AIR F RCE Vol. 55, No. 18, September 26, 2013 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force MIGHTY SHOW PAGE 3 FILLING UP: An F/A-18 Hornet from 3SQN refuels with a 33SQN KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft during the East Coast Air Defence Exercise; inset, CPL Colin Weyman, an Aircraft Technician with 33SQN, performs routine maintenance on a KC-30A refuelling pod during the exercise. Photos: CPL Glen McCarthy and LACW Kylie Gibson Assets and personnel show their mettle over the NSW mid-north coast during the biennial East Coast Air Defence Exercise CENTREPIECE Members to benefit with roll-out of the ADF Family Health Program Family health PAGE 7 Historic test flight Replica Bristol Boxkite takes to the skies
Transcript
AIRF RCEVol. 55, No. 18, September 26, 2013 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force
mighty show
PAGE 3
FILLING UP: An F/A-18 Hornet from 3SQN refuels with a 33SQN
KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft during the East Coast
Air Defence Exercise; inset, CPL Colin Weyman, an Aircraft
Technician with 33SQN, performs routine maintenance on a KC-30A refuelling pod during the exercise.
Photos: CPL Glen McCarthy and LACW Kylie Gibson
Assets and personnel show their mettle over the NSW mid-north coast during the biennial East Coast Air Defence Exercise
CENTREPIECE
Members to benefit with roll-out of the ADF Family Health Program
Family health
PAGE 7
Historic test flightReplica Bristol Boxkite takes to the skies
2 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FNews
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RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORKLiving the Air Force Values:
CPL Max Bree
Air Force’s longest continually serving operational squadron marked 70 years of flying on September 15.
38SQN has continually operated since it began with a fleet of Hudson aircraft in 1943 at rAAF Base richmond.
CAF AirMSHL Geoff Brown con-gratulated all those who had served with 38SQN for their achievements.
“Over the last 70 years, 38SQN has worked continuously to support both peacetime and military opera-tions, from supporting troops on the frontline to providing much-needed relief following disasters,” AirMSHL Brown said.
“This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the squadron’s achieve-ments, as well as remember those who paid the ultimate price and lost their lives in the squadron’s service.”
Commanding Officer 38SQN WGCDr Stew Dowrie said the squad-ron had the distinction of always being needed.
“Most squadrons stood down after World War ii, but 38SQN quickly moved into returning prisoners of war from Singapore before it supported Commonwealth occupation forces in Japan,” he said.
“Squadron aircraft and crews then went on to serve during the Berlin Airlift, Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War.
“i think there was never the oppor-tunity to shut us down; we weren’t necessarily at the forefront of opera-tions, but we were always there doing the business.”
He said the aircraft flown by the unit may not have been the most modern or glamorous.
“Hudsons were quickly replaced with the trusty DC-3s, before they were phased out by the Caribou from 1964. King Air aircraft arrived at the squadron in 2009 to replace the aging Caribou. But, for their day, each of those aircraft was considered reliable, dependable and highly effective.”
WGCDr Dowrie said squadron tasking was largely the same today as its original orders to fly personnel and light cargo around Australia and the region.
“We’re pretty much doing the same job with the same great calibre of people; it’s just the aircraft that have changed,” he said.
The squadron frequently con-ducts operations in the Asia-Pacific region and spends a lot of time in Papua New Guinea. it also recently supported the Australian federal election where the King Airs moved 34SQN crews around, and fer-ried security personnel to guard aircraft.
An increasing number of Defence personnel have also been flown by
NON-STOP FOR 70 YEARS: FLTLT Adam Glanville, ACW Laura Whalley and FLGOFF Christopher Davis; inset, CO 38SQN WGCDR Stew Dowrie, CPL Robert Syder, Andrew Ward and Kristian Whitehead beside a King Air in the squadron hangar. Photos: CPL Max Bree
38SQN’s King Air, saving significant time at little expense to unit budgets, according to WGCDr Dowrie.
“We provide niche light transport that’s flexible, efficient and saves people time and money. But it’s not just for ViPs; it’s for anyone who needs to move quickly.”
To maintain and fly the squadron’s
eight aircraft, 60 Air Force person-nel and 25 contractors from Hawker Pacific are on hand.
The squadron also plays a role in giving pilots valuable aviation expe-rience, producing flying instructor candidates and junior pilots capable of transitioning to the large modern fleet Air Force operates.
Ministerial team sworn into Defence portfolioTHE new members of the Defence portfolio were sworn into office as part of the new govern-ment on September 18. They are Defence Minister David Johnston (pictured), Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert and Defence Parliamentary Secretary Darren Chester. Senator Johnston previously served as Shadow Minister for Defence from 2008. Mr Robert, a former Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel, served 12 years in the ADF in intel-ligence and security roles. Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Senator Johnston would drive the development of the Defence White Paper and over-see Defence’s procurement program. Mr Robert will be responsible for personnel matters.
Commander appointed to border operation NEWLY promoted LTGEN Angus Campbell commenced his appointment as Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force for Operation Sovereign Borders on September 19. CDF GEN David Hurley said LTGEN Campbell brought “a unique and highly valuable history of senior appointments, both military and civilian, to this new posi-tion”.
New Director of Military ProsecutionsBRIG Michael Griffin has been appoint-ed Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP). He took the oath of office before Chief Judge Advocate MAJGEN Ian Westwood in Canberra on August 5. The DMP’s functions under the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 include deciding, independently of the chain of command, whether or not to charge an ADF member with more serious service offences and the prosecution of those charges before courts-martial or Defence Force magistrates.
Eureka moment for armour researchA TEAM of scientists behind the devel-opment of innovative vehicle armour manufacturing techniques and materi-als was awarded the 2013 Defence Science and Technology Organisation Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia on September 4. The team, comprising scientists and engineers from universities, industry and research agencies across Australia, is col-laborating on the Armour Applications Program under the auspices of the Defence Materials Technology Centre. The program is looking at ways to reduce weight, increase mobility and improve the carrying capacity of vehicles, while providing superior vehicle and personnel protection.
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3September 26, 2013RCEAIR F News
Cpl Nick Wiseman
REIMBURSEMENT of basic healthcare including allied health and specialist services such as dental and optical will be avail-able for families of all permanent and reserve members on con-tinuous full-time service from January 1 next year.
The ADF Fami ly Hea l th Program will reimburse an unlim-ited amount of gap expenses for vis-its to a general practitioner and up to $400 a family member for allied health and specialist services. This can be transferred between family members and combined to cover more expensive services.
Director General Strategic Health Coordination AIRCDRE Tracy Smart said about 71,000 ADF dependants would be eligible to benefit from the program when it began.
“Since 2009, Defence has been conducting a trial into improv-ing access to healthcare for ADF dependants in eight regional and remote locations,” AIRCDRE Smart said.
“A thorough evaluation of the trial was completed in early 2012 which identified the most effective model for delivery of this initiative.
“The trial has been well received and appreciated by the Defence families involved, and revealed overwhelming support for the national roll out of the program.”
Despite all dependants of ADF members being eligible for the program, families must sign up and be recognised on PMKeyS before claims can be made.
The program has been designed to allow families to continue using any local services in the community they already might be using any-where around Australia.
Members and their families who use the service need to know that benefits claimed are report-able fringe benefits and it is recommended to seek financial advice before claiming. There are some fact sheets on the ADF Family Health website that may also be of assistance.
AIRCDRE Smart said Defence families faced a number of chal-lenges, some unique to service life.
“This program clearly demon-strates recognition of these chal-lenges and the service and sacrifices made by ADF personnel and their families,” she said.
AIR Force members are now able to wear black, elastic-sided boots on an optional basis, following DCAF AVM Leo Davies’ review of Air Force policy on footwear.
Deputy Director Air Force Uniforms WGCDR Terry Curtain said the style of boot had to conform to that shown in the photograph pictured.
“Boots are to be plain black leather with no additional embellishments,” WGCDR Curtain said.
“The sole may be either leather or rubber and brand names on the pull on tabs are acceptable.”
The following styles of boot meet the criteria, however, other brands may be worn if they con-form with the appearance and mate-rial specifications:
Healthcare for familiesHElpING HAND: Families of ADF personnel, like 33SQN pilot FLTLT Justin Ryder, will benefit from the introduction of the ADF Family Health Program. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson
To become part of the program, personnel should ensure depend-ants are recognised on PMKeyS by checking PMKeyS Self Service or contacting their local administration centre.
To register for the program, complete the Webform ‘AD858-1 ADF Family Health Registration’, which is available on the DRN. A
PDF version is also available on the public Defence homepage.
For more information, visit www.defence.gov.au/health/Dependant_Healthcare/i-healthcare.htm, email [email protected], check out the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ADFfamilyhealth or phone (02) 6266 3547.
Medical➤ Any general practitioner (GP) can be
used and the remaining gap, after the Medicare rebate, can be claimed through this program.
➤ There is no limit to how many visits to GPs a family member can have or limit to the amount of gap payment.
➤ Services must have a Medicare Benefits Schedule item number to be eligible.
➤ Family members should pay the fee at time of service, claim the Medicare rebate and then claim the gap through the ADF Family Health Program.
➤ Claims can be lodged by form or an online portal.
➤ The gap payment should be received within two business days of receipt – subject to provision of required documentary evidence.
Allied Health and Specialist➤ Each family member will be allocated
$400 each financial year.➤ This amount can be transferred
between family members.➤ Most claims will be able to be
processed on the spot electronically by using the ADF Family Health Card.
➤ Eligible services include audiology, chiropractic, dental, dietician, occupational therapy, optical, osteopa-thy, physiotherapy, psychology, podia-try/chiropody and speech therapy.
➤ Baxter: Rider, Henry Baxter, Drover and Horseman.The boots may be worn with
Service Dress (SD) slacks and
trousers when these garments are worn as working dress or form part of mess dress. The boots may
not be worn with SD uniform at any ceremonial event.
WGCDR Curtain said indi-viduals choosing to wear the footwear must remember that, because the material is plain leather, regular cleaning and maintenance was required to ensure the boots presented an acceptable level of appearance.
“Acquisition of the boots is an individual responsibility,” he said.
“If any product purchased does not meet appearance and material criteria, it will not be permitted to be worn with the Air Force uniform.”
For further information contact WGCDR Terry Curtain on (02) 6265 4206 or WOFF Richard Neal on (02) 6265 1084.
4 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FNews
CPL Nick Wiseman
AUSTRALIA will play a greater role in space surveillance with the relocation of a US radar to Exmouth in Western Australia that will be able to track items in orbit around the earth.
It is the first radar of its kind in the southern hemisphere and will be jointly operated by Air Force and the US, filling a gap in a world-wide space surveil-lance network.
D i r e c t o r D e f e n c e Space Coordinating Office GPCAPT Colin Thomson said instead of expecting allies to track and protect space-based capabilities on our behalf, the ADF would now be a contributor.
“There has been a movement in the interna-tional community to seek input from other nations rather than the US doing it all,” GPCAPT Thomson said.
A team of US National Guards has begun work on the Exmouth installa-tion, which is scheduled to be up and running in 2016.
Once operational, Air Force mem-bers from No. 1 Radar Surveillance Unit based at RAAF Base Edinburgh will operate the radar and be able to track items in orbit around the earth.
GPCAPT Thomson said the job of tracking these items was known
as “catalogue maintenance” and was part of the space situational awareness network.
“We know of many objects out in space including debris and old satel-lites,” GPCAPT Thomson said.
“These objects need to be reac-quired periodically and recalibrated because after time their orbit becomes less predictable. Knowing where these items are means we can avoid colli-sions with satellites.”
Debris in space is an increasing problem, along with spaceweath-er and, to some degree, deliberate actions by humans, such as electron-ic jamming. These actions can cause problems with many of the services that ADF members take for granted in their jobs, such as GPS-based devices and any other satellite-based systems.
GPCAPT Thomson said most peo-ple just assumed these devices and systems were always going to be there.
“It’s something that is invisible and people don’t think about but a lot of work behind the scenes is required
Joining the space trace
to operate satellites safely,” GPCAPT Thomson said.
“Australia has now crossed the line from being just a user of the data to being part of the community that takes care and assures the space mission.”
Air Force members have been working in Colorado in the US for several years, where they are getting hands-on experience operating in the realms of space.
CPL Tristan Apperley, of 460th Operational Support Squadron, is a mission crew chief instructor who has been there since June 2011.
His job is to instruct others before they move on to the 24-hour opera-tions floor.
CPL Apperley said the role allowed him to work with technology not avail-able in Australia.
“It’s been great to get access to all the US systems,” CPL Apperley said.
“This is the way of the future and we need to be getting more involved at the ground level.”
The other three members posted to the US in similar space-related roles are FLTLT Mark Wilson, SGT Dan Hickey and CPL Ryan McKee.
NEW FRONTIER: Mission crew chief instructor CPL
Tristan Apperley at work in the US; inset, a satellite.
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5September 26, 2013RCEAIR F News
IN THE lead-up to the launch of the WGS-6 satellite aboard a Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral on August 7, WGCDR Patrick Del
Guidice’s team was both nervous and excited.
“Nervous, because launches very rarely go exactly as planned and can be delayed by hours, days, weeks or even months depending on the issues,” WGCDR Del Guidice said.
“Excited, as this was the satellite Australia funded and, for Australia, it was a major milestone in the project. In the end, everything went exactly to plan and the satellite was successfully launched.”
He said Australia’s commitment to the Wideband Global Satellite-Communications (WGS) Project began in November 2007 when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the US, making Australia the first international partner.
Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and New Zealand have now also come on board.
Australia agreed to fund the acqui-sition and sustainment costs for satel-lite number six, known as WGS-6, totalling about $A800 million.
Australia’s contribution to the WGS constellation provides Australia
Sixteen ADF personnel are working in the US on Australia’s contribution to the Wideband Global Satellite-Communications Project, WO2 Andrew Hetherington reports.
Satellite launch all goes to plan
with access to the first six WGS satel-lites, globally distributed, until the agreement ends in September 2029. The ADF can use the communications payload aboard these satellites to allow deployed personnel to communicate from the field to base locations and back to Australia.
WGCDR Del Guidice, who is the senior officer and one of five Air Force members in an ADF group of 16 embedded with the US military in Colorado, Nebraska and Hawaii, witnessed the WGS-6 launch.
The ADF members come from all three services, as well as one person from the Australian Public Service.
One of the Air Force team mem-bers is Communications Electronics Technician CPL Thomas Weston, who began working in Hawaii during January 2012.
He assists with the control and monitoring of the WGS systems.
“This involves me performing a number of different functions, includ-ing the control of the satellite payloads and their transmissions,” CPL Weston said.
“With payload control, I’m respon-sible for the management of the health and configuration of the satellites. With transmission control, I’m respon-sible for supporting the customers who use the satellites.”
CPL Weston said he applied for his posting through the expression
of interest section for “hot jobs” in PMKeyS.
“Before applying I was unaware of how vast Australia’s involvement with the WGS project was,” CPL Weston said.
“There were quite a large number of selection criteria for this position, all of which I was able to meet.
“I was always interested in work-ing with a foreign military force and wanted to expand my skills by learning as much as I could from them.”
The difference between this job and his past roles is that this is more of an operations role, with a small amount of technical involvement with the equip-ment he is operating.
“In past roles I have focused main-ly on the technical and repair side of the equipment, not the operating side,” he said.
“This job can be very challeng-ing at times, as the satellites and their associated ground control equipment are very complex systems, requiring a large amount of training.”
CPL Weston lives in Kapolei, Hawaii, with his family.
“Even though the work hours are long, it’s an enjoyable and rewarding place to live,” he said.
“The best aspect of this job is the fact that I have been exposed to and learned about a complicated system only a handful of ADF members have been able to experience.
“I’d recommend this position to my peers back home as it’s a rewarding job.”
To read more about the WGS-6 satellite launch, visit http://nasatech.net/ntWGS-6_PAGE.html and www.boeing.com/boeing/defense-space/space/bss/factsheets/702/wgs/wgs_factsheet.page for more informa-tion on the WG satellites.
To view video of the WGS-6 Delta IV rocket launch from August 7, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxQQbi8v_dk
The WGS-6 satellite was launched into space aboard a Delta IV Medium + launch vehicle.Length of Delta IV: 66 metresEngine: RL 10B-2 produc-ing 24,750lb of thrust Fuel: cryogenic liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen
READY TO GO: The Delta 4 rocket and its military communications satellite payload ready for launch; right; WGS-6 awaiting shipment for integration into the rocket. Photos: Justin Ray/ Spaceflight Now and Boeing
NEW SKILLS: CPL Thomas Weston is one of five Air Force members working on the WGS Project in the United States.
POWER TOWER
WORLD Space Week will remind us of the achievements that con-tinue to provide ADF warfighters with sustainable space-based and space-related capabilities.
So says Head of Capability Development Systems within the Capability Development Group, MAJGEN John Caligari.
The United Nations has declared October 4-10 as World Space Week.
“Defence capabilities, whether employed in Australian or coalition military operations, have become critically dependant on space and space-based systems,” MAJGEN Caligari said.
“This dependency makes both the space environment and assured access to space systems important.”
World Space Week is an inter-national celebration of science and technology and their contribution to
Our chance to reflect
the betterment of the human condition.
In 1999 the UN General Assembly declared that World
Space Week would be held each year from October 4-10.
These dates commemorate two significant events in space history:
➤ October 4, 1957: Launch of the first human-made Earth satellite, Sputnik 1, which opened the way for space exploration.
➤ October 10, 1967: The sign-ing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
This year the UN is celebrating 50 years of women in space, with 2013 marking the 50th anniversary of the first space flight by a woman, cosmonaut Valentina V. Tereshkova, on June 16, 1963.
GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS: World Space Week will be held from October 4-10.
Commanders & Planners – are you using all our capability talent?
• CSD reporting now extended to all uniformed members - permanent and reserve. (CDF Directive 18/2012 provides policy guidance re use of CSD).
• The new aspect of CSD is that ‘self-claimed’ skills and experience can be recorded (ie not only formal qualifications) so your hobbies/skills or language skills can now be included (if potentially of use to the ADF eg carpentry).
• CSD includes: - Self-claimed skills (a wide range of skills are listed from which
to choose) - Self-claimed language skills (languages acquired without
examinations) - Professional Registrations and Licences - Membership of Professional Organisations - Civil Education Qualifications - Civilian Employment Details/History (reservists and regulars)
• Access CSD data via PMKeyS (usual authorisations required)
CIVILSKILLSDATASkills in Defence
For more information: go to DGRES-AF website, CSD section.
For questions or help: email the CSD helpline (include your PMKeyS number): [email protected]
The purpose of Civil Skills Data (CSD) is to improve visibility of the full range of member skills and experience, so as to increase opportunities for both the ADF and the individual.
6 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FNews
LS Helen Frank
IT HAS almost been 70 years since 460SQN, formerly a Lancaster bomber squadron in World War II, had bomb aimers but, with the certification of analysts to aim GPS-guided weapons, they are back.
In a major targeting enhance-ment, select Geospatial-Intelligence (GEOINT) Air Intelligence Analysts (AIA) at 460SQN and 87SQN are the first outside the US to be certified in precise point mensuration (PPM).
PPM is the acquisition of highly accurate geographic coordinates using specialist tools and data drawn from GPS and imagery systems. These coordinates are then used to determine aim points for coordinate-seeking weapons.
Commanding Officer 460SQN WGCDR Robert Elliott said US Air Force personnel from 20th Intelligence Squadron came to Australia in 2011 and 2012 to train a number of AIA GEOINTs.
“This gave us a base line of trained analyst personnel,” WGCDR Elliott said.
“We then sent two senior AIA GEOINT personnel to the US to become our first certifiers. These members were the first to be certified by the US and laid the platform for the ADF PPM program to achieve accredi-tation in March this year and certify its own point droppers.”
In a Lancaster, targeting was
conducted in the aircraft by a bomb aimer. Minutes before entering the target area, settings were input man-ually depending on aircraft altitude and speed, and the composition of the bomb load.
Aiming modern precision GPS-guided weapons is now an analytical process of transforming imagery into precise three-dimensional geospatial coordinates.
This analysis can be done from
months to minutes before the weapon is employed, and is conducted by high-ly skilled GEOINT members in the AIA mustering who have completed the US-accredited training program and rigorous certification assessment
to become a certified PPM “point dropper”.
Once cert ified, the analysts maintain their currency by being re-certified every two years. The need for such a robust training and certification process is because GPS weapons have transitioned aircrew-derived precision to intelligence-based precision, and the analysts are now directly linked to the application of kinetic weapons.
The Aus t ra l i an Geospa t ia l -intelligence Organisation (AGO), formerly the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, runs the PPM program on behalf of the ADF, and 460SQN provides the qualified person-nel within AGO to certify other ADF members in PPM.
The Defence Intelligence Training Centre has now rolled the initial PPM training into the basic training course for all AIA GEOINT person-nel, and the mission qualification training work-up is conducted within both 460SQN and 87SQN.
When personnel have completed the mission qualification training work-up, they can apply to be certified by the 460SQN certifying team.
Air Force can provide this PPM capability to any GPS-guided weap-on on any platform – a significant development for Air Force’s targeting enterprise, where 460SQN produces baseline target intelligence from which 87SQN produces weaponeered target intelligence for air operations.
BOMB AIMERS ARE BACK: Select Geospatial-Intelligence Air Intelligence Analysts at 460SQN and 87SQN are the first outside the US to be certified in precise point mensuration; inset, “G” for George, a Lancaster aircraft from World War II, now displayed at the Australian War Memorial. Photo: 460SQN and AWM
Point droppers take aim
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7September 26, 2013RCEAIR F News
Michael Brooke
WITH 20 people providing the muscle to drag a 36-tonne C-130J over 10m, 37SQN has raised $1000 for the Special Olympics.
They were among more than 700 NSW law enforcement and emergency services personnel who competed in the RAAF Base Richmond Emergency Services Plane Pull on September 7.
For the third year in a row, the event was won by the NSW Police Force’s Public Order and Riot Squad.
37SQN finished 10th and was pleased with the fundraising effort.
The event was part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises money to support the Special Olympics and about $20,000 was raised overall.
The 37SQN participants were AC Samuel Brown, LACW Shanika Carling, LAC Joshua Henderson, AC Calam Kroesen, LAC Luke Kluft, CPL Ben Dombrowski, LAC Nicholas Anikieff, LAC James Roberts, CPL Jennifer
Proudfoot, LAC Matt Crighton, LAC Benn Cave, LAC Aidan Pritchard, CPL Christopher Robinson, LAC Hamish Blake, AC Nathan Stevens, SGT Robert McClelland, LAC Jacob Rye, LAC Benjamin Lewis and Jo-Anne Brechin.
The C-130J, which is capable of carrying 20 tonnes of cargo, had a tow-bar and rope specially fitted to its nose wheel for the event.
LAC Roberts said it was tough.“My leg and arm muscles were kill-
ing me afterwards,” LAC Roberts said.LAC Crighton said the task of haul-
ing a Herc was not as hard as it looked.“Once it starts to move it rolls quite
fast,” he said.But LAC Roberts said the team was
disappointed it did not qualify for the final, as it had in other years.
He said the team, which had the advantage of being able to train with the aircraft, would train harder next year.
“It’s a really worthwhile charity event,” he said.
HERCULEAN EFFORT: LAC James Roberts and members of 37SQN get the C-130J in motion during the RAAF Base Richmond Emergency Services Plane Pull. Photo: CPL Amanda Campbell
AVM Mark Skidmore (retd) thinks he may well be the only RAAF pilot who has flown both the fastest and slowest aircraft in the Air Force.
AVM Skidmore, a former F-111 pilot, was behind the controls of a Bristol Boxkite replica which complet-ed a program of flight testing at RAAF Base Point Cook on September 11.
He said the aircraft, built at the RAAF Museum in Victoria, flew about 1000 metres and reached a speed of about 67½ km/h.
“It was an exhilarating and humbling experience. I am honoured and proud to follow those aviators who pioneered military aviation in this country,” he said.
“The Bristol Boxkite has a rich
Herc heave-ho for charity at Richmond
One out of the Boxkite
HISTORIC TESTS: Former F-111 pilot AVM Mark Skidmore (retd) kitted out and ready to go for a ride in the slow lane aboard the replica Bristol Boxkite which took to the air at Point Cook, right. Photos: CPL Amanda Campbell
history in the evolution of military aviation in Australia.
“It was the first official military aircraft built in this country and used to train our first military pilots.”
Developed in Britain in 1910 by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, the Bristol Boxkite first flew on July 29 of that year. It was state-of-the-art in its time.
The first Bristol Boxkite to be built in Australia was constructed by the Central Flying School at Point Cook and flew its maiden flight on August 10, 1915.
The replica aircraft will be a major drawcard when Point Cook plays host to the Centenary of Military Aviation in Australia event on March 1 and 2 next year.
AVM Skidmore, formerly Air Commander Australia, is now a test pilot with the Aircraft Research and Development Unit.
See more online at http://video.defence.gov.au/#2b0796aa-8f2c-4eab-83af-3284d2ba28a6,0,DateAdded
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9September 26, 2013RCEAIR F News
SGT Dave Morley
FLYING over the family farm in a Hercules knowing his grandfather, a former Air Force pilot, was watch-ing below was a special moment for a 37SQN pilot.
FLTLT Nick Bourke said the training flight felt like a tribute to the influence his grandfather had had on his life.
“I think my grandfather being in the Air Force had a strong influ-ence on my decision to join,” FLTLT Bourke said.
“I have a number of other fam-ily members who have served in the Army, so joining the services always seemed like a good opportunity.”
FLTLT Bourke’s grandfather, former PLTOFF Ian Reid, 89, of Young in south-west NSW, said he joined the Air Force because he did not like walking and didn’t want to get seasick.
After training, he went to No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School at Cunderin in Western Australia as an instructor.
Sky-high thrill
“When I was there I took two or three feet off the wing of a Tiger Moth when I hit a tree,” Mr Reid said.
“I got court martialled for fly-ing too low and reduced back to
where I’d started. After that I went to No. 2 Air Navigation School at Mt Gambier before going to 30SQN on Beaufighters up in New Guinea and Borneo.”
Mr Reid said he was very proud of his grandson.
“When he flew over the farm recently I wished I was up there with him,” he said.
He knew his grandfather was watching
MUTUAL PRIDE: 37SQN pilot FLTLT Nicholas Bourke on the flightline; inset, his grandfather, Ian Reid, on a Beaufighter. Main photo: CPL Amanda Campbell
Toll Transitions Case Managers are standing by ready to help you. Complete your Application for Relocation (AFR) online now at www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence and your Case Manager will contact you to get things moving.
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10 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FNews
Air Force joins IFRAIR Force will help Navy commemorate the centenary of the RAN Fleet’s 1913 arrival into Sydney on October 4 with a spectacular flypast over Sydney Harbour during the International Fleet Review (IFR). The flypast will include Air Force fixed wing aircraft, Navy and Army heli-copters, as well as aircraft from visiting nations. More than 40 warships and 16 tall ships from 20 nations will sail into Sydney Harbour for the IFR. HMAS Sydney will lead the Australian war-ships into the harbour, symbolic of the seven ships that entered on October 4, 1913. For more information visit the IFR website at www.navy.gov.au/ifr, email [email protected], or call 1800 815 652.
ADF Mental Health DayWORLD Mental Health Day is on October 10 and aims to raise public awareness about mental health issues and promote open discussion about mental disorders. To demonstrate the ADF’s commitment to addressing mental health issues, the day will also be observed as the annual ADF Mental Health Day. It is an oppor-tunity for all members to reflect on their own mental health, and that of their colleagues. Joint Health Command and the services will conduct a range of activities in support of ADF Mental Health Day from September 30 until October 18. For further information email [email protected]
Australia Day MedallionsNOMINATIONS are sought for the 2014 Australia Day Medallions. The award recognises outstand-ing performance by individuals in the last 12 months or noteworthy contributions over a number of years. ADF and APS personnel, as well as officers and instructors of cadets, are eli-gible for nomination. Awarding authorities must advise the Directorate of Honours and Awards of successful nominations by November 8. For more information, see DEFGRAM 495/2013.
IN BRIEF
SGT Dave Morley
A MIXED dining-in night at the Weston Creek Mess in Canberra provided the opportunity to recog-nise one of 460SQN’s leading air intelligence airmen.
LAC Shaun Thomson became the first leading aircraftman to receive the 460SQN Veterans’ and Friends’ Group Trophy.
The award was primarily for work he did during his time as the 460SQN unit training coor-dinator from November 2012 to May 2013.
LAC Thomson conducted a detailed review of the unit training coordinator role and developed new documentation that greatly increased the effectiveness of the squadron’s training systems.
“I was extremely humbled – I knew that I had been working hard and it was such a great feeling to receive recognition for the work I was doing,” LAC Thomson said.
“I find that it is easy to work hard when you enjoy what you do.”
The citation said LAC Thomson was commended for his exceptional performance as an air intelligence airman and senior analyst, unit training coordinator, deployed analyst in Afghanistan, and his contributions in secondary roles of squadron merchandise officer and physical fitness assistant.
Commanding Officer 460SQN
Veterans’ trophy
WGCDR Rob Elliott said LAC Thomson had tirelessly sought to develop key capabilities within the squadron and had demonstrated leadership beyond that expected of his rank.
The award was presented by 460SQN veterans Frank Gubbins (bomb aimer), Alex Jenkins (pilot) and Maurie O’Keefe (wireless operator).
LAC Thomson said 460SQN
had a really good relationship with its veterans and personnel generally saw them a few times a year on Anzac Day, Bomber Command memorial commemora-tions and 460SQN functions.
“It’s always great to spend some time with each of them and hear their stories, so being presented with the trophy from our veterans is such an honour,” he said.
LAC Thomson has served for
three years in the Air Force after six years in the RAN and four years in the Navy Reserve.
His deployments include Operations Trek in 2001 (Solomon Islands), Slipper (Persian Gulf) in 2002 and Slipper (Afghanistan) in 2012.
LAC Thomson’s mother served in the WRAAF and his father dis-charged early last year as a flight lieutenant after 37 years of service.
WELL DONE: CO 460SQN WGCDR Rob Elliott congratulates LAC Shaun Thomson after he was awarded
the 460SQN Veterans’ and Friends’ Trophy.
Photo: CPL Guy Young
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11September 26, 2013RCEAIR F News
LEUT Andrew Ragless
Illegal fishing was the focus of a combined aDF and Indonesian armed forces operation this month.
The fourth annual australian and Indonesian coordinated maritime secu-rity patrol (CORPaT) took place from September 2-16.
The operation, which started in
Darwin and ended in Kupang, West Timor, included aircraft, ships and headquarters staff from both countries in two synchronised task groups.
The aDF contribution included an aP-3C Orion and armidale Class Patrol Boat HMaS Wollongong, while the Indonesian armed forces provided naval vessels KRI Hiu and KRI Kakap and a CaSa NC-212 aircraft.
The aircraft and ships patrolled along the australian and Indonesian shared maritime boundaries near ashmore Island, the Provisional Fisheries Surveillance enforcement line and the australian Indonesian Seabed line.
The Commander of the aDF Task group, aIRCDRe Ken Watson, said the combined patrol provided
an excellent opportunity to improve mutual understanding and coopera-tion between the two countries’ armed forces.
“We have built upon the success of previous coordinated patrols with a marked improvement in communica-tion and interoperability,” aIRCDRe Watson said.
“Throughout the patrol, both
australian and Indonesian vessels conducted a number of boardings to investigate suspected incursions by fishing vessels.
“The fact that there was a significant reduction in fishing activity within the CORPaT focus area demonstrates that deterrence of illegal activity by the task group was effec-tively achieved.”
Combating illegal fishing together
JOINT EFFORT: An AP-3C Orion teamed up with HMAS Wollongong and Indonesian assets during the coordinated maritime security patrol. Here, personnel on Wollongong’s RHIBs prepare to board a fishing boat in northern Australian waters. Main photo: LS Jo Dilorenzo
Inset: LACW Nicci Freeman
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12 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FNews
CPL Nick Wiseman
Legacy announced cDF geN David Hurley as its first national patron on September 6.
The announcement follows a new adver-tising campaign featuring a bronze-coloured statue standing in the background of every-day situations, a reminder of the battle many veterans and widows still experience on the home front.
geN Hurley said he was extremely proud to accept the newly created role.
“We are indebted to Legacy and its remarkable volunteers for the compassion they have shown Defence families over the past 90 years,” he said.
“I look forward to working with Legacy as the organisation continues to adapt to meet the needs of a new generation of Defence families.”
adding to the solemn nature of the many roles Legacy supports and the new advertis-
ing campaign, people attending the event at the australian Defence Force academy were greeted with the sight of the bronze statue sitting among the guests.
Many commented on the statue and its effect, including geN Hurley who said seeing the silent soldier in the audience was moving.
“I think the new direction Legacy has taken in terms of not only looking after fam-ilies of deceased members, but also returned servicemen and women who are incapaci-tated, is an important move,” he said.
“I am honoured to accept the role of national patron.”
at the event, officer cadets and midship-men donated $21,600, which they raised through various methods to help Legacy continue assisting families in need.
To learn more about Legacy visit www.legacy.com.au
LS Helen Frank
THe people of RaaF Base Wagga have dug deep for Legacy.
Thirty-three air Force personnel volunteered their time to raise money for Legacy with six staff from various units around base and 27 air Force trainees from the RaaF School of Technical Training (RaaFSTT) getting involved in the fundraising.
Three stalls were manned each day for a week on the base, raising more than $1900.
cPL Dion Johnston, of RaaFSTT,
said he wanted to support Legacy because they looked after aDF families.
“as a serving member and the son of a returned serviceman, it is extreme-ly important to me,” cPL Johnston said.
“Legacy has been there for aDF personnel who have lost colleagues in recent years and have supported fami-lies who have lost loved ones.
“It is also important that we encour-age junior aDF personnel to interact, raise public awareness and support such a fine organisation as Legacy.”
a Legacy stall was also set up in the city and raised more than $5200.
Legacy picks CDF
WELL DONE: ADFA officer cadets and midshipmen raised $21,600 for Legacy. They are pictured here with the Legacy bronze statue.
Wagga’s big effortBROAD SUPPORT: RAAFSTT gets behind Legacy to raise money.
Fun of the ballABOUT 1000 guests assembled at the Brisbane Conven-tion and Exhibition Centre on September 7 for the Australian Aerospace Defence Charity Ball – Legacy 2013, a night of good food, entertainment, dancing and fun.
MASKED MAN: Master of Ceremonies Catriona Rowntree enjoys a light moment with pseudo Air Force pilot “Stick” at the ball. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson
MOVING TRIBUTE: CDF GEN David Hurley is the new national patron of Legacy. Photos: CPL Nick Wiseman
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14 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FNews
Taking the next stepSGT Andrew Kleef’s son Nathan was diagnosed with a rare immune deficiency known as X-Linked Hyper IGM Syndrome in August 2011.
Without weekly immune-boost-ing transfusions of a blood product known as Intragam, Nathan has no defence against bacterial infections which could damage his organs and place him in hospital for months at a time.
SGT Kleef, of 81WG at RAAF Base Williamtown, said with the help of blood products, Nathan, despite requiring a bone marrow transplant, was now a normal three-year-old full of life.
“My wife and I have learnt to deal with the challenges of deliver-ing the immune-boosting therapy at home and it would be easy to con-tinue without thinking about what could happen,” SGT Kleef said.
“But as Nathan grows up his body will become more susceptible to infections.”
SGT Kleef said the oldest liv-ing person with the same condition was in his mid-40s and the only cure
was a bone marrow transplant. “In late August, my wife and I visited Westmead Hospital to meet with the transplant team to discuss the pro-cess,” he said.
“Although we felt very well pre-pared for the meeting, we were taken aback by the mortality rate of 20 per cent.
“We learned that if we leave the transplant until he is older than 10, the mortality rate worsens by 10 per cent. Doing the transplant between the ages of five and 10 is a better option, but doing it before he is five is even better because the body is more accepting to the donor graft.”
To make his body ready to accept a transplant, Nathan will receive high-strength chemotherapy to wipe out any immune defence he has left. The graft is then added, along with anti-rejection medication.
“The thought of putting him through such treatment is not easy and we don’t yet have a bone mar-row donor,” SGT Kleef said.
Although the couple’s five-year-old son was the most likely family member to be a bone marrow match,
it turned out that he was not a close enough match to be a viable donor.
“We now have to wait until a donor is found from the interna-tional bone marrow donor registry, of which there are only 15 million people,” he said.
To be listed on the bone marrow registry, people need to fill in an additional form when they donate blood. An additional small vial of blood is taken and sent away for pro-cessing.
“Only one in 1000 actually gets asked to become a donor for some-one like my son, but having more people on the register improves the chances of someone being a match.”
Donating bone marrow is not as painful as people think – it can now be taken through a similar procedure to a plasma donation.
Assuming the bone marrow transplant team are able to locate a viable donor, Nathan could be in hospital for his transplant as early as December.
For more information visit www.abmdr.org.au
An Air Force member whose son relies on weekly immune-boosting blood transfusions is encouraging people to join the international bone marrow registry when they donate blood.
BRAVE FAMILY: SGT Andrew Kleef, of 81WG, spends some quality time at home with his wife Tracy and three-year-old son Nathan who will hopefully undergo a bone marrow transplant in the near future. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett
THe sight of blood and needles can make people uneasy, but one RAAF reservist recently overcame his fears by taking part in the 2013 Defence Blood Challenge.
SQNLDR John Yialeloglou, of 28SQN, made his first donation at Russell Offices in Canberra on September 16 and said, as he suspected, it didn’t take long or hurt.
“I decided that having irrational fears was no longer a good enough rea-son to avoid this important community service,” SQNLDR Yialeloglou said.
“I also felt that it was inconsistent with my leadership responsibilities in my day job in AFHQ and, as a reserve officer, to watch my colleagues regularly donate blood and plasma while I stood by was embarrassing.”
SQNLDR Yialeloglou said the Red Cross staff were lovely, and that there were plenty of chilled drinks and snacks on hand afterwards.
“My positive donor experience emphasised how groundless my previ-ous fears were and I wish I had done this a long time ago,” he said.
“However, it’s definitely a case of
Overcoming dread
DOESN’T HURT: Nurse Tahnee Bell looks after SQNLDR John Yialeloglou, a reservist and APS member, as he donates blood for the first time in the mobile Red Cross donation bus at Russell Offices. Photo: LS Helen Frank
DEFENCE BLOOD CHALLENGE
‘better late than never’, so get out there and donate.”
He said if people needed any addi-tional motivation apart from potential-ly saving lots of lives, there was keen competition between the services for the most donations.
“Last year Army, with their numeri-cal superiority, took out a well-deserved first prize with 1191 donations,” he said.
“However, Air Force wasn’t far behind with 919 donations, and took out the per capita prize.”
The Defence Blood Challenge will run until November 30. Members are encouraged to donate as often as they can at Australian Red Cross Blood Service collection centres or at mobile blood banks that will be visiting Defence bases. For more information visit www.donateblood.com.au/defence
15September 26, 2013RCEAIR F News
CPL Mark Doran
T r a n s p o r T i n g n i n e Bushmasters from Tarin Kot to Kabul was a joint effort by personnel from the Force support Unit (FsU) and air Load Team at Multinational Base Tarin Kot.
a command vehicle and eight troop variants were transported by a C-17a globemaster on three sorties in august for use by the australian security detachment at the afghan national army officer academy.
alongside its coalition partners, australia is providing mentors and training to afghan national security Force (ansF) instructors in support of the international effort to develop the capacity and capability of the ansF.
LaCW Dana Lumb, of the air
Load Team Tarin Kot, said the team did not normally transport the 13-tonne vehicles with mounted weapon systems.
“The weight was higher than the normal load requirements,” LaCW Lumb said.
“The final stages of prepar-ing the Bushmasters for transport included the removal of some external equipment by the FsU roya l aus t ra l i an E lec t r i ca l Mechanical Engineers (raEME) to reduce the weight of each vehicle.
“Loading Bushmasters on to a C-17a is actually quite easy and it took us just under half an hour to load three vehicles.
“our job is mostly hands on, but what i do like is that we have the balance of needing to under-stand the theory side as well, so we can work out the weights and the
centre of gravity calculations for our loads.”
pTE Joshua Quirk, of the FsU Freight Distribution Centre, said part of his team’s role was to ensure the complete equipment sched-ules were up to date before the Bushmasters were shipped.
“if equipment is missing we order it or cross-level the items from the vehicles which are returning to australia,” pTE Quirk said.
“our raEME team check the engines, electronics, hydraulics and weapon systems, then the vehi-cles are test-driven by the transport sect ion to confi rm they are operating correctly.
“The main challenges were the time-frames we were working with and last minute changeover of vehicles.”
Joint effort
Bushmasters sent to Kabul
ON GUARD: LAC Christopher Rice, of the physical security team at Al Minhad Air Base, provides ground security for a C-17A Globemaster at Multinational Base Tarin Kot as airmen, airwomen and soldiers load Bushmasters on to the aircraft for transport from Tarin Kot to Kabul. Inset left, LAC Darren Brooks and LACW Dana Lumb, of the Air Load Team Tarin Kot, secure a Bushmaster aboard the aircraft. Photos: CPL Mark Doran
16 17RCEAIR FCentrepiece September 26, 2013
TEAMWORK: 33SQN technicians, from left, CPL David Van Hoos, LACs Llewellynn Williams and Zac Briggs extend the refuelling hose as part of routine maintenance for the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport during the East Coast Air Defence Exercise. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson
The mid-north coast of NSW was a flurry with fighter jets as they tore up the skies en masse for the latest east Coast Air Defence exercise (eCADeX).
The biennial exercise ran from August 26 until September 13, with 46 aircraft from RAAF Bases Amberley, Williamtown and Tindal participating.
Platforms included F/A-18F Super hornet, F/A-18 hornet, e-7A Wedgetail and KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft fighting it out over restricted airspace.
The mission scenarios were designed to test both passive and active air defence capabilities where a “Blue” force was to protect the integrity of the Australian air space and vital infrastructure against attack from a “Red” force.
Passive air defence measures involved practising procedures where aircraft and surveillance assets were required to positively identify all traffic within the designated airspace. Active air defence measures involved maintaining air exclusion zones.
Commander Air Combat Group (ACG) AIRCDRe Tony Grady said eCADeX was vital training for many Air Force elements in maintaining operational capability and practising key air defence skills.
“The exercise also provides an opportunity for Air Force personnel to practise their skills at maintaining the integrity of Australian airspace and protecting vital infrastructure, such as a shipping port or an airfield,” AIRCDRe Grady said.
While 103 personnel from 75SQN at Tindal deployed to Williamtown for the exercise, the
MISSION READYAir Force personnel practise critical air defence skills over the NSW coast during the East Coast Air Defence Exercise, FLTLT Cath Friend reports.
majority of assets and personnel operated out of their home bases at Williamtown and Amberley.
There was one exception – personnel from No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit (3CRU) deployed from their home base of Williamtown to Kempsey to set up antennas and radars to ensure the airspace had a continuous flow of clear communications.
Commanding Officer 3CRU WGCDR Rob Saxton said it was important the communications team deployed to Kempsey.
“had the team not worked in Kempsey, the aircraft protecting the coastline would not have received clear pictures of what the enemy were doing and how they could effectively remove them from the conflict,” WGCDR Saxton said.
Surveillance and Response Group use large-scale exercises like eCADeX to continue the training of operational crews and to further develop tactical procedures within a highly complex and integrated network.
“eCADeX is no longer an ACG-centric exercise,” AIRCDRe Grady said.
“We require the assets of Air Lift Group with the KC-30A for refuelling to keep the jets in the fight longer, and SRG to supply the ACG aircrew with clear communications and direction of the battlespace.
“It’s a very interesting time to be in the Air Force as we all learn to work together to ultimately protect Australia and its people.”
IMPRESSIVE SKILL: Four F/A-18 Hornets from 3SQN prepare to refuel with a 33SQN KC-30A Mutli Role Tanker Transport. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy
The east Coast Air Defence exercise (eCADeX) is held every two years and has a clear learning objective: for members involved in the missions, either flying or controlling, to understand the legal rules of engagement (ROe) of warfighting and to comply with these strict rules.
One side of the eCADeX people may not normally notice is the legal officers, whose role is not only to brief the players at the start of the exercise on the ROe, but to sit through all the missions at No. 3 Control and Response Unit (3CRU) to ensure everyone understands and complies with the level of ROe in force.
During the exercise, one Permanent Air Force and three reserve legal officers participated and advised operators on the legal requirements and restrictions of the mission.
Unless they are acting under the inherent right of self defence, aircrew, just like combatants on the ground, are not authorised to use force without the direct authority of the Australian Government or the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), depending on the conflict.
As a result, during the eCADeX, the planners created a fictional UNSC Resolu-tion (UNSCR), which provided the legal basis for the use of force, as well as establishing an air exclusion zone (AeZ) – a defined piece of airspace where identified military forces are not to enter.
The scenario during the exercise was to combat aggression shown by the country of “Redland” (Amberley). For the “Knights-ville” (Williamtown) forces, the combatants could only act in self defence during the first week as they were flying in interna-tional airspace, and the UNSCR had not yet been passed.
Week two kicked into action and
Redland continued to show aggression resulting in the UNSCR, which established the AeZ and authorised the use of force for mission accomplishment. Now the Knights-ville aircrew could fight back, once the enemy aircraft were declared hostile by the Combined Forces Air Component Commander.
Before engaging the enemy, Knights-ville had gone through set procedures to formally identify the aircraft as belonging to Redland military forces. This process used the skills of the aircrew, the team in the e-7A Wedgetail and air battle managers at 3CRU.
Staff Officer Legal at Surveillance and Response Group (SRG), SQNLDR April-Leigh Rose, said it wasn’t as simple as it was sometimes perceived.
“There are a lot of legal obligations for all the teams involved, either in the air or on the ground,” SQNLDR Rose said.
“each and every member needs to go through their legal checks and get the right authorisation before they can pull the trigger.”
By the third week, eCADeX was in full force and all exercise participants were proficient in the first two (more restrictive) levels of ROe, so they moved into the most permissive phase. Just like ground combat-ants in conflict situations, the aircrew were given permission to take all necessary measures to enforce the exclusion zone, meaning once the Knightsville combatants positively identified a Redland military aircraft, they had permission to fire.
“The end result of eCADeX is that Aircrew, Controllers and Intelligence Officers in both ACG and SRG were not only trained in different ROe, but were confident in using different legal levels of force,”SQNLDR Rose said.
More than fast jets
ON THE JOB: Communications Electronics Technician LAC Javid Bing, of No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit, transports cabling used at the Kempsey showground. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett
FOCUS: KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport Air Refuelling Officer, WOFF Steven Foster, manages the air-to-air refuelling of four 1SQN F/A-18F Super Hornets. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy
ALL IN WORKING ORDER: Avionics Technician LAC Zac Briggs, of 33SQN, operates
a power cart to enable maintenance on a KC-30A
Multi Role Tanker Transport. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson
IN TRAINING: Aboard an air-to-air refuelling mission in support of the East Coast Air Defence Exercise,
33SQN Crew Attendant LACW Jamie Polzin (seated, front left)
with trainees (rear, from left) LAC Benjamin Roberts, ACWs Shea
Carney, Ange Wayland and Jodie Mitchell (seated, front right).
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Feature RCEAIR F September 26, 201318
Battle of Britain rememberedSGT Dave Morley
THE Battle of Britain’s 73rd anni-versary was commemorated over the weekend of September 7-8 with a series of events in Hobart.
The events included a wreath-laying ceremony at Hobart’s ceno-taph with a flyover by two 79SQN Hawk 127 lead-in-fighters, a din-ing-in night, a church service and a barbecue.
Commanding Officer 29SQN WGCDR Andrew Layton said units involved included 79SQN, 29SQN, 460SQN, AFHQ, WOD Course, Defence Force Recruiting Tasmania, Air Force Band and the Australian Air Force Cadets.
“Air Force was proud to support the RAAF Association’s (RAAFA) national commemoration of the Battle of Britain,” WGCDR Layton said.
“This is an opportunity to pay our respect to those who served in the air and on the ground during the Battle of Britain and to remember and honour those men and women.
“29SQN was proud to be one of several Air Force units that supported the weekend’s events, which involved permanent and reserve Air Force men and women.”
The secretary of the RAAFA in Tasmania, SQNLDR Alan Robertson (retd), said when Air Force week changed from September to around March 31 in the late 60s/early 70s, to reflect a more Australian focus, the events the RAAFA had run each September were in danger of disappearing.
“The RAAFA and the RAAF here finally ‘conspired’ to have an event in September, and I think it was about 1977 that it became the Battle of Britain Dinner,” he said.
“Nowhere else in Australia was it so recognised to the degree that it was here and it just went from there.
“It was about seven or eight years ago that, in recognition of the long-standing effort Tasmania had put into to the event, the National Council of the RAAFA made it the national commemoration.”
In his address, CAF AIRMSHL
Geoff Brown said some might wonder about the significance of the Battle of Britain to Australia.
“After a l l , the Aust ra l ian involvement was not overly great; more Australian airmen were lost in one raid by Bomber Command than in the entire Battle of Britain,” AIRMSHL Brown said.
“But the Battle of Britain was the first battle in the history of armed conflict conducted substan-tially by air forces – and this a mere 40 years after the first flight by the Wright Brothers at Kittyhawk.
“I t i s there-fore an appropri-ate anniversary on which to com-m e m o r a t e t h e deeds and sacri-fices of Australian and indeed al l a i rmen in a l l conflicts, past and present.”
Battle of Britain VCs➤���FLTLT James Nicolson, VC DFC AFC:
August 16, 1940, Hawker Hurricane – pilot
➤��FLTLT Roderick Learoyd, VC: August 12, 1940, Handley-Page Hampden – pilot
➤��SGT John Hannah, VC: September 15, 1940, Handley-Page Hamden – wireless operator
Top scorers ➤�SGT Josef Frantisek (Czech): 17➤�PLTOFF Eric Lock (UK): 16½➤�FLGOFF Brian Carbury (NZ): 15½➤�SGT James Lacy (UK): 15½➤�PLTOFF Robert Doe (UK): 15➤��FLGOFF Witold Urbanowicz (Poland):
15➤��PLTOFF Paterson Hughes (Australia):
14 and 3x½➤�PLTOFF Colin Gray (NZ): 14 and 2x½
RAF and other Commonwealth: 1822 pilots, 339 killedFleet Air Arm: 56 pilots, nine killedAustralia: 21 pilots, 14 killedNew Zealand: 73 pilots, 11 killedCanada: 88 pilots, 20 killedSouth Africa: 21 pilots, nine killedSouthern Rhodesia: two pilotsIreland: eight pilotsUS: seven pilots, one killedPoland: 141 pilots, 29 killedCzechoslovakia: 86 pilots, eight killedBelgium: 26 pilots, six killedFree French: 13 pilotsIsrael: one pilotTotal: 2365 pilots, 446 killed
PAYING TRIBUTE: Two Hawk 127s fly over the cenotaph in Hobart during the Battle of Britain commemoration; inset, the ensigns are paraded after the remembrance service at St David’s Cathedral. Photos: LACW Sandra Rice
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FeatureRCEAIR F September 26, 2013 19
CPL Nick Wiseman and SGT Dave Morley
VETERANS from the Malaya and Borneo conflicts commemorated both campaigns at the War Memorial Gardens in Adelaide on August 31.
The commemoration marked the 47th anniversary of the end of the Indonesian Confrontation with Malaysia and 53rd anniversary of the end of the Malayan Emergency.
The president of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Association of South Australia/Northern Territory, Brian Selby, said more than 200 people attended the commemoration service, during which John Williamson’s song True Blue played while wreaths were laid.
Aus t r a l i an se rv i ce pe r son-nel deployed as part of the Malayan Emergency from 1948-60 and as part of the Indonesian Confrontation with Malaysia from 1962-1966.
The commemoration this year was the third annual event since the conflicts were recognised with a day of remembrance in 2011.
Mr Selby said the day had a special place in his heart.
The names of the RAAF airmen who died in these conflicts are inscribed on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial.
Malayan Emergency➤ WOFF Heathcote Byron Brown ➤ LAC William Patrick Duffy➤ LAC D. J. Hall➤ AC John George Lawson➤ PLTOFF Gordon John McDonald➤ LAC M. Murphy➤ FLTLT Dennis St George Greaves Oates➤ CPL John Marcus O’Donnell➤ LAC Colin John Rowe➤ WOFF George Robert Tait
Indonesian Confrontation➤ FLGOFF Victor John Cowen
Malaya and Borneo vets honour lost mates
“Vietnam wasn’t the only conflict during that era,” he said.
“A lot of people have no idea we were up there as part of a Commonwealth contingent defending Malaya over two campaigns.”
The Malayan Emergency was
declared on June 18, 1948, after three estate managers were murdered by guerrillas of the Malayan Communist Party in Perak, northern Malaya.
During the Emergency there was involvement from 38SQN, 1SQN, 3SQN, 77SQN and No. 2 Airfield
Construction Squadron. Thirty-nine Australian service personnel were killed but only 15 of these deaths occurred as a result of operations.
D u r i n g t h e I n d o n e s i a n Confrontation, 5SQN, 77SQN, 3SQN and 77SQN were engaged. Twenty-
three Australian service personnel died, seven on operations.
People interested in helping to plan next year’s Malaya and Borneo commemoration can register their details at www.nmbvaa.org.au
FLASHBACK: 3SQN Sabres line up at Butterworth.
RESPECT: Air Force Cadets perform catafalque party duties during the service commemorating the Malaya and Borneo conflicts. Photos: National Malaya and Borneo Veterans’ Association
TRUE BLUES: Some of the veterans at the service in Adelaide.
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Feature RCEAIR F September 26, 201320
WHEN the Air Force Band celebrated 90 years of music with a concert at the ABC’s
Iwaki Auditorium in Melbourne on August 25, the audience of 300 got some special treats.
Any good birthday celebration includes a surprise, a present and a cake, according to Air Force Band Commanding Officer SQNLDR Mathew Shelley – and this occasion was no exception.➤ THE SURPRISE was the
appearance on stage of the Air Force Drum Corps and Piccolos. With its military precision and technically demanding perfor-mances, the drum corps is a ceremonial display team which includes drum-major, snare drums, bass drum, piccolos and bugler.
➤ THE PRESENT was an Air Force Band medallion that was handed out to audience members to mark the happy occasion.
➤ THE CELEBRATORY CAKE was cut by SQNLDR Shelley
FULL HOUSE: The Air Force Band performed in front of about 300 people – a full house in Melbourne. The enthusiastic audience included a number of former band members. Photos: CPL Cam Scott
BIG BEAT: Above, FSGT Barry Ramage on bass drum with the Air Force Band’s Drum Corps and Piccolos, which performed between the published program pieces. The full band then joined in performing a military march.
GOODBYE, HELLO: Left, flute player Emma Knight performs as a civilian with the Air Force Band for the last time. She will soon begin basic training at No. 1 Recruit Training Unit at RAAF Base Wagga.
BLAST ABOUT GLORIOUS PAST: LACs John Warren, left, and Robert Hamza on tubas ... the concert included festive music and major concert band compositions.
On that note, let’s celebrate
ICING ON THE CAKE: RAAF College Commandant GPCAPT Tony Checker, left, and Air Force Band Commanding Officer SQNLDR Mathew Shelley prepare to cut the cake celebrating 90 years of music in the Air Force.
‘For 90 years, the Air Force Band has been commemorating the past and celebrating the achievements of Air Force. On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of music in the Air Force, it was the Air Force Band’s opportunity to commemorate its own past and celebrate its own achievements. – SQNLDR Mathew Shelley, Commanding Officer Air Force Band
AIR FORCE BAND MARKS 90TH BIRTHDAY
and Commandant of the RAAF College GPCAPT Tony Checker.Even though there were
volunteer musicians at Point Cook as early as 1916, the band did not take on formal duties until August 1923 when the first bandmaster was appointed.
In his speech to the audience, GPCAPT Checker said that, since those early years, the band had provided the Air Force’s sound track.
“Just like our aircrew, musi-
cians are the ultimate professional,” GPCAPT Checker said.
“[They go through] years of practise to achieve mastery, years of dedicated training to become part of an integrated, disciplined team.”
The concert was one of two held to celebrate the band’s 90th birth-day. The first was at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on August 21.
The concerts included festive music and major concert band compositions.
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FeatureRCEAIR F September 26, 2013 21
WGCDR Steve Millington can officially thank the Air Force for 40 years of
memories. Unofficially, his thanks go back even earlier.
He grew up in the Newcastle area where he says he frequently saw jets flying overhead.
“They were mostly Mirages – though I have vague memories of Sabres,” WGCDR Millington says.
“And a career with military aircraft looked like a good way to go.”
The day two Mirages chasing each other overhead drowned out the sound of his deputy headmas-ter’s tirade at a high school assem-bly might have clinched the deal.
“I remember thinking ‘that’s where I want to be’.”
On August 28, the head of Helicopter Systems Division in the Defence Materiel Organisation, RADM Tony Dalton, presented WGCDR Millington with his fifth clasp to the Defence Long Service Medal – Federation Star.
WGCDR Millington is now the Commanding Officer of the Material Management Unit in the Army Aviation Systems Program Office at Oakey on the Queensland Darling Downs.
He was barely 18 when he joined in 1973. His first application was for the RAAF Academy but he missed out on pilot aptitude testing
Aeronautical engineer WGCDR Steve Millington was recently awarded the fifth clasp to his Federation Star, John Martin reports.
➤ Being part of a team at No. 2 Flight Training School (2FTS) where they flew Macchis at an extremely high flying rate to achieve pilot graduation requirements, including more than 100 sorties a day on a significant number of occasions (including night
flying).➤ Introducing the PC/9-A into 2FTS as the local project manager and
transferring the Macchis to 25SQN (later 79SQN).➤ Following the crash of Macchi A7-076 at Newcastle due to wing
fatigue (and subsequent grounding of the fleet with unserviceable/out-of-life wing sets), regenerating the capability by arranging a fast-track purchase of new wings from Italy.➤ Helping set up the Joint Logistics Systems Agency, which
later became the Logistics Systems Program Office, bringing together elements from Air Force, Army and Navy logistic and support commands under one command.➤ Negotiating with Army and Navy
aviation engineering to get the Technical Airworthiness Regulations 4 and 5 for aviation maintenance activities agreed and published in the Technical Airworthiness Management Manual.
➤ Working as a reservist for the RAAF School of Technical Training to take the Senior Maintenance Manager (SMM) course for aviation engineers in Air Force, Army and Navy from infancy to maturity; creating the SMM Ground (SMMG) for those in the non-flying Air Force maintenance elements; and creating the Warrant Officer Engineer (WOE) course for technical warrant offic-ers in Air Force, Army and Navy. The SMMG and WOE courses were WGCDR Millington’s idea as a result of shortcom-ings he saw. He was able to take them from concept to maturity and leave them in capa-ble hands when he transferred back to the Permanent Air Force.
➤ Being one of the few RAAF engineers to be responsible for mainte-nance of a crash launch (23-metre wooden hull with twin V16 GM diesel engines based at Townsville Harbour).
➤ Sitting in the back of an Iroquois gunship from 9SQN doing live firing of guns and mis-siles at High Range, west of Townsville.
➤ Sitting in the back of a Kiowa during a night bombing exercise watching Australian Mirages and Kiwi Skyhawks dive-bombing a hill under flares dropped from a Caribou above, again at High Range.
➤ Having a high/low navigation sortie in the back seat of a Mirage out of Townsville.➤ Flying around Papua New Guinea with 35SQN Caribous.➤ As the resident engineer in Perth, being in the back seat for numerous Macchi test
flights to monitor the instruments. ➤ Enjoying a back seat ride in a PC/9-A as part of a flying course graduation massed
flypast of 21 aircraft in formation.
Saved by couple
and was invited to consider train-ing to be an aeronautical engineer, based at RAAF Base Frognall in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
After his engineering studies, he served in Melbourne (repair and overhaul), then Townsville (35SQN), Pearce (2FTS) before returning to Melbourne where, except for another three years in Pearce to introduce the PC-9/A, he was posted to various positions until he transferred to the reserve in 2000.
For more than 11 years WGCDR Millington provided valuable service managing and developing the senior main- tenance manager and warrant officer engineering courses for aviation elements of Air Force, Army and Navy, as well as the sen-ior maintenance manager ground course for Air Force on behalf of the RAAF School of Technical Training.
During his reserve years, he also completed an honours degree in theology.
WGCDR Millington transferred back to the Permanent Air Force (PAF) in mid-2011 and was posted to his current position at Oakey.
“I was pretty naive when I joined so I expected to be on flying squadron bases a lot more,” he says.
“I also didn’t realise I’d never be posted to Newcastle (or even NSW), despite many attempts to achieve that.
“Nevertheless, once I came to get a realistic understanding of an Air Force engineer’s career, I’d say I’ve had a pretty good one.”
WGCDR Millington says he never expected to clock up 40 years.
It was not even possible when the previous compulsory retirement age was 55.
“The increase of PAF compul-sory retirement age to 60 not only gave me opportunity to transfer back to PAF but to reach the unexpected 40-year mark,” he says.
As you’d expect, WGCDR Millington has enjoyed quite a number of highlights over such a long career.
He puts them in two categories – experiential and career.
“Experiential are those things that I have experienced that only few will enjoy,” he says.
“From reading them it may sound like all I’ve done is fly around in the back of aircraft and, while I recall those events with pleasure, I get equally as much pleasure from what I have achieved over my career.”
HIGHLIGHTS
of jets
40 YEARS OF TREASURES: WGCDR Steve Millington with his original enlistment paperwork and a congratulatory letter from CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, which says: “This is both a significant personal and professional achievement and places you in a very small and elite group of individuals”.
START OF A MEMORABLE CAREER: WGCDR Steve Millington as a first-year cadet.
ONE HIGHLIGHT: WGCDR Steve Millington enjoyed flying with 35SQN Caribous in PNG in 1982.
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P h D S C H O L A R S H I P S
23September 26, 2013RCEAIR F Personnel
Departure LoungeWho’s leaving after 20+ years’ service
NameWOFF Colin DoyleSGT John LaknerWOFF Philip BerkhoutWOFF Christopher Sinfield SQNLDR Peter HoffmanWOFF Michael O’BrienSQNLDR Shaun McNamaraWOFF Colin SmithWGCDR Philip DarvallSGT Michael SciaccaWOFF Brian ThomasFSGT Christopher BorgFLTLT Andrew KoopWOFF Gregory AndersonWOFF Terrence SheridanSGT Dean CopleyFLTLT Derek CoxWGCDR Stewart SeeneyWGCDR Scott WatsonFSGT Duncan ClarysseFLTLT Pauline TerweyFLTLT James Ewart
ONLY 15 per cent of Air Force’s Australian Public Service (APS) staff have entered self-identification data on their PMKeyS Self Service, according to Brian Brennan, Human Resources Business Partner to Air Force.
Mr Brennan said although all APS mem-bers were requested to complete these personal details on their commencement forms, self-identification information was often not entered into PMKeyS.
“Currently 85 per cent of APS staff in Air Force are classified as ‘undeclared’ and have no data in this section,” Mr Brennan said.
“While the decision to self-identify is vol-untary and a personal choice, staff should be aware their declaration remains ‘Staff-in-Confidence’ and will not allow anyone to iden-tify them publicly.
“Supervisor and work colleagues do not have access to this area in PMKeyS and infor-mation in the system is subject to legal restric-tions on security and privacy, so people can-not be personally identified by declaring their status.”
Mr Brennan said disability identification, language and cultural background informa-tion supported Air Force in requesting funding resources for disability support services and indigenous and diversity programs.
“Accurate and up-to-date information assists Air Force in determining staffing resources and operational distribution,” he said.
“It also has the added benefit of providing accurate staffing representation for the whole organisation, which enables greater insight as to whether we are meeting our whole-of- government diversity targets.
“In particular we would like to encourage Defence indigenous people to self-identify on PMKeyS, as one way to support our efforts to deliver effective indigenous policies and programs.”
Self identification to aid planning
SELF-IDENTIFY: Updating personal information on PMKeyS will help Air Force tailor diversity programs. Photo: LS Helen Frank
Job program for vets in NSWCLuBS NSW, the RSL and Services Clubs Association, and the NSW Government have joined forces to create a new program that connect veterans to suitable job opportuni-ties with clubs registered with the program. The program – “Securing Our Veterans’ Future” – is only running in NSW and is focused on reducing the challenges that come with transitioning from military to civilian life for modern-era veterans through employment opportunities. The program is open to veterans and their spouses, as well as the spouses of serving members. For more information visit www.clubsnsw.com.au/Community_Support/securing-our-veterans-future
IN BRIEF
WHS award nominations openTHE 2014 Defence Work Health and Safety (WHS) Awards are open for nominations until November 4. The awards are the apex of safety awards in Defence and are open to all the services, groups and individual workers. The aim is to provide recognition to Defence workers for exceptional performance in WHS, raise the profile and awareness of WHS and rehabilitation programs, and promote innova-tion and the implementation of new safety methods and technologies. They also help to reinforce, shape, drive and model a positive safety culture within Defence and are the gateway into the Comcare Safety Awards. For more infor-mation read DEFGRAM 441/2013.
UPDATING YOUR DETAILS IS EASYTO uPDATE your personal details on PMKeyS, follow these steps:➤ Log in to PMKeyS Self Service, using
your employee ID number and personal password.
➤ In the ‘Employee Self Service’ section, select ‘My Personal Details’ then select ‘Workplace Equity and Diversity’.
➤ update the relevant fields and save any amendments.
➤ In the ‘update Disability Information’ section, the disability code search tool will list a number of categories. Select the category that applies. If you don’t have a disability, select the ‘No Disability’ code.
TELL US YOUR STORY
If you have an interesting story to tell, get in touch with Air Force News and get it in print.Contact the editorial team by email at
raafnews@defencenews. gov.au
RCEAIR F
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24 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FFlightline
EDUCATION CELEBRATION: From left, LACW Amber Murray, Commanding Officer School of Post-graduate Studies (SPS) WGCDR Andrew Ratz and tutor Tony Hasting cut SPS’s 15th birthday cake on August 30. The milestone was celebrated at RAAF Base Wagga with a morning tea attended by three of the former six commanding officers and two former school warrant officers. SPS was created in 1998 when the Airmen Leadership Flight merged with the School of Applied Management. Over the years, the SPS has graduated more than 16,000 residential and 21,000 distance students. About 1100 residential and 1500 distance students are expected to graduate this year. The cake was decorated as a Defence Long Service Medal ribbon. – FLTLT Rob Dias
HAPPY BIRTHDAY: 28SQN’s youngest member Leena Clark, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown and Commanding Officer 28SQN WGCDR Karen Ashworth cut the cake celebrating the squadron’s 30th birthday. Photo: CPL Guy Young
Keeps you switched on
25September 26, 2013RCEAIR F Flightline
GOOD TO GO: Above, FSGT Craig Holz, of RAAF Base Richmond, secures F-111 aircraft A8-130 before its flight to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii aboard a C-17A Globemaster. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson
ON OPS: Right, FLTLT Emma Archibald, Executive Officer of the Force Support Unit based at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. Photo: CPL Mark Doran
CONCENTRATION: Below, CPL John Davidson, of 84WG Detachment A, completes a training scenario on the 285SQN familiarisation trainer during a confined space entry course. Photo: CPL Amanda Campbell
MAKING WAY: Above, LAC Kieran Bligh, of 84WG Detachment A, communicates with a teammate inside the C-130J trainer during a confined space entry course with 285SQN. Photo: CPL Amanda Campbell
STOCK CHECK: Right, CPL Helen Russell, of the Aerospace Operational Support Group, checks stock levels in the warehouse. Photo: LAC David Cotton
ON THE JOB: AC Toby Dawson, of 92WG’s Engine Buildup Section, lockwires a fuel shut-off valve on a fuel control unit. Photo: CPL Colin Dadd
26 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FAir Force Improvement
Now available on Online Services
Permanent, Course and Transit
139 342 www.dha.gov.au/LIA
Living In Accommodation
Stepping upAir Force improvement (AFi) has developed its first Lean Six Sigma “Green Belt” and “Black Belt” consultants who can help units and commanders solve problems and eliminate waste.
At its most basic level, Lean Six Sigma relates to eliminating waste – a core AFi role is to support units through basic improvements, clearing out obvious waste, and identifying further opportunities for improvement.
Deputy Director AFi WGCDr David Honeyman said the AFi team had assisted units with business and strategic planning, and supported commanders and their teams through their change programs.
“Critically, we have provided train-ing and skills to unit members and commanders, directly through AFi practitioner courses and indirectly through AFi content on profession-al military education and training courses,” WGCDr Honeyman said.
“Our current business model of providing not just training, but also skills and experience, is now starting to pay dividends.
“As a result, many people in Air Force now have the bit firmly between their teeth. We have moved well beyond painting floors and general clean-up and are now tackling fundamental improvements to units and organisations.”
HERE TO HELP: Brett Morrison, the OIC of the Air Force Improvement team at RAAF Base Williams, is one of two Lean Six Sigma “Black Belt” consultants within Air Force able to help units and commanders eliminate waste. Photo: AFI
As uni t s ’ capabi l i t i es have improved, the skills and experience of the supporting AFi teams has also developed.
“Several AFi team members have now had sufficient improvement experience to be awarded Green Belt status as improvement leaders, with two people achieving the more advanced Black Belt status,” WGCDr Honeyman said.
SQNLDr Mia Clapton is one of these people and said she was regularly told of previous changes that did not stick or did not lead to an improvement.
“Now, our more experienced and accredited consultants help unit commanders get to the crux of the problem, and help them identify
an improvement that will have real effect,” SQNLDr Clapton said.
“The key is understanding the actual problem rather than the symptom.”
Brett Morrison, who leads the AFi team at rAAF Base Williams, is also a Black Belt consultant and said AFi now had a stronger ability to help commanders establish effective and sustainable outcomes to complex problems.
“We can also help units and commanders grasp the cross-bound-ary issues that have plagued previous change programs,” Mr Morrison said.
For more information visit the AFI website at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/AFI/comweb.asp?page=103793
‘Critically, we have provided training and skills to unit members and commanders, directly through AFI practitioner courses and indirectly through AFI content on professional military education and training courses.
– WGCDR David Honeyman, Deputy Director Air Force Improvement
27September 26, 2013RCEAIR F Justice
CAPT Scott Ritchie Director Military Discipline Law
ALTHOUGH many alleged breaches of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 (DFDA) are heard by sum-mary authorities, in such hearings members also have the opportunity to elect to have their charge heard at a higher level – either courts martial or Defence Force Magistrate (DFM).
During a summary authority hearing, an election can occur at the beginning of dealing with a charge (called an upfront election), or during the trial itself (called an in-trial election).
Whether an election is available will depend on the offence and the rank of the accused.
Upfront elections must be given for all charges being faced by members at or above the rank of wing commander.
However, for members below that rank, an upfront election can only be offered for charges other than a Schedule 1A DFDA offence or a prescribed offence.
In-trial elections can only be
offered by commanding officers or superior summary authorities where the member has not been offered an upfront election.
It can only be offered where the member is of the rank of squad-ron leader or below, the charge is a Schedule 1A offence, and the summary authority considered it appropriate to impose an elective punishment if the member was convicted of the charge.
Any member offered an election is generally provided 24 hours to make their decision, and is also given the opportunity to obtain legal advice.
An election to have the charge heard by a higher authority can be withdrawn by the member at any time before the trial date.
Where a matter is heard by courts martial or DFM, a greater range of punishments, such as imprisonment, become available.
However, the offer of an upfront or in-trial election also allows for an expanded range of punishments to be available to the summary authority in the event that the member does not elect.
ORRestricted Court MartialOne charge of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm – DFDA s 61(3) and Crimes Act 1900 ACT) s 20(1)Two charges of assault on service land – DFDA s 33(a) (one in the alternative)One charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm – DFDA s 61(3) and Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) s 24(1) (in the alternative)The member was accused of recklessly assaulting another member by punching them in the head, causing injury. The member pleaded not guilty but was found guilty of one charge of assault on service land and fined $880.
NCODefence Force MagistrateOne charge of knowingly making a false or misleading statement in relation to an application for a benefit – DFDA s 56(1)One charge of recklessly making a false or misleading statement in relation to an application for a benefit – DFDA s 56(4) (statutory alter-native) The member was accused of knowingly making a false or misleading statement by sending an email relating to a benefit for completing a course
that had not actually been completed. The member pleaded not guilty and was found not guilty, but found guilty of the statutory alterna-tive charge. The member forfeited seniority.
NCODefence Force MagistrateOne charge of prejudicial conduct – DFDA s 60(1)The member was accused of sending a parcel through the Defence logistics system that contained non-itemised con-tents. The member pleaded guilty, was found guilty and severely reprimanded.
ORDefence Force Magistrate13 charges of misuse of a Commonwealth credit card – DFDA s 61(3) and Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 s 60(1)The member was accused of obtaining Commonwealth funds totalling $8110.75 when not authorised to do so. The member pleaded not guilty but was found guilty. The member was dismissed from the ADF and sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment, but to be released upon entering into a recognisance order to the sum of $2000 and be of good behaviour for two years. The member was also ordered to pay reparation totalling $8248.14 in a lump sum.
ORDefence Force MagistrateOne charge of prejudicial conduct – DFDA s 60(1)One charge of using insult-ing language – DFDA s 26(2)The member was accused of using insulting, offensive and inappropriate language in the presence of others, including a superior officer. The mem-ber pleaded guilty, was found guilty and sentenced to 28 days’ detention for each of the two charges, with both punish-ments suspended.
ORDefence Force MagistrateOne charge of engaging in insubordinate conduct – DFDA s 26(1)One charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm – DFDA s 61(3) and Crimes Act (ACT) s 24One charge of assaulting another person in a public place – DFDA s 33(a)The member was accused of using inappropriate language in the presence of a superior officer, and assaulting other members by punching them in the face. The member pleaded not guilty and was found not guilty of engaging in insubordi-nate conduct, but guilty of the others charges. The member was sentenced to detention for 49 days (one charge) and 35 days (second charge).
Election options availableAUGUST TRIAL RESULTS
Note: All Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate trial results are subject to command review and appeal. The results published are of trials across the ADF.
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YOUR STORY
If you have an interesting story to tell, get in touch with Air Force News and get it in print.Contact the editorial team by email at
raafnews@defencenews. gov.au
RCEAIR F
CHOICE: ADF members can elect to have their charge heard at a higher level in some instances. Photo: LS Helen Frank
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
embers
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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
28 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FFinance
LOW interest rates are good when you are paying interest on a mortgage, but not so good if you are saving for your first
home. The Reserve Bank of Australia
sets the cash interest rate, which is reviewed every month. The cash rate is the rate charged on overnight loans between banks.
It is used by the Reserve Bank to set monetary policy (that is, it raises or lowers interest rates each month to help control the economy).
Credit providers such as banks set their own rates and can choose to increase or decrease the rate in line with the cash rate.
The business needs of each credit provider influence the rate they set for home loans and deposits.
Home loansIf you are about to buy a home,
you may be thinking about fixing your home loan rate because of the low interest rates.
You need to weigh up the advan-tages and disadvantages of this.➤ Makes budgeting easier – You
know exactly what you are repay-ing. This contrasts with a variable rate loan where your repayments vary as rates change.
➤ Rate rises don’t matter – If inter-est rates rise above your fixed rate,
you will be happy knowing you are paying less than the variable rate.
➤ Rate drops will annoy you – If rates go down below your fixed rate, you will be repaying more than the variable rate and you will not ben-efit from the rate drop.
➤ Can you make extra repayments? – Extra loan repayments are often not allowed if you have a fixed rate, or may only be allowed with a fee.
➤ Break fees – Fixed rate loans may also have a break fee if you change or pay off your loan within the set period; for example, if you sell your home.Another option is to fix 50 per cent
of your loan and keep 50 per cent as
variable. This means you can manage some of the risk of rate rises while still being able to make extra repayments.
Savings accountYou may be concerned about low
rates if you are saving for your first home.
If so, consider a savings account that will offer higher interest rates than a transaction account.
To decide which account is best for you, compare the features, including the interest rate, how regularly you receive the interest and how long any honeymoon or introductory interest rate applies, minimum and maximum account balances, account keeping
fees, what interest you lose if you withdraw money and what rewards you get if you deposit money regu-larly.
Shop around for the best deal. You can find information online at credit providers’ websites and comparison sites.
Another option is a first home saver account. They earn high interest and you get a government bonus to put towards your deposit. However, make sure you understand the restrictions before you open one.
Visit www.moneysmart.gov.au for more tips and tools.
With interest rates at an all-time low, Australian Securities and Investment Commission chairman Greg Medcraft explains how to take advantage.
Homing in on interest ‘Consider a savings
account that will offer higher interest rates than a transaction account.
–
Photo: LS Helen Frank
29September 26, 2013RCEAIR F Health
As spring returns, so too does the impact of working, training and exercising in the increasing heat. With this in mind, LT Rob Orr looks at the importance of hydration.
DEHYDRATION is the lack of sufficient water in the human body. Water is necessary for energy production, the
removal of waste products and, most importantly, internal heat regulation (temperature control).
Some water facts➤ For every hour of exercise you can
lose two to three litres of water.➤ Adults need around 2.5 to three
litres of water a day. This intake comes from metabolism (about 10 per cent), solid foods (about 30 per cent) and drinking water/fluid (about 60 per cent).
➤ With about 30 per cent of fluid intake coming from food, it has been claimed that in 37 per cent of Americans, the thirst mecha-nism is so weak that it is very often mistaken for hunger.
➤ Water helps to maintain healthy body weight by increasing metabo-lism and regulating appetite.
➤ The basic symptoms of dehydration are thirst, dry mouth, nausea, light-headedness, difficulty concentrating, confusion and disorientation.
Factors affecting dehydration➤ Diuretics: Drinks like alcohol and
caffeine have a diuretic effect caus-ing an increase in urine output and loss of water.
➤ Weather and humidity: As the prime mechanism for heat loss dur-ing exercise is through the evap-oration of sweat off the skin, the more humid the weather, the less the evaporation and the less effective sweat is at cooling the body.
➤ Clothing: Clothing with poor breathability can create a microcli-mate and can lead to an increased risk of heat illness.
➤ Activities that restrict heat loss: Cycling and swimming both impede the cooling effectiveness of the body. Cycling blows sweat from the skin, hindering the primary means of heat loss when exercising (this is why, when you stop at the traf-fic lights and there is no longer a cycling-induced air flow, you sud-denly become drenched in sweat).Being immersed in water and conducting exercise can likewise impede conduction and reduce heat transfer from the body.
How to hydrate during the day➤ Every time you rinse out your cup
just after a cup of coffee, fill it with water and have a drink.
➤ Have a bottle full of water on your desk. You will be amazed at how much extra water you will drink daily.
How to hydrate when exercising➤ Ensure you are hydrated before
beginning to exercise.➤ Drink 100-200ml of water every
10-15 minutes of exercise.➤ Drink cool water as this is more pal-
atable and, by reducing the tempera-ture of the stomach, fluid flow from the stomach to the small intestine is increased.
➤ Continue to drink water well after your session is finished.
Next edition: Maintaining the electro-lyte balance.
Lt Rob Orr is a former Army PtI and now a reservist and Assistant Professor at the Bond Institute of Sport and Health.
KEEP THE FLUIDS UP: Drink 100-200ml of water every 10-15 minutes of exercise. Photo: LS Helen Frank
Just add water
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30 September 26, 2013RCEAIR FSp rt
John Martin
WITH batsmen CPL Adam Bosworth and LAC Kaleb Tymko showing some fine form for the Australian Services Cricket Association (ASCA) at a Twenty20 tournament in August, Air Force has reason for confidence going into the triservice competition in Canberra in November.
“I think the Air Force have a hot chilli chance of winning,” CPL Bosworth said.
Air Force was knocked out by eventual winner Pakistan Joint Services in the semi-finals of the In te rna t iona l Defence Cr icke t Challenge in Canberra last November, so is not too far off the pace.
The ASCA team, which played in Brisbane for the International Cricket Council Asia Pacific Rising Stars Trophy from August 12-17, includ-ed three RAAFies – FLTLT Jarrod Moxey, CPL Bosworth and LAC Tymko. CPL Ricky Mace and LAC Kevin Chapman were unavailable.
FLTLT Moxey said ASCA acquit-ted itself well despite being up against some very good opposition.
“Good batting towards the last half of the tournament from Boz (CPL Bosworth), Timmy (LAC Tymko) and the guys was nearly enough to get us across the line, which shows ASCA wasn’t outclassed,” FLTLT Moxey said.
Blazing batsmen
The other teams were Papua New Guinea (PNG), which is ranked 19th in the world and used the tournament as a warm-up for its World Cup Qualifier in Dubai later this year, the Australian indigenous development squad and a team from the East Asia/Pacific region, which consisted of players from Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, PNG and Japan.
ASCA fell only 38 runs short against eventual winner PNG after chasing a big total.
Then it came out blazing against the highly regarded Australian Indigenous Team, first restricting the opposition to only 104 runs from the 20 overs, then making easy work of the run chase.
Unfortunately, the result was reversed against the same team in the play-off for third spot.
The Australian Indigenous Team made 141.
In reply, ASCA lost two quick
wickets before CPL Bosworth and captain SGT Ian Roberts came togeth-er and made a 64-run stand.
When CPL Bosworth fell for 43, LAC Tymko belted 25 from 11 balls, which left ASCA needing 24 runs in 24 balls to win.
Unfortunately, ASCA lost its final seven wickets for only 11 runs to lose by nine.
CPL Bosworth, who also scored a quickfire 25 from 12 balls in another game and ended the competition with five wickets, came third in the player of the tournament rankings.
That was particularly pleasing for him after both ankle and elbow surgery last year.
The men’s national triservice com-petition will be held in Canberra from November 19-27.
For the first time it is hoped a women’s competition will be run from November 22-27.
Representative combined services (male and female) matches will be held from November 27-30.
If you interested in representing Air Force men at this year’s carnival, email [email protected] interested in the women’s competi-tion can get more information at the ASCA website at http://ascacricket.com.au/index.php/nationals-w or email [email protected]
TAKE THAT: LAC Kayeb Tymko, above, and FLTLT Jarrod Moxey. Photos: International Cricket Council East
Asia Pacific regional office
AIR Force has won the South Australian men’s interservice touch football championships at RAAF Base Edinburgh for the second year.
Air Force, which last year ended 10 years of domination by APS teams, went through this year’s tournament undefeated.
It beat Army A 5-3, APS 7-3 and Army B 6-2.
The tournament was the cul-mination of two days of touch action at the base on August 22 and 23 involving about 120 Defence employees from across the state.
On day one, nine inter-unit teams, including five from Air Force, competed for the 4th Military District trophy.
The Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit beat Army’s 16 Air Land Regiment side 3-2 in the final.
On day two, four men’s teams and two women’s teams competed in the interservice champion-ships. Army won the women’s title by beating defending cham-pion Air Force in both games, 1-0 and 3-2.
The Defence Health Eagles are look-ing for non-Defence players to assist in forming a women’s team. For more details, contact Defence Health Eagles manager Brice Mitchell at [email protected]
SQNLDR Ken Gilbert held on to win the South Australian combined services golf championship at Clare Golf Club in the Clare Valley on September 9 and 10.
He scored 81 in his first 18 holes to take a three-stroke lead into day two.
“The rough was very long and if you didn’t hit the fairway off the tee, it wasn’t hard to lose your ball,” SQNLDR Gilbert said.
Not being able to find the fairway was nearly SQNLDR Gilbert’s downfall during the second round, which almost resulted in him squandering his overnight lead.
But he managed to finish with an 88 to secure the trophy by two shots.
This was the eighth year SQNLDR Gilbert, who plays off a handicap of seven, had contested the competition.
He has won other prizes in previous years, including Air Force champion, but this was his first overall victory.
Winner of the handicap trophy was WOFF Steve Shuck who will now represent South Australia at the Defence national championships in Canberra in December.
Rough day but it’s the trophy at last
SOCCER players wish-ing to contest the inter-service championship from November 2-8 have until October 11 to register interest with FLTLT Ben Cowan at [email protected]
Soccer deadline
Finding touch once again
TODAYTOMORROWBEYOND
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NOW FOR THE ADF TITLESDespite having ankle and elbow surgery last year, CPL Adam Bosworth, pictured, was one of the Australian Services Cricket Association’s best players at a Twenty20 tournament in August – and he says Air Force has reason for confidence going into the triservice competition in Canberra in November.
