AIRF RCEVol. 58, No. 22, December 1, 2016 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

Poseidon adventure begins as the first

P-8A arrives

WELCOMETO THE FAMILY

Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon

arrives at Defence Establishment

Fairbairn. Photo: FSGT Kev Berriman

11SQN’s long goodbye to the enduring

AP-3C Orion

Special lift-outinside

2 December 1, 2016RCEAIR FNews

DirectorDavid Edlington: (02) 6265 4650

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

Poseidon adventure begins

SGT Dave Morley

THERE was no shortage of enthusiasm among ADF members and civilian media when A47-001, Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon, arrived at Defence Establishment Fairbairn on November 16, after the long journey from Jacksonville, Florida.

Welcoming the aircraft and its crew, CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies said the support of the US Navy had been outstanding, as had the Capability, Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), the Air Force project teams and the joint P-8A project teams, who had brought it all together.

“It is a real piece to the puzzle that will be a fifth-generation force,” he said.

“We’ll be able to cover more ocean and cover it with a clearer picture. We’ll be able to effect more options sooner and we’ll have more room to grow and to innovate. The P-8A is like the internet where the P-3 was like a walkie-talkie.”

The P-8A will replace the AP-3C Orions, which are due for withdrawal by 2018-19.

AIRMSHL Davies was in Seattle for the A47-001’s roll-out ceremony in September.

“In Seattle you could feel how important this

asset was to the RAAF, to Boeing and to the US Navy,” he said.

“I spoke with many of the Boeing workers at the time and they have a passion. They know exactly every rivet and every part of this aircraft.

“We’re going to need that same passion and commitment from the Navy, the RAAF, from CASG and from Boeing to be able to generate what this aeroplane is going to do.”

He said the next Poseidon was due around March.

“They’ll flow fairly quickly after that,” he said.“The project is a little under budget and a lit-

tle ahead of schedule. We can expect to see P-8s taking over the role of the P-3s toward the third quarter of 2017.”

Poseidon A47-001 pilot WGCDR Dave Titheridge, of No. 11 Squadron, said he liked the aircraft’s modern combat systems.

“I was a P-3 guy and it was a very capable air-craft and still is. But the P-8A is a step up in terms of its capability, its weapons systems, its sensors and the ease with which we can work with other services and government agencies,” he said.

WGCDR Titheridge said the Poseidon would

be in walk-before-run mode as it was introduced into service.

“The way the guys have been training for the past six or eight months in the US will put us in a pretty good position to get involved as soon as the government needs us to do so,” he said.

“As soon as we land this aircraft at Edinburgh, that’s when we start P-8A operations.

“Our focus at the start will be getting the air-craft into service and getting our crews trained and then we’ll be ready for tasking when those tasks come down the line. We have two crews trained at the moment.”

The P-8A uses advanced sensors and mission systems, including an advanced multi-role radar, high definition cameras and an acoustic system with four times the processing capacity of the AP-3C.

Twelve P-8A aircraft have been approved for acquisition while three more are subject to normal Government Defence acquisition approval pro-cesses.

Like the AP-3C Orion preceding them, the P-8A Poseidons will be based at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

A piece of the fifth-generation puzzle lands in Canberra

Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon pulls up next to an 11SQN Orion, the aircraft it will replace, on arrival at Defence Establishment Fairbairn. Left: The Poseidon at Melbourne’s Avalon Airport en route to Canberra.Photos: FSGT Kevin Berriman, CPL Oliver Carter

AIRF RCEVol. 58, No. 22, December 1, 2016 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

Poseidon adventure begins as the first

P-8A arrives

WELCOMETO THE FAMILY

Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon

arrives at Defence Establishment

Fairbairn. Photo: FSGT Kev Berriman

11SQN’s long goodbye to the enduring

AP-3C Orion

Special lift-outinside

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3December 1, 2016RCEAIR F News

See footage of the Poseidon’s arrival in Canberra at http://video.defence.gov.au/play/4947#

Manufacturer Boeing

Role Maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and response

Crew Pilot, co-pilot, mission specialists

Engine Two CFM56-7 BE(27) engines each with 27,000lb thrust

Airframe Length: 39.5m, height: 12.8m

Wingspan 37.6m

Weight 85,820kg (max)

Max Speed 907km/h

Range 7500km

Ceiling 41,000 feet

Capacity Sonobuoys, 11 weapons stations

Weapons Self-Protection Measures, Lightweight Anti-Submarine Torpedo, AGM-84 Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles

FLGOFF Karyn Markwell

THE maintenance crew of the new P-8A Poseidon has embraced the efficiency of the Activity Planning Tool (APT) to sup-port the aircraft in its first 18 months.

Before the P-8A arrived in Canberra in mid-November, a Maintenance Criticality Assessment (MCA) was conducted to identify the necessary equipment (using APT) required to operate the P-8A throughout 2017 and into 2018.

Following this assessment, No. 11 Squadron adopted the APT to significantly improve accuracy and efficiency when conducting maintenance on the aircraft.

WOFF Gordon “Laurie” Lawrence, of 92 Wing, said the APT allowed the P-8A crew to “plan and conduct maintenance well ahead of the bell curve in a formal-ised approach – even before the first air-craft arrived”.

The APT streamlines an aircraft’s maintenance by ensuring all resources and equipment are planned for weeks in advance of the scheduled maintenance.

Maintenance, logistics and tool-store teams, along with workforce managers, can all access the APT to order and allo-cate spares, ground support equipment (GSE), personal protective equipment (PPE), manpower and facilities.

As each planning element of the task is completed, a green indicator appears next to it in the APT. When all required elements are green, the scheduled mainte-nance can begin without delay.

The P-8A team isn’t alone in benefit-ting from using the APT. The F/A-18A/B Hornet, AP-3C Orion and C-27J Spartan crews have all improved maintenance – and morale – by using the tool.

“The APT minimises manpower wast-ages and logistics bottlenecks, and also prevents tools and GSE not being avail-able,” WOFF Lawrence said.

“The APT also assists when members are posted in and out, by not relying on a single point of failure or the use of spread-sheets only one person knows how to use.”

FSGT Simon Flavel, of 35SQN, and his team have used the APT to plan main-tenance on the C-27J Spartan since July.

“The confidence gained when a techni-cian starts a job with all the materials and corporate knowledge they need to success-fully complete it without delays is price-less,” he said.

“With the corresponding mission suc-cess, that confidence flows all the way up the chain of command.”

No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit adopted the APT in October for mainte-nance on the F/A-18A/B Hornet and is already seeing the benefits.

WOFF Craig Thomas said mainte-nance activities were not started until all required elements were in place, “which prevents a stop -start approach”.

“Maintenance personnel can now focus on completing the actual task – what they are trained for – rather than covering logistic-type functions,” he said.

THE APT was developed by the Fleet Management Reform Project (LOGBR-AF Technical Governance and Policy [TG&P] team). Most of its tools can be self-taught and are accessible via the Maintenance Operations Toolbox on the DRN. Click on ‘Production Planning & Control’ and then ‘ToolBox’. To contact the TG&P team, click on ‘Contact Us’, or visit the TG&P page within the Director General Logistics – Air Force, DTC-AF website.

Handy tool to use before work starts

ALL ABOUT THE POSEIDON

‘The P-8A is like the internet where the P-3 was like a walkie-talkie.

CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies

CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies speaks to the media at the welcoming ceremony for the Poseidon in Canberra.

Photo: FSGT Kevin Berriman

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4 December 1, 2016RCEAIR FNews

Jobs for our veteransThe transition from Air Force to civvy street to become easier for former personnelA NEW program will make it easier for businesses to recruit former ADF person-nel and for industry to reap the benefits of their skills and professional expertise.

The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program was launched on November 17 at Kirribilli House in Sydney, with Defence and business lead-ers joining representatives from govern-ment and ex-service organisations to make a renewed commitment to better recognise the value of our veterans after their ADF service has ended.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said getting a good job and launching a new career was essential to ensuring our vet-erans made the most successful transition from the ADF.

“Our ADF personnel leave the mil-itary with unique skills and can make valuable contributions to business,” Mr Turnbull said.

“It is in everyone’s interests to rec-ognise the talents of our veterans and encourage the private sector to take advantage of that expertise.”

CDF ACM Mark Binskin said there were more than 250 employment cat-egories across the ADF, ranging from plumbers to pilots, drivers to doctors, and logisticians to legal officers.

“In many cases, military personnel can transition directly into civilian roles with nationally accredited qualifications,” ACM Binskin said.

“Our engineers , t radespeople , mechanics, aircraft technicians, doctors, dentists, psychologists and nurses are some of the most obvious examples, but ADF personnel at all ranks develop a suite of core skills highly prized in the corporate world.”

He said leadership, teamwork, prob-lem solving and communication were fundamental to the ADF’s mission suc-cess.

“We spend significant time and resources developing these attributes,

then challenging and refining them through practical application,” he said.

“The result is a well-rounded indi-vidual who has the ability to work in a complex or uncertain environment and the agility to adapt to changing circum-stances.

“They can make quick and logical decisions, often under pressure, and can plan and prioritise resources to achieve the desired outcome. These are all highly sought-after qualities in private sector employees and characteristics common among high performing individuals.”

ADFA graduate and C-130 Hercules pilot Krishaan Wright has worked as program and portfolio manager with EY (Ernst & Young) since late last year, hav-ing transitioned from the Air Force with Defence support.

“You know that [ADF] person is going to have a good set of leadership experi-ences and has been trusted with respon-sibility from a very early time in their career,” Mr Wright said.

At Air Force, he was a lead advisor on the implementation of software-driv-en operations management systems and provided strategic advice to leadership groups in Defence. He now advises clients on solving project problems and issues.

During her 20 years with the Air Force, Cherie-Ann Bourghouts was deployed to Iraq and was responsible for airfield engineering and engineering capability at 12 Air Force bases.

On transferring to the reserves, she attended ADF transition seminars, received career coaching and did The Prince’s Charities’ “Lead your Own Business” career transition course.

Ms Bourghouts is now developing her own organic skincare company, Indira Organics, in Queensland.

“Employers receive an asset with so much training and experience. They get someone who is motivated and eager to do a great job,” she said.

THE Veterans’ Employment Program features a number of initiatives that support busi-ness, industry and government involvement:• The Industry Advisory

Committee on Veterans’ Employment will develop and provide advice on practical measures to embed veterans’ employment strategies into the recruitment practices of Australian businesses. The committee will play a role in the broader promotion of the skills and professional attrib-utes that Defence veterans have to offer employers.

• The Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Annual Awards will recognise the achieve-ments of small, medium and large companies in creating employment opportunities for veterans.

• Ex-service organisations have been invited to register their interest in partnering with industry on projects to

promote the employment of veterans. They will be able to access the database when seeking a partner to assist in the creation of employment opportunities for veterans, including in regional and remote areas of the country.

• The launch of the Australian Public Service Commission’s (APSC) APSJobs website in 2017 will include information for veterans seeking employ-ment in the APS. The APSC is also developing a toolkit including advice aligning ADF ranks to APS classifications and information for veterans about working in the APS.

• The Department of Employment will update its jobactive website. Planned changes include develop-ing an information page for veterans and creating an optional “Defence Force expe-rience desirable” flag. The department will also develop a stronger partnership to

enhance the Defence Career Transition Assistance Scheme for members separating from the ADF, including planning advice and labour market information.

• Defence and Veterans’ Affairs are working with civilian authorities to align military qualifications with civilian qualifications. Other initiatives include improvements to the transition process for separat-ing ADF members to ensure all leave with appropriate sep-aration documentation, such as their training records and an individual transition plan. There will also be tailored transition coaching services for all separating members and improved vocational rehabilitation for veterans with a service-related injury or ill-ness. Post-separation surveys will be used to assess the effectiveness of ADF transition programs and inform future initiatives.

FROM DEPLOYMENT TO EMPLOYMENT

Ombudsman’s new roleCURRENT and former ADF mem-bers now have an additional avenue to report incidents of abuse in Defence.

From December 1, the Defence Force Ombudsman will provide an alternative mechanism for people who have suffered abuse in Defence to lodge a complaint.

The Defence Force Ombudsman can now take appropriate action to respond to individual complaints of abuse if, for whatever reason, peo-ple do not feel comfortable access-ing Defence’s existing mechanisms for complaints, or the civilian police.

CDF ACM Mark Binskin said people would have access to coun-selling and restorative engagement conferences to help address their complaints through the Defence Force Ombudsman.

“Defence is committed to ensur-ing there are mechanisms in place to enable serving and former Defence

personnel to have their claims of misconduct or abuse managed appropriately and sensitively,” he said.

“We have invested significant time and effort into improving our complaint reporting mechanisms, with greater emphasis on the com-plainants’ needs and wishes.”

In addition to civilian police, ADF members have a number of ways in which they can make a complaint regarding abuse, or to receive support. These include reporting the incident to your commander; medical staff; a legal officer or chaplain; the ADF Investigative Service; Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office; and the Inspector General ADF.

The Defence Force Ombuds- man’s complaint process and the mechanisms within Defence are able to deal with both past and con-temporary abuse for ADF person-

nel, as well as contractors and APS members who were deployed on operations at the time of the alleged abuse.

The Defence Force Ombudsman already has powers to investigate complaints about matters of admin-istration in the ADF relating to, or arising from, present or past service.

If you have a complaint about a promotion, demotion, discharge, posting, housing, allowances, or other matters affecting your service, always try to talk to your superior or commander and use the redress of grievance process before contacting the Defence Force Ombudsman.

More information about complaint mechanisms within Defence can be found at www.defence.gov.au/Report Abuse. More information about the new role of the Defence Force Ombudsman is available at www.ombudsman.gov.au or www.defence.gov.au/contacts

On new footings: Former Air Force personnel Cherie-Ann Bourghouts and Krishaan Wright.

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5December 1, 2016RCEAIR F News

FLTLT Stephanie Anderson

AFTER five years of operat-ing the F/A-18F Super Hornet, No. 6 Squadron has given the air-craft a farewell flight over South-East Queensland before transition-ing to the EA-18G Growler next year.

The F/A-18F will remain at RAAF Base Amberley, however. No. 1 Squadron will now operate the 12 Super Hornets.

6SQN will be the only squadron to operate the Growlers once they arrive in Australia next June.

CO 6SQN WGCDR Hinton Tayloe said even though it was sad to hand over the Super Hornets, the transition to Growlers was an excit-

ing and challenging time for the squadron.

“We’ve started building up our Growler capability. There’s no bet-ter time to be here,” he said

“I’m incredibly proud that 6SQN will operate the Growler for Air Force. This squadron is a highly professional and capable unit, and is very ready to take on the challenge.”

6SQN’s last salute to the Super Hornet took the form of a flight over South-East Queensland on November 23.

T h e c r e w s f l e w o v e r Coolangatta, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast before heading back to circle over RAAF Base Amberley. The aircraft were then handed over to 1SQN.

The Growler EA-18G is based on the F/A-18 airframe and special-ises in electronic warfare and infor-mation operations.

It also conducts counter-air, anti-surface warfare, offensive air support, strategic strike and battlespace management roles.

The Growler will comple-ment the capabilities of the F/A-18F Super Hornet and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, moving Air Force towards a fifth-generation fighting force.

6SQN expects to have the Growler at initial operating capabil-ity in 2018 after training and devel-oping its crews, and setting up engi-neering, logistics and operational infrastructure.

Last salute to Super HornetsFarewell flight as squadron gets ready for Growlers

WGCDR Hinton Tayloe (front) and 6SQN’s A Flight Commander prepare for their final flight in a Super Hornet.Photos: CPL Casey Gaul

FLTLT Eamon Hamilton

SHELTER from the Middle Eastern sun is providing much-needed respite for F/A-18 Hornet maintainers deployed to Operation Okra.

A 4K Hangar – so named because it covers a surface area of 4000 square feet (about 370 square metres) – was con-structed at Australia’s main air operating base in the Middle East this year.

With flightline temperatures routinely exceeding 50 degrees celsius during the summer, the hangar provides a climate-controlled facility that can accommodate a single Hornet.

Senior engineering officer SQNLDR Aleisha Broadhead said this allowed maintenance personnel to perform thor-ough servicing and repair work.

“The hangar is an excellent facility, and there were a lot of people who put time in to getting this up and ready,” she said.

“Even though the weather has cooled here somewhat, it’s fantastic because it gets the maintainers out of the heat and out of the sun.”

The hangar’s construction was undertaken by the Joint Task Force 633 Combat Support Unit and airfield engi-neers from No. 65 Squadron.

It is an off-the-shelf design that includes a folding “door” and an alu-minium mat for flooring, providing a semi-rigid pavement while the Hornet is being serviced.

An example of the work conducted inside the hangar is servicing of the Hornet’s landing gear, which begins with maintainers using jacks to lift the 10.4-tonne empty weight of the aircraft off the hangar floor.

Originally designed to endure the stresses of aircraft carrier landings with

the US Navy, the Hornet has benefited from a robust construction compared to its fighter stablemates.

Routine checks and servicing are required, however, to ensure each Australian Hornet remains battle ready in the Middle East.

The hangar provides maintainers with a more comfortable working environ-ment and removes the distractions of a busy flightline, allowing them to concen-trate on the job at hand.

“The maintenance workforce works extremely hard – 12 hour shifts, cover-ing 24 hours per day, six days a week,” SQNLDR Broadhead said.

“There is a significant amount of experience involved in keeping these jets in the air.

“We have myriad people, from those who have worked on Hornets for their whole careers to some others who have come from other aircraft types and bring a wealth of experience as well.”

The oldest Australian Hornet in the Middle East region was accepted by the Air Force in November 1985.

Under Operation Okra, the Hornets with Air Task Group 630’s Strike Element routinely fly missions of up to nine hours to the skies of Syria and Iraq.

They are relied on to deliver preci-sion air strikes against Daesh ground targets, supporting the ground campaign by Iraqi Security Forces.

“There is no doubt that the jets are performing excellently over here,” SQNLDR Broadhead said.

“The Hornets have been operating for up to 30 years now so we are very used to working with them.

“We speak with our aircrew all of the time and they are really impressed and happy with our performance.”

Secret to success is going under cover

6SQN aircrew walk to the flightline for their last

hurrah in Super Hornets.

Maintenance personnel from the Air Task Group 630 Strike Element maintain an F/A-18A Hornet in the 4K Hangar at Australia’s main air operating base in the Middle East. Photo: CPL David Gibbs

6 December 1, 2016RCEAIR FNews

Steps in the right directionWO2 Andrew Hetherington

AIR FORCE, Navy, Army, APS and con-tractors walked as one at Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra to increase the awareness of the White Ribbon cam-paign and to encourage others to prevent violence against women.

The walk, held on White Ribbon Day, November 25, was attended by more than 200 people.

CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies led the event and addressed walkers in the importance of Defence raising the awareness of the White Ribbon move-ment.

“Our Defence values are not all writ-ten exactly the same, but amongst those values is respect and the respect for eve-ryone,” AIRMSHL Davies said.

“We need to demonstrate that we mean those values that are in our val-ues set, and demonstrate it to the rest of Australia.

“We are here today to celebrate our ability to demonstrate what our values mean, by doing something other than just thinking about it.”

AIRMSHL Davies said everyone has the right to feel safe. In particular, one woman a week in Australia dies need-lessly due to domestic violence.

“They die at the hands of someone who they know, are intimate with or close to, and that person is a man,” he said.

“I thought maybe that might be a sta-tistic that just can’t be true. Over the last couple of years, being aware of White Ribbon in preventing violence, I’ve met a number of people who are doctors and nurses and they tell me this statistic is absolutely true and real.

“That is why we must stand up, speak out. That’s why we are acting today.”

For more information on White Ribbon visit https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/

Rallying to the White Ribbon cause

Legacy trekTHE ADF will mentor 20 young Legacy members on a trek along the Kokoda Trail to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kokoda next year. Ten ADF personnel will mentor the youths as they prepare for the 96km trek. They will walk the trail together as a leadership-building exercise. For more information, visit https://inspiredadventures.com.au/events/legacykokoda2017

Celebrate with 30SQNNO. 30 Squadron is preparing to celebrate its 75th anniversary on March 9 next year. A Bloodhound missile static display and a plaque will be unveiled at RAAF Base East Sale to commemorate the surface-to-air missile iteration of the squadron, with an evening function to follow. Past members and associates of all iterations of 30SQN are invited to attend. To register your interest, contact 30SQN at esl.abcp@defence.gov.au

IN BRIEF

This edition of AIR FORCE printed on White Ribbon day. Don’t miss the next edition for more content.

The Air Force Balloon fitted with a White Ribbon scoop flies over Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra. Photo: SGT Pete Gammie

SQNLDR Keith Bateman, Air Force Modernisation Branch:“I think it’s a really good thing Defence is doing by supporting the welfare of women and encouraging men to treat them correctly. White Ribbon Day is important as I believe all people should be treated equitably and looked after. No one should be in danger.”Photos: WO2 Andrew Hetherington

SQNLDR Amanda Banks, Air Force Modernisation Branch:“It is important for all ADF personnel to be involved in White Ribbon Day, to complement the ADF training we’ve had and to also raise awareness that violence against women is not only happening in wider community, but it can also impact on Australia’s military population.”

Defence personnel, APS members and contractors support the White Ribbon Day walk in Canberra on November 25. Photo: FSGT Kev Berriman

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7December 1, 2016RCEAIR F News

PLTOFF Oliver Jiang and Holly Brambley

LEADING up to the International Day of People with a Disability, on December 3, RAAF Base Edinburgh has embraced the Defence Administrative Assistance Program (DAAP), which supports an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Secretary of Defence Dennis Richardson launched the program at the base on October 25.

DAAP is a Defence partnership with local Australian Disability Enterprises designed to help people with a disability engage in mean-ingful work. It assists with admin-istrative support at Defence bases across Australia.

The partnership at Edinburgh is with Barkuma Inc, which assists units including 92 Wing, No. 24 Squadron, the Maritime Patrol Systems Program Office and the Air Warfare Centre.

Mr Richardson said Defence employs more than 100,000 people “and this is a small part of putting back into the community while also meeting our business needs”.

“Approximately 130 people are employed through this program across the country through organi-sations such as Barkuma,” he said.

Te m p o r a r y S A D F O a t Edinburgh GPCAPT Greg Weller hosted the launch. It was attend-ed by Barkuma Inc CEO Geoff B lackwood , Ac t ing Depu ty Secretary Defence People Richard Oliver, and members from the Defence Diversity Directorate, Barkuma Inc employees from the DAAP, and Air Force and Army personnel.

The Defence Administrative Assistance Program (DAAP) is an employment program that began at Gallipoli Bar-racks Enoggera in 2014. The success of the program led to a national implementation across Defence establish-ments, throughout 2016.

The Air Force has DAAP teams at RAAF Bases Am-berley and Edinburgh.

DAAP team members don’t wear a uniform but they do support uniform members and can assist with adminis-trative support such as:

• Shredding• Digitising records• March in / march out• Promotion kits• Show-bags• Meeting room manage-

ment• Administrative and time

consuming tasks that take personnel away from core activities

Email daap.amberley@defence.gov.au or daap.edin-burgh@defence.gov.au

FOR a number of years, the Maritime Patrol Systems Program Office (MPSPO) EMU Data Manager has been engaged in a program to digitise in excess of a million physical records.

The majority of the paper records contain secure information and are subject to destructive disposal.

MPSPO required administrative support to dispose of the data and to complete other time-consuming administrative tasks, so it sought the help of the Defence Administrative Assistance Program (DAAP).

The DAAP employees assist with a number of daily tasks that cannot be prioritised in the busy MPSPO.

For three hours each week, the DAAP team of four dedicates itself to MPSPO.

MPSPO data manager Andrew Schulz said the team’s work ethic, cooperation and application to the task were impressive and they had quickly developed an efficient pro-duction line technique.

The paper is sorted into bundles

to be shredded by three machines in continuous operation. The moun-tain of paper is being progressively reduced to a pile of bagged waste.

“The DAAP team members are easy to work with and readily adapt to the different circumstances and types of tasks that they are asked to accomplish” Mr Schulz said.

“Certainly, they make a real con-tribution to the MPSPO objectives and ensure that personnel remain focused on their core tasks.”

The DAAP initiative has a goal to meet equity and diversity priorities and other organisational needs.

For the MPSPO working level the collaboration is seamless.

“The DAAP team is an integral part of our workforce and its mem-bers are trusted and valued col-leagues,” Mr Schulz said.

“They provide real and practi-cal solutions to tasks that otherwise would be delayed and difficult to complete.”

Workers at office’s disposalMeaningful opportunity

Mr Blackwood said the program was important to organisations such as Barkuma Inc, which provided job opportunities and training for about 800 people living with dis-ability across South Australia.

“Often, people with varied abili-ties do not get to even tender for these opportunities. The fact that we can come and assist others is

great. It’s not just lip service. The main thing is that our employees feel very proud to do this,” he said.

He added that Barkuma was an Aboriginal word meaning to help or to assist, “and that’s what we’re here for”.

D e f e n c e S c i e n c e a n d Technology Group (DSTG) divi-sional chief David Kershaw attended the launch, accompanied by members of the group who are working with the DAAP.

Mr Kershaw leads a DSTG “Career and Diversity” initiative.

“This initiative is about nur-turing the talent of our people to be future leaders, supporting their career development and embracing workforce diversity,” he said.

He said four employees from the DAAP provided valuable administrative support to the DSTG Edinburgh site.

Director Research Information Services at DSTG Edinburgh Mandy Furlan said the DAAP team helped her with the collection uplift for the Defence Library Service and with jobs such as shredding.

“I recently moved offices and inherited a significant amount of paperwork from the move. If it wasn’t for the DAAP team, I would not have been able to complete the necessary administration in a time-ly manner,” she said.

In support of the “Career and Diversity” initiative, DSTG has also organised presenta-tions from World Access for the Blind Australia, the University of Adelaide and the RSL to coin-cide with the International Day of People with a Disability.

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8 December 1, 2016RCEAIR FNews

FLGOFF Graham Orams

ALMOST five decades of dedicated service to Air Force was recognised when Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, as Commander-in-Chief, awarded his banner to Combat Survival Training School (CSTS).

CSTS has been training aircrew to survive in remote and hostile environments since 1967.

The 35-member Townsville-based unit conducts a variety of sur-vival courses in remote locations in North Queensland and other states.

The Governor-General presented his banner to CSTS during a conse-cration service at RAAF Base East Sale on November 9.

“This honour is bestowed upon an Australian Defence Force unit which has long provided dedicated service to the nation,” he said.

“Today, with 36 trainers and up to 256 personnel trained each year – including students from foreign services – you are continuing a tra-dition of training and service that

has proudly been part of the RAAF for decades. You are a credit to the Australian Defence Force.”

DCAF AVM Warren McDonald represented the CAF at the banner consecration ceremony.

“Combat Survival Training School provides an ideal opportu-nity to train in survival techniques under extremely challenging envi-ronments,” he said.

“Members’ lives could one day depend on the lessons learnt at the school.

“The banner provides strong links with our proud Air Force tradi-tions, demonstrates a strong com-mitment to service and represents outstanding achievements by the school.”

CSTS caters for up to 240 stu-dents each year, including a small number of foreign military mem-bers.

The school offers training in basic aircrew survival, extreme cold weather survival and mission rehearsal exercises.

PRINCE Harry has named Sydney as host of the 2018 Invictus Games, an internation-al sporting event for wounded, injured and ill serving and former military personnel.

Seventeen nations will compete in 11 different adaptive sports held across Greater Sydney, including Sydney Olympic Park and on and around Sydney Harbour, in late October 2018.

Paralympic gold medallist SPR Curtis McGrath is an ambassador for the 2018 Games, having competed in the Invictus Games in London and Orlando, Florida.

SPR McGrath, who suffered devastat-ing injuries when he stepped on an impro-vised explosive device in Afghanistan in 2012, said the Games helped unite injured veterans from around the world.

“We have all come from having fit and healthy young bodies to being wounded both physically and mentally,” he said.

“We have been through trauma but we can get together and support each other throughout the Games. We are using the power of sport to help us get better.”

The ADF and RSL have been involved in both Invictus Games so far, in London in 2014 and Orlando earlier this year, and are sending a team to Toronto next September.

The 2018 Games will be held from October 18 to 29. More information on those games can be found at www.invic-tusgames2018.org.

Nominations are open for members interested in being part of the 2017 Australian Invictus Games team. Further information is available at www.defence.gov.au/events/invictusgames or by emailing ADFInvictusGames@defence.gov.au. Nominations close on December 5. You can also follow the team online at www.facebook.com/Team.Invictus.Australia.

Banner honours service

Sydney to host Invictus Games

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove presents Combat Survival Training School with his banner.Photo: SGT Guy Young

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10 December 1, 2016RCEAIR FDefence Aviation Safety

ADF paves the wayTHE ADF is leading the charge towards a new global convention on military air-worthiness.

Following the release of the Defence Aviation Safety Regulations (DASR), Australia has moved from a standalone system to align with a European-based convention that is used by about 30 nations – and more countries are due to come on board.

The inaugural International Military Airworthiness Regulation Conference (IMARC), hosted by the Defence Aviation Safety Authority, provided a forum for international partners to bet-ter understand the benefits of a global approach.

The conference – which was held

between November 14 and 15 in Melbourne – provided a global forum to look at the many benefits of the interna-tional convention; the reasoning behind moving from the old standalone sys-tem; and the lessons learned from other organisations that have adopted it.

Attendees included representatives from the US, NATO, China, Turkey, Germany, Indonesia, Cambodia, Italy and Britain, as well as industry partners.

It gave international stakehold-ers an opportunity to “compare notes” and to better understand the Australian experience, which has seen a world-leading level of adoption of the European system (95 per cent of which is based on its civilian equivalent).

AVM Catherine Roberts, Head Aerospace Systems Divis ion a t Capability, Acquisition and Sustainment Group, saw the promise of a globally-based military airworthiness convention as a challenge that should be enthusiasti-cally embraced.

“By making a rational choice on reg-ulation, we can leverage global supply chains and support, to extend our global reach,” AVM Roberts said.

“New technology is challenging our thinking … a global regulation conven-tion will provide a benchmark against which we can be measured.”

AVM Roberts likened the new con-vention to a team event and challenged attendees to embrace the opportunities it afforded with a team mindset.

“My challenge to you is to make a choice to be an active participant in this global military aviation community,” she said.

“I urge you to be part of the team so that we can achieve the benefits of International Military Aviation Regulation.”

Stephen Hudson, Chief Engineer Boeing Defence Australia, described how his company has been an enthusias-tic early supporter of DASR.

“BDA has embraced the Defence Aviation Safety Regulations, and we’re excited about the benefits of the flexible outcome-based regulation to our global business,” he said.

“Boeing made a decision very early on that we would take a lead role in the

DASR transition. We gained an in-depth understanding of the DASR and worked in close partnership with DASA to pro-vide strategic industry advice and guid-ance on potential challenges and how we might solve them.

“This collaborative approach – where Defence has been able to rely on indus-try to provide subject matter expertise – has been a tremendous success and is helping to prepare for the continued smooth transition to the new regulations.

“At Boeing we believe in a world that requires more from less. We believe we can move towards a future in mili-tary aviation where the Defence Aviation Safety Regulations allow us to embrace the offered flexibility and efficiency, to provide unprecedented capability enhancement and support to the ADF, while improving upon the established level of aviation safety. We can imagine that world under DASR.”

AIRCDRE James Hood, of the Defence Aviation Safety Authority, said the conference provided a unique oppor-tunity for international military and industry partners to meet and explore the benefits of an emerging global conven-tion on airworthiness.

“It is an exciting time for Australian Defence aviation with global atten-tion now focused on Australian recog-nition activities with partner nations,” AIRCDRE Hood said.

DASA’s forum highlights Australia’s role in global convention, Barrie Bardoe writes

AIRCDRE James Hood, of the Defence Aviation Safety Authority and GPCAPT Joe Medved, Director Aviation Engineering – DASA, with MAJGEN Yon Som, of the Cambodian Air Force. Photos: Robert Palmer

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11December 1, 2016RCEAIR F Defence Aviation Safety

New chapter for safety managementTHE future of Defence aviation safety is in good hands with the introduction of a contemporary aviation reporting, inves-tigation and analysis capability that will enhance the triservice’s ability to learn from safety incidents and take action to prevent recurrence.

The Aviation Safety Management Information System (ASMIS) Project has been initiated by the Directorate of Defence Aviation and Air Force Safety (DDAAFS) to replace the ageing Defence Aviation Hazard Reporting and Tracking System (DAHRTS), which has served Defence aviation well since 2004.

DCAF AVM Warren McDonald said Defence aviation had an outstanding safety record across a broad spectrum of training and operations, from counter-insurgency to humanitarian support.

“In the years to come, responding to global and regional events will pose new challenges with the proliferation of technology and transformational change within the Defence aviation environ-ment,” AVM McDonald said.

“Defence aviation must evolve to rapidly harness the potential of emerg-ing technologies in order to meet these new challenges.

“The ability to proactively man-age risk, reactively learn from safety occurrences and to achieve continuous improvement within the safety space, will play a critical role in Defence avia-tion maintaining its excellent track record and enhancing future capability.”

With th is c lear focus , AVM McDonald initiated development of the DAHRTS replacement system by signing the new ASMIS contract with managing director Risk Management Technologies (RMT) Dean Apostolou on October 6.

RMT will use the existing Sentinel platform to deliver a contemporary avia-tion safety reporting, investigation and analysis information management sys-tem that will enhance Defence aviation’s safety management capability well into the 21st century.

The replacement system will deliv-er a significant improvement over DAHRTS, and it will also provide an integrated platform to provide a critical early warning of risk control effective-ness.

An agile implementation methodol-ogy will be used to design, build and test the new system that includes continual stakeholder engagement, which is essen-tial to ensure the new system meets user requirements.

The ASMIS project will be managed by DDAAFS and will be delivered in three phases:

Phase 1: Mobilisation (due end November)

Phase 2: Build and implement (November 2016 to November 2017)

Phase 3 : War ran ty se rv ices (November 2017 to November 2018)

During mobilisation, the project will develop a detailed schedule including stakeholder workshops, user acceptance testing timelines and training delivery approach and content.

Initial change management and user training will be delivered during the system roll out, currently scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017. Sustainment training will be delivered within existing Defence aviation safety courses.

DCAF AVM Warren McDonald and managing director RMT Dean Apostolou after signing the ASMIS contract.

AVM Catherine Roberts, Head Aerospace Systems Division, Capability Acquisition Sustainment Group, presents at the inaugural IMARC in Melbourne.

How Air Force personnel commemorated Remembrance Day on November 11 around the nation and across the world

A SHOW OF SUPPORT AT CAMP BAIRD

Remembrance DayRCEAIR F December 1, 201613Remembrance Day12

CPL Bill Solomou

COALITION camaraderie was on display during Remembrance Day at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East region on November 11, 2016.

More than 150 personnel repre-senting Australia’s coalition partners joined in paying their respects to ser-vice members who paid the ultimate sacrifice during all world conflicts.

To the sound of the bagpipes, Coalition commanders laid wreaths on behalf of their respective services and paid tribute with two minutes silence.

Commander Joint Task Force 633, AVM Tim Innes said Remembrance Day was not to glorify war, but to commemorate, to remember, to honour and to give thanks to those servicemen and women from the Commonwealth and other nations who gave their lives in the service of their country.

“Today, we demonstrate how much we all appreciate life and how highly we appreciate those who were willing to lay down their lives for our nations, their people and our values,” AVM Innes said.

“The strong and spirited charac-

ter of our respective countries rests firmly on the inheritance from each and every one of those lost serving their country.”

AVM Innes said it was our privilege and our duty to ensure that their great sacrifice continued to be remembered and honoured.

“This is a lasting debt we owe to all – Lest we forget.”

This year, November 11 marked the 98th anniversary of the Armistice, which ended the First World War (1914-18).

SILENT TRIBUTE

Air Force personnel attend the Remembrance Day ceremony at Camp Baird, on November 11, 2016.

FSGT Darren Evans plays the

bagpipes during the Remembrance Day ceremony at Camp

Baird.Photos: CPL Bill Solomou

WOFF Michael Kearney, of Headquarters Combat Support Group, places a poppy on a plaque at the Amberley Memorial Gardens during Remembrance Day.Photo: CPL Casey Gaul

FLTLT Steve Finch sounds The Last Post at RAAF Base

Amberley’s Remembrance Day ceremony.

Photo: CPL Casey Gaul

CPL Bailey McDonnell reads The Solitary Soldier poem during the Remembrance Day service at RAAF Base Richmond.Photo: CPL Oliver Carter

SQNLDR Sean Corkill and WGCDR Ian Forsyth sell poppies and badges ahead of Remembrance Day at Russell Offices, Canberra, on 10 November 2016. Photo: SGT Janine Fabre

For more imagery of services visit the Defence Image Gallery at https://images.defence.gov.au

LAC Euginio Federici, of 26SQN, rests on arms during the Remembrance Day Ceremony held at Civic Park in Newcastle. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

A catafalque party departs the memorial during the Remembrance Day ceremony at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo: CPL David Cotton

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Feature RCEAIR F December 1, 201614

Imagine being able to see and speak to a medical specialist from anywhere in the world while conducting an aero-medical evacuation (AME) mission

on a C-17A Globemaster.That is now a reality in Air Force,

after Health Services Wing and Air Mobility Group conducted a series of trials allowing AME teams to exchange video, voice and images with ground-based clinical specialists while an air-craft is in flight.

On a simulated mission over South- East Queensland, AME team member FLTLT Stuart Jones, a medical officer with No. 3 Aero-Medical Evacuation Squadron, made the first video call to ground-based specialists.

FLTLT Jones said the ability to link up mid-flight with ground-based clini-cians increased Air Force’s ability to treat and manage AME patients, improv-ing their health outcomes.

“It’s great to use our professional net-work of specialists and skilled medical practitioners to assist us when we need them,” he said.

“As a doctor I now have the ability to link up and talk through any problems or concerns and seek advice on the best way forward.

“When you look at it holistically, it could save someone’s life.”

The system allowed FLTLT Jones to discuss his clinical concerns and seek specialist recommendations from two of

Air Force’s highly experienced reserve specialist officers.

The video link capability is provided through the VIPER mobile satellite com-munications system, installed on No. 36 Squadron’s C-17A Globemasters as required.

The system generates a conventional Wi-Fi network inside the aircraft and supports connectivity with Defence net-works and video calling systems.

Headquarters Health Services Wing Capability Development section led this project, with SQNLDR Jessica Burton as the lead officer

“While our concept was outside the Wi-Fi system’s intended purpose, Health Services Wing and Air Mobility Group each recognised the improvement it afforded Air Force’s AME capability and our patients,” she said.

Previously, if a patient deteriorated in-flight, AME teams were limited to voice-only communication with special-ists via AERO-I, a satellite phone capa-bility.

“This new capability allows special-ists located anywhere in the world to see and hear a patient and also to send or receive clinical images,” SQNLDR Burton said.

The C-17A Globemaster fleet is rap-idly approaching 10 years in service and the ability to video call during flight to ground-based specialists is just the latest of enhancements for the airframe.

‘Digital tablets’ are being put to good medical use, FLTLT Shaun Donnelly reports

Doctor will see you nowNursing officer FLTLT Ben James holds a tablet during a real-time Skype link while LAC Ebony Moebus assists during a mid-flight training activity aboard a Globemaster.Photo: CPL Brenton Kwaterski

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HistoryRCEAIR F December 1, 2016 15

THIS is a story of two mates, both WWII Lancaster pilots. One returned from the war and one didn’t.

FLTLT David Dorey Browne (by all accounts an outstanding young man, a superb athlete and already a great leader) died while piloting a Lancaster on a bombing raid over Germany in 1944. He was only 21 years old.

His best mate, fellow Lancaster pilot FLGOFF Arthur Atkins (retd) survived the war and is now a sprightly 99-year-old living in Melbourne.

FLGOFF Atkins wanted the memory of FLTLT Browne to live on, so he donated a new German-built racing-eight rowing boat, named the David D. Browne, to Melbourne’s Mercantile Rowing Club on October 15.

He said he took an interest in rowing while he was at Scotch College, Melbourne.

“I was the stroke of the fourth crew in 1934 and stroked the thirds in 1935,” he said.

“Scotch College rowed out of the Mercantile Rowing Club’s shed in those years so I joined the club in 1936 and have continuously main-tained my club membership from 1935-36 season to date.”

F L G O F F A t k i n s s t u d i e d accountancy, graduating in 1941.

“I joined the Army’s 57/60th Battalion in August 1941, at Ivanhoe in Melbourne, because I had friends there. I later tried to transfer to the Air Force, but the Army didn’t pass on my requests to the Air Force,” he said.

“I think the Army simply tore up my requests, so I took matters into my own hands and while on leave, I went to the Air Force recruiting office in Melbourne and was then transferred into the Air Force in November 1941.

“To show how things worked in those days, the Military Police turned up at my parents’ house

An oar-some dedication

thinking I had run away from the Army.

“When I went back to my Army unit the CO told me to ‘leave my uniform at the gatehouse and bug-ger off’.”

FLGOFF Atkins trained initially at Sale in Victoria and then moved to Benalla where he flew Tiger Moths.

He said he couldn’t believe his luck – flying Tiger Moths and being paid to do so.

“It was like being paid to drive sports cars,” he said.

“Then I went on to Mallala in South Australia and trained on twin-engined Ansons.”

FLGOFF Atkins went to the UK via the US in 1943, transferring from the RAAF to the RAF, where he was trained initially as a pilot in a twin-engine Wellington bomber

at RAF Station Church Broughton, where he was promoted to FSGT.

He said he carried out his first mission over enemy territory on July 4, 1944.

“I remember that because the pilot I flew with was an American who had joined the Royal Canadian Air Force,” he said.

“We were on a pamphlet- dropping mission over France when the new bombardier was so nervous being over enemy territory that he released the canister rather than the pamphlets, causing an unnecessary hole in a cathedral roof,” he said.

In July 1944, he was transferred to Lancasters and served with No. 625 Squadron RAF and, by October 31, 1944, he was one of the few people to survive 32 missions in a Lancaster over enemy territory.

FLGOFF Atkins became his squadron’s acting adjutant, spending a lot of time flying his CO around England in an Airspeed Oxford.

“The CO didn’t send me home because he knew I had a higher than average rating on Oxfords from when I was at Point Cook,” he said.

For his service he was award-ed a DFC and left the Air Force in December 1945.

F L G O F F A t k i n s v i s i t e d Germany in the early ’90s with a group of former Bomber Command aircrew, organised by the RAAF Association.

He said Frankfurt was one of the places they visited, in a bus driven by two young Luftwaffe pilots.

“They’ve got a big, new, wide boulevard through the centre of town,” he said.

“Well they can thank me for putting that there – I removed a whole heap of scruffy old houses from a great strip in the middle of Frankfurt.”

FLGOFF Atkins retired from his accountancy firm in 1988 and has remained an active member of the Mercantile Rowing Club.

ACCORDING to all accounts, FLTLT David Dorey Browne (right) was a great sportsman and a born leader.

After leaving school in 1941 he applied for enlistment into the Air Force, although he wasn’t enrolled until June 1942.

As Airman-Pilot Browne, he undertook training at the No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Benalla in Victoria and No. 6 Service Flying Training School at Mallala in South Australia.

After successfully completing his training he was awarded his flying badge in April 1943 and transferred to England, where he passed through various opera-tional training schools.

He was posted to operations in Lancaster bombers in December 1943 and commissioned from FSGT in February 1944.

FLGOFF Browne joined No. 467 Squadron in June 1944 and was promoted to FLTLT in August, by which time he had completed 15 operational sorties, including over Konigsberg, V-bomb depots and shipping, and was appointed

‘His courage inspired us all’

section-leader on some flights. On a bombing mission to Stuttgart on the night of September 12-13, 1944, his plane was shot down about 10 minutes out from the target.

The bombardier and rear gun-ner bailed out safely, but the rest of the crew were killed.

When his aircraft failed to re-turn, FLTLT Browne and his other crew members were presumed to have been killed. He was just 21 years old.His CO WGCDR William Brill later wrote: “His characteristic skill and courage inspired us all.”

FLGOFF Arthur Atkins (retd) with members of FLTLT David Browne’s family and the racing-eight boat named in FLTLT Browne’s honour. Photo: Joe Taylor.

Lancaster veteran donates rowing boat to club in honour of his WWII mate, who died young, SGT Dave Morley writes

FLGOFF Arthur Atkins (retd), 99, survived 32 missions in a Lancaster from July to October 1944 during WWII.

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16 December 1, 2016RCEAIR FTraining

FLGOFF Graham Orams

LET’S identify the barriers and remove them – that was the unoffi-cial theme of No. 2 Flying Training School’s Female Graduate Forum at RAAF Base Pearce.

The forum, in late September, investigated ways of improving peak performance by women at 2FTS and in their first operational tour.

The forum heard the environment for women had improved since the first female pilot graduated in 1988, but there remained a significant dif-

ference in success rates for men and women. Only 3.2 per cent of Air Force pilots are women.

The forum, facilitated by AVM Kym Osley (retd), featured a num-ber of interactive sessions, includ-ing looking at ways of increasing the recruitment, pass rates and retention of women in the pilot workforce.

CO 2FTS and forum host WGCDR David Strong said changes were need-ed now to increase the percentage of female pilots.

He called for “frank, forthright and fearless advice” from the forum par-

ticipants on how to “improve the 2FTS female pass rate right now”.

FLTLT Kirsten Gunn, a flight instructor at BFTS in Tamworth, was one of the women at the forum.

“There has been a lot of change in the pilot training process since I was a student,” she said.

“As an instructor, I have seen how much both morale and performance improves among female trainees when there’s a critical mass of just seven or eight women training together.”

FLTLT Gunn described the forum as “an amazing experience” and said

she’d never been in a room with so many talented, like-minded women.

“It’s simultaneously a very proud and humbling experience to be a part of that group,” she said.

“The forum was also a great way to share insights with women at different stages of balancing career and family.”

The forum was sponsored by Air Force Training Group Commander AIRCDRE Geoff Harland, who said Air Force was motivated to do more.

“This is not only about addressing the gender diversity issue. It is about giving Air Force the chance to have a

larger selection pool for quality pilot candidates,” he said.

AIRCDRE Harland noted the forum had highlighted that, despite almost three decades of female pilots in the Air Force, none were above the rank of wing commander.

He added, however, that although some flexibility in tailoring progres-sion through pilots course was needed, students still had to achieve certain minimum standards in realistic time-frames.

Seeking peak pass rate

Women who have graduated from 2FTS

pose with a PC-9 during the Female

Graduate Forum.Photo: FLTLT Charmaine

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17December 1, 2016RCEAIR F Personnel

FLGOFF Graham Orams

CHANGES to the way Professional Military Education and Training (PMET) is delivered will allow com-manders to have a say in the way their people are educated.

The School of Postgraduate Studies (SPS) has introduced an alternative distance education engagement strat-egy as part of its approach to modern-ise PMET in support of Plan Jericho Project 16.

Under the changes which began on December 1, FEG Commanders and Commanding Officers can now set tasks for their personnel who are enrolled in WOFF, FLTLT and SQNLDR distance courses.

C O S P S , W G C D R To n y Wennerbom, said the strategy would allow commanders to design tasks spe-cific to their unit, squadron or FEG which would assist in meeting their capability outputs.

“Ultimately, PMET will play a role in helping improve Air Force opera-tions while concurrently professionally developing staff across the areas of air power and social mastery,” he said.

WGCDR Wennerbom said the sec-ond order effect of the strategy was that it would assist commanders during the Personnel Performance Reporting process.

SPS and RAAFCOL are also rede-veloping the FLTLT Residential course to include a blended learning solution.

For more information see http://drnet.defence.gov.au/RAAF/SPS/pages/Welcome.aspx

Hayley Cosgove

GENERATING ideas and how to improve the customer experience of local services across IT, HR, security, finance and services at RAAF Base Edinburgh was the focus of an “Ideas Gallery” held in September.

Air Force and Army members attended the gallery as part of a Proof of Concept workshop that gave them the opportunity to vote or make sug-gestions on existing ideas, or come up with their own ideas to improve service delivery at Edinburgh.

James Atkins, AGSVA Team Manager from Edinburgh and mem-ber of the Service Delivery Reference Group, said: “It was about getting together people from the base and get-ting their ideas on what can be done differently or what improvements can be made.

“Then they have a walk-through at the Ideas Gallery where anyone from the base is invited along to have a look and vote on an idea.”

SQNLDR Peter Simpfendorfer, who attended, said: “I went during my lunch break and read the ideas and voted on those I thought would be most beneficial.

“It was great to see the concepts – some of them were fairly small changes, but some of them were more far-reaching.”

One clear need that came out of the workshop was to provide a single access point for members to go if they had a service query.

Defence tr ial led a “Service Delivery Hub” at RAAF Edinburgh that provided a central place where customers, who had a service query, could get help from service providers. Service providers then coordinated services behind the scenes and kept the customer up-to-date on their ser-vice request.

CAPT Scott Alexander said RAAF Base Edinburgh was a complex envi-ronment.

“It is a big base and there are a lot of different people to talk to. To have one place to go and explain the nature of your problem and be direct-ed appropriately from there, that’s an excellent idea,” CAPT Alexander said.

Mr Atkins said one of the benefits for the serving members would be that there would not be a wrong door.

“They will always find someone who will take an interest and help them out,” Mr Atkins said.

PMET takes new courseCreating

change

He said the hub trial at Edinburgh ran from October 5 to November 9, and the level of interest indicated potential for more work in this space.

“This is the beginning of a change, not a trial that disappears. Any change

starts off small, and eventually momentum builds until you get to a tipping point. We’ve still got work to do, but you have got to start some-where,” Mr Atkins said.

SQNLDR Peter Simpfendorfer, Neal McDonald and CAPT Scott Alexander examine the Service Delivery Hub concept at the RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

Date: 11-7-2016 4:37 PM

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19December 1, 2016RCEAIR F Personnel

Ewa Dimond

FEEDBACK from customer satisfac-tion surveys is being used to help improve services in Defence.

People Services now have one single entry point, the Defence Security and Vetting Service is pro-cessing more clearances, face-to-face ICT kiosks are making life easier and a new self-service tool brings together all the ICT services people need to move and manage their DRN account.

Acting Assistant Secretary Vetting Alice Manchester said there had been a marked improvement in vet-ting services with the Australian Government Security and Vetting Agency (AGSVA) completing about 20 per cent more clearances in 2015-16 than in 2014-15.

“The average processing time for Negative Vetting 1 clearances has improved from 4.9 months in 2015-16 to 3.3 months for this year to date,” Ms Manchester said.

“Over the same period, the aver-age processing time for Negative Vetting 2 clearances has improved from 7.1 months to six months, and the average processing time for base-line clearances has improved from 30 days to 23 days.

“AGSVA is also undertaking a positive vetting remediation program that continues to improve the outlook for the positive vetting backlog.”

Customers also asked for advice on security intelligence, threat and risk, and

greater general security awareness across Australia resulting in Defence Security and Vetting Services publishing a new Defence Security Threat Assessment.

Assistant Secretary Security Operations

Karen Connell said they were now looking to get this infor-mation out to the regions.

“This new assessment is significantly enhanced and provides greater information, analysis and case studies,” Ms Connell said.

Chief Information Officer Group also responded to the survey results by introducing a “Service Connect” kiosk that provides Canberra-based personnel with the option to request ICT services face-to-face.

Head ICT Operations AVM Andrew Dowse said they had listened to customers and made changes based on feedback.

“These kiosks are proving to be a great hit with our cus-tomers and we have improved access to DREAMS tokens so more Defence members can work remotely,” AVM Dowse said.

He said another big improvement to ICT services was the introduction of My Account Management Online.

“This is a new self-service tool. It brings together all the ICT services people need to move and manage their DRN account into one place,” AVM Dowse said.

• For more information on People Services phone 1800DEFENCE or email dsc@defence.gov.au

• For more information about the changes to services your feedback has initiated, visit http://drnet.defence.gov.au/associatesecretary/DCES/Pages/Survey.aspx

• Access the last survey of the year at www.orima.com.au/defence/css

More satisfying serviceREAL CHANGE

DEPARTURE LOUNGEWho’s leaving after 20+ years’ service

Name Must/Spec Last day Years

WOFF Michael Farina AVTECH Oct 14 37

WOFF Stephen Bryson ADG Oct 7 35

AIRCDRE Michael Walkington ELECTR Nov 21 35

GPCAPT Nicholas Cram ELECTR Dec 30 33

GPCAPT Ian Browning AFENG Jan 1 29

FLTLT Jason Woodcoe ELECTR Oct 17 26

SGT Desmond Star ATECH Oct 9 26

SGT John Wilson ASURFIN Oct 22 25

WGCDR Iain Harkness PCO Oct 7 23

SQNLDR Gregory Ferguson PLT Oct 11 23

CPL Scott Davis FIREFTR Oct 2 23

FSGT Peter Gilkes AIA Oct 9 22

SQNLDR David Child AERO Oct 30 22

FSGT Nicholas Rawlins ARMTECH Oct 10 21

AIRCDRE Margot-Lee Forster PCO Dec 11 21

WGCDR Stephen Graham ELECTR Oct 9 20

Security and vetting services have

shown a marked improvement.

Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

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20 December 1, 2016RCEAIR FFlightline

It was an exciting day at RAAF Base Wagga for one of Air Force’s junior members, ACW Tash Budda-Deen, and her peers, who took this group selfie with CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies during his visit to the base on November 23. ACW Budda-Dean attended the Defence Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Program at HMAS Cerberus in early 2014 and graduated from 1 Recruit Training Unit as a reservist earlier this year. She has since transferred to the permanent Air Force and is now training to be a personnel capability specialist.

DO IT YOURSELF-IEServing and ex-serving members (from left) ACW Alysha Johnston, Carol Johnston, ACW Cheyenne Johnstone, Gwen Miles and ACW Jessica Boxsell at the Women’s Integrated Networking Groups (WINGs) heritage afternoon tea at Hosking House, Duntroon, on November 17. Photo: LACW Katharine Pearson

No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit donned the appropriate headwear in support of the cancer charity CanTeen’s Bandanna Day on October 28. Photo: CPL Melina Young

Airfield engineers LACs Clay Brown (left) and Clinton Ryan seal the lower edges of a tent in the headquarters compound at Australia’s main air operating base in the Middle East region. Photo: SGT William Guthrie

EasyAccesstodetailsofyourrelocationitineraryToll Transitions has released a mobile phone application for Defence Members. The TollTransferee Move Plan App gives you easy access to the details of your relocation itinerary thatyou’ll need to know as you progress through your move.

The Toll Move Plan App provides you with up-to-date details about your relocation includingremoval dates, allowances, travel dates including airfare information (where applicable) andaccommodation details at both your losing and gaining locations.

The App is available for both Android and Apple iOS mobile phones. It can be downloaded fromthe Google Play Store and Apple iTunes App store by searching for Toll Move Plan.You can logon to the Toll MPL App using the same valid username and password you use toaccess Toll Transitions’ website www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

RememberToll‘sWarrantySchemechangedMarch2016Toll’s Warranty Scheme changed for removals uplifts from March 2016, and now allows for newreplacement cover to be applied to items which fall within predefined categories and agelimits. In cases where more than minor damage to an item has occurred, members will besupplied with a new replacement item if Toll Transitions determines that repair of the old item isnot economical and the item is eligible for replacement in accordance with a table of age-baseditem inclusions.

Like-for-like replacement or compensation cover will continue to apply to items which falloutside the specified age limits.

Not every item that sustains damage will be replaced with a new item or compensation paid atnew value. In the first instance damaged items will be repaired where practicable andcompensation paid for minor damage.

Read Toll’s “Your Defence Relocation Guide” and FAQs available atwww.tolltransitions.com.au/defence for full details of the Toll Warranty Scheme including thetable of age-based inclusions.

For more informationFreecall: 1800 819 167

www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

Download theTollMovePlanApp today

21December 1, 2016RCEAIR F Finance

Financial advice in a digital age

ROBO-ADVICE (also known as digital advice) describes financial advice delivered online, via computer, tablet or

smartphone. Using algorithms and technology in

place of a human financial adviser can offer convenient and potentially lower-cost financial advice.

Financial advice is generated by entering personal details – such as age, gender, income, assets, financial goals and risk tolerance – into a program.

Before you use robo-advice, you should make sure this style of advice will suit your needs.

Personal adviceWhen you register with a digital advice website you will answer ques-tions about your income and expenses, assets and liabilities, goals, objectives and risk tolerance.

This gives the robo-adviser infor-mation about your financial situation and aspirations.

The computer algorithm then con-siders this information when making

recommendations. The robo-adviser will produce an automated statement of advice (SOA), which explains the recommendations and other important information for you.

General adviceA robo-adviser, which only gives gen-eral advice, will not take into account your personal circumstances or give an SOA.

You must be told upfront that you are only receiving general advice. With general advice, you’ll need to decide whether the recommendation is appro-priate for you taking into account your goals, objectives and risk tolerance.

Robo-advice limitationsDigital advice software won’t clarify your goals and objectives and can’t account for changes in your circum-stances. For example, if you have a break from work or increase your debt levels.

As your circumstances can change over time, you should check the advice still fits your needs.

Paying for robo-adviceRobo-advice may have lower fees than traditional financial advisers.

This may be an option for people who can’t afford full service advice, only have a small amount to invest or have simple advice needs.

Advice may be charged on a fee-for-service basis and/or a percentage fee of assets under management, if you choose to implement the recommendations.

You may also be charged a sub-scription fee for ongoing servic-es, including regular newsletters or updates.

Portfolio rebalancingIf the advice you receive allows the robo-adviser to automatically adjust the asset allocation of your portfolio, you should understand when and why the rebalancing will occur.

For example, will rebalancing occur quarterly or as soon as your portfolio strays more than five per cent from the original mix of assets?

You should also be clear about any

ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft discusses the benefits and shortfalls of ‘robo-advice’

costs or tax liabilities associated with rebalancing your portfolio. Financial decisions are important.

If there’s anything you don’t understand, do your own research and seek further information to make an informed decision.

If needed, you should seek profes-

sional advice on the tax implications of negative and positive gearing, as the more you borrow. The more you will pay in interest.

For more on robo-advice visit ASIC’s MoneySmart website at moneysmart.gov.au/investing/financial-advice/robo-advice

Robo-advice can offer convenient and potentially lower-cost financial advice, but it will not include many important factors.

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• is renowned for its strong focus on pastoral care• has targeted support for ADF families with anADF mentor on site

• offers a wide and varied curriculum in atechnology rich environment

• has direct buses to the College from mostsuburbs and neighbouring NSW centres

To find out more about Merici College see our website atwww.merici.act.edu.au or contact the Enrolment Officer Ms Trish Ryan on(02) 6243 4102 or by email: patricia.ryan@merici.act.edu.au

Building FuturesFOR EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG WOMEN

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We are seeking expressions of interest from Defence members and their families, and single Defence members who are living in a DHA home.

By participating DHA is offering free photos for Defence singles, couples and families across the country.

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OUR ears are delicate and valu-able organs.

Although they don’t need brushing or clipping, like teeth

or nails, they do need to be looked after because once those little hair cells inside your ears are damaged, they can’t be fixed.

Head of Clinical Support at Australian Hearing Wendy Pearce sug-gested five tips for protecting our ears.

Wear earplugs Ms Pearce said it was estimated more than a third of all Australians had expe-rienced some form of noise damage to their ears.

“Yet damage from noise is entirely preventable,” she said.

“When you’re working with loud machinery, in a club, or anywhere where you’re exposed to loud noise for an extended period of time, wear earplugs or earmuffs and take 10 minute breaks from the noise every hour.

“This will allow your ears to rest and reduce the chance of damaging your hearing.”

Turn it down Ms Pearce said loud music was a com-mon culprit for noise damage, both attending concerts and listening to music particularly through headphones with the volume set high.

“Always be conscious to set music at a moderate level and try to avoid using music to drown out other noises,” she said. “The smallest reduction in volume will help your hearing.

“Invest in noise-cancelling head-phones, or earmuff-style headphones.

“These will help to reduce back-ground noise, which means that you can hear your music at a lower, safer volume.”

Clean your earsMs Pearce said another important factor in preventing hearing loss was to ensure your ears were kept clean.

“Ears are mostly self-cleaning so will generally look after themselves, but you can avoid infections by not swimming in dirty water and by treat-ing infections in other areas around the

upper respiratory tract so they don’t spread to the ear,” she said.

“Never try to clean ears by poking anything into the canals.

“Ear wax is a normal part of your ears’ cleaning process but if you feel there is a blockage, always consult a health professional rather than trying to treat it yourself.”

Painful ears? Ask your doctorMs Pearce said ear infections could cause temporary hearing problems.

“Children under the age of seven are more prone to ear infections. If your child or grandchild does not seem to hear you, or if you see them tug-ging at, or poking, their ears, it may be worth visiting your GP to get their ears checked,” she said.

“Pain in the ear can be an infection in the outer ear canal as well, so it is important to seek advice if pain persists.”

Have your hearing checkedAccording to Ms Pearce, if you’ve had recent problems hearing conversations around you or if you find yourself say-ing “pardon” a lot, get your hearing checked as soon as possible.

“Once you reach 60, have an annual check up just to make sure everything is working properly,” she said.

To take an online hearing test, visit www.hearinghelp.com.au or www.hearing.com.au to book a free hearing test at your nearest Australian Hearing Centre.

Ears kept in sound healthHearing is something many take for granted, but taking care of your ears is important, Grace Gabriel of Australian Hearing reports

22 December 1, 2016RCEAIR FHealth & Fitness

‘The smallest reduction in volume will help your hearing.

Wendy Pearce Head of Clinical

Support at Australian Hearing

Ears are an important organ and fortunately there are several things you can do to help keep them healthy. Photo: CPL Max Bree

1300 131 050www.stratton.com.au

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23December 1, 2016RCEAIR F Sp rt

CPL Max Bree

THE boys in blue dominated the ADF Football Federation National Carnival at Cromer Park in Sydney from November 6 to 10.

Air Force sides flew to victory in the men’s open and veterans’ (over-35) competitions.

It was the second championship in succession for the veterans’ team, which also won last year.

Vets team captain SGT Brad Moore, of 92 Wing, said they started with 21 players to field a side of 16.

“We were fairly confident from the start,” he said.

“We had a big squad and needed to cut a few players and that’s the first time we’ve had to cut so many.

“It was probably the best team we had going into a tournament.”

The veterans beat Navy 6-0 but came up against a tough Army side.

“It was nail-biting in the second half,” SGT Moore said.

“Until we got that third goal and knew we were home.”

Air Force finished on top of Army, 3-1.

“Army were fairly even across the ground,” SGT Moore said.

“They were probably just stronger in defence and that kept us from scoring.”

In the men’s open competition, Air Force was also confident heading in.

The side defeated a local Sydney team and the veterans in warm-up matches after a week-long training camp.

The men’s team defeated Navy 2-1 but had team captain SGT Jason Thomas said it had its biggest problem with the Army side.

We were down 1-0 and when we got back to 1-1 we thought we’d push on and take over,” he said.

“But then they got another cheeky goal. We showed a lot of character to come back from that.”

The Air Force side eventually won 3-2.

“It’s the best feeling. It’s always good to win the championship for RAAF,” SGT Thomas said.

He also credited star player CPL Josh Evans with helping the RAAF team dominate.

“He was a weapon. He was a solid midfielder and outstanding performer winning the interservice player of the tournament. A lot of the guys look up to him,” he said.

CPL Sebastian Beurich

THE ADF men’s and women’s cricket teams realised a childhood dream when they stepped out onto the SCG to play against the NSW Governor’s XI team on Remembrance Day.

Started in the early 1990s, the annual match ceased in 1995. Earlier this year, the NSW Governor, GEN David Hurley (retd), invited the ADF to resume the tradition.

The matches paused at 11am for a minute’s silence while a bugler played The Last Post and Reveille.

ADF women’s team captain CPL Rachel Martin said the match was a fan-tastic experience for everyone involved.

“Getting to play the game I love, not only with the ADF team but on Remembrance Day, at the SCG was great,” she said.

“There are only three women’s cricket

games being played at the SCG this year and for one of those to be our game was pretty amazing.

“We had done some training with ex-Australian players Michelle Goszko and Lisa Sthalekar the week prior to the game, so seeing them on the field, on the opposite team, meant there was a bit of good-hearted banter.

While neither ADF team won, FLTLT Jarrod Moxey said the games were about exposing newer members to a high level of cricket.

“The Governor’s team was definitely a step up from what we are used to play-ing against but we weren’t completely outclassed,” he said.

“For me, it was a boyhood dream to walk out and play on the SCG. To stand out in the middle and reminisce on all of the games I had watched on TV and the great players who had played there made it a humbling experience.”

SGT Dave Morley

A COMPOSITE touch football team from RAAF Base Wagga gave two Army teams a run for their money before going down 11-1 in the final to an established triservice team at the Kapooka K-Series on November 5.

The Air Force team easily defeated teams from Army Logistic Training Centre at Wodonga and Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka before taking on ACT/Country in the semi and the final.

Air Force team captain FLGOFF Elizabeth Moore, from HQ RAAF College, said they had a great time but the better team won in the end.

“We were quite happy with the way we ended up, though,” she said.

“We could have done better if

we’d done more training. But, with the weather we’ve had in Wagga lately, that was impossible, and a few extra players would have helped too. It was a really good turn-out and we were impressed there were four teams here this year.”

FLGOFF Moore said the RAAF

Base Wagga team was put together just for the K-Series.

“So we’ve got some trainees and people from all different units, and even one person from Latchford Barracks down at Wodonga – LT Simon Moore, who was our best player for the day,” she said.

Bowled over by experienceGood try but a touch short

Twice the delight

Open men’s player of the tournament LAC Josh Evans keeps out an Army

opponent during the ADF Football Federation National Carnival.

FLGOFF Elizabeth Moore scores a try

against ACT/Country.Photo: SGT Dave Morley

NEW ENEMIES FOLLOW OUR veterans HOMEMany returning veterans come home only to face new enemies – enemies they’ve never been

trained to fight. DefenceCare helps them with these battles.

To give $5, please text ‘CARE’ to 1990 1111. fightingnewenemies.com.auJames DallasAustralian VeteranClaims Manager, DefenceCare

Peter Hartung German WW2 Veteran

NEW ENEMIES FOLLOW OUR veterans HOMEMany returning veterans come home only to face new enemies – enemies they’ve never been

trained to fight. DefenceCare helps them with these battles.

To give $5, please text ‘CARE’ to 1990 1111. fightingnewenemies.com.auJames DallasAustralian VeteranClaims Manager, DefenceCare

Peter Hartung German WW2 Veteran

SP RTDecember 1, 2016

STRIKEFORCE

Air Force soccer sides fly to victory

Page 23

Veterans footballer SGT Craig Gallard

takes control of the ball during the ADF Football

Federation National Carnival in Sydney.

RCEAIRF December 1, 2016 Orion era 1

ENDURING LEGACY

SPECIAL LIFT-OUT

11SQN’s fond farewell to an old friend unfolds

A formation of AP-3C Orions off the coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, 2014.Photo: CPL David Gibbs

2 Orion era RCEAIR F December 1, 2016 3

Flexibility of the mighty hunterAs the P-3 Orion begins its retirement after a long and distinguished service life, AIRCDRE Ian Pearson

looks back at the many ways it has flown the flag for air power

“SO IT’S goodbye” was the headline in the March 1968 edition of RAAF News (forerunner to Air Force News). Subtitled

“Orions replace Neptunes in fighting eleventh”, the article reported on the last No. 11 Squadron flight in a P-2E Neptune on December 19, 1967 and the dawn of the Orion era.

The P-3B Orion was due to arrive at 11SQN’s new base at Edinburgh in May 1968.

Since its introduction to service, the Lockheed P-3 Orion has delivered a versatile, long-endurance maritime and overland surveillance and response capability to the Air Force.

Larger and faster than the P-2 Neptune it replaced, the P-3 Orion has provided a more comfortable crew environment and the opportunity for capability development as technology evolved.

Ten P-3C Update II Orions replaced No. 10 Squadron’s ageing SP-2H Neptunes in 1978, while 11SQN’s P-3Bs were replaced with 10 P-3C Update II.5 Orions in 1984-85.

Three second-hand P-3Bs, redesignated as TAP-3s, also flew with 92 Wing as training aircraft between 1997 and 2004.

Although originally fielded as a land-based maritime patrol aircraft, in Air Force service the P-3’s low-profile missions – largely conducted remote from base and shrouded by confidentiality – have evolved in response to changing threats and national security requirements.

Inheriting the anti-submarine warfare role from the P-2, the Orion’s greater reach and speed put it into action in Cold War operations far from home, from the North Pacific to the North Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and elsewhere.

Flying from the US, Canada and other places as part of the Cold War operations, the P-3 located, classified and tracked Soviet attack and ballistic carrying nuclear submarines.

Similar operations were conducted

against Soviet attack submarines transiting the waters of our region.

The introduction of the P-3B, with its greater speed and reach, enabled Australia to fulfil its surveillance obligations under the 1951 Radford-Collins Agreement.

That agreement covered shared responsibility for the protection of shipping and sea lines of communication in strategically important South Pacific and Indian Ocean areas.

Similarly, when Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone was declared in 1973, the aircraft gave Australia the capability to surveil a maritime expanse exceeding its own land territory.

The P-3’s developing capabilities have subsequently been exploited in a host of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations both in the traditional maritime domain and, more recently, over land.

Commencing in 1980, Operation Estes involved P-3s in round-the-clock surveillance of Bass Strait oil rigs against an assessed terrorism threat.

Further afield, Butterworth-based Operation Gateway, which started in February 1981, is the ADF’s longest continuously active operation and has had P-3s locating and tracking submerged submarines and conducting ISR operations against a variety of targets in the area of operations.

These operations are not without hazard. P-3s, while not armed in these missions, have been engaged by small arms fire and the radars of more potent hostile weapons systems.

P-3 surveillance operations in the south-west Pacific have long fulfilled a broad diplomatic agenda.

Safeguarding the natural resources of island states, which lack the necessary assets to discharge this role, Operation Solania’s maritime surveillance by P-3s has been a tangible expression of Australia’s position as a trusted neighbour and regional partner.

Strategically, the presence of Air Force

P-3s in these patrols has also provided a counterweight to the activities of other nations exploring opportunities in the region.

Over the years, the Orion has featured in countless rescues at sea.

Prominent among these were the rescue of solo yachtswoman Isabelle Autissier, 900 nautical miles south of South Australia, in 1995, and the even more challenging rescues of yachtsmen Tony Bullimore, Thierry Dubois and Raphael Dinelli in the 1996-97 Vendee Globe solo-handed around-the-world yacht race. Each of them capsized about 1200 nautical miles south of Western Australia.

In its long service life, the P-3C has increased its capability and airframe life through continuous upgrades.

Early in the piece, the P-3C’s well-established surface surveillance capability was transformed to a maritime strike capability when the aircraft was armed with the AGM-84 Harpoon missile.

On Anzac Day in 1982 a P-3C became the first Air Force platform to fire one of these weapons when it engaged an exercise target at sea near Hawaii.

Subsequent upgrade projects have included AIR 5140, commenced in 1989 and primarily aimed at installing an advanced electronic support measures system. The multi-phase AIR 5276 program, starting in 1995, extended the life and enhanced the military capabilities of the redesignated AP-3C Orion fleet.

Along with the introduction of sophisticated electronic warfare self-protection systems and continuing upgrades to the aircraft’s electro-optics/infra-red system, continuing enhancements to the aircraft under AIR 5276 made it an effective ISR platform throughout coalition operations in the Middle East.

Between 2003 and 2012, the AP-3C won accolades for its operations over land and in maritime roles, routinely being tasked in both environments on the same sorties.

Since the P-3’s design stemmed from the Lockheed Electra passenger aircraft, no description of Air Force P-3 operations would be complete without reference to the Orion’s air mobility roles.

Over nearly 50 years since its arrival at Edinburgh, these have included countless aeromedical evacuations across the region, exploitation of the aircraft’s capability to self-deploy with its own support crew, acting as a navigation and communications platform for long transits by less capable platforms and, on occasion, exotic passenger transport tasks.

Perhaps the most unusual of these was in August 1974, when Russian musician Georgi Ermolenko, seven colleagues and an officer from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) were ferried from RAAF Base Pearce to Singapore in an 11SQN P-3B.

Unions had banned commercial flights from taking Mr Ermolenko out of Australia when he changed his mind after earlier seeking to defect to Australia.

Flying to Singapore, the 11SQN crew decided they had identified the KGB officer they were convinced would be accompanying Mr Ermolenko.

The next day the “KGB man” returned to Australia on the P-3 – he was the DFAT officer.

Throughout its service with the Air Force, the P-3s has epitomised the flexibility of air power.

While the Air Force’s AP-3Cs will continue this legacy with 10SQN until the aircraft is finally withdrawn from service, for 11SQN it’s goodbye to the Orion as the baton is passed to the P-8A Poseidon.

Ground crew and aircrew are invited to share their memories of P-3 service with AIRCDRE Ian Pearson, who is writing the history of the aircraft for a book the Air Force’s Directorate of History is planning to publish. Contact AIRCDRE Pearson via ian.pearson@defence.gov.au

An 11SQN flight deck team in an AP-3C Orion during Operation Island Chief 2014.Photo: Peter Shomos

RAAF News’ coverage of the Orion’s introduction to the Air Force, replacing the Neptune, in 1968.

A P-3C 664 over Canadian Air Force Base Greenwood, Nova Scotia (Canada), where Air Force’s 11SQN Crew 5 won the Fincastle Trophy anti-submarine warfare competition against UK, New Zealand and Canadian air force crews in September 1993.

An ex-10SQN Lockheed Neptune maritime patrol aircraft and an AP-3C Orion participate in a flypast during the T150 Townsville Defence Force Air Show in October. Photo: CPL David Cotton

A P-3B near Koko Head, Oahu (Hawaii) shortly after the aircraft were picked up from the US in the first half of 1968.

11SQN’s Crew 1 and their AP-3C played a key role in a search and rescue operation involving two suspected irregular entry vessels off Cocos Island in May 2010.Photos: from RAAF archives

11SQN’s B Crew with their P-3B at Naval Air Station Moffett

Field (near San Francisco), US, for Exercise Valiant Heritage in

March 1976.

RCEAIR FDecember 1, 20164 Orion era

Flown with flare

A 92WG AP-3C lets flares fly as part of certification trials with the Aircraft

Research and Development Unit in 2005.Photo: SGT Peter Gammie

11SQN Crew 1 (captained by the CO WGCDR John “Bunter” Foran), flying A9-292 over Penang Harbour during the last P-3B Gateway deployment in February 1985.Photo: RAAF