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Vol. 52, No. 6, April 15, 2010 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

RCEAIR FFF

Full story P2

The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Forc

RR FF

CAPT Joe Nyhan

WHEN the suspected illegal entry vessel known as SIEV 36 explod-ed near Ashmore Island in April last year, seven members of the Air Force found themselves at the centre of the tragedy.

They were immediately called upon to play key roles in the res-cue and medical repatriation that followed.

Only now, after the conclu-sion of the Northern Territory Coroner’s Inquest into the explo-sion and deaths of five Afghan men, can the full story regarding the incredible actions of the Air Force personnel be told.

Specialist medical assistant CPL Sharon Jager was on board SIEV 36 fulfilling her dual role as a Transit Security Element (TSE) member when the vessel explod-ed. CPL Jager was blown into the sea from the rear of the SIEV.

Continued Page 2

AMAZING COURAGE

SPECIAL BOND: Left, Air Force medics and good friends CPL Sharon Jager and FLTLT Jo Darby are proud and relieved to be together again a year after being caught in the centre of the tragic SIEV 36 explosion at Ashmore Reef (below). Above, they treat one of the survivors aboard HMAS Childers on that fateful day. Their incredible actions not only saved many lives, but forged an even stronger bond between them. Photos: LSIS Helen Frank and LCDR Brett Westcott

SIEV 36 DRAMA: THE UNTOLD AIR FORCE STORY

PS IN FOCUS: MIDDLE EAST P3-6 OP RESOLUTE P15

Actions recognised

CPL Sharon Jager will soon be awarded a CDF Commendation for her actions on that day. A number of other awards will also be pre-sented, including a Chief of Joint Operations Group Commendation to the Patrol Boat crews of Ardent Four and Assail Two.

2 News April 15, 2010

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From Page 1

Watching events unfold from HMAS Childers was medical officer FLTLT Joleen Darby, who immedi-ately feared the worst.

“I saw the boat explode, knowing my good friend Sharon was on board, along with eight other ADF person-nel,” she said. “I didn’t know whether they were dead or alive.”

FLTLT Darby had to put her immediate fears and grief aside. As the only doctor on scene, she knew there would be seriously injured peo-ple needing her help immediately.

She went straight from the bridge of Childers to the quarterdeck where badly burned survivors were already being plucked from the sea. With no more than a small backpack contain-ing basic medical supplies, she began triaging and treating survivors, turning that part of the patrol boat into a hos-pital and ordinary sailors into nurses. It would be nearly 15 minutes before she would know the fate of CPL Jager and the other ADF members who were on the SIEV when it exploded.

Back in the water, CPL Jager was fighting for her life. Her life vest did not properly inflate and, with an Afghan man trying to climb over her to be rescued, she may have drowned if not for the actions of the Navy RHIB (rigid hulled inflatable boat) crew who dragged her on board their boat. The Afghan man was subse-quently rescued.

The RHIB coxswain, AB Adrian Medbury, told the Coroner that CPL Jager’s head was only just above the water and she looked terrified. The RHIB bowman, AB Quinton Boorman, described the desperation to save CPL Jager as being like rescuing someone from his own family, such are the bonds developed when Army and Air Force personnel combine with the Navy’s patrol boat crews on Operation Resolute.

It was nearly a quarter of an hour before all ADF members were accounted for and, remarkably, 47 civilians were rescued within the same period. But there was no time for cel-ebration. Two Afghan men were still missing, their bodies never recovered, and others had suffered horrific burns.

With the closest hospital in Darwin, more than a day’s sail away, FLTLT Darby told the Childers CO, LCDR Brett Westcott, they didn’t have a day. She feared at least 10 patients would die if they did not reach hospital within hours.

In conjunction with Headquarters Northern Command, a permanently positioned tanker just 90 minutes from the site of the explosion was contacted and asked to assist. Significantly, that ship, Front Puffin, had a heli-deck and was located within helicopter range of the mainland. Despair turned to hope as both Childers and Albany made best speed towards Front Puffin.

Despite her terrible ordeal in her very first SIEV boarding, and ignoring her own injuries, CPL Jager immedi-ately went to work, moving between Childers and Albany to treat survivors and showing the crews of both patrol boats what they needed to do to keep people alive and as comfortable as possible. Many have described the scene as organised chaos, the smells

and sounds forever etched in their memories.

FLTLT Darby recalls CPL Jager looking immaculate and not the least bit flustered, despite what had just happened to her, and their CO said both women exhibited leadership way beyond their experience levels in the aftermath of the explosion.

“CPL Jager was an inspirational medic whose role was central to the success of the rescue effort,” LCDR Westcott said.

“Many more lives would have been lost if it were not for the efforts of CPL Jager and FLTLT Darby over a prolonged period.

“FLTLT Darby turned sailors into nurses and the quarterdeck of Childers into a hospital ward. Her presence and actions were central to the saving of the lives of those who were rescued from the water with horrific injuries.”

The most seriously injured Priority 1 casualties were taken on board Childers and subsequently transferred to Front Puffin in a painstaking opera-tion; using a crane to lift people up the side of the massive tanker. Leaving Childers behind, Albany made for Darwin with the remainder of the casualties.

As events at sea were unfold-ing, back in Darwin the 92WG Detachment Commander, SQNLDR Stephen Parsons, received a phone call not long after standing down his AP-3C crew following a night mis-sion. He was told medical supplies were needed urgently for emergency air drop.

A frenetic operation immediately swung into gear. An aircraft was read-ied for flight, crew members recalled to duty and a dash to Robertson Barracks made to gather stocks of

pain killers, burns dressings and medi-cal consumables.

The Orion launched with SQNLDR Parsons at the controls. To save time, the heli-boxes and emergency supplies for aerial delivery were assembled and packed mid-flight with the aid of vol-unteers. The aircraft arrived on station overhead Front Puffin just as Childers and Albany were approaching. Over the next 90 minutes, flying 50 metres (150ft) above the water, the AP-3C crew dispatched 18 heli-boxes contain-ing life-saving supplies. The cardboard tubes were recovered from the ocean by RHIBs.

At the completion of the airdrop, in a short but moving radio broadcast, LCDR Westcott spoke directly to SQNLDR Parsons, his words and tone giving some insight into the emotions on board Childers at the time and a sense of the incredible bonds that the

three services of the ADF can form in times of crisis.

“[Thank you for] your sensational effort this afternoon; it’s been a long day for us as I’m sure it has been for you. Your efforts are well appreci-ated. I wish you good luck with the remainder of your tasking and will remember this day.”

WGCDR Sandra Riley led part of the Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME) retrieval effort involving C-17A and C-130 aircraft. WGCDR Riley said that when the airborne critical care and AME teams took over they were amazed the injured were in much bet-ter condition than expected, consider-ing the conditions those on the patrol boats were working under.

“What they achieved was nothing short of incredible. It would have been unbelievably difficult to treat so many seriously injured people at once with the supplies they had available, but through the judicious use of equipment they did a marvellous job under the most austere conditions imaginable.

“The efforts of those who provided care in the immediate aftermath of the explosion ensured our job was made much easier during the AME from the Top End to hospitals in the southern parts of Australia.”

One year on and all involved take pride in the fact that every person pulled alive from the water survived. FLTLT Darby, CPL Jager and the other six Air Force mem-bers who were involved that day now share an unspoken bond that only they and those who were there can understand.

See Page 15 for more on Op Resolute.

Story of heroics revealed

SHARED MEMORIES: CPL Sharon Jager and FLTLT Jo Darby were praised for “exhibiting leadership way beyond their experience levels in the aftermath of the explosion”. Photo: LSIS Helen Frank

THAT TERRIBLE DAY: Above, an AP-3C flies over Front Puffin as HMAS Childers transfers survivors to the ship. Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey Below, CPL Jager (back) and FLTLT Darby treat survivors aboard Front Puffin. Photo: LCDR Brett Westcott

RCEAIR FF

3 April 15, 2010

LAC Aaron Curran

WHEN C-130 A97-440 returned to the United Arab Emirates from a Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME) of wounded Australian soldiers from the 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) in Afghanistan on March 19, its crew-members got quite a surprise.

They learnt that their flight brought up a milestone for the ubiquitous workhorses – 20,000 flying hours since the detachment started in 2003.

The pilot of A97-440, FLTLT Glen Foster, said the achievement was a credit not only to the aircrew, but to the maintainers that keep the C-130s in the air.

“You won’t see another Air Lift Group asset reach this many hours in the MEAO (Middle East Area of Operations), that’s for sure,” FLTLT Foster said.

The crew of A97-440 did not know that they broke the mark until they landed.

“We were lucky to be the ones airborne when the milestone was reached,” FLTLT Foster said.

“20,000 hours is an indication of just how many rotations some of our people have done.

“We have some loadmasters here on their fifth rotation in the MEAO. They have always done their job with-out fuss or fanfare.”

Executive Officer of the C-130 detachment, SQNLDR Sarah Stalker, said during the past six months the Detachment’s mission success rate had been more than 95 per cent.

“An increased rate of proactive maintenance by the ground crew has provided us with a full complement of aircraft more times than not,” she said.

“That usually means three out of three aircraft available every day. The people who crew the Hercs can do up to 18 hours per day.”

In a cruel twist, A97-440 was itself ‘wounded’ after picking up the five MTF-1 casualties and suffered pro-

LAC Aaron Curran

WITH A97-440 playing its part, ADF medical and aircrew personnel again proved their capabilities with the Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME) of wounded Australian soldiers from Afghanistan.

The members o f the 1s t Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) were wounded in an IED strike on their Bushmaster on March 16 in Chora, Oruzgan province.

Shortly after, the C-130 from the UAE took off with medical person-nel onboard.

FLGOFF Jason Lynam, FLTLT Brenda Morgan, FLTLT Al Turner, LTCOL Geoff Matthews and CMDR Simon Winder all played a role in their safe return.

Senior Medical Officer of the Australian Medical Facility in the UAE, FLTLT Carmel Newitt, said FLTLT Morgan – OIC of the AME mission – and LTCOL Matthews were already at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) conducting training.

“Initially the casualties were taken to the medical facility at Tarin Kowt (TK) and three were moved to KAF for CAT scans and further investigation,” she said.

“LTCOL Matthews then went forward to TK to prepare the other two for movement.”

Two members were cleared of significant injuries and were returned to their unit, while another

AME went like clockwork

Celebrating 20,000

peller damage. It was subsequently repaired and the aircraft returned to Australia as part of its scheduled rota-tion.

The C-130s are only allocated 3000 hours per year and can average up to 50 flying hours per week.

“When we do a big rotation in and out of Afghanistan, whether MTF or SOTG (Special Operations Task Group), we have to use two aircraft per day,” SQNLDR Stalker said

Much to the delight of ADF per-sonnel on the ground, the C-130s

will remain a common sight in the skies above the Middle East, contin-uing their excellent record in tactical airlift.

On March 24, the detachment cele-brated the achievement in Aussie style – with steaks on the barbecue at dusk.

AME personnel moved: 2308Personnel transported: 140,737Missions: 3195Sorties: 11,301Cargo (lbs): 68,260,852Total hours (as of March 22): 20,007

HERC LOG

SURPRISE ACHIEVEMENT: Crew members who brought the Hercules fleet’s flying hours to more than 20,000 in the MEAO. Front, from left, loadmaster SGT Andrew Travers and aircraft captain FLTLT Glen Foster. Rear, from left, co-pilot FLTLT Chuck Baylis, loadmaster FSGT Stu Wilson and co-pilot FLTLT Alex White. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran

WELCOME FACES: At the airbase’s medical facility in the UAE, from left, LTCOL Geoff Matthews, FLTLT Brenda Morgan and FLTLT Carmel Newitt. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran

was evacuated to Landstuhl Medical Facility in Germany by nursing officer FLGOFF Lynam.

The flight back to the UAE on March 19 also had returning ADF personnel on board.

“When we landed, the soldiers on board were the first ones to jump up and offer to help with the litters,” FLGOFF Newitt said.

For loadmaster SGT Andrew Travers, it was his second AME in 12 months. “The guys were in good spirits, laughing and joking with their mates, taking photos and giving hand-shakes as they said goodbye,” he said.

“We had a lot of help putting them on the aircraft from the AME person-nel that were with us. When the doctor said they were right to be moved we did it steadily and slowly.”

The loadmasters and pilots knew about the upcoming AME the night

before and configured the aircraft accordingly. It only takes them about half an hour to set the aircraft up for the task.

After landing back at the Australian base, the patients were transported into a Canadian ambu-lance and taken to the new medical facility there which had been open for only two months.

The AME was the first time that facility had been used in a 24-hour capacity, so it was a good test for all involved.

“It was a really good response, not just from the medical staff, but from the entire base,” FLTLT Newitt said.

On March 19, an AME team from 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron arrived from Australia to help with the repatriation of the five soldiers. They left for home on March 21.

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4 April 15, 2010

LAC Aaron Curran

AIR FORCE assets are finally together on the ground in the Middle East after the move of the C-130 Detachment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was completed in December.

The AP-3C Orion Detachment has been at an airbase in the UAE since 2003 and after a few months of transi-tion, the C-130s are now in place and continuing their excellent record of service.

Due to their completely different roles – C-130s are tactical airlift; the Orions are Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) – they do not rely on each other for opera-tional support.

Where they do meet is at the coal face – the maintainers and their equip-ment on the ground.

AP-3C Shift Boss B Spider Maintenance FSGT Neil Pinker said the extra equipment brought by the C-130 maintainers was a bonus for his personnel.

“The key points are commonality with their Ground Support Equipment (GSE),” he said.

“We now have a greater stockpile to choose from and versatility in the use of GSE. If either of us needs a particular piece we can source it from each other.”

One area FGST Pinker said that they can look at in the future is air-craft structural fitters, or metal bashers as they are commonly known.

“One thing we are looking at is our metal basher capability,” he said.

“The Orions have one on each shift, whereas the Hercs have one covering three shifts; maybe we can have a central metal bashing shop for all.”

Deputy Australian Air Component Commander in the MEAO, WGCDR John Young, said the logistics advan-tages cannot be understated.

“We have consolidated our efforts and removed duplication by having the two detachments here,” he said.

“Instead of Air Force assets being scattered around the MEAO, we have everything here. Having a bigger air component footprint in this location is good for us.”

He said it was not an easy job moving the C-130s to the UAE, but

Hercs and Orions join forceswhen they started to arrive, the base was well and truly ready to receive them. “Everyone now operates in a

common location,” WGCDR Young said. “So if you need to know some-thing you can literally just walk down

the hall.”One of the challenges

faced by the co-location of the Orions and Hercs is space. There is limited space cur-rently on offer at the airbase. Australian, coalition part-ners and contractors all use the runway and many airfield facilities.

Ramp space is tight. “The last Herc can sometimes block access to the new hangar,” FSGT Pinker said.

“They don’t work the

same times as us, so we have to ring them up to ask them to move their aircraft. If you move one, usually you have to move them all. It’s like hav-ing to move the Cortina to move the Kingswood to get the Torana. But we work around it to get the job done.”

WGCDR Young agreed that the space is an issue and at the start it was a little dysfunctional.

“We operate on a very, busy piece of ground with coalition aircraft and our own,” he said.

“But we have a positive working relationship with them and that makes things work.”

He said even with that issue, they all have a common aim – to get air-

craft in the air and back safely, and on time. “The Orions are the great unsung achievers,” WGCDR Young said.

“They may fly for 10 hours, and what they do in those 10 hours is quite incredible.”

In relation to the C-130s, he said with only three aircraft in theatre, the level of cargo they move is dispropor-tionate.

“They are very efficient at what they do,” he said. “Our Orions and Hercs are all doing great work and not dropping missions.

“We have the foundations of a very functional airbase here – it is not there yet, but it’s very close.”

‘ We have a positive working relationship with

them and that makes things work – WGCDR John Young

SHARING AND CARING: FSGT Neil Pinker, left, the AP-3C Shift Boss B Spider Maintenance, and FSGT Gavin Nott, the maintenance coordinator for the C-130 Detachment, on the flightline in the UAE. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran

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5 April 15, 2010

LAC Aaron Curran

ASKING an eskimo to build a sand castle is something that wouldn’t, on the surface, seem possible.

The same could be said for a nurse leading a major multi-million dollar construction project in the desert – except in this case it did work, and work well.

GPCAPT Geoffrey Robinson, a nursing officer from HQ Joint Operations Command led the HQ Joint Task Force Rebasing Project Team at the Australian base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The AUD $63m rebasing project was completed on March 31 – the Air Force’s birthday.

GPCAPT Robinson and his team of six Air Force and Army personnel took on the monumentous challenge of building a significant amount of infrastructure to allow the relocation of a number of Australian assets in the Middle East to this one location. He pointed out that if it wasn’t for the dynamic, dedicated and profes-sional people who made up the team, none of it would have happened.

“I consider it a privilege to have worked with them,” GPCAPT Robinson said. “I got to know them personally and was guided by their expertise.”

He said the efforts of the project engineers, MAJs John Venz and Lisa Platt, were particularly important.

“We have established an air logistics hub in the Middle East by relocating the C-130s and the Force Support Unit from their previous locations,” GPCAPT Robinson said.

“There only used to be the AP-3C Orion Detachment here on its own, but because it makes more sense to route personnel and stores that will

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Air hub big success

end up in Afghanistan through here, a design for rebasing was done up and costed.”

The rebasing project started in 2008 and many people were involved in how it came together. The project was split up into six work packages they needed to complete.

Work package one was the big-gest and was spread across six pre-cincts. Facilities such as the mess, gym, medical, permanent and tran-sit accommodation was established. There is also a large logistics pre-cinct, new range and facilities to support the air component.

“In mid October, the precincts were still just flat pieces of dirt,” GPCAPT Robinson said.

“Gulf Leighton – a subsidiary of Leighton Holdings (which built HQJOC) – signed the contract in early September.”

He said after moving on to the base, they went to work and at the height of construction there were up to 1200 workers coming and going through the front gate each day.

“The host nation has been very gracious in accommodating our busy schedule,” he said.

The reason for the high work tempo was the contract stipulated

that it be completed in just 81 days.“On a building project of this

size, you’d expect to have at least 180 days,” he said.

“In the end, that is what it took. But we achieved relocation of per-sonnel and capability by January 20 and by late January over 90 per cent of construction was completed.”

Units moved into their new facil-ities while work was still going on around them and the mess served its first meals to hungry personnel on January 26.

“Due to necessity we occupied a number of the new facilities before they were finished,” GPCAPT Robinson said.

“We now have a new 24-hour medical facility and a gym that is as good as anything in Australia and can cater for up to 1000 people over the course of a day.”

At the other end of the base is a new 100m range, movements and warehouse facilities.

GPCAPT Robinson felt hon-oured to be involved such a major construction, and when asked why he was chosen to lead the project, responded: “I guess nurses are par-ticularly versatile people.”

BANG ON TARGET: Members of the Rebasing Project for the Australian base in the UAE at the new firing range. From left, FLGOFF Bryce Harris, MAJ Lisa Platt and GPCAPT Geoffrey Robinson. A significant amount of infrastructure was constructed on base as part of the project. Photos: LAC Aaron Curran

BUSY BEES: ADF personnel watch the construction of new buildings on the base.

RCEAIR FF

Defence Honours and Awards to visit 6 Capital Cities on Anzac Day

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6 April 15, 2010

LAC Aaron Curran

AN AIR FORCE officer in Kabul, Af-ghanistan, is setting up the important role of looking after the increasing number of embedded personnel (em-beds) in the Middle East Area of Op-erations (MEAO).

FLTLT Wayne Donchi, an admin-istration officer (ADMINO) from Canberra, is the first person to take on the position within HQ JTF 633-A.

Initially deployed to Task Unit 633.2.2 at Al Minhad Air Base (AMAB) in the MEAO, FLTLT Donchi was given three days’ notice to move to Kabul to start up the new position.

“They needed a J1 Admin/Pers Officer for HQ Kabul,” he said.

“I never thought I would come to Kabul and I am enjoying it. It is a brand new position that is looking to be manned full-time and it’s important to set the foundations for the people who follow.”

The embeds across Afghanistan currently receive their administrative support through HQ Kabul and the

Setting bar on embeds

implementation of the new J1 position will enhance this capability across Afghanistan. Additionally, the J1 will provide administrative advice and guidance to the HQ in Kabul.

“This position was created to facil-itate the increased support require-ments of the increased number of embeds within theatre placing addi-tional workloads on the current staff,” FLTLT Donchi said.

“It’s going to be a big job.”After travelling from AMAB to

Kabul, FLTLT Donchi moved into ‘Aussie House’, the former HQ in

Kabul. “KAIA will be slightly safer than Aussie House for most of the personnel as the need to drive the streets of Kabul is reduced slightly. The biggest danger to Defence per-sonnel in Kabul is IED strikes and suicide boomers.

“The biggest eye-opener is that this is happening every day throughout the theatre. There is lots of it around and the struggle with the insurgents is a constant threat.”

FLTLT Donchi also has the pres-sure of the new position and dealing with Australia’s coalition partners.

“But its all part of the job and it’s when your training comes to the fore.

“I had never worked in a coalition environment before and dealing with the dynamics of all the coalition part-ners is interesting.”

FLTLT Donchi said if the posi-tion was established full-time it would most likely become an ADMINO spot.

“It is a totally new position so it’s what I make of it.

“A lot of ADMINOS who follow will either thank me or curse me for the work I have done here.”

‘A lot of ADMINOS who follow will either thank me or curse me for the work I have done here.

EVER ALERT: ADMINO FLTLT Wayne Donchi at Aussie House in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran

New home in KabulLAC Aaron Curran

AFTER four years, the ADF’s home in Kabul, Afghanistan, has moved to a new location at Kabul International Airport (KAIA).

It replaces the affectionately known ‘Aussie House’, the headquarters (HQ) in the Green Zone which has served the ADF well.

Due to Australia’s ongoing commit-ment to Afghanistan, a new HQ was need-ed to accommodate the expanding number of personnel who operate from it.

The HQ’s new location at KAIA North, a new multi-national facility at the airport, offers a more traditional environment.

Aussie House served as a HQ, accommodation, mess, recreation area and vehicle park all rolled into one. Personnel of all ranks worked and lived within a very small area.

Deputy Commander JTF 633-Afganistan (JTF 633-A) BRIG Wayne Budd said that the move to KAIA was administratively beneficial for everyone.

“The movements staff will actually be where they work the whole time,” he said.

“They previously had to convoy to the airport to meet aircraft and then come back to Aussie House because all their admin was done there.

“Also the move means we are going to be where the bulk of our people are, therefore reducing some of the adminis-trative burdens on everyone.”

The decision to move was made a few years ago due to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) HQ planning to go to KAIA from its present location in the Green Zone.

Up to 70 ADF personnel will be per-manently stationed at KAIA North.

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7 NewsApril 15, 2010

Fiona van der Plaat

THE future of many veterans’ health care could depend on what the Defence Military Health Out-comes Program (MilHOP) finds when it turns the microscope on tens of thousands of personnel who have been, and will be, deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).

A survey of all members who have served in the Middle East and ongoing pre- and post-deploy-ment physiological tests on future MEAO deployed personnel will be the key to proving a crucial link between illness and deployment.

Professor Sandy McFarlane, principal investigator for the MilHOP studies, said nailing down scientific evidence of this link was critical, both for helping veterans who believe deployment has affect-ed their health and for finding ways of preventing such illness.

“The best evidence comes from studies that begin as close as possi-ble to the deployments of interest, so that is why a major study of the MEAO deployments is about to begin,” he said.

PROF McFarlane, from the Centre for Military and Veterans’ Health at the Universi ty of Adelaide, was also a scientific adviser on studies done after the first Gulf War.

WHILE the Defence workforce might be young and healthy, trauma expert Professor Sandy McFarlane says the ADF is facing the reality that military service exposes people to particular risks to both mental and physical health.

“Dealing with this is very important if it is to maintain the performance of its members,” the chief investigator for the ADF MilHOP (Military Health Outcomes Program) studies says.

MilHOP researchers will start the job of identifying the risks for military personnel by looking for a “baseline measure” of ADF health in a survey to run in conjunction with the MEAO Health studies. This study will look at personnel with military service other than in the MEAO.

Dr Alan Verhagen, a research fellow for the Defence Directorate of Mental Health, is overseeing the survey and says it will analyse the health and wellbeing – and, ultimately,

medical needs – of up to 30,000.“I would not consider we had

finished the job until we had written reports the department can use to tailor resources to all of its people,” he says.

Dr Verhagen says the results will allow comparisons not only between genders, services, roles and ranks within Defence, but with the general population (using results from national surveys). These results will inform future health support systems for Defence.

Middle East focus

He said researchers hoped to discern just how mental and physi-cal factors work “hand in glove” on the immediate and long-term health of deployed personnel.

While psychological conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disor-der and depression can arise from deployment, PROF McFarlane said researchers would look at how pro-longed exposure to high levels of stress can disorganise a person’s physiology, particularly the ability to fight infection.

Physical and environmental factors specific to the Middle East

deployments – mild traumatic brain injury from blasts and the respira-tory effects of constant exposure to dust, for instance – will also be investigated.

PROF McFarlane said the MilHOP studies would build on knowledge gained from past investi-gations, such as those from the Gulf War, Bougainville, Solomon Islands and East Timor and would take a leaf from modern analyses of elite ath-letes.

“Work done with Olympic ath-letes has shown that improving per-formance depends on careful sci-

entific studies of physiological and psychological factors.”

And this is why well members are just as important to the MilHOP studies as people with health con-cerns.

“If you are a fit and healthy mem-ber of the ADF, you might think such studies have no relevance to you,” he said.

“But the best way to help your mates is for you to be involved. We need to understand what keeps peo-ple healthy just as much as we need to find what exposures make people sick.”

MilHOP: Beyond the MEAO

Support reform for our future: CAFChief of Air Force AIRMSHL Mark Binskin

MORE than 300 members of the Defence Senior Leadership Group and I met to discuss Defence moving forward under the Strategic Reform Program (SRP) on March 31.

Led by Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner, CDF ACM Angus Houston and Secretary of Defence Dr Ian Watt, the group considered the chal-lenges of delivering future capability and the importance of SRP improvements succeeding right across Defence.

The most important message that emerged from the day was one that Air Force senior leadership has been discuss-ing throughout Air Force for some time now. We can’t have the new equipment, ICT and support infrastructure that is in Force 2030 without the SRP improve-ments, and we can’t have the improve-ments without everyone in Air Force and Defence doing their part.

The Minister said resources wasted were resources lost.

“Achieving Force 2030 in its full potential will not be possible without achieving the SRP in all its dimensions,” Senator Faulkner said.

The CDF and Secretary emphasised that the SRP is the highest priority after support to current operations.

This means working as one team to build a more agile, sustainable and cost-conscious Air Force.

Working in partnership with the other services and Groups, Air Force must transition to new capabilities such as the Super Hornets, KC-30 tankers and Wedgetail and improve support, infra-structure and ICT.

For each of us it means actively reducing waste and using Air Force resources like we really do own them.

Making improvements will be chal-lenging but the rewards are big.

I expect all of us to be involved, to be creative and make the workplace more effective. Remember, in order for Air Force to achieve Force 2030 there is no alternative other than to implement deep and sustainable reforms.

We are all a part of the future whether we’ll be here in 20 years or not.

I am looking to each and every one of us to lead the charge and be supportive of the changes we need to make.

Our Air Force will be capability led, people focused and cost conscious. We will make this happen together and we can lead the way for the rest of Defence.

There will be more information on changes in Air Force in upcoming issues of Air Force News and in a handbook to be released by the end of April.

ON TOP OF IT: Personnel scaling a communications tower for maintenance work in the Middle East. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran

Hercules contract on trackTHE Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has reached an important milestone with industry partner Australian Aerospace and its prime sub-contractor Lockheed Martin in the Through Life Support (TLS) contract for the fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules aircraft.

It has met the C-130J TLS

Operative Date, according to GPCAPT Michael Brown, Officer Commanding Air Lift Systems Program Office.

Australian Aerospace assumed responsibility from March 11 for C-130J platform stewardship, engineering management, logistics management, and aircraft deeper maintenance.

RCEAIR FF

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situation and provide a current rent receipt or tenant payment

history. NOTE: Other supporting documentation may be requested.

It is important you respond to this review as it establishes if there

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affect your Rent Allowance.

Failure to respond by the due date may cause your Rent Allowance to be stopped.

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AN AIR FORCE officer cadet has successfully landed his light aircraft on a Hobart highway after it suffered engine failure on April 4.

The Australian Defence Force Academy’s OFFCDT Pat r ick Humphries, 18, was visiting his fam-ily during the Easter break. A private pilot, he was practising aerobatic manoeuvres in a flying club-owned Victa Airtourer over Ralphs Bay when the engine failed.

Responding calmly and con-fidently, he determined the nearby Brooker Highway was the safest place to put the aircraft down.

“I considered several football fields and had a look at a couple of roads but quickly ruled them out because of the cars on them,” he said.

“When I looked at the Brooker, I noticed that there were no cars on the highway as they were stopped at the traffic lights.”

OFFCDT Humphries manoeu-vred the aircraft beneath an over-pass before his right wing hit a con-crete road divider. The aircraft then clipped a tree and spun before com-ing to rest on an embankment.

Unhurt, but concerned at the risk of causing a car accident, OFFCDT Humphries ran down the road and signalled cars to slow down, redi-recting traffic until police arrived on the scene.

OFFCDT Humphries is studying a Bachelor of Arts degree at ADFA, with the goal of becoming a pilot.

OFFCDT Humphries tells his story to Air Force News next edition.

DEFENCE’S Ministerial team has a new look with the swearing-in on April 1 of Alan Griffin as Minister for Defence Personnel, in addition to his responsibilities as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs.

Greg Combet will retain port-folio responsibility for Defence Materiel and Science.

As the senior Minister, Senator John Faulkner has overall respon-sibility for all matters covered by the Defence portfolio, including Cabinet matters.

Mr Griffin’s Defence Personnel responsibilities will encompass per-sonnel policy, including workforce

planning, recruitment and retention, pay and superannuation, equity and diversity policy, personnel support, housing policy and health.

Responsibilities that remain with Mr Combet are: T h e D e f e n c e M a t e r i e l

Organisation (DMO): tender-ing and contracting; sustainment issues; industry capacity, struc-ture, policy and engagement; skills policy; and equipment dis-posal.

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation.

Specific capability responsi-bilities, including oversight of

DMO involvement in acquisition strategy throughout the capabil-ity approval process; manage-ment of acquisitions after second pass approval; and assisting the Defence Minister on develop-ment of the Defence Capability Plan; Defence Capability Plan programming and budgeting; and processing of unapproved projects up to, and including, second pass stage.Mr Combet will also retain his

responsibilities in terms of repre-senting the Defence Minister in the House of Representatives.

DEFENCE personnel joined relatives of those who died in the Nias accident to remember the Sea King Shark 02 disaster in which nine young ADF lives were lost while on humanitarian duties in Indonesia.

Led by Navy Chaplain Garry Lock, the April 1 service was attended by Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner, CDF ACM Angus Houston, Defence Secretary Dr Ian Watt, CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin, CN VADM Russ Crane, DCN RADM Davyd Thomas and CAPT George McGuire representing HMAS Kanimbla.

Addressing the service, ACM Houston recalled when he first heard of the worst tragedy that befell the ADF in his time as CAF.

ACM Houston honoured the nine men and women and their families. He also recognised the two survivors, Scott Nichols and Shane Warburton.

“Today I must acknowledge that for five years those who were left behind have had to endure life without [their loved ones],” ACM Houston said.

“I also extend my gratitude and esteem to the survivors of this terrible accident. They too have endured five years

of great challenge. Their courage and strength in the face of adversity has been remarkable.

“Today, try as I might, no words of mine will do proper justice to the memory or the many achievements of these outstanding Australians.”

The service ended with the laying of wreaths for those who were lost: SQNLDR Paul McCarthy, LEUT Matthew Davey, LEUT Jonathan King, LEUT Paul Kimlin, LEUT Matthew Goodall, FLTLT Lynne Rowbottom, PO Stephen Slattery, SGT Wendy Jones and LS Scott Bennet.

Griffi n joins Defence ministry

Young pilothits the road in Hobart

NOT FORGOTTEN: Above, CDF ACM Angus Houston salutes after laying a wreath at the Sea King Memorial; top, relatives pay tribute.

Photos: LSIS Phillip Cullinan

NOT FORGOTTEN:

Remembering Nias victims

RCEAIR FF

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CHIEF of Air Force AIRMSHL Mark Binskin has announced the winners of the 2009 Air Force Proficiency and Leader-ship Awards.

The awards recognise the outstanding performance and achievements of Air Force units and personnel and other Defence personnel and ele-ments that project or support air operations over the previ-ous year.

At the same time, CAF announced the winners of the Air Force Safety Awards.

“I congratulate all award winners,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“Your achievements are of the highest order and are in keeping with the finest tradi-tions of the Royal Australian Air Force.”

The awards will be pre-sented to the winners at the Air Force Awards night on May 18 in Canberra. Further details will be released at a later date.

For more information, contact FLTLT Justin Cox on (02) 6265 3669.

Best of 2009 namedAnd the winners are ...

THE RIGHT STUFF: Air Force’s best for 2009 will be congratulated on May 18 at the awards night. Photo: FSGT John Carroll

Air Force Proficiency and Leadership Awards: The Air Force Australian Public

Service (APS) Team Member of the Year Award: Mr Mick Gower, RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The AVM B.A. Eaton Award: CPL Michael Gifford, RAAF Base Richmond.

The AVM Dietz Memorial Quality and Achievement Medallions: SGT Joanne Rankine, RAAF Base Edinburgh and Mr Glen Ridley, RAAF Base East Sale.

Her Majesty The Queen’s Gold Medal: FLTLT Paul Schaper, RAAF Base Pearce.

The J.R. Bartram and R.A. Kee Sword of Honour: LAC Michael Bragg, RAAF Base Williamtown.

The McCarthy, Rowbottom and Jones Memorial Award: WOFF Ian Swney, RAAF Base Richmond.

The Lipshut Family Bursary: CPL Lauren Cunningham, RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The Chief of Air Force Instructor of the Year Award: FLTLT Denis Bergamasco, RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The SQNLDR W.T. Riggs Perpetual Trophy: SGT William Guthrie, RAAF Base Richmond.

The Thales Australia Leadership Sword: FLTLT Paul Schaper, RAAF Base Pearce.

The Warrant Officer of the Air Force Instructor of the Year Award: CPL Christopher Rounsley, RAAF Base East Sale.

The Air Force Association Trophy: No. 26 (City of Newcastle) Squadron.

The Duke of Gloucester Cup: 11SQN, RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The Hawker Siddeley Trophy: 325 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron.

The Markowski Cup: 1 Combat Communications Squadron.

The RAAF Maintenance Trophy: 44WG Detachment Darwin.

The Stonehaven Trophy: Air Movements Training and Development Unit.

Air Force Safety Awards: The Best Solution to an Identified

Workplace Health and Safety Issue: Mr Giuseppe Di Sario, RAAF Base Edinburgh.

The Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety Category 4A: Mr Bruce Hansen, RAAF Base Darwin.

Commended Award: MAJ (then CAPT) Michael Virtue DCO; Mr Bradley Fleming, RAAF Base Edinburgh and SGT Kerryn Oehm,RAAF Base Tindal.

The Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety Category 4B: SGT David Griffiths, RAAF Base Amberley.

Highly Commended Award: FSGT (then SGT) David Jenner, RAAF Base Darwin.

Commended Award: FSGT Kristian Hein, SGT Colin Giles, RAAF Base Amberley.

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THE RELEVANCE of Sun Tzu’s widely-studied analysis of war, the Art of War, came under the microscope at the National Convention Centre in Canberra on March 29 and 30 when the Air Force held its 2010 Air Power Conference (2010APC).

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, strategist and philosopher who is believed to have been born in 544BC and died in 496BC. Sun Tzu’s Art of War presents a philosophy of war for managing conflicts and winning bat-tles that is as relevant today as when it was published.

CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said 2010APC, organised by the Air Power Development Centre, was criti-cal to the development of professional mastery of air power among all air-men.

More than 700 Air Force person-nel attended the conference, along with delegates from a range of coun-tries including Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, China, Vietnam, Thailand, United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand,

JOHN Leeden’s painting The Last Air Strike of World War II was awarded first prize in the art section of the 2010 RAAF Heritage Awards which were announced at the Air Power Conference.

The painting depicts 100SQN con-ducting the last air strike undertaken by any air force in WWII.

The biennial awards, established in 1987, are intended to enhance the Air Force’s historical records by encouraging individuals to produce original artistic and literary works that record and rep-resent the range of Air Force activities since the inception of the RAAF in 1921.

The 2010 awards were very com-petitive with a large number of high quality entries being received in both categories.

The Heritage Awards are judged by CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin, with the assistance of a panel of assessors composed of representatives from the Office of Air Force History, the RAAF Museum and the Australian War Memorial.

The Art first prize carried $5000 winnings.

The Art second prize ($2500) went to Drew Harrison’s painting Nowhere

to Run depicting Mustang fighters of 3SQN pursuing an Italian fighter on Boxing Day, 1944.

AIRMSHL Binskin also awarded a Highly Recommended Certificate to Conway Bown for his painting Commander – RAAF Combat Surgical Team depicting SQNLDR Sharon Cooper RN in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan.

The Literature first prize ($7500) went to Leon Kane-Maguire’s Lost Without a Trace, which tells the story of the service and loss of SQNLDR Wilbur Wackett, the son of famous Australian aircraft designer Sir Lawrence Wackett.

The Literature second prize ($3500) went to Kevin Gogler’s We Never Disappoint: A History of 7 Squadron RAAF 1940-1945, a detailed history of 7SQN during WWII.

The next RAAF Heritage Awards competition will open in 2011, with the winners to be announced at the 2012 Air Power Conference. For further information on the next competition, as well as a look at this year’s entrants and winners, visit the Air Power Development Centre website: www.raaf.gov.au/airpower

Air power looks ahead

Japan, Indonesia and Brunei. Their numbers included 10 foreign Chiefs of Air Force and many former RAAF leaders, including three former Chiefs of Air Force.

The conference focused on four main topics: the role of air power in national security in terms of the 2009 Defence White Paper; the challenges to air power in meeting its full potential in difficult geopo-litical and security environments; the role of air power in irregular warfare; and key air power capa-bility requirements such as space

and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) identified in the 2009 Defence White Paper.

The attendees heard a wide-range of perspectives from a variety of speakers headed by Defence Minister Senator John Faulkner, CDF ACM Angus Houston, and the National Security Advisor, Duncan Lewis.

Senator Faulkner and CDF said the Air Force was transforming from a modern Air Force to a future force char-acterised by fifth-generation air combat aircraft, uninhabited aerial systems, net-worked ISR and global reach.

“The Air Force of today and the air capability it provides is a key compo-nent of operations such as Operation Slipper in the Middle East and, closer to home, ADF operations to respond to the Victorian bushfires, Operation Padang Assist in the wake of the Indonesian earthquake, and Operation Samoa Assist after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami there,” Senator Faulkner said.

ACM Houston said: “If the devel-opments in Air Power in the 21st Century are as dynamic as those of the preceding one, we will witness profound changes in the technology and capabilities of air power and the types of conflicts in which the Air Force will find itself engaged.”

In summarising the conference proceedings, DCAF AVM Geoff Brown said the Air Force needs to: “understand the way conflict, and the critical role of air power within it, has evolved; study current and emerg-ing characteristics of conflicts and the strategies required to prevail in them; have a strategic understanding of the

government’s requirements of the military for Australian national secu-rity; further develop air power-enabled ISR and space capabilities to meet the Future Joint Operating and Future Air and Space Operating Concepts, while at the same time, retaining capability to meet high-end conventional threats.

“The presentations have chal-lenged our perspectives of air power – in particular, where it is now, what its future may be, and the implications for Australia and its Air Force,” AVM Brown said.

The conference included another important task, the launch of a book entitled The Art of Air Power written by Dr Sanu Kainikara of the APDC.

Dr Kainikara’s book is the first to examine Sun Tzu’s the Art Of War and relate it directly to the concepts and theory of air power.

The Art of Air Power is available through the Air Power Development Centre website, http://airpower.airforce.gov.au, and is free for all members of the ADF.

Naming a striking winner

2010 HERITAGE AWARDS

FIRST PRIZE: AIRMSHL Mark Binskin with the Art first prize winner John Leeden and his painting. Photos: FSGT John Carroll

WINNER’S GALLERY: The paintings on display at the conference.

and learns from the past, too

THE EYES HAVE IT: Air Power Conference participants watch and learn. Photo: FSGT John Carroll

RCEAIR FF


AIR FORCE has celebrated its 89th an-niversary on March 31 with a mixture of reflection, ceremonial and entertain-ment.

All bases across Australia held receptions for members, visiting per-sonnel and local dignitaries while RAAF Base Edinburgh also conducted a Flag Party and Chaplain’s service in Adelaide.

All functions included a cake-cut-ting ceremony performed by the senior officer and youngest member.

The significance of the day was not lost on the 14 Air Force person-nel assigned to Operations Astute and Tower in East Timor. They attended a barbecue dinner staged by the Defence Attaché in Dili, GPCAPT Ralph Kettle.

The primary focus, however, was in Canberra where CAF played host to a service at the RAAF Memorial Grove and later a formal reception at the Australian War Memorial.

In his speeches, AIRMSHL Binskin spoke of the challenges of putting a new Air Force together after WWI, and the way it had grown to become the formidable international fighting force it is today.

He also reminded his audiences of the reasons why Air Force celebrates its birthday and the many sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the past, including those who died on active service.

“Celebrating the Air Force’s anni-versary provides us an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of our Air Force,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“It also gives us time to remember the men and women who have served before us – those whose contributions have forged the values and traditions we all hold dear today.

“The historical milestones that we commemorate have a distinct relevance to our Air Force. As in 1940 in Europe and 1950 on the Korean Peninsula, Air Force men and women in the Middle East Area of Operations are once again deployed in a conflict far from our own shores as part of a multi-national coali-tion. An understanding and acknowl-edgement of our history enables us to find examples to which we aspire, and lessons we can draw upon, as we ensure our Air Force meets Australia’s defence and security needs.

“That is the task we continue to commit ourselves to, as we celebrate the Air Force’s 89th birthday and guide our service into the future.”

CAF paid tribute to Air Force’s people over the decades who, “through their professionalism, determination and courage” have made the service the respected force it is today.

“Our growth has been driven by high quality people and it has been in

our people that the Air Force has been well served through the years,” he said.

CAF paid tribute to the determi-nation, courage and sacrifice of Air Force personnel both in the past and today.

“You can see determination in every unit across the Air Force. We saw it in East Timor, in the after-math of the Boxing Day Tsunami, and in the Solomon Islands. Our Air Force men and women are rising to the challenges of war and of natural disaster in places like Afghanistan, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Sudan, and Iraq.

“I mentioned the attribute of courage. I have neither the time nor the words to give due homage to all the members of our Air Force who have shown outstanding courage in the carnage of war and in the sup-posedly quite, safe years of peace.

“I am constantly humbled by the enduring human qualities that our forebears and serving members have brought to the Air Force. Their sac-rifices have made the world a better place and made the Air Force values and traditions elements of real sub-stance; they have also made us into an Air Force that I am very proud to be a part of today,” he said.

Celebrating 89 years of service

THE year 2010 marks some notable milestones in Air Force and Australian aviation history. It heralds the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Australia.

In 1909, early aviation enthusiasts formed the Aerial League of Australia to foster aviation here. It offered a cash prize for the first successful powered flight in Australia and persuaded the government to offer a prize for the first locally-built aircraft.

Harry Houdini won the Aerial League’s prize when, outside Melbourne on March 18, 1910, he took off in a French-built Voisin biplane he imported for the purpose. He remained aloft for more than a minute before landing safely.

Then, in June, an Australian named John Duigan won the government’s prize when he successfully flew in an aircraft he had designed and built himself. In WWI, he served as a flight commander with 3SQN and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry during the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux. 2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the start of aircrew training under the Empire Air Training Scheme, which provided the RAF with aircrew during WWII.

In April 1940, the first Australian aircrew trainees started training under the scheme. During the war 38, 400 men completed basic aircrew training in Australia and three quarters of them served with the RAF, predominately with Bomber Command.

Australia lost 3486 men: nearly 20 per cent of all Australian deaths in combat in the war.

2010 marks the 60th Anniversary of Air Force’s involvement in the Korean War.

On June 25, 1950, 77SQN started combat operations against North Korean forces following the communist invasion of South Korea. Initially equipped with Mustang turbo-prop fighters, as the war progressed, the squadron converted to Australia’s first jet fighter, the Meteor. Korea also marks the last time (to date), the RAAF has engaged in direct aerial combat against an enemy air force.

2010 also marks Air Force’s continued journey in the world of jet aircraft with the arrival of its latest fighter aircraft in the shape of the F/A-18F Rhino.

MILESTONES

POIGNANT: Catafalque Party member LACW Tobi Fischer from Australia’s Federation Guard stands with arms reversed at the RAAF Memorial ceremony. Photo: FSGT John Carroll

PARTY MOOD: From left, CPL Dee Irwin, LACW Amanda Olzard, Dee Wood and CPL Lisa Connors at the RAAF Base Darwin Officers’ Mess. Photo: LAC Glynn Jones

JOINING THE PARTY: Above, CPL Sam McLaughlin, left, here for four months on Exercise Long Look from the Royal Air Force, with LAC Mark Shakes at RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo: ACW Rosaleen Normoyle

TAKING THE CAKE: Left, the birthday cake that looked too good to eat at the Officers’ Mess at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

Photos: LACW Shannon McCarthy

BIG DAY BEGINS: At 8am in Canberra, WOFF-AF JJ Millar took the salute on the behalf of all Australia’s airmen as a 7m x 3.5m Air Force Ensign was raised at Regatta Point. The Ensign raising ceremony signalled the dawn of all Air Force anniversary ceremonies. Air Force personnel from Australia’s Federation Guard ceremonially hoisted the Ensign by hand the full 40 metres of the mast. Photo: FSGT John Carroll

A TOAST: GPCAPT Frank Grigson from Air Command raises a glass at RAAF Base Glenbrook. Photo: AC Christopher Hall

HAPPY LOT: Commander CSG AIRCDRE Noddy Sawade, right, and his wife Aldona with AIRCDRE Mark Gower and his wife Julie in the Officers’ Mess at RAAF Base Amberley.

Photo: ACW Rosaleen Normoyle

RIGHT NOTE: CHAP Yogananda Juste-Constant leads the 89th Air Force Anniversary Commemorative Service at the Cross of Sacrifice in Adelaide.

Photo: ACW Nichola Freeman

RCEAIR FF

FLTLT Skye Smith

SERGEANT BEN Knabe was “hon-oured and humbled” when he was awarded a Head of Aerospace Systems Division (HASD) commendation re-cently.

The commendation was awarded for SGT Knabe’s exemplary performance as an aircraft technician in the Hornet Upgrade (HUG) Resident Project Team at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, California.

Commander Air Combat Group AIRCDRE Mel Hupfeld presented the commendation on behalf of HASD, AVM Colin Thorne, during a visit to the Hornet Upgrade Resident Project Team.

“Your contribution to the Hornet elec-tronic warfare systems upgrade and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile inte-gration projects has been exceptional,” AIRCDRE Hupfeld said on presentation of the commendation.

“You possess a tremendous diver-sity of skills, knowledge and excellent trade knowledge and have successfully applied those skills to have a real impact on enhancing air combat capability.

“Your ability to provide flawless main-tenance capability across six Hornet trade groups with extensive system knowledge in each area is without parallel in your peer group and has been instrumental in the attainment of project objectives.”


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THE TOP award for Air Lift Group (ALG) aircrew excellence has gone to a pilot at the leading edge of our C-17A force.

FLTLT Dean Bolton of 36SQN was honoured with the 2010 Pathfinder Award at a dining-in night on March 19.

He was recognised for his efforts as Deputy Operations Flight Commander and Standards Officer with 36SQN.

FLTLT Bolton’s citation read: “Drawing on his previous opera-tions on C-130s he has demon-strated solid competence in his role, allowing the continued employment of the C-17A capability as it contin-ues to expand.”

The award is presented by the Pathfinder Association, formed from the Pathfinder Force which

led night-time bombing raids over Occupied Europe in the Second World War.

The Pathfinders were the ‘first in, last out’ over their targets, suffer-ing devastating casualties and being among the most highly decorated units of the war.

Today, ALG and the Pathfinder Association have a close relation-ship which is highlighted by an annual dining-in and award presen-tation.

Veteran Pathfinders presented the 2010 award to FLTLT Bolton, who said he had no idea it was com-ing.

“I was very humbled, particu-larly given the nature of the award,” FLTLT Bolton said.

“ S p e a k i n g t o t h e o l d e r (Pathfinder) guys about the things they’ve done, to be recognised by

Workhorse a winner

Humble techo scores award for top job on jet upgrade project

April 16: Force10 will support the RAAF Williams Autumn Ball at the Laverton Officers’ Mess.April 18: The Air Force Jazz Ensemble will perform at the Elmhurst Community Festival in Elmhurst, Victoria at 10.30am and 2pm.April 18: A band trumpeter will sound the Last Post and Rouse at an Anzac commemoration service at the Doncaster RSL Sub Branch at 3pm.April 19: A band trumpeter will support the Anzac Stand To Service at the Donvale Rehabilitation Hospital at 10.30am.

April 21: The Ceremonial Band will provide musical support to the 1RTU graduation parade at RAAF Base Wagga from 11am.April 25: The Ceremonial Band will support the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service at the AFC Memorial, Point Cook from 6am.April 25: The Ceremonial Band will March in the Anzac Day parade through the Melbourne CBD.April 25: The Ceremonial Band will march in the Anzac Day parade down George street, Sydney.

AIR FORCE BAND

TOP PILOT RECOGNISED: Pathfinder award winner FLTLT Dean Bolton of 36SQN in front of the C-17 he captained on an aid relief mission to Burma. Photo: CPL Mark McConnell

AIRCDRE Hupfeld highlighted the importance of the work SGT Knabe has been doing and acknowledged the efforts of the whole project team.

“It is impressive to see what the Resident Project Team is doing here and then see it reflected in the top level of capability on [the recent] Exercise Red Flag.

“These excellent results achieved can be directly attributed to the hard work members such as SGT Knabe have under-taken throughout the entire life of the project.”

SGT Knabe said: “It was an honour to be singled out for such an award, but this has been a team effort and I am just one member of the team doing my job like everyone else.”

The Hornet Upgrade program is argu-ably the most comprehensive upgrade of any combat aircraft. It allows Air Force to maintain a qualitative edge over regionalcapabilities.

HUG HAPPY: Awardee SGT Ben Knabe.

CELEBRATION: From left, Ken Youdale, AVM Greg Evans, AIRCDRE John Oddie, WGCDR Carl Green and Cec Barlow at the Pathfinder of the Year dinner. Photo: LAC Michael Green

them and considered in their world is a little overwhelming.”

Joining the Air Force in 1999 and initially flying C-130Js, FLTLT Bolton converted to the C-17A in March 2007.

“My goals were to get qualified on the aircraft as soon as possible and qualified for all the aircraft’s roles, which I’ve luckily managed to do,” FLTLT Bolton said.

“I was the captain on the first C-17A missions in to Iraq and Afghanistan. Personally that was a pretty big deal – I’d flown it on Hercules before, but to fly it on a new platform for the very first time was special.

“Captaining a task for Operation Burma Assist, and achieving my air-drop command, were both big high-lights.”

Receiving his award, FLTLT Bolton thanked his peers at 36SQN.

“Introducing a new platform and bringing it in to theatre is not a one man show – it takes a lot of plan-ning and support from executives and maintenance to get it all lined up and to go in,” he said.

“We do our job as a duty and it’s often good fun, but we don’t do it for recognition. But when it comes through, it’s an unexpected but pleasant surprise.

“The squadron has done a great job to get it all done.”

CO 36SQN WGCDR Adam Williams said the nomination was the result of FLTLT Bolton’s high personal standards at the unit.

“He is experienced, and demon-strates a very high professional level of flying capability and attention to detail,” WGCDR Williams said. “He’s a workhorse.”

RCEAIR FF

FLTLT Skye Smith

WITH his feet covered in blisters, FLTLT Joshua Smith perhaps epitomised the ef-fort made by Air Force personnel this year for the Cancer Council’s Relay for Life.

FLTLT Smith, who is serving in Afghanistan, set himself the task of run-ning 100km in four days.

The Heron UAV task unit raised nearly $3000 among the small contin-gent which is managed by Air Combat Group (ACG), and one of the event organisers, SGT Anita Godfrey, was amazed at FLTLT Smith’s effort.

“FLTLT Smith said that if he was unable to run the 100km in the time period, then he would personally donate the money to make up the total amount set for his challenge,” SGT Godfrey said.

After two days, FLTLT Smith’s feet were covered in blisters to the extent that he had to run in thongs for a portion of the challenge.

“Through either stubbornness or stamina, or a little bit of both, FLTLT Smith ran 105kms and raised $329.40,” SGT Godfrey said.

Relay for Life is a fundraising event for The Cancer Council to help defeat cancer. Funds raised through Relay for Life are spent on cancer research, education, support services and advocacy.

Despite the extreme desert condi-tions, 17 members from the Heron UAV task unit also took up a treadmill chal-lenge to run as many kilometres as they could over a four-day period.

SGT Godfrey, a senior analyst, said the challenge was a team effort, using a log book as a baton to ensure only one person was on the treadmill at any given time.

The relay was a personal challenge within the task unit to raise money and complete as many kms as possible. Over the four days the task unit completed 581.5km.

“This was amazing considering we were working very long hours over the four days, so personnel had to take time out of their rest period to join in,” SGT Godfrey said.

Some of the fundraising highlights include CPL James Reilly who shaved his hair for $109.80, and FLTLT Grant Leader who wrote a poem that had to include certain words selected by the task unit. FLTLT Leader’s poetic skill helped raised $410 towards the cause.

The task unit made a t-shirt that states “for cancer I ran 100kms in four days” to reward FLTLT Smith for his fundraising efforts and provide a memento of his time on deployment.

Task unit members also pulled together as a team to come up with sponsorship deals across the detachment.

This included CAPT Phillip James raising $50 for completing 50km in the four days and then another $5 per km for every kilometre over 50. Through his efforts CAPT James contributed $100 to the cause.

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IN BRIEFRSL starts online branchTHE RSL has established an online sub branch to make membership, support and advice services more accessible to ADF members. CDF ACM Angus Houston said that the RSL continues to play an important role in supporting our ADF members past and present. The RSL online sub-branch www.rsldefencesubbranch.com.au is accessible from the Defence Restricted Network.

AVM takes Legacy reinsRETIRED AVM Chris Spence was installed on March 21 as the 85th president of the Melbourne branch of Legacy for 2010. AVM Spence enlisted in the Air Force in 1969 and retired in 2007. AVM Spence followed in his father’s footsteps when he joined Legacy in 2007, following his retirement from the PAF.

Combet visits WilliamtownMINISTER for Defence Materiel and Science Greg Combet visited RAAF Base Williamtown recently, meeting members of the Air Force’s Air Combat Group, Surveillance and Response Group and Combat Support Group. The visit included briefs on the Hornet Upgrade Project, future base plans, and maintenance of F/A-18, MK-127 Hawk and Wedgetail aircraft based at Williamtown. Mr Combet also inspected an F/A-18 static display at 2 Operational Conversion Unit and met students undergoing their final six months of conversion training before becoming qualified Hornet pilots.

Magazine’s award winnersSEVEN Defence and industry teams have won the 2009 Australian Defence Magazine’s DMO/Industry Team of the Year Awards for Excellence. The Head Maritime Systems Division RADM Peter Marshall and DCAF AVM Geoff Brown presented the awards at the annual dinner in February.

Flip-fl opping for Relay for Life

“The successes from this challenge were a team effort and Task Unit 633.2.7 are honoured that we were given the opportunity to show our support during a fellow member’s battle with cancer,” SGT Godfrey said.

Task Unit 633.2.7 ADMINO, SQNLDR Trevor Alley, praised SGT Godfrey. “She was the motivator and catalyst for the event and what was achieved,” SQNLDR Alley said.

Joint effortACG, Surveillance and Response Group (SRG) and Task Unit 633.2.7 raised more than $9000 when they joined forc-es to participate in the Relay for Life.

CO HQACG WGCDR Tammy Hodge set members the task of raising money and running for the cause to sup-port a member recently diagnosed with cancer.

The team of 15 members from RAAF Base Williamtown bound togeth-er under the banner ‘Find and Fight’ to participate in the Port Stephens Relay for Life.

“The team name is representative of SRG’s surveillance or ‘find’ capability and ACG’s strike or ‘fight’ capability, as well as finding a cure and fighting cancer,” WGCDR Hodge said.

LAC Robert Gibson from SRG took the lead in organising the event and motivated the group to ‘find and fight’.

The task unit challenge coincided with the Port Stephens Relay for Life that ACG and SRG members partici-pated in Newcastle.

DRIVING FORCE: SGT Anita Godfrey from the Heron UAV task unit in Afghanistan which did such a great job. Photo: CPL Andrew Eddie

33SQN’s Relay for Life team members proudly parade their cause before the fundraising event on March 27. From left, CPL Brooke Jacoby-Saunders, CPL Christopher Greenall, SGT Clare O’Drisoll and SGT Craig Dunn, took part in the 18-hour walk at Ipswich, along with nine other team members, seven from 33SQN. The team completed 184 laps of the 500m circuit, which equated to 92kms, raising more than $4700 for the Cancer Council.

Photo: LACW Jessica Smith

33SQN’s Purple power

RCEAIR FF

BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER CALL 131901 OR VISIT DEFENCEJOBS.GOV.AU/NAVY

BUILDING A SHIP OUT OF PEOPLEOne of the most important things to remember about a warship is that it is made up of people. It is not just steel, machinery and high tech weapons systems. It comprises a diverse group of individuals from all walksof life working in close knit teamsto achieve amazing things.

This idea was the premise for thenew Defence Force Recruiting (DFR) brand print and online advertisement for the Navy.

DFR Navy Marketing wanted a brand advertisement to complement and extend the successful Navy television commercials. The intention was to promote the compelling and unique truths inherent in Navy, which would serve to both motivate potential candidates and inspire currentserving members.

On 1 December 2009, DFR, advertising agency George Patterson Y&R, world renowned photographer Andréas Smetana and HMAS Albatross embarked on an ambitious photographic shoot. The idea was to literally create the shape of a frigate and the shape of an LPA out of Navy personnel and capture it as a photograph.

“Interestingly, it was once we were on the shoot that we realised only an organisation like the Navy could make this ad. No one else has the level of discipline needed to organise themselves into such a unique shape,” said Chris Northam, Senior Art Director at George Patterson Y&R.

The photographs of the ‘ships of people’ were built by lining Navy personnel up to create the separate layers of the ship. Staging was employed to give the Navy personnel the height required for the top levels. The layers of the ship were then constructed together digitally.

The Navy personnel from HMAS Albatross and various units at Fleet Base East participated in the shoot

for a long nine hour day, and were subjected to constant uniform checks, drill and many hours waiting around.

For photographer Andreas Smetana,it was the first time he had worked with DFR. “What I loved on this job was the commitment the Navy people showed. Such a good client to work with, and I think very much part of the shoot running smoothly,” he said.

“It is always great to see the image come to life, because you get stuck on seeing the picture just in your head,” he said.

The photographs have been used to create magazine and press advertisements, internet banners and posters. The idea can be applied to a variety of Navy platforms and different Navy can be featured.

“It is a media neutral idea that can be used across many mediums. DFR hopes to undertake the same initiative with Submariners to create a Collins Class Submarine in 2010,” said Lauren Rago from Defence Force Recruiting.

A ‘making of’ video has also been created of the shoot and can be seenat www.defencejobs.gov.au/navy/.

Defence Force Recruiting would like to thank HMAS Albatross, Directorate Recruitment Management Navy and Directorate Navy Reputation Management for their outstanding support. An extra special thanks goes to Warrant Officer Graeme Bromley, Executive Officer HMAS Albatross Cmdr. Darryn Jose and Leut. Kara Wansbury from Fleet Public Affairs for helpingDFR realise this campaign.

BY LAUREN RAGO


SQNLDR David Holt has had numerous challenges during his 24 years in the Air Force but he said none

were more thought-provoking than sea-riding in Navy vessels on the frontline of Australia’s border pro-tection efforts.

SQNLDR Holt, a medical officer, was one of the Air Force members seconded to the Navy’s patrol boat force during maritime patrols in support of Operation Resolute.

Operation Resolute is the maritime operation to protect the borders north of Australia.

Permanent and Reserve Air Force medical and security personnel are assigned to Resolute, the latter with the Transit Security Elements (TSE).

The TSE’s main role is to provide boarding parties and maintain security on detained foreign vessels.

The members said they believed they were making an important contri-bution to the operation.

The Air Force medical rotation comprises two doctors, one at sea and one ashore at short notice to move.

One of SQNLDR Holt’s roles is to provide Potential Irregular Immigrants (PIIs) with medical care.

“I was posted to Operation Resolute on January 27 for approxi-mately two months; sea riding with the Navy’s patrol boats, which inter-cept the Suspected Irregular Entry Vessels (SIEVs),” he said.

He served on board HMA Ships Ararat, Armidale, Bundaberg and Maryborough and was involved in 10 SIEV interceptions.

After a SIEV was intercepted and boarded, he would go on board to conduct medical checks of the PII.

“I conducted health examinations to ensure the PIIs were fit for further sea travel and the next leg of their journey and to provide humanitarian assistance whenever it was needed,” he said.

Dehydration and seasickness were the most common health issues he encountered on the SIEVs.

“Overall it’s been interesting, chal-lenging and rewarding from a profes-sional perspective,” SQNLDR Holt said. “I would recommend the experi-ence to other ADF doctors.”

LAC Shayne Robbie enlisted in 2007 as a security policeman after transferring from the Army. He started a four-month deployment as a mem-ber of TSE 56 in January, and made his first boarding of a SIEV in mid-February, followed by another two.

LAC Robbie said the training the Air Force TSE completed was very comprehensive and contributed greatly to his confidence to get a difficult job done. It included briefings on Rules of Engagement, Law of Armed Conflict and escalation of force scenarios.

“In addition to force preparation, which involved weapon proficiencies as well as self defence, we completed a lot of boarding exercises with the Navy’s Sea Training Group,” he said.

He was surprised by the tempo of the operation, which offered Air Force personnel a completely different expe-rience of life in the Navy, and how hard the Navy patrol boats worked.

“Op Resolute is a very important operation being conducted right on Australia’s door-step,” he said.

CPL David Brett, a military working dog handler, volunteered for TSE service and embarked in HMAS Ararat at the same time as LAC Robbie. Both men shared the first intercept on February 17. He was relieved the first one was out of the way. “What we have done validates the training we have undertaken and gives us confidence for the remainder of the deployment,” he said.

Before that, his one experience at sea was on a P&O cruise in 2005. However, Operation Resolute was a great opportunity for Air Force per-sonnel to diversify their skill sets and see life in the other services.

“This is a very important border

protection and homeland security operation, which I’m proud to contrib-ute to,” CPL Brett said.

“This is also an opportunity for me and other Air Force personnel to make a small but meaningful contribution to such an important [border] security operation as Op Resolute.

“This is such an important opera-tion and it’s great to see the Air Force contributing more than just AP-3C surveillance patrols,” he said.

The tempo of the operation was grinding but he was enjoying the chal-lenge. He had struggled to get his sea legs and to adjust to life at sea, par-ticularly to the Navy’s jargon which was “like another language”.

Air Force Reservist LACW Gabrielle Gross, one of six women deployed with TSE 56, described her

patrol on board HMAS Armidale as a baptism of fire.

“In the five years I have been in the Reserves this is one of the best opportunities yet, as well as my first time at sea,” she said.

Like CPL Brett, her biggest chal-lenge was trying to understand naval language on board, which they call “Jack speak”.

“This was a real challenge for the first few days, along with getting my sea legs,” LACW Gross said.

She was confident she could per-form her duties after weeks of inten-sive training.

“The boarding training exer-cises we conducted with the Navy in Sapphire Bay were quite challenging but very good preparation for the real thing.”

The TSE members also conducted a number of collective training activi-ties such as fire drills and man-over-board exercises that enabled them to integrate better with the Navy crew.

“It’s been really fantastic to work with this crew. They’ve helped us to become accustomed with the way Navy does business,” she said.

LACW Ingrid Balic is another Reservist, from RAAF Base Pearce. She put her civilian career as the owner of a landscaping business on hold for four months to make what she described as a small but meaning-ful contribution to border protection.

She said she was proud to contrib-ute to the TSE.

Coverage of 92WG’s involvement in Op Resolute will feature in a future edition.

Finding their sea legs

ANOTHER DAY: Medical officer SQNLDR David Holt prepares to be launched in a rigid hull inflatable boat from HMAS Ararat while on an Operation Resolute patrol.

LOOK OUT: Above, CPL David Brett comes to grips with the helm of an Armidale Class Patrol Boat.READY TO GO: Below, LACW Ingrid Balic and LACW Gabrielle Gross in front of a rigid hull inflatable boat. Photos: Michael Brooke

THE JOB: HMAS Ararat’s boarding party and Transit Security Element 56 personnel observed and apprehended a Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel (SIEV).

THE JOB: HMAS Ararat’s boarding party

LOOK OUT: Above, CPL David Brett

Thirty-six Air Force personnel are serving with the Transit Security Element on Operation Resolute. Michael Brooke recently joined some of them aboard Navy patrol boats on station at Ashmore Reef.

RCEAIR FF

16 AIR FORCE April 15, 2010 17Centrepiece

Rhino revolution beginsAs Air Force continues to celebrate

the arrival of the first Super Hornets, 1SQN ramps up for the next wave,

writes FLTLT Skye Smith.

THREE years of hard work and planning paid off when the first five Super Hornets arrived at RAAF Base Am-berley on March 26. But, the

work (and fun) for 1SQN has only just begun.

With the new jets safely home, 1SQN personnel have little time to rest as they not only start operating the aircraft, but also training more crews for the next wave of aircraft that are expected in July.

CO 1SQN WGCDR Glen Braz said the training tempo must remain high to ensure the squadron has sufficient numbers of qualified personnel for each wave, while maintaining progress toward achieving initial operational capability (IOC) in Australia.

“Our aim is to achieve IOC by December 31 this year.

“This means the Air Force will have 12 Super Hornets on Australian soil with at least 12 qualified flying crews and full in-country logistic support,” WGCDR Braz said.

The squadron will also maintain a six-turn-four rate of effort, with the ability to deploy within Australia and the near region and operate in all roles by the end of the year.

To achieve this, 1SQN will continue training both air and ground crews throughout the year.

The next ferry phase for 1SQN aircrew is scheduled for the June/July timeframe, which includes up to 96 hours of test and evaluation flying and two weeks of Electronic Warfare flight trials at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

During this intense period, each aircraft will undergo comprehensive

maintenance and air test flights before it is accepted into service.

Aircrew will undertake both day and night air-to-air refuelling qualification sorties and currency flights before embarking on the long journey home to Amberley with the next set of jets.

Former Classic Hornet pilots can convert on to the Super Hornet in as few as five flights. 1SQN aircrews comprise a good balance of former F-111 and Classic Hornet crews, with air combat officers (weapon systems officer) straight from the School of Air Warfare expected later this year.

The technical workforce must also complete trade qualifications and become authorised on the Super Hornet.

Super Hornet maintenance teams three through nine will be trained by 278SQN Technical Training Flight (TTF) – Amberley. The TTF will have their work cut out for them with a student training throughput of 120 personnel per year, plus additional non-technical and managerial courses.

However, the two new integrated visual enhanced maintenance trainers (IVEMT) are due to be ready for training in September this year and will greatly enhance both student learning and instruction.

Technical training will include theory consolidation, test and trouble shoot activities and performance assessments across all trades.

6SQN also has a challenging time ahead with the F-111 withdrawal from service in December and then the transition to become the second Super Hornet squadron next year.

There are five scheduled waves to bring home the 24 aircraft by the end of 2011.

DAD’S BACK: Above, SQNLDR Richard Peapell is reunited with his family at Amberley. Photo: ACW Kylie GibsonLeft, SGT James Russell is reunited with his daughter Annie at the ceremony. Photo: LACW Jessica SmithAIR POWER: Below, the five new aircraft near journey’s end at Amberley. Photo: SGT Rob Mitchell

BIG HAND: Above, from left, CDF ACM Angus Houston, US Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich, Secretary of Defence Dr Ian Watt, and DCAF AVM Geoff Brown head the Australian/US welcome home party. Photo: LACW Tricia Wiles

RHINO JOKES: CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin (left) and CO 1SQN WGCDR Glen Braz (right) with cartoons presented to them by Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale (second from lefti) and drawn by newspaper cartoonist Wil Mitchell at the welcome home reception. Photo: LAC Benjamin Evans

JET BROTHERS: 6SQN’s CPL

Jarrod Carter (left) and 1SQN’s

CPL Joshua Rhodes join

forces to welcome home the Super

Hornets. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: Three Super Hornets are escorted in by an F-111 on the flight to Amberley. Photo: ACW Kylie Gibson

BIG HUG: Above inset, SQNLDR Cameron Cornell is welcomed home by his family after the long flight from Lemoore. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith

BUSINESS END: Super Hornet A44-202 on the flightline at Naval

Air Station Lemoore before the historic flight. Photo: ACW Kylie Gibson



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FLGOFF Baz Bardoe

THE 30th instalment of Exercise Executive Stretch, to show em-ployers the benefits of having re-servists in their organisations, has been hosted by No. 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron.

More than 30 bosses from organisations as diverse as Thales, Bunnings, Suzlon Energy, and the Victoria Police, as well as local gov-ernment bodies, undertook activities ranging from abseiling and water survival to marksmanship, fire fight-ing, leadership and problem solv-ing.

Divided into three teams named after iconic Air Force leaders (Williams, Dalton and Newton), the participants were led by a tri-serv-ice team of Navy, Army and Air Force personnel during the exercise. It provided a great opportunity for the employers to experience first-hand the invaluable skills that can be gained in the military and trans-ferred to the civilian workplace.

For many it was also a time to push the envelope, undertaking new

challenges designed to increase self esteem, personal courage and group trust. Most participants undertook the activities with enthusiasm, and a few had to overcome personal fears but the consensus was that it had been a unique opportunity.

Suzlon Energy’s resident dare-devil Felicity Leach set the bar high early on by taking up the challenge to abseil facing downwards.

“The weekend was a wonderful way to gain insight into how reserve service can benefit groups and indi-viduals,” she said.

“It underlines the importance of good planning and being able to trust team members.”

Adam Gordon from Korrumburra Lime and Spreading said he freely admitted to being afraid of heights.

“With the supportive and profes-sional instruction I can now claim to have abseiled twice,” he said.

Taranjit Sawhney from Thales also tackled the abseiling face down, but it was clear from his reaction that he had experienced the kind of adrenalin rush only possible when you push outside your comfort zone.

“I would recommend it to anyone,” Mr Sawhney said. “I understand that I can now be more mission focused rather than task focused.

“I was impressed by the quiet professionalism and leadership style of the instructors; I had expected something more regimented.”

CO 21SQN SQNLDR Marcelle Mitting said 21SQN had presented a number of activities for employers and potential employers of reserve personnel during the exercise.

“These activities are designed for them to experience some of the challenges faced by their employees during their military service,” he said.

“A desired outcome is a greater appreciation of the reserve mem-ber’s military education and the skills they bring to the civilian workplace.

“Another desired effect is to foster a favourable outlook towards reserve employees in future.

“The comments made by par-ticipants throughout the weekend indicated that the activity was a suc-cess,” SQNLDR Mitting said.

All eyes on the prize in the skies

Executives stretched to the limit at 21SQN

Andrew Stackpool

TWO pilot officers are part of the larg-est group of future female pilots to at-tend the Basic Flying Training School (BFTS) at Tamworth, NSW, and the five women also represent 25 per cent of the total course number of 20 stu-dents

PLTOFFs Jacqueline Baird and Emily Thorvaldsson started putting pre-vious flying training to good use when they recently took their first fledgling steps into a career in the skies.

Along with ASLT Samantha Gilan, LT Erin Pedrick and OCDT Stephanie White, they began ADF38 basic pilots’ course on February 18.

PLTOFF Baird has been flying Cesna-172s since she completed Year 11 in 2005.

“My first experience [flying] was unreal,” PLTOFF Baird said.

“To be in control of an aircraft was something I never thought I could do.”

Now, she has her eyes set on a bigger aircraft; the C-17A, as well as gaining operational experience outside Australia.

“I decided to enlist in the Air Force as I wanted to try something exciting that civilian aviation couldn’t quite match,” she said.

“I chose Air Force specifically so I could fly transport aircraft operation-ally.”

She is the first in her family to serve in the ADF and pursue an aviation career.

She said the course was challenging, but “we haven’t started the hard work yet”.

PLTOFF Thorvaldsson has set herself a wide choice of aircraft; the F/A-18, the Super Hornet or the C-17.

Raised in Adelaide, she enlisted through ADFA, completing a Bachelor of Science degree. “I’ve always wanted to fly,” PLTOFF Thorvaldsson said.

“The first time I went up was awe-some; that’s why I chose to pursue fly-ing as a career. The ADF is challenging and offers me an exciting way to do it.”

She said the course was going well and that her course mates were a good bunch of people.

Despite their previous experience, they still have a long way to go before they become military pilots.

CO BFTS WGCDR Mark Smith said the course had only just completed the six-week ground component of the course. They began flying at the end of March.

“They are performing very well; however, they’re only at the beginning of training and there is a long way to go yet,” WGCDR Smith said.

On average they should undertake nine dual flights and go solo on their 10th.

“For some of them, this will be the first time in their lives,” he said.

He was pleased that so many had been successful in gaining a place on the course.

“It is very encouraging to see such a large percentage of females on the course,” WGCDR Smith said.

On graduation, the two officers will post to 2 Flying Training School at RAAF Base Pearce for more advanced flying training.

BFTS is responsible for all pilot basic training for the ADF. The unit, together with its contractor BAE Systems, pro-vides basic flying training, a Flight Screening Program and a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) development program.

HIGH-FLYING CADETS: Current BFTS students OCDT Stephanie White, LT Erin Pederick, ASLT Samantha Gilan, PLTOFF Emily Thorvaldsson and PLTOFF Jacqueline Baird. Photo: courtesy BFTS

RCEAIR FF

ROPE WORK: Left, Taranjit Sawhney from Thales (front) leads the team of Executive Stretch participants to build a bridge using heavy rope.

TESTING TIME: Above, exercise participant Debra McCollum tries her nerve abseiling. Photos: SGT Dave Grant

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19 April 15, 2010

Andrew Stackpool

WING Commander Pete Mitchell says the greatest challenge facing the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit (JEWOSU) is the in-troduction of a significant number of new ADF capabilities, all of which bring with them significant enhance-ments to their EW systems.

“These systems are more complex and capable than anything else we’ve seen. They are integrated into the plat-form as a whole, not just as an add-on item,” WGCDR Mitchell says.

He assumed command of JEWOSU on January 11.

Based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, as part of Information Warfare Wing JEWOSU is an integral part of the Aerospace Operational Support Group. It stood up in 2002 with the amalga-mation of the Air Force Electronic Warfare squadron and the Navy’s Electronic Warfare Support Section’s (RANTEWSS) Support Division.

JEWOSU is a somewhat unique squadron in that it comprises Air Force, Navy, Army, APS personnel and supporting contractors.

It comprises the Executive Flight, Analysis and Mission Support Flight, Countermeasures Flight, EW Systems Flight, Regulation, Quality and Training Flight and Information System Flight. It has a staff of 198.

“Air Force holds the majority of billets due to the greater number of Air Force systems requiring support; how-ever, our support to Naval platforms is significant and the introduction of the [new helicopters] along with Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) capabilities means the Army presence

Winning in the EW world

FeatureRCEAIR FF

grows steadily,” WGCDR Mitchell says.

The JEWOSU’s mission is to pro-vide EW support, products and serv-ices to the three services, at home and when deployed.

It also provides support to other Defence organisations, including the Defence Materiel Organisation, (DMO), Defence Sc ience and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and Defence Intelligence Group.

It maintains a close relationship with other intelligence agencies, such as RANTEWSS and the Defence Signals Directorate and sister intelli-gence/EW agencies overseas.

The unit runs two offshore training courses and in-house training for its employees. What does JEWOSU have to offer them as a posting choice of preference?

“JEWOSU is at the cutting edge of the ADF’s EW capability,” WGCDR Mitchell says. “We provide opportuni-ties for personnel to obtain in-depth knowledge of EW systems and equip-ment as well as being involved with development and trials of the latest electronic countermeasures and tac-tics. Also, Adelaide is a great place to live.”

WGCDR Mitchell brings to his command a not-inconsiderable experi-

ence in EW. “As a Hornet pilot I had interaction with EW systems using air-craft countermeasures, radar warning receiver and the on-board jammer,” he says.

“In my previous job as capabil-ity manager for Air Combat Group, I worked closely with the Tactical Fighter Support Project Office on the operational requirements for the new capabilities for the F/A-18 through the Hornet Upgrade (HUG) 2.3 program.”

JEWOSU is working with other agencies to address the challenge of the new acquisitions.

“The team has been involved in the acquisition process for all the new capabilities and is working closely with DMO and the Project Offices. This allowed us to start developing the appropriate level of understanding for each unique EW system and how it interacts with each new weapon sys-tem as a whole.

“By building these relationships, in conjunction with those we already have with DSTO, the Force Element Groups and our coalition partners, we will be best placed to support the future EW capabilities not only for the Air Force, but the wider ADF.”

Looking at the broader picture, with new air and naval assets and technolo-gy coming on stream, and a continuing uncertain strategic outlook, WGCDR Mitchell says there are many chal-lenges facing the EW world in general and the JEWOSU over the next two decades.

“Firstly the number and complex-ity of EW emitters within the region is increasing exponentially and in all domains – air, land and sea. Keeping track of these developments is a chal-lenge in itself,” he says.

“Secondly, irregular warfare and the use of remotely-detonated IEDs is a particular challenge, and EW protec-tion in this regard is often very reac-tive. We need a networked approach to counter these threats, which will involve the use of both manned and unmanned aircraft.

“With the introduction of the new platforms, our ability to collect data increases significantly – this further adds to the data processing required.

“JEWOSU has the expertise and dedication to meet these challenges and looks forward to leading the sup-port to and development of the ADFs EW capabilities.”

JEWOSU in the spotlight

The JEWOSU staff comprises 142 Air Force, 23 Navy, 12 Army and 21 APS personnel. Eight Air Force personnel are reservists. JEWOSU runs two courses for ADF per-sonnel. They are the EW Key Concepts and RAAF Electronic Warfare courses. Since 2008, 136 Air Force and 170 Navy/Army personnel have graduated.

Between 150 and 200 students are expected on 10 courses to be held in 2010. Approximately 30 per cent of the staff deploy each year, providing EW and countermeasures support. JEWOSU uses the Ghost Bat as its badge and sponsors the Ghost Bat exhibit at the Adelaide Zoo.

Multi-tasking in EW

NET WORTH: Above, CPL Rachel Batt, a signals operator at JEWOSU, provides deployed linguist support during a recent operation. BIG CHALLENGES AHEAD: Left, JEWOSU’s new CO WGCDR Pete Mitchell (left) in the foyer of the unit with the OC of the Information Warfare Wing, WGCDR John Heinrich. Photos: LACW Shannon Urie

TECH TESTS: Above, SGT Tony Logan and WO2 Mark Skrabal work on a system to check the EW programs on the Tiger helicopter. Photo: AC Glynn Jones Left, FLTLT Sargon Mrad uses a Baringa Laser, while CAPT Christopher Porada checks the Countermeasure Dispensing System. Photo: LACW Shannon Urie

COMPUTING POWER: ABCSOs Jaimey Strathdee, Amy Fisher and Shaun Keane work on the Naval EW library. Photo: AC Glynn Jones

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21 FlightlineApril 15, 2010

FINDING THE WAY: Right, 10SQN’s WOFF Steve Murnik (right) explains the navigator’s station on an AP-3C to Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC) student WOFF John McMahon during a recent visit by 216 personnel from ACSC to RAAF Base Amberley for a Joint Capability Tour. Photo: AC Benjamin EvansTOP GUN: Below, during the same visit, WGCDR Mark Larter (left) from the ACSC is briefed on a SR98 sniper rifle by LAC Dean Muscat from 2AFDS.LAC Muscat is wearing a ‘Gillie suit’ used by snipers to camouflage themselves. Photo: ACW Rosaleen Normoyle

EGGCITING TIME: Above, LACW Sheree Deane from the Combat Support Unit in the MEAO hops into the Easter spirit. Photo: LAC Aaron CurranCHEQUE THIS OUT: Right, 37SQN’s PLTOFF Justin Della Bosca presents Director of Inpatient Services, Hawkesbury District Health Service, Sister Kathleen Cotterill with a cheque for $250 from the 37SQN social club in front of a C-130J at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo: LAC Michael Green

RCEAIRFF

22 Flightline April 15, 2010

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: FSGT Trevor Jacobs (top) of 322ECSS with the plasma television being presented to the Alan Walker Cancer Care Unit in Darwin. He is currently undergoing Chemotherapy at the unit for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. During his treatment, FSGT Jacobs enlisted the help of his 322ECSS colleagues to raise funds to purchase new equipment for the patients. Among those colleagues were LAC Lincoln Little and LACW Phoebe Treagus (above) who organised a coin collection at RAAF Bases Tindal and Darwin. Right, LAC Steven Richards collects a donation from FLTLT Wayne Dicks at the Tindal front gate. Photos: SGT Pete Gammie

FRONT LINE: Above, engineer FLTLT Rachael Webb, from the Strike Reconnaissance Systems Program Office, performs flightline maintenance on an F-111 at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: ACW Kylie GibsonPAST AND PRESENT: Below, the Airman Aircrew’s reunion in Brisbane on March 20 provided the opportunity for 36SQN’s oldest loadmaster to meet its newest. SGT Bernie Desmond graduated in 1960; SGT Shane Christall in 2010, 50 years after Bernie’s graduation. Photo: courtesy Colin Coyne

RCEAIRFF

23 PersonnelApril 15, 2010

THE Director-General Air Force Reserves (DGRES-AF) branch has stood up again as a stand-alone branch.

This change to the management of Air Force Reserves took effect from March 1 and is a direct result of impacts on the Air Force Reserves cascading from the Strategic Reform Program (SRP).

In 2008, DGRES-AF joined DGPERS-AF branch to facilitate the integration of permanent and reserve force personnel and management into one permanent and part-time workforce.

However, the tasks associated with the SRP Reserve Stream now require further strategic adjust-ments to Air Force Reserve capability to make it more relevant and cost effective. Accordingly, DGRES-AF Branch has reverted back to standalone status.

Under the change, DGRES-AF reports directly to DCAF and is accountable for Reserve capability policy, and the development and management of the DGRES-AF Branch.

DGRES-AF will advise commanders throughout the Air Force to support the management of their Reserve capability, which will continue to be integrat-ed into Air Force’s operational capability through the command chain under the total force concept.

Also, DGRES-AF has a policy development and compliance management role for the Air Force Reserve capability, in conjunction with DGPERS-AF, which encompasses the following policy matters: the Air Force representative on the SRP Reserve

Stream Steering Group; the organisation and flexible employment of the

Reserve; the functionality of the Reserve, such as readi-

ness, number, ranks and skills sets required of the Reserve;

the disposition of the Reserve across the Air Force as well as other groups and divisions;

the legislation and conditions of service for reserv-ists and related policy developed in Reserve and Employer Support Division;

the training of the Reserve; and the interaction of the Air Force Reserves with

industry and the civilian community. Policy and development of the Reserves in these

areas will be managed by DGRES-AF in close coordi-nation and cooperation with Air Command Australia, DGPERS-AF and the Force Element Group com-manders.

Further information is available from Director General Reserves – Air Force GPCAPT Carl Schiller on (03) 9256 3254 or [email protected]

Reserve pers branch own entity again

New look for a new ageAndrew Stackpool

AIR FORCE News has a new look to reflect the changing face of the service.

Air Force Standards and Compliance Manager Michele McGee said the changes were the result of a lengthy period of dis-cussion and trial and error. Now, the new look better reflects the ‘new age’ Air Force.

“The previous blue tended to reflect the old blue/grey uniform and also gave the newspaper a dated look,” Ms McGee said.

“The new look has a more contemporary feel, which bet-ter reflects the modern Air Force. “The darker blue reflects the cur-

rent uniform and emulates the peo-ple who are Air Force. The steel texture reflects the aircraft, which is the whole basis of having an Air Force.”

She said that the clouds have been retained but are now darker blue for a more interesting slant.

These clouds will be used on feature page straps (as seen on Page 19).

Also, the steel colour worked better with the red and blue of the Air Force Roundel used on the news page straps.

“This, together with our Air Force branding, reflects our Air Force values and identity as a professional service,” Ms McGee said.

She said that a modern inter-

pretation of the Air Force brand is important to the organisation.

“The Air Force brand is a reflection of who we are and the values that we hold as a service. This is not a revolution but an evo-lution to better reflect a profes-sional and valued Air Force,” she said.

“The brand is wider than just marketing campaigns and includes our values and behaviours; how we deliver our brand message in our internal and external commu-nications is crucial to the image of Air Force.

“Air Force News has only a snapshot of our full brand but it reflects a more refined, cleaner and fresher look.

“As we move further into the

21st Century and look beyond, we can say that we have come of age and have evolved into a modern professional organisation. Our brand should reflect this,” she said.

T h e n e w A i r F o r c e Headquarters Air Force Visual Identity Guidelines manual will be delivered after July this year and feature all the new elements, logos and templates for those person-nel tasked to promote Air Force to stakeholders and the wider com-munity.

For further information regarding branding and how it applies to Air Force, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/AFHQ/comweb.asp?page=164541&Title=Air-Force-Brand

IN LINE: An aircraft brushed

steel effect, a uniform dark blue colour and more prominent use of the Roundel has

been adopted by Air Force News to reflect the Air Force’s modern

new look.

RCEAIR FF

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Freecall 1800 819 167 or visit www.tolltransitions.com.au

Freecall 139 DHA (139 342) or visit www.dha.gov.au

Toll Transitionswill be responsible for the co-ordination of ADF member and family relocations and relocation entitlements and allowances.

Defence Housing Australia will manage ADF member and family housing and related services.

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Your tour

25 HistoryApril 15, 2010

Major Japanese WWII defeat commemoratedPast and present Air Force members joined together for the Battle of the Bismarck Sea commemoration ceremony held at RAAF Base Richmond on March 4. Photo: AC Christopher Hall

AIR VICE-MARSHAL Roxley McLennan (ret’d), the national president of the RAAF Association (RAAFA), has some words of ad-vice for members thinking of leav-ing the Air Force.

“I encourage you to seek the advice from a qualified pensions officer from an ex-service organisa-tion (ESO), preferably at least six months before transitioning to civil-ian life.”

AVM McLennan was introducing the first of a periodic column about RAAF matters that will be run in the history section of Air Force News.

He said that all Air Force person-nel are accorded provisional mem-bership of the association.

“You may ask, ‘What is the RAAFA?’” he said.

It is an ESO, similar to the Royal Australian Naval Association and the RSL; however, it has an Air Force bias. Its membership consists almost entirely of ex-RAAF personnel who wish to retain those bonds of com-radeship that they experienced while serving in the service.

It also assists members and former members when they are applying for compensation and/or pension entitlements under

the various Legislative Acts such as the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act (MRCA), which currently applies to serving Defence personnel.

More in format ion on the Association, its activities and the various pension and compensa-tion Acts is available from the Association’s website at: www.raafa.org.au

This article is the first in a series of advice and Association news planned to be published on a periodic basis in future editions of Air Force News.

22SQN pilot is mournedNUMBER 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron lost its last surviving WWII pilot on February 23 when FLTLT Harold Rowell OAM (ret’d) passed away at 89.

Born in Perth on December 13, 1920, Harold Mitford Rowell, pictured right, enlisted in the RAAF on May 26, 1941 and eventually was posted to 22SQN in New Guinea. The squadron flew Boston aircraft.

FLTLT Rowell discharged on May 5, 1945 and com-menced flying with the now defunct MacRobertson Miller Airlines until he retired in 1980.

He then turned his energies to community service and in 2006 received the Order of Australia Medal for service to the community through ex-service, social welfare and medical research organisations.

A memorial service to him was held at Bundanoon (NSW) Uniting Church on February 26. CO 22SQN, SQNLDR Rav Singh, XO 22SQN SQNLDR Frank Galea and members of the 22SQN Association attended the service, along with the squadrons’ historian, FLGOFF (AAFC) Alan Campbell.

A second memorial service to FLTLT Rowell and his deceased spouse Sylvia was held in Perth on March 11.

Take RAAFA’s advice

PROUD MEMBER: Right, State president of the RAAFA Queensland Division, John Carlile, at the Air Force’s 89th birthday commemorative Service in Brisbane. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith

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26 April 15, 2010Finance

ASIC Chairman Tony D’Aloisio says look at your car insurance carefully.

Driving under coverTHE TYPE of cover you take

out will affect how much you have to pay if you’re involved in an accident.

So if you’re about to buy a new vehicle or if your insurance is up for renewal, shop around for the best deal.

Compulsory third partyCompulsory third party (CTP)

insurance is the most important type of car insurance. It covers death and inju-ry to other people if you are involved in an accident. You must have CTP insurance to register your car. This is sometimes known as a green slip. Go to your state or territory roads and traf-fic authority website to compare quotes on CTP car insurance.

Questions to ask If I crash into a luxury sports car

will I be able to afford the repairs? Is my car likely to be broken into? How will I get around if my car is

stolen or written off?

Choosing a policyCar insurance policies are based

on either ‘agreed’ or ‘market’ value. An agreed value policy has a set dol-lar value for your vehicle. Market value policies value your car based on the make, model and condition. The agreed value is usually higher than the market value.

When you purchase a car insur-ance policy you will agree to pay a premium, that is, a regular amount that covers the cost of the insurance, and you will agree to an excess, which is the initial amount you will have to pay if you make a claim on the policy. Weigh up the difference between hav-

Additional types of car insurance include:

CTP insurance only covers inju-ries or death to other people in an accident;

Third party property insurance, which covers damage to other people’s property (their car or home) and your own legal costs;

Third party, fire and theft insur-ance, which covers damage to other people’s property, and provides limited cover for damage to your own car caused by theft or fire;

Comprehensive insurance, which covers damage to your own car and other people’s property if your car is in an accident (includ-ing fire) as well as theft.

WHAT YOU ARE COVERED FOR

KEEP IT SAFE: Assess the risks. Make certain your pride and joy doesn’t become valueless scrap metal. Photo: SGT Andrew Hetherington

ing a high premium and low excess versus paying a lower premium and having to pay a higher excess if you have an accident.

Typical exclusionsMake sure you understand the level

of cover before signing up. All insur-ance policies come with ‘exclusions’. Exclusions are things not covered by your policy. Typical car insurance exclusions to watch out for include: Damage from mechanical failure,

modifications, depreciation, rust and wear and tear;

Lost wages if you can’t drive; Damage caused because your car

was unsafe or in a race; Intentional damage; Damage caused if the driver was

unlicensed, drunk or under the influence of drugs;

The driver wasn’t covered by the policy.

Case studyLAC Smith gets into debtLAC Smith decided not to get any

extra car insurance on top of his CTP because his car was old. A few months later, he hit a new sports car, which needed $10,000 worth of repairs.

Because he was not insured for damage to other cars and without access to such a huge amount of cash, LAC Smith had to take out an expen-sive personal loan to pay off the debt over three years.

Drivers under 25The cost of insurance is determined

by the level of risk your insurer is tak-ing on.

As more young drivers are involved in accidents than older drivers, most insurance companies charge a higher premium for drivers under 25.

It pays to be extra vigilant with checking the details and doing all

the appropriate paperwork and back checks before buying any vehicle.

It’s wise to go to your state or ter-ritory roads and traffic authority for helpful information on what you need to do when buying a car. It’s also very important to call your insurer before you buy to find out everything they need to know about the car in order to insure you.

If you’re not covered when you drive away having just bought your new vehicle and you’re involved in a crash, even if it’s not your fault, you could end up with an expensive debt and no vehicle.

Visit ASIC’s consumer and investor website, FIDO at www.fido.gov.au or call 1300 300 630. E-mail ASIC with topics that interest you via [email protected]

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27 April 15, 2010

Test yourselfTHE OUTPATIENT Alcohol

Treatment Program (OATP) has been running since 2004.

It’s a four-day program run by the Directorate of Mental Health and this year has been evaluated and revised.

Jennifer Harland’s background is in nursing, mental health and she has extensive experience in the drug and alcohol field. She is the National Coordinator Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Program.

“You can see the change in peo-ple,” Ms Harland said. “It’s what you might call the light bulb moment or the tipping point.

“During the four days, usually about the end of day two or three, you can see a change.

“Some people come along feeling that they have been ‘sent’. By the end of the program they can see the value as they recognise that they do have a problem with alcohol and can change.

“During the first day there is gen-erally some resistance. By the end of day two some people comment ‘Well hang on, maybe I do have an issue with alcohol’ and by the end of day four most of the evaluations that come back say: ‘I do realise that I have a problem with alcohol and I’m going to do something about it’,” she said.

She considered the program a suc-cess when she heard comments like: “I wish I’d done this years ago” or “I think everyone in my unit should do this.”

MAJ Michelle McInnes is SO2 Projects in the Directorate of Mental Health and has worked as a clinician.

“Many times I’ve been doing coun-selling one-on-one with ADF mem-bers and wished there was something like this I could have referred them to.

“I think it’s a fantastic initiative because it’s a step in between those who are dependant on alcohol and require in patient care and the one-on-one counselling they can get from a psychologist in the regions where they can be strapped for resources.

“As part of the Mental Health Reform process we’re putting eight alcohol and drug specialists around Australia,” MAJ McInnes said.

Ms Harland and MAJ McInnes are hoping to see more people attending the OATP program as they discuss their problems and seek assistance.

“There is nothing quite like this program in the civilian world, so Defence members are lucky to have this level of intervention at an early stage,” Ms Harland said.

The OATP objectives are to: Inform and educate participants

about alcohol and other substance use and alcohol consumption;

Create awareness in each individu-al of their alcohol consumption;

Gain an awareness of the partici-pants’ alcohol use and workplace values;

Assist participants to understand blood alcohol content in relation to safe drink driving practices;

Explore the participants’ motiva-tions and readiness for change;

Explore the positive and negative aspects associated with engaging in risky drinking behaviours“The program was first devel-

oped by CAPT Alison Kaine and the revision has ensured that the origi-nal intent and content has been main-tained,” Ms Harland said. “Some peo-ple come thinking they’re going to be lectured or hounded or talked at for four days but that’s not the case.

“It’s really about each of the indi-vidual participants, it’s their course and they get an opportunity over four days to explore their own reasons for drinking,” she said.

MAJ McInnes said a change in atti-tude became obvious in the 1980s and 1990s. “There’s been a slow and grad-ual change in people’s attitudes in the community and that change has filtered through into the ADF.

“The latest sign is the CA saying ‘This is not acceptable’ he’s drawn a line in the sand. The key is getting people to realise that drinking respon-sibly means taking care of yourself and your mates,” she said.

Read up on the ADF Mental Health Strategy at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/dmh/ or www.defence.gov.au/health/DMH/i-dmh.htm or email: [email protected] Read SGT Andrew Hetherington’s special report on the longer live-in AREP course in the next edition.

Is alcohol putting you at risk? Find out, says Hugh McKenzie.

A score of 8 or more indicates drinking in excess of low risk guidelines. Your ADF health provider can give you some information and support to help you cut down to a less risky amount. Navy members can also see their ADPA or contact their local ADPC for further assistance.

HOW DO YOUR RATE?

Questions 0 1 2 3 4

1. How often do you have a drink? Never(Skip to Q9&10)

Monthly or less

2 to 4 times a month

2 to 3 times a week

4 or more times a week

2. How many drinks do you have on a typical day?

1 or 2 3 or 4 5 or 6 7 to 9 10 or more

3. How often do you have six or more drinks on one occasion?

Never Less than monthly

Monthly Weekly Daily or almost daily

4. How often during the last year have you found you were not able to stop drinking once you had started?



5. How often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?



6. How often during the last year have you needed a first drink in the morning to get yourself going after a heavy drinking session?



7. How often during the last year have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?



8. How often during the last year have you been unable to remem-ber what happened the night before because of your drinking?



9. Have you or someone else been injured because of your drinking?

No Yes, but not in the last year

Yes, dur-ing the last year

10. Has a relative, friend, doctor or other health care worker been concerned about your drinking and suggested you cut down?

No Yes, but not in the last year

Yes, dur-ing the last year

Do not score questions 11 & 12 Total

11. Do you think you presently have a problem with drinking?

No Probably not

Unsure Possibly Definitely

12. In the next three months, how difficult would you find it to cut down or stop drinking?

Very easy

Fairly easy Neither difficult nor easy

Fairlydifficult

Verydifficult

Place an X in one box that best describes your answer to each question and total your score for questions 1 to 10. See the bottom of the page for an interpretation of your score.

HealthRCEAIR FF

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[email protected]/milhop1800 886 567

29 April 15, 2010 Sp Sp rt

WITH not-out scores of 66 and 70 and a spell of second-innings bowling that reaped four wick-ets for 20 runs off 11 overs, CPL Matt Monaghan certainly led from the front when the RAAF Base Richmond Cricket Club (RRCC) won the Hawkesbury District Cricket Association (HDCA) sec-ond-grade grand final on March 28.

CPL Monaghan was rightly award-ed the umpires’ Bradman Medal for his outstanding game, which helped guide the RRCC to an outright eight-wicket win against civilian team Windsor at Bensons Lane 2nd Main Cricket Oval.

This was the first major win by the RRCC since its rebirth within the HDCA two years ago. Last season, two teams made the finals but fell just short of going on.

RRCC progressed to the grand final by finishing the roster season as minor premier and then beating Wilberforce by 11 runs in its semi-final.

Before someone claims that CPL Monaghan could do no wrong in the grand final, consider this.

CPL Monaghan did lose some-thing.

As captain of the team, he lost the coin toss and Windsor decided to bat

Batsman,bowler, winner

first in the two-day match on a hard, even wicket with just a touch of green grass on top.

Windsor looked in a commanding position before LAC Matthew Lloyd came on late in the innings (3 for 12) with help from FSGT Stephen Wynne (3 for 17). Windsor was all out for 147.

After an early wicket the RRCC team stabilised to be 1 for 45 before CPL James Watters (21) was dis-missed.

This led to wickets falling on a regular basis and the team slumped to 8 for 121 before No 10 batsman CPL Michael Douglas (21) helped

CPL Monaghan (66 not out) steer the side to a first innings lead of just eight runs.

With an entire day’s play left, Windsor attempted to set RRCC a sec-ond innings run chase, but lost their last eight wickets for a modest 31 to be all out for 102.

CPL Monaghan again led from the front (4 for 20 off 11 overs). PTE Jarrod Thomson and FLGOFF Benjamin Gierke offered great sup-port from the other end.

RRCC made short work of the 95 run chase.

It lost an early wicket before SGT Ian Smith (19) and CPL Monaghan (70 not out) put on a partnership off 76 runs before SGT Smith played on with the win in sight.

HONOUR ROLL OF OUR PLAYERS

1. CPL Matt Monaghan (C) (1CCS) 2. CPL Jimmy Watters (VC) (1CCS) 3. FSGT Stephen Wynne (37SQN) 4. PTE Brock Gibson (176SQN) 5. LAC Matthew Lloyd (1CCS) 6. PTE Jarod Thomson (176SQN) 7. LAC Barry Petersen (325ECCS) 8. LAC Phil Hanley (325ECCS) 9. FLGOFF Ben Gierke (1CCS)10. CPL Michael Douglas (37SQN)11. SGT Ian Smith (285SQN)12. PTE Dougie Linnett (176SQN)

TAKE THAT: Above, a magpie watches as CPL Jimmy Watters goes on the attack.

AND THAT: Left, the star of the show, CPL Matt Monaghan.

TWO of the busiest units at RAAF Base Richmond found time to set aside their tools and ‘wield the willows’ on the cricket pitch on February 25.

No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron (1CCS) beat 37SQN after facing off on the Richmond Oval. LAC James Clews (37SQN) won the toss, opting to bowl. 1CCS posted 133, and in reply, 37SQN was out for 105.

WELL DONE: The victorious 1CCS players have something to celebrate after beating 37SQN at RAAF Base Richmond. Photos: AC Philip

Sharpe

MOMENT OF IMPACT: LAC Rob Sutterby, of 37SQN, connects with the ball.

Tracking the Grand Prix

An F/A-18 starts a flyover of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix Circuit during an aerial display on March 27. Inset, the RAAF Roulettes fly in formation with a Qantas A380 around Port Phillip Bay during the race. The Hornet and Roulettes were part of the ADF display at the Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne. Photos: ABIS Andrew Black and CPL Steve Duncan

1CCS topples37SQN

RCEAIR FF

30 April 15, 2010

EIGHTY-EIGHT of Australia’s best AFL footballers have written heartfelt messages on guernseys destined to be worn by ADF personnel in the Middle East Area of Operations, the Solomon Islands and East Timor.

Along with six Sherrin footballs, the guernseys are gifts from the Australian Football League to the ADF to help promote the Telstra ‘Message to the Troops’ on Anzac Day.

Outside of AFL grand final day, Anzac Day is the biggest occasion on the AFL calendar, with AFL clubs, players and fans embracing the opportunity to show their respect and appreciation to Australian servicemen and women who have served or are currently on active service overseas.

The guernseys come from four teams who are scheduled to play games on Anzac Day – Richmond and Fremantle, which will play at Subiaco Oval, and Essendon and Collingwood which will play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

ADF personnel will be photographed in the guernseys for footage to be used promoting the Message to the Troops in the week leading up to April 25.

ADF representatives from the Army, Navy and Air Force were given VIP treatment when they attended the guernsey-signing day by Richmond at Punt Rd Oval last month.

Air Force was represented by SQNLDR Tim Stacey, of Victoria Barracks, who can offer a first-hand perspective on how well received the guernseys will be.

He was deployed on Operation Slipper for six months, returning in January this year.

“I know how much mail means to you while deployed. I have no doubt that the players jumpers and footballs will be warmly received,” he said.

Footy stars’ Anzac messages

He said he had a great visit to Punt Rd Oval. “Thanks has to go to the AFL clubs for their support,” he said.

“It’s initiatives like these that reinforce the level of respect there is for the ADF.

“Many lives of people gone before us were sacrificed for the greater good, and Anzac Day is a time for reflecting on this.

“It’s also a time for reflecting on the efforts of those men and women of the ADF that continue to serve on operations.”

The 22 Essendon and 22 Collingwood guernseys and two footballs are destined for the Middle East; 11 Richmond guernseys and 11 Fremantle guernseys and two balls will go to East Timor; and 11 Richmond guernseys and 11 Fremantle guernseys and two balls will go to the Solomons.

OLD HAND: Essendon veteran defender Dustin Fletcher.

Photo: Cameron L’Estrange

DOING THEM PROUD: SQNLDR Tim Stacey with one of the guernseys and Richmond players, from left, Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Daniel Jackson.

Photo: Foto Group

OFF THE MARK: SQNLDR Tim Stacey finds himself out of position in a marking duel with PO Adam Bamford, Richmond player Daniel Jackson and SGT Daniel van Emmerik. Photo: Foto Group

Hawks full of anticipation

Pup Elliott

HISTORY remembers great battles, epic challenges and even sporting events by location rather than the units or participants. So, too, will the weekend of March 27 and 28 be remembered not for those who com-peted but the terrain itself, Sparrow Hill.

On an unexpectedly warm autumn weekend day in Canberra, ADF mem-bers rode alongside more than 3600 other mountain bikers in the Mont 24-hour race.

This year the race was cut down to 23 hours because at noon on Saturday, the usual start time, the field, includ-

ing the Defence riders, instead did a short lap in tribute to James Williamson who died while compet-ing at the Cape Epic in South Africa during the week leading up to the Mont.

Williamson, a former Australian and world champion, was a regular participant at 24-hour events and was part of the four-man team which won the Scott 24-hour last year.

For the next 23 hours, the riders threw themselves around a 19km sin-gle track course at speeds that would make some road cyclists cringe in fear.

So what is single track riding? Imagine riding a bicycle through

Circular Quay on a Saturday morning, all the obstacles you could imagine with prams, joggers, dogs and pack-ages conflicting with the direction you want to proceed. Now replace these objects with immovable items such as trees, rocks and a creek or two. Place these immovable objects randomly on a hillside, both up and down slopes, and then draw a Mr Squiggle path through it all randomly. At times you have covert native animals hurl pine cones and rocks in your path just to aid in obstructing passage.

CPL Jarrod Hughes led the race for a short period at the Le Mans sprint start. He came ninth in the fastest male day laps, with a time of 45min 48sec,

and 19th in the fastest male night laps in 53min 9sec.

His team, the Ghostriders, which included CPL Ryan Morgan, came second in the foursomes – open male, and placed fourth overall.

Other Air Force participants includ-ed SQNLDR Tim Floyd, SQNLDR Richard Wolf, SQNLDR David Smyth, SQNLDR Greg Foord who rode for the My Camelback team; SQNLDR Cameron Leslie, FLGOFF Michael Olsen, SQNLDR Gordon Saunders who rode for the Inglorious Bustups team; and FLTLT Shane Taylor who was part of a Merida ACT four-person mixed team which won its category, came 21st outright.

Mountain-bikers roll up for the battle of Sparrow Hill

LEADING LIGHT: CPL Jarrod Hughes in action.

OLD HAND: Essendon veteran

OFF THE MARK: SQNLDR Tim Stacey finds himself out of position

THE Air Force Hawks aim to give Navy and Army rivals a run for their money at the Australian Services Aus-tralian Football Association (ASAFA) Championships in Melbourne.

The championships are due to start on April 14 at Whitten Oval.

Navy dominated last year, winning both the Jim Smail Trophy for men and the Geoff Ledger Cup for women.

The president of the Air Force Football Club, FLTLT Justin Taylor, drew confidence from the Hawks’ win in the Kapooka 12s recently.

“I am excited with the new talent available this year,” he said.

The titles are the centrepiece of the ASAFA calendar.

A championship dinner and awards ceremony will be held on April 18, when the respective men’s and women’s All-Stars’ teams will be named.

The men’s team will play against the Australian Combined Emergency Services (ACES) team in a curtain-raiser to the Port Adelaide-St Kilda AFL match at Adelaide Oval on the Anzac weekend.

RCEAIR FFSp Sp rt



31 April 15, 2010

From Back Page

It has been a stellar year for FLTLT Withers, of the Airborne Early Warn-ing and Control Systems Program Of-fice at RAAF Base Williamtown.

In February, he finished second in the ADF long-course championships at Huskisson, NSW.

And on March 21, he finished third in the ADSTA section of the Olympic Distance Triathlon held in association with the Newcastle Triathlon.

That Newcastle race was certainly a landmark event for Air Force vet-erans.

It was FSGT Craig Hardwicke’s 150th triathlon.

FSGT Hardwicke, 52, placed sev-enth in the 50-54 age group and com-pleted the race – which incorporated a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run – in 2hr 56min 52sec.

Afterwards, he said he’s not fin-ished yet, either. He now has his sights set on 200 triathlons.

“Newcastle was my 150th triath-lon,” he said.

The 2010 Red Bull Air Race recently kicked off in Abu Dhabi, with a disappointing result for me.

After spending the week getting faster and faster with the aircraft, and several times setting a time within the top three, we were forced out on race day due to mechanical problems, specifically being unable to start the engine.

This event alone jolted me back to my past, when I sat in an F/A-18 on the ramp, trying to get it serviceable … failing an FCS BIT multiple times, the INS not kicking in on start, and Inlet Ice caution on a rainy day. The difference was that in the Air Force we were almost always able to solve the problem on the spot, or at least ‘jump the spare’ and complete a suc-cessful mission.

To miss a race was the most devas-tating ‘abort’ I have ever faced.

There were also some pretty good memories brought back during this race, though.

While I was in the Air Force, I was fortunate enough to be sent on an exchange program to the US flying the F-15E Strike Eagle.

During my tour, I ended up being deployed to the Middle East with the 336 Fighter Squadron (336FS), for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While in Abu Dhabi, which was itself quite geographically close to the base I was deployed to on that opera-tion, I received an email from a sec-

Who me? Our new ironman gets a shock in triathlon marquee

Happy to be home

ond lieutenant in the 336, informing me that the squadron was nearby and wanted to drop in to say hello.

As it turned out, the commander of the squadron was a mate of mine who was on my instructor course.

The result was 30 fighter pilots turning up to my hangar the day before race day, and talking about the transition from flying fighters to race planes. After a few photos, and a cou-ple of stickers ‘zapped’ on my cowl,

we said farewell and who knows when we shall catch up again.

So, moving to Perth. I am excited by the prospects of a home race, and the location of Perth is exciting. It is where I graduated from pilots’ course 18 years ago, and started flying jets; the Macchi then.

I am excited by the support I have been getting from the ADF, and spe-cifically the Air Force, and know that there will be a great number of friends

and associates on the ground watching and cheering me on.

With RAAF Base Pearce just up the road, there is a large mobile fan base just waiting to turn up, hopefully.

I am also expecting the opportu-nity to catch up with a lot of my old friends whom I have not seen for a number of years, just like in Abu Dhabi.

The one remarkable thing about the ADF, is your old friends are

always there, even if you have not seen or talked to them for years.

So, if you are around, come to the race track and watch, cheer, bring an Aussie flag. I am proud to be Australian, and very proud to be a retired ADF and Air Force member.

If you can’t get to the Perth race, follow me on my website: www.matthallracing.com or on Facebook. I will try my best to do you all proud.

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship moves to Perth on April 17 and 18, which means that one of the Air Force’s favourite sons, former WGCDR Matt Hall, will be back in our air space. And he says he’s excited at the prospect.

“I began in 1987 and have com-pleted at least one triathlon every year since then. I plan on competing until I can no longer swim/bike/run.”

FLTLT Withers isn’t finished yet either – though just quietly he was contemplating retiring on top.

His aim before the race was to record a time that qualified him for the famous Hawaiian Ironman later this year, but he fell nine minutes short.

For the record, FLTLT Withers did

catch sight of Tony Abbott, but only early on.

He finished way, way ahead of the Opposition Leader, finishing 169th overall, which made him 14th overall in the 45 to 49 years section.

The winner of the Huskisson event, SGT Craig Ewen-Crawford, was one of the pre-race favourites again at Newcastle but he had some major mechanical problems on the bike and finished in the back pack.

FLTLT Withers, known for his strong bike leg, finished with a well-paced run.

Another notable performer for Air Force was SQNLDR Julian Weller who took out the second-fastest 1.5km swim of the day in 21min 41sec. He finished the race in 2hr 53min 11sec.

SGT Ewen-Crawford completed the Ironman in 10hr 50min 34sec, 299th overall.

For more information,visit the ADSTA website: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/ADSTA/comweb.asp?page=104629 BIG EFFORT: SQNLDR Julian Weller. Photos: LACW Amy Trebilco

ON HIS WAY: Left, Matt Hill soars above the Emirates Palace hotel and the Etihad Towers during the Abu Dhabi Red Bull Air Race fly in and calibration day on March 23. Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty ImagesOLD FRIENDS: Below, Matt catches up with some of the US pilots.Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images

JUST KEEP GOING: SGT John Caples in the cycle leg of the triathlon.

RCEAIR FF Sp Sp rt

Our very own

ironmanJohn Martin and AB Michael Baruch

IN HIS 20th year as a Defence triath-lete, FLTLT Terry Withers has become Defence’s ironman champion.

To his own surprise, he was crowned the Australian Defence Sports Triathlon Association (ADSTA) champion at Port Macquarie on March 29 – more than a day after completing the gruelling event, which includes a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride

He didn’t even know he had won the ADF title until he was called to the stage in front of 3000 people

STILL FULL OF PUFF: FSGT Craig Hardwicke, contesting his 150th triathlon, grits his teeth on a steep climb at Newcastle.Photo: LACW Katharine Pearson

and a 42.2km run.FLTLT Withers, 45, was one

of 3000 people assembled in a giant marquee for the awards ceremony the night after the event, which had a wider media focus this year due to the much-heralded presence of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott among the colour, movement and confusion of more than 1500 entrants.

FLTLT Withers had been pleased with his time – 10hrs 22mins – which was nine sec-onds faster than his last iron-man triathlon attempt 10 years ago.

“I was expecting a second or perhaps third,” he said.

So imagine his surprise when he was called to the stage to accept first place.

Continued

SP RTApril 15, 2010

SSCPL Matt Monaghan stars in cricket win – Page 29

AND THE WINNER IS: FLTLT Terry Withers who put in his usual big effort on the cycle leg. Photo: LACW Amy Trebilco

AND THE WINNER IS: FLTLT Terry FLTLT Terry

AFL players’ messages to ADF personnel overseas

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