AIR F Vol. 52, No. 16, September 2, 2010 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force RCE RCE 010 The THANKS THANKS LOADS LOADS TRAGIC LOSS: ADF MOURNS FOUR FALLEN COMRADES P2 Eamon Hamilton KEY PERSONNEL and air mobility are being provided by Air Force to Operation Pakistan Assist II. A 36SQN C-17A departed RAAF Base Amberley on August 23 with the first element of a 180-person Australian Medical Task Force (AMTF), destined for Pakistan. Air Force has deployed 92 personnel within the task force, which also includes Army, Navy, AusAid and members of state emergency agencies. The task force – also known as JTF636 – will establish a medical facility near the city of Kot Addu, which is close to the provincial capital of Multan in Pakistan’s Punjab Province. Continued Page 3 HERE TO HELP: Main image: tents for flood-affected families are unloaded from pallets by Pakistani aid officials on the tarmac in Islamabad after the arrival of a C-17A from Australia. Right, 36SQN pilots FLTLT Simon Grant (left) and FLGOFF Luke Ridgway at the helm of their C-17A en route to Pakistan. Photos: LAC Leigh Cameron Above inset, a UAE loadmaster sits on the back ramp of a UAE CH-47 Chinook as it flies over flooded areas of Pakistan while transporting ADF medical personnel and supplies to Kot Addu. Photo: CPL Chris Moore P3-4 Full coverage: Air Force plays key role in Air Force plays key role in Operation Pakistan Assist II Operation Pakistan Assist II
Transcript
AIR FVol. 52, No. 16, September 2, 2010 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force
RCERCE010 The
THANKS THANKS LOADSLOADS
TRAGIC LOSS: ADF MOURNS FOUR FALLEN COMRADES P2
Eamon Hamilton
KEY PERSONNEL and air mobility are being provided by Air Force to Operation Pakistan Assist II.
A 36SQN C-17A departed RAAF Base Amberley on August 23 with the first element of a 180-person Australian Medical Task Force (AMTF), destined for Pakistan.
Air Force has deployed 92 personnel within the task force, which also includes Army, Navy, AusAid and members of state emergency agencies.
The task force – also known as JTF636 – will establish a medical facility near the city of Kot Addu, which is close to the provincial capital of Multan in Pakistan’s Punjab Province.
Continued Page 3
HERE TO HELP: Main image: tents for flood-affected families are unloaded from pallets by Pakistani aid officials on the tarmac in Islamabad after the arrival of a C-17A from Australia.Right, 36SQN pilots FLTLT Simon Grant (left) and FLGOFF Luke Ridgway at the helm of their C-17A en route to Pakistan. Photos: LAC Leigh CameronAbove inset, a UAE loadmaster sits on the back ramp of a UAE CH-47 Chinook as it flies over flooded areas of Pakistan while transporting ADF medical personnel and supplies to Kot Addu. Photo: CPL Chris Moore
P3-4
Full coverage:
Air Force plays key role in Air Force plays key role in Operation Pakistan Assist IIOperation Pakistan Assist II
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AIR FORCE C-17A aircraft have been busy bringing home Australian soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan in what has been a tragic period for the ADF.
On August 18, a 36SQN C-17A touched down at RAAF Base Pearce bearing the flag draped coffin of SAS Trooper Jason Brown.
TPR Brown, 29, was carried off the aircraft by his mates to his family, Defence personnel and VIPs waiting in the hangar.
Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner, Opposition Shadow Minister for Defence David Johnston, acting CDF LTGEN David Hurley, CA LTGEN Ken Gillespie and MAJGEN Tim McOwan attended the ramp ceremony.
TPR Brown died as a result of mul-tiple gun-shot wounds sustained during an engagement with Taliban insurgents on August 13.
LTGEN Gillespie spoke of the significance of the ramp ceremony in returning TPR Brown to his family.
“It’s a ceremony where we wel-come home one of our fallen soldiers for two families; his birth family and immediate family, but more broadly his Army family,” he said.
“It’s a simple service where both families recognise the sacrifice that he has made.”
A requiem mass for TPR Brown was held at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Normanhurst on August 26.
Only days after TRP Brown’s death, two Australian soldiers from the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) were killed when they were struck by an improvised explosive device (IED) while providing over-watch for an operation by fellow members of their patrol in the Baluchi Valley on August 20.
PTEs Tomas Dale, 21, and Grant Kirby, 35, had left their Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle when the IED detonated.
Two other Australian soldiers were wounded in the attack, however their wounds were not considered life-threatening.
D u r i n g a s e r v i c e a t t h e Multinational Base Tarin Kowt on
August 24, Commander Joint Task Force 633 MAJGEN John Cantwell said the two soldiers were fondly remembered by their mates – not just as highly regarded soldiers but as brothers to them all.
“Tomas and Grant were separated by a few years and had quite naturally fallen into the role of youngest and oldest brothers in their section,” he said.
“Losing anyone is hard, but losing two people close enough to be consid-ered as brothers, in every sense of that
word, is especially difficult and it will be a real test for those who need to continue with this fight in their honour.”
MAJGEN Cantwell said PTEs Dale’s and Kirby’s section mates were transported from their outlying patrol base to attend the service and wish their mates a final farewell before their journey back to Australia.
After transit ing through the Australian Support Area at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, they arrived at RAAF Base Amberley on August 27.
On August 24, LCPL Jared MacKinney, also from 6RAR, was killed while operating as a mentor to the Afghan National Army during a partnered patrol in the Deh Rawud region when the patrol was engaged in an intense firefight with Taliban insur-gents.
LCPL MacKinney was part of a dismounted patrol in the green zone which was fired on by a number of insurgents and was killed early in that engagement.
LCPL MacKinney joined the
Australian Air Force Cadets at RAAF Base Amberley as a youngster and was named the Most Outstanding Cadet one year, before later joining the Army.
On August 21, two soldiers from the 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF1) were wounded when an IED detonat-ed against their Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province.
Twenty one Australian soldiers have been killed in action since opera-tions in Afghanistan began with 149 soldiers wounded during this period.
Sad C-17A journeys homeADF loses four more diggers in Afghanistan
AUGUST 13: TPR Jason Brown.
AUGUST 20: PTE Tomas Dale.
AUGUST 20: PTE Grant Kirby.
AUGUST 24: LCPL Jared MacKinney.
FAREWELLING MATES: Above, two wounded soldiers quietly farewell their mates before the memorial service for PTEs Tomas Dale and Grant Kirby in Tarin Kowt; right, SAS comrades carry the casket of TPR Jason Brown to a waiting C-17A in Tarin Kowt; and above right, soldiers grieve together after their tragic loss. Photos: LS Paul Berry
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More than 27,000 people in Kot Addu have been displaced by flooding, from a city of about 800,000 people.
Flooding in Pakistan has affected more than 20 million people, which is more than a tenth of its population.
More than six million people are dependent on urgent food assistance.
As well as the havoc caused by flooding, one of the key risks will be the potential for disease outbreaks.
Killers such as cholera and diar-rhoeal disease, as well as insect-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria, could cause a surge in the flood’s toll.
The full task force will be com-prised of a Medical Task Force of 36 Defence and up to 20 civilian health specialists providing medical, mid-wifery, pathological, pharmaceutical, radiological and environmental health capabilities. Specialist engineering capabilities to support the delivery of clean water to the task force, construc-tion of accommodation and other build-ings, and a logistic support element that sustains operations on the ground will complete the complement.
Commanding the Joint Task Force is WGCDR Ross Wadsworth, a nurs-ing officer and CO of 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron at Amberley.
Further Air Force health assets will include an additional nurse, midwife and medics, as well as pathology, radi-ology and pharmacological support.
On top of this, Air Force will deploy 21 personnel for a command element and headquarters including an interpret-er, logistics, engineering and operations staff. Engineers with the task force will
All hands in All hands in PakistanPakistan
LOADS OF HELP: LAC Kieran Ashton, left, and LAC Ben Crawford, from 1AOSS, help local aid workers unload pallets of aid in Islamabad.
Photo: LAC Leigh Cameron
FLOOD DAMAGE: View of some of the devastation from the air.Photo: CPL Chris Moore
FLOOD DAMAGE Vi f f h d i f h i
support the delivery of clean water and building accommodation and facilities.
CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said a wide range of Air Force capabilities are involved in Defence’s contribution to Operation Pakistan Assist II.
“This operation has again demonstrat-ed the Air Force’s high level of readi-ness to support short notice humanitarian tasks,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.
“I recognise many elements of Air Force were already operating at a very high tempo. It’s great to see that reserv-ists are supporting this activity, especially from Health Services Wing.”
Before dispatching the task force to Multan, members of 36SQN and 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron had provided two C-17A loads of relief aid to the Pakistan capital of Islamabad between August 13 and 19.
The loads contained tents and tarpau-lins for approximately 12,000 affected families, as well as water storage and purification for up to 30 days of clean drinking water for more than 10,000 fam-ilies.
They also delivered 24 portable gen-erators as well as medical equipment and supplies.
Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner said the task force would remain only as long as required by the government of Pakistan, but could remain for an extended period.
“Our people will be operating under challenging conditions,” Senator Faulkner said.
“The task force will apply a range of preventive and force protection meas-ures so they can complete their mission safely.”
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BUSY BODIES: Above, from left, LAC Jesse Selby, FLGOFF Benjamin Murrell and SGT Scott Harrison from 1AOSS and loadmaster SGT Adam Carter from 36SQN wait from the ramp of a C-17A for the all-clear to deliver the first pallet of aid to Pakistani aid officials in Islamabad as part of Operation Pakistan Assist II. Left, air load team members lend a hand unloading the AUSAid supplies on the tarmac. Photos: LAC Leigh Cameron
Ready too deliverEamon Hamilton
ABOVE an already busy tempo, Air Force is proving its ability to deliver support to joint operations around the globe.
Many of the Air Force units which have committed personnel and assets to Operation Pakistan Assist II are already supporting simultaneous deployments.
For 36SQN and 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron (1AOSS), ensuring the loads of humanitarian relief reached Pakistan as soon as possible meant coordinating efforts around other commitments.
Both units were able to stage personnel for the relief flights at bases along the route to Islamabad. As a result, fresh crews could deliv-er relief aid to Pakistan sooner and safer, and allow for a quick turna-round of the aircraft to Australia.
Staging crews also proved of further use to 36SQN in flying sus-tainment flights to the MEAO, as well as repatriating SAS Trooper Jason Brown to RAAF Base Pearce.
In rais ing the Austral ian Medical Task Force (AMTF), a
number of Air Force units have raised the bar on their operational commitments.
The Air Mobility Control Centre and Combat Support Coordination Centre are work-ing additional shifts with the Air Operations Centre in Joint Operations Command to plan and coordinate the Air Force effort.
1 Combat Communications Squadron (1CCS), which is deliver-ing communication and informa-tion support to Operation Pakistan Assist II, has 26 personnel on the deployment.
With the Pakistan deployment, more than half of 1CCS’s person-nel are on deployment, exercises or training activities.
Many of the health profession-als within the AMTF have been drawn from Air Force’s Health Support Wing.
The wing is already providing personnel to numerous deploy-ments throughout the MEAO – ranging in duties from aero-med-ical evacuation to environmental health.
Air Force health professionals are also supporting efforts such as Pacific Partnership 2010 in South East Asia.
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5 NewsSeptember 2, 2010RCEAIR FF
Eamon Hamilton
INDONESIAN and Australian Hercules crews stand better placed to assist each other during operations following a com-bined exercise at RAAF Base Darwin.
From August 9 to 13, the two nations conducted a series of C-130 tactical airdrop missions, briefings and cul-tural activities in Darwin for Exercise Rajawali Ausindo 2010.
The Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) sent a C-130B Hercules from 32SQN at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base in East Java, while the RAAF participated with a C-130H from 37SQN.
Exercise Rajawali Ausindo allows working level talks between squadrons from both air forces, focusing on profes-sional and cultural elements.
In recent years, RAAF air mobility has been heavily involved in sustained operations with Indonesia, including Operation Padang Assist last year and Sumatra Assist in 2004.
S Q N L D R B e n Poxon, Staff Officer Force Generation for 86WG, said Rajawali Ausindo provided the chance to continue to build on our already strong relationship with the Indonesians.
“If we ever have to go there, we have an existing relationship with their Hercules squadrons, and can set about the task of working with them more easily,” he said.
The goal of Rajawali Ausindo is to provide air mobility personnel from both countries a chance to bond both profes-sionally and culturally. This includes exchanging methods of tactical flying, with an emphasis placed on airdrop mis-sions.
Indonesian crews impressed their hosts on the series of airdrop missions from Darwin, flown along medium level routes to air drop cargo over drop zones in the Northern Territory. Supporting the airdrop component was a four-person drop zone party from Army’s No. 176 (Air Dispatch) Squadron.
FLTLT Mark Saurins, a 37SQN C-130H pilot, said: “It’s great seeing the interaction between our two Air Forces, and seeing how we each do business.”
Rajawali Ausindo was also a forum for both countries to deliver briefs on their respective aviation risk manage-ment and aviation safety protocols.
Working side by side
Indonesia operates a mixed fleet of Hercules including the C-130B, C-130H, and L-100. The TNI-AU has two Hercules units, 31SQN at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, and 32SQN at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Base.
Cooperation between the two Air Forces is not new. Following Cyclone Tracey in 1974, Indonesian crews flew a Hercules to Darwin in support of the relief effort. In 2004, Australian Hercules crews were among the swell of ADF support to Sumatra after the Boxing Day Tsunami. And last year, Australian Hercules were present at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in Jakarta for Operation Padang Assist, working alongside Indonesian and American C-130 relief flights.
TOGETHER: Participants of the exercise chat happily after the arrival of Indonesian Air Force personnel to RAAF Base Darwin.
RISE AND SHINE: Members of 37SQN prepare a C-130H in the early morning light before the first flight of Exercise Rajawali Ausindo.COMPARING NOTES: Below right, 37SQN engineering officer FLGOFF Jocelyn Williams chats to MAJ Dhany Sidik. Photos: CPL Amanda Campbell
MUCH TO SHARE: Loadmasters WOFF Peter Kennedy, of 37SQN, and Indonesia’s WOFF Kamidi.
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SPECTACLE: Above, the Colour Party displays the 1AOSS Standard and the 27SQN Governor-General’s Banner on parade; inset, CO 27SQN WGCDR Paul Aggett (left) uncases the Governor-General’s Banner and CO 1AOSS WGCDR Steven Force uncases the Squadron Standard. Photos: ACW Sandra Midson
LAC Aaron Curran
UP TO 160 personnel took to the pa-rade ground at RAAF Base Towns-ville for a rare double consecration on August 22.
The combined consecration was for No. 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron (1AOSS) and No. 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron (27SQN).
Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce was the reviewing officer for the parade at which the 1AOSS Standard and the 27SQN Governor-General’s Banner were consecrated by the Principal Air Chaplains.
AIRCDRE Noddy Sawade was the Host Officer, with CO 1AOSS WGCDR Steven Force and CO 27SQN WGCDR Paul Aggett uncas-ing and handing the Colours to the Governor-General.
A Squadron Standard is awarded to an Air Force operational squad-ron with more than 25 years ser-vice or combat distinction, while the Governor-General’s Banner is awarded to a non-operational unit in recognition of more than 25 years distinguished service.
On presenting the Squadron Standard to 1AOSS and the Governor-General’s Banner to 27SQN, Ms Bryce said it was a sig-nificant day in the lives of the two very different squadrons.
SPIC AND SPAN: Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce reviews the parade.
“[This is a day] that members are entitled to recall with a sense of personal pride and abiding respect for what you belong to, what you stand for, and the service you give your nation as individuals and as members of a magnificent team of ADF men and women,” she said.
One hundred and five 1AOSS members were on parade, with 35 having travelled from detachments at RAAF Bases Pearce, Edinburgh, Richmond, Wi l l i amtown and Darwin, as well as Orchard Hills.
A number of previous 1AOSS and 1CLS, 1ATS and 1OSU (the pre-ceding units of 1AOSS) members were present, including Ken Feather who was one of the 1OSU members who deployed to Vung Tau as a cook during the Vietnam War.
CO 1AOSS WGCDR Steven Force said it was “an extreme-ly rewarding moment when the Governor-General presented the Squadron Standard on parade”.
“It was the culmination of an application process which was ini-tiated a number of years’ previous-ly,” he said.
“All members, past and present can be proud of the role they played in having this Standard bestowed upon the unit.”
XO 27SQN SQNLDR Trevor Beams said his personnel felt it was
a great experience to be involved in such a unique event. “Seeing the Governor-General’s Banner flying in front of the squadron during the march past was the highlight of the day for me,” he said.
Many former 27SQN members attended the parade, including the first CO of the squadron, WGCDR David Shipman, and other former COs.
Fol lowing the parade , the Governor-General, all personnel and guests were invited to a morning tea at the Wirraway Club on base.
27SQN personnel and their fami-lies followed this with an informal gathering in the Sergeants’ Mess, while 1AOSS members, along with families and past unit members, enjoyed a barbecue at the 1AOSS pre-deployment area.
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7NewsSeptember 2, 2010RCEAIR FF
LAC Aaron Curran
THE Air Force’s most famous public relations showpiece, the
Roulettes, celebrated 40 years service entertaining the Australian public on August 13.
Its home location, RAAF Base East Sale, played host to the celebra-tions with a barbecue, fly-over and a formal dinner at the Officers’ Mess.
The day started on a sombre note, with a service to remember the loss of
the Red Sales team in a crash on August 15, 1962.
SQNLDR Matthew Plenty from Central Flying School said the current Roulette team and a number of Red Sales family members attended the service.
“The family members were presented with bereavement pins on the day by DCAF AVM Geoff Brown,” he said.
During the day there were
several flying displays over the airfield and FLTLT ‘Bernie’ Gleeson conducted a single air-craft display.
“The crowd was also fortunate to see a rare mix of the RAAF Museum CAC Mustang and the Roulettes performing combined formation flypasts,” SQNLDR Plenty said.
“The Air Force Balloon was there and conducted some teth-ered flying for the Sale Specialist School in the morning during the reunion and finally a ‘night glow’ in the evening.”
The Roulettes closed the fly-ing activities in the afternoon with a ‘high show’ display includ-ing their signature manoeuvre, the Roulette Wheel.
The dinner was attended by CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin, AVM Brown, a number of serv-ing and retired senior officers and many former team members.
For more than half of the Air Force’s 89 year history, the Roulettes have been thrilling
crowds in Australia and, at times, overseas.
The first official display team, the Meteorites, formed in 1956 with many other variations and name changes until the current Roulettes formed in August 1970.
They initially flew the MB-326H Macchi and progressed to the Pilatus PC-9/A in 1989.
One notable ex-member of the Roulettes was AVM Brown who said, as a means of reaching out to the Australian community and demonstrating the values and skill of the Air Force, the Roulettes had been an unqualified success.
“For many Australians, their first up-close and personal experi-ence of the Air Force is a Roulette display within their region,” he said.
“The Roulettes have car-ried the image of a professional air force into the skies above Australia into regions and to people who would have little or no other opportunities to see their defence force on display.”
� The first official air display with Sopwith Pups was in 1920 by the then Australian Air Corps.
� The special display team formed at Point Cook in 1932.
� The first RAAF aerobatic team post-WWII formed by 78WG in Malta in 1953 using Vampire Mark 9s.
� The first official team, the Meteorites, formed in 1956 using Meteor Mark 8s, followed by the Red Devils (1958), Red Eagles and the Acrobats (1959), the Black Diamonds (1961) and the Yellow Streaks and Red Diamonds (1962).
� The Red Sales formed in 1962 at RAAF Base East Sale, followed by the Telstars in 1963, both flying the Vampire jet trainer.
� The Roulettes formed in August 1970, initially flying the MB-326H Macchi.
� The Pilatus PC-9/A came into use
in 1989 and the Roulettes team increased from five to six.
More fast facts� Roulette pilots are chosen from
instructors at CFS.� 1998 heralded the first female dis-
play pilot, FLTLT Joanne Mein.� Roulettes are a part-time team –
normally the pilots instruct students at CFS.
� Typical display is six aircraft with the seventh member flying a spare, doing commentary and PR administration.
� The team perform for more than two million people annually.
� Displays last up to 15 minutes.� Four Red Sales members and two
passengers died in a four-aircraft crash in 1962 near Sale.
� Two Roulettes died in a crash near Sale in 1983.
HISTORICAL DISPLAY
440 years of Roulettes
SOMBRE: Above, relative Noreen Jones and DCAF AVM Geoff Brown pay their respects at the memorial service which remembers members of the Red Sales aerobatic team who died in 1962.
CAPTIVATING: Right, an A68 Mustang leads the Roulettes in an aerial display at RAAF Base East Sale as part of the anniversary celebrations.Photos: LAC Terry HartinFLASHBACK: Inset, the A7 Macchi Roulette team flying in formation near Sale in 1983. Photo: RAAF Museum
AYh Roulettes team
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8 September 2, 2010RCEAIR FNews
DEFENCE’S ongoing commitment to improve healthcare for ADF members has reached another milestone.
VCDF LTGEN David Hurley, the three service chiefs and the Deputy Secretary of Defence Support recently signed the Regional Level Agreements (RLAs) for Regional Health Services, which detail respon-sibilities for health programs and ser-vices across Australia.
LTGEN Hurley said the RLAs would take the confusion and frustra-tion out of the delivery of Defence healthcare.
“ T h e s e R e g i o n a l L e v e l Agreements remove long-standing ambiguity on what will and will not be provided by the services and Defence organisations,” he said.
“This is the first time the single-service health personnel, materiel, resources and facilities used to deliver garrison health support will be under the command, control and manage-ment of a single Defence entity – Joint Health Command.”
He said each RLA specified the requirements for all parties involved with the delivery of healthcare, and had been introduced as part of the enhancement and reform of Defence
CDF recovery CDF ACM Angus Houston has returned to work after a short period of leave to receive medical treatment.“I am pleased to be back at work following successful pros-tate surgery,” ACM Houston said. “I would like to thank all those who expressed their best wishes to me and my family during this time. I am very grateful for all the phone calls, cards, letters and emails I have received wishing me a speedy recovery. The surgery went very well and I am pleased to be back in the office and resuming my duties as the CDF.”
Hornet deliveryThe 36th modified F/A-18 was deliv-ered to RAAF Base Williamtown on July 14 as part of the $700 million Classic Hornet Electronic Warfare upgrade project. This means that more than half the Air Force’s fleet is now modified with the upgraded Radar Warning Receiver capabil-ity. The Hornet’s electronic warfare self-protection system is also improved which enables installation of the new Hornet Data Recorder, Supplementary Countermeasures Dispensing System and a new electronic jammer. The aircraft modifications are being conducted by Boeing Defence Australia at Williamtown and are due to be com-pleted in late 2012.
IN BRIEFBoon for healthcare
healthcare following the establish-ment of Joint Health Command in 2008.
Joint Health Command will appoint Regional Health Directors to oversee the new regions and provide dedicated health support to local com-manders.
LTGEN Hurley said the develop-
ment of the Regional Health Services would also complement current single-service initiatives such as the Army Combat Health restructure.
Commander Joint Health Command MAJGEN Paul Alexander said Joint Health Command staff and represent-atives from the services and Defence Support Group had worked hard to
achieve a better-structured Defence health system. “It means improved care and services for all personnel, MAJGEN Alexander said.
“Our health reform program successes so far, and our continu-ing work, means Defence remains a national and international leader in the delivery of healthcare.”
AROUND THE TABLE: From left, Deputy Secretary Defence Support Simon Lewis, CN VADM Russ Crane, CDRE Robyn Walker, VCDF LTGEN David Hurley, Commander Joint Health Command MAJGEN Paul Alexander, AIRCDRE Tracy Smart, CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin and CA LTGEN Ken Gillespie.Photo: Bryan Doherty
FOR 70 years, Air Force chaplaincy has been there for personnel.
Those seven decades were cel-ebrated in Canberra from August 16 to 20 with an annual conference, church service and dining-in night at the Australian War Memorial.
Director General Chaplaincy – Air Force (AIRCDRE) Murray Earl said it was a happy occasion for the chaplaincy.
“It was an opportunity to celebrate our past, present and future,” he said.
At the church service, which was held at Duntroon Chapel, AIRCDRE Earl spoke about Air Force’s former chaplains who had borne the burden and heat of the day during their years of service.
One such chaplain was former Principal Air Chaplain Rodger Boerth, who served in Vietnam, and spoke at the church service.
He delivered a passionate speech about post traumatic stress disor-der, its effects on personnel and the importance of being on the lookout for its signs.
He should know, he said, because he suffered from it.
Also attending the service were VCDF LTGEN David Hurley, Principal Chaplain Royal New Zealand Air Force, Chaplain (WGCDR) Ross Falconer and RAF
70 years of service
ALWAYS THERE: Above, Chaplain (AIRCDRE) Murray Earl at Duntroon Chapel during the Chaplains’ Service; left, Chaplain (SQNLDR) Alan Williams, centre, from 1RTU takes the Queen’s Colours out of Duntroon Chapel after the service.
Photos: LAC Aaron Curran
LONG TRADITION: Air Force chaplains in front of the ‘G for George’ Lancaster at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
Chaplain-in-Chief (AVM) Ray Pentland.
“They really enjoyed themselves by being there and representing inter-national chaplaincy,” AIRCDRE Earl said.
“They came here to see how we operate and to reinforce how well we work together in coalitions around the world.”
During the church service, the Queen’s Colours were brought into the chapel by Chaplain (SQNLDR) Alan Williams from 1 Recruit Training Unit and a plaque was handed to AIRCDRE Earl by the RAAF Association – ACT Division to place on the last plinth at the RAAF Memorial Grove.
Vietnam veteran padres attended the Vietnam Veteran’s Day service on
Anzac Parade on August 18, with the dining-in night on August 19 finish-ing off the celebrations.
AIRCDRE Earl said Air Force chaplains got together annually to upgrade their relationships, share information and direction.
“We give thanks to God for the ongoing support we receive from the CAF and DCAF and from our churches and families,” he said.
“New chaplains are part of our future as we serve the Air Force. We look to them to provide the necessaryfaith, wisdom and energy to fulfil the requirements of 21st century Air Force chaplaincy.”
Air Force News will look at the history of chaplaincy in an upcoming edition.
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10 September 2, 2010RCEAIR FNews
FLTLT Skye Smith
NUMBER 75 Squadron has commem-orated the 20th anniversary of a mid-air collision that took the life of CO WGCDR Ross Fox.
To remember that tragic day on August 2, 1990, the squadron host-ed a service in the newly construct-ed memorial garden at RAAF Base Tindal.
CO 75SQN WGCDR Phil Arms opened the memorial garden and dedi-cated it to WGCDR Fox.
“Today we celebrate the life and contributions of WGCDR Fox,” WGCDR Arms said.
“WGCDR Fox was a charismat-ic and respected member of 75SQN. He was liked by all and admired as a leader.
“This tragic accident denied the RAAF of one of its stars, but today we introduce the ‘WGCDR Ross Fox Trophy for Excellence’ in his honour.”
WGCDR Fox’s widow, Viki Fox, presented the inaugural trophy to the most outstanding member of 75SQN,
avionic technician CPL Michael Berry.
His wife Kylie accepted the award on his behalf.
WGCDR Arms said the trophy was a celebration of the achievements of both the member and the unit.
“CPL Berry was selected from a very competitive pool of candidates and is truly an outstanding and deserv-ing winner of the award,” he said.
The trophy will be presented on an annual basis to the most outstanding member of 75SQN to coincide with the memorial anniversary.
“It is a great honour to present this trophy to someone who displays Ross’s remarkable qualities,” Mrs Fox said.
“Ross was an exceptional person – not only for his flying ability, but for his kind heart and sense of adventure.”
The WGCDR Fox memorial gar-den reflects six months of pride, dedi-cation, hard work and teamwork of the 75SQN members who designed and built it.
“It honours every member of
SQUADRON HONOUR: Above, WGCDR Ross Fox’s widow, Mrs Viki Fox, lays a wreath in honour of 75SQN members who have been lost during active service. Right, the dedication plaque in memory of WGCDR Fox (pictured below right) in the new memorial garden at RAAF Base Tindal. Above photos: SGT Pete Gammie
the squadron who has lost their life while serving at the unit. It was built by mates to honour mates,” WGCDR Arms said.
A bronzed magpie, designed by serving squadron member CPL Scott Parish, adorns the stone memorial as the keeper of the garden.
Plaques around the garden list the names of the 67 members who have died during their service at 75SQN.
“As the current CO, I am extremely proud to lead a squadron with such
Special tribute
prestigious fighting heritage and whose members cherish the hardships that have defined us today,” WGCDR Arms said.
WGCDR Fox led 75SQN from October 10, 1988 until his death in the accident two years later.
He started his Air Force career as an Iroquois pilot, based at RAAF Base Amberley, after which he flew the Mirage and the F/A-18.
75SQN remembers WGCDR Fox
11 NewsSeptember 2, 2010RCEAIR FF
Andrew Stackpool
AIR FORCE has stood up a new organisation to harness the value of workplace flexibility and workplace diversity to the workforce.
Director General Personnel – Air Force AIRCDRE John Hewitson recently formed a new Directorate of Workforce Flexibility and Diversity (DWFD).
Air Force reservist WGCDR Barb Wells leads the new directorate.
Research in the area of human resources confirms the rapid growth in demand for flex-ibility and diversity in the workplace and the benefits of integrating flexibility and diversity into the workplace.
WGCDR Wells said that despite the percep-tion that flexibility is hard to come by in the Air Force, the service was tracking quite well in comparison to other organisations and already offered a range of flexible options, including part-time, variable hours, home located work, maternity/paternity leave, carers leave, short leave and compressed work weeks.
“Air Force has shown its commitment to being a flexible organisation by having many of these policies in place for close to a decade,” WGCDR Wells said.
“However, while there has been a steady increase in those accessing the options avail-able, there are still areas for improvement including process obstacles that prevent the organisation and members from fully capitalis-ing on the benefits.”
The new directorate will develop policy and strategies to resolve the barriers and limitations to flexibility and diversity while maintaining or improving capability, which is the critical chal-lenge for Air Force.
The directorate will also research and design innovative whole of workforce solutions to make the most of the advantages flexibility and diver-sity bring, working closely with the Flexible Employment and Remuneration (FE and R) sec-tion, which is part of the DP-AF organisation.
Headed by SQNLDR Mark Dungey as man-ager flexible employment, the FE and R section is responsible for providing flexible employ-ment advice and assistance throughout the vari-ous groups, wings, squadrons and other units.
Both the DWFD and the section practice what they preach. The directorate has a reserv-ist working from home, a permanent member on part-time leave without pay, while a third who joins in 2011 will be based in Canberra on full-time service.
Of the section’s staff of 10 permanent and 12 reserves personnel, four reservists are work-ing remotely interstate at hours convenient to them, while two permanent staff are on part-time leave without pay and two are working flexible arrangements.
The directorate will provide the business strategic focus, whereas the FE and R section will provide the tactical side through delivery of the day-to-day capability and policy imple-mentation.
NUMBER 76 Squadron has applied flexible working arrangements to achieve greater efficiencies within
its workplace and enhance morale and productivity among its staff.
The squadron now actually works longer and harder to achieve a win-win situation.
Last March, 76SQN CO WGCDR Nick Osborne needed to cut flying hours.
The traditional response would be to merely fly at a reduced rate every day; however, he determined the situation provided an opportu-nity to introduce some flexibility and also give his manpower some extra time off.
He proposed that the squadron trial a program of a nine-day fort-night with one Friday designated as a no-fly day. To achieve the offset as well as deliver the required fly-
ing and capability, the squadron would work an extra 30 minutes each day by cutting 30 minutes off the lunch break.
The idea meant there were a number of factors that would need to be addressed and for which solu-tions would need to be found.
They included routing matters, lunch times for living-in members, childcare arrangements, schooling, personnel administration implica-tions such as management of annu-al leave, impact on reservists, as well as contingencies such as flying impacted by bad weather, or short-notice, high-priority tasking.
The unit executives took about a month to resolve these aspects after which a program of mass brief-ings was undertaken to explain the changes. Once this was done and the idea accepted, the trial got under way. It proved to be a success.
As a result of the trial, a range
of benefits and efficiencies for the squadron and its personnel were identified.
Temporary CO SQNLDR Graham Williams said the rostered day off created a significant boost to morale and an increase in overall squadron efficiency.
“The effect of a long weekend every second weekend has enabled squadron members to spend more time with their families and friends – this aligns with Air Force values of balancing work and personal commitments,” he said.
“The increased working day has improved overall maintenance efficiency – we have saved one day’s worth of the time spent in setting up and packing away for a flying day. This has increased the proportion of time available for maintenance – the result has been an increase in aircraft availability and serviceability of about 5-10 per cent.
“The initiative has been a suc-cess but challenges remain particu-larly in operations. One less flying day has required an appraisal of how we best use our staff, opera-tions flight pilots and students to achieve the required output of pilots from 76SQN.
“New initiatives in place include the pooling of staff pilots from 76SQN, 78WG HQ and 79SQN at RAAF Base Williamtown to conduct the Introductory Fighter Course and particularly ADF sup-port.”
Following the trial, 76SQN extended the flexible work program to include no-fly weeks for one week of each school holidays. This goes a long way in helping parents manage their care arrangements for school-aged children, given the discrepancy between annual leave entitlements and the volume of school holidays.
Value of flexibility
FAMILY FRIENDLY: FLGOFF Michael Hinchcliffe leaves Williamtown Childcare Centre with son Kye after leaving work early as part of the new flexible work practices that are in place at 76SQN. Photo: LACW Katharine Pearson
76SQN’s approach is paying dividends
WIN-WIN SITUATION� 76SQN saves a day of
maintenance time each fortnight.� There are no squadron heating,
electricity or water resources being used on the rostered day off.
� The program saves time and results in more work output for maintenance crews – getting an extra four hours work per fortnight through saving on set up and pack up times with no-fly Fridays.
� It gives students an extra day of study each week, which results in the students being better prepared and rested due to the extra study time available to them.
� There are fewer distractions at work as members have an extra day each fortnight to take care of their personal administration.
� Morale at work has increased as people are using the day off to rest and relax.
� No-fly Fridays have also resulted in members being more social on that Friday, which has increased morale and teamwork.
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13 September 2, 2010RCEAIR FF
LT Bill Heck
AIR FORCE traditions run deep in the Murray family with father and son Kevin and Paul Murray both on de-ployments in the Middle East.
Both men are SQNLDRs and both have a similar career path enlisting as supply operators and serving time in the ranks before commissioning to logistics officers.
Kevin is on his first operational deployment after more than 41 years in the Air Force.
He said although his and his son’s career have overlapped by a decade, they have never previously served together in the same place at the same time.
“His arrival in the Middle East was a huge thrill for me,” Kevin said.
“We have always been very close and now we have this common experi-ence of being on operation together in the same theatre.”
Paul said he shared his dad’s delight in being able to share the experience of the deployment.
“My dad is my best friend and the biggest influence on my life, so to be deployed at the same time is not only unique, it is a memory I will cherish,” Paul said.
“Being able to communicate on a different level and share experiences
Father, son reunion
together; we understand each other and the challenges of being on opera-tion.”
While both men are logistics offic-ers, Kevin has been working as the Host Nation Liaison Officer at the Al
Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
His job is to ensure that access to the air base is available, on both a temporary and permanent basis, to Defence Force personnel, visit-
ing VIPs, Australian Federal Police, and the many contractors that support Australia’s operations.
“I engage with United Arab Emirates Defence Force person-nel every day; I have struck up many
friendships and have learnt so much about the Emirati people during the past three months,” Kevin said.
Paul is the Logistics Support Commander at the Multi-National Base in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.
His job is to coordinate common base support activities including contract management, accommoda-tion planning, and logistics report-ing.
He said the most satisfying thing about this deployment was the oppor-tunity to make a positive difference to the ISAF mission.
“We provide the logistical aspects at Tarin Kowt to ensure the troops have a well supported base from which to conduct their operations,” Paul said.
Both men highlighted the impor-tance of family in their lives.
Paul joined the Air Force at 18 after a childhood of following his father on postings through Victoria, NSW and the Northern Territory.
Kevin said that although he under-stood the responsibilities of being a professional military officer, that didn’t stand in the way of him just being a dad.
“When it came time for Paul to depart to his particular destination in the operation it was an emotional experience for both of us,” he said.
TOGETHER IN MIDDLE EAST: SQNLDR Kevin Murray with his son SQNLDR Paul Murray ... Kevin said although his and his son’s career have overlapped by a decade, they have never previously served together in the same place at the same time.
perations
Deployed cast their votesNO MATTER where they were located around the world, our deployed troops got the chance to have their vote counted in this year’s Federal Election.
But instead of going to the polls, the polls came to them. Deployed polling booths were delivered out to troops in the field to ensure even the most isolated members would not miss out.
In the MEAO, four teams of Australian Electoral Commission-appointed Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) deployed to all parts of the region to hand out ballot papers.
One of the teams consisted of AROs FLGOFF Greg Kilpatrick and WO1 Mike Beinke, pictured here
collecting votes at the Australian Support Base in the United Arab Emirates.
Photo: SGT Brent Tero
14 September 2, 2010 15Centrepiece RCEAIR FF
In our final look at Exercise Pitch Black 2010, we showcase some of the
people behind the air power
WINGING IT: Above, 3SQN avionic technician CPL Lindsay Welch completes maintenance checks on an F/A-18 Hornet prior to start up of the aircraft during the exercise. Photo: SGT Murray StaffUNDER THE RADAR: Below, AC Nathan Ward of 114MCRU checks electronics equipment as part of the Timber Creek Detachment deployed to RAAF Base Tindal. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith
HIGH RISE: Above, 6SQN’s LAC Thomas Coppin climbs up into the cockpit of an F-111 during the exercise. Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
JET BOUND: Left, 3SQN pilot FLGOFF Bryan Thompson before a Hornet mission. Photo: CPL Hamish PatersonCOMMS CHECK: Right, LAC Duncan Cook, a Communications equipment technician with 1CCS, checks the internals of a Tactical Airfield Surveillance Radar. Photo: CPL Hamish PatersonSWEET IDEA: Far right, Chaplain Murray Fraser from RAAF Base Williamtown hands out lollies to the troops, including LACW Danielle Kemps of 82WG. Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
CABLE GUY: AC Ben Smith of 13SQN checks the barrier cable at RAAF Base Darwin as part of his duties with the barrier crew. Photo: SGT Murray Staff
WITH BITE: 3EHS dental assistant LACW Kirrie Waldon with a tool of her trade at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
UNDERGROUND: Above, CPL Ann Davies of 13SQN, and right, SGT Scott Brownlie of 81WG, in the Air Base Command Post at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2010. Photos: CPL Melina Mancuso
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17 NewsSeptember 2, 2010RCEAIR FF
FLTLT Gangireddy Reddy
WHEN the Electronic Warfare Op-erational Support Unit (EWOSU) was established in 1990, it adopted as its mascot a unique Australian animal syn-onymous with characteristics of radar, the Ghost Bat.
Now, thanks to the Adelaide Zoo, a stuffed and mounted specimen of the Ghost Bat is coming to JEWOSU’s (it’s now the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit) headquar-ters at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
Ahead of its arrival, two members of the zoo, manager of animal health, Dianne Hakof and senior native mam-mal keeper Gayl Mayles, were invited to JEWOSU.
CO JEWOSU WGCDR Pete Mitchell said: “We enjoyed hosting the zoo officials, giving them a sneak peek into what we do and to help them understand why the Ghost Bat was chosen as our unit mascot.
“The Ghost Bat is an extremely rare and endangered animal and we will be honoured to have this special mascot on display at our unit.”
Mascot will be welcome
RETURNING THE FAVOUR: During their tour of an AP-3C, Adelaide Zoo officials Gayl Males, rear, and Dianne Hakof were well informed of the capabilities of the aircraft by JEWOSU’s FSGT Michal Mikeska.
Photo: LAC David Cotton
When the unit became aware of the Adelaide Zoo’s Ghost Bat colony in 1995 the members decided to take up an on-going sponsorship of the colony.
Ms Hakof said the tour of JEWOSU gave her an insight into its role in Defence and in particular its interest in their Ghost Bat colony.
“It’s a unique experience to meet ser-vicemen and appreciate the Defence capa-bilities we have in Adelaide,” Ms Hakof said. “These people quietly contribute so much to our national security and they’re right under our nose in South Australia.
“Our visit allowed us to tour the elec-tronic warfare lab, which holds land, ship and aircraft radar simulation equipment, and we also had a quick tour of an Orion aircraft.”
WELCOME: The Ghost bat, named for its wings’ extremely thin membrane that makes it appear ghostly at night.
LCPL Mark Doran
PILOTS who attacked Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Terri-tory during Exercise Pitch Black got a taste of something close to reality.
J o i n t C o m b i n e d Tr a i n i n g Capability (JCTC) provided electron-ic warfare and opposition forces for allied air forces during the major exer-cise from July 16 to August 6.
Life-size hard-skin and inflatable targets fitted with real-time enemy-threat emitters were used as dry and live-fire targets on the ground, while the pilots dodged the ‘threat’ in the air.
SQNLDR Ross Chard, JCTC, said this meant the pilots had a real-time surface-to-air missile threats and had to react to this stimulation with appro-
Almost Almost like like realityreality
priate counter-measures and manoeu-vres.
“They experienced what it was like to be targeted and could practise their manoeuvres to defeat that threat as they would in the real world,” SQNLDR Chard said.
“We can simulate a full range of current – real-time surface-to-air threats including the SA3, SA6, SA8, SA15 and the anti-aircraft-artillery ZSU 23-4 system.
“We deployed two inflatable tar-gets that cost $5000 each, two fibre-
glass hard skin targets at $15,000 each and four threat emitter systems that cost about $1.5 million.
“The system sounds expensive but is certainly good value for money.”
He said the targets could be strafed or bombed using the off-set method so they were not actually destroyed.
“It was not our intention to blow the pilots out of the sky.
“Our intention was to target and channel them so it complicates their targeting mission.
“A full shot evaluation is run at
the end of each mission and pilots are advised if they were ‘killed’ by simulated surface-to-air missiles prior to the release of their bombs on nomi-nated targets.
“From the JTAC on the ground to traditional ISR and visual reconnais-sance tasks, the realism of the targets is a great asset to training,” he said.
JCTC provide effects-based train-ing in the form of live, virtual and constructive effects to support training that can not be achieved with live or available assets.
CHECKING: 3SQN’s WOFF Adam Smith inspects the weapons station of an armed F/A-18. Photo: CPL Hamish Paterson
LET THE MISSION BEGIN: WGCDR Glen Beck, of Red Force, calls “Showtime” over the radio, before letting out a flare to start the mission during exercise Pitch Black.
Photo: LAC Casey Smith
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18 September 2, 2010RCEAIR FFeature
Jaimie Abbott
THE nature of work at 1 Radar Surveillance Unit (1RSU) has always been classified, but that hasn’t
stopped its personnel being sin-gled out for their hard work this year, including by the Governor-General.
Ms Quentin Bryce recently visited the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Radar 1 Receiver Site at Stonehenge, near Longreach in Queensland, as part of a wider visit to the area.
Ms Bryce was accompanied by her husband Michael Bryce, and CO 1RSU WGCDR Peter Davies briefed them on the unit’s role.
WGCDR Davies said the visit was a highlight. “1RSU person-nel are traditionally among the ‘quiet achievers’ of the Air Force, so it was an honour for someone of such high statue to take a keen interest in our operations,” he said.
1RSU is responsible for con-ducting surveillance operations in support of our national interest.
Formed in 1992, the unit operates three Over-The-Horizon-Radar (OTHR) sites: at Laverton in Western Australia, Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and Longreach in Queensland.
The radars can detect targets between 1000km and 3000km away, using high frequency radar technology.
The unit has revamped itself this year, with a new logo and
motto: “Nowhere to hide” which recognises the unit’s ability to provide continuous surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches.
To highlight the work of its personnel, in 2010 1RSU insti-gated a reward and recognition program for personal achieve-ments and extended outstanding performance.
XO SQNLDR Damien Farrell said the awards were judged on the performance of primary duties, teamwork and leadership along with any external achievements, such as charity or volunteer work.
The first award for Airmen of
the Quarter went to CPL Gary-Jon Darrigo for outstanding achievements within B Crew of Operations Section.
In June the winner was CPL Sam Helbig from the Orderly Room.
The award for SNCO of the Half Year went to SGT Chris Wilkshire for his work within Field Training Flight – Evaluations Section.
The Section of the Half Year award went to the Administration Section for providing excellent and efficient personnel support to the unit.
WGCDR Davies identified the key role Mr John Strath – the ‘Father of Jindalee’ – played in researching the potential defence benefits of high frequency radar with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation.
This included his role in lead-ing the team that built Jindalee – the demonstrator technology for today’s OTHR.
In a special presentation, the John A.W Strath ‘Father of Jindalee’ Memorial Trophy was presented to the Orderly Room by John Strath’s daughter, Anne Fletcher.
Radar Radar rewardsrewards
HIGH PRAISE: Above, Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce with CO 1RSU WGCDR Peter Davies at the Jindalee Operational Radar Network Radar 1 Receiver Site at Stonehenge, near Longreach, Queensland.
Photo: courtesy Governor-General’s Office
WINNERS: Above, members of the 1RSU Orderly Room, from left, WOFF Sandy Nicholson, SGT Harry Monsoor, Anne Fletcher, CPL Samantha Helbig and ACW Ellen Taylor.
WELL DONE: Right, WGCDR Peter Davies (left) presents SGT Chris Wilkshire with the Certificate for SNCO of the Half Year. Photo: ACW Nichola Freeman
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19 FeatureSeptember 2, 2010RCEAIR FF
LAC Aaron Curran
THROW in Kiwis, RAAFies, Americans, C-130s and a remote location and you have a unique mix – but it was a mix
that managed to put on a seamless display of teamwork during Exercise Precision Red recently.
Exercise Precision Red, held in July, involved high-intensity deployed airfield operations across three remote airfields in the Townsville and Shoalwater Bay Field Training Areas.
Williamson Airfield in Shoalwater Bay was the central point of the exer-cise.
No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) provided the nucleus of a combined force that conducted an early entry operation to seize, clear, establish and operate an airfield with-in a hostile environment.
Parts of Air Lift Group (ALG) and Combat Support Group (CSG), assisted by a 10-man team from the US Air Force’s 736th Security Forces Squadron in Guam and a New Zealand Air Load Team, combined to strengthen the relationship between the combat support and air lift worlds.
XO 2AFDS SQNLDR Jonathon Durden said it was great to see Williamson develop from an isolated strip in a hostile environment to a fully secured and supported air base.
“Each element of the team brought their own skills, equipment and exper-tise to the table and the sum proved much greater than the parts,” he said.
“In the past, many of the organisa-tions represented there would have conducted their own unit-level activi-
Michael Brooke
LIKE the legendary Phoenix rising from the ashes, RAAF Learmonth never fails to rise from short periods of inactivity
to support the Air Force in conducting a wide range of important ADF train-ing activities and operations.
Located on the west coast, 1220km north of Perth, Learmonth is one of three bare bases that provide the ADF with a range of valuable options.
As the Air Force’s busiest bare base, Learmonth has recorded a num-ber of impressive milestones in recent times.
Its milestones are a tribute to the efforts of four men from 396 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing. For several years FSGT Les Johnston, CPL David Burman, CPL Peter
Bagdonas and CPL Wayne Docherty have performed small miracles in bringing Learmonth back online for a range of regular training activities involving 2 Flying Training School, 79SQN and 2 Airfield Defence Squadron.
This year alone, Learmonth, on very short notice, was made opera-tional to receive scores of Air Force
and ADF personnel for a range of important exercises such as Exercises Nomad, Western Phoenix and Capricorn Sunset.
Site manager FSGT Johnston said he was initially stunned by the tempo of maintaining Learmonth and having it ready on a 24/7 basis.
“Most people probably imagine Learmonth and the other bare bases as
being a bit of a holiday posting, where nothing much happens – but nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.“Life on a bare base is dynamic and extremely busy, as well as reward-ing.”
FSGT Johnston said that among many milestones, Learmonth’s most significant one this year was getting the base operational for 2AFDS for Exercise Nomad, and for 79SQN for Exercise Western Phoenix during which the range area was used for aerial bombing practice for the first time in 18 years.
He said in addition to numerous annual training exercises, Learmonth has supported ADF operations, such as Operation Resolute, while also being put on standby as visiting US carrier groups pass along the coast.
Learmonth’s capacity to respond swiftly to any contingency was
demonstrated numerous times last year when, on short notice, the base received US fighter aircraft and a commercial airliner that had experi-enced mechanical issues.
FSGT Johnston said both incidents were managed with aplomb and great professionalism, particularly assisting local emergency volunteers handling more than 40 passengers injured when their commercial airliner experienced a significant drop in altitude.
The joining instruction for staff posted to this truly remote locality warns that “applicants and their fami-lies should be aware of the remoteness of Learmonth and the stresses related to this remoteness”.
Yet FSGT Johnson’s community-engagement initiatives have forged important links with the locals, open-ing the door to greater understanding as well as simple friendships.
TRACK RECORD: Bare base RAAF Learmonth always answers the challenge.Photo: AC Mark Friend
Learmonth rises to the occasion again and again
ties in order to practise and confirm their specialist capabilities. What we replicated there is the way we would fight – with flying, combat support and force protection operations seam-lessly integrated to achieve a precise effect.”
SQNLDR Dean Bruce, the Air Operations Support Element (AOSE) commander, said the most pleasing aspect to come from the activities at Williamson was the unforseen ben-efits of collaboration.
“While we were able to offer a lot
to 2AFDS we were surprised by the amount we were able to learn from them,” he said.
“We were able to provide the lads in the field with hot meals, showers, and a link with the real world, while they went to a lot of effort to assist
us to improve our ability to live and work in a hostile field environment. These lessons have made us a more effective organisation as a whole.”
The USAF element also gained from the opportunity to fully integrate within the 2AFDS patrols.
Finding the Finding the right mixright mix
ALWAYS READY: Above, 2AFDS ADG LAC Greg Polak assists in the protection of air assets during Exercise Precision Red; left, medical staff from 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron assist a civilian contractor who had collapsed into the RACQ Rescue helicopter. Photos: FLTLT Chris Tiedemann
20 September 2, 2010RCEAIR FNews
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BULLETIN BOARD
Air Force BandSeptember 2: The Ceremonial Band will support the 2FTS advanced pilots’ graduation parade at RAAF Base Pearce from 10.45am.September 11: Air Power Brass will provide musical support to the Battle of Britain Ecumenical Church service at St David's Cathedral in Hobart.September 11: The band will support the Battle of Britain (Tasmania) dinner at the Tattersall's Centre, Ellwick Race Course, in Hobart.September 12: The Ceremonial Band will March in the Battle of Britain (Tasmania) parade at the Hobart Cenotaph.September 15: Air Power Brass will support the Battle of Britain Commemoration at the Australian War Memorial from 10am.
WRAAF 60thA WRAAF National Reunion will be held in Brisbane on January 28-30, 2011 to mark the 60th anniversary of the formation of the WRAAF. All ex-WRAAF who served between 1951 and 1977, WAAAF, ex-RAAF and serving RAAF servicewomen are invited to attend.For more information, visit www.wraaf.org.au, email [email protected] or call Rosemary on (07) 3879 4889.
AB Melanie Schinkel
AN AIR FORCE reservist plans to fin-ish writing the book her sister never got to finish before she died from a rare auto-immune rheumatic disease.
WOFF Tracy Thompson is deter-mined to raise awareness and funds to fight Scleroderma. Her sister, Peta Dean, 39, died last October.
WOFF Thompson, who works at Headquarters Surveillance and Response Group at RAAF Base Williamtown, said that although about 5000 Australians suffered with Scleroderma, very few people knew of its existence and she and Peta’s hus-band, Peter Allsopp, planned to fin-ish the book Peta started to help those who live with the condition and to raise awareness.
“Peta really wanted to finish her book, which is about living with Scleroderma, but she only got two-thirds of the way through before she died,” WOFF Thompson said.
“It was physically painful for her to write, so I assisted by typing what she dictated to me over the phone or by her bedside.
“She believed this book would assist sufferers because it didn’t just talk about the condition and its effects, but also how she and her husband felt, and how our family coped and dealt with the fact that she was dying.”
WOFF Thompson said she would contribute a chapter for families about the practical ways they could assist to make life more comfortable for their dying loved ones, and that
Finishing Peta’s story
HEARTFELT CAUSE: WOFF Tracy Thompson reads over Scleroderma Australia’s newsletter ... she is on a mission to complete the work of her sister, Peta (above inset) who died last year.
Peta’s priest and medical specialist would also write for the book.
“You have to ask those questions you are afraid to ask – talk about the funeral plans and give them the opportunity to tell you what they real-ly want before they die,” she said.
“It’s a really lonely world for peo-ple who are dying and many families don’t ask those questions in fear of causing distress, but asking them actu-ally brings you closer together in the end.”
Scleroderma is also known as
Systemic Sclerosis and is not contagious or cancerous. WOFF Thompson said it was a debilitating disease in which a person’s immune system attacked itself.
“The disease affected Peta’s lungs, kidneys, oesoph-agus, heart, bones, muscles and skin – in fact everything
in her body was affected except her mental capacity,” WOFF Thompson said.
Scleroderma is caused by a mass over-production of collagen and affects both genders, with a female to male ratio of between three and four to one.
It can occur at any age, although is most commonly found in women between the ages of 40 and 60.
Scleroderma Australia has adopt-ed the sunflower as its icon. WOFF Thompson said the sunflower was symbolic as, like the sunflow-er, which turns towards the sun for warmth, Scleroderma sufferers were usually more comfortable in warm conditions. “People with Scleroderma need warmth, so they generally move north,” WOFF Thompson said.
“Peta moved from Sydney to Darwin for the warmth and to be clos-er to our sister.”
To assist Scleroderma research with a donation, in memory of Peta Dean, contact the Westmead Medical Research Foundation on (02) 9845 6289 or at [email protected]. For more information on Scleroderma, visit www.sclerodermaaustralia.com.au
POINTING THE WAY: Above, FLGOFF Trisha Kelly of 11SQN navigates an AP-3C during an anti-submarine warfare exercise as part of the recent Rim of the Pacific exercise in Hawaii. Photo: ABIS Evan Murphy
JUST LIKE REAL: Below, LAC Aaron Lock, an aircraft life support fitter at 92WG, helps Jessica Int’ Hout, a student of the Edinburgh Work Experience Program, put on an emergency survival suit on base. Photo: ACW Nicci Freeman
KEEPING TABS: Above, SGT Michael Thornly supervises one of the C-130 maintenance teams as they work on an engine at the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.
Photo: LEUT Todd Austin
IN MEMORY: Right, DCAF AVM Geoff Brown presents framed Macchi parts to Mr John Carter, whose son FLTLT Stephen Carter died in a Roulette aircraft accident in 1983.
Photo: FSGT John Carroll
FURRY FRIEND: Below, AC Scott Marshall from the RAAF Security and Fire School shows off one of the school’s newest puppies at the Australian Defence Charity Ball in Brisbane. A record number of guests, more than 830, attended this year’s ball at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Photo: CPL Kimm Allen
DHA information line 139 DHA (139 342) www.dha.gov.au Toll Transitions freecall 1800 819 167 www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence
DHA was established in 1988 with the aim of improving the quality and selection of housing for Defence members and their families. Now, over 20 years on, DHA manages approximately 17, 300 residences around Australia and provides a range of services to help ease the pressure on Defence families – we will support you and your family throughout your tenancy, from moving in, to living in, and then moving out of your home.
While our level of support for you and your family will not change, you will see some changes to the Defence relocations process. Where DHA managed relocations administration in the past, Toll Transitions will now be your relocations service provider.
To help you understand how this may impact you and your family, we’ve put together a reference guide for you and your family.
DHA will assist you with: Toll Transitions will assist you with: Defence will assist you with:
Finding and securing your future Defence home – using DHA’s online HomeFind tool
Notifying DHA of your relocation, so that we can commence the HomeFind process
All of your pay matters
Your housing entitlements, including Rent Allowance or Living In Accommodation
Organising your relocation requirements Making and managing any policy which affects your housing and relocation entitlements
Arranging all your DHA housing maintenance requirements
Arranging all your uplift and delivery requirements
Determining your Conditions of Service
Rent Band Choice Housing – this provides you with a range of housing choices to suit your lifestyle
Approving and organising any long-term or short-term storage of your possessions
Managing the contractors who provide your relocation services and housing, such as Toll Transitions and DHA
Fast Connect – a free service for the connection or disconnection of major utilities and telecommunication services
Booking travel and temporary accommodation for your relocation
Your relocation allowances and entitlements
If you have received your posting before 1 July 2010 and are moving before 31 August 2010, DHA will manage your relocation. Any postings received after 1 July 2010 will be managed by Toll Transitions.
Defence Housing Australia – your housing solution.
23TrainingSeptember 2, 2010RCEAIR FF
LAC Aaron Curran
TWO Air Force personnel put an-other notch in their CVs when they were awarded a Diploma in Public Safety (T&E) on August 4.
WGCDR Brady Cummins, Deputy Director Aerospace (DD-AERO) in Aus t ra l i an Defence Test and Evaluation Office (ADTEO), and SQNLDR William Nguyen, Trial Manager at the Australian Defence Test & Evaluation Office (ADTEO), were handed their diplomas along with three Army and Navy counterparts in a ceremony at Russell Offices.
WGCDR Keith Joiner, of the ADF T&E office, presented the diplomas along with Jim Whalley from Nova Systems who assessed the new T&E competencies.
WGCDR Cummins is an armament engineering officer with 25 years experience in T&E. As DD-AERO, he develops and oversees Defence policy on T&E through liaison with T&E agen-cies, provides T&E advice to
LAC Aaron Curran
A LEGEND of the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is no more with the death of Don Scott MBE on July 15.
Mr Scott, 82, from 2WG (AAFC) at RAAF Base Amberley, gave invaluable service to the AAFC by teaching young cadets about gliding.
One of his former cadets was DCAF AVM Geoff Brown, who said his own love of flying and passion for gliding was a direct result of his time as a 2WG cadet in south-east Queensland.
“I can say, without reservation, that both the AAFC, its predecessor the Air Training Corps (AirTC), the Air Force, Navy and Army have all been the beneficiary of Don’s remarkable and selfless com-mitment over many years,” AVM Brown said.
“I have not forgotten the com-mitment of those staff who contrib-uted so much to my flying career. Without Don’s infectious drive, commitment, passion and profes-sionalism the 2WG AAFC gliding operations would not be as robust as they are today.”
Mr Scott first got into glid-
MAJ Sandra Turner
AN ADF state health conference has highlighted hearing deficit as an important issue for Defence, with many jobs across the services needing proper hearing protection.
Convened by oral surgeon COL Janet Scott and attended by permanent and reserve nursing, medical and dental officers, the one-day seminar was held at South Australia’s Repatriation General Hospital at Daw Park.
Defence and civilian dentists reported a surge in the instances of enamel erosion, particularly in young adults consuming huge amounts of sugar-laden sports drinks.
A special presentation by LTCOL Moose Dunlop (ret’d) and CAPT Robert Kearney on their involvement in setting up Trojan’s Trek – a pro-gram developed to assist past and present Defence members with military-induced stress illness – was of special interest during the mental health ses-sions.
CHAP Carl Aiken completed the mental health session by discussing the importance of individu-als connecting with their inner selves and meeting their spiritual needs.
“Taking a holistic approach to health needs by incorporating ‘body, mind and soul’ need to be considered by everyone during their time in the ADF and beyond,” CHAP Aiken said.
For more information on how to maintain good mental health, or take advantage of Defence’s strong mental health support services, contact the All Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036.
A gliding light mournedOBITUARY
FLASHBACK: Don Scott, left, with Gus Mauch and AVM Geoff Brown at the opening of the hangar last year.
ing in 1970 and was trained as an instructor by Gus Mauch, who later became the first gliding instruc-tor for the AirTC.
After joining the Kingaroy club to take up gliding and train young people, he decided to join the AirTC as an instructor with the rank of FLTLT in the specialist reserve.
He remained with the AirTC until his compulsory retirement in 1990 and in the process became the first chief instructor for the AirTC Gliding School.
SQNLDR (AAFC) Danny Hoyland said Mr Scott gave much of his knowledge and time to the cadets, whom he treated as family.
“He just loved instructing young people who wanted to learn how to
fly,” he said. “Cadets were ben-eficiaries of his remarkable and selfless commitment to them over the years. He also donated monies to enable disadvantaged cadets to achieve their milestones.”
SQNLDR Hoyland said Mr Scott’s contribution to AAFC gliding was unsurpassed and after nearly two decades of training young people to fly, many went on to careers in the ADF and commercial aviation.
2WG AAFC has recognised Mr Scott by commemorating a Don Scott MBE medal for gliding excellence, which is presented to the most proficient AAFC gliding pilot each year.
“When Don retired from the AAFC, it was an enormous loss and the school struggled for many years after his departure,” SQNLDR Hoyland said.
“He was such an integral influ-ence on the efficient running of the gliding school.”
In September 2009, the AAFC honoured Mr Scott and Mr Mauch with the naming of a new hangar at the Warwick aerodrome from where the AAFC Gliding School now operates.
A memorial service was held at Saint Paul’s Cathedral Brisbane on August 24, followed by a wake at the United Services Club.
HEALTH ATTENDANCE: From left, FLTLT Andrew Grant, FLTLT Heather Dodd, WGCDR Mark Morton and WGCDR Steve Mason.
Health spotlight on hearing hazards
Excelling in safety matters
PROUD ACHIEVEMENTS: From left, WGCDR Keith Joiner of the ADF Test and Evaluation (T&E) Office; LTCOL Chris West; COL Greg Downing; WGCDR Brady Cummins; LCDR Trevor Gibson; Mr Jim Whalley of Nova Systems; and SQNLDR Bill Nguyen.Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
Aerospace DCP Projects and is involved in the planning, conduct-ing and reporting of specialised aerospace trials.
The diploma is recognition of the T&E knowledge he has gained over the past 25 years through his involvement and experience in tri-als and completion of many T&E courses.
SQNLDR Nguyen said he was delighted to be qualified for the T&E diploma.
“It is the realisation that it would take many years of practi-cal experience and continuation training to master the intrica-cies in this dynamic and diverse field of employment,” he said.
WGCDR Joiner said the ADF
had always placed a high prior-ity on thorough T&E of its equip-ment and capabilities to ensure they are effective against the enemy and safe for the personnel who use them.
“That commitment includes providing qualified and expe-rienced test staff in a variety of T&E agencies throughout Defence,” he said.
WGCDR Joiner said for many general personnel serving in ADF T&E agencies or running important acquisition test pro-grams in the Defence Materiel Organisation or Defence indus-try, there were no formal com-petencies to recognise what they achieved in this field.
In early 2010, Nova amended its scope as a registered training organisation to be able to assess the new T&E competencies.
Some 43 personnel volun-teered to the ADF T&E Office and Nova to be assessed for rec-ognition of prior learning and these were the first five to go through the process.
Finding it hard to help your people with
financial issues?
This film will help you.
VOLUME SIX
the DOs & DON’Ts
Helping ADF members with their finances
VOLUME SIX
the DOs &
DON’Ts
Helping ADFmembers withtheir finances
Watch the video or order the DVD on the websitewww.adfconsumer.gov.au
ADF Financial Services Consumer CouncilADF Financial Services Consumer Council
24 September 2, 2010RCEAIR FFinance
WHETHER it’s your home loan, car loan or credit card, the training and discipline you receive as ADF mem-
bers can help you when it comes to borrowing money.
Getting into debt is easier than getting out of it. So before you even think about borrowing money, work out how much you can afford to bor-row, remembering that your financial situation can change without warning. As with anything you buy, it’s smart to know who and what you’re deal-ing with and always worth shopping around for the best deal.
1. Work out if you can afford to borrow
Before you borrow, use our budget planner to see where your money goes now and how much you could afford in repayments. Remember to allow for interest rate rises and anything that might affect your income in the future.
2. Shop around for the best deal
If you decide to borrow, take the time to compare interest rates, prod-uct features, fees and charges. Even a small difference in the interest rate can make a big difference to what you have to repay.
It always pays to get a number of quotes from a number of sources before you make any decisions. And make sure you understand the fine print. If you don’t understand some-thing at first, be sure to ask lots of questions until you do.
3. Know who and what you’re dealing with
Check that the person or organisa-tion you’re dealing with is registered or licensed with ASIC. Make sure you know what you’re signing up for before you go ahead. Check the terms and conditions of any loan contract,
including penalties for missed repay-ments or for paying off a loan early.
4. Keep up with your repayments
Keep your repayments up-to-date and make extra payments when you
can to save on interest, subject to the conditions of your loan.
Try to pay off the entire amount owing on your credit card each month. If you can’t, come up with a plan to pay it off in a few months time by setting aside money directly from your pay.
Check for fees or charges if you’re thinking of transferring your credit balance to another card, consolidating your loans or refinancing.
5. Get help if you can’t pay your debts
It’s important to act quickly if you’re having trouble making repay-ments. Keep paying what you can afford. Contact your credit provider without delay. There are places you can go for help.
6. Complain if things go wrong
Try to resolve any problem with your credit provider or broker first. If you aren’t satisfied, take your com-plaint to a free independent dispute resolution scheme – you can contact the scheme your credit provider or broker belongs to by calling 1300 780 808. You can also complain to ASIC online at www.asic.gov.au or phone ASIC’s Infoline on 1300 300 630.
ASIC’s role in credit and borrowing money
On July 1, ASIC became the national regulator for consumer credit and finance broking, taking over from the states and territories.
For more information about the new regulatory framework including the legislation, licensing process, gen-eral obligations and the timeframe in which the changes will take effect, go to www.asic.gov.au/credit
Visit ASIC’s consumer and investor website, FIDO at www.fido.gov.au or call 1300 300 630. E-mail ASIC with topics that interest you: [email protected]
STRINGS ATTACHED: Money always comes with accompanying obligations and conditions. Know your parameters, find the deal that suits you best and understand what you’re getting into. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
BorrowingBorrowingtacticstacticsASIC Chairman Tony D’Alosio advises how to get the best outcome with loans.
Professional Education CoursesUNSW@ADFA is a campus of the University of New South Wales and is located at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. UNSW@ADFA offers a range of postgraduate programs and Professional Education courses for the general community and Defence personnel. These courses provide stimulating learning and networking opportunities within a supportive environment.
Digital Television
Digital Television: Advanced Systems, 21 - 23 June
Enterprise Architecture
Introduction to Enterprise Architecture, June/July TBC
Systems Planning, June/July TBC
Management
Organisational Marketing, 4 June
Introduction to Strategic Decision Making, 21 June
Strategic Decision Making Tools, 21 - 23 June
Modelling the Strategic Space, 21 - 25 June
Military Systems
Introduction to Electronic Warfare, 28 - 30 June
Naval Architecture
Introduction to Naval and Maritime Strategy, 16 July
Occupational Health and Safety
Laser Safety Introductory 1 Day & 4 Day (Sydney), 28 June - 1 July
Project Management
Managing Integration Projects, 28 - 29 June
Systems Engineering
Introduction to Systems Engineering (Adelaide), 21 - 23 June
Systems Engineering Practice (Adelaide), 24 - 25 June
Most of these courses can be tailored for in-house delivery.
A number of our courses can also be used as credit for eligible postgraduate programs.
Looking for an upgrade?Upgrade your professional qualification@ UNSW Aviation:
Programs in Aviation Management
Bachelor of Aviation
Find out morewww.aviation.unsw.edu.au
or call Jamie on (02) 9385-6767
25 HealthSeptember 2, 2010RCEAIR FF
A fundamental hurdle facing anyone with an interest in fitness is the beep or multi-stage shuttle test.
Over the past couple of years I’ve received a lot of enquiries about pass-ing the beep test so here is a quick and dirty guide covering what the beep test is and how to train for it.
The beep test is a type of graded exertion test. It consists of running back and forward between two lines 20m apart to a soundtrack of beeps that get closer together as the test progresses.
Basically, the pace of the test starts out relatively low and increases each
Passing the test
minute. As the pace increases, so does the load on your legs, heart and lungs. Eventually, you reach a point where you are unable to maintain the required pace and, eventually, your score is recorded as the number of levels plus number of 20m shuttles is reached.
The beep test is primarily a test of aerobic fitness although, at the end of a maximal effort, there is an element of lactate tolerance required as well.
Because the beep test is primarily a test of aerobic fitness, many people make the mistake of training for it by doing a lot of long, slow distance run-ning, such as 5km and 10km runs.
However, this is actually one of
the worst ways to train for the beep test. Running long distances at a slow pace is a good way to get good at run-ning slowly, but it doesn’t do much for your top-end speed or your ability to deal with the increasing difficulty of the test. In addition, doing a lot of long-distance work can lead to over-use injuries such as shin splints.
In order to get better at the beep test, you need to work on a combina-tion of longer, easier runs and shorter, harder-interval work. The trick is to combine the two in the correct ratio to see continued improvement without over training.
When putting together a training program for the beep test, I suggest
starting out with three sessions a week, including one short-interval session, one longer-interval session and a single long, slow, distance run. However, depending on your current fitness level, terms such as ‘short’ and ‘long’ can change. Indeed, a dis-tance that constitutes a long run for a complete beginner might also qualify as a single interval for an advanced trainee.
To put it into perspective, see the programs listed at right for a couple of sample training weeks for beginners and intermediates.
For more information on the author, visit www.octogen.com.au
BEGINNERThis sort of program is suitable for a complete beginner whose goal is to reach the minimum standard for enlistment into the ADF (typically between 6.5 and 7.5).
� Monday – jog for 30 seconds, walk for 60 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
� Wednesday – jog for 60 seconds, walk for 60 seconds. Repeat eight times.
� Friday – jog 1.6km as fast as pos-sible.
Each week increase the time or pace of the running intervals and decrease the rest periods. Increase the distance of the long run by 400-800m.
INTERMEDIATEThis program is suitable for a trainee who can already pass the basic level and who is looking to achieve a higher level of fitness.
� Monday – run at max pace for 30 seconds, walk for 60 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
� Wednesday – Run 800m as fast as possible, rest for two minutes. Repeat three times.
� Friday – run 6km.Each week, increase the time or pace of the intervals and decrease the rest periods. Alternate between longer, slower runs and some shorter, harder distances on the Friday.By following these types of programs, not only will you develop a good level of aerobic fitness, but you’ll also develop the top-end speed and lactate tolerance required for a great beep-test score.
Want to score well in the beep test? With the right training, you can, writes fitness specialist Don Stevenson.
The top paddlers this year are expected to finish between the eight- and 10-hour mark.
FLGOFF Montgomerie and CPL Nicolle aim to finish in 15 hours, just before sunrise.
“Previously, I’ve finished around the 16-hour mark,” FLGOFF Montgomerie says. “This time we will have one another to motivate each other.”
She says this is important. “Especially when you start hallucinat-ing – seeing little green men – with the lack of sleep and exhaustion.”
There will be a full moon for this year’s race which gives the women hope there will be decent light.
CPL Nicolle, who is competing for the first time, is mindful that several
creeks flow off the Hawkesbury and some paddlers have been known to lose their bearings in the dark and veer into them.
Even more dangerous, says FLGOFF Montgomerie, is a point not far from the finish where there is a fork in the river.
Go right, and you’re nearly home.Go left, and you’re on the Colo
River – but you might not know it until you come to a bridge 6km up the river. And if you’re really persistent you might end up in the Blue Mountains.
The women have a list of provi-sions they will pack for the classic.
These include laminated river maps, a compass, a small torch to read the maps (they are not allowed to pad-dle with it on all the time because it
could blind other paddlers), a whistle, water and energy drinks, chocolate bars, lollies and other motivating energy food and an MP3 player and waterproof speakers.
As the newbie, CPL Nicolle has the job of providing the play list.
There will be nothing too loud and racy – a bit of U2 and INXS and other music from the 1980s and 90s. It’s a good thing they are musically compat-ible.
FLGOFF Montgomerie is already focusing on the finish line.
She has two medallions on her mantelpiece at home, testifying that she has now finished the race twice.
There’s no better feeling, she says, than to reach that final pontoon and be handed the bronze medallion.
THE classic is also a fundraising event for the Arrow Foundation, which conducts research and development into bone marrow diseases.
To sponsor the women, follow these links.
CPL Kirsten Nicolle:www.canoeclassic.asn.au/my/races/profile-public?rid=6076FLGOFF Fiona Montgomerie:www.canoeclassic.asn.au/my/races/profile-public?rid=6535In addition, the women
are running a raffle for the cause, with the first prize of $2500 worth of travel vouchers.
The raffle will be drawn at 3pm on Saturday, October 23 before the race.
HE classic is also a
HOW YOU CAN HELP
EN GUARDE: CPL Kirsten Nicolle, left, and FLGOFF Fiona Montgomerie have paddles and they’re prepared to use them on the Hawkesbury River.
John Martin
WHEN FLGOFF Fiona Montgomerie contested the 111km Hawkesbury Canoe Classic for the first time she
ended up paddling 2km the wrong way up the river.
That was two years ago and she can laugh about it now – but at the time, when she was cold, damp and still nearly 80km from the finish line, it was not that funny.
FLGOFF Montgomerie had not got off to a great start. Thirty-two kilome-tres into the race she broke her steer-ing trying to get her single-person sea kayak free from mudflats.
That did not stop her but it did add to the degree of difficulty as she got back on course.
Her big mistake was stopping again to eat a chocolate bar.
The Hawkesbury is a tidal river, it was pitch dark and, unbeknown to her, the tide turned the kayak right around.
FLGOFF Montgomerie paddled on, oblivious.
“I remember thinking some of the landmarks on the river bank looked familiar,” she says.
Two kilometres up the river, she realised why. She stopped again and using a small torch consulted her waterproof map of the river. She realised then she had to turn around. Legitimately this time.
On October 23, FLGOFF Montgomerie, a reservist nursing officer from 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, will return to the race for the third time. This time, however, she will share a two-person kayak with CPL Kirsten Nicolle, an avionic tech-nician from 37SQN.
Like the other contestants in the race, they’ll be raising money for Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation, which is a cause close to FLGOFF Montgomerie’s heart. She works as an intensive care registered nurse in the public health system, and sees a lot of patients who will benefit from more money for bone marrow transplant research.
The women began paddling togeth-er early this year and found they gelled well in the same boat together.
The race, from Windsor to the Brooklyn Bridge at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River, will have classes for many styles and types of boats, right up to outriggers and K4s.
The record is just over the seven-hour mark, set in 1984.
Cheque this one out for sizeWE AREN’T generally fans of pho-tographs of big cheques here on the sports desk, but this one is worthy of exception because it’s not just big, it’s really big.
And it’s all destined to help sports people across the Air Force.
Defence Health has given $45,000 to the Air Force Sports Council which will boost funds available to sporting teams to help pay for things such as uniforms, equipment, hire of competi-tion facilities and travel costs.
Each year up to 20 sports from across the country, ranging from alpine skiing to netball to the various football codes, are assisted via both the Council funds and Defence Health’s contribu-tions.
SPORT BOOST: AIRCDRE Philip Byrne, right, a board member of Defence Health, presents CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin with a cheque for $45,000. Since 2006 the Office of the Chief of Air Force has staged a morning tea to thank Defence Health for its contribution to the Air Force Sports Council. Photo: FSGT John Carroll
SPORT BOOST: AIRCDRE Philip Byrne right a board
27September 2, 2010RCEAIR F Sp rt
AB Melanie Schinkel
SGT Darryl Ferguson led the winning Air Force team at the Defence national squash tournament at RAAF Base Wil-liamtown in August.
Air Force players won five of the 10 categories on offer, including the overall inter-service challenge for the ninth year in a row.
SGT Ferguson was runner-up in the singles men’s open, losing 3-1 to APS player Craig Ambler.
He also won the doubles, partnered with APS player Julie Medway, and figured in the team that beat Army 3-1 for the inter-service title.
SGT Ferguson, from the Defence Explosive Ordnance Training School, has competed at the championships on and off since 1990 and previously won the men’s open in 1995.
His toughest match was in the final this year against Ambler.
“The last time we competed against each other was back in 1995,” SGT Ferguson said.
“You need to be mentally and phys-ically fit to play against Craig – there were no easy points.
“This year I was in the best physi-cal shape and court fitness since 1995.”
SGT Madonna Doyle won the Women’s Open for the fifth time.
Unfortunately for her, she was run-ner-up with partner CPL Ken Friend in the doubles.
CPL Tim Oxley took out the B Grade and OFFCDT Jordan Cowley was presented with an encouragement award for his enthusiastic participation throughout the competition.
SGT Ferguson’s teammates in the inter-service team were CPL Craig Baldwin, SGT Doyle and FLTLT Stuart McLean.
SGT Ferguson said it was fantastic that Air Force had defended its title again and couldn’t wait for it to win next year, so it could celebrate winning
ONE of Air Force’s hopes for the world 24-hour mountain titles in October, CPL Michael Crummy, finished sev-enth in the Jet Black 12-hour race north-west of Sydney on August 7.
More important than the result, he used the race as a good hit-out for the world titles that will be held in Canberra on October 9 and 10.
CPL Crummy, of 37SQN, said he had a simple plan for the 12-hour race at Dargle Farm near the banks of the Hawkesbury River.
“I wasn’t going to get bothered by the racing up the front, just keep in my heart-rate zones, transition fluidly, ride smart and have a ball on the Yeti (his bike, not an abominable snowman he chose to piggyback around the course).”
He had worked a week of late shifts, so he was sleep deprived when he started the race on Saturday morning.
“At the halfway point I swapped on to a spare bike for one quick lap while the Yeti received some TLC from my sup-port crew.
“Then once we had swapped back it didn’t seem long before I was told I would have to put lights on. Bring on the darkness.”
The race was won by Jason English, of Port Macquarie, who is the defending world 24-hour solo champion.
RAAF Base Darwin took advantage of its home ground turf when it beat 6SQN for the gold in the Pitch Black soccer competition held during exercise Pitch Black.
Darwin went through the round-robin competition undefeated to gain victory over 6SQN, 3SQN and the New Zealand participants.
RAAF Base Darwin beat 6SQN 1-0 in the final, with the Kiwis beating 3SQN 1-0 to take home third place.
Fitness, morale and welfare were at a high with 13SQN Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) CPL Damon Currie and CPL Kurt Sayed accommodating the physical training needs of the exercise participants.
“PR&T section would like to thank all members who played and spectated,” CPL Sayed said.
RAAF Base Darwin also hosted their own version of the Bledisloe Cup by inviting the New Zealanders to a friendly match of oztag.
Nine in a row in squash
EVERYWHERE MAN: SGT Darryl Ferguson who figured so prominently. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett
10 consecutive years of squash champi-onships.
“All levels of players are encour-aged to participate because this compe-tition is not only for the elite athletes,” he said.
“It’s a great learning experience for those just starting in the sport – without social players there wouldn’t be squash titles.”
Tournament coordinator SGT Tony Griffin said it was a fun event that pre-sented the opportunity to learn a thing or two from the more experienced play-ers.
“Although I have been playing squash for about 25 years, I tend to get beaten by all the awesome players at this competition,” he said.
Thirty-seven competitors from the Air Force, Army, Navy and APS par-ticipated in the week-long tournament.
Competitor and Defence Squash’s Air Force vice-president FLTLT Stuart McLean said that while the atmos-phere was friendly off the courts, on the courts the rivalry was vicious and it was ‘game-on’.
“All the players were very good this year and the games were friendly with good sportsmanship displayed – even when the matches were tight,” FLTLT McLean said.
Early in the tournament, the most points scored in 20 minutes determined the winner.
However, during the final matches of the tournament, the traditional scor-ing system of the first player to 15 was used.
Winding up for atilt at worlds
Darwin PTIs rise to Pitch Black
Although the majority of the New Zealand team was made up of Aussies, the Kiwis still managed to win the match.
OZTAG: CPL Ben Geurts shows a burst of speed. Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
BUILD-UP TO OCTOBER: CPL Michael Crummy shows the strain.Photo: LSIS Kelvin Hockey
SP RTRTSeptember 2, 2010
By the light of the moon
Next month, CPL Kirsten Nicolle and FLGOFF Fiona Montgomerie will contest a 111km race down the Hawkesbury River in NSW to raise money for the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation.
Most of the race will be
overnight – and the only light they’ll have to guide them will come from the glow lights of boats in front of them, lights on the riverbank and a full moon that night.
FLGOFF Montgomerie has done
the race before so knows what to expect.
”The last two years it’s been very dark, to the point you could not see your hand in front of your face,” she says. “I have run into unlit navigation buoys and trees overhanging the bank.”
