AIRF RCEVol. 61, No. 12, July 11, 2019 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

EYE IN THE SKY

79SQN trainee FLGOFF Iain Roberts-Thomson, operates the Hawk simulator over a simulated Perth at RAAF Base Pearce. Photo: LS Bradley Darvill

Centre

Jericho Dawn demonstrates new-age tech

Historic agreementPage 16Page 3

Ex Talisman SabrePage 5

Change of command

2 July 11, 2019RCEAIR FNews

EDITORIALDirectorDavid Edlington

Acting EditorJessica Deotto: (02) 6266 7612

Deputy EditorMichelle Fretwell

ReportersSGT Max BreeSGT Dave MorleyCPL Sebastian BeurichCPL Veronica O’HaraLS Jake Badior

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AIRF RCE

Living the Air Force Values: RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORK

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FLTLT Jessica Aldred

PREVENTING family and domes-tic violence by or against Air Force members and their families is one of three key objectives in the Air Force Implementation Plan for the Defence Family and Domestic (FDV) Strategy.

DACAUST AIRCDRE Guy Wilson, also a White Ribbon Ambassador, said Air Force had the responsibility to foster a safe envi-ronment free from all unacceptable behaviour, including FDV.

“We are a values-based organisa-

tion and we expect our people to lead by example, act with integrity and show respect for each other and their families,” AIRCDRE Wilson said.

“Providing a safe workplace and community is not only a moral issue, it is a capability issue.

“By understanding what drives the behaviours that can lead to fam-ily and domestic violence, we can focus on how to prevent it and the broader impacts on our workforce.

“Prevention needs to be a key focus as dealing with the damaging effects of domestic violence can be far more difficult.

“FDV is never acceptable in any form in Air Force.

“Our values of respect, excel-lence, agility, dedication, integrity and teamwork underpin all we stand for and all we strive to achieve.

“We should all promote and live our values through a fair and inclu-sive workplace where we encourage positive behaviours – and don’t be a bystander to poor behaviour; do something about it.”

AIRCDRE Wilson said if you see or hear any indication a person may commit domestic violence, you must not remain silent about it.

“We have some great grass-roots initiatives occurring across Air Force focused on building the culture we need to keep our people safe and maintain our operational effective-ness,” he said.

The implementation plan has three objectives: to prevent family and domestic violence against or by Air Force personnel, to respond and to provide support.

Find information on the Air Force family and domestic violence page on the intranet

Prevention is keyFSGT Andrew Saveliev, left, chats with, from left, ACAUST AVM Steven Roberton, DACAUST AIRCDRE Guy Wilson and CO 26SQN WGCDR Amanda Cornell during a visit to 26SQN fire section. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

FLTLT Tracey Li

AIR Force has proudly assumed custody of 11 historic military aircraft gifted by the Temora Aviation Museum.

A ceremony was held at the museum on July 1 to celebrate the ownership transfer of a Hudson, Boomerang, Ryan, Wirraway, Dragonfly, Canberra, Vampire, Meteor, Tiger Moth and two Spitfire aircraft.

Commander Air Force Training Group AIRCDRE Glen Braz acknowledged this new relationship and thanked museum founder David Lowy for his gen-erous donation.

“Air Force is proud to receive the collection on behalf of the Australian people and we look forward to honouring those who served with and supported the aircraft in the past,” AIRCDRE Braz said.

“We know this remarkable fleet will inspire an interest in aviation among Australians and remind people of an important part of the Australian wartime history.”

The historic aircraft will remain in Temora under the care of the museum. They will be maintained and supported by Temora Aviation Museum Engineering Pty Ltd (TAME) engineering and technical staff under a five-year rolling contract from Air Force.

To assist with the transition,

Generous gift for Air ForceOIC Temora Flight AIRCDRE Henrik Ehlers proudly receives aircraft logbooks from Temora Aviation Museum CEO Murray Kear. Photo: FLTLT Tracey Li

WOFF Cary Thompson has been appointed Technical Liaison Officer – Temora to facilitate ongoing contract management and local support.

“The opportunity to work with Andy Bishop, the chief engineer, his team of maintenance engi-neers and the Temora Aviation Museum staff is fantastic,” WOFF Thompson said.

“The engineering challenges and day-to-day issues that the team overcomes to keep these wonderful aircraft flying safely is testament to their professionalism and resourcefulness.”

The aircraft are currently flown by a small group of experienced pilots and will continue to be flown by these pilots, who have accepted appointment to the Air Force Reserve as specialist capa-bility officers.

AIRCDRE Henrik Ehlers, from Air Force’s Special Projects Team, said Temora was home to a noteworthy aviation history with close connections to the Air Force.

“Air Force set up the No. 10 Elementary Flying Training School in May 1941, which was the largest and longest-lived of the schools established under the Empire Air Training Scheme dur-ing WWII,” he said.

“After WWII, Temora contin-ued its aviation heritage by run-ning a number of activities includ-ing parachuting, gliding, ultra-light aircraft operations, aerobatics and model aircraft.”

The fleet of aircraft will play a key part in Air Force’s centenary celebration in 2021 and the col-laboration between Air Force and the museum signifies mutual com-mitment to Australia’s rich avia-tion history.

THE Australian Government is continuing its contribution to sup-port efforts by the US-led Global Coalition against Daesh.

RAAF will extend the deploy-ment of a KC-30A air-to-air refuel-ling aircraft to the Australian Defence Force Air Task Group and redeploy an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.

These aircraft will support US-led Coalition operations until late 2020.

In March, we welcomed the ter-ritorial defeat of Daesh, the culmina-tion of sustained international efforts by Coalition members and partners.

Daesh continues to pose a secu-rity threat to the Middle East region and the broader international com-munity, including through the propa-gation of its extreme ideology.

Australia’s deployment of these aircraft continues our contribution to stability and recovery in Iraq, in sup-port of members of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).

The ISF plays a crucial role in preventing the re-emergence of Daesh in Iraq and in repelling incur-sions by Daesh extremists into Iraq’s sovereign territory.

To date, Australian and New Zealand Defence Force personnel have trained over 44,000 ISF per-sonnel through the joint Task Group Taji in Iraq.

Read the full media release here: minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/australias-ongoing-contribution-global-coalition-against-daesh

RAAF’s ongoing contribution against Daesh

3July 11, 2019RCEAIR F News

CPL Veronica O’Hara

INCOMING CAF, AIRMSHL Mel Hupfeld began his tenure by saying personnel should expect to see him smiling aplenty and be ready to offer the same in return.

This followed advice from CDF who told him, “Don’t forget being the Chief of your service is actually fun”, as he handed the appointment certifi-cate to AIRMSHL Hupfeld earlier that morning.

At the ceremonial parade and fly-past that welcomed him as CAF on July 3, AIRMSHL Hupfeld thanked AIRMSHL Leo Davies for his stew-ardship and leadership over the past four years.

“He’s taken us on an irreversible path towards a fifth-generation Air Force,” AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

“He has continued to deliver on the work, vision and intent that previous Chiefs have brought forward for our Air Force and he’s carried that in such a strong way – with energy, discipline and continued focus.”

AIRMSHL Hupfeld said Air Force was in great shape, but this work and focus must continue.

“It’s an Air Force that’s envied by many and probably the most modern and capable Air Force in the world,” he said.

“We’re in the midst of one of the most significant transitions in our his-tory and facing some quite turbulent and uncertain strategic circumstances.

“We need to ensure that we’re able to meet the challenges that will come.”

To do this, AIRMSHL Hupfeld said Air Force would continue to reform, aiming for continuous improvement and efficiency within its resources.

“We’ve got great kit, there’s no doubt, and the wonderful flypast showed some of the recent additions,” AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

“But the heart of our capabilities still remains our people – that’s where we get our true advantage.

“We need the right people, doing the right things and being professional, skilled, passionate and trusted.”

AIRMSHL Hupfeld said Air Force

needed to focus and look at our capa-bilities across the Defence Force.

“To our Air Force people gathered here today, we are in the right place and we’re on the right trajectory.

“As we continue to demonstrate our joint capabilities, we need to value and integrate across our multi-domain force and in particular, work with our colleagues in Navy and Army.

Outgoing CAF AIRMSHL Davies used a series of thank yous to touch on the story of his career.

“Thank you to Air Force, because you took a bit of a gamble on a dairy farmer’s son. I just wanted to fly; I had a dream,” AIRMSHL Davies said.

“The mentors during my career who challenged me but laid a founda-tion – you know it’s okay to have fun while you accomplish.

“To the airmen, the airwomen, the senior NCOs and warrant officers: you taught me a sense of humility because you are bloody good.”

During his time as CAF AIRMSHL Davies prioritised inclusion, diversity and acceptance; encouraged a joint

AIRMSHL Mel Hupfeld joined RAAF as an academy cadet in 1980, winning the Flying Prize for his year and graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1983.

He flew Mirage and F/A-18 fighters and became a fighter combat instructor in 1989. He served as B Flight Commander in 3SQN, XO 2OCU and Deputy Director Aerospace Development.

In 2001 AIRMSHL Hupfeld commanded 75SQN in the Middle East during Operations Bastille and Falconer.

He served as Director Aerospace Combat, OC 81WG and Director of Combined Air Operations Centre in the Middle East, before becoming Director-

General Air / Director-General Air Command Operations in 2008. Soon after, he took command of Air Combat Group where he oversaw all fast-jet combat air-craft capability.

In 2012, AIRMSHL Hupfeld was appointed as ACAUST, fol-lowed by Head of Capability Systems Division in the Capability Development Group.

In 2016, AIRMSHL Hupfeld took up the newly created posi-tion of Head Force Design in VCDF Group.

On promotion, he was appointed CJOPS in 2018 as the first Air Force officer in the posi-tion and is now the Chief of Air Force.

mindset; and emphasised innovation through Plan Jericho.

“My greatest satisfaction was reviewing graduation parades; seeing the excitement, the ideas and the faces of our young folk every time I go to an Air Force unit,” he said.

AIRMSHL Davies said he finished

with no regrets. “But we do leave with a strong sense of excitement for your future. As an airman, it’s been a privi-lege to lead you,” he said.

“I a l ready know AIRMSHL Hupfeld has a strong vision to take Air Force to the next phase; he has earned the right to lead RAAF.”

A strong vision for Air Force

In the right place

An F-35A conducts a flypast over Russell Offices, Canberra, during the CAF Transfer of Command ceremony. Photo: CPO Cameron Martin

Outgoing CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies, left, welcomes new CAF AIRMSHL Mel Hupfeld

during a ceremonial parade in Canberra. Photo: Jay Cronan

Photo: CPL Shannon McCarthy

4 July 11, 2019RCEAIR FNews

CPL Veronica O’Hara and WGCDR Mary Anne Whiting

WHEN bureaucrats wanted to retire the F-111s in 1987, a simulated strike was flown on the offices of the Force Development and Analysis Division in Canberra to convince them the aircraft was still potent.

The resulting targeting pod video showed crosshairs positioned on their office windows and audio counting down to “bomb’s gone”.

Despite being labelled a stunt, it convinced bureaucrats that F-111s were worth keeping and upgrading.

The aircraft also had a unique reconnaissance capability that came to the fore in 1999 when RF-111s took surveillance photos for INTERFET.

Aircraft A8-134, the last of these reconnaissance RF-111Cs from the East Timor operation, arrived at the Australian War Memorial on May 30.

Ric Tanner worked as a photo inter-

preter with F-111s for almost four years and later as an intelligence offic-er. “You could fly to a target and pho-tograph it and no one knew you were there, as the aircraft had a standoff imaging capability of over 20nm away and above 20,000ft,” Mr Tanner said.

“The cameras could take images at any altitude it flew and were just as capable at high- or low-speed ingress and egress.

“When the film was developed, the biggest frame could be over a metre long.”

Australia was the sole F-111 opera-tor outside the US and the only coun-try with a reconnaissance variant.

AIRMSHL Errol McCormack (Retd) was on the first F-111 conver-sion course and later CO 1SQN, then OC 82WG. He was flying US Air Force RF-4 Phantoms on exchange before becoming the F-111 project officer.

“We took the sensors out of the RF-4, modified them and put them

into the F-111, although the sighting gear and infrared line scan had to be changed because they wouldn’t fit,” AIRMSHL McCormack said.

The last F-111 squadron CO was AIRCDRE Micka Gray who said fly-ing the aircraft was magnificent.

“We took it from being just a strike aircraft to providing support to spe-cial forces, Army and Navy, in a range of roles as it evolved over the years,” AIRCDRE Gray said.

“The recce aircraft could drop bombs as well, but its primary role was the suite of six cameras in the recce bay, which had cameras suitable for low-level, high-speed ops and at airliner height, and also infrared cam-eras for night use.

“Those missions were often very long distance and multi-target, collect-ing imagery of planned or potential targets or other areas of interest.”

With 20 years of F-111 aircraft maintenance experience, WOFF Stan Lawler led the 13-member History

and Heritage Branch Project team that disassembled A8-134 at the South Australian Aviation Museum and reas-sembled it in Canberra.

“What made the F-111 so different to every other aircraft I’ve worked on was the complex flight control sys-tem,” WOFF Lawler said.

“The variable geometry wing and associated systems were radically dif-ferent to any other aircraft operated by the Air Force and as a technician it challenged you every day.

“It’s not a standard aircraft so the disassembly and assembly technique was quite unique and complex.

“As a team we saw this aircraft as a fitting memorial to all the men and women involved in supporting the F-111 over its service life.”

Former CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies flew 16 sorties and his second-last flight in the aircraft donated to the Australian War Memorial.

“Our geography says we need to go a long way, we need to defend at

distance – it was almost purpose-built for where we are,” AIRMSHL Davies said.

“Six years after delivery, we began to understand the true versatility of this aircraft, so we ordered four recce variants.

“We modified them to have some of the most sophisticated cameras of the day and a couple of those cameras would still be effective if we were fly-ing this aircraft today.

“Every general wanted a photo; they’d say ‘no good having a map, I want to see what it’s like today or yesterday so we can better plan and execute whatever mission it is we’re asked to do’.”

The RF-111C will be housed at the Australian War Memorial’s Treloar Technology Centre in Mitchell, ACT, and the public will have an opportunity to view it at the return of the “Big things in store” event in October

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTENTHE decision to acquire the F-111 was made in 1963; the aircraft were delivered in 1973 and served for 37 years before retirement in 2010.

From 1979-80, four F-111C aircraft were modified to accept a reconnaissance pallet in the weap-ons bay (known as the recce bay), providing RAAF with long-range reconnaissance as the RF-111Cs.

Between 1994 and 1999, the F-111C and RF-111C avionics were upgraded from analogue to digital, with a new flight control

system, dual mission computers, stores management system, two ring-laser gyro inertial navigation systems aided by GPS, secure radios and improved electronic warfare equipment.

The aircraft flew with 1SQN and 6SQN at RAAF Base Amberley and its first and only operational reconnaissance missions were in East Timor during 1999.

By 2003, the cost of sustaining the ageing F-111C fleet forced a decision to retire the aircraft.

A sight to behold

At the RF-111C Aircraft A8-134 official handover to the Australian War Memorial, the team of ADF members responsible for its safe arrival and reconstruction pose in front of the aircraft. Photo: CPL Shannon McCarthy

The fuselage of F-111C, tail number A8-134, is delivered to the Australian War Memorial Annex, Canberra, in preparation for assembly and display. Photo: FSGT Mark Eaton

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5July 11, 2019RCEAIR F Joint Effects

FLGOFF Kat Trimble and FLTLT Angela Tincknell-Stott

COMBAT Support Group (CSG) took Williamson Airfield from “bare to there” ahead of the start of Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS19).

Williamson will hold about 1300 per-sonnel, plus aircraft from RAAF, Army, the United States and New Zealand for the exercise from July 11-24.

CSG set up the remote airfield situ-ated in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area to perform a critical role for TS19, the largest bilateral exercise for Australia and the United States.

As a forward-operating base, Williamson is the epicentre for air operations and provides important facili-ties for the exercise such as catering, communications, security and medical support.

The importance of ensuring the base’s readiness was not lost on WGCDR Alan Brown, Base Commander Williamson Airfield for TS19.

“If we weren’t here, the aircraft would turn up and not have any sup-port,” WGCDR Brown said.

“People would have no health facili-ties, they wouldn’t be fed, there would be no communications – we are key ena-blers to their air operations.

“CSG is extremely important to any air operation that occurs. It doesn’t just happen by itself; there are a lot of talent-ed people behind the scenes that support those air operations.”

Conducted every two years, Talisman Sabre is the ADF’s largest combined exercise.

To find out more, visit the TS19 website: defence.gov.au/Exercises/TS19

Cook LAC Leesa Lesmeister serves

food into hot boxes for Exercise

Talisman Sabre. Photos: CPL Jesse Kane

Members of the RAAF Combat Support Element roll out Type 1 Cat Wire at the Williamson Airfield.

‘CSG is extremely important to any air operation that occurs. It doesn’t just happen by

itself; there are a lot of talented people behind the scenes that support those

air operations.– WGCDR Alan Brown,

Base Commander Williamson Airfield

Exercise Talisman Sabre

Ready, set, Sabre

Stores and equipment with a 65SQN hangar at Williamson Airfield for Exercise Talisman Sabre.

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6 July 11, 2019RCEAIR FNews

FLGOFF Clarice Hurren

RAAF Base Amberley firefight-ers from 23SQN donned various hazmat suits and breathing kits to run through Queensland Fire and Emergency Services’ (QFES) port-able decontamination trailer on June 18.

Personnel from both teams worked with 295SQN and medi-cal staff from Health Operational Conversion Unit to understand the new equipment and procedures to ensure continued interoperability in the region.

Key areas of the training includ-ed the fitting of appropriate per-sonal protective equipment, product identification, chemical contain-

ment and clean-up, education on the use of testing kits and detectors, casualty removal, medical require-ments, and set-up and use of the trailer.

Firefighters from 23SQN also acted as contaminated civilians to rehearse the process from rescue to release.

Acting Inspector and Ipswich Area Commander QFES Jed Crosby said it was important for both organisations to understand new advances in science and tech-nology and the role each would play in the event of an emergency on base.

“The purpose of the exercise is to assess and test Air Force and Fire and Rescue capability

to deal with and combat different and challenging hazmat incidents. It’s critical we identify appropri-ate procedures so when an incident does happen, we can combat it safely and efficiently together,” Mr Crosby said.

Firefighter Manager at 23SQN FSGT Darren Evans said joint exer-cises such as this provided signifi-cant upgrades and insights for Air Force’s firefighting capability.

“It’s invaluable to interact with and learn from the QFES,” FSGT Evans said.

“The best part of the training is for our team to have a greater general awareness and understand-ing to prepare for all kinds of emergencies.”

RAAF firefighter AC Matthew Anderson, of 23SQN, washes off in the portable decontamination shower in a fully encapsulated suit during training with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. Photos: CPL Jesse Kane

Playing with fire

CO 23SQN WGCDR Mark Thompson, centre, and Operations Flight Commander SQNLDR Gavin Waldon, discuss the joint services hazmat training with Queensland Fire and Emergency Service Acting Inspector Jed Crosby.

Weight off his shouldersCPL Veronica O’Hara

OUTGOING CJOPS AIRMSHL Mel Hupfeld had a moment of reflection during one of his last runs around the perimeter of HQJOC.

“There’s this tiny little building full of amazing people that are the engine room for a major conflict in an exer-cise,” AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

“It struck me – it was so intense and all involved in one building, yet it was so peaceful out where I was.”

AIRMSHL Hupfeld’s reflective moment came just before he handed over command as CJOPS to LTGEN Greg Bilton on June 19.

He thanked everyone for their hard work, including their families.

“The work’s unrelenting; your ener-gy, dedication and passion amazed me every day I’ve been here, across all the branches, in my 12 months,” AIRMSHL Hupfeld said.

“Enjoying the work and having a need to come to work every day was because of the people here that kept my energy levels up.

“It’s an amazing effort you put in continually, whether you’re in the build-ing, doing the support, contracts or

uniformed, delivering what we do every day.”

The tradition of changing the com-mander’s pennant and handing over the Commander’s Weight from the outgoing to the incoming CJOPS took place dur-ing the ceremony.

LTGEN Bilton thanked his predeces-sor for his work and professionalism.

“I’ve had the good fortune to serve under and with him, as well as VADM [David] Johnston, and both men have provided me with an example of how to lead as calm, rational and considerate leaders,” he said.

“I couldn’t ask for two better role models to follow, and in this case in particular, to follow Mel into this role.”

LTGEN Bilton had recently served as Deputy CJOPS under AIRMSHL Hupfeld and hoped the disruption for staff would be limited.

“Thank you for the work you’re doing; I’m looking forward to joining you and coming back to this place,” he said.

LTGEN Bilton is now responsible for ADF campaigning operations and joint exercises, domestically and internationally.

AIRMSHL Mel Hupfeld, right, passes on the Commander’s Weight to LTGEN Greg Bilton during the transition of authority of the Office of Chief of Joint Operations. Photo: CPL Veronica O’Hara

See footage at: video.airforce.gov.au/play/6239#

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8 July 11, 2019RCEAIR FNews

PAY and Administration Branch are advising members of changes to how they access Tax Zone Days details in Defence One for taxation purposes.

Defence People Group’s Director of People Systems Business Analysis Kim Toussaint said previ-ously, the Tax Zone name and the number of days of service for the financial year used to be shown on the member’s annual Payment Summary under “Tax Zone Name and number of days of service”.

“As part of Employee Self-Service [ESS] enhancements, from Financial Year 2018-19, mem-ber Tax Zone details will not be included on their annual Payment Summary,” Ms Toussaint said.

“Instead, these details will

be displayed on a new printable Defence One ESS page.”

Members can access and print their own Tax Zone Days record using the following Defence One menu path: Employee Self Service > My Pay > My ADF Pay > Tax Zone Days.

Member Tax Zone details will continue to be reported to the Australian Taxation Office directly by the member.

Administrators can view bulk Tax Zone Days records and print individual or bulk summaries using the following menu path: Global Payroll & Absence Mgmt > Year-End Processing > Tax Zone Days Summary Print.

To ensure that all Tax Zone Days for this financial year up to

Advice to members on changes to Tax Zone Days access

‘... details will be displayed on a new printable Defence One

ESS page.– Kim Toussaint,

Director, People Systems Business Analysis

and including June 30 have been recorded and are reported, members have access to the Tax Zone Days summary page in ESS.

Wedgetail line up

FLTLT Bettina Mears

IN A rare sight, four E-7A Wedgetails parked nose-to-tail at RAAF Base Williamtown.

The aircraft, usually parked adjacent to each other on the 2SQN apron, were located on Taxiway D overnight on June 21 due to base operational and routine maintenance requirements.

The RAAF E-7A Wedgetail fleet is regu-larly dispersed throughout the world sup-porting concurrent exercises and operations, often with all aircraft deployed simultane-ously.

The high-operational tempo of the squad-

ron means this was a rare opportunity to see four of the aircraft at their home base at the same time.

On the back of a busy 2018 with major contributions to Operations Spate, Atlas and APEC Assist, concurrent with Operation Okra, 2SQN was awarded the 2018 Duke of Gloucester Cup for outstanding achievement as “the RAAF’s most proficient flying unit”.

CO 2SQN WGCDR Jason Brown said the award was a significant achievement for the hard-working squadron.

“The squadron’s ability to perform with excellence, consistently achieving a high rate of serviceability under diverse, demanding

and complex conditions, is a direct result of our personnel’s professionalism and dedica-tion to duty,” WGCDR Brown said.

“The women and men of 2SQN are prov-en operators in a cohesive and agile team environment.

“It’s an outstanding achievement and their important contributions have provided Air Force with an advanced, highly capable airborne early warning and control platform that is the envy of armed forces worldwide.”

RAAF operates six E-7A Wedgetail air-craft, which provide Australia with one of the most advanced air battlespace manage-ment capabilities in the world.

Four E-7A Wedgetail aircraft park nose-to-tail at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Photos: SGT Guy Young

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10 11RCEAIR FJERICHO DAWN July 11, 2019

AS PART of the ADF’s Jericho Dawn Program, the installation of eye and head tracking sensor technologies was successfully demonstrated in the

Hawk-127 Lead-in-Fighter flight simulators at 76SQN, RAAF Base Williamtown.

The impressive eye tracking technology will enable fighter instructors to monitor a stu-dent fighter pilot’s point of gaze, dwell time and gaze pattern.

The instructor will then be able to identify poor scanning technique and student response time, either live or post-mission.

On observing the new technology installed on the Hawk-127 simulator, XO 78WG WGCDR Christopher Plain said with a Seeing Machines Crew Training System (CTS), they could ascertain between novice and expert scan patterns.

“Using CTS, new Hawk-127 pilots can be coached to better perform certain scans, thereby improving performance in mission achievement, efficiency, time to competency, proficiency and safety,” WGCDR Plain said.

Air Force’s Air Warfare Centre (AWC) Innovation Hub has been running the Jericho

Dawn Program since late 2017. The opportu-nity to work with Seeing Machines technol-ogy was identified and initiated by Mark Corbett, RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine (IAM).

A Defence and industry collaboration was setup with CAE, Seeing Machines and RAAF IAM, AWC Innovation Hub and Air Combat Group to install the technology in under six months.

“Our focus is to put future innova-tive capability into the hands of the user as quickly as possible,” Innovation Hub Manager

SQNLDR Myles Clarke said. On comple-tion of the demonstration, 78WG formally supported the installation of the technology to the next phase, which will see the eye and face tracking installed on the Hawk simulators at 76SQN and 79SQN (RAAF Base Pearce) until April 2020.

Over this time, Seeing Machines, 78WG and RAAF IAM will be analysing the data collected to enable the best use of the technol-ogy in the training system, with a goal to progress from initial capability to full capabil-ity by 2020.

Seeing Machines Aviation General Man-ager Patrick Nolan said using evidence-based training to understand pilots’ scan behaviour provided significant value, not only in reduc-ing failure rates and the associated cost of training, but ultimately in enhancing the train-ing and operational outcomes of ADF pilot candidates.

“Successful demonstration will enable further potential applications across the ADF,” he said.

The objective of the Jericho Dawn Pro-gram is to demonstrate new capability and

introduce it quickly to enhance joint warfight-ing effects on an enduring basis.

The program fosters a greater tolerance of programmatic risk and acceptance of failure as a normal part of innovation.

The Jericho Dawn demonstrations con-ducted by the AWC have seen innovative tech-nologies permanently installed onto aircraft and world-leading micro-power generation being trialled in the field by 2020.

A further two Jericho Dawn demonstra-tions will be delivered in the coming months – Virtual Tower and Terminal Ballistics.

DAWN OF A NEW AGE

Hawk simulator module at 79SQN, RAAF Base Pearce.

Senior Simulator Instructor SQNLDR Keith Dybing, of 79SQN, administers the simulator control centre for a Hawk simulated training evolution. Photo: LS Travis Hoult

79SQN trainee FLGOFF Iain Roberts-Thomson operates the Hawk simulator on a training evolution over a simulated Perth at RAAF Base Pearce. Photo: LS Bradley Darvill

Cockpit of the Hawk simulator.

The installation of eye and head tracking technology is providing instructors with scan and gaze patterns of trainee pilots, writes FLTLT Kath Schnittger.

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12 July 11, 2019RCEAIR FNews

DEFENCE personnel were treated to a fascinating speech by Aus-tralian of the Year Craig Challen about the challenges of extricat-

ing 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

While most Australians probably remember watching the drama unfold on their television screens in June and July last year, few would have been aware of the perils the team faced to save the mem-bers of the Wild Boar team.

Speaking in Canberra at the R1 the-atrette, Russell, on June 20, Dr Challen said there were similarities between some military operations and what the rescue team did.

“You’ve got an objective that has to be attempted, you may not have the resourc-es, the expertise and the knowledge to do this. You might even be in a situation where the likely outcome is pretty disas-trous, but you have no choice but to press ahead and give it your best shot because the alternative is a complete disaster,” Dr Challen said.

He said cave diving rescues were rare as opposed to dry caves, for which there are well-established organisations for rescues.

“Sad to say there is a very long his-tory of people drowning in caves because there were divers that thought they could

cave dive and didn’t have that set of skills and knowledge of the rules and tech-niques you need to stay alive,” Dr Challen said.

Dr Challen said the cave was not dan-gerous to experienced cave divers.

“We did not at any time feel there was very much risk to ourselves. The boys were totally 100 per cent doomed if we didn’t do something,” he said.

“At the time we were convinced we would have at least some casualties. It seemed fanciful we would have 100 per cent success rate and we never would have undertaken this unless there was absolutely no alternative. We tried eve-rything we could think of to get out of doing this [rescuing the boys by diving].

“The main pressure was we knew the monsoon rains were coming soon. Once they arrived, this cave was going to flood completely and there was no way to gain physical access to it after that; the flow coming out of the cave would be so strong you wouldn’t be able to drag yourself in.

“We’d be lying awake at night listen-ing to the rain on the roof and wondering if it was possible we’d be getting back in the cave the next day, or if the flow would be so strong the boys would be trapped in there.”

DR CHALLEN went into detail about the intricate medical logistics of anaesthetising the boys.

“All of the other plans fell away and to our consternation we are left with this cave div-ing plan. It [then] gets a little bit worse because we are start-ing to discuss the possibility of sedating the boys and that con-versation progressed to actually anaesthetising them for the trip out,” he said.

Dr Challen said this had never been done before.

“You don’t need to be a med-ical person to realise anaesthe-tising people and then sticking their head under water is not something that you do.

“My dive buddy, Dr Richard Harris, is an anaesthetist – he was absolutely critical to the operation. The anaesthetic only lasted for 45 minutes and so during this three-hour journey out, the boys were going to have to have multiple top-ups of the anaesthetic. The other divers involved in the rescue – a fireman, a road access work-er, and a couple of IT dudes – some had never even given an injection before, so they had to be taught how to use a syringe and needle.

“It was particularly difficult for the swimming divers bringing the boys out. Not only did they have to cope with giving these anaesthetics, which they were far from confident about, but they were expecting some of these kids would probably die; they had no method of moni-toring the kids apart from if … there were still bubbles coming out of the face mask.

“They were basically told how to recognise the signs of the boys starting to wake up, how to choose a dose to give them – we made that as simple as we could; they each had a dilly bag full of syringes pre-

loaded with ketamine [the chosen anaesthetic] – marked with large or small and they would make a choice about whether they were dealing with a little kid or a big kid; and whether he was a little bit awake or a big bit awake. And select their dose accordingly and inject it in the boy’s leg through the wetsuit and wait a few min-utes, he’d go back to sleep and on they’d go.

“The instructions to these guys were if their child was to stop breathing they were to keep swimming. There is no such thing as underwater CPR and there was nothing they could do in that situation; the bodies still had to come out so they should just go for it. If they swam as hard as they could there was just that outside

chance that the kid might still be all right when he made it back to the surface, but that was more wishful thinking than reflecting any sort of reality.

“The fact that it subsequently came to work, nobody is more surprised than me. Even to this day, sometimes I reflect on this, and I think to myself I cannot believe it worked. At the time we were convinced we would have at least some casualties.”

The audience was interested in the command and control aspects and lessons learnt of such a major international operation.

“When we arrived on site it was chaos, it really was,” Dr Challen said.

“In the early days of the search particularly, all sorts of people were turning up from all over the place and just wander-ing in the cave.

“There was no coordinated effort. People were turning up with pumps and pipes, even running a communications cable in to where the boys were – they got about 50 metres inside and gave up and just dropped the thing. [Later it] started to unravel and in our diving operations we were continuously getting caught up in this stuff and hav-ing to cut it off ourselves.

“A lot of credit in the story belongs with the US Air Force guys, a para-rescue squad that came down from Okinawa. Two of their guys, MAJ Charles Hodges and Master SGT Derek Anderson, really took the lead with rationalising the whole situation and looking at all the different plans that were put forward.

“The US Air Force team had diving experience and assisted by reviewing the plans, eliminat-ing them one by one. Only the cave-diving plan was left.”

Associate Secretary of Defence Rebecca Skinner said Defence personnel were always interested in aspects of leader-ship.

“We love to tell stories of leadership here, as you can see by the attendance,” Ms Skinner said.

“Defence had its own role in supporting our friends in the Thai Armed Forces throughout that rescue and we were proud to play our role.”

VCDF VADM David Johnston thanked Dr Challen for sharing his story and for his insights.

“You’ve been very gener-ous with your time and you’ve captured the interest of every-one, but I don’t think you’ll ever convince me to go cave diving,” he said.

– Dr Craig Challen, Australian of The Year

The fact that it came to work, nobody is more surprised than me.

‘‘

Underwater heroes

Australian of the Year Craig Challen with Associate Secretary Rebecca Skinner and VCDF VADM David Johnston at Russell Offices, Canberra. Photo: SGT Max Bree

A daring rescue no one thought would succeed

It was a mission to save 12 boys and their coach from a cave, considered so dangerous it was expected to cost lives – and the world held its breath and watched.

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14 July 11, 2019RCEAIR FPersonnel

EVERY Friday at 6am, FLTLT Tjapukai Shaw dons the gloves at the Tribal Warrior Mentor-ing Program in the Sydney

suburb of Redfern.Established by local Koori Elders

and NSW Police in 2009, the program combines boxing training with positive mentoring for local Indigenous youths.

FLTLT Shaw joined the program’s mentors earlier this year, shortly after posting to 22SQN as the inaugural Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) for RAAF Base Richmond.

“My job as an ILO is to work with communities, and the most effective method is to work with the organisa-tions at the grassroots level every day,” FLTLT Shaw said.

“This is perfect for Air Force; by building a relationship with the grass-roots organisations we build relation-ships off the back of that with the local community.”

FLTLT Shaw is part of the newly established ILO Network within Air Force that has positions in Amberley, Canberra, Darwin, East Sale, Edinburgh, Glenbrook, Point Cook, Richmond, Wagga Wagga and Williamtown.

One of the ILO Network’s objec-tives is to help Air Force grow its Indigenous workforce from the current

1.8 per cent to 5 per cent by 2025.More broadly, the ILO Network is

proving an effective tool for Air Force and Indigenous communities to have a deeper understanding of one another.

Earlier this year, the ILO Network was addressed by ACAUST AVM Steven Roberton, who said to “focus on the relationship; we must get the relationship right first and the rest will follow”.

“This stuck out to me because it showed where this initiative has come from and it is somewhere genuine,” FLTLT Shaw said.

“This has allowed me to move into a very comfortable and familiar place, focusing on community engagement.”

Beyond Tribal Warrior’s boxing sessions at Redfern, FLTLT Shaw has reciprocated by organising a RAAF Base Richmond tour for Indigenous youth groups.

FLTLT Shaw has also worked with 37SQN on engagement tasks to Indigenous communities in regional New South Wales.

This included the first Welcome to Country ceremony for 37SQN at Gilgandra, where RAAF Hercules crews have conducted tactical airlift training for decades.

More engagement tasks are being planned, which will provide Air Force

personnel with a deeper cultural under-standing of Australia’s Indigenous communities.

In return, the ILO Network pro-vide the means by which Indigenous Australians can understand the role of their Air Force.

“Many in these communities are simply unaware of who the Air Force is and what we really do,” FLTLT Shaw said.

“This allows me to create a solid base for how we engage with our Indigenous communities in an inclu-sive and culturally appropriate manner.”

Growing up in Dubbo in central New South Wales, FLTLT Shaw’s journey into the Air Force began with joining the APS under the Indigenous Government Development Program.

“I then saw the Air Force were cre-ating the ILO Network and after some research I found that Air Force were leading the way in Defence by creating these positions,” FLTLT Shaw said.

FLTLT Shaw said the ILO Network had already allowed Air Force and Indigenous communities to forge rela-tionships that would otherwise have not occurred.

“Moving forward, we will be an Air Force that is truly culturally inclu-sive,” FLTLT Shaw said.

LIFE IN THE RAAF Sharing cultures

Eamon Hamilton meets an Indigenous Liaison Officer who is dedicated to providing positive mentoring and growing the cultural inclusiveness of Air Force.

Indigenous Liaison Officer FLTLT Tjapukai Shaw, left, taking part in the Tribal Warrior workout session in Redfern, NSW. Photo: SGT Shane Gidall

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15July 11, 2019RCEAIR F Personnel

PERSONNEL from No. 3 Security Forces Squadron are part of a growing number of ADF members volunteering to assist the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC).

LACs Chaddyn Bray, Jonathon Nicholas and Jake Rea, and LACW Skye McMartin, of 3SECFOR, found volunteer-ing a worthwhile experience.

“It’s a rewarding task working with the AAFC, especially knowing that you have helped these kids learn valuable new skills and overcome new challenges,” LAC Bray said.

“These are skills they will use later in life and can assist them in becoming valua-

ble members of the ADF or their local com-munities.” Cadets from 5WG (Tasmania) and 6WG (South Australia) participat-ed in promotion courses at RAAF Base Edinburgh earlier this year. LACs Bray and Nicholas, and LACW McMartin assisted the AAFC by fulfilling instructional posi-tions for the three-week course period.

“The reward for working with the AAFC is that you’re making a difference in these cadets’ lives; teaching them to be effective leaders and highly motivated members of society,” LACW McMartin said.

Temporary Officer Commanding 6WG

WGCDR (AAFC) Patrick Pulis said the AAFC benefited from ADF support.

“As a youth development organisation, [AAFC] models itself on the traditions and high standards of RAAF. The AAFC wel-comes ADF members to assist in its train-ing delivery, operations and service excel-lence,” WGCDR Pulis said.

“I thank all members who assisted the AAFC; your skill-sets and experiences are invaluable and your contribution signifi-cantly guides our youth development.”

Air Force members interested in joining or volunteering with the AAFC can access the AAFC website portal for more information

Angus Pagett

DUBBO local Burren Ghillah Shaw has an excit-ing career to look forward to after enlisting in Air Force.

Mr Shaw is a proud Aboriginal man and will join his older brother FLTLT Tjapukai Shaw as a serving member of the ADF.

“I feel so blessed to be given an opportunity to represent my country, my community of Wellington, New South Wales, and my family – the Shaws,” Mr Shaw said.

FLTLT Shaw was proud to be able to attend his brother’s enlistment cer-emony and see him take the next step in his life and career.

“It was a very special moment for me to see my brother join an organisation that I know will look after him and give him the best opportunity for an excit-ing and rewarding career,”

FLTLT Shaw said. Mr Shaw is now undergoing several months of recruit training in Wagga Wagga, but the former Dubbo College stu-dent was prepared for life in the ADF after graduating from the Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Program.

Upon graduation from recruit training, Mr Shaw will undergo employment training as an airfield defence guard. Like his brother, he hopes to inspire young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to consider a career in the ADF.

“I encourage young Indigenous men and women to step up and be the leaders you know you are and want to be. Stand tall, stand proud and rep-resent your country, your community and your family,” Mr Shaw said.

To find out more about a career in the ADF, visit defencejobs.gov.au

It’s a Shaw thing

Burren Shaw, right, is supported by his brother, FLTLT Tjapukai Shaw, as he enlists in RAAF.

LAC Chaddyn Bray, back far right, LAC Jonathon Nicholas, back far left, and LACW Skye McMartin, front far right, of 3SECFOR enjoyed their time volunteering to assist the Australian Air Force Cadets.

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FLTLT Bel Scott

THE Maralinga Tjarutja people and Defence have entered into a formal agreement, known as the ‘Cooperation Agreement’, marking a significant day in South Australian history and for the management of the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA).

A ceremony involving the tradi-tional owners and Defence was held on June 25 at Maralinga, a former nuclear test site located 400km north-west of Ceduna, on Maralinga Tjarutja tradi-tional lands.

Senior ADF Officer South Australia and Commander Air Warfare Centre AIRCDRE Phil Gordon signed the instrument of agreement on behalf of the Defence Minister.

“After years of fostering a relation-ship built on mutual understanding, respect and trust, I am very pleased to see this agreement in place,” AIRCDRE Gordon said.

“It sets out a framework for cooper-ation and, importantly, outlines mutual rights and responsibilities.

“It also articulates how Defence and Maralinga Tjarutja representa-tives will engage on a regular basis to manage safety and security within the WPA while working together to pro-tect Aboriginal heritage and culture.

“Defence has a number of long-standing relationships within the WPA. We value these important relations with community groups and key stake-holders to enable the safe and success-ful conduct of trials and training activ-

Historic agreement16 July 11, 2019RCEAIR FNews

AIRCDRE Phil Gordon with Oak Valley local artist Cindy Watson in front of the Air Force Test Ranges Squadron compliance patrol vehicle at Maralinga Airfield. Photo: CPL David Cotton

ities.” The agreement demonstrated Defence’s commitment to collaborate with Indigenous partners and respect the cultural heritage in the region.

“The Maralinga Tjarutja people are part of the Western Desert culture and maintain strong spiritual con-nection with their traditional lands,” AIRCDRE Gordon said.

“There have been numerous cul-

tural considerations embedded in the way Defence operates within the WPA, such as personnel participat-ing in cultural awareness programs to ensure sensitivities are respected and observed, together with the estab-lishment of an innovative Indigenous RAAF Reserve program.

“The Regional Compliance Officer [RCO] Reserve program comprises

representatives of the Aboriginal groups whose traditional lands fall within the WPA and they play an important role in upholding safety and the security of tests and trials.”

A recent RCO graduate, CPL Manisha LeBois, of the Maralinga Tjarutja people, attended the signing ceremony.

The successful program has eight

members who support the Air Warfare Centre’s Air Force Test Ranges Squadron in providing compliance patrols and security of the WPA during range-testing activities.

“I feel honoured to be present in country today with my people and my new Air Force family members,” CPL LeBois said.

“The RCO program has brought many opportunities for my family; both my brother and I get to share our history and culture while proudly rep-resenting Air Force.

“I’m excited to start working with Air Force Test Ranges Squadron in collaboration with the Maralinga Tjarutja people.

“This positive and productive rela-tionship will enable each Indigenous community to reconnect with their tra-ditional lifestyles within the WPA.”

The Oak Valley Rangers conducted a Welcome to Country ceremony, with CPL LeBois translating in English for the ceremony attendees.

To mark the occasion, Oak Valley artist Cindy Watson produced an Aboriginal artwork called ‘Tali Tjuta my Munda 7 Sisters’, meaning ‘the sand hills in her country’. This art-work now adorns the bonnet of an Air Force Test Ranges Squadron compli-ance patrol vehicle deployed across the broader WPA.

Five other Aboriginal groups also have interests within the WPA and Defence looks forward to exchanging similar agreements with them.

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17July 11, 2019RCEAIR F Training

THIRTY-eight new officers were pushed to their limits during Exercise Wirraway at Buchan, Victoria, from

June 5-6. The exercise aimed to build stu-

dents’ resilience and confidence through navigation, abseiling, climb-ing and caving training. It was the first field exercise of the 17-week Initial Officer Course (IOC) conduct-ed by the Officers’ Training School (OTS).

FLTLT Jacob Crack, Directing Staff and OIC of Adventure Training from OTS, said Exercise Wirraway created a perceived high-risk and high-pressure environment, which put most students out of their comfort zone.

“Students experience stress and difficult situations from a military perspective for the first time during Exercise Wirraway,” FLTLT Crack said.

“The challenging environment can raise students’ stress levels to the point that their communication and teamwork degrades. Sometimes mild panic can set in and their emotions are challenged.”

FLTLT Crack said the instructors use these mental and body responses

to further develop the students’ emo-tional intelligence, self-mastery and courage.

“We encourage students to explore how they can work better as a team and communicate more effec-tively when they are under stress,” he said.

“Most students come out of the exercise as better operators and war fighters overall.”

FLTLT Crack said being a DS at OTS was a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

“Each student is unique and as instructors, we need to adapt differ-ent teaching strategies to maximise their potential. This involves tailor-ing our speech, demeanour and style to each student and carrying a great deal of empathy for everyone,” he said.

“I understand that the students we put through OTS will be my peers 14 weeks after Wirraway and seeing them grow in resilience and confi-dence is a fantastic thing.”

Intelligence Officer trainee OFFCDT Br i t tney McCreesh recalled the challenges and benefits of the exercise.

“Exercise Wirraway was one of the first opportunities where we were

able to see how everyone responds to certain difficult situations, while being able to leverage each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” OFFCDT McCreesh said.

“We spent more than 10 hours in a cave, sometimes for long lengths of time, navigating through extremely tight spaces with no light or noise.

“The abseiling activity was also a wonderful tool to prepare individuals for their military careers.

“The highlights of this exercise would definitely be the strong bond and camaraderie that we formed after we completed these tasks as a team.”

CO OTS WGCDR Dan ie l Cassilles praised his staff for carry-ing out another successful training exercise.

“The unit is lucky to have a team of highly credible and capable per-sonnel as instructors,” he said.

“At OTS we acknowledge that instructors are not just subject-matter experts, they are also leaders, men-tors, coaches and facilitators who play a critical role in developing Air Force’s future workforce.

“OTS places high value on learn-ing and recognises the importance of the instructional roles.”

The Officers’ Training School is training first-class people for our fifth-generation Air Force, reports FLTLT Tracey Li.

Voice of the people

AC Joshua Hodges, Orderly Room Course Clerk

The people I work with. My chain of command always makes me feel included and they continue to support my professional development. I joined as a Gap Year member last year and trans-ferred to the Reserves earlier this year in order to study a Bachelor of Law full time. OTS continues to offer me flexible Reserve days/hours and encourages me to undergo training courses that would benefit my career progression.

What motivates you to come to work at OTS?

FSGT Ross Sinclair, Military Skills Instructor (AVTECH by trade)

I continue to pick up transfer-able skills including leadership, organisation, management, com-munication and analytical skills from my role as an MSI at OTS. Before my current posting, I had never been in a role where I could lead people with different ranks, specialisations, musterings and backgrounds on a daily basis. I am confident such soft skills will complement my technical mas-tery when I return to my trade.

How does your current role benefit your career progression in the long-term?

FLTLT Gill Carr, Directing Staff/PCO

You would be walking into a busy job where you must be committed to the students. At times your job will be challenging, but it is ulti-mately rewarding. There is a great team of dedicated people here who you can learn from and who support each other. There are chances to get outdoors and to spend time in the ground defence environment, which is a rare opportunity for some of us.

How would you describe your role to another member who’s considering a posting to OTS?

CPL Dean Donohue, Military Training Instructor

As an adventurous person, East Sale provides me with a variety of outdoor activity options – moun-tains, rivers, beaches and snow. I find the local people relaxed, laid-back and welcoming to Defence members and their families. Sale is a big country town; traffic lights are minimal and therefore com-muting to work via bike is easy and safe. Sale offers most con-veniences; if you require larger shopping areas, Bairnsdale and Traralgon are 40-45 minutes away and Melbourne is just 2.5 hours away.

What do you love about living in East Sale?

FSGT Karen Richter, Supplier

I love the fact that I get to work with a diverse group of people – with different ages, backgrounds, specialisations, musterings and life experiences. I also love the fact that OTS is very supportive of professional and personal devel-opment. The unit is dedicated to inspiring and shaping future Air Force leaders and I am proud to contribute towards the team efforts.

What do you love about OTS?

FLTLT Jacob Crack, Directing Staff/OPSO

Why would you recommend an OTS posting to others?

OTS postings are excellent because you are at the forefront of training and shaping the future leaders of the Air Force, while the Air Force is also changing rapidly. The unit is very supportive of per-sonal and professional develop-ment and it is fantastic to work in a unit that holds Air Force values to the highest regard.

Testing limitsA student abseils off a cliff during Exercise Wirraway.

FLTLT Jacob Crack guides a student over the edge of a cliff. Photos: FLTLT Tracey Li

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Name Years

WGCDR Leslie Hughes 41

WGCDR Peter Donaldson 35

SQNLDR Leonard Hasler 32

WOFF Darryl Dimech 26

FSGT Murray Booker 24

WOFF Sharyn Kerr 23

SQNLDR David Joy 22

SQNLDR Jason Page 22

SQNLDR Daniel Kehoe 21

SQNLDR Matthew Kitchin 20

SQNLDR Benjamin Miedecke 20

CPL Richard Goldshaft 19

DEPARTURE LOUNGE

Above: AIRCDRE Phil Gordon, left, Innovation and Skills Minister, SA, David Pisoni and Air Shows Team Head AIRCDRE Noddy Sawade attended the ADF Edinburgh Air Show media launch at RAAF Base Edinburgh on June 27. Photo: CPL Bill Solomou

Tim Bowden

NEW fuel testing equipment has successful-ly eliminated chemical exposure in Defence fuel installations (DFI), with no reports recorded since its introduction.

A once frequent safety incident at Air Force operated DFIs, the introduction was coordinated by the Fuel Safety and Management Improvement Project (FSMIP), part of the Air Force Safety Always (ASAP) Program, in collaboration with industry and has assisted in implementing best-practice safety controls.

Project manager FSMIP WGCDR Sonya Beyer said a simple but effective solution was developed, with specialty mason jars used to collect toxic fuel samples for quality control testing – before their introduction three months ago, non-standardised equip-ment was used with breakages and spills commonplace.

“It was a case of having another set of eyes review safety incidents in the local DFI environment,” WGCDR Beyer said.

“Sometimes, people close to certain tasks assume that the current way of doing things is the only way.”

An industry best-practice standardised design has been funded by Fuel Services Branch and the new equipment has been delivered to each Air Force-operated DFI.

“When the FSMIP team reviewed the Sentinel data, we questioned why the num-

From preserves to fuelLAC Hayden Bell, of 26SQN, safely collects an aviation fuel sample using new fuel quality-control equipment.Photo: SGT David Gibbs

ber of repeated fuel exposures associated with a simple activity was so high,” WGCDR Beyer said.

“The root cause ended up being fairly straight forward – the equipment being used was not up to appropriate specifications, but because of the ‘can-do’ Air Force attitude, it was just accepted that exposures were part of the task.

“It’s great that we as an Air Force make

sure the job gets done – but it shouldn’t be at the expense of each other’s safety.

“Our goal is to strive for zero harm and each step along the way is a great achievement towards safer outcomes for our members.”

Are there risks in your workplace that could be eliminated or minimised so far as is reasonably practicable? The ASAP team encourages you to regu-larly review your hazards and risks and seek safety improvement where possible.

Navy LS Eduardo De Araujo, Air Force CPL Craig Krause, centre, and Defence Force Chaplains College CHAP Ivan Grant were all participants of the creative writing stream of the ADF Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Skills and Teamwork (ARRTS) Program. Photo: Jay Cronan

Defence Work Experience Program participant Izak Looker greets foster puppy Kracken during a visit to the Air Force foster puppies breeding cell from June 10-12 at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

A delegation from the Japan Joint Staff College is given a tour of the Air Mobility Training and Development Unit during a visit to RAAF Base Richmond on June 13. Photo: CPL David Said

IN BRIEFHome loan subsidyADF members applying for home loan subsidy assistance through the Defence Home Ownership Assis-tance Scheme (DHOAS) will have access to an adjusted assistance amount during financial year 2019-20. The primary index for DHOAS is the average house price across Australia during a 12 month pe-riod, which has fallen. As of July 1, 2019, the primary index used by the scheme has been set at $718,071. This is a decrease of $23,532 from the 2018-19 figure. For information on the scheme and tier subsidy levels, go to: www.dhoas.gov.au/calculate-subsidy.html

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19July 11, 2019RCEAIR F Sp rt

SGT Max Bree

DEFENCE’S King’s Cup rowing team took out a number of lead-up races ahead of the Henley Royal Regatta, which took place from July 5-7

The team spent two weeks training and competing, where the Defence combined crew won the Fraser Bowl for open men’s eights at the Marlow International regatta on Dorney Lake.

The crew also took out the inter-mediate and open eight races in the Reading Town sprint regatta, and were racing against the Netherlands in the first race of the King’s Cup as Air Force News was going to print on July 5.

This race marked the centenary of the 1919 Royal Henley Peace Regatta, conducted as part of repatriation activities undertaken at the end of the WWI.

The Australian Imperial Force No. 1 crew won the first King’s Cup in 1919 when they defeated the Oxford University crew over the Henley course by a boat length in a time of seven minutes and seven seconds.

This was the fastest time recorded for the full course of the Regatta.

Like ducks to water

King’s Cup crew after the final of the Reading Town sprint regatta – part of the preparation for King’s Cup. Photo: SGT Ray Vance

LS Jayson Tufrey

ADAPTIVE sports have helped a Wagga Wagga-based airman overcome physical adversity.

CPL Daniel Cochrane, of No. 1 Recruit Training Unit at RAAF Base Wagga, along with four other Air Force members, formed the 23-strong combined ADF and Veteran Sport Australia team representing Australia in the US Department of Defense Warrior Games held from June 21-30 in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Hosted by US Special Operations Command, about 300 wounded, injured and ill serving and former serving military members participated in the competition.

Competing in track, field, sitting volleyball, swimming and indoor row-ing, it was CPL Cochrane’s second time competing in a Warrior Games.

“I was fortunate to be selected in the 2017 games in Chicago,” he said.

“My highlight this year was three personal best results in swimming – that was fantastic and something of which I am proud.”

CPL Cochrane said the camarade-rie within the team really made it an enjoyable experience.

“We all supported each other and the other countries all supported us, as we did them,” he said.

“Regardless of nationality, the per-

son who crossed the line last usually got the biggest cheer.”

CPL Cochrane said he initially applied for adaptive sports as he lives with muscular dystrophy.

“This illness really limits what I can physically do,” he said.

“Adaptive sports still lets me com-pete and I get to compete with people with similar illnesses to what I have, so it’s a more even competition.”

CPL Cochrane said the support he had received from Defence to aid in his rehabilitation was fantastic.

“All the adaptive sporting programs available, such as Warrior Games and Invictus, allow me to go off and train for these events – and doing this with my unit’s blessing is just great,” he said.

“If anybody else has an injury or illness and feels they can’t participate in sport, think again, you can. Give it a go.

“I didn’t think I’d ever be competi-tive in sport again, but here I am – this feeling is fantastic.”

While the Defence adaptive sport-ing programs are not about the medals, CPL Cochrane is proud to have won a bronze medal in the four x 100m mixed track relay.

The other RAAF representatives were CPL Caitlin Orchard, FSGT Ben Morgan and FLTLT Amanda Scott.

SGT Max Bree

THE Air Force Mirages and the ACT Veterans slugged it out in the Telstra Security-Arrow Charity Cup on June 15 to raise funds for and promote mental health and wellbeing.

The over-35s rugby union game is played annually, with this year’s game at the Royal Military College – Duntroon finishing with an official score line of 9-9 – however, the Mirages unofficially scored five tries to the Vets’ one.

Mirages fullback FLTLT Dan Johnston said his side had their work cut out for them to contain the Vets.

“They’re getting on in years but they’re very tough,” he said.

“They’re pretty gritty in the middle of the field; they can throw their strength and weight around.

“We worked hard in defence because they were pretty strong in the middle. At one stage there were about 20 repeat phases where they were coming at us.”

FLTLT Johnston said the Vets’ strength in the centre suited the Mirages’ set style of play.

“For a lot of our players it’s their

Mirages fullback FLTLT Dan Johnston breaks through the ACT Vets with the ball during the annual Telstra Security-Arrow Charity Cup.Photo: CPL Shannon McCarthy

one game each year, so they know how many rucks there’s going to be up the middle before sending it wide,” he said.

“It was pretty hard to get through the middle so we had to go wide if we wanted to score.

Overall, the game was a win-ner for everyone, who all played in good spirits for the charity event.

“Because they all know each other – there’s some pretty high-ranked guys on the team – it was very jovial, which made the game-play easy,” FLTLT Johnston said.

Both clubs have strong con-nections, playing to enhance rugby in Canberra, build support networks and provide an outlet for social football.

“Everyone is keen to have another run next year. It’s the only way a lot of us have to re-live the golden years,” FLTLT Johnston said.

“There were no serious injuries, but there were a lot of bumps and bruises and a couple of twinged hamstrings.

“I think 12 months of recovery should be enough.”

In flight

Warrior force

CPL Daniel Cochrane prepares to cross the finish line in a track event during the Warrior Games in Tampa, Florida. Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

See footage at: video.defence.gov.au/play/6249#

SP RTJuly 11, 2019

Rugby team show their skills for charity

WGCDR Phil Godfrey, playing for the Air Force Mirages, evades members of the ACT Vets during the annual Telstra Security-Arrow Charity Cup. Photo: CPL Shannon McCarthy

QUICK STEPS

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