exercise pitch black - department of defence · at raaf base tindal during exercise pitch black....
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AIRF RCEVol. 60, No. 15, August 23, 2018 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force
In full flight at Exercise Pitch Black Special edition
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Combat Control Team at Batchelor airfield during Exercise Pitch Black 2018.Photo: CPL Steve Duncan
Woomera’s community spirit Add more bite to cyber skillsPages 8-9 Page 16
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2 August 23, 2018RCEAIR FExercise Pitch Black
Interoperability
FLGOFF Bel Scott
IN THE skies above the Northern Territory, Exercise Pitch Black was being fought with simulated enemy forces providing vital training for our friendly aircraft.
No. 75 Squadron played the role of Red Force, alongside a deployed US Marine Corps (USMC) All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron out of RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine, NT.
Both squadrons simulated the enemy during the exercise with set training serials for Air Force and par-ticipating nations to fight and develop tactics against.
Mission Commander SQNLDR “F” said Red Force provided an adver-sary air threat to test personnel in a large force employment training envi-ronment.
“Pitch Black flying scenarios had about 50 Blue Force and 35 Red Force aircraft creating a big, complex picture and a difficult problem to solve for ‘friendlies’ to carry out their mission,” SQNLDR F said.
“We already have a very close rela-tionship with the USMC and develop tactics with them regularly through exercises such as Pitch Black.
“Working closely together with other nations, including visiting USMC Hornets from Japan and the Royal Canadian Air Force Air-to-Air Refuelling CC-130H(T), strengthens our interoperable force.
“This training ensures basics like our avionics data can be shared, our systems are compatible and our tactics between the nations are aligned and working well.”
All for one, one for all
FLTLT Alyssa Vickridge
IT’s not every day you find military personnel from 16 countries working side by side, but that is exactly what Exercise Pitch Black was all about.
Exercise Director GPCAPT Matthew McCormack said the train-ing scenarios developed for the second half of the international air exercise helped to develop the skills of the diverse team so they were able to oper-ate effectively as part of a large force.
“The exercise construct had the ‘good guys’ flying out of Darwin each day to conduct weapons release opera-tions and practise hitting targets on the ground in mock scenarios focused on assisting a neutral country located to the south of Darwin,” GPCAPT McCormack said.
“The ‘bad guys’ operating out of Tindal were focused on disrupting the coalition mission and ultimately gained superiority of the airspace.”
The exercise control force known as white force was in charge of devel-oping scenarios and setting exercise parameters.
They also ensured all participating nations had the opportunity to practise as a sub-unit commander for a strike or offensive counter air mission and then to further command as a mission commander.
“The opportunity for multiple mission commanders from differ-ent nations was great as everyone learnt from each others’ experience,” GPCAPT McCormack said.
“Working closely with our interna-tional partners ensured we know how to operate together so that if we need to in the future, we will be able to do it in a real operation.”
Major Faiz Fauzi, an F/A-18 pilot from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), said although the exercise was challenging it had been a positive experience for his team and there had been many lessons learnt.
“The opportunity to practise as part of a large force employment is some-thing different for the RMAF as it isn’t usual to practise back home with so many aircraft,” he said.
“Pitch Black gave us the chance to operate on a large scale with different nations and different procedures, but with a group of people who operate in a similar way.”
Large force employment exercises are instrumental in giving pilots the opportunity to practise in a complex environment with a greater number of aircraft in the airspace than normal training would usually allow.
Friendlies try to foil ‘enemy’ 75SQN An EA-18G Growler takes
off – it was the first time the aircraft was used at Exercise Pitch Black. Photo: CPL David Gibbs
‘Working closely with our international partners ensured we know how to operate together.– GPCAPT Matthew McCormack,
Exercise Director
FLTLT Shaun Donnelly
AFTER three weeks of intensive air operations conducted by 16 nations, Exercise Pitch Black successfully concluded in the Northern Territory on August 17.
More than 1120 missions were completed during the exercise involving about 4000 Australian and international personnel and up to 140 aircraft.
The exercise aimed to strengthen regional partnerships, improve interop-erability between nations and promote regional stability, according to Officer Conducting the Exercise AIRCDRE Mike Kitcher.
“The strength of this year’s exercise was not just in its size, but in its variety – there’s not been a Pitch Black with the diversity we’ve witnessed in 2018,” AIRCDRE Kitcher said.
“When this exercise began in 1981, it was just a few hundred Australians and Americans conducting air defence
training in the Northern Territory.“The diversity of Pitch Black 18
– whether it was the range of nations involved, the different roles practised, and even the participants themselves – all contributed to Air Force being better prepared for future operations.”
Major exercise highlights included the debut of Australia’s E/A-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft and C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifter; and the creation of a forward operating base at Batchelor airfield, allowing Defence to rehearse delivery of forces for a peacekeeping or humanitarian response.
International highlights included the Indian Air Force participating for the first time with the C-130J Hercules and Su-30 Flanker aircraft as well as the Armee de l’Air (French Air Force) Rafales fast jets. This was the second time the Indonesian Air Force has par-ticipated with the F-16 Falcon aircraft.
In one of the largest military training airspaces in the world, participating air
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3August 23, 2018RCEAIR F Exercise Pitch Black
More on Pitch BlackPages 4-5
Diversity key to success
Overview
F/A-18A Hornets from 75SQN taxi toward the runway at RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Pitch Black. Photos: CPL Glen McCarthy
Military aircraft launch into the night sky from
RAAF Base Tindal.
75SQN pilots operating from Tindal
participate in a brief via video link with
international forces based out of Darwin
before their sorties as part of Exercise Pitch
Black.
forces flew coordinated missions with up to 80 aircraft at a time.
For the Northern Territory public, highlights of Pitch Black included the Mindil Beach fly-pasts and flying dis-play, and an open day at RAAF Base Darwin which attracted up to 20,000 people.
“The support we get from the Northern Territory community is incred-ibly important to Exercise Pitch Black and Air Force, and we’re grateful for the positive response we receive,” AIRCDRE Kitcher said.
“Many of the international partici-pants would have been visiting Australia for the first time at this exercise; we’re proud they’ve experienced our country through the Northern Territory.”
The exercise will return to the Northern Territory in mid-2020.
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4 August 23, 2018RCEAIR FExercise Pitch Black International engagement
EXERCISE Pitch Black’s busy airspace over the Northern Territory gave our air battle managers a chance to work with controllers from other nations to target, track and direct friendly and ‘enemy’ aircraft.
For the first time, controllers from India, Germany and Canada joined our integrated fighter control teams.
CO No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit WGCDR Brett Risstrom said the exercise provided new opportu-nities to develop skills with foreign air forces during simulated aerial combat.
“At Pitch Black we’ve been able to integrate fighter control teams, which helped blue force crews in the air find, track and destroy enemy red force air-craft,” WGCDR Risstrom said.
During the exercise, air battle man-agers directed dozens of friendly aircraft from multiple nations at once.
SGT Ryan Mckee, of No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit, was put through his paces while working with foreign militaries.
He said success meant putting ‘blue’ aircraft in the right place at the right time.
“We were looking at where the ‘red’ aircraft were and where they were com-ing from to ensure we had a safe air picture and were able to dominate the skies,” SGT Mckee said.
Meanwhile, 114MCRU operated the Tactical Air Defence Radar System, AN/TPS-77, to provide tactical aerospace
Tracking red and blue in the mix
Right: CPL Martin Larocque of the Royal Canadian Air Force, right, works with his RAAF counterparts, from left, CPLs Joel Maxwell, Mark Schultz and Nickie Wood as part of Exercise Pitch Black 2018. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy
Air Surveillance Operator SGT Ryan McKee, of 1RSU, monitors the air space during Exercise Pitch Black at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: CPL David Gibbs
More on Pitch BlackPage 7
battle management and air traffic sur-veillance during the exercise.
114MCRU Senior Engineering Officer SQNLDR Mark Wilson said the deployed air defence radar was used for safety of flight and directing aircraft on target during the exercise.
“Positioned at Poll Hill, 300km south of Darwin in the Northern Territory, the radar had 15 technicians supporting it during the exercise,” he said.
“Conditions were harsh but morale was high and the capability had proved itself as an an asset to defence.”
CPL Martin Larocque, a technician with the Royal Canadian Air Force, visited the remote site to learn about the deployable radar and speak with our per-sonnel about their experiences.
“We have a similar radar but it’s a bit older. It has been great to see how the Aussies do their job with the radar and how they set up a remote camp,” CPL Larocque said.
“I really enjoyed my time at Exercise Pitch Black.
“It was a great opportunity to meet new people and I think it was good for everyone to work together and make friends with other countries.”
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5August 23, 2018RCEAIR F Exercise Pitch Black Personnel capability
Takeoff for airbase
Members of 382CRS lay a cat wire boundary, left, and fill sandbags at Batchelor airfield in the Northern Territory during Exercise Pitch Black. Photos: CPL Steve Duncan
LEUT Harley Slatter
CONSTRUCTING an austere airbase over two days at Batchelor in the Northern Territory was a great training platform for our combat support personnel.
FLTLT Michael Fox, Operations Officer No. 382 Contingency Response Squadron, said the location and exercise were ideal to train and showcase Air Force’s ability to rapidly set up an austere air base in Australia’s remote north.
“Batchelor proved challenging, given the heat and significant proximity from infrastructure,” FLTLT Fox said.
“Pitch Black gave us the opportunity to verify our actions to deploy at short notice to an austere airfield, activate it and receive aircraft.”
FLTLT Fox said the joint effort involved establishing the base as a hub for many complex missions and serials throughout the exercise.
“The insertion into Batchelor airfield was done by both road and air. Army assisted greatly by
transporting cargo,” FLTLT Fox said.
“We also had Security Forces and a Contingency Response Group from the US Air Force and Army’s 9th Force Support Battalion working at Batchelor Airfield.”
Once construction was complete these groups, along with No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, continued to support operations at Batchelor during the exercise.
FLTLT Fox said the objective of 382CRS during Pitch Black was to be capable of receiving C-27J Spartan aircraft and turn them around in support of the wider operation.
“Our services included an air load team, refuelling, a 24-hour-a-day operations cell and an integrated US Air Force contingent including air traffic controllers,” FLTLT Fox said.
The ability to train in this environment and test themselves was also of great practical benefit for the members of 382CRS, as the squadron often has to move at short notice.
382CRS personnel unload a C-27J Spartan aircraft at Batchelor airfield.
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7August 23, 2018RCEAIR F Exercise Pitch Black
More on Pitch BlackPages 10-11
Infrastructure
LEUT Harley Slatter
TRANSPORTING and unpacking your hospital, all its equipment and setting it up in the red dust of remote locations in the Northern Territory is not something most healthcare pro-fessionals get to experience.
But for our personnel from No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron it was just another day on the job as they built a Role 2 hospital at an austere airbase at Batchelor during Exercise Pitch Black.
CO 1EHS WGCDR Nicole Dos Santos said the hospital could be moved into a location in a number of ways.
“It is a totally air mobile health facility,” WGCDR Dos Santos said.
“This is the first time we have moved the mature Role 2 hospital by air. We had a total air insertion from Amberley to Tindal.”
The structure of a Role 2 field hospital can be tailored to suit differ-ent environments.
Depar tments can be chosen depending on need and the layout designed to suit the available area.
WGCDR Dos Santos said it was the personnel who built the hospital that made it unique.
“One of the best things about this facility was when you watched it being built, it was doctors, nurses, surgeons and anaesthetists who built the hospital,” WGCDR Dos Santos said.
“We value them for their special-ist skills, but equally we value that they are part of an integrated health care team.
“We recognise the strength that teamwork brings to the facility.”
WGCDR Dos Santos said it was the first time 1EHS personnel had built the hospital in a semi-permis-sive environment.
“Not only did the staff build the hospital, but they did it wearing body armour and armed with weapons.”
A MASS casualty scenario tested No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron’s Role 2 field hospital and security elements at Batchelor air-field during Exercise Pitch Black.
Personnel were called to attend a simulated vehicle accident, assess and attend to the many patients and transport them back to the hospital for treatment.
Batchelor was considered a semi-permissive location in the exercise, meaning security was a concern beyond just the vehicle.
CPL Mitchell Plant, of No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron, said the first responders to the scene were security forces to secure the area.
“The firefighters followed to deal with the simulated vehicle accident itself and then the medical element,” CPL Plant said.
The scenarios at Batchelor were challenging in the austere environment.
SQNLDR Lisa Martin, Officer in Charge of the deployed aero-medical evacuation (AME) team, No. 3 AME Squadron, said medical staff had to consider many external factors in such environments.
“The biggest challenge for a Role 2 in an aus-tere environment was hygiene and cleanliness,” SQNLDR Martin said.
“It was a dusty environment. It was obviously a requirement to keep ourselves clean, look after our patients and make sure our working environ-ment was clean.”
Mock accident tests mettle
It’s just what the doctor ordered
1EHS personnel build a section of the Role 2 field hospital (inset) at Batchelor airfield during Exercise Pitch Black.
Air Force and USAF personnel from the Role 2 field hospital take part in a simulated mass casualty exercise during Exercise Pitch Black. Photos: CPL Steve Duncan
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Feature RCEAIR F August 23, 20188
Simone Liebelt
YOGI the mare has become a local attraction in Woomera after recently taking up residence in Air Force’s only official one-horse town.
Yogi’s arrival is thanks to owners CPL Lincoln Little, a Ground Support Equipment Technician from No. 20 Squadron, and his wife Sonya, who were posted into RAAF Base Woomera in January.
With no agistment options avail-able in the remote outback location, CPL Little went straight to work to try to bring Yogi closer to home, unaware that it would be much closer than he thought.
“It took about three months, but with the support of the CO and the Estate and Infrastructure Group (E&IG), we worked out how to go about it,” CPL Little said.
“We just had to ask the right ques-tions to the right people, and in the end we got the best outcome ever – Yogi is right across the road from our house, which was awesome.”
Ms Little, who has started up her own equine therapy business, was also thrilled.
“Being horse mad that I am, I was
so excited when Yogi arrived. It was a fantastic day,” she said.
“Yogi is pretty easy going and has settled in well. Quite a few people walk past and say hello to her and she’s not even fazed by noise from the test range.”
CO 20SQN SQNLDR Darren Prior said it was a great result for all con-cerned.
“It wasn’t a given that you could just turn up in town and park your horse across the road from your house, so there was a lot of work involved in the background to make this happen,” SQNLDR Prior said.
“It all came about because of the collaborative approach of Air Force and E&IG, and Lincoln’s efforts to get the yard up to scratch and keep it main-tained.”
“I think it’s a great story for Woomera and just goes to show while the job we do here is no different to any other RAAF base – the uniqueness of the location provides opportunities that you would have trouble experiencing elsewhere.”
So what’s next for this one-horse town?
“Nothing would surprise me, but then again ... ,” SQNLDR Prior said.
FLGOFF Belinda Scott
XO 20SQN FLTLT Robyn Connell, pictured left, soon discovered that posting to Woomera offered plenty of unexpected surprises.
FLTLT Connell said she warmed to the positive team environment and found personnel were dedicated and worked well together.
She said the community spirit in the outback was a welcome change.
“As a junior logistics officer, this position exposes me to many chal-lenges in terms of influence, oppor-tunity to go into different areas and be responsible for different areas
that I would never get exposed to at a main base,” she said.
“That exposure spans across a really broad range of responsibili-ties and having that influence not just on our immediate team but the community in general.
“To get the opportunity to go out to the Woomera test range and understand where we fit in within the big picture – the trials and exer-cises – really is amazing.”
FLTLT Connell said personnel would be surprised at the “awe-some” experience a base such as Woomera could offer.
DELIVERING community-focused welfare activities at RAAF Base Woomera is the top priority of the new
CO of No. 20 Squadron, SQNLDR Darren Prior.
SQNLDR Prior, and his team, have been collaborating with the Air Force Test Ranges Squadron, Estate & Infrastructure Group and local contractors to increase community ties.
Movie nights, sport, fitness classes and a dog training school all form part of the successful commu-nity engagement program to bring Woomera back into the fold as an operational RAAF base.
At its peak, the village had 7000 residents, but now it has 122 people who rely on individuals to volunteer their time to provide services that support the village and wider com-munity.
“This unique posting relies on strong relationships with the local community – it takes real bonding to grow community spirit in the vil-lage,” SQNLDR Prior said.
“Our predecessors did a great job setting us up and now we’re tak-ing that forward along the lines of consolidating 20SQN as traditional Airbase Operations Squadron and contributing further to the commu-nity.”
He said he sought to create a
legacy that “is community focused”.“I’ve said to my team that while
they’re here over the next two years, support or start a welfare activity, follow it through and then hand it over to someone as part of your contribution to improving the social fabric of the village,” he said.
“That includes welfare support for many visiting trials personnel, up to 300 strong at its peak.
“It’s also about ensuring that we look after the health and wellbeing of our people here now, including their families. A good workplace flows into a healthy social life as well.”
The squadron recently host-ed the first of many free commu-nity movie nights at the Woomera Cinema, welcoming people from as far as Roxby Downs to join the popular community event.
“Members can easily download movies at home, but it’s about get-ting out among the community, sup-porting the community and using an important village asset,” SQNLDR Prior said.
Future welfare initiatives include establishment of a RAAF Base Woomera welfare store, after a generous grant from the Edinburgh D e f e n c e P r e c i n c t We l f a r e Committee, and reseeding of the lawn bowling green at the Woomera RSL to bring it back to life.
Boosting our horizons
Warming to life in the outback
Yogi not average mare
CPL Lincoln Little, of 20SQN, with his wife Sonia and their horse Yogi.
FeatureRCEAIR F August 23, 2018 9
FLGOFF Belinda Scott
CPL Anderson Lauder’s five chil-dren form almost one-third of the Woomera Area School.
CPL Lauder’s children, aged 8, 9, 11, 13 and 15, attend the school, which has 16 students, two teachers and a principal. The school is near RAAF Base Woomera in South Australia’s outback.
Classes are combined to accommodate the small school and the kids get plenty of time to enjoy the freedom of living in the outback.
“They’ve adjusted quite well. The kids get out on their bikes and don’t have to worry about any-thing,” CPL Lauder said.
“They love the outdoors so it’s good in that respect. Since moving to Woomera, they’re not stuck in front of gaming consoles anymore.
“I mentioned it [potential post-ing] to my wife and I was expect-ing to get shut down, but straight away she thought it would be awesome to go.”
When they dove into Woomera for the first time, CPL Lauder still expected a “what have we done moment” but the family loved it.
“It’s been really good for the family. My wife contributes to the community and volunteers for the events, which is a great way to make friends.”
Boosting our horizons In a class of their own
Building bridges with the local community is working wonders in remote Woomera, FLGOFF Belinda Scott reports
CPL Anderson Lauder, of 20SQN, with his wife Shona and their five children outside the rocket park at RAAF Base Woomera.
CO 20SQN SQNLDR Darren Prior, left, with aerodrome reporting officer and facilities
manager Paul ‘Harry’ Butler on the main
runway at RAAF Base Woomera.
Photos: CPL David Cotton
10 11Exercise Pitch Black August 23, 2018
International engagement
SPARTAN RULES
When the going gets rough, the Spartan gets going. Our C-27J doesn’t miss a beat in harsh territory
LEUT Harley Slatter
A COMBAT Control Team (CCT) from No. 4 Squadron descended upon Batch-elor airfield in the Northern Territory in the early stages of Exercise Pitch Black.
Its goal was to capture, survey, mark and control the airfield to ensure it was fit for purpose and to control air traf-fic before handing it over to No. 382 Contingency Response Squadron, which built the austere airbase.
CCT Leader FLTLT “J” said the training activity that started in the skies above Batchelor went to plan.
“My Combat Control Team conduct-ed a parachute insertion for an airfield activation,” FLTLT J said.
“We conducted a survey task in preparation to handoff to the Combat Support Group follow-on force.
“4SQN Combat Control Team func-tions for an operation like this would be joint terminal attack control, land-ing zone reconnaissance and landing zone control.
“Our main combat controller integra-tion was with Air Combat Group and Air Mobility Group aircraft.”
The CCT was also supported by the
US Marine Corps, which transported two operators and all-terrain vehicles to Batchelor using MV-22 Ospreys.
Once landed and prepared, teams can use highly sophisticated equipment to measure gradients, lengths, soil strength and other crucial elements to successful aircraft operations.
Combat Controller SGT “S” said they had other equipment at their disposal to achieve their objectives.
“The equipment we use to fulfil our missions depends on what the specific mission is,” SGT S said.
“At Batchelor the standard load for our team included survey equipment, GPS, communications systems to pro-vide a higher command link, navigation and battle tracking software, weapons and vehicles.”
CCTs are one element that provides Air Force with an expeditionary capabil-ity.
Teams can use their skills at locations with varying levels of existing infra-structure like Batchelor, as well as grass plains, salt pans and other suitable sites to support aircraft landings and take-offs required in ADF missions.
OUR C-27J Spartan was right at home flying sorties in the dust and heat during Exer-cise Pitch Black at Batch-
elor airfield.The Spartan was perfect for oper-
ating in the austere conditions with short and less prepared runways.
FLTLT Daniel Braid, a pilot with No. 35 Squadron, said Batchelor was a great training ground for the newly acquired aircraft.
“Operating a C-27J at an austere airbase has been challenging as it was something different to the training we do back home,” FLTLT Braid said.
“It’s the reason we bought these aircraft – so we could operate from the more forward deployed locations.”
The Spartan can undertake a vari-ety of missions to support military op-erations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Batchelor provided a location from which 35SQN could conduct these mission scenarios.
“The austere setting allowed us to stage all of our regular C-27J capa-bilities,” FLTLT Braid said.
“At Batchelor we conducted air land and air drop of cargo and person-nel on various drop zones that we had around the Northern Territory.”
FLTLT Braid said during one mission the unit dropped a re-supply bundle to a drop zone at an old, aban-doned airstrip.
“This type of resupply capability for troops in the field is one of many tasks for which the Spartan is suited,” he said.
“They could not complete their missions without the support of other Air Force and ADF units.
“For this mission we had No. 176 Air Dispatch Squadron building and loading the air drop.
“We also had the support of No. 382 Contingency Response Squadron, No.1 Expeditionary Health Squadron and a number of other ground person-nel helping us achieve our missions.”
With a fleet of 10 Spartans, 35SQN provides a lift capability that bridges the gap between the CH-47 Chinook helicopter and C-130J Hercules air-craft.
More on Pitch BlackPages 13, 18-19
LEUT Harley Slatter
AS THE air war raged overhead during Exercise Pitch Black, it was the job of No. 2 Security Forces Squadron to de-fend the Batchelor airfield, assets and personnel from ground attack.
Batchelor came under “enemy” at-tack from Air Force and Army assets throughout the exercise.
Along with trained squadron mem-bers, military working dogs, specialised equipment and Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles helped support op-
erations at the austere airfield scenario as part of the exercise.
2SECFOR Defensive Operations Commander SQNLDR Kevin Auld said austere settings at Batchelor tested per-sonnel.
“We provided security to both the airfield and the surrounding area to sup-port air operations out of this airfield,” SQNLDR Kevin Auld said.
“Setting up security commenced with a hand over-take over from our No.4 Squadron combat controllers.
“We were then able to push out and
establish our defences to hand over to the contingency response squadron.
“Our role after that was to clear the area of operations, then provide depth and security to that perimeter.”
US Air Force’s 736th Security Forc-es Squadron supported 2SECFOR at Batchelor.
Technical SGT Robert Keefe, a Contingency Response Element Squad Leader from 736SECFOR, said they were in charge of strengthening perim-eters, manning defensive fighting posi-tions, quick reaction forces and screen-
ing the surface-to-air missile footprint.SGT Keefe said they had a few Aus-
tralians embedded in their squad which was great for integration.
“That means we could learn their standard operating procedures and they can learn ours,” he said.
“The benefits of being able to train with regional allies and learn from each other was a valuable opportunity during Pitch Black.
“In the event that we work together again down the road we should be able to pick up where we left off.”
Joint warfighting
Combat team shows its bite
Our allies pitch in
PTE Salvatore Fazio, of 9th Force Support Battalion, protects the airfield
as a C-27J Spartan aircraft takes off from Batchelor airfield.
An MV-22 Osprey aircraft from the US Marine Corps dispatches a Combat Control Team quad bike at Batchelor airfield during
Exercise Pitch Black 2018.
A Combat Control Team member parachutes into Batchelor airfield.
CPL Teana Mitchell, with Military Working Dog Sev, leads ADF
members from the C-27J Spartan aircraft at Batchelor airfield during
Exercise Pitch Black.Photo: CPL Steve Duncan
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Exercise Pitch BlackRCEAIR F August 23, 2018 13
LIFE IN THE RAAF
Hungry for moreFLGOFF Bel Scott meets a member who is cooking up a storm in his Air Force career
SERVING up morale-boosting dishes to hungry Exercise Pitch Black personnel has been a satisfying experi-
ence for LAC Hamish Reid, who was inspired to join Air Force through his father.
By creating new recipes, LAC Reid is fuelling positive morale from his current detachment at the Delamere Air Training Area kitchen, 500km south of Darwin in support of the exercise.
LAC Reid posted to No. 17 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal at the end of 2014.
“Being posted to Tindal is chal-lenging because you are over 300km away from the nearest major city, Darwin. It took some time to adjust being away from friends and family in Newcastle,” LAC Reid said.
“But since living in Tindal I have met lots of new people that I consider to be the closet friends I have ever made in my life, plus there is always
plenty of camping and fishing to be done in the NT.
“My father was a supplier in the RAAF. He would tell us about all the places he’d visited and friends he had made over his career.
“I have thought about enlist-ing since I was a kid and his stories inspired me to join the Air Force in November 2013.”
LAC Reid said he became a cook because of his interest in hospitality during his high school years and felt it was a good skill set to have.
He said to become a qualified cook in Air Force, he completed 19 weeks of initial employment training at the ADF School of Catering at HMAS Cerberus and completed civilian accredited training at Holmesglen TAFE in Melbourne.
“After completion of training, I had to complete a competency log book over a three-year period and a certifi-cate three in hospitality commercial cookery,” LAC Reid said.
“The most enjoyable part of my role has been the ability to travel to different places within Australia and meet new people from all services in the ADF.
“Being able to feed them nutritious and delicious meals really is a privi-lege – good food boosts good morale among the team.”
He said the Delamere detachment was a great experience in the kitchen.
“I’ve had creative freedom and been able to develop new skills and techniques, like fresh pasta and sour-dough breads which didn’t last long fresh out of the oven,” he said.
“The people you work with are the people you live with so you develop a strong friendship with them and like anywhere it’s the people that make the place.”
Delamere is Air Force’s primary range for air-to-surface weapon deliv-ery training.
LAC Hamish Reid in the Delamere Air Training Area kitchen during Exercise Pitch Black. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy
More on Pitch BlackPages 18-19
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THE End User Computing (EUC) project is approaching halfway in its task to move more than 110,000 people in Defence from Windows 7 to Windows 10.
At the same time, Defence is moving to a centralised data manage-ment system. This enables the ADF to maintain a current and secure ICT environment to counter increasing and emerging cyber-security threats.
EUC project director Peter Higgs said while the centralisation of data was causing some interruption, the team was prioritising issues to reduce impact to end users rapidly.
“As the project reaches its peak, we need to keep in mind that the issues we are experiencing are com-mon with highly complex ICT trans-formation projects. We are working through some complex issues, and we understand that some people are feeling frustrated,” Mr Higgs said.
“The EUC project and the techni-cal teams are working with broader CIOG support teams to incremen-tally solve and progress some of the complex challenges, and we will continue to improve the system over time as quickly as we can.
“It’s important that people contin-ue to log jobs through the ICT Log a Job Online portal so the technical teams have accurate data to investi-gate the root cause of a problem.”
Upgrade at halfway
An extended period of illness or injury that prevents the member from performing their effective service. Applicable where the illness or injury was long and serious enough to pre-vent service for a whole financial year.
Where an illness or injury did not prevent ser-vice across a whole financial year, it should be explained why the minimum effective ser-vice period could not have been performed during the part of the year where there was no illness or injury.
Defective decisions that result in service performed but not recognised. This might include a defect in a member’s appointment, enlistment or transfer which is later fixed, but might leave a period where it is unclear if the member provided effective service.
WHERE EXEMPTIONS APPLYRESERVISTS who do not com-plete effective service for the purposes of the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme may apply for an exemption based on exceptional circumstances.
These can include illness, injury or defective decisions that caused service to not be recog-nised.
Reservists must submit appli-cations for an exemption through their unit before the unit submits it to the relevant Director-General Personnel.
It is advised requests for an exemption are discussed with the chain-of-command before submit-ting.
In their request, reservists
must explain why they consider exceptional circumstances to exist.
Exemption decisions are made under Regulation 20 of the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Regulations 2008.
Circumstances such as preg-nancy and family responsibilities might be relevant in determining whether exceptional circum-stances exist.
However, whatever the cir-cumstances, it is important to explain why it was reasonably impractical to render effective service during the particular year.
For example, pregnancy would not automatically mean service
was impractical. It is also impor-tant to explain why the minimum effective service period was unachievable during that part of the year in which service was rea-sonably practical.
Non-exceptional circumstanc-es include civilian employment obligations or where a reservist is not offered service within the financial year.
It would not include where the member was not offered service because they had applied to serve in a rank or employment category they are not qualified or compe-tent to serve in.
For more information about exemp-tions, go to dhoas.gov.au
Access to housing
DECIDING whether to opt out of My Health Record is a personal choice for all personnel.
Introduced by the government in 2016, the initiative provides all Australians with an online summary of their health information.
Users of My Health Record have the freedom to share their important health information – such as medical conditions and treatments – with doctors, hospitals and other health-care providers.
An opt-out period ends on November 15. For those who do not opt out, a My Health Record will be created using the details on Medicare or DVA cards, or an Individual Healthcare Identifier will be created.
Commander Joint Heal th and Surgeon General ADF AVM Tracy Smart said records kept by Defence were still separate.
Deciding whether to opt out of My
Health Record was a personal choice and did not affect members’ Defence eHealth Record.
“My Health Record is not automati-cally synchronised with your Defence health records,” AVM Smart said.
“If you have a My Health Record, Defence does not include information in that record. Members who have a My Health Record can request access to their Defence health information, for example when they are separating from the ADF, and decide what health information will be added to their My Health Record.
“Participating in My Health Record is a personal decision. I encourage all members to visit the website, consid-er the information there and make an informed decision.”
For more information go to myhealthrecord.gov.au/ or contact the My Health Record Help line on 1800 723 471
My Health personal choice
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FLTLT Tracey Li
RELATIONSHIPS between the air forces of Australia, Malaysia, Lebanon and Jordan were strengthened by the visit of three foreign students to the Defence Explosive Ordnance Training School (DEOTS).
The students participated in the Explosive Ordnance (EO) Introduction course in June and learnt how EO prin-ciples are employed in Australia.
CO DEOTS WGCDR Greg Mathams said the unit had benefited from spending time with students from a variety of national and service back-grounds.
“DEOTS has previously hosted stu-dents from the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. This is the first time we have had students from Jordan and Lebanon,” he said.
“Meaningful interactions with for-eign military members can also devel-op professional personal relationships, deepen our cultural understanding and allow us to operate more effectively in joint operational environments.”
LT Nabhan Yehia, Head of Quality Control and Chief of Search and Rescue Operations at Lebanon’s Hamat Airbase, said he enjoyed par-ticipating in the course.
“I am extremely impressed by the professionalism displayed by all staff members and how organised DEOTS is as a unit,” he said.
FLGOFF Clarice Hurren
CAF has praised the efforts of CPL Edmund “Patrick” Lee, the recipient of the annual Lipshut Family Bursary Award, at a ceremony in Canberra.
CPL Lee was awarded a full financial scholarship to complete a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Honours through the University of New South Wales in Sydney.
CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies said CPL Lee’s outstanding performance as an airman, his motivation to complete further study, long-term suitability to commission and strong feedback from his commanding officer were key rea-sons for his selection.
“This will now enable CPL Lee to experience an education that may otherwise have been unobtainable,” AIRMSHL Davies said.
“It will be a tough four years of study, but worth it to have keen young people like him on a pathway to com-mission as an officer one day.
“The Lipshut Family Bursary has, and continues to enable and educate the next generation of air power.”
CPL Lee said he nominated for the scholarship in 2017 to one day inspire his three young daughters to pursue higher education.
“By setting an example for my daughters and showing them there is no barrier hard work can’t overcome, I hope to inspire and motivate each of them to pursue a similar path to the one I have chosen,” he said.
“I also hope to encourage my col-leagues, other family members and friends to strive for new opportunities through education.
“Without the tireless efforts of my wife, who constantly provides encouragement and support, I would not have been able to get this far.”
The bursary was established in 2000 as an initiative of Sonnie Lipshut to provide an opportunity for airmen, up to the rank of corporal, to gain financial sponsorship to complete a full-time undergraduate degree.
The degree and institution is of the member’s choice to assist them in
meeting eligibility for commissioning.CPL Lee enlisted in 2004 as an
Avionics Technician and has posted to Nos. 33, 37 and 76 Squadrons and No. 81 Wing (combined workshops). He has deployed to Operation Slipper (three times), Operation Okra and Operation Accordion.
Inspiring attitudeCourse builds closer ties
CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies, right, presents the 2018 Lipshut Family Bursary Award to CPL Edmund “Patrick” Lee, with his wife and three daughters in attendance. Photo: SGT Rodney Welch
Lipshut Family Bursary Award
15August 23, 2018RCEAIR F News
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CPL Sebastian Beurich
THE cyber-security courses being run at the University of NSW (UNSW) received a boost with the opening of the univer-sity’s new training centre at its ADFA campus on August 2.
The facilities, including a dig-ital forensics lab and virtualised computing, were opened by Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor, who said cyber security was a significant issue for all Australians.
“In my opinion, there won’t be a CEO or board member in the country who won’t need to be cyber literate in the next five years,” Mr Taylor said.
“I’m humbled to be able to open this facility. It’s a very important contribution to solving these problems and I pay tribute to the work UNSW and ADFA are doing in this area.
“I really look forward to see-ing the fruits of their work in the coming months and years.”
The facilities, in which UNSW invested almost $3 mil-lion, include more capacity for face-to-face teaching and the ability to create virtual labs for
participants to safely learn about malicious tools and software.
Information Warfare Division’s LTCOL Robert Watson said the centre would enhance training and education for Defence as it continued to develop its cyber capabilities.
“There are a number of per-sonnel across Defence who will benefit from both the courses run out of the new training centre, and the research it produces,” LTCOL Watson said.
“Our existing training resources are a good start, but this centre will serve to further deepen our own cyber capabili-ties, as well as our understanding of international capabilities.
“The Minister said it best – if you’re interested in the field, the demand for personnel is enormously outstripping sup-ply. I’d encourage people to get involved, build the skills and pur-sue a career in cyber security.”
A number of short courses, including a ‘cyber-boot camp’, will be run out of the centre, along with degree and masters programs for students of the university.
CPL Sebastian Beurich
PROFESSIONAL military educa-tion has taken a step forward with the establishment of the Masters of Special Operations and Irregular Warfare, a joint initiative between Special Operations Command and the University of NSW (UNSW) Canberra.
Special Operations Training and Education Centre’s PME Staff Officer, MAJ A, said the distance course cov-ered a range of special operations top-ics to increase awareness of what was an often misunderstood capability.
“We’ve worked with UNSW for the past few months to develop a master’s-accredited course covering the theory of military operations outside of con-ventional warfare,” MAJ A said.
It includes the history and employ-ment of special operations forces through a number of operations, rang-ing from missions in WWII through to CIA-led action in Laos during the 1960s and ’70s, and recent operations in West Africa.
MAJ A said one of the aims was to provide an understanding of the context behind political support for the employment of special operations and the competing and complementary theories of how special operations were planned and executed.
He said subjects within the course could also be taken as electives within the broader UNSW Canberra Masters in Strategy and Security and War Studies programs.
Course on special operations
New facilities a boost for cyber
Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor speaks at the opening of the new cyber training centre at ADFA.
16 August 23, 2018RCEAIR FTraining
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17August 23, 2018RCEAIR F Community Engagement
FLTLT Kath Schnittger
AN AIR Force team felt honoured to visit the Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital in support of the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Australia recently.
A c c o m p a n y i n g “ C a p t a i n Starlight” around the wards were five RAAF Base Edinburgh person-nel, who helped brighten the lives of ill children and their families by delivering smiles, Air Force teddy bears and goodie bags.
FLTLT Rebecca Carpenter, Aviation Medical Officer at the Institute of Aviation Medicine, said it was a rewarding experience.
“It was wonderful being able to spend some time with the kids and help brighten their day. Having worked in a hospital before, I know how hard it can be for kids spending time there,” FLTLT Carpenter said.
The visit, to become a quarterly engagement activity during the year, was organised by GPCAPT Greg Weller, Edinburgh Defence Precinct Community Engagement Officer.
Unfortunately, GPCAPT Weller said he had first-hand experience of the children’s hospital because his son had spent a lot of time being treated for several chronic medical conditions.
“I know personally how chal-lenging it can be for kids in hospi-tal and hopefully we were able to
brighten the day of some of South Australia’s kids doing it tough,” GPCAPT Weller said.
“It is important for Air Force to give back to our community and this is one of the ways we are helping out.”
The children loved the oppor-tunity to do something different in the hospital. After visiting several wards, our members then visited the Starlight Express Room and partici-pated in an afternoon games show on Starlight TV.
Beck Parker, of the Starlight Children’s Foundation, said the Air Force visit had brightened up the children’s day.
“The visit was a great initiative and is very much appreciated by Starlight.
“We look forward to further working with the RAAF in this way where their visit creates a positive in-hospital distraction for children, young people and their families.”
Established in 1988, the Starlight program’s mission is “to brighten the lives of seriously ill children, teen-agers and their families turning the pain, fear and stress associated with hospitalisation and treatment into fun, joy and laughter”.
Starlight is now recognised as an integral part of the Australian health-care system.
FLTLT Tristan Hull, Georgieah, Alexis and LACW Olivia Stitt during a goodwill visit to the Starlight Room at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide. Photo: CPL David Cotton
Healthy dose of smiles
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18 August 23, 2018RCEAIR FExercise Pitch Black Community engagement
FLGOFF Deanna Ellick
OUR personnel spent a signifi-cant period of time engaging with the local Darwin, Katherine and Batchelor communities in the weeks leading up to and during Exercise Pitch Black.
Community engagements includ-ed the distribution of about 30,000 brochures at the Katherine and Darwin shows, tourism information centres, Mindil beach markets and other local outlets as well as pres-entations at local schools, learning centres, Scouts and the Royal Darwin Hospital.
Head of Air Shows – Air Force AIRCDRE Christopher Sawade said engaging with the local community was a vital element of Pitch Black.
“Community engagement is not just about visiting schools, but shar-ing where the community can access key information,” AIRCDRE Sawade said.
“This time we were able to post information on the flying windows on our website to assist the Darwin, Batchelor and Katherine commu-nities with information about the increase in aircraft noise.
“By talking to students in these regions, we are also able to spike interest and explain why this type of training is so important.”
The visits were conducted by a
variety of personnel from participat-ing squadrons, who were offered the opportunity to talk about their spe-cific role as part of Pitch Black.
Children of the Royal Darwin Hospital paediatrics ward spent time with No. 36 Squadron Loadmaster, SGT Madison Parsons, who helped them build model aircraft and let them try on her helmet.
Having grown up in Darwin, SGT Parsons said the visit brought back fond memories of what it was like being a kid in the Territory.
“I remember being in that same ward with all sorts of injuries,” SGT Parsons said.
“I know what it’s like having to spend time there, so being able to talk and entertain the kids felt extremely rewarding.”
For SGT Parsons, the visit also brought on a sense of personal pride.
“Talking to the children really put into perspective how far I’ve come in my career – as a kid, I never thought I’d get here so having them put on my helmet really made me feel proud,” she said.
A total of 20 visits were conduct-ed during the exercise period across Darwin, Batchelor and Katherine to provide information and an oppor-tunity to discuss many elements of Pitch Black.
Time to share and care
SGT Madison Parsons, of 36SQN, chats with young patients from the Royal Darwin Hospital during Exercise Pitch Black. Photo: CPL David Gibbs
19August 23, 2018RCEAIR F Exercise Pitch Black
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THOUSANDS of aviation enthusiasts flooded through the RAAF Base Darwin gates to get up close and personal with Australian and international aircraft and vehicles on display at the Exercise Pitch Black open day.
Families and military aircraft fans enjoyed the free community event and a rare opportunity to meet the crews and personnel who fly, operate and maintain these machines.
Head of Air Shows – Air Force AIRCDRE Christopher Sawade said the day was “our way of saying thank you to the Northern Territory community for their ongoing support during Exercise Pitch Black”.
“The open day provided an opportunity to show our appreciation and it was a great chance for the public to learn about what we do during the training exercise,” he said.
“It was great to showcase aircraft and people to our visitors.
The Northern Territory really is a beautiful part of Australia and we feel proud to be part of the community.”
The event showcased aircraft from many of the participating nations such as the Indian Air Force Sukhoi SU-30, the United States Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys and the French Air Force Rafale.
French Air Force fighter pilot Major Kirk said it was always interesting to come together with our international friends during exercises such as Pitch Black.
“We cooperate on operations so it’s important to share information on each other’s processes and procedures, and exercises like Pitch Black gives us the chance to do that,” he said.
“It’s always a pleasure to meet the people of other countries and talk about our country, our aircraft and our Air Force.”
The day also featured military working dog displays, Air Force band performances, interactive exhibits and activities.
Military Working Dog Handler ACW Mikaela Sim and her dog
Olly wowed the crowds with a muzzle attack demonstration.
“We really love getting out among the Darwin community and showing them what we do every day,” ACW Sim said.
“It’s great for us to have the chance to show people what our dogs are capable of in the protection of our aircraft and air bases.
“The puppies are particularly popular and really enjoy the attention.”
Meanwhile, residents came from near and far to wander the austere airbase set up at Batchelor during an open day.
There were many different displays set up by Air Force, Army and the US Air Force for children and adults alike to look at, touch and ask questions about.
Land-based equipment like Bushmasters, fire trucks and a range of other vehicles were also popular.
To cap off the event at the open day, an ARH Tiger helicopter and C-27J Spartan made multiple low passes over the airfield.
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2SECFOR Military Working Dog Handler LAC Jacob Gill performs a training display with Void during an open day at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy
1SQN personnel on hand to answer questions from the public at the open day.Photo: CPL David Gibbs
Community engagement
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Our ADF hockey players let their sticks do all the tricks
SGT Max Bree
ADF women left their mark on the Australian Country Hockey Championships, narrowly missing the grand final but clinching a bronze medal.
Team members were confident as they headed to Berri, South Australia, to take on state teams in the competi-tion from August 3-11.
ADF opened the comp with a 1-1 draw against SA, followed by a 2-1 win over Victoria then a 1-1 draw with Western Australia.
They silenced NSW 1-0, the first time the ADF have defeated the women in blue.
One of ADF’s goalkeepers, FLTLT Leigh Molloy, said she was happy to stick it to NSW any way she could.
“It was a pretty good feeling; being a Queenslander by birth, it was good to get one over on NSW,” she said.
However, the buoyant ADF side were humbled by a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Queensland in their fol-lowing game.
“There was a bit of tired legs on our part and Queensland are a very well-drilled team,” FLTLT Molloy said.
“The coach was also trying out some new tactics to see what might work if we had to face Queensland in the finals.”
Their playoff for the grand final ended in a 1-1 draw with NSW, but the women in blue beat ADF in a penalty shoot out.
Defence were hit early in their bronze medal match against SA, with a goal scored against them just two minutes in.
“It was a bit of back and forth after that, but we knew that we could score in the dying minutes if we needed,” FLTLT Molloy said.
AB McVeigh finally put ADF on the board when she scored off a pen-alty corner in the 53rd minute.
“SA came out firing but at the end it was our fitness that got us through; as the match went on they
were looking tired,” FLTLT Molloy said.
Four minutes later LT Alison Stock put ADF up after scoring from a penal-ty corner with the side going on to win 2-1. The bronze medal mirrored ADF’s third place finish last year.
“I have no doubt that in the next couple of years, we’ll be able to push NSW and Queensland harder,” FLTLT Molloy said.
“We were so close this year, I think we put the wind up them a little bit.”
The ADF men opened their comp strongly with a 4-2 victory against SA and followed with a 2-0 win over Victoria.
They were tested by WA, but
emerged victorious 2-3, then NSW humbled Defence with a 11-1 thump-ing.
A shaken ADF men’s side then wrestled Queensland to a 0-0 draw in the last round match.
The Queenslanders denied ADF men’s a spot in the grand final with a 3-1 win in qualifying semi.
Things briefly looked hopeful after Defence scored in the first minute of the bronze medal match until WA responded with a goal two minutes later.
Both sides arm-wrestled for about 20 minutes before WA scored again. WA ran away in the second half to win 5-1.
Rising talentADF women’s team, left, and men’s hockey team, took part in the Australian Country Hockey Championships. Photos: Bill Solomou