mmagpie 91 crewagpie 91 crew ccoming homeoming home · mmagpie 91 crewagpie 91 crew ccoming...

FORCEAIRVol. 51, No. 14, August 6, 2009 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

FOUNDFOUNDMagpie 91 crewMagpie 91 crewcoming homecoming home

By Andrew Stackpool

A SUCCESSFUL but sad answer to an almost 40-year mystery was solved when human remains were found in Vi-etnam at the site of 2SQN’s lost Canberra bomber, A84-231.

Forensic examination of the remains concluded they were those of its crew, FLGOFF Michael Herbert and PLTOFF Robert Carver, who were the last Australian servicemen missing from the Vietnam War.

On November 3, 1970, the Canberra, callsign Magpie 91, disappeared on its return to base at Phan Rang in South Vietnam after a bombing mission.

On April 21 this year, an Australian Defence team found the aircraft’s crash site in rugged terrain near the Laotian border.

A return mission was prepared to con-duct a thorough archaeological search of the site, and a team of specialists under WGCDR Michael Warby from Air Force Headquarters departed on July 8 – desig-nated Operation Magpies Return.

The team included SQNLDR John Cotterell (also from AFHQ), forensic odontologists SQNLDRs Paul Taylor and Alain Middleton, principal investigator MAJ Jack Thurgar, forensic pathologist SQNLDR Malcolm Dodd, archaeologist SQNLDR Tony Lowe, air crash investiga-tor SQNLDR William Savill, explosive ordnance technician FSGT Rodney Amos and photographer LACW Shannon Urie.

Before departing, the team received specialised guidance in the identifica-tion and handling of bone fragments and received a number of briefings, including from former 2SQN member Frank Hodges.

On arrival at the crash site, several local Vietnamese villagers assisted the team in digging and sifting soil for evidence that the two men had died at the site.

They also received significant assist-ance from former North Vietnamese and Vietcong personnel and villagers who had, on the previous visit, provided vital infor-mation as to its resting place.

The team’s efforts bore fruit when it found what it believed to be human remains in the vicinity of the downed air-craft. The remains were taken to Hanoi where Australian and Vietnamese forensic specialists confirmed they were human and concluded they were the two missing airmen.

The team also found a number of arti-facts, some of which were identified as aircraft ejection-seat components.

After completing excavation work on July 21, the team confirmed they had recovered everything available from the scene.

At the end of their search, a moving ceremony was held at the site, incorpo-rating the commemorative and spiritual wishes of family as well as prayers from team members.

Then, as a final and fitting gesture to a fallen former foe, Vietnamese Missing In Action team member COL Cuong planted an Australian eucalyptus at the site, as per the wishes of FLGOFF Herbert’s sister Kerryn Herbert.

Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Minister Greg Combet said a time-table for the return of the men’s remains would be subject to agreement between Australian and Vietnamese authorities.

“Details regarding the future burial of the two men will be a matter for the fami-lies,” Mr Combet said.

With the return of FLGOFF Herbert and PLTOFF Carver, another chapter of Australia’s involvement in Vietnam is closed, with all personnel who fought in that war now accounted for.

GETTING CLOSE: WGCDR Michael Warby, officer in charge of Operation Magpies Return, above, removes soil from the crash site of Canberra bomber A84-231 in Vietnam.

TEAM EFFORT: SQNLDR Malcolm Dodd, left, a forensic pathologist sieves soil at the Canberra bomber crash site with local assistance. Photos: LACW Shannon Urie

Action-packed liftout inside

FLGOFF Michael Herbert, far left, and PLTOFF Robert Carver.

2 News AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

Advertising managerGeoff Howard: (02) 6266 76050405 310 [email protected]

Advertising representativeTim Asher: (07) 3332 76510414 552 [email protected]

Postal address:R8–LG–048, Russell OfficesCanberra, ACT 2600

DisclaimerAIR FORCE News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence Newspapers. Printed by Capital Fine Print. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising if it is deemed inappropriate and to change the size of the ad, print type or other specifications if material is not compatible with our system. The fact an ad is accepted for publication does not mean that the product or service has the endorsement of Defence or AIR FORCE News.

FORCEAIRActing DirectorDavid Edlington: (02) 6265 [email protected] Hartigan: (02) 6265 [email protected] EditorJohn Martin: (02) 6265 [email protected]

Senior ReporterAndrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 [email protected]

Reporter/PhotographerLAC Aaron Curran: (02) 6265 [email protected]

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

Email: [email protected] (Put [sec=unclassified] after title in subject line)

SubscriptionsTrish Dillon: (02) 6266 [email protected]

Fax: (02) 6265 6690

AVM Mark Skidmore has reiterated CAF’s recent message about the need for flight safety and called for person-nel under his command to be vigilant and think before they act.

AIRMSHL Mark Binskin’s mes-sage was published in Air Force News on July 23.

“As Air Commander and a profes-sional aviator, flight safety is one of my primary concerns,” AVM Skidmore said.

“You will have seen the recent CAF

message in which he stated that sus-tainable combat airpower relies on our thorough understanding and applica-tion of the basic skills.

“That message needs to be rein-forced at every level and should be so deeply ingrained in the culture of Air Command that the basics are never forgotten.

“So often, accidents occur because the basics are overlooked, or a number of minor errors will combine to result in a catastrophic failure.

“None of us wants to hear of an accident, let alone be involved in one. So think before you act, reflect on what you did and then consider how you could have done it better.

“Whether you support the appli-cation of combat airpower from the ground or in the air, I ask you to read very carefully the recent CAF message and the latest edition of the Aviation Safety Feedback Magazine, and ensure you possess and use those key basic skills that will keep us all safe.”

DEFENCE Minister John Faulkn-er has assured personnel that equip-ping and funding the ADF top his list of priorities.

Senator Faulkner said uniformed members would directly benefit from the proposed $20 billion in savings under the Strategic Reform Program in the next decade.

“What the Strategic Reform Program will lead to is money being spent on the real focus of the ADF as a defence force ready and capable to do its primary role and function, which is the defence of our nation and meeting the strategic challenge of the 21st cen-tury,” Senator Faulkner said.

“I can say to you categorically, as the new Defence Minister I will be ensuring that the men and women of the ADF are properly and appro-priately equipped and sustained into the future. That is a primary role and responsibility for me, it is a heavy responsibility and it’s one I intend to meet.”

Since becoming Defence Minister in June he has visited personnel in Afghanistan, Solomon Islands, RAAF Base Edinburgh, Fleet Base East, HQJOC, 38SQN and 5 Avn Regt in Townsville.

He has asked Defence to arrange an extensive program of regular visits to

TWO Air Force reservists helped an ADF team deliver a series of Advanced Cardiac Life Support workshops at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) annual scientific meeting in Cairns in May.

SQNLDRs Steve Cook and Sandy Donald assisted a triservice team of six headed by RAN anaesthetist CMDR Paul Luckin.

The group delivered refresher training to 60 specialist anaesthet-

ists, in five intensive and practical workshops covering new Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines, a refresher course in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, the drugs used in car-diac arrest and electrical defibrillation of the heart.

Working in a military tent in the Cairns Convention Centre, the reserve anaesthetists from Navy, Army and Air Force worked seamlessly together to run the theoretical, practical and simulation phases of the workshops.

AN AUSTRALIAN soldier who died while serving with the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force 2 (MRTF 2) in Afghanistan was returned to Australia on July 26 through the efforts of 36 and 37SQNs.

PTE Benjamin Ranaudo died on July 18 when an improvised land mine fitted with a pressure plate exploded, killing the Townsville-based soldier.

PTE Ranaudo was part of a team searching a compound in the Baluchi Valley north of Tarin Kowt during a cordon-and-search operation when the anti-personnel device exploded.

A second soldier and three Afghan civilians were also wounded in the explosion.

At Tarin Kowt on July 20, members of MRTF 2 and their coalition coun-terparts and members of the Afghan National Army attended a memorial service and ramp ceremony before lining the road to the runway where a 37SQN C-130J was waiting.

The casket was carried by 36SQN C-17 for repatriation to Avalon Airport near Melbourne, arriving on July 26.

The second Australian injured in the incident, PTE Paul Warren, also from 1 Brigade, has been returned to Australia for treatment.

Since the start of operations in 2002, the ADF has had 11 soldiers killed in Afghanistan and 71 wounded.

PTE Ranaudo was burried in Melbourne on July 31.

Fallen soldier flown home

Safety message reiteratedAnaesthetists share skills

ON HOME SOIL: A bearer party carries PTE Benjamin Ranaudo’s coffin from an Air Force C-17 at Avalon Airfield. Photo: LSPH Paul Berry

Minister saysMinister says ADF funds ADF funds

top priority top priority

AT THE CONTROLS: WOFF Kev Gardner and Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner inside the cockpit of a AP-3C Orion during the minister’s visit to RAAF Base Edinburgh on July 1.Photo: AC David Cotton

establishments and operational areas to gain a better understanding of the organisation and its people.

“One of the best ways of keeping in touch with the concerns of Defence personnel is to meet as many as I can and talk to people directly,” he said.

“Three days after being sworn in as Defence Minister I went to Tarin Kowt, so I hope that is a pretty good indication that meeting our men and women at the front line is a very high priority for me.

“I will take whatever opportunity I can to keep in touch, to learn more, see more and understand more directly about what personnel are doing.”

Apart from being keen to engage

with ADF members, Senator Faulkner has set about strengthening Defence-industry ties.

“The men and women of the ADF are depending on what industry can provide to ensure that we have a capa-bility edge,” he said.

He told the Defence + Industry Conference in Adelaide on July 1 that it “continues to be the position of the Government that the ADF has to be able to control our air and sea approaches against credible adversar ies in the defence of Australia, to safeguard our territory, critical sea lanes, our infrastructure and our people”.

“This means the ADF must be

structured and equipped to engage in conventional combat against other armed forces. The White Paper remains the Government’s blueprint for action in Defence.

“My primary concern as the new Minister for Defence will be to deliver on those commitments.”

Senator Faulkner is no stranger to the Defence portfolio having served in the Keating government as Minister for Defence Science and Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Minister.

He said he had a long-term interest and engagement with the portfolio and was looking forward to the challenges ahead.

Call Fleet Network on1300 738 601

† To qualify for this offer you must mention this advert to Fleet Network, prior to completion of your initial contract. The offer is subject to Fleet Network’s terms and conditions. Check our website for details.

Salary Packaging that really does

Give me a call today and I can show you how much of a benefit it can be to Salary Package your next vehicle.

- Tim, Fleet Network

Limited Offer† Mention you saw this ad prior to completing your

initial contract and we’ll give you a $200 fuel voucher when your new vehicle is delivered.

SAVE YOU MONEY

TIME FOR A NEW CAR?

Fleet Network Pty Ltd D/L No. 20462

Fly@ Falls.

Holidays 4 Defence start with one call180045 35 25

Offer open to Australian Air Force personnel. Defence Force

identification must be shown at time of lift pass purchase.

Valid on Lift Pass, Lift & Rental Passes and Lift, Lesson &

Rental Passes only. Free passes are for matching product

only. Rent with Falls Creek Sports or Gebi’s. Valid Monday

to Friday only, all season. Not valid with any other offer.

Explore trails groomed to perfection at Victoria’s largest alpine resort,and enjoy extra activities like snow tubing, snow bikes, bungy trampolineand our nightshow spectacular and fireworks, or ride terrain parks built for every ability. At Falls Creek, we support the Australian Defence Forces! For more information visit fallscreek.com.au/defence

Bring 4 Mates, Pay for 3

Pay for 2 Days, Ski for 3

or come along by yourself and...

3 NewsAIR FORCE August 6, 2009

IT WAS a case of “is it a bird, is it a plane – no it’s a Globemaster” in Dili, East Timor, late last month when a 36SQN C-17 arrived from RAAF Base Amberley in Queens-land as part of a strategic airlift in support of Operation Astute.

The plane arrived before dark and caused just a little bit of confu-sion for local aviation authorities.

Aware there was a large plane arriving in the near future, the air traffic controller was hesitant to allow the plane to land because the runway was soon to be closed.

SQNLDR David Jackson, the C-17’s captain, had to explain that his C-17 was the reason for the closure.

Busy lifter

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD: 36SQN’s new TUG U30 tow motor for the C-17A Globemaster shows its awesome power.Photo: LAC Scott Woodward

“There was a little bit of confu-sion because of language difficulties,” SQNLDR Jackson said. “But I finally managed to explain that it was actually our plane that would require the run-way to be closed.”

The plane made a perfect land-ing, delivering a Black Hawk heli-copter to replace one scheduled to return to Australia for maintenance.

After the Black Hawk was unload-ed, the one heading home was quickly aboard, with the turnaround time on the ground kept to about three hours.

Other recent missions for Globemaster included the delivery of a Chinook helicopter to Kandahar and, on a more solemn mission, the repatri-ation of PTE Benjamin Ranaudo who was killed in Afghanistan on July 18.

Lightening the load back home, a new TUG U30 towmotor has arrived at RAAF Base Amberly to shift the beast on its home tarmac.

HOME CARGO: A Black Hawk helicopter homeward bound.

Photo: LAC Christopher Dickson

Are you STEPPING OUT?

Discharging from the ADF and stepping out into civilian life can be challenging.

The VVCS STEPPING OUT PROGRAM is about helping make your transition from the ADF to civilian life easier.

This two day program is free to members of the ADF and their partners.

In the program you will learn about:

The transition from ADF to civilian life

Skills for planning ahead

Skills for staying motivated and adaptable

Maintaining relationships and seeking support

Call 1800 011 046* for further information or to register for a program in your area. *Free local call. Mobile phones charged at mobile rates.


Thank you for assistanceIN A letter to Defence leaders,

former Defence Science and Person-nel Minister Warren Snowdon has ex-pressed his gratitude to Defence for its support during his time as minister.

“I write to express my sincere appreciation for the support you pro-vided to me, and ask that you share with the men and women of the ADF, my deep respect and admiration for

the work that they do,” Mr Snowdon said. “It has been my great honour, and genuine pleasure to meet with many of the serving men and women, Defence civilians and of course their spouses, parents and children that make up the wider ADF family.

“I have never failed to be impressed by their professionalism, compassion and commitment.”

By Andrew Stackpool

THE importance of the RAAF Museum to preserving the history and heritage of the Air Force was rec-ognised on July 23 when it beat more than 700 other museums across Vic-toria for a major award.

The RAAF Museum shared top bill-ing in the Herald Sun People’s Choice Award for Best Museum Experience with the Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum, one of Victoria’s leading

museums, home to Ned Kelly’s blood-stained sash among its collection of colonial artefacts.

The award was announced at an annual awards’ night hosted by the Victorian branch of Museums Australia.

Museums Australia (Victoria) pres-ident Daniel Wilksch said both muse-ums were outstanding in their leader-ship and high standards.

RAAF Museum director David

Gardner said the win was an exceptional achievement, particularly considering the number of museums in Victoria.

“The RAAF Museum’s small, dedi-cated team, assisted by our volunteers, is very proud and satisfied with this award because it reflects the professionalism and commitment which they have contributed to the outcome,” Mr Gardner said.

“This award goes a long way towards projecting the Air Force in the Victorian community, particularly as

it is a people’s choice award and not voted on by our museum peers.”

One voter said the RAAF Museum was, “Educational and interesting for students, ex-aviators and the general sightseeing public”. The RAAF Museum at Point Cook, is open on Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 3pm as well as weekends and pub-lic holidays from 10am to 5pm. It is closed every Monday, Good Friday and Christmas Day. Entry is free.

Museum Museum high high fliersfliers

JOINT HONOUR: RAAF Museum director David Gardner (top left) with his award-winning staff in front of the museum’s F-4 Phantom.

CDF ACM Angus Houston has congratulated all members of the ADF on the last day of Op Catalyst.

He said the end of the operation on July 31 marked a significant mile-stone in the history of the ADF.

“The success of Op Catalyst is a tribute to the professionalism and ded-ication of all ADF personnel over the past six years,” ACM Houston said.

“Congratulations to all of you on your achievement.”

Op Catalyst, which began in July 2003, was the ADF mission in sup-port of the Australian Government’s contribution to the stabilisation and rehabilitation of Iraq.

Under Op Catalyst, Australian per-sonnel were responsible for training about 36,000 members of the Iraqi Army, Navy and Marines, including specialist training in logistics sup-port, counter-insurgency operations and maritime operations.

Australian forces were involved in the first transfer of an Iraqi province – Al-Muthanna – to Iraqi control.

ACM Houston said the comple-tion of Op Catalyst reflected Iraq’s improved levels of security and sta-bility and the steady normalisation of our bilateral relationship with Iraq.

ADF personnel providing security to the Australian Embassy in Baghdad under Op Kruger and two members directly supporting the UN in Iraq (Op Riverbank) remain in place.

End of mission

No matter how you slice it–the difference is real.

With 200,000 hours of combat flight in five years,

Insitu’s ScanEagle® is a proven success. Now our

next-generation flier—the technologically mature, user-

evolved Integrator™ continues our tradition of providing the

Australian Defence Force with the best UAS resources possible.

When lives are on the line, experience matters.

07.3613.9400 | www.insitupacific.com

Field Proven. Field Focused.

1,190WEEKS

8,333DAYS

200,000HOURS

Systems EngineeringIntroduction to Systems Engineering..................... 10 – 12 AugustIntroduction to Systems Engineering (Melbourne) ......14 – 16 SeptSystems Engineering Practice ................................ 13 – 14 AugustSystems Engineering Practice (Melbourne) ................17 - 18 Sept

Systems ThinkingSystems Thinking & Modelling ...................................28 – 30 Sept

Most of these courses can be tailored for in-house delivery.

A number of our courses can also be used towards credit in eligible postgraduate programs.

For further information and details of over 70 courses available through UNSW@ADFA contact:

E: [email protected]: (02) 6268 8421

or go to the website below to download our brochure.

www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/units/busservices/short_courses

Communications Basic Communications Principles............................... 17 – 19 August

Enterprise ArchitectureIntroduction to Enterprise Architecture ..........................28 – 29 Sept

Laser SafetyLaser Safety Level 2 - Melbourne ...........................................21 SeptLaser Safety Level 1 - Melbourne ..................................21 – 24 Sept

LeadershipLeadership for Team & Work Group Performance ....................30 Sept

Logistics & Supply ManagementIntroduction to Logistics .................................................10 – 11 Sept

ManagementStrategic Human Resource Management ........................... 10 AugustExercise Management to Test Plans..................................... 31 AugustOrganisational Resilience............................................................2 SeptOrganisational Analysis for Managers.............................10 – 11 SeptStrategic Marketing Management & the High PerformingOrganisation..............................................................................24 Sept

Project ManagementProject Management .......................................................3 – 5 AugustManaging Integration Projects................................... 24 – 25 AugustSoftware Project Management .......................................28 – 30 Sept

UNSW@ADFA is a campus of the University of New South Wales and is located at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. In addition to educating undergraduate students for the Australian Defence Force, UNSW@ADFA offers a range of postgraduate programs and Professional

general community and Defence personnel.

Business Services

Professional Education Courses

Courses offered in August - September 2009:


UP AND AWAY: RAAF’s first Super Hornet takes to the skies for its first test flight. The aircraft left Lambert International Airport in St Louis, USA, on July 20 for a more than one-hour flight. Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet congratulated DMO and Boeing on the success of the project, confirming that the first aircraft was on schedule to arrive at RAAF Base Amberley in March next year. Photo: Ron Bookout, Boeing

By FLTLT Jaimie Abbott

A PLANNED multi-million dollar facelift to the AP-3C Orion is flying ahead with a range of enhancements to be incorporated on the veteran aircraft and associated ground support systems in a bid to improve their maritime patrol, reconnaissance and strike capability.

The maritime patrol fleet will be equipped with new electro-optic/infra-red systems, a high-data-rate com-munications system (tactical common data link) and a replacement video recorder system.

Defence Materiel Organisation, BAE Systems Australia and Australian Aerospace have signed a con-tract to introduce the systems.

Officer Commanding 92WG GPCAPT Warren McDonald said information would flow faster with the technology upgrade.

“Orion crews will take advantage of real-time and high-speed data streaming to pass information more rapidly and accurately to commanders on the ground,” GPCAPT McDonald said.

The upgraded systems will be there for the long haul with the program expected to be rolled out across the Orion fleet by November 2011 and remaining opera-tional until the aircraft is withdrawn from service.

AIRCDRE Warren Ludwig, Commander Surveillance and Response Group, said that most of the aircraft cur-rently deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations had already been fitted with most of the essential items for this upgrade.

The contract is valued at $31.1 million.

Technical upgrades for Orions

Our Super Hornet takes flight

MAGIC robots comingTHE Defence Science and Tech-

nology Organisation is running a mil-lion-dollar international competition challenging research organisations to build fully autonomous ground robots able to operate effectively in military operations.

Known as the Multi-Autonomous Ground-robotic International Challenge (MAGIC), the competition will be run

in partnership with the US Department of Defense.

The first five short-listed competitors will each receive research grants of US $100,000 to develop their proposals into prototypes, while the top three finalists will receive research awards of US $750,000, US $250,000 and US $100,000.

Total competition value is US $1.6 million.

NSW Military HealthSymposium 2009 >>

LESSONS LEARNT:

WHEN Saturday 14 November 2009

WHERE HMAS WATERHEN, Waverton

WHO Tri-Service personnel of all ranks as well as Defence Civilian Health workers are welcome

REGISTRATION Registration is FREERegistration closes 6 November

ENQUIRIES Mr David TalakovskiTelephone: 02 8335 5269Email: [email protected]

Many interesting subjects will be discussed at the symposium. Updates will appear as available on www.raamc.com

NSW Military HealthSymposium 2009is proudly sponsored by Defence Reserves Support.

For further information:Call 1800 803 485 or visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves

Recent deployments�

Cutting edge medicine�

Challenges we are �facing now

Challenges we may �need to prepare for

Australia’s Reserve Forces

Immerse yourselfin safety education.If you are an OHS&E professional or are embarking on an OHS&E career, consider furthering your education with NSCA.

From Certifi cate courses to Auditor qualifi cations to a Diploma in OHS, NSCA gives you the most extensive and fl exible learning experiences available. NSCA is a member of the Department of Defence Occupational Health and Safety Services Panel.

To see how an NSCA course couldbenefi t your career call 1800 816 459or visit www.nsca.org.au

adcorp11928


By Michael Brooke

MORE than 90 triservice person-nel experienced the metamorphosis of turning purple when they marched out of the ADF Warfare Centre (AD-FWC) at RAAF Base Williamtown in July after completing the Introduction to Joint Operations (IJO) course.

Army, Navy and Air Force person-nel who through their previous single-service focus had been white, green or blue, were a distinct shade of purple after completing the course, which pro-vides an understanding of the way the ADF will plan and conduct all future joint military operations.

Several thousand ADF students have completed the five-day course since it started in 1994.

Students who attended IJO from June 29 to July 3 attended a series of lectures from experts and a talk on the importance of air superiority by CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin. They also joined in a joint-operations war game.

Staff lecturers gave an overview of the Australian military strategy, as well as an introduction to joint operations, maritime, land and air capabilities,

PLANNING LECTURE: LCDR Ross Proctor instructs WO2 Paul Davey, and FLGOFF Elizabeth Clifton on the Introduction to Joint Operations course.

Photo by ACW Katharine Pearson

By Steve Ridgway

A TRI-service DMO Asbestos In-ventory Tiger Team (AITT) will base three-person teams at the Joint Logis-tics Units (JLUs) to push through the eradication of asbestos-containing ma-teriel (ACM) from the Defence inven-tory by December next year.

The teams will inspect the JLUs and then follow the supply chain down to individual units. Items with ACM, including gaskets, seals and even peg-boards, will be bagged and tagged for safe disposal by civilian contractors.

VCDF LTGEN David Hurley, who has oversight of the asbestos removal program, said it was widely known that inhalation of asbestos fibre could have serious health consequences.

“Defence has some formal exemp-tions because some uses were con-firmed as mission-critical – but these exemptions expire at the end of 2010,” he said.

GPCAPT Sue McGready, Director Supply Capability-Air Force and the Air Force lead for this project, said the asbestos issue required our full attention.

“Our people have a right to a safe workplace, so we all have a respon-sibility to ensure the offending com-ponents are removed,” GPCAPT McGready said.

“For components that are exempt until December 2010, our people also need to use the correct personal protec-tive equipment and the correct packag-ing and handling procedures.”

Following government direction, all ACM must be removed from the Defence inventory and platforms by December 2010.

To determine the extent of ACM

usage across Defence, an initial scop-ing study was conducted at 16 Defence sites during February and March this year. For Air Force, this included RAAF School of Technical Training, 77SQN, 36SQN and 92WG.

At this stage, it is hoped the inspec-tions will be completed by December 18 this year.

Tiger Teams will focus on: informing ADF logistics managers of inventory items found to contain or suspected of containing asbestos; inspecting, collecting and preparing ACM inventory for safe removal;

quarantining and bagging all sus-pected ACM material for further testing; reviewing unit hazard documen-tation to help the team focus its inspection activities; and providing an inspection brief to unit commanders.

For more information, visit the AITT homepage at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dmoweb/sites/AITT/comweb.asp?page=68806#AITT or For OHS asbestos eradication management information visit http://ohsc.defence.gov.au/Programs/Asbestos/default.

Search aims to eliminate asbestos danger

and the Joint Military Appreciation Process (JMAP) for the planning of joint operations.

Subject-matter experts from HQJOC provided insights into special-forces capabilities, intelligence operations, amphibious operations, stability opera-tions, joint fires and information opera-tions, joint operations law and support to health and logistics movements.

The course’s joint planning tuto-rial exercise challenged the students to apply JMAP to the planning and execution of an amphibious operation. This gave them an understanding of a multi-dimensional manoeuvre by a highly integrated force.

AIRMSHL Binskin told partici-pants that single-service operations were a thing of the past. Joint opera-tions coordinated by HQJOC were the way forward for the ADF.

AIRMSHL Binskin said air power was a force multiplier that must be fully integrated into joint operations.

“What I say when planning joint operations is to look at air integration and how we obtain air superiority. Air superiority gives combat power, situ-

ational awareness, and transport – but it’s got to be fully integrated into an operation.”

The students said the course pro-vided an opportunity to network with their Defence counterparts while learn-ing how joint operations combine the

capabilities and effects of the three services.

ADF and Defence APS person-nel who complete the Introduction to Joint Operations may go on to do more comprehensive courses, such as joint personnel, logistics, health and

communications planning, information operations, amphibious operations, and joint fires.

For further information visit www.defence.gov.au/adfwc/index.htm

Purple patchPurple patch

PERSONNEL need to be cau-tious when posting information on social networking sites on the internet, Provost Marshal-Air Force WGCDR Dale Watson has warned.

WGCDR Watson said the Internet had widened access to a range of information – but that exchange of information had its

drawbacks, especially where the information on Facebook, Twitter and blogs could be accessed by peo-ple outside the control of the author.

“Information that members become aware of through work must not be posted onto the Internet or made public at all,” WGCDR Watson said.

“Defence personnel are remind-ed that official information must be treated as confidential, and public comment on official information is not permitted into the public domain – which includes internet blogs and chat rooms.

“Once information becomes public it can end up anywhere.”

Warning on networking sites

Reputation & ResultsTM

Freecall 1800 555 777www.slatergordon.com.au

Specialists in military compensation claims, reconsiderations

and appeals.

QBSA 77058


ABOUT 150 family, friends and colleagues farewelled one of the Air Force’s best-loved characters in Queensland last month.

WGCDR Bill Allardyce died after a 10-year battle with cancer.

Close friend and work colleague SQNLDR Howard Robertson paid tribute to WGCDR Allardyce’s great fighting spirit.

“He refused to ever accept that he

Farewell to a fighter

would lose the fight,” SQNLDR Robertson said. “At one stage it seemed he had won through when he re-achieved his medical cat-egory and was back again fly-ing his beloved B707, but that was not to last and a new cancer site developed. More tests, more surgery, more treatment – but no complaints. He had amazing strength of character.”

Bill Allardyce joined the Air Force as an AC in February 1977.

He served as an engine fitter at 9SQN and 5SQN before deciding he’d rather fly aircraft than fix them.

He completed his pilots’ course in 1983 and was posted to 37SQN to fly the C-130E Hercules.

From 37SQN, he was posted to fly B707s at 33SQN for the first of four tours over the next 23 years.

When he spoke to Air Force News in March he was typically upbeat.

He had returned to work at 33SQN at RAAF Base Amberley, albeit work-ing remotely from home via computer and only visiting the base every couple of weeks.

TYPICALLY UPBEAT: From the March 19 edition of Air Force News.

NEVER FORGOTTEN: Above, WGCDR Bill Allardyce’s coffin lies in state awaiting the funeral service at the Ipswich City Uniting Church on July 3; and, left, members of 33SQN dress the coffin.

Photos: CPL Peter Borys

SALUTE: A firing party formed by members of 33SQN fires volleys at the Centenary Memorial Gardens, Wacol.

KIND WORDS: WGCDR Guy Wilson, Commanding Officer 33SQN, pays tribute at the funeral.


Your Vehicle Salary Packaging Experts 1300 738 601

8 Feature AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

By Andrew Stackpool

NUMBER 38 Squadron has commemorated 45 years of service to Australia and its national interests in war and peace

by its DHC-4 Caribou aircraft with some unique artwork.

The squadron has applied eye-catch-ing artwork to the nose and vertical stabiliser of most of its remaining 10 aircraft.

The nose art, which is an applied decal, comprises the ribbon bars of all campaigns in which squadron personnel have participated over the aircraft’s 45 years, below which is written in gold “45 years of Operations”.

Tail art comprises the squadron’s Enfield symbol in blue, with the words “1964-2009, 45 years of service to the nation” in gold surrounding it.

The Enfield is a fictitious creature that has the head of a fox, the chest of a greyhound, the body of a lion, the hindquarters and tail of a wolf, and the talons of an eagle for forelegs.

Squadron pilot FLTLT Adam Forster said the concept was first flagged in

2008 when the squadron executive officer and flight commander decided to commemorate the squadron and the air-craft’s historic milestone with nose art.

“The medal concept came from a framed display of medal ribbons in the briefing room, which represents those awarded to squadron members during the whole of the Caribou’s service his-tory,” FLTLT Forster said.

“We had five different versions before we came up with the right one.”

The tail art followed on from the nose art concept and was the result of a competition across the squadron.

Once approvals and the finished artwork was received, squadron ground crew set to work applying the embellishments.

FLTLT Forster said that aircraft with the art work in place had deployed to both PNG and in support of Talisman Saber ’09, and it had received favour-able comment.

“Everyone in the squadron reckons it looks pretty good too,” he said.

The Caribou will continue to display their art with pride until they retire later this year.

Description: Light tactical transport with robust very short take-off and landing capability

Manufacturer: De Havilland, CanadaCrew: Two pilots, flight engineer,

loadmasterCargo capability: 4 tonnes 32 fully equipped troops 22 stretcher cases with

medical attendantsLength: 22.5mHeight: 9.7mWingspan: 29mWeight: 15,400kg (full) 8283kg (empty)Speed: 280km/h (cruise) 348km/h (maximum)Range: 2100km with maximum

fuel and loadCeiling: 28,000 feet or 13,000 feet

with passengersEngines: Two Pratt and Whitney

R2000 Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines

Displacement: 2000cu in (32.8litre)Power: 1450hp eachGeneral: The Caribou is a twin-engine high-wing monoplane with full-span double-slotted flaps and fully-revers-ible propellers, allowing it to achieve trademark steep approach and very short take-off and landing. The high wing and tail provide easy access to its large cargo compartment, while the low-pressure tyres permit operations on unprepared runways. It is the last piston-engine aircraft in the Air Force. There were nine variants of the Caribou, the most com-mon being the standard DHC-4. Besides Australia, Canada, the US and a number of other military oper-ators, including Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, South Vietnam (some captured by the North Vietnamese after the war) and Thailand flew the Caribou. Only 307 Caribou were built. The first flew on July 30 1958.

Caribou goesCaribou goes

COLOURFUL END: Caribou will retire with its tail held high.

ALL DRESSED UP

De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou

defcredit.com.au

Own the car you want sooner and save thousands of dollars with our low fee, low rate car loan. How you spend the savings is up to you.

For fast pre-approval, call 1800 033 139or visit your local Defcredit branch.

Def

ence

For

ce C

redi

t Uni

on L

imite

d A

BN 5

7 08

7 65

1 38

5

AFS

L 23

4582

DEF

1731

_ A

NN

(06/

09)

Saving on my car loan meant I could get a load of other stuff as well

*Comparison rate is calculated on a $30,000 secured new car loan over a 5 year term, based on monthly repayments and a minimum deposit applies. WARNING: This comparison rate is true for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. A comparison rate schedule is available at any Defcredit branch. Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply and are available at any Defcredit branch.

8.45actual rate

%p.a. 8.56comparison rate*

%p.a.

9 FeatureAIR FORCE August 6, 2009

DURING the early 1960s, the Air Force needed a replace-ment for its C-47/DC-3

Dakotas that had provided tactical air transport and air lift from WWII.

After an extensive selection process, the de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou was selected because of its very short take-off and landing capabilities, rear-open-ing ramp doors that allowed the rapid loading and unloading of cargo and personnel, and its rugged capabilities and versatility.

As important was its unique ability to operate from flat areas almost devoid of any landing strip.

In May 1963, the government placed an order for 18 of the aircraft and the first, A4-134, was handed over in Canada on February 25, 1964. It and two sisters were ferried by 38SQN per-sonnel to RAAF Base Richmond where they arrived on April 22.

The initial order was augmented by another 11 airframes, for a total 29 of the type.

Since its arrival in Australia, the Caribou has repeatedly proven its worth in exercises and operational deploy-ments in Australia and overseas. Seven deployed to Vietnam where they gained

fame as ‘Wallaby Airlines’. Others have deployed to PNG, East Timor, Pakistan and Malaysia, as well as participation in major exercises in Australia’s areas of interest and more ‘routine’ deployments across the region.

As well as its traditional roles of troop transport and airborne logistics support, the aircraft has proved its worth in more specialised tasks such as para drop, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, aid to the civil community and emergency and disaster relief operations.

While the aircraft initially started with 38SQN at RAAF Base Richmond, in July 1966, the flight in Vietnam stood up as 35SQN. That squadron relocated to RAAF Base Townsville in 1976 and both squadrons operated the Caribou until their amalgamation in 2000.

38SQN relocated to RAAF Base Amberley at the end of 1992, while a detachment is still located at Townsville.

In 1991, the fleet was reduced from the then total of 21 aircraft to just 14.

The last aircraft are being progres-sively retired throughout 2009, with one aircraft earmarked for the Australian War Memorial and another for the RAAF Museum.

BLAZE OF GLORY: 38SQN Caribou with its newly embellished nose taxies in following an afternoon sortie at RAAF Base Townsville.

out in styleout in style

FINISHING TOUCH: Above, 38SQN aircraft surface finisher CPL Kelly Gibson badges the nose of a Caribou.JOB WELL DONE: Left, CPL Gibson stands in front of his work with aircraft technician LACW Kate Young and aircraft structural fitter CPL Tony Pettengell.

PROUD MEMBERS: Intelligence officers SQNLDR Mel Dundas-Taylor and FLGOFF Alex McCubbin on the RAAF Base Townsville flightline.

LAST OF THE RADIALS: Avionic Technicians SGT Darren Irvin and LAC Zach Briggs inspect a radial engine from a Caribou in the 38SQN hangar. Photos: LAC Glen McCarthy

Long history points to nation well served



AIR FORCE August 6, 200910 News

IF PLANNING and controlling the life support functions on a major Air Force base in Australia wasn’t enough of a challenge, former commanding officer of 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron (381ECSS) at Williamtown, WGCDR Peter Davis, has stepped right into the breach as base commander of the new-look ADF Combat Support Unit (CSU) in the MEAO.

Not unlike managing the sup-port available on other operational Air Force bases in Australia, the new commander’s unit consists of admin-istration, logistics, force protection, operations, air-load, airfield engineer, ground support and maintenance staff.

WGCDR Davis said there were many similarities between the two positions, however, in his new post, his responsibilities cut across five loca-tions and four different countries and, significantly, the 129 personnel under his command directly contribute to and support operations in Afghanistan.

“These are the sorts of functions that would normally complement the running of an operational base back home and in this case they also support our AP-3C Orion, C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster operations,” he said.

“However, among the more complex and at times demanding responsibilities is that of liaison with the various host nations (HN) and coalition forces (CF) who also share the facilities.”

Notably, he said, these challenges were not limited to works activities.

“In the event of an incident on a foreign base, fire fighting and health assets, for example, would see com-binations of HN, CF and Australian personnel working closely together, which, as you would imagine, requires a very coordinated effort to manage – no mean feat particularly if there are

language differences,” WGCDR Davis said.

“Fortunately, we’ve not had such major incidents to deal with.”

At the time of his appointment, the new Combat Support Unit function had only been stood up for a month, and previous support was not inclusive of aircraft operations.

“While this has been a challenge

for the team, the greatest strength is without doubt the many competent and motivated personnel who are working 70 to 100 hours every week to satisfy the multitude of support demands.

“If the Combat Support Unit fails to deliver, air operations will fail.

“Equally, if l ife support is not delivered to those personnel supporting operations, then those

operations in Afghanistan will inevitably fail,” WGCDR Davis said.

“In other words, I have no doubt that our contribution is pivotal to the success of aircraft operations and ultimately the whole Australian mission in the MEAO.”

He said flexibility and good clear communications in a heavily mixed HN and CF environment were key to that success.

‘The greatest strength is without doubt the many competent and motivated personnel, who are working between 70 and 100 hours every week to satisfy the multitude of support demands.’

IN BRIEF

IN RESPONSE to feedback from an AFHQ on-line survey regarding issues with the female uniform, CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin has ordered a change in dress policy regarding women’s headwear.

Of the more than 1000 participants in the survey, 88 per cent made it clear that female RAAF members would prefer to wear the female service dress (SD) cap with the SD uniform rather than the current cap worn by both sexes.

As a result, from July 1, 2011, the female cap SD will be designated the basic form of headwear for females wearing the SD uniform.

Accordingly, female members will be required to wear this cap with all forms of ceremonial dress. The other SD cap, garrison cap and slouch hat will remain optional items for females on non-ceremonial occasions.

Serving female personnel not in possession of the female SD cap will be required to purchase this item by the designated change-over date.

SQNLDR Fleur James, the service-women’s advis-er on non-combat uniforms, said she was very happy with the change.

“It was great that so many women participated in the survey, and even greater that their opinions were considered and changes made so promptly,” she said.

“We’re working on a few other initiatives, but this is a good first step.”

During the transition period, while there may be an unavoidable mixture of both caps, it is hoped that these will be minimal.

However, this will be accepted as a normal conse-quence of the change-over process.

Clothing scales for new female entrants have been changed to provide for the compulsory issue of at least one female SD cap during initial kitting.

Points of contact on this matter are Deputy Director-Uniforms WGCDR Terry Curtain on (02) 6265 4206 or the Canberra Area Warrant Officer Disciplinary WOFF Kevin Close on (02) 6265 1084.

Tarmac jacketsA DELAY in the release of the new disruptive-pattern tarmac jacket has caused a shortage of blue tarmac jackets. As an interim measure, Clothing SPO (DMO) has made limited stock of the Navy refueller’s jacket available to members with an entitlement to the tarmac jacket, issuing of which will be managed by Air Force Logistics Branch (through FEG SO1LOG staff).

Fast and easyAN ELECTRONIC version of the Defence security manual (eDSM) is now available. Chief Security Officer Frank Roberts said the eDSM would make security policy easier and faster to access and interpret. eDSM can be accessed at intranet.defence.gov.au/dsa and on the Internet for approved users at www.defence.gov.au/dsa. Questions or comments can be emailed to [email protected]

Focus groupsDEFENCE Materiel Organisation (DMO) is inviting users of military equipment to provide feedback on performance with a view to improving future production. DMO’s product-specific focus groups are aimed at providing direct feedback on how a piece of kit has performed in operations or training so that the manufacturer

or supplier of a Defence capability can improve the products they supply to the ADF. For further information on product-specific focus groups or to suggest poten-tial subjects, contact Joe Hujs, Assistant Director, Industry Policy Management, [email protected] or phone (02) 6265 1248.

Stepping OutSERVING members of the ADF about to separate from the military and concerned about how this major change will affect them and their families are invited to attend a Stepping Out program run by the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service. The two-day programs are free for Defence personnel and their part-ners. Upcoming dates: Canberra August 6-7; Sydney August 31-September 1; Perth September 2-3; Wodonga September 14-15; Nowra October 1-2; Adelaide October 12-13; Maitland October 20-21; Brisbane October 26-27; Canberra November 17-18; Melbourne November 19-20; Brisbane November 30 - December 1; Sydney December 9-10.

Demon mistakeIN THE July 23 issue of Air Force News on page 5 it was incor-rectly stated that 4SQN flew de Havilland Demon aircraft in 1937. This should have read Hawker Demons.

Heads up on women’s capsHeads up on women’s caps

HATS OFF: LACW Zoe Keam and ACW Laura Meys with the current service-dress cap, left, and the female service-dress cap, right. Either cap may be worn by females on ceremonial occasions until July 1, 2011. Photo FSGT John Carroll

Into the breach BOLD START: WGCDR Peter Davis, the first Base Commander of the Australian Defence Force Combat Support Unit in the Middle East Area of Operations, in front of a replica of a Hawk jet aircraft at the entry to the base. Photo: PO Dave Connolly

MORE POWER TO YOU.

*3 years or 100,000 kms whichever occurs first. Excludes wear and tear items, tyres, battery, oils and additives. **Recommended maximum delivery cost $1,495 inclusive of GST. †Whichever occurs first. ˆApplies only to full time serving personnel of the Australian Defence Forces (excludes contractors). LR6666

1800 809 308 www.landrover.com.au

LAND ROVER

The 09 model line up of Land Rovers is here. As a member of the Australian Defence Forcesˆ you are eligible for the full benefits of the Land Rover Corporate Programme, including 3 years/100,000kms free scheduled service*, 3 years/100,000kms factory warranty†, factory corporate rebates on all models, reduced new vehicle delivery cost**, even free genuine tailored floor mats.

Range Rover Vogue is available in the ultimate Supercharged V8 petrol with 291kW of power, and the refined and acclaimed TDV8 diesel, that delivers a huge 640Nm of torque. Range Rover Sport is also available in Supercharged and TDV8, as well as V8 and TDV6. Discovery 3 TDV6 has a maximum torque of 440Nm, while the V6 Petrol has 160kW of power and 220kW of power for the V8 petrol. Freelander 2 has a choice of 3.2 litre i6 petrol engine with saloon car performance, or economical 2.2 litre TD4 turbodiesel with an exceptional 400Nm of torque. Both coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with CommandShift®. And Defender has a new 2.4 litre common rail diesel producing 20% more power than the previous engine.

Check out the complete deal for the full range of Land Rovers. For full details contact your Land Rover Retailer and introduce yourself as a Land Rover Corporate Client.

11NewsAIR FORCE August 6, 2009

TINDAL-based dental hygienist CPL Diane Beningfield is on a four-month mission to bring better health to the small-er nations of the south-west Pacific.

She’s one of 67 Australians in a joint US Navy and ADF operation delivering vital medical, dental, engineering and veterinary aid in Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.

CPL Beningfield, from 2 Expeditionary Heal th Squadron (2EHS) Tindal Detachment, is contributing her skills to a multinational team as part of the annual US-sponsored humanitarian assistance mission, Pacific Partnership 2009.

In each of the host Pacific nations, clinics are set up at local hospitals, schools or community centres.

One stop on her route was in Tonga, where she lived for a while when her dad was in the Army.

“The Tongans are so friendly,” CPL Beningfield said.

“A few words of the Tongan language are coming back to me too.”

Days are long on this mission because

CPL Beningfield and the dental team try to see as many people as possible.

“One of the best parts of this adven-ture is the children we get to see, which I don’t normally do back at the RAAF base. They’re always so happy and they are so cute.”

CPL Beningfield is working close-ly with dental technicians, dentists and other medical specialists from around the world, cleaning teeth, giving dental-hygiene instruction, dental assisting and sterilising equipment.

“From a dental perspective, it’s a great opportunity to build on my skills. I am seeing cases here that I would only nor-mally see in text books.”

CPL Beningfield is living aboard USNS Richard E. Byrd, a US Navy cargo ship – and a baby of the fleet, having entered service less than two years ago.

“I love living on the ship. It’s better than I expected,” she said.

“The people on this mission are great, especially the other girls I’m sharing a cabin with.”

OPEN WIDE: Dental hygienist CPL Diane Beningfield, also pictured left, examines a young Samoan girl’s teeth. CPL Beningfield was part of a team that saw more than 3000 people across Samoa.

Going Going the extra the extra smilesmile

BETWEEN MULTI -NATION AND MULTI -MISSION,

THERE IS ONE IMPORTANT WORD: HOW.

The C-130J delivers multi-mission capability to the most remote and demanding places on earth. Ready to serve nations of the world. Delivering mission-critical cargo virtually anywhere is all a question of how.And it is the how that makes all the difference.

Survive the Credit CrunchSurvive the Credit Crunch

Apply Online at www.adcu.com.au,Phone-a-loan 1300 13 23 28, or visit your local ADCU branch.

Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on application. Australian Defence Credit Union Ltd ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL 237 988.

At ADCU we can help you through the credit crunch. We’ve got lots of money to lend – at some of the best rates in the market.

• fi xed or variable rates • easy application process• quick turnaround with same day approval• convenient repayments direct from your pay• no monthly or annual fees• a generous relationship reward scheme which rewards you

for borrowing with ADCU

Are you paying too much interest on your credit card?

Have you been tricked into a credit card with ‘0% balance transfer’ only to fi nd you are still paying high interest for your transactions?

With an Australian Defence Credit Union, you can enjoy a low 6 month introductory rate of 8.5%pa* for your balance transfers and your transactions.Don’t have an Australian Defence Credit Card?Why not consider applying for an Australian Defence Credit Card. The Australian Defence Credit Card is a ‘no fuss’ card

which offer all the benefi ts you expect from a credit card, at a much lower cost:

Low 8.50 %pa* introductory •rate for 6 months – applies to all balance transfers and transactions you make during the six month introductory period.Low ongoing rate* •

Up to 55 days interest free•

No charge for additional •cards

Cash withdrawals at over •800,000 ATM’s worldwide; and

Pay for purchases at over 24 •million locations worldwide

Go online and apply today at www.adcu.com.au. To fi nd out more call 1300 13 23 28 or visit one of our branches.

SWITCH to an Australian Defence Credit Card

and SAVE

*Introductory rate effective 18.03.09 fi xed for 6 months, then at our standard Credit Card interest rate, currently 13.30% p.a. (subject to change without notice: see www.adcu.com.au for details). Fees and charges, terms and conditions apply.


By FLGOFF Christopher Stear

COMBAT Support Group (CSG) ele-ments converged on RAAF Base Tindal recently for an exercise aimed at the de-velopment, test and evaluation (DT&E) of a deployed Air Base Wing (ABW).

The multi-week exercise followed CAF’s direction in 2008 that CSG should focus on expeditionary combat service-support capabilities rather than fixed-base activities.

GPCAPT Scott Winchester, OC 396 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing, deployed to Tindal as OC ABW and said the wing construct was one that CSG was looking at for its future structure.

An ABW consists of an expedition-ary combat support squadron (ECSS), an airfield defence squadron (AFDS), and an expeditionary health squadron (EHS), with a small headquarters element con-trolling and coordinating tasks.

“This DT&E activity is a practi-cal means of contributing to the CSG restructure by trialling a concept of how CSG elements may operate in a medium-threat expeditionary environment, and evaluate command and control arrange-ments internal and external to the ABW,” GPCAPT Winchester said.

The ABW DT&E included the inser-tion of an AFDS to secure and screen the airbase, and then an incremental rollout of a HQ element, the ECSS and EHS in a medium-threat ground environment.

“This incremental approach to the ABW DT&E ensured our people’s con-fidence and professional knowledge was built upon at a steady rate and each phase of the integrated rollout was effec-tively tested and evaluated.”

Once established, the ABW was posi-tioned to meet the flying program at the airbase while simultaneously meeting the requirements of the external task-unit headquarters.

One of the early challenges was a three-day command-post exercise run by exercise-control staff injecting a variety of scenarios. This was followed up with a formal review process that led to the kind of ongoing adjustment and refinement that typified all stages of the rollout.

“One of our biggest challenges was re-learning lessons of the past,” GPCAPT Winchester said.

“Back in the ’80s and ’90s, activating a bare base was conducted on a regular basis.

“But, since East Timor, Air Force has done less bare-base work.”

Fol lowing a v is i t to Tindal , AIRCDRE Noddy Sawade, Commander CSG, said the ABW DT&E had pro-vided valuable lessons.

“Resource optimisation forms part of CSG’s ongoing focus and exercises like this ensure we can rigorously scrutinise, adapt and improve our operational effec-tiveness,” AIRCDRE Sawade said.

GPCAPT Winchester said he and his team approached their tasks with an open mind. As as they developed, tested and evaluated the ABW rollout they con-tinually looked for suitable alternative solutions.

“Thinking outside the box prevents a tunnel-vision approach to problem solv-ing and is a necessity for an organisation such as CSG where we constantly strive

for improvement,” he said. “In this case, our approach allowed us to identify an alternative model that further optimises the use of avail-

able resources and which we may trial next year, preferably at a bare base.”

GPCAPT Winchester said that an

alternative model, together with the results of the ABW DT&E held at Tindal, would be fed into the CSG restructure review.

Combat Support Group swings into action

AND FOUND: David Skeel rewards his military working dog Flame for finding the explosives.

PLANT: SGT David Skeel, explosives detector dog handler from 382 ECSS plants PE4 plastic explosives into a phone junction box at 322 ECSS headquarters.

Tindal Tindal test test runrunJUST REHEARSING: CPL Carl Allen, explosives ordnance demolition expert from 382 ECSS, plots the last-known location of troops in the field on a Tindal-area map. Photos: CPL Melina Mancuso

NSW Branch (02) 9682 1788 [email protected]

Newcastle (02) 4951 2666 [email protected]

QLD Nerang (07) 5578 2233 [email protected]

Townsville (07) 4722 4655 [email protected]

ACT Branch (02) 6255 1599 [email protected]

VIC Branch (03) 5248 0996 [email protected]

SA Branch (08) 8296 2411 [email protected]

WA Branch (08) 94096682 vvppwabranch @iprimus.com.au

Tasmania (03) 6376 2804 [email protected]

CONTACT

AIR FORCE August 6, 200914 Personnel

WHEN personnel from 3 Expe-ditionary Hospital Squadron (3EHS) recently found opportunities to do their day-to-day work better, they set about having a go at other improve-ment activities with full support from the chain of command.

The process started with pathology, and subsequently medical supply flight and, eventually, administrative support also achieved worthwhile improvements.

WGCDR Heidi Yeats, 3EHS com-manding officer, said suggestions for efficiency reviews and improvement initiatives were commonly accompa-nied by apprehension and resistance.

“Many of us have perceptions that such efficiency reviews are done ‘to’ us and are all about trying to do more with less,” WGCDR Yeats said.

“But my team have recognised that it doesn’t have to be that way and 3EHS have made some big strides along the self-improvement path.

“Initially, there was definitely some mixed feelings.

“Like everyone at the moment, we felt overworked and under-resourced, but asking for more resources through the chain of command is not always the answer or even a viable option.

“So, we started with the assumption that current resources were the maxi-mum available, and asked ourselves, what can be done to make everybody’s jobs more manageable?”

WGCDR Yeats said that to com-bat feelings of anxiety or reluctance, improvements were made one step at a time, one section at a time.

“At first, the process was looked on by the rest of the hospital with relieved interest – relief that it was ‘them not us’.

“But then, over the course of the past few months, the interest has turned into ‘when can it be our turn?’”

WGCDR Yeats said the sections themselves were integral in undertak-ing eventual improvement activities.

Medical supply flight: $240K worth of excess stock returned to Defence medical store Randwick and the loss of $250K worth of stores through expiration was prevented Medical reception: waiting time for staff to access medical records was reduced by 33 per cent in peak periods and customer waiting times were also reduced Orderly room: support to execu-tives and all customers was improved Outpatients: wasted staff time was reduced and a target to reduce patient waiting times by 30 per cent has been set

“This was not about an outside organisation coming in and telling us how to do our job – after all, what would they know about providing health support?

“The section members were the ones with the expertise and knowledge of their section to identify and subse-quently implement improvements in their day-to-day work.

“The first step we took was to give ourselves permission to pause, reflect and ask the question, why?

“Why are we doing this task? Why do we do it this way? Why does it take us this long to complete? How can we do it better?

“When we gained an understand-ing of what tasks and roles we actually needed to perform, the second step was to map out a way forward to where we wanted to be.

“Every member of the team had a role to play in contributing to improv-ing how we do our work.”

CPL Casey Smylie from the orderly room said that before this activity she found that, as a corporal, she was limit-ed in her ability to make improvements in the workplace, but the improvement activity really allowed staff at all levels

KEY IMPROVEMENTS

to have input and generate solutions within the unit.

Travel clerk LAC Troy Campbell said that the improvement activity provided staff with a forum to speak openly and get ideas at the lower level taken on board more than before.

WGCDR Yeats said it had been pleasing to see junior members of

the team asking ‘why?’ and being answered with, ‘that’s a really good question, let’s find out,’ rather than, ‘because we always do it this way!’”

As the improvement journey pro-gressed and benefits were identified, enthusiasm grew.

WGCDR Yeats said that what was most rewarding about being involved in this ongoing improvement activity was that the unit was empowered to make changes to suit its unique needs.

“The process allowed us to imple-ment the ways and means to continu-ously review and adapt to our changing environment.

“Of course, we haven’t solved all of our problems, but we have come together as a team to make our envi-ronment less stressful and more pro-ductive,” she said.

“As the CO, I am really proud of what we have managed to achieve, particularly the way we came together as a team to make our squadron a bet-ter place to work and deliver a better service to Air Force.”

For more information about Air Force improvement visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/afi

BOLD START: FSGT Lesley Fensom, SGT Dylan Brine and SGT Thomas Seeto relax, satisfied with the efficiency efforts they were involved with in their unit.

‘Initially, there was definitely some mixed feelings. Like everyone at the moment, we felt overworked and under-resourced ...’

– WGCDR Heidi Yeats

Time-in-rank hits healthy note

AIR Force is presently in a good state of health with lower numbers of its workforce wanting to leave the organisation and more people wanting to join.

So says the Directorate of Personnel-Air Force. WGCDR Mark Larter said that while it was pleas-

ing to see members remaining in the service for longer, the increased levels of recruitment and retention would inevitably impact on the time members spent in rank, as well as affect some promotion rates.

“In recent years, many members have benefited from increased promotion targets and rapid advancement, but it is highly likely that future opportunities in some specialisations and musterings will begin to reduce,” WGCDR Larter said.

He attributed the healthy recruitment and retention rates to initiatives such as an increase in the compulsory retiring age, graded pay schemes, the Defence Home Owners’ Assistance Scheme and the economic climate.

Further information and advice on promotions eligibility and criteria can be obtained by contacting your respective personnel manager or the Directorate of Personnel-Air Force promotions cell.

Improving our Air Force – one section at a timeImproving our Air Force – one section at a time

Members lead unit recovery

Apply Online at www.adcu.com.au - Phone-a-loan 1300 13 23 28 - Visit your local ADCU branchTerms and conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on application. Australian Defence Credit Union Ltd ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL 237 988.

Survive the Credit Crunchfixed or variable rates easy application processquick turnaround with same day approvalconvenient repayments direct from your pay

no monthly or annual feesa generous relationship reward scheme which rewards you for borrowing with ADCU

ADCU can help you through the credit crunch. We’ve got lots of money to lend - at competitive rates.

Looking for a Defence Force tax return specialist?

Call 1300 76 35 75 24/7 or visit us online at

www.phatreturns.com.au

Fast becoming the #1 tax agent Fast becoming the #1 tax agent for ADF membersfor ADF members

Defence Force tax specialists - We have extensive experience across all ranks and specialities, including:

� Members who have served overseas, and/or have investment properties � Members who have fallen behind on lodging their tax returns

Maximum returns - We know all the specifi c deductions, so you get a great tax return every year!

Phone consultations - All tax returns are completed over the phone, so you don’t have to leave your base, ship or assignment.

One tax agent - We are not limited by locality so you and your family don’t ever have to look for another tax agent again.

15PersonnelAIR FORCE August 6, 2009

DAS good result By Belinda Mitchell

AIR Force members remain proud of their service while fam-ily support for their careers also remains high, according to the results of the latest Defence At-titude Survey (DAS).

Between November 2008 and January 2009 the DAS was dis-tributed randomly to 30 per cent of ADF and APS personnel.

The survey provides members with an opportunity to tell senior leaders what they think about leadership in Defence, conditions of service, remuneration, career intentions, wellbeing and morale, and the impact of service life on their work-life balance and families.

CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said Air Force senior leadership

listened to its people and valued the constructive feedback offered by members who responded to surveys such as the DAS.

“The wellbeing of Air Force people and their families is inte-gral to a high-performing force and we are constantly looking for ways to further improve members’ satisfaction with life in the Air Force,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

DAS results are analysed for trends over time, building a detailed picture of the changes in the Defence organisational climate and contributing to the develop-ment of new initiatives to improve service conditions and enhance the welfare of Defence members and their families.

CDF ACM Angus Houston said that the DAS was an impor-

tant decision-support tool for sen-ior Defence leaders, as well as the people involved in making policy decisions that impacted on ADF members and their families.

“I want to ensure that Defence continues to attract and retain high-calibre people by providing competitive and desirable employ-ment,” ACM Houston said.

“It is therefore essential that Defence has a clear understanding of the needs and expectations of its existing and prospective workforce.

“Through the feedback of ADF members, we are able to under-stand what contributes to service satisfaction, commitment, pride and effectiveness.

“Service members make a big contribution to strategic planning

when they have their say through surveys including the DAS.”

ACM Houston thanked those personnel who responded to the 2008 DAS for their input.

“This feedback is vital in allowing us to create the type of organisation that meets the expectations of current and future Defence personnel.”

The 2009 DAS questionnaire will be distributed online in early August and AIRMSHL Binskin said he strongly encouraged all Air Force members who may be selected to participate and take the time to complete the survey.

The 2008 Defence Attitude Survey Summary of Results report is availa-ble on the Reports and Publications page at www.defence.gov.au

73 per cent said they were satisfied with the leadership provided by immediate supervisors 56 per cent said they had confidence in senior leadership 84 per cent said they were proud to tell others they were an Air Force member 58 per cent said the Air Force inspires them to perform at their best 67 per cent said they had a clear sense of how they contribute to the Defence mission 79 per cent said their family strongly supported their career in the Air Force 63 per cent said their workplace encourages a healthy balance between work, home and family 62 per cent said their career development has generally been good 65 per cent said their knowledge of mental health issues was good 30 per cent said their overall workload was excessive 23 per cent said they were actively looking at leaving the Air Force

RESULT HIGHLIGHTS

SUPERVISORS must act on all unacceptable behaviour and everyone in Defence must report incidents that are beyond their ability or authority to manage under the revised Defence Instruction (General) Personnel 35-3–Management and Reporting of Unacceptable Behaviour.

The revised instruction, driven by a range of internal and external inquiries, now clearly defines what unac-ceptable behaviour is and who is responsible for what.

Acting Director General Fairness and Resolution Branch Peter Sullivan said that until now the role of supervisors in the management of unacceptable behav-iour hadn’t been specified.

“That meant any incident of unacceptable behaviour, no matter how serious, was referred to the commander or manager,” Mr Sullivan said.

“This disempowered supervisors from one of their vital roles – looking after their people and teams.

“The revised instruction now clearly outlines their role in the process.”

He said it also amended the definition of a complaint. “This will really help supervisors in their strength-

ened roles to act on unacceptable behaviour promptly.“In the event of an incident but no complaint, it’s

then up to the supervisor, commander or manager to decide on the best course of action, quickly, seriously and with fairness and sensitivity.

“An incident may still be managed as a complaint if the commander or manager considers that to be the right course of action.”

Mr Sullivan said unacceptable behaviour was best resolved at the lowest levels and everyone in Defence was obliged to question colleagues whose behaviour towards them or others was seen as unacceptable.

“It’s important that Defence personnel at all levels challenge others when they see or experience unaccept-able behaviour. Not doing so condones the behaviour, which in many ways is worse.

“Everyone in Defence must be treated with respect and fairness and be free from harassment.

“Our values underpin our behaviour so we’re all per-sonally responsible and accountable for our actions and their consequences.

What’s changed? Role of the supervisor clarified What constitutes a complaint re-defined Relationships between staff and trainees and between trainees prohibited Roles, rights and responsibilities described Difference between tough train-ing and bullying or harassment explained Difference between legitimate management action and unac-ceptable behaviour clarified Death, very serious, serious or potential injury must be reported Now divided into three easy-to-read parts that cover roles, rights and responsibilities; complaints; and, information management

Annexes provide detail on defini-tions, complaint management processes, reporting, process flow charts and checklists

What is unacceptable?Behaviour that is offensive, belit-tling, abusive or threatening; behav-iour that can impact on morale, discipline, workplace cohesion and the interests of Defence Forms of unacceptable behaviour: harassment workplace bullying inappropriate sexual advances discrimination abuse of power inappropriate workplace relation-ships and conflict of interest

Unacceptable behaviour can occur at any place, at any time, in the workplace, on or off duty.

New role for New role for workplace workplace interventionintervention

“Unacceptable behaviour is not con-doned in any shape or form in Defence.

“Neither is the mismanagement or disregard of complaints.

“The revised instruction underscores the fact that everyone is responsible for fostering an equitable, fair and safe work-place – turning a blind eye is no excuse.”

If you have any queries about the revised instruction visit the Fairness and Resolution Branch website at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/fr/unac-ceptablebehaviour.htm or speak to an equity advisor, contact the Fairness and Resolution Centre in your region, read the DEFGRAM or read the new DI(G).

BOLD START: Supervisors must intervene in workplace behavioural issues.



16 Flightline AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

BIG LIFT: 37SQN aircraft life support fitter LACW Belinda Althaus lowers some equipment to the floor of the 37SQN hangar using a 500kg crane. Photo: AC David Said

MAKING FLIGHT: Left, 11SQN’s senior engineering officer SQNLDR Nick Elliot congratulates FSGT Gordon Lawrence, the senior NCO of the Maritime Patrol Systems Suport Office Avionics Support Flight, on his promotion. Photo: LAC Brenton Kwaterski

BAND AID: Air Force Band Sydney detachment musicians, from left, bass player LAC Anthony Donoghue, keyboard player FSGT Ian Waddell, vocalist LAC Jerry Van Der Slot and guitarist CPL Lee Webb join Channel 7’s Sunrise presenter Fifi Box in celebrating RAAF Base Richmond’s 84th birthday. Photo: AC David Said

AIR POWER: 37SQN’s AC Martin Cameron tests a TF48 oxygen rig.

Photo: LACW Casey Gaul

OVER THE WATER: FLGOFF Sarah La Rose gets a great view of the Sydney shoreline in the back of a C-130 Hercules during an Exercise Executive Stretch activity. Photo: AC Philip Sharpe


AN IMPORTANT piece of Air Force history returned to the skies for the first time in 16 years on July 16 when the former CA-27 Sabre jet fighter A94-983 took to the skies after a three-year restoration to full flight condition.

The historic aircraft was conduct-ing its first post-maintenance check flight – and it performed flawlessly.

On November 16, 2005, former CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd and Temora Aviation Museum president David Lowy signed an agreement (on

the wing of the museum’s Mk VIII Spitfire) for the museum to restore the aircraft in an attempt to preserve his-torical military aircraft.

The Sabre itself was part of the RAAF Museum’s static display at RAAF Williams-Point Cook.

After its delivery, Temora’s world-class engineers set to work to restore it to flying condition.

“We have a great Air Force and we do have a flying display at Point Cook, but we don’t have the expertise or resources and skills to maintain and fly

old aeroplanes,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said at the time.

“We have the Sabre but it hasn’t flown for a couple of years. We’re going to loan it to David and the team because they’ve got the expertise to get the aeroplane flying.

“I see that as a great, beneficial arrangement for both of us.”

With that faith, following the July test flight, Mr Lowy said it was an historic day and he was extreme-ly proud that the Temora Aviation Museum had been able to partner

with the Air Force in returning their Sabre to the skies.

CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said it was a fantastic result for all involved and he acknowledged the work of the entire team, including the strong part-nership between Air Force and the museum, in achieving the milestone.

“This first flight of the Sabre air-craft marks a great day for Air Force by vividly reminding us where we have come from,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

Former Air Force pilot Darren Crabb was at the controls for the check flight.

“The aircraft performed flawlessly and it was a pleasure and a privilege for me to return the Sabre to Australian skies,” Mr Crabb said.

A94-983 will make its first pub-lic appearance at the museum’s fly-ing weekend on September 5 and 6 with CDF ACM Angus Houston and AIRMSHL Binskin expected to be in the crowd.

The Sabre was first issued to the RAAF in August, 1954 and 112 of the marque were manufactured and flown by 3, 75, 76 and 79SQNs.

Sabre flies again

HISTORIC DAY: Above, after three years the CA-27 Sabre jet fighter A94-983 took to the skies again on July 16.

Photo: Robert Annett

ON A WING: Left, Temora Aviation Museum engineers with the restored fruit of their labours.

Photo: Keith Webb

Intranet focuses on deploymentsDO YOU you know everything

you need to do before deploying on an operation or exercise including assisting your family prepare them-selves for your absence? Well, help is only a few on-line clicks away.

Air Force has a new intranet site to provide members with all the information they need to make their preparation, departure and return as painless and as simple as possible.

The A1 Deployment and Exercise Manning (A1 DEM) website is an information system established under the one-stop concept by the A1 Directorate of Personnel-DEM at HQ Air Command Australia.

SQNLDR Julie Hackett said DEM staff aimed to streamline DEM’s internal processes and pro-cedures.

She said the site was developed from two interrelated circumstances – her personal experience in getting organised for a deployment to the MEAO and the working environ-ment within DEM.

She said that DEM had not always been fully manned and fill-ing those vacancies enabled them to address the website and other proce-dural matters.

“A large percentage of our email traffic and phone conversations are queries about deployment processes, available deployment and exercise opportunities and advice on how to better prepare for an impending deployment.

“This revealed there was a defi-

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: Personnel can apply on the new website for deployments to Operations Slipper, Astute, Azure and Resolute.

ciency in the way DEM advertised its processes and a lack of knowl-edge in the wider Air Force on deployment and exercise manning.

“As a unit ADMINO, I remem-bered the ‘veil of mystery’ that surrounded all things deployment – how difficult it was to find out who was responsible for deploying members, how I should advise mem-bers to process their expressions of interest and what was available for each mustering or specialisation,” she said.

“After posting to DEM, I decided to pursue a means of improving this situation.”

A website was thought an effective tool to provide the necessary infor-mation and reduce email and phone query workloads.

Comprehensive facts under specif-ic topic headings with questions and answers, several links and a mix of current and historic photos present an attractive, balanced and informative site. But, if the website can’t answer all questions, DEM staff will guide individuals through the process.

SQNLDR Hackett said the most important aspect of the website was the deployment opportunities spreadsheet.

“This identifies all of the deploy-ment opportunities manned by HQAC by rank, specialisation and mustering that are available to individual mem-bers. By submission on an expression-of-interest form through their unit chain of command, individuals can apply for deployments to Operations Slipper, Astute, Azure and Resolute.”

A1 DEM is responsible for the selection of Air Force members from AC to WGCDR to fill all Air Force billets assigned to operational deploy-ments and major exercises.

Under a CAF directive, it is responsible for identifying all Air Force liabilities for deployments and operations for 18 months in advance. For more information contact A1 DEM by email [email protected] or visit the website at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/AIRCOM/comweb.asp?page=99416&Title=A1%20DEM

Rowell Centre Robertson Barracks

06 Aug 09 1800-1930 11 Aug 09 0730-090007 Aug 09 0730-0900 1200-1330

1200-1330 1800-1930

Maxwell Club Complex Holsworthy Barracks Other locations

13 Aug 09 1800-1930 See the SFTC or STAY ARMY website14 Aug 09 0730-0900

1200-1330

Lachlan Wilson Centre Laverack Barracks

For further information contact: Contact Special Forces Training Centre

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 02 6575 0190

Website: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/SFTC/

Special ForcesInformation Presentation Tour

Find outwhere youbest fit in


Special ForcesInformation Presentation Tour


NB: The SFTC website details all dates for upcoming presentations, applications and courses.NB: The SFTC website details all dates for upcoming presentations, applications and courses.

DMO DMO MILITARY RESERVESexciting opportunities Australia wide!

LEAD TWICE THE LIFE

Exciting opportunities are available for Military Reservists in the following trades/ specialisations: » Project Managment » Logistics » Finance » Administration » Technical Trades » Engineering (mechanical & electrical) » Aircrew

DEFENCE MATERIEL ORGANISATION | www.dmojobs.gov.au or call 1800 DMO JOBS (1800 366 562)

www.sigaustralia.com

1300 788 827

Education and Training Solutions

19PeopleAIR FORCE August 6, 2009

By Andrew Stackpool

WHAT do you do when you want to stop people taking something that is valuable to you, but they have you prisoner?

That was the question confronting 460SQN’s FSGT James Simpson when he arrived at the Stalag IVB prisoner of war camp in eastern Germany.

FSGT Simpson was the navigator on Lancaster EE202, side number PH-L, which was part of a combined raid on Hannover and Stuttgart, Germany, on the night of October 8, 1943, when the aircraft was shot down.

FSGT Simpson, a long with WGCDR Robert Norman and FSGT Edward Ellery, survived and were taken prisoners of war.

FSGT Simpson was wearing a large, white roll-neck submarine sweat-er and, after arriving at the camp, the Germans ordered him to hand it over as they were sending all warm clothing from POWs to the Russian front.

“So, at the first opportunity, I unrav-elled my jumper and rolled it into balls of wool,” Mr Simpson said. That cost him two days solitary confinement.

As a young man, Mr Simpson’s mother had taught him to knit, and he now put those skills to good use by making woollen socks for the other POWs, particularly those involved in escape plans.

“Those guys were returned, crest-fallen – but with their socks in good shape,” he said.

Other POWs helped him stock up on wool by bringing old and useless sweaters. Mr Simpson deloused the wool by boiling it, and continued to knit socks.

At the same time, he began to teach the other POWs how to knit – he had a larger plan for the wool.

“After about a year in the camp, I drew up a map of Australia and the Coat of Arms that I planned to knit as a large rug,” he said. “The Germans were curious about the wool I had but accepted my explanation.”

The white for the outline map came from the Red Cross parcels, the other colours, including for the different state emblems, were donated by the other prisoners.

Even his knitting needles were innovative – “I used the handles of Italian dixie cans,” he said. “They were about 10 inches long when straight-ened out. I used 16 and sharpened them on the concrete floor of the ablu-tion block to be reasonably suitable.”

He set to work and knitted the rug in one piece in about six weeks. However, the task of winding all the wool to get it in a reasonable condi-tion took several months, as there were hundreds of small sections.

“I had no trouble with the Germans

in making the rug,” he said. “They were astonished by it. They had never seen a kangaroo or our Coat of Arms before.”

In 1945, Stalag IVB was liberated by the Russians, but FSGT Simpson’s adventures were not over.

“Conditions for welfare and food became chaotic.

“Prisoners set out foraging for food around the countryside.”

During one of these expeditions, all the POWs were rounded up and marched to a barracks in a nearby town, by the Russians. However, one of his mates managed to save the rug and conceal it and other personal pos-sessions and return them to FSGT Simpson when they reunited.

Fearing that the Russians would send them east to pull barges on the

Pulling the Pulling the wool over wool over German eyesGerman eyes

Volga, FSGT Simpson and a mate left early the following morning on bicy-cles they ‘found’.

Shortly, afterwards, the pair were challenged by Russian soldiers who

tried to take their bicycles but, bent on freedom, the two men attempted to strangle the Russians before fleeing under a hail of bullets from their sup-posed allies.

More hardship was in store for the pair who were initially refused permis-sion to cross into the American sector when they were mistaken for German refugees. Luckily, they were recog-nised by another former Stalag IVB POW – ironically a Russian – who interceded on their behalf.

FSGT Simpson eventually arrived back in England on May 1, 1945, and sailed for Australia three months later.

Sixty-four years later, a very proud Jim Simpson was on hand when his 6’1” by 6’4” knitted rug was unveiled on display at the Man from Snowy River Museum in Corryong, Victoria.

64 years later, rug from Stalag IVB goes on display

HISTORIC RUG: from left, Mayor Mary Fraser, MP Kaye Darveniza, WGCDR John Herlihy and Jim Simpson with the rug at the new Man from Snowy River Museum at Coryong, Victoria. Photos: Courtesy Ms Penelope Sell

TRIBUTE: WGCDR John Herlihy reads the letter and tribute to Jim Simpson from Acting CAF AVM Geoff Brown as Mr Simpson looks on.

Defence – as easy as ABCBy Brian Hartigan

INDEPENDENT publishing house Your Defence has produced a series of kids books designed to help mums, dads and grandpar-ents to explain the ADF to young kids – es-pecially those who are counting the days un-til their deployed mum or dad comes home.

The Alpha-book series is a wonderful way to introduce kids to Defence, with simple lan-guage, fun illustrations and facts, they’ll love learning about our Navy, Army and Air Force.

While the books are aimed at pre-school and emergent readers, the content is suitable for discussion with older children too.

Filled with readily identifiable images of each service, a paragraph or two on each page provides a brief explanation of the image, and fun facts and questions to promote discussion.

The books’ author, Brie Backo, said her husband had been absent from home for a long time and she, heavily pregnant at the time, was left to console her then four-year-old son who was missing his daddy.

“At that difficult time we also had our first big deployment looming and it was really hard to find good resources to help our young family prepare for it,” she said.

“I began to look for some good-quality

military books in Australia but quickly real-ised most titles were American publications.

“There was nothing specifically written for Aussie Defence kids.”

So when her husband did finally deploy, Mrs Backo set about creating a children’s book that linked her and her kids to the Navy and to their dad.

“I am a great believer in supporting one’s community so, with that in mind, I expanded my idea and created a book for each of the services,” she said.

“It’s all about having that connection to the serving member, particularly when they are a parent. It is important that children feel involved with their mum or dad’s work, and these books help to demystify the ADF.”

The books are available via www.your-defence.com.au. The web site has a range of other fun and practical support for ADF families and children such as count-down cal-endars, free colouring-in pages, deployment activity ideas and an ADF kids’ birthday club.

ADF Financial Services Consumer CouncilFor more information visit www.adfconsumer.gov.au or contact us at [email protected]

WE CARE ABOUT YOUR MONEY AS MUCH AS YOU DO.

That’s why we’ve created our fantastic online eLearning modules.

Take a look at: www.adfconsumer.gov.au

INTERACTIVE,INFORMATIVE

FUN AND ENTERTAINING

ADF Financial Services Consumer Council

TOTALLY INDEPENDENT

20 Finance AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

Long and short of rich rewards

THE GHOST OF EXPERTS PAST: Will your planning see you in easy retirement or will it be your memorial? Photo by LS Paul McCallum

THERE has been a cam-paign over many years to persuade people to be concerned only about

the return on their investments in the long run, a timeframe British economist John Maynard Keynes defined as “when we’re all dead”.

This raises the uncomfortable discussion about whether, in the long run (say, 10 years or more), investors can hope to outperform the index by picking opportunities in various asset classes and relying on experts.

Unfortunately, the long-run cam-paign has struggled because:

➤ Short-term league tables, often focusing on comparisons of periods as short as one month, make good copy in the media.

➤ Funds managers who perform well in the short run often promote meaningless short-term information to excite investors.

➤ Short-term performance is an “easy sell” for financial advisers.

➤ Any concept requiring patience, prudence, time and a cool assessment of risk and debt levels contradicts our society’s culture of immediacy.

Suffice to say there is a great deal of marketing hype about the worth of research, the brilliance of investment expertise and the performances of one funds manager over another.

The product providers’ hope is that investors and their advisers (many with little more expertise than their clients) will be convinced riches in excess of the index will be achieved in the long run, if only the client is a true believer in a unique and scientifically-designed process that is beyond the understanding of mere mortals.

Billions of dollars and many brilliant careers rest on a resolution of the argument over the ability of investment experts to outperform the index in the long run, so the argu-ment is unlikely to be settled soon.

In the meantime, here are four fundamental principles that are hard to argue with:1. There is a correlation between

risk and rewardGiven the risky and undiversi-

fied portfolios into which many people enthusiastically invest their hard-earned savings, it’s clear this principle needs a greater level of acceptance among investors. And,

of course, events of the past year have demonstrated that losses hap-pen from time to time, even with relatively conservative portfolios.2. High levels of debt involve high

levels of riskThis is a lesson many investors

have learnt to their considerable cost in the past year, as asset values have plummeted.3. Size matters when it comes to

investment management feesIt is clear active managers charge

more (for administration systems, research, complex reports, labour costs, tax and so on). So investors need to consider whether the after-fees performances of active manag-ers outshine index (passive) manag-ers in the long run.4. There are two types of econo-

mists – those who don’t know and those who don’t know they don’t knowBe sceptical of ‘experts’. Be guided by these basic princi-

ples and it will be hard to go wrong in the long run.

GPCAPT Robert Brown is Chairman ADF Financial Services Consumer Council

The debate over the value of investing in the long run still rages, so GPCAPT Robert Brown suggests sticking with the basics.

Tax-free fuel

SmartSalary Car Leasing customers get:• Tax-free fuel• Tax-free car maintenance• Tax-free registration & insurance

Start your savings now.

Call us now on 1300 889 644 Visit www.smartsalary.com.au

21HealthAIR FORCE August 6, 2009

As you (quietly) grunt and grind your way through a gym session, be aware of the social niceties. LT Rob Orr looks at the rules of conduct.

DON’T BE A DRIP: A clean towel is a must. Photo: LS Paul McCallum

Watch the rulesWatch the rulesWHILE concentrating on a work-

out, it is easy to forget we are not alone. With this in mind, it is important to re-member social graces and show some basic gymnasium etiquette.

If you drop it, mop itTowels (not tea towels) should be

used on all upholstery, including mats and cardio equipment. After you have finished on a machine or mat, you should mop up any sweat that may have splashed on the equipment or fallen out-side the towel’s coverage (where you rest your head, for example). Use paper towels or disinfected cloths, if available.

This is more than a matter of eti-quette – it has important hygiene impli-cations. Infections, particularly from small cuts or scratches, can be passed on through sweat.

Also, remember to wash your towel after a work-out.

Catch up on the runMany gym users squeeze their exer-

cise into busy days. So if you wish to socialise, be wary of hogging the equip-ment while you do so. By all means, chat to a friend as you run on a tread-mill, but avoid gossiping while perched on a sit-up mat or the end of a bench.

Mobile phones, of course, should be used considerately. If you need to take a call, move away from the equipment and, if possible, the training area.

A little grunting from exertion is nat-ural, but loud, look-at-me grunts have no place in a gym. Likewise, training part-ners need to curb any rowdy barracking.

Finally, check your language and the writing on your clothing. As a highly trained member of the ADF with sought-after communication skills, you should not need to use profanities.

Think we, not meThe gymnasium equipment belongs

to the ADF, thus we need to share the equipment and look after it.

If you are training across several pieces of equipment, you still need to share. Avoid leaving your towel on one apparatus while you use others. Rotate around the stations with your towel and if you find someone else on a station you are returning to, ask if you can work in with them.

If someone else has annexed a station with their towel, see if you can work in together. If you need to wait, use free weights or other equipment.

Avoid dropping the weights (unless onto a specific drop mat), as this dam-ages them. Micro-fractures in equip-ment can also cause injuries to people who use them later.

Put weights away after use. Be pro-fessional and don’t make your clearing away part of someone else’s work-out.

Dress to go, not showApart from complying with the rel-

evant military policies on clothing to be worn during PT and personal train-ing, choose clothing that will help, not hinder, your work-out.

Loose and baggy clothing can get caught in equipment, limit your range of motion and bounce around when you are running. Rips and tears are even more dangerous, particularly as snags for weights.

Weight belts are not hanging racks for weights. First, the stitching is not designed to withstand this load and can give way. Second, the extra weight on your body puts pressure on fatigued muscles if you mis-step or drop off a heaving beam or dip bar.

Enclosed shoes are a standard requirement. They absorb sweat from your feet and provide protection. For stretching and balance work, where there may be some benefit in training without shoes, ask the staff if there is a safe area to work without shoes.

TRAIN YOUR MANNERSDon’t:� Hog stations� Yell or curse� Drip on the equipment

Do:� Be polite� Share � Mop up after yourself

22 Sport AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

IN BRIEF

FLTLT Shane Taylor can expect some strong competition when he de-fends his Australian Defence Cycling Club Endurance Mountain Biking Championship crown on August 23.

Lining up for a tilt at the title will be Air Force’s CPL Mick Crummy, Army’s LCPL Jamie Bailey and Navy’s LS Darren Smith.

LACW Phillipa Rostan has elected not to defend her title as the women’s endurance champion, leaving the com-petition wide open.

The Defence championship will be held in conjunction with the Cycle Epic in the Lockyer Valley, south-east Queensland.

Open and masters age categories will be contested in A and B grades.

A grade will compete for the out-right championship in the Cycle Epic (102.8km).

B grade is offered for members who wish to participate but do not feel they are up to the full distance. They will contest the Merida Pursuit (51.8km) instead.

Entries close on August 16. A dedi-cated entry portal has been set up for defence members at www.eventsbot.com/events/eb161212243

For information, go to the ADCC web site at www.adcc.asn.au or contact SQNLDR Timothy Floyd on (02) 4587 1383.

Volleyball titlesTHE ADVA National Volleyball Carnival will be held in Townsville 17-24 October 2009. ACT is seeking male and female play-ers, military or defence civilian. Contact Chrissy Tancred on (02) 6265 5503, [email protected] CAPT Liam Scarlett on (02) 6128 4165, [email protected] or Tony Farrer (02) 6266 2516, [email protected]. Players from other states should contact their state reps, whose details can be found on www.adfva.org

Shoal Bay successAIR Force muscled in with a good share of individual placings in the Shoal Bay Classic 16.2km road run in Darwin on July 17. SGT Murray Wilson, 321ECSS, was second in 1hr 6min and 42sec behind PTE Alexander Canavan. First woman home was SGT Kirsty Bird from the Australian Army Band Darwin, fol-lowed by FLTLT Nicola Hoey, 44WG DET. FLTLT Andrew Gibbs, 44WG DET, was third in the veteran-male category.

Netball trialsORGANISERS of the ACT netball trials hope to have six squads in action in Canberra on August 14. It is hoped that Army, Navy, Air Force, the APS, Wagga, and Nowra will each submit women’s, men’s and mixed teams to vie for selec-tion in the ACT squad for the Combined Services Carnival in Queensland from September 13 to 18.

Volunteers soughtTHE Australian Defence Cycle Club is seeking volunteers to assist with the 2009 Mountain Bike World Championships in Canberra from September 1 to 6. DCC spokesman FLTLT Brendon Mulloy said that for each day worked, volunteers would receive one free day pass to the World Cup event, valued at $20, and every effort would be made to ensure time off to observe the event of their choice. Interested members should send their details to [email protected]

Taylor’s crown up for grabs at titles

By LAC Aaron Curran

DURING the busy schedule of Ex-ercise Talisman Saber ’09 (TS09), time was taken for a quick game of Ameri-can football, also known as gridiron.

In the early morning of July 17, personnel from RAAF Base Darwin played the USAF in a version of the game, using strips like in Oztag, and no full-contact tackling.

The result was not what you might expect – the Aussies won 18-12.

Organised by RAAF Base Darwin PTI CPL Damon Currie, the game came on the back of a State of Origin match that included six US personnel.

“I thought it would help relations to organise a game of their national sport,” CPL Currie said.

“It was the first time a lot of Aussies had been exposed to the game and it was played in good spirit.”

He said the Air Force personnel were quite surprised how easy it was once they got the hang of it.

“It is actually a very simple game that is made to look complicated.

“Aussies are good at any sport – or at least we give it a go.

“We cottoned on to gridiron with ease and came out victors.

“The US guys asked for a re-match, which I plan to have next year when they visit, and hopefully it will become an annual event.”

Some members from both sides expressed an interest in the game being a traditional full-contact one, but CPL Currie took the safest and most practi-cal course by using strips that players grab off the opponent instead.

“It showed we can still conduct competitive sports activities without the danger of potentially life-damaging injuries,” CPL Currie said.

HE’S OFF: LAC Mark Bannon makes a break.

MAKING THE PLAY: PTI CPL Damon Currie, 321 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, gets a throw in. CPL Currie organised the game. Photos: AC David Said

Beating ’em at their own game

Shop with us for:

1800 111 445

All Defence Force orders over $300* will receive a VIP pack valued at $75 for FREE.Orders over $500 will also automatically receive a 5% bulk buy discount.

WE GUARANTEE

23SportAIR FORCE August 6, 2009

A CHANGE of strategy after the round-robin matches helped Air Force men turn the tables on Army in the South Australia Defence Basketball (SADB) annual inter-service championships at RAAF Base Edinburgh last month.

Army men had taken the honours in the round-robin but, for the final, Air Force adjusted their game play to counter the strong outside shoot-ing of brothers PTE Anthony and CPL David Portakiewicz – and won the game 76-59.

Icing on the cake was that an Air Force player, FLGOFF Laine Pearce, also won the men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

The women’s title went to ADF, which beat Air Force 31-9, after sharing the honours 1-1 in prelimi-nary matches.

Air Force women did not finish empty-handed though, with LACW

Sam Eichler winning the women’s MVP award and ACW Michelle Hiesley top scoring in the decider.

The men hit pay dirt in the sec-ond quarter of the final when CPL Tim Muehlberg made triple three-point shots and CPL Dave Thomas put on a determined display on the boards.

Air Force led 42-24 at the half-time break.

However, Army clawed its way back early in the third quarter thanks to a quickfire 13 points from CPL Dave Portakiewicz, but another solid effort from CPL Thomas and SGT Glen Solomon allowed the Air Force men to retain their lead heading into the final quarter.

Army reeled in the deficit slightly in the final quarter but it was not enough.

High scorers for the game were CPL Portakiewicz with 22 points for

Army and CPL Thomas with 20 for Air Force.

The men’s competition followed a slightly different format this year with not only teams being entered from Navy, Army, Air Force and APS, but the addition of a side manned completely from 11SQN Aircraft Technicians.

The standings at the end of the round-robin competition had Army in the lead from Air Force, APS, 11SQN ‘Techos’ and Navy.

SADB is now training towards the ADBA Combined Services Competition in Albury-Wodonga dur-ing late November, early December.

For more information on SADB, contact CPL Tim Muehlberg on (08) 8259 4095 or via email at [email protected]. For all the latest news, images and video relating to SADB visit www.sadb.basketball.net.au

Army falls Army falls to our planto our plan

BASKET BOUND: left, SGT Glen Solomon, from the South Australian Air Force team, checks his way past Army defender PTE Aidan Mol in the final. SGT Solomon scored 15 points.

CHARGE: LAC Scott Columbus, 11SQN

‘Techos’, wrestles his way past defenders from the Australian

Public Service team. Photos: AC David Cotton

VICTORY was particularly sweet for RAAF Base Richmond golfers when they plundered the Navy Golf Association’s prized possession – the Sir David Martin Trophy.

In a sharp-shooting battle on the tight par-62 course at Bardwell Valley Golf Club on July 10, Air Force beat Navy OSE (other service establishments) six games to one.

The Air Force team has com-peted in the grand final in five of the past six years with its last win in 2004 and, remarkably, its cur-rent captain, SGT Darrin Casement, only began playing the sport two years before.

“This win sweetened the sour taste left from 2007, when the Air Force beat Army 7-0 in the final round of the season only to have the tables turned and lose 6-1 in that year’s grand final,” SGT Casement said.

The Sir David Martin Trophy is usually played at Kogarah Golf Club but that was under water this time around.

With 10 par-three and eight par-four holes, the late change of venue played right into the hands of the accurate iron-playing Air Force team, beaten only three weeks earli-er 4-3 by Navy OSE, when the two teams qualified to play each other in the grand final.

The top score was an impres-sive 41 points from SQNLDR Gary Luland, with FLGOFF Josh Garbett’s narrow loss of 35-37 to the Navy’s number two player CPO Ian Rigby being the only win for the Navy.

RAAF’s sharp-shooting was topped off with SGT Casement hit-ting his eight-iron to within a metre on two of the par-three holes to take nearest-the-pin honours and three birdies in the space of seven holes.

In the final group, FLGOFF Garbett had birdies on holes two and three and finished with a birdie on the 18th, but his opponent’s par finish was enough to stave off an Air Force 7-0 whitewash.

Sweet revenge for 2007

HANDS ON THE TROPHY: The RAAF team, from left, FLTLT Geoff Frazer, SQNLDR Gary Sadler, FLGOFF Josh Garbett, SQNLDR Gary Luland, SGT Darrin Casement (captain), WOFF Murray Spriggs, WOFF Kent Scott and WOFF Rick Smith.

SPORTAugust 6, 2009

It’s our It’s ourballball

If the Army players thought that all they had to do to win the South Australia Defence Basketball inter-service championships was turn up for the final, a revitalised Air Force team made them think again. Army topped the table after the preliminary rounds, including a win against Air Force. But there’s only one game that counts – and Air Force adjusted their game plan to win a glorious final.

Full report, page 23

TOP PLAYER: Above, FLGOFF Laine Pearce passes the ball during the men’s final between Air Force and Army. FLGOFF Pearce was voted the most valuable player of the tournament.

RAMPAGE: Left, CPL Tim Muehlberg races forward after intercepting a pass during the final. CPL Muehlberg scored three 3-pointers in the second quarter. Photos: AC David Cotton

GRIDIRON

Beating the Americans at their own game

– Page 22

IV AIR FORCE August 6, 2009 V Talisman Saber ’09

By FLTLT Eamon Hamilton

THE skies over the Northern Territory were filled almost to capacity with air-craft as the joint exercise Talisman Saber ’09 played out through July.

At Darwin, waves of F/A-18s from 3SQN were joined by USAF F-15 Fighting Eagles from Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa to provide blue-force, or friendly assets, while at Tindal, F/A-18s from 75SQN and F-111s from 6SQN provided blue and red forces in the Northern Territory battlespace.

Thirsty blue and red forces alike were supported by KC-135 Stratotanker air-to-air refuellers, also from Kadena.

North of Darwin, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington steamed through the Arafura Sea, launching wave after wave of F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets, also participating as either red or blue forces in the exercise.

Talisman Saber ’09 (TS09) contributed to Australian and US combat training, readiness and interoperability.

GPCAPT Gavin Turnbull, who directed the Task Unit Headquarters (TUHQ) at RAAF Base Darwin, said that for everyone, TS09 was about experience in conducting complex, high-end warfighting as well as gaining a sound understanding of coalition operations with our major ally, the United States.

“It also built cross-cultural friendships and rela-

tionships at a personal level that are important when we work together as allies,” GPCAPT Turnbull said.

GPCAPT Peter Lloyd, who directed the TUHQ at RAAF Base Tindal, said the exercise represented a great opportunity to learn from each other, to exchange ideas and to benchmark Australian skills against the world’s biggest and most capable air force.

“Exercises like Talisman Saber ’09 make you realise how similar we are in outlook and how much we have in common,” GPCAPT Peter Lloyd said.

“Equally, there are significant differences, and we need to identify how to either overcome or exploit those differences to maximise our effectiveness in coalition.”

Sky’s the limit for joint exercise

FUEL TIME: A US Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion takes on fuel from a US Air Force HC-130P Hercules over Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Photo: AC Philip Sharpe

IN FOR THE NIGHT: An F-111 parked in an aircraft shelter at RAAF Base Tindal. Photo: AC David Said

EAGLE SOARS: A US Air Force F-15 Eagle from the 67th Fighter Squadron out of Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, takes off at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

MISSION BEGINS: 10SQN Crew 5 taxi for an afternoon takeoff from RAAF Base Townsville to perform an intelligence surveillance reconnaissance mission during Exercise Talisman Saber ’09. Photo: LAC Glen McCarthy

DOUBLE TROUBLE: A pair of RAAF F/A-18 Hornets roar down the RAAF Base Darwin runway before taking off in formation. Photo: AC David Said

LOOK SMART: A formation of F/A-18s trails a United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker after an air-to-air refuelling operation. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT: A C-130J Hercules taxies for the runway before leaving Williamson Airfield in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. Photo: CPL Guy Young

IMPRESSIVE LINE-UP: United States Air Force F-15 Eagles lined up on the hardstand at RAAF Base Darwin. In the background are three USAF KC-135 Stratotankers, used to refuel aircraft in flight. Photo: SGT Errol Jones

POWER ON: An AV-8B Harrier from the US Marine Corps takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex. Photo: LT Aaron Oldaker

Talisman Saber ’09

AIR FORCE

YOUR EIGHT-PAGE SPECIAL LIFTOUT

August 6, 2009

INSIDE

By FLTLT Eamon Hamilton

IN A true joint effort, RAAF crews witnesed first hand how the US Air Force conducted the task

of air-to-air refuelling (AAR), with RAAF Hornets receiving fuel from USAF KC-135 tank-ers over the Northern Territory.

Six KC-135 Stratotankers from the 909th Air Refuelling Squadron (ARS), based at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, came to RAAF Base Darwin for the exercise, perform-ing the role they have perfected to an art form for more than 50 years.

The 909th ARS KC-135s, which fly under the callsign Texaco, acted as airborne refuel-ling stations to thirsty RAAF and US Navy F/A-18 Hornets, as well as US Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles.

Each KC-135 can carry 90 tonnes of fuel, offloading a share of it via a refuelling boom that swings down like a bee stinger from the tail of the aircraft.

Keenly observing the American operations were air refuelling operators (AROs) with 33SQN, who will eventually crew the KC-30A when it arrives in RAAF service.

Four AROs have conducted conversion courses with the USAF for the KC-135 boom operator role.

CO 33SQN WGCDR Guy Wilson said TS09 presented an opportunity for 33SQN aircrew to observe US Air Force counter-parts in high-tempo operations, further boosting their exposure and appreciation of the com-plexities involved with air-to-air refuelling.

“RAAF will be pursuing and implementing internationally rec-ognised AAR procedures for the KC-30A, thus allowing 33SQN to operate in a joint military envi-ronment,” WGCDR Wilson said.

“As a result, any exposure to current USAF or joint AAR operations gained on Talisman Saber will be pertinent to the way we operate the KC-30A in the future.”

By USAF CAPT Bryan Lewis

THE northern Australian outback offers many dangers to those who venture across its ter-rain, including six of the most venomous snakes in the world, saltwater crocodiles,

and multiple poisonous insects – however, it is the young Tigers, Eagles and Hornets in Australia’s skies that garnered much attention recently.

High above the natural threats of the outback, US Air Force and RAAF fighter aircraft conducted a mock air war during Exercise Talisman Saber ’09, which was designed to strengthen interoperability between the two air forces.

However, without the continued support of the 909th Air Refuelling Squadron (909ARS), the fighters would be spending more time on the ground and less time training during the exercise.

“We’re just one piece of the puzzle,” CAPT Luke Moch, a pilot with 909 ARS, said.

“We’ve been doing this for many years – this is our bread and butter – but we continue training to make it easier for our receivers.”

The puzzle includes F-15 Eagles from the 67th Fighter Squadron, Hickam-based C-17s and RAAF F/A-18 Hornets all working together to train both countries’ air forces in planning and conducting air operations intended to improve combat readiness and interoperability.

One only needed to glance at the silhouette next to the boom operator during missions to experience the joint aspects of this operation.

Flying seven to eight refuelling sorties a day, the Young Tigers were joined by RAAF air refuelling operators who gained more than just flying time with the US boom operators.

“The US airmen have been fantastic and treated us like one of their own,” WOFF Darrell Bent, a RAAF air refuelling operator, said.

“We wanted to see a whole bunch of receivers. It’s the next best thing to being in the boom pod.”

Before, during and after the flight, the RAAF oper-ators could be seen assisting in many of the required procedures.

Continued Page II

How it’s doneBe afraid of the Tigers, Eagles and Hornets

AN AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE

JOINT EFFORT: A RAAF F/A-18 Hornet refuels from a United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission on Exercise Talisman Saber ’09.

Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

Big tick for exercise

Page II

Married and together Down Under

Page VIII

Pages IV and VCentrepiece

II Talisman Saber ’09 AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

From Page IIn fact, WOFF Bent said the four Aussie

operators completed their training with KC-135s in the US and appreciated the opportunity to help since they were still waiting on the delivery of their own KC-30As.

Finishing their training just months ago, all RAAF operators remained qualified, and their familiarity with the jet was an asset to those sitting in the boom pod.

“It is the first time most of us have actually refuelled with Australians,” SSGT Kenneth Harwood, 909th ARS instructor boom operator, said.

“It’s been a huge benefit having them with us. It has been great having another crew member aboard who can add to great aircrew resource management.”

With operators gaining experience and assisting in the cargo compartment and boom pod, and pilots flying alongside RAAF aircraft, Exercise Talisman Saber ’09 provided valuable training that will outlast its July 25 end date.

“They could refuel us one day,” CAPT Moch said.

“This is why we practice all the techniques and procedures.”

By LAC Aaron Curran

THE skies over the North-ern Territory returned to normal on July 25 with the end of Exercise Talisman

Saber ’09 (TS09).Held every two years in Australia,

TS09 is a combined training activity designed so Australian and US forces can plan and conduct combined task-force operations.

While the air activity was mainly held in the Northern Territory and operated out of Darwin and Tindal, Air Force assets in Townsville also played their part.

The commander of Task Unit Headquarters (TUQH) Darwin, GPCAPT Gavin Turnbull, said it was a successful exercise for the Air Force.

“I am very happy with how things worked,” GPCAPT Turnbull said.

“This is the first time we have had an air exercise of this magnitude as part of Talisman Saber.”

Elements of all three of the Air Force’s operational F/A-18 squadrons

By FLTLT Skye Smith

Flawless fuel delivery earned the 322CSS fuel farm recognition for maintaining capability at RAAF Base

Tindal during the exercise. Commander ACG AIRCDRE

Neil Hart presented the team of 13 fuel farm operators with a Task Unit Headquarters (TUHQ) commendation for their outstanding performance dur-ing the three-week exercise.

“Without a constant supply of fuel, we could not sustain air-combat power and the ADF’s warfighting capability would be diminished,” AIRCDRE Hart said.

RAAF Tindal’s 322CSS Fuel Farm maintained 24-hour operations over three nine-hour shifts, while also maintaining normal operations for transit aircraft during the exercise.

They pumped up to 280,000 litres of fuel per day and about three mil-lion litres over the entire exercise in support of F/A-18, F-111, C-130 and C-17 aircraft on up to 30 sorties a day between them.

By FLTLT Jaimie Abbott

HUNDREDS of kilometres away from Darwin and set high on a hillside under the scorching sun, one group of 41WG personnel spent six weeks in isolation.

At Timber Creek, sleeping in small tents, about 26 deployed personnel mostly from 3 Control and Reporting Unit worked 12-hour shifts alongside the tactical air defence radar system (TADRS) to ensure the war game between the United States and Australia could take place.

The 41WG-owned TADRS is a mobile platform that conducts radar surveillance, tracks incoming targets and directs aircraft to intercept them. It can track air-craft up to 250 nautical miles from its location.

For Talisman Saber, the three-dimensional air picture captured high over the rugged Northern Territory escarp-ments was transmitted via satellite back to the Eastern Regional Operations Centre (EASTROC) at Williamtown.

Officer in charge FLTLT Brendan O’Sullivan said it had been a fantastic experience for everyone.

With crucial players in the sky relying on air combat officers and air surveillance operators at Williamtown to be able to ‘control the fight’, communications electronic technicians were under pressure to ensure the equipment fulfilled its purpose.

OC 41WG GPCAPT Daryl Hunter said he was extremely proud to command a wing that had made such an impressive and important contribution to the exercise from an isolated corner of the Northern Territory.

Big tick for for

AWESOME SIGHT: A 75SQN F/A-18 Hornet in action in the Northern Territory. Photo: LAC Casey Smith

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT: Right: GPCAPT Gavin Turnbull meets mainstream media at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: SGT Errol Jones

‘All of our objectives were based on interoperability between the ADF and US forces. That is what the whole exercise was about and what we were practising.’

– GPCAPT Gavin Turnbull

– 75, 77 and 3SQNs – were there, as well as 6SQN with their F-111s oper-ating out of RAAF Base Tindal.

“The lead unit in Darwin was 3SQN and in Tindal it was 75SQN.

“77SQN was split into two parts to play both blue and red forces out of the two bases.

“We also had most of the executive team from 77SQN in Hawaii working out of the Combined Air Operations Centre which controlled air opera-tions in Darwin, Townsville and the Rockhampton area.”

C-130s, Orions and Caribous also played a part during the exercise.

From the USAF, F-15s from

the 67th Fighter Squadron and KC-135s from the 909th Air Refuelling Squadron were based in Darwin, with two C-17s operating out of Tindal.

One big surprise was added to TS09 – the aircraft carrier USS George Washington. The carrier threw into the exercise its formidable fleet of F/A-18 Super Hornets.

“All of our objectives were based on interoperability between the ADF and US Forces” GPCAPT Turnbull said.

“That is what the whole exercise was about and what we were practising.

“For us the challenge of integrat-

ing the carrier into the scenario was a whole new ball game.”

As well as the carrier, Bradshaw Field Training Area (BFTA) was a new addition to the exercise.

With the bombing range recently opened (see Air Force News, July 9), the RAAF and USN took full advantage of its capability.

“It’s a great range and it will devel-op over time,” GPCAPT Turnbull said.

“Bradshaw and Delamere give us two major areas for targets, joint tactical attack controller training and ground forces.

“Lots of live ordnance was dropped and everything worked well for us there. The pilots were very happy.”

GPCAPT Turnbull said with exer-cises this big, there were always teeth-ing problems or issues that may arise, and on TS09 it was one of communi-cations and IT infrastructure.

“It was about getting different sys-

tems across Australia and the US to talk to each other at the IT level, and if that works, it makes our job a lot easier,” he said.

“We worked around the limitations we had, particularly with the carrier. It was a difficult issue for us. They can be anywhere in the world and communicat-ing with those guys is still difficult.”

Work going into an exercise like TS09 takes months and GPCAPT Turnbull said personnel needed to get the communication systems working up front. Apart from those issues, all the objectives of TS09 were met.

“The USAF and the USN really enjoyed themselves here and had a great time,” he said.

“There are very few places in the world where you get the amount of freedom to operate airspace and rang-es that you have here in the NT, and that really makes the exercise great value to anyone who comes here.”

THE VERDICT

eexercise

Tigers, Eagles and Hornets

Fuel flows 24 hours a day

FAR AWAY BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: From left, LAC Aaron Miller, CPL Simon Vrieze and LAC Paul Maciejewsk at Timber Creek. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

Timber Creek plays its partTimber Creek plays its part

IIITalisman Saber ’09AIR FORCE August 6 , 2009

By FLTLT Bruce Chalmers

RAAF Base Darwin is regularly the centre of action when it comes to exercises like Talisman Saber ’09, and

keeping a high-tempo base running smoothly takes a dedicated team of professionals.

The staff of 321 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron (321ECSS) are just such a group of people.

They organised the local elements

for Exercise Talisman Saber, as well as coping with the influx of extra people, aircraft and other resources.

CO 321ECSS WGCDR Noel Hinschen said his team worked mag-nificently to deliver the resources required to run Darwin’s contribution to the exercise.

“We worked closely with Defence Support Group to ensure accommoda-tion, rationing and other elements to support the exercise participants was laid

on,” WGCDR Hinschen said. “While there were many more people at RAAF Base Tindal and other areas of the exercise, we had around 1400 peo-ple extra on the base.”

WGCDR Hinschen said Australian personnel such as refuellers, tanker drivers, duty and maintenance technical teams worked non-stop with their USAF counterparts doing jobs they did not generally do, in order to keep up with demands.

However, coping with a sudden influx of personnel is not foreign to the staff of RAAF Base Darwin.

“Because of our position, we have had lots of experience in work-ing with non-government organisa-tions, Northern Territory Police and Emergency Services and the Australian Federal Police during disaster assist-ance in the region,” he said.

“Plus we are central to numerous exercises such as Exercise Talisman

Saber and have many years of experience dealing with a full range of aircraft.”

WGCDR Hinschen was enormous-ly proud of the efforts of his people in making the exercise run so smoothly.

“It’s an honour to lead them.“The relationships they build with

our own members and our visitors from the United States will stand us in good stead when we jointly respond to other needs elsewhere in the world.”

By LAC Aaron Curran

AEROMEDICAL evacua-tion (AME) in the ADF will become more stream-lined after the trialling of

a new role during Exercise Talisman Saber ’09 (TS09).

Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Officer (AELO) is a joint role facilitat-ing the movement of injured and sick personnel from their current locations to higher echelons of care.

Currently employed in coalition environments overseas, the con-cept was trialled for the first time in Australia during TS09.

The Casualty Regulating Cell North (CRC-N) comprised one RAAF nurs-ing officer and two USAF medical personnel who operated out of the Air Base Command Post (ABCP) at RAAF Base Darwin.

FLTLT Wendy Blackford, a nursing officer from 3 Expeditionary Health Squadron (3EHS) Detachment at RAAF Base Darwin, was the RAAF AELO in the CRC-N. Alongside her

RAAF Base Darwin rises to the occasion again

GUARDING THE GOODS

GROUND POWER: No 2 Airfield Defence Squadron stands guard at RAAF Base Tindal.

Photo: AC David Said

Honing evacuations

were MAJ Rashon Gilbert-Steele and Technical SGT Gwendolyn Gaines from the 59th Medical Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

“We help to facilitate medical evacuation,” FLTLT Blackford said.

“As an example, there could be a casualty in the Bradshaw Field Training Area, so we help to facilitate

getting them out to a higher level of care. We liaise with the chain of com-mand and the local facilities like the hospital, NT AME service and appro-priate transport.”

She said the USAF had a similar system to the RAAF, but different in certain aspects.

“We tried to put it together into

some sort of format that we can both work from in the same environment and TS09 was the perfect place to trial this.”

There was an advantage during the trial, as MAJ Gilbert-Steele had already worked in the AELO role in a coalition environment, so her experi-ence was welcomed.

“It helps to streamline the two sys-tems,” MAJ Gilbert-Steele said.

“It basically takes out any bumps in the system and enables us to get the patients to care quicker. We would like to create a procedure manual just for the AELO role so that we can pass it on to the next person.”

During TS09 the AELO team ran exercises to see how the system worked. They also encountered real-time incidents to deal with, resulting in a good learning process.

“AELO should be a part of each exercise,” MAJ Gilbert-Steele said.

“The majority of the assets are not ours, so we have to work through the AME operations to get aircraft and crews to move a patient from A to B.

“In the real world you would need to get all those parties together to get that aircraft off the ground – and quickly.”

In the RAAF, it will mainly be health officers taking on the AELO role, but FLTLT Blackford said AME experience would also help.

MAJ Gilbert-Steele said it was the opportunity to get the two countries coming together and working to make this happen that was the biggest benefit for her.

Technical SGT Gaines, although not a medical officer, was also pleased to have the chance to experience the AELO role.

“I am a medical technician so I am usually hands-on with patients,” she said. “So stepping out of that and going into the role of transporting that patient into definitive care, to see that side of it and to appreciate how they do it, why they do it and what they do was very interesting.”

In the end, this role will benefit the RAAF and the ADF by speeding up the transportation process and thus saving lives when it really counts.

WORKING TOGETHER: From left, MAJ Rashon Gilbert-Steele, Technical Sergeant Gwendolyn Gaines and FLTLT Wendy Blackford.Photo: CPL Melina

Mancuso

VI Talisman Saber ’09 AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

By USAF CAPT Bryan Lewis

DURING a mission in the Northern Territory, a Hickam-based Globemas-ter III manoeuvred below

canyon walls before landing on a remote dirt runway to deliver a team of Australian and US firemen along with their 23-tonne fire truck.

Part of Exercise Talisman Saber ’09, the mission was the first C-17 airlift of an E-One Titan fire truck.

CAPT Mike Boyer, pilot with the 535th Air Expeditionary Squadron and lead TS09 planner for the 15th Airlift Wing, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, said it was the first time this type of truck had been airlifted on a C-17.

“We had to first find a truck; sec-ond, see if we could load it; third, find some US and Australian fire fighters,” CAPT Boyer said.

The fire team consisted of three US Air Force firemen from the 3rd Civil Engineering Squadron (3CES) from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and three aviation rescue fire fighters from 322ECSS – all picked up from RAAF Base Darwin before picking up the truck at RAAF Base Learmonth in Western Australia.

The joint team’s support was required at Bradshaw Field Training Area to allow the semi-prepared Nackaroo runway to be used for exercise operations.

The Titan is equipped with a point-of-entry kit, allowing the team to provide emergency response as a deployed fire station.

“We have everything there we need and will be able to run unsupported for a month,” CPL Mark Egan, a 322ECSS aviation rescue firefighter, said.

“This is the perfect opportunity to show we can do it.

“We have a small footprint but leave a large impression.”

CPL Eagan’s US counterparts shared his appreciation for the opportunity.

“We learn just as much from them as they do from us,” SSGT Deryck Cook, 3CES fire protection supervisor, said.

“We mesh right in together.”The successful delivery of the fire

team and truck further demonstrated the need for interoperability between both forces and a total team effort throughout multiple units.

“We worked really hard for a week to have this come together,” CAPT Boyer said.

“To actually see it happen was very satisfying.”

Actually, CAPT Boyer, along with 1st LT Mike Lasher from the 15th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepared for this exercise for more than a year, visiting Australia twice before touching down for the start of TS09.

CAPT Boyer rented a Cessna to survey the landing zone and three drop zones and, after coordinating with combat controllers, even got to name the now US-certified drop zones.

By FLTLT Bruce Chalmers

INTERNATIONAL satellites normally used to watch over land prone to flooding or other natural disasters were used to

support military planning for the joint Australian and United States Exercise Talisman Saber ’09.

Eagle Vision 5 provided unclassi-fied commercial satellite imagery in the form of updated maps and mission planning for RAAF Base Darwin air-field management.

The Eagle Vision 5 team, with members from Hawaii and Germany, brought a pod of portable equipment and set up a ground station before linking into civilian satellites and gathering data to update local mapping.

The team also oversaw operations at the airfields used for the exercise.

Image analysts from 87SQN, RAAF Base Edinburgh, work hand-in-hand with their USAF counterparts to support the planning of exercises like Talisman Saber ’09.

SQNLDR Rob Elliott of 87SQN said this interaction benefited both the RAAF and the USAF.

“For Talisman Saber we are mak-ing use of this imagery to train our image analysts from 87SQN in the different systems,” SQNLDR Elliott said.

“We are adding value to our rela-tionship with our United States allies with knowledge we are each able to share regarding the interpretation of the downloaded data.”

By LAC Aaron Curran

WITH so many foreign and Australian mili-tary aircraft based at Darwin during

Exercise Talisman Saber ’09, good sets of eyes were needed to watch over them.

Those eyes belonged to the Security Police (SECPOL) section at RAAF Base Darwin.

Each day the exercise started and then stopped, but for the mem-bers of the SECPOL section it was a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week operation under an increased tempo.

Ever vigilant, they came together with their USAF counterparts to provide the protection that hundreds of millions of dollars worth of aircraft require.

Taking responsibility for that effort was base security police officer FLTLT John Cox.

Making up the security for the base during TS09 were SECPOL security and law enforcement personnel, military working dogs (MWD) and their handlers and explosive detection dog handlers.

To augment those personnel, who had to cope with the secu-rity demands that come with large deployments, 18 air-base protec-tion flight members from Edinburgh and SECPOL MWD handlers from around Australia came to lend a hand.

“Considering the number of USAF and RAAF assets that were on the base, the extra security per-sonnel helped a great deal to cover

Special delivery

FIRE IN THE SKY: Creating noise, dust and excitement, Timber Creek children witness a United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster land at Nackaroo strip at Bradshaw Field Training Area to deliver the 23-tonne firetruck.Photos: CPL Melina Mancuso

Eagle eyes watch over operations at airfields

The United States team comprised air national guard, reserve and active-service personnel.

Team leader COL JR Sotomayor said the Eagle Vision 5 system was used to great effect during Cyclone Katrina.

“We used this commercially avail-able satellite imagery to track flood-waters and damage during Katrina and recently we were able to track flood-waters in the Philippines when they struck there,” COL Sotomayor said.

“We have some of our image spe-cialists from our base at Ramstein,

Germany, here to share their knowl-edge with RAAF personnel and we’re sharing skill-sets with each other to strengthen our ability to respond to events such as natural disasters.”

COL Sotomayor said Exercise Talisman Saber ’09 was an ideal opportunity to test the technology’s capabilities.

“We’re able to use it to assist with things like mapping and for airfield-development purposes to ensure civilian and military services have up-to-date information when it is needed most,” COL Sotomayor said.

LEARNING EXPERIENCE: COL JR Sotomayor, United States Air Force Eagle Vision 5 team leader for TS09, and FLTLT Richard Williams from 87SQN, RAAF Base Edinburgh, team leader for the Australian contingent working with the Eagle Vision 5 team. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

Seven-days-a-week and 24-hours-a-day vigil

VIGILANT: LAC Chris Hepworth from 321 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron patrols with Chita, around a Hornet ordnance loading area.

Photo: SGT William Guthrie

the additional security require-ments,” FLTLT Cox said.

RAAF Base Darwin is also a joint-user airfield.

“We regularly liaise with the Australian Federal Police from Darwin International Airport,” he said.

One person on the front line of security was MWD handler LAC Chris Hepworth. With him was Chita, his trusty companion.

“The exercise went pretty well for me because I got a lot of dog work in,” LAC Hepworth said.

FLTLT Cox said that because of TS09, SECPOL had achieved a lot of learning outcomes – they had reviewed their patrol strategies and, from a force-protection viewpoint, they had improved their communi-cation methods and the allocation of security resources.

DELIVERED HOT

Talisman Saber ’09AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

Flightline VII

HOLY SERVICE: FLTLT Campbell

Carroll, 381 ECSS chaplain,

reflects at RAAF Base Darwin’s

chapel. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

WE FIX IT: LAC Robert Durighello, 44WG Detachment Darwin, examines a crone rack.


READY TO GO: FLTLT Todd Brown prepares to take part in night operations. Photo: LAC Casey Smith

FIRE AND MOVEMENT: AC David Said, 87SQN, captures the action at RAAF Base Darwin for the Combined Joint Information Bureau. Photo: SGT Errol Jones

JUST CHECKING: LACW Rosie Buckley, a cook at RAAF Base Tindal, calls base from a vehicle check point.


HIGH GUYS: CPL Stuart Johnson, 3SQN,

wipes down the canopy of an F/A-18 Hornet

before a flight. Photo: AC David Said

COME IN: SGT Candida Willis, 322 ECSS, calls the command post while on picket with AC Rod Irvine. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

PRE-MISSION: Below, 92WG INTELLO FLTLT Travis Marshall and Tactical Intelligence Flight geospatial imagery analysts, AC Nicholas Wijgers and AC Robert Cain, prepare a pre-mission target pack for use by an AP-3C Orion crew in Darwin. Photo: LAC Vasilis Solomou

Never closer

VIII Talisman Saber ’09 AIR FORCE August 6, 2009

By LAC Aaron Curran

A LUCKY few USAF person-nel got the chance to come face-to-face with some of

Australia’s unique wildlife while in the Northern Territory, taking a well-earned break from their busy schedules to visit Crocodylus Park in Darwin.

More than a dozen USAF person-nel, along with some accompanying RAAF members, got up-close and personal with animals they had only ever seen in books.

On entering the park they were greeted by a staff member holding a baby saltwater crocodile.

It was passed around by the USAF members who took the opportunity to take photos – some with nervous hands – and touch the reptile.

Afterwards, the USAF personnel handled a blue-tongue lizard, carpet python and central bearded dragon – all the while continually squawked at by resident cockatoo Totty.

To top off the visit, the eager but nervous tourists were taken on a

By LAC Aaron Curran

MOST married couples who come to Darwin are here for the scenery, wildlife and warm

weather.Not so Chris Rolfe, 27, and his

wife Ashley, 26, who are captains in the United States Air Force (USAF) and were part of the US presence in the Northern Territory during Exercise Talisman Saber ’09 (TS09).

Chris is a navigator on the KC-135 tanker with the 909th Air Refuelling Squadron and Ashley is an F-15 fighter

pilot with the 67th Fighter Squadron. They are both assigned to the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan.

“I recently had a few trips away that were keeping us apart,” Chris said.

“So, when I found out she was going to TS09 I jumped at the opportu-nity to come to Australia.”

Meeting while they were both at the US Air Force Academy, the Rolfes had various postings apart after that, with Chris in Georgia while Ashley moved around various bases.

“We got married in the middle of

my pilot training and we only man-aged to spend a week together,” Ashley said.

Chris was posted to Kadena and, after a lot of effort, Ashley arrived there in December 2008.

“It was my first posting and I was excited,” she said.

Chris left for TS09 on the day of their anniversary, but they managed to exchange cards and say goodbye.

He was part of the advance party coming in to RAAF Base Darwin to plan for the arrival of the rest of the contingent.

“When other USAF people ask ‘are you going to Australia?’ then you know you have to fight to be able to come here, because everyone wants to,” he said.

Ashley said it had been good to see how the integration and cooperation with the RAAF had worked.

“The Australians were very friend-ly,” she said.

“Even if things were not work-ing out quite like they should be, the Australians didn’t stress out about it.

“We in the USAF are a little bit different.”

For the crew of the KC-135 tank-ers, there were other reasons for the urge to come to TS09 – the F-111.

“Everyone would love to refuel the F-111,” Chris said.

“They are such a cool plane – fast, low and loud. Many of us have never had the opportunity to refuel them.”

The Rolfes are a bit of a novelty to all who meet them because they are not your average married couple. The lives they lead are exciting and, when they leave for work each day, they get to fly some of the best aircraft in the world.

WEDDED BLISS: CAPTs Chris and Ashley Rolfe stand on the back of an F-15 Eagle from the USAF’s 67th Fighter Squadron. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

Time to smile at a crocodileTime to smile at a crocodile

guided tour of the park by staff for more than an hour, getting friendly with emus, wallabies and many other native and, to them, unusual animals.

They also witnessed the obligatory crocodile feeding.

Senior Airman Dylan Kioshi, 644th Combat Communications Squadron, was fine with most of the animals – until the carpet python start-ed to weave its way around his body.

“It was really cool until the python wrapped itself around me,” he said. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Senior SGT Kellie Hughes with a baby crocodile. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran

TALE OF THE SCALES: SQNLDR Andrew Van de Gumster and Senior Airman Dylan Kioshi handle a carpet python. Photo: AC David Said

mmagpie 91 crewagpie 91 crew ccoming homeoming home · mmagpie 91 crewagpie 91 crew ccoming...

Documents