive from the US landed at RAAF Base Amberley with more than 3000 people in attendance. June 1987 – The first trial of Net Pay Deposit at Fairbairn, ADFA and RAAF Support Unit Canberra marked the beginning of the end for pay parades.

June 1988 – Four F/A-18s and four F-111s conducted a fly-past for the Queen at the official opening of the new Parliament House in Canberra. June 1989 – After 35 years, 32SQN was re-formed at RAAF Base East Sale using HS748s. June 1997 – The Caribou replacement project was asking for contenders to put in their submissions. Eleven years later, the Caribous are still powering on.

This month in Air Force history

ROYAL SALUTE:

FLGOFF Ron Dawson who

gave his life to protect members

of the Danish underground.

Photo courtesy of Cherie Daniel

20 Lifestyle AIR FORCE June 12, 2008

Not too late to inoculate

WE CALL it the flu, but influ-enza is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease that can be spread through coughing and sneezing.

Often confused with a bad cold, influenza can cause serious and debilitating complications such as pneumonia, particularly in the eld-erly and high risk groups.

Accounting for 10 per cent of all workplace absenteeism associated with illness, influenza is the cause of 1500 deaths in Australia each year. Annual vaccination is the single most effective measure to prevent influenza.

Virus typesInfluenza is caused by two types

of viruses in humans (influenza A and B), and is spread through drop-lets in the air.

It is highly contagious, and although symptoms take one to three days to appear after infection, it can be transmitted to others one day before symptoms appear and for five days afterwards.

Symptoms include:� high fever, chills and sweating,� sore throat,� headache,� fatigue,� muscle aches and pains, and� a cough.

Recommended treatment for influenza includes:� rest, � plenty of fluids, (though avoid

alcohol) and � paracetamol for fever, headache

and muscle aches and pains.

Reducing the spreadYou can reduce the spread of the

disease to others by washing your hands regularly, covering your mouth when coughing, avoiding social gatherings while contagious and not returning to work too early. Anti-viral medication may help if started early enough in confirmed cases of influenza.

Before you’re exposedVaccination against influenza

before exposure to the virus allows your body to build up immunity, offering 70-90 per cent protection against infection.

People who have been vaccinated but still contract influenza report sig-nificantly less severe symptoms for a much shorter duration.

The influenza virus is constantly changing, and the vaccine is changed each year to match the circulating virus. For this reason, annual vacci-nation is required to provide protec-tion against the most recent virus.

Reducing complicationsTo reduce the risk of life-threat-

ening complications from influenza, medical experts recommend annual vaccination of high-risk groups like the elderly, people with other health problems, such as heart and lung dis-ease and diabetes, smokers, pregnant women and those residing in nursing homes and hostels.

Vaccination is also recommend-ed for health care workers and those travelling or living in groups as they are at a greater risk of contracting and spreading the disease.

Defence personnel spend extend-ed periods of time living and work-ing in close proximity while on deployment or exercise and when undertaking training.

An outbreak of influenza in these environments would have a huge impact on operational capability and training outcomes. Flu vaccina-tion is therefore mandatory for some deployments.

Vaccination is the single most effective way to avoid contracting influenza.

The vacc ina t ions used in Australia are very safe, with only a small number of people at risk of serious complications.

As all influenza vaccines may contain traces of egg protein, those with a significant allergy to eggs should discuss the risks with their doctor before proceeding with vac-cination.

Protection develops about two weeks after the injection and lasts for up to a year.

In Australia, an annual influenza vac-cine is recommended in autumn, before the winter season. In the tropics, vaccina-tion is recommended any time of year.

As VCDF LTGEN Ken Gillespie said while volunteering to take the shot, “receiving the annual flu vaccination is simply a matter of common sense”.

“Firstly, why wouldn’t I take the opportunity to reduce my chances of con-tracting the flu this year?

“We’re all balancing our work and family lives. I’ll do everything I can to maintain my health so that I can continue

to meet my work commitments while still making the most of my family time.

“I also don’t want to risk my family’s health by taking home flu that I’ve picked up at work,” LTGEN Gillespie said.

“Secondly, this is a busy year for Defence. While delivering our normal high operational tempo outputs, we’re also working very hard to meet all of Defence’s White Paper requirements.

“But we can’t complete these tasks without a fully functioning team, and it doesn’t make sense to needlessly lose team members to the flu.

“I encourage all Defence personnel, uniformed and civilian, to take the time to protect yourself against the flu.”

You have a slight sore throat, the sniffles and a never-ending headache. Is a cold or the flu? SQNLDR Kay Hatton explains the benefits of having a flu shot.

HEALTH

IT’S NOT THAT BAD: VCDF LTGEN Ken Gillespie gives a mock grimace as he gets his influenza shot from SQNLDR Kay Hatton. Photo by CPL Corinne Boer

By Sean Roberts

THE latest title coming from the FIFA stable, UEFA Euro 2008, gives you the choice of 52 Europe-an national teams to take to glory in the official tournament held in Austria and Switzerland.

While a tournament-specific game such as this can very easily seem like a stop-gap between the big releases like FIFA 08 and FIFA 09, you would be surprised at just how accomplished a package this is.

First impressions dish up the expected slick level of polish, but oth-erwise Euro 2008 only feels like a minor update from FIFA 08.

The lack of options and far less teams than usual do stand out but are forgivable given the more narrow focus.

Looking past the surface, you’ll find the actual game of football noticeably improved. The so-called “EA Sports soccer engine” now boasts being “more accessible, more responsive, and faster-paced”, and sure enough it definitely feels tighter and as playable as ever before.

Dynamic weather simulates a European winter – with rain and mud altering the pitch – simulating real-

UEFA Euro 2008Electronic Arts Xbox 360, PS3 G ��4

Go for Europe glories

world playing conditions that affects ball physics and player performance.

The modes that are on offer here may not be as vast as other sims, but what Euro 2008 does have ranges from

GAMES

INSPIRED: Create yourself in-game, gain the captaincy of your chosen European team and lead them to triumph.

GIVEAWAY WINNERSGIVEAWAY WINNERSThe winners of the May 15 giveaway of Conflict: Denied Ops for PS3 are:CAPT Mark Vermeer FLGOFF Bryan AndrewsSGT Paul RichardsonCPL Scott EllemanCFN Mitchell Reeves

the standard to the downright inspired.Get three friends together, create your-selves in-game, and play your ownindividual positions on the pitch whiletaking your country to the top, all thewhile developing your character andcompeting with each other for cap-taincy of the team. Or you might takethe opportunity to represent your coun-try of choice in online tournamentsthat award points toward your nation,with every online player contributingto their country’s standing.

While destined not to be as fea-ture-heavy as its bigger siblings thatflank it, from a gameplay viewpointthis is the most impressive offering thefranchise has produced so far.

21LifestyleAIR FORCE June 12, 2008

By CPL Andrew Hetherington

DROPPING a 6.0 litre V8 capable of 270kW of power and 530Nm of torque into a ute is a recipe for bru-tal acceleration, tail-sliding oversteer antics, huge load and opposite sex pulling power.

This is Holden’s new SS VE series ute. It upholds the 10-year SS ute tra-dition, providing drivers and their one passenger (and any livestock willing to risk their lives riding in the back), with sports car performance and a muscular exhaust note, which would put Arnold Schwarzenegger to shame. This glori-ous sound permeates the cabin particu-larly under heavy acceleration.

Exterior styling is as muscular as the exhaust note, coupled with a massive front end, containing front fog lights, a front skirt and huge front wheel arches. Further along the body, side skirts and easy to clean 18-inch alloy wheels complete the sports look of the vehicle.

Unfortunately, with the colour of the test vehicle provided, the only living organism on the planet which would have any chance of attracting the opposite sex would be the Toy World bear.

The six-speed gearbox was slick and easy to use thanks to its short throw between gears.

Handling is what you would expect it to be; predicable and sharp. This is due to the low-profile tyres and sus-pension package, which instil con-fidence in the most novice of sports vehicle drivers and produces very little body roll through corners.

Occasionally, I felt like I was riding in a vehicle mounted on rails, such was the precision and feel of the handling.

Drivers also receive the large amount of feedback from the road through the leather-clad steering wheel, which includes stereo and cruise con-trol buttons.

Price as tested: $44,990 Plus ORC.Power: 270kW of power and 530Nm of torque (when using RON 98 PUL petrol) from a 6.0 litre V8 engine.0-100km/h: 5.8 seconds (claimed).Fuel consumption and type: UNLD RON 91, 14.5L/100km (Combined), 73L fuel tank. Co2 emissions: 344 grams/km (Combined).Safety: Anti-lock brakes (ABS), elec-tronic brake force distribution, electronic brake assist, traction control, electronic stability program, dual-stage front air-bags and seatbelts with load limiters and seatbelt pre-tensioners.For: Acceleration, power, street cred (if you pick the right colour), handling, load carrying capacity, looks, knowing you’ll

beat almost anything away from the traf-fic lights, reliability and build quality.Against: Thirsty and expensive fuel usage if you want to use 98 RON P/UL petrol, in the end it only seats two and high CO2 emissions. Best suit: Single or married doesn’t matter for someone who wants to exploit the power and load carrying capacity while knowing you are driving one of the fastest utes around.Alternatives in price range: Commodore SS sedan, Ford XR8 ute and sedan, Falcon G6E sedan, VW Golf GTI and Subaru WRX.Insurance: $2539 for 12-month compre-hensive insurance for a 25-year-old male living in Sydney.My rating: 4 stars out of 5.

MOTORING

Holden SS VE Series Ute, 6-speed manual

A real beaut ute

Inside the test vehicle, occupants sit in comfortable leather sports seats which, when taking tight corners at speed, do a magnificent job of holding bodies in situ.

The dashboard dials and switches were well laid out, easy to read and use, but the stereo was a little on the cheap side, with the sound quality not up to the standard of a near $45,000 vehicle. However, it did feature a handy six stacker in-dash CD player.

The VE SS ute is a devastating-ly quick sports vehicle, suitable for tradespeople, married couples wanting to leave the kids at home and single people, while at the same time having the ability to carry some of their larger possessions long distances at break -neck speed.

AT SPEED: The colour may be unattractive but it has grunt.Photo by CPL Andrew Hetherington

BOOKS

The Cook and the ChefFour Seasons Boxed Set. 8 DVDs.ABC Television $79.95

DVDs

By Hugh McKenzie

I AM an avid, occasionally in-spired cook, if I do say so myself.

I have watched with a great dealof interest the growing friendshipbetween Maggie Beer (the cook)and Simon Bryant (the chef) ontheir ABC TV show, which has runthrough a number of seasons so far.

They have really settled into agreat on-screen relationship and thefood they cook is positively inspira-tional.

Simon is an executive chef, whichmeans he doesn’t get to cook verymuch, but does have to manage avery large brigade in a busy hotel;it’s a position of considerable respon-sibility. He is also vegetarian whichyou might think an impediment inhis job and indeed the TV program.Not so. He’ll try anything.

Maggie Beer, with her husbandColin, moved to the Barossa Valleyto farm pheasants. She has intro-duced many Australians to quincepaste with their cheese and to cook-ing with verjuice.

These programs are extensiveand tied into the ABC website. TheDVDs cover everything from cook-ing with kids to preparation for a fan-tastic barbecue. Have a look at www.abcshop.com.au before you buy but Ican tell you it’s money well spent.

Inspiring cooking

��4.5

Warrior Brothers: My life in the Australian SASKeith Fennell. Random House.

��4.5

By CPL Mike McSweeney

KEITH Fennel passed the rig-ours of SASR selection when he was 21 and specialised in wa-ter operations. He saw action in Timor-Leste and Afghanistan, and later in Iraq and Banda Aceh as a security contractor.

In Warrior Brothers: My life in the Australian SAS, Fennell shares some of his adventures and some of his deepest thoughts.

A highly-driven individual, he relished his first operational expe-rience – capturing a vessel fish-ing illegally in the southern Indian Ocean – but he craved more. Even then he realised he was an adrena-line junkie.

The sort of experience he was looking for came in the jungles of Timor when his reconnaissance patrol engaged several militia. It was the first time he took a human life, but it wouldn’t be the last.

Fennell notes that the thrill of combat is not killing people, but the test of oneself under fire. And while he remains philosophical about combat, reflecting on it has caused him a few sleepless nights.

A recurring theme in Warrior Brothers is Fennell’s respect for his

comrades, but he also writes about the special bond formed under fire.

Whether in a dry creek bed in Timor or on a mountainside in Afghanistan, having someone cov-ering your back during a contact produces a bond that is cemented within seconds, and lasts a lifetime.

He touches on other topics that will resonate with many soldiers, such as the strain of packs on shoul-ders, the hours of boredom and the value of physical training.

Not since the likes of Bravo Two Zero have we seen a first-hand account of life in the SAS of this calibre, and it could be argued that Fennell’s book is better than his predecessors. Warrior Brothers is a well-written, humorous and con-fronting account of one person’s experiences in modern warfare.

Clearly SAS training has taught Fennell humility; he may readily

admit to his strengths, but this is well balanced with the Aussie trait of humorously exposing his short-comings.

Warrior Brothers offers the read-er an honest insight into Fennell’s world and that of Special Forces soldiers. It also poses the dilemma of how an adrenaline junkie can set-tle down into a “normal” life as a husband and father.

RIPPING YARNS: He craved adventure and tested himself under fire.

A six-man SASR patrol in Afghanistan was in contact with 80 enemy militia. Fennell writes:Back at the US command centre at Bagram Airbase, a surgical officer deployed to the operations room and asked for an update so he could prepare the emergency ward.“Who is in contact?”“The Australian Special Forces Task Group,” he was told.“How long have they been in con-tact?”“Over six hours.”“What sort of weaponry is being used against them?”“14.5mm machine guns and RPGs.”“Has an RRF been deployed to assist?”“No – they sent out their own force from FOB Khost.”“How many friendly killed and wounded are we looking at?”“None.”There was a pause.“What, no casualties?”“Not yet,” came the reply.

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22 Sport AIR FORCE June 12, 2008

GAME PLANSoccer � The RAAF National Soccer Association

seeks coaches, as well as team, assistant and administrative personnel for the 2008 season. Expressions of interest are sought for positions as coaches of the open men’s, women’s and over-35 teams.

� To be eligible you must meet minimum requirements and be available from October 25 to November 8 in Sydney.

� All job descriptions are located at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/RAAFNSA/comweb.asp?page=Home or for more information, email SGT Geoff Gillard at [email protected]

Cycling� The Australian Defence Cycle Club

(ADCC) Road Cycling Championships at Holsworthy Army Barracks on July 5 and 6 will decide the Defence and Service champions for road cycling, criterium and individual time trial events.

� The titles are open to all Service personnel and APS members and nominations for race offi cials, support staff and competitors are sought.

� Nominations to participate in the event close on June 13 and should be emailed to SGT Michael Rand at [email protected] or CPL Jason roberts at [email protected]

Golf� Air Force is looking for men and women

golfers keen on representing it in the inter-Service golf competition from October 24-28. The team, to play at Mollymook Golf Club on the NSW South Coast, will consist of 11 players and one reserve.

� Interested players should contact SQNLDR Mark Wilkins on (02) 6265 5083 or email: [email protected] or FLTLT Wayne Thompson on (02) 6127 2596 or email: [email protected]

Squash� The 2008 Australian Defence national

squash championships will be held at RAAF Base Williamtown from August 25 to 29, with the ADF and the Royal New Zealand Air Force competing.

� This year, the Australian Defence Squash Racquets Association would like to see an increase in APS participants. Interested APS players should contact Phil Whiteman on (02) 496 5626.

� For more information, visit: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/squash/

NOVICES are encouraged to try their luck at the RAAF Alpine Snowsports Association (RASA) Championships at Mount Hoth-am, Victoria, from July 27 to Au-gust 3.

The event will allow skiers and snowboarders to spend time in and on the snow, receiving lessons and participating in team events across all skill levels.

“Beginners are extremely well catered for,” RASA chairman, GPCAPT Karon Millet, said.

“After lessons and time on the snow with their teammates, we’ve had absolute beginners participate in races and achieve results they

couldn’t even dream of at the start of the week. And everybody loves the sponsor’s fancy dress day on the last day of competition.”

RASA championships are open to all Air Force personnel, and Defence civilians.

CPL Suzanne Scragg found the advice and encouragement of her fellow snowboarders soon had her racing down the slopes.

“I was managing blue runs after just a few days,” she said.

More information can be found on the RASA intranet web-site: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/RASA/comweb.asp?page=Home

The inter-Service champion-

ships between Army, Navy and Air Force will be held at Mount Hotham the following week, from August 4-8.

This event will include lessons and racing. Air Force personnel will be invited during RASA week to participate in races or assist with event management during the week.

For those who prefer cross country and biathlon (skiing and shooting) to snowboarding, June 19 is the cut-off date for enter-ing the Air Force and inter-Service cross country and biathlon cham-pionships. The annual competi-tion will be held at Mount Hotham from August 3 to 15.

“This year it looks like a number of our old hands won’t be able to make the competition so it will be a great time to focus our energies on beginners,” regular competitor SQNLDR Satya Tanner said.

“We take people who have never seen the snow before and put them through an accelerated training program which has them competing after four days.” Members interested in compet-ing in the cross country or bia-thlon should contact SGT Sonia Crockett on (07) 5461 4888 or email: [email protected]

Ski to it in ’08

HIT THE SLOPES: The Air Force and inter-Service cross country and biathlon championships will be held in Mount Hotham from August 3-15. Competitors of all levels are welcome, with an accelerated training program available for beginners. Photo provided by SQNLDR Satya Tanner

23SportAIR FORCE June 12, 2008

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aviationfaculty of science

By Barry Rollings

“THIS IS the new culture of Air Force rugby union; it starts now,” men’s co-coach LAC Steve Maley re-minded his troops after a creditable final performance against Army in the Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU) Championships in Canberra on May 21.

He had good reason to be encour-aged. His team had refused to buckle in the second half – as many often do in the face of concerted Army pressure – and actually finished the stronger in an 18-27 loss to the eventual championship winner. That followed a 20-31 loss to Navy in the series opener on May 18.

All of that was a far cry from the 64-0 defeat by Army in the 2007 ASRU title decider in Canberra, or the more recent 47-0 loss to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Burn-Merz Trophy match in New Zealand over the Anzac holiday weekend.

“We are moving on from here,” LAC Maley said. “Air Force rugby is begin-ning to show the other two Services we are here to compete and not to just make up the numbers any more.

“Most definitely, this is a big improvement on the equivalent game

By Barry Rollings

CPL MICK Green was named rookie of the year at the presenta-tion night which marked the end of the Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU) Championships in Canberra on May 24.

CPL Green is a PTI from 382CSS at RAAF Base Amberley.

Air Force had nine men and two women included in the representa-tive teams named on the night. Each Service also had a player named on standby for the men’s team.

Army had 15 men and 19 women win favour with the selectors, while Navy had 10 men and nine women.

The men will play in the Pacific Military Cup in New Zealand in October and the women will go into camp to prepare for the Australian women’s champion-

ships at Tallebudgera on the Gold Coast from July 1 to 5. The wom-en’s squad of 30, which included 19 from Army and nine from Navy, will compete against teams from Sydney, Queensland, NSW Country, Victoria, ACT, Western Australia and a national indigenous team.

The men’s squad will be reduced to 27 after the development camp in Brisbane from September 11 to 14.

The Air Force men selected were CPL Luke Troy, LAC Richard Falkenmire, CPL Mike McCabe, OFFCDT Andre Holmes, CPL Mick Green, FLTLT Leigh Foster, LAC Paul Hampson, CPL James Hood and FSGT Jason Ryan. The standby player is AC Matt Hopkins.

The women se lected were FLGOFF Margie Quinn and OFFCDT Gabrielle Cooke.

Culture union

Our blue All Stars team

last year. We had played a hard game last year and then met a fresh Army side. We were a little bit tired then, like today, but the boys put their hands up and were counted this time.

“CPL Mick Green had a big game at number 10, and number eight OFFCDT Andre Holmes was strong in general play. AC Jeff Moate in the midfield stood out, CPL James Hood was strong in controlling from the back, and all the front-row did well – CPL Luke Troy, AC Matthew Hopkins, AC Brian White and LAC Richie Falkenmire.

“It was close for a while against Navy. We pretty much had territory on Navy all game but we let ourselves down a little bit towards the end and let them get away with some easy penalties.”

The difference from last year in his mixed squad of old hands and newcom-ers was mental attitude, LAC Maley said.

“Our players have been thinking about the games a little differently than just bash and smash,” he said. “The boys thought a bit more about technique and skills; they are a tight group and com-mitted to each other.”

Air Force’s traditional forward play was matched this year with backline flair, with a number of incisive runs

proving the difference for it early in the game against Navy. Strength in the cen-tres, combined with a number of critical line-out wins against the play, gave Air Force the lead twice.

Tensions flared in the second half, while a breakaway try for Navy put the game beyond reach for Air Force. Several smart backline moves from a well-drilled Army side gave it an early 17-0 lead against Air Force until CPL

Mick Green sparked a late Air Force rally and converted two penalties for a half-time deficit of 6-17.

The pattern continued in the second half as Army improved its lead to 27-6 before Air Force was able to challenge again, aided by a sustained burst of pen-alties against Army and the sin-binning of two opposition players.

FLTLT Leigh Foster crashed over the line twice in the dying stages, with one

try converted by CPL Green for the finalscoreline of 27-18.

Four Air Force women teamed up with Navy to take on Army in thewomen’s competition, but the com-bined might failed to reproduce last year’s outstanding result with the girlsrouted 63-0. It was a case of somethingold, something new, something bor-rowed, battered and blue, as the Army girls staged an 11-try picnic.

BREAKAWAY: Air Force player LAC Richard Falkenmire beats an Army tackle as the referee keeps his eye on play during the ASRU Championships in

Canberra. LAC Falkenmire was one of the blues selected for the

ADF All Stars team. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

SPORT Inside: ■ Rugby ■ SkiingJune 12, 2008

MIGHTY MICKCPL Mick Green scores top rookie award at ASRU championships – P23

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN: CPL Mick Green from 382CSS, RAAF Base

Amberley, breaks away from the Army defence

during the Australian Services Rugby Union

(ASRU) Championships in Canberra. CPL Green

was named rookie of the carnival and was among the nine male

Air Force players selected for the ADF All

Stars team. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran

air force - home : department of defence, australian ...€¦ · air force vol. 50, no. 10, june...

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