AIR F RCE
Vol. 55, No. 7, April 25, 2013
The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force
FLOW-ON
EFFECT
P3
First Rhino
and tanker
air-to-air
refuelling
trials prove
successful
FILLING THE NEED: An F/A-18F Super
Hornet refuels during an air-to-air refuelling
trial with a KC-30A tanker aircraft (pictured
inset) near RAAF Base Amberley. Results
have led to approval being recommended for
the two aircraft to conduct air-to-air refuelling
within a limited envelope. Photos: CPLs Rodney Welch and Mark McConnell
AFG ready for
Anzac Day P2
FCU 9 departs
for MEAO P5
FCI course
heats up P12-13
2 News
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Honouring the Anzacs
Darryl Johnston
AIR Force airmen are representing the nation as part of Australia’s
Federation Guard’s (AFG) support to
Anzac Day ceremonies in Belgium,
France and Turkey.
A total of 34 guardsmen make up
the three contingents with 13 representatives from the Army, 12 from
Air Force and nine from Navy.
The guardsmen perfected their
precision and timing during the
opening and closing ceremonies
of the Hall of Remembrance at the
Australian War Memorial and in the
forecourt of the national shrine in the
week leading up to Anzac Day.
On the Gallipoli Peninsula, the
AFG personnel will stand as solemn
guards at the Gallipoli Memorial
throughout the Anzac Day Dawn
Service, while at Villers Bretonneux
and Bullecourt in France and Ypres
in Belgium, they will feature during
Anzac Day commemorations and
at the service for the famous Menin
Gate.
Their every move will be watched
by Australian and international officials leading the services, thousands
of visitors who have travelled to the
battlefields to pay their respects and
millions of Australians watching
live television coverage of the commemorations.
Many in the AFG contingents are
experiencing their first trips to the
battlefields during Anzac Day.
One of those members is LACW
Casey Gaul, one of only two women
in the Gallipoli contingent.
She said the trip would provide
the first opportunity for her to play
an important part in Anzac Day commemorations.
“I am honoured and privileged I
am able to go to Gallipoli,” she said.
“I am also honoured to represent
my country, service and unit and to
pay tribute to those who fought and
died for us at Gallipoli.”
The Air Force photographer said
her skills had come in handy while
being at AFG.
“My job at AFG differs to the
average guardsmen,” she said. “It
allows me to still use my photographic skills and perform various
photography tasks along with providing the opportunity to get out and do
parades to maintain a high standard
of drill.
“The Federation Guard has also
given me the opportunity to learn the
snare drum and perform alongside
the Precision Drill Team in the Drum
Corp.”
LAC John Campbell is well prepared for the Gallipoli tour having
been a guardsman for Anzac Day
ceremonies in France and Belgium
last year.
“Gallipoli is seen as being the
most prestigious ceremonial site we
have. To not only experience, but to
actually be part of the ceremonial
party means a great deal and is my
Director
David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650
EDITORIAL TEAM
Editor/Deputy Director
Simone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253
Deputy Editor
John Martin: (02) 6265 7219
Coordination/Sports Editor
Michael Weaver: (02) 6266 7707
Reporters
WO2 Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614
CPL Aaron Curran: (02) 6265 1355
CPL Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304
CPL Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140
CPL Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608
LS Paul Berry: (02) 6266 7606
TOUR OF A LIFETIME: Top,
AFG members during rehearsals
at the Australian War Memorial
in Canberra before deploying
to participate in Anzac Day
ceremonies in Gallipoli, France
and Belgium. Left, LAC John
Campbell and below, LACW Casey
Gaul, who are part of a 12-strong
Air Force contingent. Photos: Lauren Black
way of saying thanks to the Anzacs,”
LAC Campbell said.
“My time at AFG has been very
rewarding, showing that hard work
and dedication is rewarded. To be
able to go to the two main sites for
Anzac Day two years in a row is a
dream. To experience this is very
exciting.”
OC AFG MAJ Andre Le Masle
said the tempo would increase in
the lead-up to the Anzac Centenary
in 2015, and opportunities existed
for AFG guardsmen to travel to
Gallipoli, Villers Bretonneux or
Ypres to take part in commemoration
activities.
“Any member of the ADF who is
interested in representing their service and the ADF should direct their
expression of interest to their career
adviser,” MAJ Le Masle said.
Michael Brooke: (02) 9359 2494
DISCLAIMER
CONTACT US
Air Force News is published fortnightly by the
Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under
contract by Horton Media Australia Ltd. The material published is selected for its interest. The views
expressed in published articles are not necessarily
those of Defence or Air Force News. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News
approval and the Directorate of Defence News
may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement. The Directorate accepts no responsibility or
liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an
advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form
not in accordance with the instructions received by
the Directorate of Defence News. The fact that an
advertisement is accepted for publication does not
mean that the product or service is endorsed by the
Department of Defence or Air Force News.
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (02) 6266 7701
Mail: The Editor, Air Force News, R8-LG-048, PO
Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600
Website: www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews
ADVERTISING and SUBSCRIPTIONS
Advertising Manager
Tim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 or 0459 842 551
Email: [email protected]
Assistant Manager Advertising/Subscriptions
Trish Dillon: (02) 6266 7607
Email: [email protected]
AIR F RCE
Air Force online
AirForce.gov.au
facebook.com/
RoyalAustralianAirForce
youtube.com/AirForceHQ
twitter.com/AirForceHQ
feeds.feedburner.com/
RoyalAustralianAirForce
Living the Air Force Values: RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORK
News 3
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
FLYING SUCCESS: Two F/A18F Super Hornets position for
an air-to-air refuelling trial with
a KC-30A. Photo: CPL Rodney Welch
Super capability test
Eamon Hamilton
INITIAL tanking trials between the
Super Hornet and KC-30A have
been completed.
A report on the trials, led by the
Aircraft Research and Development
Unit (ARDU), has recommended
approval for the two aircraft types to
conduct air-to-air refuelling (AAR)
within an initial limited envelope.
The AAR trials were conducted in a range of conditions from
February 4-19.
A total of 54 flying hours were
completed by the Super Hornets
and 33 flying hours by the KC-30A.
In an impressive tally, a total
of 87 engagements were made
between the two aircraft, with
almost 76 tonnes of fuel transferred.
The Super Hornet deploys a
refuelling probe in front of its cockpit and connects with a drogue
deployed from the tanker.
FLTLT David Bell, a qualified
test pilot at ARDU and graduate
of the US Naval Test Pilot School,
said the program provided an initial envelope for AAR operations
between both aircraft.
“The flight test team does not
just perform one ‘plug’ to prove the
capability,” FLTLT Bell said.
“It looks to create an envelope
to guarantee that future AAR operations can be conducted safely and
efficiently at a range of predicted
conditions.”
AAR testing is done at different airspeeds, altitudes and tanker
and receiver loading configurations
to assess the nature of the tanker’s
wake. The stability of the drogue
and the flying qualities of the Super
Hornet when performing drogue
engagements is also examined.
Night AAR testing was also conducted to assess the lighting compatibility between both the receiver
and the tanker.
FLTLT Bell holds the unique
distinction of being the only qualified test pilot in the world to have
completed KC-30A AAR test programs with both the Australian F/A18A/B and the F/A-18F.
“It has been an extremely
rewarding opportunity to carry out
these clearances with ARDU, which
have helped bring capabilities such
as KC-30A into service,” FLTLT
Bell said.
The test program used the combined expertise of personnel from
ARDU’s headquarters and its
Amberley detachment, along with
significant assistance from 82WG
flight test personnel and 33SQN.
The KC-30A’s crew were augmented with flight test engineers,
while qualified test pilots and flight
test engineers flew on receiver aircraft.
CO ARDU WGCDR Andrew
Figtree said AAR flying was the
ultimate test of a pilot’s concentration and skill.
“The nature of the flight test
environment amplified the intensity of refuelling with the Super
Hornet,” WGCDR Figtree said.
During the trials, results were
immediately compiled for the test
report, which would help clear the
AAR capability for operations.
“There was significant involvement across the executive of
ARDU to ensure that this report
was released as soon as possible,”
WGCDR Figtree said.
“The speed and diligence displayed by the flight test team was
exceptional, noting the small window
available to complete this testing.
“ARDU has developed a considerable pedigree with AAR hose
and drogue testing over the last two
years and we must have some of the
most qualified AAR test crews in
the world.”
The flight test report from
ARDU will be provided to the US
Navy.
Once follow-on testing is done
to enable a full clearance, the US
Navy will provide clearance for
the KC-30A to support world-wide
AAR with the Super Hornet.
Rhino force has 10,000
reasons to be proud
FLTLT Cath Friend
The F/A-18F Super Hornet squadrons have operated under such a
high tempo since the beginning
of the year it’s no surprise they
hit another significant milestone
but didn’t have time to stop and
celebrate.
In late January, the fleet passed
10,000 flying hours – an impressive
feat considering the first five jets
only arrived in Australia in March
2010.
Since then, the milestones have
kept on coming, thanks to an enthusiastic and committed workforce,
according to OC 82WG GPCAPT
Geoff Harland.
“[The 10,000-hour milestone] is
a credit to the project and collective
running system approach to Super
Hornet,” GPCAPT Harland said.
“It is a highly impressive capa-
bility in its own right and we are
very proud of its ongoing achievements thanks to the significant hard
work and professionalism of the
entire team across both Air Force
and Defence Materiel Organisation.”
Only months after the first jets
arrived, Initial Operational Capability
was achieved on December 8, 2010,
followed by Final Operational Capability last year on December 12.
Most recently the jets completed the
refuelling testing and capability with
33SQN’s KC-30A tanker aircraft.
FLTLT Daniel Grealy, of 1SQN,
was in the first team to fly the Super
Hornet in the US in 2010 and is
currently supporting the Fighter
Combat Instructor course at RAAF
Base Williamtown. He also became
the first Super Hornet pilot to
achieve ‘A’ Categorisation.
“Coming from a Classic Hornet
background, my first experience fly-
ing a Super Hornet was like putting
on a pair of old jeans – familiar and
very comfortable,” he said.
“It has an excellent human/machine interface and is very easy to
fly. Where the Super Hornet excels
is the extra fuel and weapons capacity as well as the enhanced systems,
specifically the active electronically
scanned array radar.”
FLTLT Grealy said the aircraft
had performed exceptionally well in
all areas and had taken Air Combat
Group’s capability to the next level.
“The Super Hornet is proving
to be an excellent stepping stone
to the Joint Strike Fighter and fifth
generation war-fighting,” he said.
FLTLT Grealy said 82WG were
only scratching the surface of what
the aircraft was capable of.
“It is proving to be a very exciting and rewarding time flying the
Super Hornet,” he said.
LARGE TASK: The
KC-30A, above,
conducted 33 flying
hours during the air-toair refuelling tests with
the Super Hornet, left, in
February.
Photos: LAC Craig Barrett and
CPL Rodney Welch
OWN A PROPERTY?
LOOKING TO INVEST
IN PROPERTY?
Spectrum can help with:
Finding the best interest rate
Fixed v Variable rates
Tax planning
Offset v Redraw
:HFDQKHOS\RX¿QGDSURSHUW\LQJURZWKORFDWLRQV
and we are accredited with all major lenders!
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE
ZZZIDFHERRNFRPVSHFWUXP¿QDQFLDOVROXWLRQV
‡6HHZKHUHZHDUHYLVLWLQJ
‡)LQGXVHIXOORDQWLSVDQGWD[WLSV
‡.HHSXSWRGDWHZLWKSURSHUW\DUWLFOHV
Defence Force
specialist
in Financial
Education
Stage 1
Education
Stage 2
Develop a
personalised
long term
investment
strategy
Stage 3
Implement and
regularly review
BOOK
NOW
FOR YOUR FREE
APPOINTMENT
Call 1300 784 246
or visit
www.spect.com.au
16:+HDGRI¿FHVKRUWZDONWR
*DUGHQ,VODQGQDYDOEDVH
6SHFWUXPLVD/LFHQVHG5HDO(VWDWH$JHQW5HJLVWHUHG7D[$JHQW$FFUHGLWHG0RUWJDJH&RQVXOWDQW
Trusted adviser, mentoring Defence Personnel since 1982
4 News
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Have your say and
make a difference
WHAT do you think about your
job? Your leaders? Defence?
You can have your say and
influence important Defence
decisions about your pay, your
conditions and your workplace.
The YourSay research goes
live on May 10 and Defence
wants to hear from you.
Director-General
Personnel – Air Force AIRCDRE
Bob Rodgers said it was a
great opportunity for members
to make a difference.
“Every year Air Force personnel get randomly selected
to participate in this survey
and, through it, voice their
views on Air Force’s future
policy directions,” AIRCDRE
Rodgers said.
“This research lets us know
what is important to you and
your job – what you think.
“That’s why it’s essential
we get as many personnel
as possible to participate – it
allows our policy people to
make more informed decisions
about your future pay, conditions and workplace environment.
“So if you are chosen to
participate, I highly encourage you to log on and let us
know what you think. This is
your chance to influence our
future.”
If you would like to know more or
have any questions or comments,
contact the YourSay research
team at [email protected]
What people have said so far
Here is some of what about 3,500
people had to say in February.
➤ Nine out of 10 Air Force people
said job security was important
and almost all were satisfied with
their own job security.
➤ Four in five Air Force people were
proud to tell others they were an
Air Force member.
➤ Air Force people who said they
were satisfied with their career pro-
gression were also more satisfied
with their current jobs, however
half the Air Force people said they
were not satisfied with their career
progression. AIRCDRE Rodgers
has acknowledged this concern
and says the significant slowdown
in separations has had a commensurate effect on promotions.
He says as separations normalise,
Air Force promotion targets would
return to five-year averages.
WHS ACHIEVEMENT: From left, LACW Athena Sinnott, SGT Peter White and
LAC Wayne Teale talk with Deputy Chief of Joint Operations RADM Stephen
Gilmore at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates after the awarding
of a WHS Commendation, accepted by XO FSU 7 SQNLDR Kevin Hall, right. Photos: SGT William Guthrie
First for ops unit
Ready
for
action,
FORCE Support Unit 7 has become the
first operational unit to be commended
for work health and safety.
Deputy Commander Joint Operations
RADM Stephen Gilmore presented the
unit with a WHS Commendation for
leadership in injury and illness prevention on March 15 during a tour of Al
Minhad Air Base in the United Arab
Emirates.
FSU 7 XO SQNLDR Kevin Hall
accepted the award on behalf of the unit.
RADM Gilmore received the award
in early March at the WHS awards ceremony in Canberra and said he was proud
of FSU’s efforts.
“I am pleased with this recognition,
as it is the first time such an award has
been presented to a deployed element,”
he said.
“WHS and force preservation is
just as important while on operations
and unnecessary risks in the workplace
should not be taken just because personnel are no longer in Australia.”
All FSU 7 members began their
training at different levels of fitness and
weapons handling skills.
To have the platform set for deployment injury and illness prevention, the
challenge for the unit was to integrate
these people and ensure every individual
was up to the same high standard of
preparation for deployment.
FSU is a triservice unit of sailors,
soldiers and airmen from over 40 units
around Australia.
The current rotation deployed in late
September 2012 and provides logistic
support, base maintenance and theatre
induction training for ADF personnel in
the MEAO.
thanks to
Don’t let teeth straightening hold you back. Invisalign is the new clear alternative
to braces, and unlike braces, it’s removable so you can take it out whenever you
need. It’s also virtually invisible so you can get on and face the challenges in
your life, without anyone knowing you’re improving your smile.
Using a series of clear, removable aligners,
your teeth are gradually straightened. By
changing the aligner every couple of weeks, your
teeth gradually move toward the smile you’ve
always wanted. Straight Smile Centre is Australia’s
leading Invisalign Provider*, so you can trust us with
your smile whatever your life demands of you. Call 8364 4311 for a free consultation
Norwood
www.straightsmile.com.au
* Based on cumulative case submissions
Photos: LAC Terry Hartin
Diamondbacks
join 75SQN
THE US Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Two (VFA 102)
“Diamondbacks” conducted a series of training exercises with 75SQN
around RAAF Base Tindal and the Delamere Air Weapons Range in the
Northern Territory late last month. Pictured above are three 75SQNs
Hornets with a VFA 102 Super Hornet during a training sortie, and inset,
VFA 102 technicians working on a Super Hornet at RAAF Base Tindal.
News 5
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Specialists
farewelled
for MEAO
IN FRONT of friends and family, 117
members of Force Communications
Unit 9 (FCU 9) were farewelled at
Robertson Barracks in Darwin on
April 11.
T he triservi c e u n i t , l e d b y
WGCDR Gordon Pert, left for a sixmonth deployment to the MEAO and
will be responsible for providing and
maintaining communications to all
Australian forces deployed in theatre.
Reviewing the parade, Deputy
Air Commander Australia AIRCDRE
Chris Westwood said it was great to
see a joint unit training, preparing and
deploying together.
“The contingent on parade comprised 54 communications specialists from the RAAF, 57 signalmen
and women from the Army’s Royal
Australian Corps of Signals and six
sailors from the Navy,” AIRCDRE
Westwood said.
Addressing the parade, he gave
members advice for their deployment.
“Work hard, support each other,
be proud and continue to build on the
outstanding successes that previous
FCUs have achieved,” he said.
WGCDR Pert, who is the second
Air Force officer to command an FCU
rotation, said FCU’s greatest asset was
its personnel.
“They bring with them a broad
range of knowledge and experience
that will greatly contribute to the
successful conduct of our mission,”
WGCDR Pert said.
“I am proud to have the honour of
commanding such a talented team of
individuals.”
Before deployment, FCU 9 completed a 10-week force concentration
and preparation training activity at
Army’s 1 st Brigade in the Northern
Territory.
As well as communications and
information systems training, FCU 9
undertook combat casualty first aid,
IED awareness and weapons training.
Adding to the demanding training
program was the heat and humidity
of the Northern Territory’s wet sea-
EYES RIGHT: SQNLDR Martin Cellini, Commander FCU 9 WGCDR Gordon Pert and WOFF Graham
Schilling salute as they march past the reviewing officer during their farewell parade at Robertson Barracks.
Photo: LS Jo Dilorenzo
son – a new experience for most of the
personnel.
The training program culminated in
a five-day certification exercise run by
observer trainers from 1st Division.
AIRCDRE Westwood said FCU 9’s
deployment represented the culmination of many months of effort from
personnel and support staff.
“Members were required to complete specialist training to enable them
to maintain the highly technical equipment and communications systems
they will be working with while on
deployment, as well a raft of individual and team-based force preparation
training,” he said.
“The soldiers, sailors and airmen
and women that were on parade are
very well trained and equipped and are
ready for the challenges they face in
the Middle East.”
While many of the unit’s members had deployed on previous FCU
rotations, it was the first deployment
for some, including LACW Amy
Anderson, of 92WG Logistics.
“I’m excited and nervous about
the unknown, but mostly excited,” she
said.
On September 9, 2008, the first
FCU was deployed as a formed body
to Joint Task Force 633 in the MEAO.
This unit became the central unit
for the provision and control of communications throughout the force, in
order to improve the JTF’s command
and control.
The unit was also responsible for
interfacing the ADF’s communications
equipment with that of our coalition
partners across the MEAO.
DHOAS Saver Home Loan
5.59 5.65
%
p.a.
Comparison rate
Great features, great rate
>
No monthly fees
>
100% mortgage offset
Call 1800 033 139 or visit your local Defence Bank branch
* Comparison rate is based upon $150,000 loan secured loan over 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other
loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on request. Approval subject to the satisfaction of Defence Bank’s lending criteria. DHOAS eligibility
criteria also apply. 100% mortgage offset available on variable rate loans. Interest rates current as at 10 April 2013, and are subject to change. Please refer to defencebank.com.au for current rates.
defencebank.com.au
Defence Bank Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 234582 (04/13)
Annual variable rate
%*
p.a.
6 News
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Dedicated
service
honoured
FLTLT Nicholas O’Connor
PROUD MOMENT: WOFF Ian Bailey displays the commemorative coins
presented to him by CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, pictured left inset with
him, for achieving 50 years of service.
Photos: CPL Glen McCarthy
The natural choice for health cover
10% discount for serving
families and reservists*
“On enlistment and during trade
training, my focus was getting out there
ONE of Air Force’s most experienced
and putting into practice the skills I had
technical trainers, WOFF Ian ’Beetle’
acquired. In those days, I certainly did
Bailey, has clocked up half a century of
not contemplate the notion that I would
service in Air Force.
be one day instructing in the school I
WOFF Bailey’s 50 years in uniform
had been trained in or recruiting from
were commemorated last month at the
the centre I had enlisted in, but the twists
2013 Australian International Airshow
and turns that shape a career, often withat Avalon when CAF AIRMSHL Geoff
out any apparent logic, are bountiful and
Brown presented him with a set of Air
rich in the rewards they bring.”
Force commemorative coins and thanked
He said some of the most valuable
him for his long and dedicated service.
aspects of his career were the opportuniThe aircraft technician has served
ties to gain experience on a diversity
20 years in the PAF and 30 years in
of aircraft, systems and projects in an
the reserves at 21SQN, RAAF Base
assortment of locations and in a variety
Williams.
of roles.
When asked what were his most sig“I believe I have been fortunate in
nificant career highlights, WOFF Bailey having the opportunities to maintain and
said he would first be tempted to respond manage the scope of aircraft and associwith something unremarkable.
ated equipment that I have, ranging from
“However, when you take the time to the piston-engined Dakotas, Winjeel,
sift through and analyse memories, you
CT4 and Caribou; turbo prop Hercules
realise just how rich and rewarding and
and HS748, and gas turbined Mirage,
unique each member’s career is to them, Macchi and F/A-18,” he said.
and perhaps to others,” he said.
As a reservist at 21SQN, his role was
“Not only did the Air Force provide
to manage aircraft maintenance until flyexcellent trade and career training, some- ing ceased at Laverton. His career then
thing I can attest to with some credibility took a slightly different direction when
considering my time and experience in
he was posted in as the OIC Training
the training and engineering environManagement Section, responsible for
ments, but also the human values of
the management and administration of
honour, honesty, mateship, loyalty and
officer initial training, recruit and initial
generally looking out for each other.”
employment training.
WOFF Bailey’s career began at 15
“I also worked for the RAAF School
when he enlisted as an engineering
of Administration and Logistics Training
apprentice in January 1963.
as an approved assessor and instructors
He did training at the RAAF School
course instructor, and have been fortuof Technical Training and graduated as
nate in not only having course involvean engine fitter in June 1965.
ment at the school in Wagga, but also
He said this period was an important delivering training and assessment at
part of his career because “it shaped the
other bases,” he said.
attitudes, trade skills and personal values
Of his many career highlights, what
that underpinned the principles and ethstood out the most was “the immense
ics that I have attempted to live by”.
enjoyment of my 50 years in the Air
“Technical and military skills instruc- Force”.
tion was provided by role models that
“I am grateful for the opportunities
believed in what they did and in the
and immense personal satisfaction it has
outcomes that were desired. Their collec- provided, and I truly appreciate the suptive influence offered significant guiding port from my family, especially putting
choices, framed with integrity and perup with all those working weekends,
postings and attachments away,” he said.
sonal pride,” WOFF Bailey said.
2013 Special Release Medallions
navyhealth.com.au
1300 306 289
* Conditions Apply
Together to inspire
For details visit
www.airforceshop.com.au
News 7
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
FAREWELL: F-111
A8-109, in its original
camouflage paint scheme,
being lifted by a crane
onto a truck at RAAF Base
Amberley for transport to
Illawarra Regional Airport,
near Wollongong. Inset,
A8-109 on its final flight on
December 3, 2010.
Photos: LACWs Shannon
McCarthy and Jessica Smith
New contract
for technical
trade training
New home for ‘last’ Pig
THE world’s last operational F-111C
has ‘landed’ at its new home – the
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society
(HARS) at Illawarra Regional Airport,
near Wollongong.
In its original camouflage paint
scheme, A8-109 was transported
via road convoy from RAAF Base
Amberley from April 6-8, travelling
more than 1100km over the three days.
The convoy stopped through
regional NSW towns including
Goondiwindi, Narrabri, Gunnedah,
Muswellbrook, Beresfield and Picton.
On arrival at HARS, the aircraft
was reassembled with the assistance of
F-111 disposal team members, involving reattaching the wings, tail fin and
horizontal stabilisers and final preparations for public display.
The delivery came three weeks
after another F-111C was delivered to
an Australian historical organisation –
the South Australian Aviation Museum
– under the F-111 Disposal Project.
Manager F-111 Disposal Project
WGCDR Clive Wells said it was
another successful delivery.
“I was impressed with the attention and media coverage we received
along the way and when we arrived at
HARS,” WGCDR Wells said.
He said four aircraft were still yet
to be delivered to Australian historical
organisations, and those aircraft would
also be returned to their former camouflage paint scheme.
A8-109 is an ex-US Air Force aircraft which saw combat in Vietnam. It
was purchased by the RAAF in 1982.
Flying for the last time at the
RAAF F-111 retirement ceremony on
December 3, 2010, A8-109 became the
world’s last operational F-111.
AVIATION Technical Training
Services for the ADF will now
be provided by BAE Systems
Australia.
Defence Materiel Minister Dr
Mike Kelly announced the signing of a $107 million five-year
contract on April 5.
Under the new contract,
BAE Systems Australia will train
about 900 students annually at
the RAAF School of Technical
Training at RAAF Base Wagga.
The contract is for initial
training for technicians and
maintainers for all aviationrelated trades, and a range
of postgraduate courses, for
aircraft and helicopters operated
by Army, Navy and Air Force.
Dr Kelly said the new contract provided BAE with a high
level of autonomy and responsibility for the delivery of the
training.
“BAE will be introducing a
contemporary training environment supported by modern
training systems,” he said.
Your dream,
Your plan,
Your home.
ADCU DHOAS
Value Home Loan
5.59% 5.64%
p.a. Interest Rate
p.a. Comparison Rate*
Talk to us about finding the right home loan for you.
Low rates
Relationship rewards
Great service
1300 13 23 28 www.adcu.com.au
Terms and conditions, fees and charges and lending criteria apply and are available at www.adcu.com.au.*Comparison rate based on a loan of $150,000 over 25 years with monthly repayments. This comparison rate is true only for the
examples given and does not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates are current at the time of publication and are subject to change. Visit
dhoas.adcu.com.au for more details. Australian Defence Credit Union Limited ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL No. 237 988 Australian credit licence number 237 988.
8 News
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Flying solo
together
FLTLT Phil Mayne
ABOUT 40 female ADF current and
trainee aircrew got the chance to hear
from the Air Force’s most senior leaders this month at the Flying Females
Breakfast at ADFA.
CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown,
DCAF AVM Leo Davies and ACAUST
AVM Mel Hupfeld shared their experiences with pilots from the three services
and trainees on April 3.
The aim of the breakfast was to
introduce trainee female aircrew from
ADFA to Flying Females, a support and
mentoring network for all ADF female
aircrew.
CAF also took the opportunity to
launch Flying Solo, a magazine-style
booklet that provides practical advice
for female trainees.
“Becoming a pilot is challenging,”
AIRMSHL Brown said. “Only small
numbers who have the skills, aptitude,
personality and intellect to succeed are
selected for the pilots’ course.
“Aviation demands the very highest standards, but Air Force works very
hard to give all students on the pilots’
course the best opportunity to succeed.”
CAF said military aviation was a
challenging career choice, but for those
who succeeded, the satisfaction and
rewards were enormous.
“Men and women have different
learning styles, which is why Air Force
is working to address these different
styles through course delivery and training methods to help even the playing
field,” he said.
“I would encourage all student
pilots, but young women in particular, to use all the resources and support
available to them, including mentoring
opportunities.”
CAF also commended the team
responsible for compiling Flying Solo,
much of the content of which was driven by research undertaken by GPCAPT
Dee Gibbon.
SQNLDR Sam Freebairn, of
36SQN, is one of the key drivers behind
the Flying Females.
She said it was the third year they
had held the breakfast.
“It’s an important event because it
helps raise awareness among female
trainee aircrew of what to expect during
flying training,” she said.
“It basically lets the ADFA girls
BUILDING NETWORKS: SQNLDR Samantha Freebairn addresses attendees at the third annual Flying
Females Breakfast at ADFA. Above inset, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown flips through the new Flying Solo
Photos: CPL Guy Young
handbook with OFFCDT Essie Broadbent. know the difficulties they may face during their training, but more importantly
it establishes support networks.
“I know there are still some old attitudes out there and in my experience
those attitudes have certainly evolved.
But these women need to be aware of
the hurdles they may face.”
SQNLDR Freebairn, who is now
back flying after several years on mater-
nity leave and in ground-based roles,
said that in the past there was little flexibility for female pilots returning from
maternity leave.
“As a result we lost a lot of senior
women,” she said.
“We now have four female pilots
who have had kids and are back in the
air, so that barrier has been well and
truly broken.
WELL DONE:
CO SATC
WGCDR Nick
Dyce-McGowan,
left, accepts
the Stonehaven
trophy for most
proficient training
unit from OC ATW
GPCAPT Glen
Coy at RAAF
Base East Sale.
Photo courtesy SATC
RentDefence
Allowance
Review Austral
Housing
Your housing updat
has commenced
determined by Defence.
Are you posting to
You may also need to
a new
that
The Rentbase
Allowance Review
began on 23 April.
[email protected]
obtain approval
to live
you
receive
Rent Allowance (RA) you may be
is inIfincluded
an
adjacent
139 DHA (139 342)
in this years review.
outside your
posting
www.dha.gov.au
location
to your
locality.
What is thebase
RA Review? and
current
wish to remain in
your current rental
property or Service
Residence?
The RA Review looks at your personal circumstances
ANDCONlRMSANONGOINGENTITLEMENTTO2!
PACMAN 7.1.15
)FYOUARESELECTEDFORTHISREVIEWYOUWILLBENOTIlED
outlines that the rent
by email.
ceiling rate applicable
Here’s what to do – it’s online and easier than ever.
to your Rent Allowance
)FYOURECEIVEANOTIlCATIONYOUCANLOGONTO$(!
Services at www.dha.gov.au and complete the
calculation is the lower
YourOnline
housing
review
online.
rate of the adjacent
entitlement
isyourbased
on
If you’ve forgotten
login details,
you can follow
prompts online.
localities.
yourtheposting
locality.
For Service Residences
4HElNEPRINT
For Rent
The reviewAllowance
is a requirement of the Department of Defence, as
detailed in PACMAN reference 7.6.35.
and Rent Allowance it
calculation
posting
If you don’t respond by the due date your RA may be
is important to contact
suspended, have
as detailed indifferent
PACMAN reference 7.6.36.
localities
your regional DHA OFlCE
rent ceiling rates
“There is certainly career progression for women who want to fly.”
Flying Solo covers strategies for
women working in male-dominated
areas and the different learning styles
between men and women, outlines how
to identify and deal with inappropriate behaviour, addresses myths about
women and flying, and contains a list of
contacts for the network.
SATC revels in winning
Stonehaven Trophy
for best training unit
FLTLT William Todd
WITH the annual Air Force Leadership
and Proficiency Awards being handed
out at individual bases for the first time
this year, one unit happy to accept its
trophy on home soil was the School of
Air Traffic Control (SATC).
It was awarded the Stonehaven
Trophy for most proficient training unit.
OC Air Training Wing GPCAPT
Glen Coy presented the trophy to CO
SATC WGCDR Nick Dyce-McGowan
at RAAF Base East Sale on March 27.
WGCDR Dyce-McGowan said 2012
was a monumental year in the evolution
of Air Force air traffic control training.
“With the advent of the change in
category from air traffic control to Joint
Battlefield Airspace Controller (JBAC)
in 2010, moves were initiated to change
the way we train our workforce to produce a higher quality graduate,” he said.
“Therefore, they would be more
able to provide increased flexibility and
operational advantages to the service.”
He said last year the new JBAC
course was introduced, which included
elements of basic and advanced tower
control using a joint military-civil airbase construct, tactical tower and
approach control in the procedural (nonradar) environment and a more robust
airspace planner phase.
“These phases combined with stateof-the-art simulator technology have put
the Air Force at the forefront of global
ATC training,” he said.
“It has allowed SATC to realise the
goal of creating a more rounded and
able military controller prior to them
commencing on-the-job training at the
bases.”
He said SATC staff worked long
hours, often under high workloads, to
achieve course outcomes, as well as volunteering for numerous extra-curricular
activities on base and in the wider community.
“SATC possesses 12 per cent of
the JBAC workforce but consistently
provides 25 per cent of our deployed
personnel in support of operations,”
WGCDR Dyce-McGowan said.
“The Air Force is a world leader in
professional training and to be awarded
as the most proficient training establishment in such a service is a high honour.”
AIR F RCE
News 9
April 25, 2013
Drabs retire in style
Air Force says farewell to
Tropical Service Dress
Eamon Hamilton
A THREAD of Air Force heritage has passed over to
history.
Tropical Service Dress, known to many as ‘Drabs’,
was officially retired on April 21.
The retirement was announced in October 2012 as
the uniform no longer reflects Air Force’s contemporary
identity.
While Tropical Dress has been criticised by some for
being old fashioned, its retirement sparked many others
to don the uniform as much as possible.
For its proponents, Tropical Dress was a proud legacy of Air Force’s heritage.
SQNLDR David Burns, Research Officer with the
Office of Air Force History, said the uniform’s origins
are linked with the establishment of the RAAF in 1921.
Originally, Air Force personnel had a blue winter
uniform and white summer uniform.
“The white uniform was quickly found to be impractical and was replaced by a khaki uniform of long pants,
long-sleeve shirt and black tie,” SQNLDR Burns said.
Khaki shorts appeared in 1931 for physical training
activities, but full Tropical Dress did not start appearing
until 1937.
That was the year the RAAF Orders of Dress was
brought in line with that of the Royal Air Force, which
had a No. 6B Tropical Dress in service since the 1920s.
It was similar to the Tropical Dress as we know it
today – drab shorts, long socks, a ‘bush-type’ shirt, and
black shoes. A black tie and jacket could also be worn.
The establishment of bases in Northern Australia
from 1938 saw the Tropical Dress being issued to personnel based there.
When 3SQN deployed in the Middle East in 1940, its
members arrived in Egypt wearing Tropical Dress with
slouch hats and pith helmets.
During the defence of Milne Bay in 1942, the image
of RAAF Kittyhawk pilots wearing Tropical Dress, with
sheepskin-lined boots and survival vests, became iconic.
The uniform endured into the Cold War, but saw a
brief retirement in the 1970s.
“Both summer and winter uniforms were replaced in
1972 by the all-seasons blue-grey uniform,” SQNLDR
David Burns said. “When the new uniform – which consisted of long pants and long-sleeve shirt – was found
unsuitable for wear in tropical areas, the drab tropical
uniform was retained.”
Attempts to replace Drabs with a similar uniform in
blue likewise failed to materialise.
For a long time, Tropical Dress could only be worn
on southern bases if it had been issued to a member who
had previously served at a northern base.
It was soon available to purchase at southern bases
however, and could be worn in warm weather periods
outlined by each base’s commanding officer.
STRIKE A POSE: Complete with Khaki long socks, Tropical Service Dress is being retired as it no longer reflects Air Force’s
contemporary identity. In a nostalgic farewell to Drabs, Air Force members posed for photos at locations around Australia.
Pictured above is FLTLT Rush Gunaratne, left, and SQNLDR Terry Sing Lee (in pith helmet) in front of a Kitttyhawk at the
Australian War Memorial, and below left, from left, SQNLDR Tony Kiernan, FLTLT Donald Wilson, SQNLDR Sing Lee, FLTLT
Gunaratne, WOFF Mark Hull and FLTLT Gerard Markham. Above inset, RAAF Base Wagga members in their Drabs, from left,
SGT Justin Leguen, WOFF Gav Willmett and WGCDR Chris Ellison. Photos: CPL Aaron Curran and WOFF Paul Wutzke
ALONG FOR THE RIDE: Below right, with 37SQN C-130Hs in the background, RAAF Base Richmond personnel, from left,
FLTLT Alex Garner, FLGOFF Brendan Buell, FLTLT Shaun Donnelly and FLGOFF Harry Frecker, cycle down the base flightline
in their Drabs. Below right Inset, a similar view of 3SQN members riding bicycles in Ismailia, Egypt, in 1940.
Main photo: LAC David Said, historical photo courtesy Australian War Memorial
LOOKING THE PART: Above, RAAF Base Amberley
personnel get into the spirit by posing with a selection of
classic cars and a retired Caribou aircraft. Left inset, RAAF
Kittyhawk pilots in Tropical Dress and sheepskin-lined boots in
Papua New Guinea in 1942. Main photo: LAC Dan Pinhorn, historical
photo courtesy Australian War Memorial
10 Air Force Improvement
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Technical specialists
join forces to help
improve processes
FLTLT Baz Bardoe
help many other engineering organisations achieve efficiency gains.
BIG improvements are under way through
WGCDR Herrmann said it was just
an ongoing partnership between the
one example of the work being done.
“I am impressed at the amount of
Training Aircraft Systems Program Office
reform ideas that have been proposed by
(TASPO) and the Directorate General
DGTA-ADF and also the work they have
Technical Airworthiness – ADF (DGTAput in to turn the ideas into policy for
ADF).
trial,” WGCDR Herrmann said.
WGCDR Grant Herrmann, Chief
As part of continual improvement,
Engineer at TASPO, based at RAAF Base
TASPO is reviewing its Engineering
East Sale, welcomed a delegation from
Management System (EMS) using Lean
DGTA-ADF last December who came to
principles under Project Meliora, which
discuss joint initiatives in regulation.
is Latin for “better”. Project Meliora’s
Since that meeting, TASPO has
initial goal was to deliver safe aircraft
continued to engage with DGTA-ADF to
with a Lean EMS to the current Technical
implement reform and the relationship is
Airworthiness Management Manual
showing that even minor improvements
(TAMM) regulations, then act as a pilot
to regulations can yield great results.
site for DGTA-ADF’s new Lean TAMM
In a recent visit, DGTA-ADF refined a
regulation.
concept at TASPO aimed at better defin“I look forward to working with DGTAing instructions for continuing airworthi- ADF over the next six months.”
ness so there is greater clarity on how
Director General Technical
technical information can be processed.
Airworthiness AIRCDRE Terry Saunder
This reduces the workload for design
said although DGTA-ADF continued to
engineers and empowers technical perretain the independence required by a
sonnel.
regulator, “working in partnership with
As a result of work between DGTATASPO enables us to be involved in ways
ADF and TASPO, this concept has result- that assure airworthiness while enabling
ed in a recently released directive that will regulated organisations to be Leaner”.
WORKING
TOGETHER:
Director General
Technical
Airworthiness
AIRCDRE
Terry Saunder,
left, discusses
Lean initiatives
with TASPO
Chief Engineer
WGCDR Grant
Herrmann. Photo
courtesy DGTA-AF
DEFENCE TRANSITIONS
100% ADF TRANSITION SPECIALIST
Leading Provider – NATIONAL Coverage
CVs – MED DISCH – CTAS – PEEP – SELCRIT
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Medical Discharges 100% FREE
Level 2 & 3 CTAS 100% FREE
Leading CV writer for ADF members
CTAS…free resume updates for life
No CTAS…from $248 for best ADF CVs
APS selecon criteria statements
CTAS - face to face Interview coaching
Spouse support under PEEP scheme
We translate mil skills to civvy speak
Visit our website for FREE job tools
www.nextjobnow.com.au
Call 1300 112 114
HOW IT STARTS: Pilot students learn how an engine works at ADF BFTS.
Photo: CPL Bill Solomou
Teaming up for
pilot training
WGCDR Jude McCann
EFFICIENCIES in ADF pilot training are actively being developed by
Air Force.
Staff at Headquarters Air
Tr a i n i n g Wi n g ( H Q AT W ) , 2
Flying Training School (2FTS),
ADF Basic Flying Training School
(ADF BFTS) and the Directorate
of Personnel – Air Force (DP-AF)
have teamed up to improve the
means with which students progress
through basic and advanced flying
training, thereby reducing the delays
for the start of operational conversion courses.
OC Air Training Wing GPCAPT
Glen Coy said for decades Air
Force pilot training had been keenly
focused on generating pilots with
the skills to progress to fly fast jets
– that being the high bar mark for
delivering military airpower capability.
“To increase the number of fast
jet pilots we graduate, the approach
had been to increase the number
of students starting the course,” he
said. “This works to some extent
but can have the unintended consequence of producing an excessive
supply of pilots for the other aircraft
types.
“With the widespread introduction of new capability for the Air
Force and the forthcoming introduction of E/A-18 Growler and Joint
Strike Fighter, the old pilot training
paradigm is unsustainable.”
He said the team conducted an
analysis by contrasting the performance of pilot students at ADF
BFTS with their ultimate performance at both 2FTS and post-graduate operational conversion units.
“This revealed that there is an
extremely high correlation – in the
order of 97 to 98 per cent – between
student performance ranking at ADF
BFTS and their subsequent performance at 2FTS,” he said.
It is proposed that – in addition
to existing competency assessments
– a selection board will be conducted at the end of the ADF BFTS
Basic Pilot Course to assess each
Air Force student against a range of
criteria to determine their competitiveness to progress to 2FTS.
CO BFTS WGCDR Michael
Que Hee said the pilot training
delivered at ADF BFTS would not
change.
“However, this initiative will
mean that not all of the pilots that
complete their training at BFTS
will be competitive to progress to
advanced pilot training at 2FTS,”
WGCDR Que Hee said.
“Those students not recommended for 2FTS may be offered
alternative Air Force employment
in a category better suited to their
performance, including air combat
officer, and joint battlefield airspace
controller.
“This initiative is an example of
what can be achieved when we look
outside the box and are prepared to
cast off the constraints of continuing
to do business the way it always has
been.”
He said with only a minor
impost on the involved organisations, the requirements of the operational conversion schools could
be better satisfied with a marked
improvement in training outcomes.
In Memoriam 11
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Tragic loss
of gunnie
AIR Force lost a distinguished and
dedicated gunnie on March 28 when
WGCDR Ray Forryan was tragically
hit by a car while travelling home from
work on his bicycle.
WGCDR Forryan, of Headquarters
Surveillance and Response Group
(HQSRG), was farewelled by family,
friends and colleagues in a private
funeral in Newcastle on April 9.
He was 39.
Originally from Victoria, WGCDR
Forryan began his Air Force career
at ADFA in 1991, graduating with a
Bachelor of Engineering and qualifying as an armament officer.
His first posting as a flying
officer was to 492SQN at RAAF Base
Edinburgh, which is where he began
his long association with Air Force’s
Maritime Patrol capability. As the
last gunnie to be posted into 492SQN
before the squadron’s disbandment, he
was responsible for the maintenance
and loading of explosive ordnance for
the AP-3C Orion and the mentoring
and management of armament technicians from 92WG.
After numerous weapons-related
courses, and postings to the Maritime
Patrol Logistics Management
Squadron and the Director General
Technical Airworthiness, WGCDR
Forryan’s skills and experience as an
armament engineer led to him being
selected for the Advanced Systems
Engineering Course at RAF Cranwell
in the United Kingdom in 2003.
Graduating with a Master of
Science from the Loughborough
University of Technology, he was
awarded the internationally prestigious
Worshipful Company of Armourers
and Brasiers’ Academic Prize for his
achievement on the course.
On return to Australia, WGCDR
Forryan (then a squadron leader)
served as the Senior Design
Engineer at the Joint Electronic
Warfare Operational Support Unit
at Edinburgh, followed by positions
where he supported and developed
acquisition and project development
proposals for standoff weapons for Air
Force’s Maritime Patrol capability.
WGCDR Forryan was posted to
the US as the Deputy Project Manager
for the P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol
Aircraft Project in 2009, and after
attending the Australian Command and
Staff College in 2012, was posted on
promotion to HQSRG as the principal
officer for technical capability.
Chief of Staff HQSRG GPCAPT
Peter Davies said WGCDR Forryan
made an immediate impact in his new
role at HQSRG.
“Ray’s personal style and dedica-
DEDICATED: Then
SQNLDR Ray
Forryan while serving
at RAAF Base
Edinburgh in 2007.
Photo: CPL Casey Smith
tion imbued a sense of purpose in his
team of engineers and technicians,”
GPCAPT Davies said.
“He developed an instant rapport
with his team and a positive mentoring effect on his staff and peers was
apparent.
“As with all of his pursuits, Ray’s
endeavours as a gunnie were charac-
terised by his loyalty, integrity and
professionalism.
“These qualities ensure Ray will
be remembered as a much respected
member of both the engineering and
wider Air Force communities.”
WGCDR Forryan is survived by
his wife Naomi and sons Lachlan and
Isaac.
Join or switch to Defence Health now and you won’t have to reduce your level of cover
to reduce your costs. That’s because we’ll give ADF families comprehensive health
cover at an exclusive ADF family rate. What’s more, we’ll honour any waiting periods
you’ve served with your current fund. You can join or switch in as little as 10 minutes.
So contact us today.
Call 1800 335 425 now or visit www.defencehealth.com.au
‘
As with all of his pursuits,
Ray’s endeavours as a
gunnie were characterised
by his loyalty, integrity
and professionalism.
– GPCAPT Peter Davies,
Chief of Staff HQSRG
Centrepiece
12
AIR F RCE
April 25, 2013
13
COLOURFUL: Two USAF F-16
Fighting Falcons from the 18th
Aggressor Squadron and two F/A18s from 2OCU fly in formation
near RAAF Base Williamtown.
Photos: LAC
Craig Barrett
WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT: Far left, a 2OCU Hornet in
flight during the FCI course; above, a pilot and ACO
from 1SQN prepare their Super Hornet for an FCI
training sortie; right, a USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon from
the18th Aggressor Squadron and a 2OCU Hornet train
together during the air-to-air phase of the course.
HALFWAY THERE
Students on the gruelling FCI course are being
tested to their limits, reports FLTLT Cath Friend.
T
HE students of 32 Fighter
Combat Instructor (FCI)
course have just passed
the halfway mark by
completing Exercise Aces
South, the gruelling air-to-air phase
of the course.
CDR ACG AIRCDRE Tony
Grady said the FCI course was the
most challenging course of a fighter
pilot’s career.
“It aims to train the most experienced fighter aircrew in the highest
level of air combat tactics and large
force employment,” he said.
The five-month biennial
course, held out of RAAF Base
Williamtown, began on January 14
with the students learning how to
first be instructors in either the F/A18B Hornet or the F/A-18F Super
Hornet.
At the end of the course, the
students can expect a posting into
either 2 Operational Conversion
Unit or 6SQN as instructors.
One month after the start of the
course the students were qualified
as instructors on their specialised
aircraft and prepared for the FCI
air-to-air (FAA) phase.
One week into the FAA phase
the students met their first
adversary, 10 F-16s from
the USAF’s 18th
READY TO FLY: 1SQN FCI instructor SQNLDR Matthew Harper
conducts an engine start in the cockpit of F/A-18F Super Hornet before
a training sortie out of RAAF Base Williamtown. Right inset, the view
from the back of an F/A-18 just before taking off behind two other
2OCU F/A-18s for a training sortie.
Aggressor Squadron from Alaska.
The Aggressors were fresh from
completing Exercise Cope North
in Guam against 3SQN so the FCI
course participants had a first-class
adversary on their hands.
For the next two weeks the
Aggressors put up a worthy fight
before heading back to Alaska just
days before the Super Hornets
arrived in Williamtown.
The F/A-18Fs from 1SQN
included both pilot and weapon
system officer students on the FCI
course and their instructors.
The arrival of the 1SQN crews
was critical for the FCI course students to develop integrated tactics
before the start of Exercise Aces
South. This also ensured up to 100
members of the squadron spent the
month in Williamtown supporting
the course.
Two additional courses are running in parallel with the FCI course.
The Fighter Combat Controller
(FCC) course consists of Air Battle
Managers in the E-7A Wedgetail
or ground-based fighter controllers
from 3 Control and Reporting Unit.
The Fighter Intelligence
Instructor (FII) course gathers intelligence and briefs the FCC and FCI
courses on situational awareness of
the threats, while the FCC students
control the battlespace giving realtime situational awareness of the
enemy, communicating directly to
the FCI students while in the fight.
CO 2OCU WGCDR Matthew
McCormack said the students put
their life on hold for five months
as the course demanded their full
commitment.
“They have extremely long days
reading doctrine, developing tactics,
attending and giving briefs, sitting
exams and finally successfully conducting flying missions,” WGCDR
McCormack said.
“It’s a gruelling course.”
WGCDR McCormack said even
though Aces South was complete
and the students had passed the
halfway mark, there was no time to
celebrate as they had to start the
air-to-surface phase.
“The course concludes with
a month-long deployment to the
Northern Territory for Exercise Aces
North,” he said.
“This is where they will combine
everything they have learnt into
a multitude of missions. It is an
extremely intense course and only
after the dawn strike on June 28 will
the students finally be able to sit
back, breathe and celebrate their
accomplishments.”
WORKING
TOGETHER:
Far left, a USAF
F-16 Fighting
Falcon from the
18th Aggressor
Squadron and
a 2OCU Hornet
during the air-to-air
phase of the FCI
course, and left,
two F-16s fly on
the outside of two
F/A-18s on the
same sortie.
WE’RE BEING FOLLOWED:
A USAF F-16 Fightlng
Falcon from the18th Aggressor Squadron and a 2OCU
F/A-18 sit off the wing of
another 2OCU F/A-18 while
training near RAAF Base
Williamtown.
14 News
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
The right
formula
A sports star and television personality made a
flying visit to 3SQN, CPL Aaron Curran reports.
A
VISIT to RAAF Base
Williamtown by two personalities last month highlighted a
surprising revelation – the similarities between Formula 1 racing and the
operation of Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornets.
The Sporting Director for McLaren
F1, Sam Michael, and Channel Ten’s
Bondi Vet, Chris Brown, spent the day
with 3SQN to learn the ins and outs of an
FA/-18 on the ground and in the air.
Escorting them was 3SQN A-Flight
Commander SQNLDR Tim Ireland, who
reciprocated the visit by attending the F1
race in Melbourne and seeing clear similarities between squadron and F1 teams.
“During a tour of the McLaren garage
with Sam I saw the teamwork, skills
and technology required to get the race
car performing to its peak each day was
similar to that required to get a formation
of fighters armed, fuelled and ready on
the line,” SQNLDR Ireland said.
“From the technical trades on the
garage or hangar floor to the strategy
and tactics on the track and in the air and
always striving to perform more efficiently and at the peak level, it reminded
me of how lucky I felt to be a part of
such a team.”
Mr Michael is an Australian mechanical engineer who made it for Europe
and F1, ending up as part of the senior
technical team responsible for trackside
operations at McLaren.
“Sam is unique in that he was able
to draw accurate comparisons between
his F1 team and our fighter squadron,”
SQNLDR Ireland said.“Chris is a popular television personality who played
a large role throughout the Australian
Grand Prix weekend as part of Channel
Ten’s live coverage. He was able to show
the flying footage to a national audience
and explain his 3SQN experience.”
Their day at 3SQN started early with
a visit to an aviation medical officer so
they could be cleared to fly in an FA/18B Hornet.
“They were then brought to 3SQN,
where I welcomed them and briefed
them about the squadron and what they
were going to experience on the ground
and in the air,” SQNLDR Ireland said.
After the Hornet flight, where they
pulled 7.5G, SQNLDR Ireland said
the celebrities came back “thankful
and exhilarated, but exhausted”.
He said they were fantastic,
relaxed and down to earth.
“Sam and Chris enjoyed their
experience and felt a little overwhelmed that it all came together
for them,” he said.
“I noticed this when I met them again
at the Australian Grand Prix a week later,
where I found them still buzzing about
the flight.”
Along with a Hornet, the Roulettes
also provided flying displays during the
Grand Prix weekend.
To watch the video of Sam Michael and Dr
Chris Brown flying in a Hornet, visit http://
video.defence.gov.au/#searchterm,0,F1,All
Have you served?
VVCS is a free, confidential, counselling service dedicated to supporting
the mental health and wellbeing of the Australian
ex-service and veteran community and their families.
VVCS can help to work through emotional or psychological issues arising
from your military service, including stress management, relationship,
family or lifestyle challenges.
VVCS offers:
• Counselling;
• Group programs to address anger, depression, anxiety and fitness;
• Veterans Line - after-hours crisis counselling;
• Support with the transition from military to civilian life; and
• Self-help resources and referrals to other services.
VVCS services are available for all to Australian veterans, peacekeepers,
eligible members of the Defence Force community and their families,
along with F-111 fuel tank maintenance workers, their partners and
immediate family members.
If you need support, or would like more information, please call
or visit our website.
1800 011 046*
www.dva.gov.au/vvcs
* Free local call. Calls from some
mobiles and pay phones may
incur charges.
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service
A service founded by Vietnam veterans
GETTING READY:
Clockwise from
above: Sam Michael
and Chris Brown
walk to the waiting
F/A-18 Hornets with
SQNLDR Tim Ireland
and FLTLT Michael
Bailes; SQNLDR
Ireland is interviewed
by the media at
the F1 Grand Prix
in Melbourne; Mr
Michael is strapped
in and ready to go
on his flight; LAC
James Cox, of 3SQN,
runs through the
contents of the life
preserver jacket with
Mr Michael and Dr
Brown; medical officer
SQNLDR Simon
McLaughlin, of 2EHS,
conducts medical
tests with Dr Brown in
front of the cameras.
Photos: LAC Craig Barrett and
LS Paul McCallum
AIR F RCE
News 15
April 25, 2013
Converting
OPSOs on
new course
FLTLT Cath Friend
A NEW Operations Specialisation (OPSO)
course run by Air Combat Group (ACG) is
alleviating the burden faced by units having
to conduct on-the-job training for their new
OPSOs.
In 2007, OPSOs – previously only
available to Air Force Reserves – became a
permanent officer specialisation.
To be an OPSO, officer training must
first be completed before continuing on to
the School of Air Warfare (SAW) for the
five-week OPSO Basic Course.
On graduation, the OPSO is then posted
into a flying squadron or other unit.
The current process of posting SAW
graduates directly into ACG squadrons
placed a heavy burden on the units as they
had to train new OPSOs in ACG-specific
operations while still maintaining flying
operations.
The role of OPSOs in each of the different Force Element Groups (FEGs) is considerably different and requires each group
to develop a specific conversion course.
FLTLT Justin Thomas, senior OPSO
ACG, took on the task to develop the
ACG OPSO conversion course, named Air
Combat Operations Officer Course.
“We were able to take over the training
burden while still producing interoperable
ACG OPSOs,” FLTLT Thomas said.
“It’s a great capability being able to
move OPSOs between squadrons knowing
they can all do each other’s roles, especially for deployments.”
FLTLT Thomas said the course’s intent
BULLETIN
BOARD
218SQN’s 50th
THE Australian Air
Force Cadets’ (AAFC)
218 Squadron, based
in Corinda, South East
Queensland, will celebrate
its 50th anniversary on
May 16 with four days
of events. Celebrations
include a 50th anniversary barbecue at
Sherwood-Indooroopilly
RSL Sub Branch on May
16, a parade and formal
dinner at Sherwood
Services Club on May 18
and a gunfire breakfast
on May 19. For more
information, email [email protected] or
call CO218SQN FLGOFF
(AAFC) Adam Tayler on
0488 399 333.
was for OPSOs straight out of SAW to do
the course before working in their squadron, taking what they learnt at SAW and
teaching them to apply it in an air combat
role.
Chief of Staff ACG GPCAPT Glen
Beck pointed out the benefits to ACG,
especially squadron executives.
“As trained aviation officers, OPSOs
are able to take on many roles traditionally
performed by aircrew,” he said.
“This allows executives to concentrate
their efforts on managing flying operations.”
The course included both theory and
practical components, including coordination, programming, briefing, flight planning, security, publications, reporting and
deployment planning.
It culminated in Exercise Phantom
Strike – a simulated exercise which
required the students to plan a squadron
deployment to Darwin and then manage the
deployed operations room.
One of the most challenging, yet exciting, roles of an OPSO is being selected
to deploy on a large force employment
exercise, such as Cope North, Red Flag or
Pitch Black.
The implementation of this course has
prepared OPSOs for this challenge.
All six students completed the course
successfully and have returned to their
respective squadrons, keen to apply the
skills they developed on course.
The next course is to be conducted
from 2 Operations Conversion Unit and is
planned for January next year.
RAAF intel’s 50th
TUNING IN: CPL
Timothy Dick runs
through the correct
tensioning technique
of an antenna cable
with members on the
Air Combat Operations
Officer Course, from
left, FLTLT Col Peat,
FLTLT Jeffrey Garrett,
and FLGOFF Ryan
Ginty. Left, FLTLT Peat
maps a course in a
simulated ops room.
Photos: LAC Craig Barrett
FOR ME?:
FSGT Brett
Chapman
prepares to
cut the cake
celebrating
his 33 years
service in
Air Force
after 33SQN
personnel
sprung a
surprise party
on him at
RAAF Base
Amberley.
Photo: LACW
Joanne Larsen
Chappo’s surprise party
Eamon Hamilton
WHERE else but 33SQN would you
celebrate 33 years with Air Force?
On March 18, personnel at
33SQN congratulated FSGT Brett
Chapman with a surprise party as
he ticked over the milestone.
The man they call “Chappo”
worked on fast jets for his first 29
years with Air Force before making
the switch to 33SQN in 2009.
His career includes working as
an engine fitter and aircraft technicians, servicing F-111s, Mirages
and Hornets, as well as a stint
with Harrier jump-jets during an
exchange with the Royal Air Force.
Working as a Quality Manager
on the KC-30A tanker aircraft – the
largest aircraft to be operated by Air
Force – is just the latest career high,
according to FSGT Chapman.
“There’s been so many highlights – posting to Butterworth in
1984, deploying to Diego Garcia
with 77SQN in 2001, and going to
England with Exercise Longlook in
2003,” he said.
“I’ve also had the chance
to play soccer for the Air Force
and Defence, touring to many
places including China, Malaysia,
Singapore, Indonesia and New
Zealand.
“There’s been way more exercis-
es and trips than I remember, and
they’ve all been great fun – there’s
no such thing as a bad trip, just that
some are better than others.”
The current work with 33SQN
follows this line, as FSGT Chapman
has worked in Australia and abroad
to bring the KC-30A into service.
“Any time we do something,
we’re often doing it for the first
time, and there’s a lot of pleasure in
that,” FSGT Chapman said.
“When we go away on task,
whether we’re offloading fuel or
moving cargo and people, most
times we will see an immediate
result from what we do.”
THIS year marks the 50th
anniversary of the RAAF
Intelligence Category.
In recognition, events
are being planned in
Adelaide and Canberra. On
September 20, in Adelaide,
a symposium will be held
for serving members at
87SQN, a 50th anniversary time capsule will
be interred and a formal
dinner will be held that
evening. In Canberra, a
dinner is planned for serving and retired members
on October 5 and a brunch
for serving members on
October 6. Retired and
serving RAAF Intelligence
personnel are encouraged to attend the events.
For more information,
email RAAF.Reunion@
defence.gov.au or call
1300 DEFENCE and ask to
be put through to RAAF
Reunions.
No catches.
No tricks.
We offer a complete
vehicle leasing solution.
Smartsalary is the
only salary packaging
provider for the
Department of Defence.
Why go anywhere else?
Our specialist leasing division, Smartleasing, offers a total car
leasing service, getting you into your new car quickly and saving you money!
Here’s what Smartleasing offers that the others don’t...
Capped
fees
Express
lease set up
Choice of
financiers
Salary packaging
administration
Trade-in
options
Workplace
appointments
5PÙOEPVUNPSFBCPVUXIZZPVSFNQMPZFSUSVTUT4NBSUTBMBSZ
UPNBLFZPVSOFXDBSQVSDIBTFFBTZDPOUBDUVTUPEBZ
1300 116 846
www.airforceleasing.com.au
4JODFPUIFSPSHBOJTBUJPOT
BSFOPUDPOUSBDUFECZUIF
Department of Defence,
you could end up paying
unnecessary fees for a
service Smartsalary already
offers as your salary
packaging provider!
AIR F RCE
Justice 17
April 25, 2013
Think before
you leave
Going AWOL can have a heavy price
CAPT Scott Ritchie
Director Military Discipline Law
Historically, being found
AWOL meant the imposition of a
severe punishment.
In WWI, a large number of
A MEMBER can be found guilty
military members were found
of an offence under the Defence
guilty of being AWOL and were
Force Discipline Act 1982 if they
reduced in rank, sentenced to
are absent without leave (AWOL).
detention or discharged.
The only defence available
In recent years, the number of
for this offence is if the member
AWOL members has decreased.
is able to prove that their absence
However, those members have
was due to circumstances not
tended to receive a significantly
within their control.
different punishment from their
Being AWOL has long been an predecessors, with fines being
offence in the military, as members more common.
Where a member is AWOL for
are expected to report for their
initial duty of the day or otherwise 24 hours or more, payment of the
member’s salary and allowances is
be at their particular unit, ship,
suspended.
barracks etc.
Upon conviction, in addition
Failure to return from leave on
to any punishment that may be
time can have a significant effect
imposed, the suspended amount of
on the ADF’s efficiency and effec- salary and allowances will also be
tiveness.
forfeited.
For example, if a sailor is
Where a member is AWOL for
AWOL before a ship is due to
a continuous period of more than
depart, this can directly impede a
three months, their service may be
ship’s operational readiness.
terminated.
MARCH
RESULTS
Other rank
Defence Force
Magistrate
One charge of
absent without
leave – DFDA s.
24(1)
The member was
accused of being
absent without leave
from their unit.
The member
pleaded guilty and
was found guilty.
The member was
fined $500, of which
$250 was suspended.
RUNNING AWAY ISN’T THE ANSWER: Being absent without leave can have heavy
consequences for both the member and the ADF.
Photo: CPL Aaron Curran
Say Hello
to your new car
N E W
C AR
p.a. interest rate
1300 13 23 28
LOAN
p.a. comparison rate*
www.adcu.com.au
Terms and conditions and lending criteria apply and are available at www.adcu.com.au. *The comparison rate is based on a $30,000 loan taken over 5 years. This comparison rate is true
only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates are current at the time of
publication and are subject to change. Australian Defence Credit Union Limited ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL No. 237 988. Australian credit licence number 237 988.
18 Personnel
COMMENDATIONS
CAF Gold
Commendation
WO2 David Newstead
For excellent performance and
attitude towards workplace
safety as the Unit Safety Adviser
at Aircraft Stores Capability
Engineering Squadron.
DCAF Silver
Commendation
WGCDR Catherine Wallis
For exemplary performance as
the Chief of Staff to DirectorGeneral Australian Defence
Force Legal Service.
GPCAPT Christopher Ward
For exemplary performance as
the Director of Air Force Legal
Services and Director of Military
Discipline Law.
FLTLT Joshua Chalmers
For exemplary performance
as RAAF Air Liaison Officer to
Defence Science and Technology
Organisation, Air Operations
Division.
DCAF Bronze
Commendation
FSGT Anthony Oestreich
For noteworthy performance as
Senior Mustering Adviser in the
Office of the Provost Marshal – Air Force.
CPL Lynda Ehlers
For noteworthy performance at
Unit Training Wing in Directorate
of Personnel – Air Force.
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Reservist
rewarded
CPL Max Bree
tions, to ensure their quick
recovery or continued supAN AIR Force reservist who
port”.
is the official doctor to the
“You are widely known
Prime Minister and Governor- and respected in the ex-service
General has been commended community as someone who
for helping establish closer
has directly improved the lives
links between Defence and
of serving members, veterans,
the Department of Veterans’
widows and their families
Affairs and contributing to
across the country, and whose
the welfare of serving and ex- legacy will continue to do so,”
serving veterans.
the commendation read.
GPCAPT Graeme Killer
GPCAPT Killer served 46
received a commendation
years in the Air Force, includfrom CDF GEN David Hurley
and Defence Secretary Dennis ing 23 years in the PAF, with
postings around Australia and
Richardson in Canberra on
overseas.
March 27.
He had his first brush with
He has been recognised for
fame
when he treated the
his role as Principal Medical
Duke and Duchess of York in
Adviser to the Department of
1988 but was called up to his
Veterans’ Affairs.
current position when Paul
The commendation said
Keating came to Canberra as
GPCAPT Killer had been
prime minister.
“instrumental in ensuring
“Paul Keating got sick and
that serving men and women
the doctor treating him decidreceived the best specialist
care and support they deserved ed it was too stressful and they
checked who (in Canberra)
on their return from opera-
had previously looked after
VIPs,” GPCAPT Killer said.
He received a call-up and
went on to look after four
prime ministers and five governor-generals, including Julia
Gillard and Quentin Bryce.
“It was one of those twists
and turns in life,” he said.
When not treating
Australia’s leaders, GPCAPT
Killer said he also enjoyed
taking time to conduct medical examinations on Air Force
Reservists at HMAS Harman
in Canberra.
“I just go out for fun really,” he said.
DOCTOR HIGHLY
COMMENDED:
GPCAPT Graeme
Killer with his
Secretary and Chief
of Defence Force
Commendation in
Canberra.
Photo: Lauren Black
Take Campus anywhere you like
Michael Weaver
Air Force events
Roulettes
May 5: Wings Over
Illawarra, Albion Park.
Air Force
Balloon
April 26-28: Australian
Masters Rowing,
Canberra.
May 5: Wings Over Illawarra,
Albion Park.
Air Force Band
April 25: Anzac Day
activities in Belgium,
France and services in Wagga.
the evolution of high quality content on
Campus-delivered courses,” GPCAPT
ONLINE learning is taking a significant
Mitchell said.
step forward with a new version of
One of the benefits of an online
Campus that enables mandatory trainlearning system is cost savings coming and other web-based courses to be pared to face-to-face learning, however
completed via the internet.
a key feature of Campus is its linkage
The Director of Strategic Education
to PMKeyS.
and Training, GPCAPT Loch Mitchell,
Campus Anywhere ‘mirrors’ the
said the innovation, called Campus
functions of Campus on the Defence
Anywhere, would provide members
Restricted Network (DRN). Completion
with wider and more flexible access to
results recorded in Campus Anywhere
Campus course material.
will be transferred to Campus DRN and
Air Force Reservists are the first
then on to PMKeyS.
personnel to benefit from the new
WOFF Larry Bedggood was one of
capability, with accounts and log-in
the first to use the new learning tool.
details made available from April 5.
“For reservists to be able to do their
Navy and Army Reservists will be
training from home, this provides a
next to receive logins
great opportunity to make the most of
“The full benefit to Air Force memtheir reserve hours – what an outstandbers will be realised through the combi- ing initiative,” he said.
nation of more flexible access provided
With about 220 courses initially
via Campus Anywhere, together with
available on Campus Anywhere, indi-
Now the #1 tax agent for ADF members
Maximum returns - We know all the specific deductions, so you get
a great tax return every year!
Defence Force tax specialists We have extensive experience across
all ranks and specialities, including:
Members who are currently deployed
or have served overseas
Members with investment properties
Members who have fallen behind on
lodging their tax returns
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.
Call 1300 76 35 75 24/7
or visit us online at
www.phatreturns.com.au
viduals will be able to access mandatory training and other key corporate
training and generic training such as
Skillsoft courses.
A Campus Anywhere course list will
be made available from the Defence
Learning Branch’s Learning Solutions
website and the Campus webpage.
Each individual login will be based
around a random set of numbers and
letters to maintain privacy and each
login will be unique to the individual.
Enrolments and progress of
incomplete courses are not transferred between Campus and Campus
Anywhere. An individual cannot complete part of the course on one system
and complete it on the other.
Director General Defence Learning
Branch CDRE Daryl Bates said about 35
per cent of Defence people, including
reservists, cadets, ADFA/Defence colleges, deployed and deploying person-
nel, did not have regular access to the
DRN.
“This presents challenges for them
to effectively access corporate learning
and in particular, mandatory training,”
CDRE Bates said.
The final phase of the project will
enable access to all employees with a
DRN account, including Defence colleges, deployed and deploying personnel and contractors.
CDRE Bates said close monitoring
of the system’s load and performance
would allow any adjustments required
before finalising the rollout by the end
of June.
More information on the Campus Anywhere
project, including rollout progression, will be
updated to the Defence Learning Branch’s
Learning Solutions website at: http://intranet.
defence.gov.au/vcdf/sites/LearningSolutions
and the Campus web page on the DRN.
Departure Lounge
IN BRIEF

Joint ops course open
Who’s leaving after 20+ years’ service
Name
WOFF Cecil Boshammer
GPCAPT Peter Viggers
AIRCDRE John Hewitson
SGT Francis Horne
SQNLDR Robert Morris
GPCAPT Ian Farnsworth
WOFF Duncan Slaven
GPCAPT Ted Prencel
GPCAPT Andrew Hayes
WGCDR Stephen Murphy
GPCAPT Raymond Press
SQNLDR Mark Thomas
GPCAPT Peter Pollock
CPL David Gee
WOFF Brett Maher
SGT David Rebetzke
AIRCDRE Murray Earl
WOFF Nigel Richards
SGT Barry Cuthbertson
CPL Mark Hunter
Must/Spec
FLTENG
ACO
ACO
ALSFITT
ACO
AERO
CETECH
ACO
LOG
ELECTR
ACO
ELECTR
ELECTR
AVTECH
AVTECH
CETECH
CHAP
AVTECH
ATECH
ATECH
Last day Years
Mar 24 41
Mar 11 38
37
Apr 2
37
Mar 7
36
Apr 1
Mar 28 35
Apr 21 35
Mar 28 34
Mar 28 32
Apr 14 32
Mar 28 31
Apr 14 30
Mar 28 29
Apr 22 27
Apr 16 25
Mar 24 24
22
Apr 2
Mar 14 22
Apr 14 22
22
Apr 3
NOMINATIONS are open for the Introduction
to Joint Operations Course 3/13 to be held at
the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre
(ADFWC), RAAF Base Williamtown, from
September 30 to October 4. The aim of the course
is to introduce junior officers and senior non-commissioned officers to the planning of operations in
a joint environment and provide prerequisites for
other joint training courses conducted by ADFWC.
Personnel are to nominate via their unit orderly
room or unit training coordinator. Additional information can be found on the ADFWC intranet site.
DASS applications wanted
APPLICATIONS will soon close for Semester 2 of
the Defence Assisted Study Scheme (DASS).
Members who are considering applying for DASS
support should read the policy and instructions,
as should supervisors who have a key role in the
application and work release approval process. To
apply for DASS support for study units starting in
the second half of 2013, members must complete
the Defence Assisted Study Scheme Application
(form AD 105) and forward it to the appropriate
service delegate before May 1.
RemServ’s driving new year
run-out deals your way.
SIGN UP NOW FOR
,
$
As a member of the Defence Force,
it’s never been easier to choose,
insure and save on a new car –
even while you’re serving the country.
We manage the details, you enjoy
the benefits.
CASH-BACK OFFER
*
$0/%*5*0/4"11-:
t7"-*%6/5*-
Call a RemServ representative today to find out more.
CALL
1300 73 14 29
benefits.remserv.com.au/defence
*Cash-back offer: Open to Australian Defence Force employees who arrange and settle their Novated lease through RemServ before 30/06/2013. Successful applicants will be sent by registered
post $1,000 cash in the form of a cheque from RemServ made payable to the lessee named in the Novated Lease Schedule within 30 days of settlement.
Things you need to know: Your savings will vary depending your personal objectives, financial situation and needs. RemServ does not provide taxation or financial product advice and recommends
you obtain independent advice before making any financial decisions. All salary packaging proposals and novated lease proposals will require the consent of your employer. Your employer or
their nominated salary packaging administrator may impose additional criteria, fees and charges. Applications for a novated lease are subject to credit approval by the relevant financier. Terms
and conditions are available on application. Fees and charges apply. RemServ receives commissions and rebates in connection with some of the products and services it provides or arranges
to be provided by third parties.
Remuneration Services (Qld) Pty Ltd I ABN 46 093 173 089 Authorised Representative (No. 293159) of McMillan Shakespeare Limited (AFSL No. 299054) Reliance Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (AFSL 345986), Swann Insurance (Aust) Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 238292),
AVEA Insurance Limited (AFSL No. 238279), A&G Insurance Services Pty Ltd (AFSL 241411)
20 Flightline
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
CELEBRATING TOGETHER: Above, visiting
USAF officer MAJ Ryan Abella is flanked by
1CCS members FSGT Andy Longley, left, and
SQNLDR Bill Watson during a reception held
at the RAAF Base Richmond Officers Mess to
celebrate Air Force’s 92nd birthday.
Photo: CPL Amanda Campbell
ON THE JOB WITH ZEUS: Above, 24SQN military working
dog handler LACW Katie Lowery with dog Zeus at the MWD
section at RAAF Base Edinburgh. INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR: Right, ASOP LAC Aaron
Doyle with the 1RSU Field Training Flight Instructor of the
Year Award for 2012 for his role in providing Over the Horizon
Radar training at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
Photos: LACW Nicci Freeman
Finding it
hard to help
RHINO CHECK: 1SQN aircraft technician AC James Tilley performs a
maintenance inspection on the nose wheel well of an F/A-18F Super
Photo: LACW Shannon McCarthy
Hornet at RAAF Base Amberley.
This film will help you.
Watch the video or order the DVD on the website
www.adfconsumer.gov.au
your people with
financial
issues?
Helping ADF
members with
their finances
VOLUME SIX
VOLUME SIX
the
h
DOs &
DON’Ts
Helping A
ADF
DF members
embers
heir fifinances
with their
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
the D
DOs
Os & DON’Ts
D
AIR F RCE
Flightline 21
April 25, 2013
BONJOUR: Above, three members of the French Air Force (in white) receive
a guided tour inside the cockpit of a KC-30A aircraft by 33SQN personnel
Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson
FLTLT Stephanie Hall and SQNLDR Greg Pasfield. SERVICE WITH A SMILE: Right inset, 34SQN crew attendant SGT Kristy
Conroy offers canapes to guests during the Air Force’s 92nd birthday
Photo: CPL Guy Young
reception at Duntroon House. WE’RE READY TO RIDE: Above,
RAAF Base Amberley participants
of The Long Ride 2013, WGCDR
Bruce Doerfling, left, and SGT
Simon Verhaar, with one of the many
motorcycles that will be ridden almost
1800km to Cairns on May 11 to help
raise awareness for prostate cancer.
Photo: LACW Shannon McCarthy
BIG SUPPORTER: After the
92WG homecoming parade in
Adelaide, well-known singer
and guitarist John Schumann,
who performed at the event,
poses for a photo with OC
92WG GPCAPT Craig Heap.
Photo: LAC David Cotton
TO CAP OFF A GREAT EFFORT: From left, GPCAPT Max Heinrich, of
AFHQ, with his son Axel and CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown at the 92WG
homecoming parade in Adelaide on March 23. CAF presented an AFHQ cap,
signed by him and DCAF AVM Leo Davies, to Axel on the day in support of
the 12-year-old’s fundraising efforts for cancer research. After shaving his
head as part of the World’s Greatest Shave, Axel raised more than $2000,
thanks largely to the support of AFHQ personnel. Axel will present the signed
cap to a school friend who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Photo courtesy GPCAPT Heinrich
The world is complex.
Your decisions don’t have to be.
Military aerospace and combined battlespace CONOPS are becoming
increasingly complex. Experienced across fixed-wing and helicopter
platforms, Thales solutions enable you to focus on your core missions,
make decisions and act quickly. Supporting aerospace operations we
provide a range of avionics systems, training and simulation solutions
and mission management systems. Our proven track record and
commitment to delivery offer reduced risk, scalability and low lifecycle/
whole-of-life costs.
To find out more visit thalesgroup.com.au
Image © Australian Department of Defence
22 Health
AIR F RCE April 25, 2013
Go the distance
for pure running
There is no doubt that distance running can involve long and lonely
hours, but CAPT Frank Kresse shows that it’s not all about the
journey, but more about the destination.
T
he perception of distance
running as an individual
sport, that personifies the
image of the lonely longdistance runner pounding
the pavement, is largely due to the
inability of the sport to be viewed as
exciting and dynamic.
An advantage triathlon has over
pure running is its ability to generate team spirit since the triathlon
is both an individual challenge and
has team components.
Triathletes usually train and
compete together, whereas runners
seldom come together except in
competition.
Running long distance is often
viewed as not altogether exciting. In
many respects, the myth is reality,
so why fight it?
The myth surrounding distance
running is equally alive and well
in the ADF where running continues to play a vital part in training
individuals to achieve the physical
attributes required in the performance of military roles.
The challenge for Defence, in
particular for the ADF Running and
Athletics Association, is to overcome perception and old paradigm
thinking.
Competitions include 10km road
race, a State teams championship
over the half marathon distance and
track and field.
The principle focus for the
Association has been to promote
running as a means to create team
spirit, personal fitness, diversity and
challenge and fun.
There has been some resurgence
in cross county and athletics carnivals and a general upturn in interest
in distance running. The result has
been increased participation and
improved standards.
One aspect that we tend to forget
is that running is a low risk, highreturn activity and participation in
the sport enables anyone to achieve,
to excel and to challenge themselves irrespective of their ability.
Most runners will agree that
through running they can achieve
their ultimate challenge, no matter
what the distance, terrain or envi-
ronment, and that distance running
in particular, presents endless scope
for variety irrespective of one’s age,
size or shape.
Anyone can become a distance
runner and in doing so become a
member of a team of competitors
who take part.
No doubt everyone who has
run, whether it was a marathon,
half-marathon or shorter event,
has at some stage experienced the
immense exhilaration, excruciating
pain, total physical exhaustion and
disappointment that comes from
tackling the sport.
But there is a dividend at the
end, which makes it all seem worthwhile.
Distance running has its virtues
– the pain of the run doesn’t last
forever, but the memories that come
with participation, personal challenge and achievement as a team
do.
Source: ADF Running and Athletics
Association website: http://www.adf.
coolrunning.com.au/index.htm
RUNNING MISCONCEPTION: Long distance running may be viewed as a
lonely individual sport, but it is also a means to create team spirit, personal
Photo: CPL Aaron Curran
fitness, diversity, challenge and fun. ADVERTISEMENT
If you are struggling with life after deployment
or military service, the Department of Veterans’
Affairs AT EASE website can be your first step
to recovery. There are videos about anxiety,
depression and anger, and apps for PTSD or
managing alcohol. You’ll find a self-help section,
links to professional help and a section for
families as well.
Get the support you need at
AUSTRALIA.GOV.AU/AT-EASE
Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra. Printed by Horton Media Australia, 17 Business Drive, Narangba, QLD, 4504
AIR F RCE
Sp rt 23
April 25, 2013
Nordic and biathlon team
looking for more skiiers
THE Air Force Nordic and Skiing
Biathlon Team will hit Mount
Hotham’s cross-country ski trails to
compete in the National Inter-Service
Cross-Country/Biathlon Skiing competition.
Applications close on May 31.
Mount Hotham offers 35km of ski
trails and has Australia’s only biathlon range which helps to develop the
techniques to compete in cross country skiing and biathlon race events.
After a lengthy deployment,
Air Force Nordic and Biathlon
Association president SQNLDR
Andrew Scholten says he “can’t
wait to put his ski boots back on
IN THE SWING: Air Force’s CPL Michelle Hiesley, of the ADF women’s team, about to hit the ball
during the New Zealand Defence Force Softball Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.
Women defeat
Kiwis in tough
softball comp
Michael Weaver
FOUR Air Force softballers have
played their parts in Trans-Tasman
Trophy test matches between the
ADF men’s and women’s teams and
their New Zealand counterparts.
CPL Michelle Hiesley, who
works for the ADF Investigative
S e r v i c e , a n d L AC W Ta n y a
Smiljanic, of 77SQN, played key
roles in the ADF women’s team’s
thrilling 12-10 victory in the TransTasman Test at Rose Park Stadium,
Auckland on March 9.
T h e g a m e s i nvo l v i n g t h e
Australian and New Zealand
Defence Forces (NZDF) also served
to complement the men’s World
Softball Championships, where
the atmosphere was described as
“amazing” by the players.
Australian Defence Softball
Association president GPCAPT
Peter Davis said the players not
only impressed themselves but their
opposition.
“Despite a gruelling schedule
and obvious home turf and crowd
support for the Kiwis, our teams
played some fantastic softball and
earned the admiration of the NZDF
Services and the NZDF Police for
the manner in which they played the
game and contributed to the tournament as a whole,” GPCAPT Davis
said.
In their first representative tournament with the ADF, both CPL
Hiesley and LACW Smiljanic said
it was great to play alongside other
ADF players who had experience in
a stadium-like atmosphere.
“The experience was surreal,”
LACW Smiljanic said.
“Ever since joining Defence, I
had dreamed of making the ADF
softball team and travelling overseas.”
CPL Hiesley said the highlight
was playing the Trans-Tasman
Test between Australia and New
Zealand, and winning of course.
“It was also a highlight to have
the Australian men’s team come
over and wish us good luck for our
game and to thank us for cheering
them on throughout the championships.”
The tour began with interservice
matches, where the ADF women
lost their first rounds 6-5 to NZ
Army.
Wins then came against the NZ
Police, NZ Navy and NZ Air Force
before the ADF women again succumbed to the NZ Army in the
semi-final, 9-2.
VICTORIOUS: The ADSA women’s team.
However, the ADF players
showed their wares in the interservice final to trump NZ Army 6-5,
before going on to take the TransTasman title 12-10 against the
NZDF.
Such was the admiration for the
ADF women’s and men’s team, they
were awarded the Spirit of Softball
Trophy which is usually awarded to
an individual.
While the ADF men were not
successful, they proved very competitive against much more experienced and seasoned opponents.
They lost the test game 9-2 and narrowly missed out on a win in the
interservice competition against the
Air Force, going down 6-5.
“Injuries took their toll on our
men’s team who faced a much more
experienced NZDF team in the test
match,” GPCAPT Davis said.
“The Kiwi team included some
international players who had
played in the World Championships
during the week.”
The Air Force players who
represented the men’s team were
CPL Tony Chave and AC James
Mathews, both of RAAF Base
Amberley.
Military
Plaques
Ph: 07 5495 8259
Fax: 07 5499 1231
• History Plaques & Boxes
•Sculptures Now stocking
•Hat Badges
•Desk Name Plates
•Canes & Stands
Noel &Sheralyn Vellnagel
P.O. Box 1258 , Morayfield Qld 4506
[email protected]
SPIT POLISHED PRESENTATIONS
www.spitpolished.com.au
and reclaim the title of the overall
interservice champions”.
“This year we are hoping for new
participants of all levels, including
first timers, to join our team,” he said.
“It’s a great chance to experience
and learn Nordic cross country skiing.”
The 2013 Air Force Championships
and the National Interservice CrossCountry/Biathlon Skiing will be held
between August 4 and 16.
Further information on how to apply can
be found at the Air Force Nordic Skiing and
Biathlon Association webpage on the DRN.
FOCUSED: CPL Sarah
Booth competing in the
Rocky Trail Downhill
Championship last year.
Photo: Matieu, Deubel Bicycles
Victory in Victoria
From Back Page
“I love the people in it, the opportunity to explore off the road verges
and see what a place has to offer,” CPL
Booth said.
“With racing, I love the speed, the
thrill of hitting up a jump for the first
time and doing something challenging
for myself.
“Us girls always support and
encourage each other and help out with
technique. I am also involved in women’s training clinics around NSW which
I have been doing for over seven years.
“You can be busting your guts to get
the best time in a race run, then head
straight back to the pits to brag about
your near misses or over-trumped up
achievements.”
School of Aviation
Looking
for an
Upgrade?
Never
Stand Still
Air Force was also represented at
the NSW/ACT Gravity Weekend event
in Thredbo by CPL Michael Crummy, of
37SQN.
CPL Crummy, the 2012 Elite Men’s
Gravity Enduro Series champion, finished 20th place in a field dominated by
elite downhill riders in conditions not
ideally suited to his bike.
The Australian Defence Cycling Club is supporting its riders entering the 2013 NSW/
ACT Downhill Series, the 2013 NSW/ACT
Gravity Enduro (All-mountain) Series, 2013
Grand Prix Endurance Series and is working
towards the 2013 ADO Cycling Carnival/
Champs in October 2013. For more information and contacts in Defence cycling, visit
www.adcc.asn.au
Programs in Aviation Management
Postgraduate courses offered by
distance education.
Bachelor of Aviation
A three year degree with flying
and management options.
Faculty
of Science
Find out more:
www.aviation.unsw.edu.au
Call: (02) 9385-6767
SP RT
Softball success in NZ
Page 23
April 25, 2013
TRAIL BLAZER
Mountainbiker
CPL Sarah Booth
claims Victorian
championship
Michael Weaver
fitness should again see me
competitive for the title. In
A DOWNHILL mountainbiker
Victoria, we regularly get about
from RAAF Base Williamtown
12-15 ladies competing, while
is at the top of her game after
in NSW it’s more like 8-10.
claiming her first Victorian
“With the NSW races, it all
State Series championship at
depends how consistent peoMt Beauty on April 13-14.
ple are. That’s where dedicaCPL Sarah Booth, of 81WG, tion and clean race runs make
went into the final round of the the difference to placing well
series with a nine-point lead
overall.”
It is no surprise that CPL
over her nearest rival and felBooth is also the current
low NSW rider Tegan Molloy.
Australian Defence Cycling
CPL Booth overcame a
Club women’s downhill chamtricky course of dusty tracks,
pion and works hard at mainloose rocks and steep chutes
taining her ‘elite athlete’ status
to finish the event 23 seconds
ahead of the second placeget- within the ADF.
Overcoming adversity has
ter.
also played its part in the form
“I was very lucky to have
of 10 fractured ribs, a split
clean practice runs all weekscapula and a fractured verteend despite the testing Mt
bra that is now held together
Beauty course, which claimed
with titanium. Whiplash and a
a few casualties,” CPL Booth
punctured lung also resulted
said.
from the same accident.
Racing against the best
“That was back in July
downhill mountainbike riders
in Australia, CPL Booth led the 2011 when I was competing in
Canada,” she said.
Victorian Series throughout,
“I spent six months healing
and added the title to her 2012
and then did another year-andsuccesses when she also
a-half of CrossFit and core
won the NSW/ACT Downhill
strength training to be roughly
Series and NSW/ACT State
where I am now.
Championships.
“I’m fitter, stronger and
She began her dual NSW/
more determined than ever. It’s
ACT titles defence with a third
placing in the opening round at taught me a lot about patience,
respecting the body, looking
Thredbo on April 6-7.
after myself and that hard work
“There were some sketchy
does eventually pay off.”
moments and the top section
CPL Booth said she has
of the course was slippery on
been riding bikes since she
the rocks,” CPL Booth said.
“But I’m the defending state was 12 and made the typical
transition from BMX to road
champion from last year’s
season and we have five races racing and then onto mountain
bike riding.
finishing in November, so I’m
– Continued Page 23
hoping my consistency and
HIGH FLYER: CPL Sarah Booth, of
81WG, takes on the downhill trails during
the competition that led to her being
crowned the 2013 Victorian champion.
Photo: Robert Conroy, The Roost Mag