AIRF RCEVol. 55, No. 17, September 12, 2013 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

P328SQN ON SHOW IN CAPITAL ETHICAL LEADERSHIP CRITICAL

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GENERATING AIR POWER: Personnel Capability Specialist

CPL Cynthia McShane, of 36SQN, delivers administrative support at

RAAF Base Amberley.Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

2 September 12, 2013RCEAIR FNews

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RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORKLiving the Air Force Values:

Salary-related allowances to change from September 12FLTLT Phil Mayne

Several salary-related allow-ances will change from September 12 following a recent Defence Force remuneration Tribunal (DFrT) decision.

Service allowance has been increased, the daily rate of Separation allowance has been replaced with a fortnightly rate, Flying allowance has been renamed and air Force members are no long-er entitled to arduous Conditions allowance.

The changes follow approval by the DFrT of the aDF’s Salary-related allowance Structure (SraS), a new framework for reviewing and amending allowances that compensate for the impost of service life.

Director General Personnel–air Force aIrCDre robert rodgers said the SraS was an important evolution in aDF remuneration that ensured all members were appropri-ately compensated for the realities of service life.

“This is a notable and positive

development in remuneration for our people,” aIrCDre rodgers said.

“The SraS will provide greater transparency, reduce the complexity and administrative burden around allowances, and achieve fairness for members while enabling capability outcomes.”

Under the decision, Separation allowance has been simplified to compensate for periods of separa-tion by one of two ways.

For 60 days or fewer of separa-tion, all members – separated or

not – will receive a whole-of-career increase in Service allowance of $178 a year.

Members separated for service reasons for more than 60 days will receive an annual allowance of $2509, paid fortnightly.

Trainee allowance has also increased by $138 a year.

The DFrT agreed to abolish arduous Conditions allowance, except for certain Navy instructors, due to the low quanta, high admin-istration costs and limited use of the allowance.

In other changes, Flying and Flight Duties allowances have been rolled into Flying Disability allowance, payable daily or annu-ally.

The SraS became operational on august 1, for effect from September 12, and changes will be seen in pay packets in late September/October.

The next round of salary-related allowances to be reviewed under the SraS will include reserve, Special Forces, Special Operations and Field allowances.

Graduate pilot schemeAIR Force is embarking on a two-year trial of a targeted recruitment scheme that seeks to increase the number of female pilots in the service.

The Graduate Pilot Scheme (GPS) is a temporary measure that aims to encourage women studying Bachelor of Aviation degrees to consider joining as pilots.

Deputy Director Air Force Workforce Diversity WGCDR Llani Kennealy said women comprised less than 3 per cent of Air Force’s pilot workforce.

“This is less than half the civilian aviation participation rate,” WGCDR Kennealy said.

Since 2011, Air Force has recruited just two female direct entry pilots, compared with 70 males. In compari-son, about half of aviation college students are women.

“Given that women make up half the talent pool from which we recruit, we are clearly missing a significant opportunity to attract high quality people,” WGCDR Kennealy said.

The GPS is a recruitment pathway designed to encourage higher numbers of women to apply for pilot training by:➤� targeting women who already

demonstrate commitment to a career in aviation, yet are not considering an Air Force career;

➤� setting a reduced return of service obligation of the greater of two years post conversion, or three years post 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) graduation;

➤� awarding a Bachelor of Aviation degree on 2FTS graduation;

➤� paying the accumulated university fee on award of the Bachelor of Aviation;

➤� where possible, affording prior-ity in being assigned to training courses to minimise time to gradua-tion;

➤� grouping women candidates together to provide mutual support; and

➤� appointing a woman pilot mentor who will assist them from recruit-ing through training and during their Air Force career.The GPS is one of a range of

recruitment schemes designed to increase the pool of women seeking to join the Air Force.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

TARGETING THE WHOLE TALENT POOL: Pilots FLTLT Natalie Pietrobon (left) and SQNLDR Samantha Freebairn, of 36SQN, pose in front of a C-17A Globemaster at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

Is Air Force discriminating against men?

The GPS is initially being trialled for women as a special temporary measure, with a view to rolling it out to men if successful, as Air Force knows the best and brightest may now be choosing the Bachelor of Aviation-funded pathway instead of Air Force.

Ongoing work on ADF conditions of service applicable to all serving members will further support long-term retention.

Is Air Force lowering its recruit-ment and graduation standards?

No. There will be no reduction in recruitment standards associated with any measures to increase the participation of women in Air Force.

GPS is designed to increase the number of women entering the recruiting pool, so they can be selected on their own merits, in fair

competition. All potential recruits through the GPS will be required to successfully complete extant Air Force pilot selection aptitude tests, medical components, flight screen-ing and the officer selection board.

Why is Air Force changing the ROSO for GPS entrants?

The scheme incorporates a reduction in the ROSO for women who apply through the GPS. Research has shown that the length of ROSO associated with pilot training is a significant disincentive to women taking up a flying career in Air Force. GPS removes this barrier.

Air Force’s expectation is that, once women commence their careers, they will elect to stay beyond completion of their initial ROSO. This aspect of the scheme will be closely monitored and adjusted as necessary to ensure Air Force can retain critical skills.

Why is Air Force only targeting women?

Aside from the fact women make up half of our recruiting pool yet only comprise less than 3 per cent of pilots, research consistently shows that organisations with a higher percentage of women in decision-making roles markedly outperform organisations with fewer women.

Additionally, the growth in the Australian labour force is slow-ing. With an aging population, the number of young people entering the workforce will decline from 2025; already more people leave the workforce each year than enter it. This shrinking market and increas-ing competition from the aviation industry make it crucial that Air Force puts into place strategies that enable it to continually grow an effective and diverse pilot force.

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3September 12, 2013RCEAIR F News

Show of pride

FLGOFF Iain Slater

PERSONNEL from 28SQN were proudly on show when the squadron exercised its Freedom of Entry to the City of Canberra on August 24.

Members marched down London Circuit in the city before being chal-lenged by the Chief Police Officer of the ACT, Assistant Commissioner Rudi Lammers, to present the Freedom of Entry Scroll.

The march continued past Civic Square where ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher and CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown jointly accepted the squadron’s salute.

The Commanding Officer of 28SQN, WGCDR Karen Ashworth, said she was exceptionally proud to lead the parade.

“It was a privilege to display our professionalism and commitment to the Canberra community through the Freedom of Entry parade,” she said.

“Our squadron has a very close bond with Canberra and it was an opportunity to demonstrate that relationship.

“The even t was a g r ea t honour and, with the squadron having recently been approved its own Governor-General’s Banner, we look forward to carrying our own squadron colours the next time we exercise Freedom of Entry to the City of Canberra.”

This year marks the capital’s centennial year, with the squadron also celebrating its 30th birthday.

Ms Gallagher thanked the squad-ron for its contribution to the life of the city.

“The Freedom of Entry is a sign of our trust and our gratitude,” Ms Gallagher said.

“It really showcases the spirit of our modern Defence personnel and their bond with the community.”

She also recalled the squadron’s assistance during the devastating 2003 Canberra bushfires.

A number of 28SQN personnel are not based in Canberra, so mem-bers of Australia’s Federation Guard and Army’s Royal Military College Band provided support, marching as part of the parade contingent.

28SQN member LACW Sylvia Wendlandt said it was well worth the hours of practise in the cold Canberra winter.

“It’s nerve-wracking marching around the city, but it’s good to see people appreciate the service you’ve done,” LACW Wendlandt said.

WELCOME: 28SQN’s WOFF Brett Baker presents the Freedom of Entry scroll to the Chief Police Officer of the ACT Assistant Commissioner Rudi Lammers. Right, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown and ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher chat following the parade. Inset above, 28SQN on parade. Photos: FSGT John Carroll

Keeps you switched on

4 September 12, 2013RCEAIR FNews

SGT Gary Youl has been award-ed the RAAF Association’s FSGT Middleton VC Trophy for non-com-missioned officers in recognition of his leadership skills with the Air Force Cadets.

SGT Youl was recognised for the award in 2010 when he was a course manager at the Defence Force School of Signals at Simpson Barracks in Victoria and worked with the cadets for a month.

But the presentation was delayed because he was sent to Kabul as the Force Communications Unit Nodal Commander and, when he returned from Afghanistan, was posted out of the school.

SGT Youl was finally presented with his award on July 31 this year by Commander Defence Strategic Communications Branch AIRCDRE Nicholas Barneveld and SQNLDR Bob Weight (retd), of the RAAF Association (ACT Division), repre-senting the Victorian Division of the RAAF Association.

SGT Youl , now of HMAS Harman, will not have much time to admire his trophy because in October he is due to leave for an eight-month deployment as a member of Force Communications Unit Rotation 10.

SGT Youl said receiving an award associated with FSGT Middleton was a great honour and thanked the team

that worked with him and the cadets.“We provided them training

in ultra and high frequency voice communications using our antennas and radios,” SGT Youl said.

“We developed lesson plans, gathered the required resources

and my team sacrificed their own off-duty time to provide the cadets with an insight into how we effec-tively communicate in a deployed environment.

“The Air Force Cadets were very appreciative.”

A true leader

WELL DESERVED: SGT Gary Youl, of HMAS Harman, poses with the FSGT Middleton VC Trophy, awarded for his outstanding leadership while working with Air Force Cadets. Photo: AB Kathy Tuddenham

MORE than 100 people from around Australia attended the annual Defence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network conference at HMAS Harman from August 19-21.

CAF Specialist Adviser GPCAPT Lisa Jackson-Pulver represented Air Force, supported by a cadre of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander airmen and airwomen.

“The highly technical nature of many Air Force work environments presents unique recruiting challenges,” GPCAPT Jackson-Pulver said.

“One of the messages from our people here is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders can, and do, succeed in these environments.

“We encourage people ranging from job seekers and university aspirants to those wanting a mid-life change, to think about an Air Force career.”

Air Force delegates also discussed ideas about the Air Force Indigenous Strategy. As a result, Air Force will ensure a strong presence in the delivery of the ADF Indigenous Specialised Pathways to Employment programs, including the six-week Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course and the five-month Defence Indigenous Development Program courses listed for 2014.

The Air Force Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network continues to grow, with many airmen and airwomen stepping forward to get involved.

Serving members who want to contribute to Air Force’s community engagement processes and recruiting programs, or connect with the Air Force Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network, should contact SQNLDR Anne Taylor at anne.taylor@defence.gov.au

Paving the way

INCREDIBLE ACT OF HEROISM

The prestigious FSGT Middleton VC Trophy is named after FSGT Rawdon hume Middleton, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross after he died in 1942 following an extraordinary act of heroism.

Despite receiving facial and eye injuries after his Stirling bomber was struck by flak in Italy, and with insufficient fuel to make it back to england, FSGT Middleton flew back over the Alps to give his crew the opportunity to bale out over friendly soil.

having ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft – seven men left the plane, five survived – he crashed into the english Channel.

his body washed ashore at Dover on February 1, 1943 and he was buried in the churchyard of

St. John’s, Beck’s Row, Suffolk, with full military honours.

FSGT Rawdon Middleton

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5September 12, 2013RCEAIR F News

Force of ethical leadersFLTLT Phil Mayne and Justine O’Brien

In the ADF, leadership is defined as “the process of influencing others in order to gain their will-ing consent in the ethical pursuit of missions”. now, Air Force has produced a guide that will help members gain a greater under-standing of ethical leadership.

CAF AIRMShL Geoff Brown launched the Royal Australian Air Force Leadership Companion at the Commanding Officers’ Call at RAAF Base Glenbrook in August.

Produced by the Air Force team at the Centre of Defence Leadership and ethics (CDLe), the Leadership Companion is a guide for ethical leadership to ultimately enable Australia’s air power.

Deputy Director Air Force L e a d e r s h i p W G C D R L i s a Macnaughtan said the publication examined the human element of the Air Force profession, with an emphasis on social mastery.

“It is the first time that Air Force has clearly articulated leadership guidance for its members,” WGCDR Macnaughtan said.

“It enables us to have the conver-sation about the human elements that underpin the air power aspect of the profession of arms.”

WGCDR Peter Gilbert, formerly the project lead while at CDLe, said the Leadership Companion would help personnel to develop their character, professional ethics, “followership” and leadership with-in the three professional develop-ment domains of formal education and training, individual commitment, and coaching and mentoring in the workplace.

he said Air Force leadership was unique in its “enduring culture of workplace collaboration and self-discipline, as opposed to imposed discipline and overt direction”.

“ O t h e r s h ave m i s t a ke n l y interpreted our leadership style as being rather casual and informal,” WGCDR Gilbert said.

“however, the high premium that air power places on agility requires a leadership style that prepares and empowers Air Force personnel to contribute as both individuals and team members.”

Launching the publication, AIRMShL Brown said Air Force leadership favoured expertise over generalism.

“You can say that, at the most general level, leadership is lead-ership. But Air Force has some specific characteristics,” AIRMShL Brown said.

“We value certain things in the leadership continuum, such as pro-

fessional expertise. that actually gives us a pretty good result most of the time.

“the true value of this book is that it talks about the way we actually do it and what we consid-er important in that. I think it’s a good articulation of leadership in Air Force and I congratulate the team at CDLe for their work.”

WGCDR Macnaughtan said the team at CDLe spent nearly two years collaborating, writing and reviewing before CAF’s approval of the publication in June this year.

“through this process, input f rom ac ross Ai r Force was incorporated, with the content also influenced by navy and Army, and our international allies,” she said.

“the Leadership Companion, while drawing on the expertise of other military organisations, was designed specifically for the RAAF.”

L i m i t e d c o p i e s o f t h e publication are available and distribution of these copies to units is under way. An electronic version will also soon be available on the DRn.

For further information about the Leadership Companion, contact WGCDR Lisa Macnaughtan via the DRN at lisa.macnaughtan@defence.gov.au or WOFF Rob Swanwick at robert.swanwick@defence.gov.au

An honourable jobA neW position has been created within Air Force hQ to help stream-line the process of drafting honours and Awards (h&A) nominations.

GPCAPt Rob Scrivener, whose new title is Director honours and Awards Development–Air Force (DhAD-AF), will develop an information guide to help members gain confidence in the h&A process and develop competitive submissions.

his appointment was announced in August by Director General Personnel–Air Force AIRCDRe Robert Rodgers.

“GPCAPt Scrivener is passionate about recognising well-deserving mem-bers and has extensive experience in the h&A process,” AIRCDRe Rodgers said.

he said the information guide would be readily understood by all Air Force members and, once complete, posted

on the DhAD-AF website for general access.

“GPCAPt Scrivener is available to help at any stage in the drafting process, including reviewing final products for competitiveness and providing feedback on how to improve chances of success,” AIRCDRe Rodgers said.

“Any interaction with GPCAPt Scrivener will be strictly private and honours-in-confidence.”

GPCAPt Scrivener will act independently of the various review committees and approval chains to avoid any perceptions of undue influ-ence in the process. he will also focus on improving the general level of understanding of the h&A system.

For more information, visit www.defence.gov.au/medals or http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/DGPERSAF/comweb.asp?page=1308609&Title=DHAD-AF

LEADERSHIP MATTERS: The Royal Australian Air Force Leadership Companion will help members of all ranks become better leaders. Photo: LAC David Said

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6 September 12, 2013RCEAIR FNews

SGT Dave Morley

THE names of 10 Air Force members who died in non-warlike operations have been added to the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

They were among the 48 Australian servicemen and women added on August 30 after years of lobbying, which included a petition containing 40,000 signatures.

Three new bronze panels were unveiled by Memorial director Brendan Nelson.

Dr Nelson said the day was a mile-stone for the families of those whose names were being added to the Roll of Honour, the Memorial and Australia.

“An ongoing challenge for the Memorial is to recognise the changing

nature of war and conflict,” Dr Nelson said.

“Remaining true to the vision of Charles Bean, the Memorial’s founder, the inclusion of these names on the Roll of Honour fittingly remembers the sacrifice made by these service-men and women on behalf of all Australians.”

The Air Force members honoured were: ➤���FLTLT Cyril Nissen➤���FLTLT Mel Quinn ➤���LAC Maxwell Hennessy➤���PLTOFF Henry Andrews ➤���SQNLDR Ronald Sharkie➤���FSGT Evan Rees ➤���FLTLT Ralph Taylor ➤���SGT Wendy Jones➤���SQNLDR Paul McCarthy➤���FLTLT Lynne Rowbottom

10 added to Roll of Honour

Australian War Memorial recognises those lost in non-warlike operations

FLTLT Ralph TaylorTWO 9SQN Iroquois helicopters flew from Wamena in Irian Jaya on July 29, 1977, during Operation Cenderawasih (Bird of Paradise) to take an Australian Army geodetic survey party to an airstrip across the moun-tains.

The mission was aborted due to heavy cloud and the two choppers were returning to base when A2-379 went missing with five personnel on board.

The aircraft was located early the next day in a moss forest at an altitude of 3000 metres. Two soldiers were winched 60 metres through the jungle canopy to the wreck below and found that, apart from the pilot, FLTLT Ralph Taylor, all on board had survived, though three were seriously injured.

LAC Maxwell HennessyTHE Australian Government deployed Air Force’s 78 (Fighter) Wing on garrisoning duties to Malta in 1952, after a request from the British Government.

The RAAF’s two-year presence was essentially a symbolic gesture to demonstrate the Commonwealth’s solidarity in the midst of the Cold War.

On January 18, 1954, LAC Maxwell Hennessy, 25, was making his first jet flight in a Meteor fighter when it lost height soon after take-off.

It hit the end of the runway and flipped on to its back killing LAC Hennessy instantly.

TRAGIC LOSS: The wreck of Iroquois A2-379 in which FLTLT Ralph Taylor was killed in 1977.

SAD END: The wreck of LAC Maxwell Hennessy’s Meteor fighter, which tragically crashed during the airman’s first flight. Photos: Office of Air Force History

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7September 12, 2013RCEAIR F News

SGT Dave Morley

SEEING American presidential candi-date Bobby Kennedy speak the night before he was assassinated in 1968 is just one of many significant memories of an officer who was awarded his second Federation Star on August 20.

SQNLDR Barry Walters enlisted in the Air Force in Brisbane in 1964 as an apprentice instrument fitter and first worked on Neptune maritime patrol aircraft at RAAF Base Richmond.

He said that, although he was indentured for 15 years, the enlistment was broadly open-ended.

“As a teenager I didn’t really care how long it lasted, as long as I was around aeroplanes,” SQNLDR Walters said.

“After I reached nominal retirement age for a squadron leader I took on a job where I believed I could match my service expertise with civil avia-tion interests, so I became a technical specialist on civil aviation security issues.

“It happened out of sheer interest that I later went back into the Active Reserve where I was able to match my civil interests with an Air Force task.

“I’m still turning a hobby into a task – I won’t call it a job.”

SQNLDR Walters said that, with his technical background, he moved to the US in 1967-68 to train as a specialist on the avionics of the then new P-3B Orion with the US Navy at Moffett Field, California.

“I was at Moffett Field when the USS Pueblo was captured [by North Korea] and the US defence condition was raised,” he said.

“We saw preparations being made for the US Navy to be ready for any possible warfighting contingency.

“As a 20-year-old, I must have had eyes like saucers watching all this happen around me.”

Make that a double

EXCITING CAREER: SQNLDR Barry Walters received his second Federation Star at the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) in Canberra on August 20. Inset, Director DIO MAJGEN Paul Symon congratulates SQNLDR Walters on his long service. Photos: DIO

During the Cold War in the 1980s he was involved in several operations in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

H e a l s o d e p l o y e d a t sho r t no t i c e t o Baghdad , I r a q , i n 2 0 0 5 - 0 6 a s a specialist staff officer with the Australian Joint Task Force.

SQNLDR Walters plans on staying in the Active Reserve for a few more years yet.

“I’m still flexible at this stage, which is a very good place to be,” he said.

“I’d encourage younger members to make the most of their opportunities – it’s a great service, all three are – and to take every advantage of the world-class training that is afforded them.”

When SQNLDR Walters does retire, he hopes to spend even more time working on Caribous and Neptunes at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society at Albion Park airport, near Wollongong in NSW.

‘As a teenager I didn’t really care how long [my tenure] lasted,

as long as I was around aeroplanes.

– SQNLDR Barry Walters

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9September 12, 2013RCEAIR F News

SGT Dave Morley

THE ADF’s vision for the use of green fuels was discussed at two important meetings in Brussels earlier this year.

The Air and Space Interoperability Council (ASIC) Fuels Group meeting and the NATO Fuels meeting both heard from the chief engineer for the Joint Fuels and Lubricants Agency (JFLA), SQNLDR Ulas Yildirim, who addressed the meetings on behalf of the ADF.

As discussions about peak oil, bio fuels and alternative energy sources increase, the sourcing of suitable fuel for ADF operations will become more important.

SQNLDR Yildirim said that, while fuel was a force multiplier, not much attention was paid to where it came from or the research that went into it.

“The ADF’s ability to participate and operate on non-petroleum-sourced aviation fuels during RIMPAC in 2012 was singled out by the US during both the ASIC and NATO fuels meetings,” SQNLDR Yildirim said.

He said work in this area ensured the ADF remained interoperable with its allies while staying abreast of progress on this very important topic.

“In the recent past, non-petroleum-sourced aviation fuels have become topical – the main driver for this is energy security and independence.”

SQNLDR Yildirim said this was a significantly greater priority for countries such as the US, given fuel demands for those countries greatly exceeded domestic production, and their fuel imports were from countries with which they have, at times, troubled relations.

“The challenge with the certification of non-petroleum-sourced aviation fuels is to approve them as ‘drop in replace-ment’ for conventional aviation fuels,” he said.

“This means that the certification will require no alteration to aircraft components, ship hardware or existing infrastructure.

“With this challenge in mind, the US military has conducted a significant amount of work on this topic.”

SQNLDR Yildirim said that, as a show of progress, the US Navy’s Great Green Fleet, operating on non-petroleum-sourced naval distillate and aviation fuels, participated in RIMPAC in Hawaii in July 2012.

During the exercise, a RAN Seahawk

was successfully refuelled and operated with a non-petroleum-sourced aviation fuel to conduct the ADF’s first flight trials.

“Although the Seahawk was successfully operated using a non-petroleum-sourced aviation fuel, discussions to make this happen started months before at the previous ASIC Fuels Group meeting between the US Navy and the ADF,” SQNLDR Yildirim said.

He said he was pleased that the recent ASIC Fuels Group meeting had represen-tation from the ADF, Canadian military, US Air Force, US Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Also of note, for the first time the NATO Fuels meeting had representation from Russia.

Comparatively speaking, in terms of budget, the ADF is a small player within the fuels environment in relation to nations such as the US and France.

“However, over the years it has been noted that the ADF has been punch-ing well above its weight,” SQNLDR Yildirim said.

He said this was because, as an ASIC member nation, the ADF had become very important in being able to fill specific roles and conduct niche research that other member nations had been unable to take up.

“Moreover, because of its smaller membership, the ASIC Fuels Group has been known to make decisions on specific fuels-related topics much faster than NATO,” he said.

“As such, the ASIC Fuels Group meeting discussions are reported on each year during the NATO Fuels meetings.

“By continuing to develop policy and procedures that allow the ADF to use fuels from alternative sources alongside our coalition allies, we will continue to enable the ADF to conduct operations at home and abroad into the future.”

For more information, visit the Air and Space Interoperability Council website at www.airstandards.org

Fuel for thought UP TO 46 aircraft from RAAF

bases Amberley, Williamtown and Tindal are participating in the biennial East Coast Air Defence Exercise (ECADEX 13) off the NSW coast.

The exercise began on August 26 and will run until September 13, with aircraft launching from Amberley and Williamtown.

Commander Air Combat Group AIRCDRE Tony Grady said ECADEX 13 was a vital training exercise for maintaining operational capability.

“The exercise also provides an opportunity for Air Force personnel to practise their skills at maintaining the integrity of Australian air space and protect-ing vital infrastructure, such as shipping ports or airfields,” AIRCDRE Grady said.

The exercise scenario is designed to test both passive and active air defence capabili-ties where a “blue” or friendly force protects the integrity of Australian air space and vital infrastructure against attack from a “red” force.

Note: Be sure to check out the September 26 edition of Air Force for full coverage of the East Coast Air Defence Exercise.

‘Battle’ for east coast airspace

TOPICAL ISSUE: 33SQN personnel perform maintenance on a KC-30A’s fuel drogue. Photo: LAC David Said

SQNLDR Ulas Yildirim

10 September 12, 2013RCEAIR FOperations

LEUT Sarah West

AN AIR Force member is playing a key role in training ADF personnel when they first enter the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).

FSGT Dannial Saba runs the explosive ordnance device identifica-tion training as part of the Reception, Staging, Onward movement and Integration (RSO&I) course at Al Minhad Air Base.

RSO&I is a three-day course all ADF members complete when they first arrive in the MEAO to ensure they are fully prepared to start their deployment.

FSGT Saba said the threat of improvised explosive devices (IED) was still very present in Afghanistan.

“We run personnel through some practical examples of IED con-structs, including switches and main charges, and show them what to look for,” FSGT Saba said.

“This training is important because most of the scenarios on the range have come from real-life experiences.

“We show ADF personnel how to mitigate the risk posed by any of the current IED threats they might encoun-ter in theatre.”

The course is run by a team from 39 Personnel Support Battalion (39PSB), which is a triservice unit based at Randwick Barracks in Sydney.

During RSO&I, part icipants are run through briefs designed to familiarise them with their new e n v i r o n m e n t a n d c o n d u c t refresher training in care of battle casualty (CBC) techniques, weapons handling, explosive ordnance detection and the sizing and wearing of combat body armour.

WO2 Geoff Turner runs the CBC training and said it was conducted using realistic scenarios to ensure personnel could perform life-saving first-aid while under pressure on the battlefield.

“We cover off on a number of injuries which, without ini t ial treatment, could result in death,” WO2 Turner said.

CPL Mark Doran

DEPUTY Commander Joint Task Force 633 (JTF633) AIRCDRE Tony Needham was updated on the progress of dismantling Multinational Base Tarin Kot (MNB-TK) when he toured the base on August 10-11.

MNB-TK has been inhabited by coalition forces, including Australian personnel, continuously since 2004 when it was first known as US Forward Operating Base Ripley.

With the ADF’s role in Uruzgan set to conclude by the end of 2013, the closure on MNB-TK will result in nearly 1000 ADF personnel being sent home.

During his visit, AIRCDRE Needham saw that nearly half of the base was already deconstructed. He said the base had already been transformed by the process, which was also gather-ing pace.

“The timeframe for our transition is realistic because of the detailed planning for this complex mission, which has been undertaken to understand what we need to achieve to meet our scheduled timeline,” AIRCDRE Needham said.

“We have been here a long time and we have built up a substantial base, so it is a fine balancing act. But, from what I have seen, the ADF personnel here are doing a fantastic job.

“Everyone is also paying close attention to the safety aspects and the force protection measures at the base.”

Uruzgan is one of the first provinces in Afghanistan’s south to which the International Security Assistance Force plans to transfer full responsibility for security by year’s end.

After speaking with MNB-TK personnel, AIRCDRE Needham said it was obvious they understood the importance of their mission in helping the Afghans and assisting the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to take the lead in their security.

Deployment ready in MEAO

EVER-PRESENT DANGER: FSGT Dannial Saba, left, instructs ADF members at Al Minhad Air Base about improvised explosive devices. Photo: PO Ollie Garside

Drawdown at TK is going to plan

“We can measure our success in Uruzgan by the security environment we have established here and, in particular, how well the Afghans have demonstrated their capacity to contain the insurgency and hold onto their gains,” he said.

“From the reports I have received from senior advisers, including the commander of Combined Team Uruzgan, COL Wade Stothart, and the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Task Force, LTCOL Mick Bye, our Afghan partnered forces are up to speed.

“The ANSF fighting capability is now far superior to that of the insurgents. We are happy with the progress the Afghans are making and we are confident in their ability to take over the security role.

“We can also see how confident the ANSF are in their ability to take over this role.”

IMPRESSED: AIRCDRE Tony Needham during his visit to Multinational Base Tarin Kot. Photo: CPL Mark Doran

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11September 12, 2013RCEAIR F News

Lauren Norton

AFTER Defence members made a record-breaking 3295 donations in last year’s Defence Blood Challenge, VCDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin has set a new target of 4000 donations.

In its fifth year, the challenge runs from September 1 to November 30 and is an opportunity for personnel, friends and family members to give the life-saving gift of blood and plasma.

The Defence Blood Challenge is Australia’s largest blood donation event and has produced more than 8000 donations – potentially saving more than 18,000 lives.

“We already make a significant contribution and it is pleasing to see our people extend the spirit of our service to support the Australian Red Cross Blood Service,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“I encourage all Defence personnel and families to donate during the challenge.”

Last year, Air Force won the challenge on a per capita basis with 919 donations, while Army recorded the largest number of donations overall with 1191.

Air Force ambassador SQNLDR Andrew Greaves said it was important for Air Force to donate to give back to the community.

“As part of our local communities, Defence establishments are an excellent pool of fit, healthy individuals

who can help their local area by roll-ing up their sleeves and making regular donations,” he said.

SQNLDR Greaves said he would like to see Air Force steal the lead from Army this year.

Participants can donate through their local Red Cross donor collection centre or at the mobile blood banks that will be visiting Defence bases and sites throughout the challenge.

Whole blood donors can give blood every 12 weeks, while plasma and platelet donors can donate as often as every 2-3 weeks.

This means participants could record up to four donations for their nominated service during the challenge.

Most people can give blood if they are fit, healthy and not suffering from a cold, flu or other illness at the time of donation or in the previous week.

On the day, be sure to stay hydrated and have at least three good-sized glass-es of water or juice and something to eat in the three hours before donating.

To make sure your donation counts, register for Air Force online at www.donateblood.com.au/defence

SIGN UP: Be sure to register your blood donations to help Air Force beat Army, Navy and the APS in this year’s Defence Blood Challenge.Photo: LAC Mark Friend

DEFENCE BLOOD CHALLENGE

THE final F-111 strike aircraft to be displayed at historical museums began its retirement journey to the US on August 23.

Aircraft A8-130 has been given to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii as a token of the close ties between Australia and the US through a long period of coalition operations.

C A F A I R M S H L G e o f f B r o w n said the gif t symbolised the c lose w o r k i n g r e l a t i o n s h i p A i r F o r c e pe r sonne l en joyed w i th t he i r US colleagues.

“The F-111 originated in America and has served us well in Australia,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“In returning one aircraft we are acknowledging the role the F-111 has played in Australian history.”

Both CAF and DCAF AVM Leo Davies piloted aircraft A8-130.

Six F-111s have been retained at Air Force bases across Australia and, after a pub-lic request for loan offer, six aircraft and three crew modules were lent to civilian avia-tion museums across the country.

All six organisations that could meet the strict safety and environmental requirements for an F-111 loan have now received the aircraft.

After the loan process one F-111 remained, which is why it was made available to the Pacific Aviation Museum.

The F-111 was Australia’s principal strike aircraft from 1973 until 2010. It has since been replaced by the Super Hornet.

Raising the donation target

Final F-111 sent to US

HOLD TIGHT: Personnel from the F-111 Disposal Team prepare the aircraft for its flight to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii. Inset, the Globemaster that flew A8-130 on its final mission. Photos: LACW Kylie Gibson

12 13RCEAIR FCentrepiece September 12, 2013

CHIEF of Air Force AIRMSHL Geoff Brown once said “the measure of Air Force’s capability rests with its people”.

Reinforcing the importance of personnel, as well as platforms, to the generation of air power has been the driving force behind the evolution of the roles for administration officers and clerks.

Part of this evolution includes new names: Personnel Capability Officer for “Adminos”, and Personnel Capability Specialist for administration clerks.

On June 29, CAF signed the determina-tion approving the new names after nine months of workforce consultation.

Headquarters Air Command Chief of Staff GPCAPT Roger Parr is the specialisation and mustering sponsor, and said the new names reflected the personnel capability workforce in the modern Air Force.

“In my view, we have exceptional people doing exceptional things at all levels, so we deserve to have a name that articulates how we contribute to Air Force’s capability in the 21st century,” GPCAPT Parr said.

“The titles Personnel Capability Officer and Personnel Capability Specialist do this.”

Members of the specialisation and mustering were given the opportunity to vote on a name, and GPCAPT Parr said the majority supported the chosen names.

“The personnel capability workforce remains focused on ensuring it contributes to the generation of air power now and into the future,” GPCAPT Parr said.

The role of the personnel capability workforce has changed in response to Air Force’s relationship with Defence Support and Reform Group, the impact of the shared services model, civilianisation programs and changing requirements in governance.

Over the next few months, consultation will continue with personnel staff officers across the Force Element Groups regarding implementation of the changes.

For more information, contact Deputy Director Military Administration Capability Development, WGCDR Karen Breaden, at karen.breaden@defence.gov.au

OUR QUIET ACHIEVERS

While they haven’t quite taken over the world, you could be forgiven for thinking Air Force’s newest specialisation –

Personnel Capability Officer (PCO) – has taken over the Middle east Area of Operations (MeAO).

in taking an opportunity to mark the transition from old to new with a ‘PCO’ photograph, the Theatre information Manager at Al Minhad Air Base (AMAB), WGCDR Peter Gibb, identified 17 PCOs serving in deployed positions in Kabul, Kandahar, AMAB and beyond.

The variety of positions filled by the collective group indicate the specialisation is not content to be restricted to “mainstream” employment areas.

Chief of Staff headquarters Joint Task Force 633 (hQJTF633) GPCAPT Ken Robinson said the current

diversity in the employment of PCOs was a good indicator of what the specialisation could bring to operations.

“i think it’s fantastic to see the range of roles that PCOs are performing across the MeAO,” GPCAPT Robinson said.

“it really is reflective of the flexibility and utility of the specialisation and proffers for an exciting and challenging future.

“While our traditional functions in the personnel and administration environments will always exist, it is great to see specialisation members demonstrating their ability to work across a broad range of positions.”

Throughout the MeAO, PCOs are working in a wide variety of roles. These include watch-keeping, information management, public affairs, crisis

establishment management, NATO Trust Fund management, executive staff support, finance, and Reception, Staging, Onward forwarding and integration training, which ensures the preparedness of personnel moving forward to Afghanistan.

A number of key executive appointments, including Chief of Staff hQJTF633, Commanding Officer of the Combat Support Unit and executive Officer of Force Support Unit, are also being filled by PCOs.

even with transition in Uruzgan well under way, PCOs will continue to play a key role in the MeAO. Australia is committed to the international Security Assistance Force strategy for nationwide transition, advising the Afghanistan National Security Force as they develop their command and logistics capabilities, as well as providing institutional training.

For years, Air Force’s administrative specialists have kept the service functioning effectively behind the scenes. Now, with a new name better reflecting their broad duties, the future has never looked brighter, SQNLDR September Clare explains.

Far and widePersonnel Capability Officers serve across the Middle East

KEY ENABLERS: Personnel Capability Officer FLTLT Stephen Airey at work with other administration staff in the orderly room of Task Unit HQ during last year’s Exercise Pitch Black. Photo: LACW Shannon McCarthy

BROAD SKILLS: Personnel Capability Officers pose for a group photo at Al Minhad Air Base. Back row from left, WGCDR Emily Cameron, WGCDR Peter Gibb, FLTLT Luke Fraser, WGCDR Lindsay Paterson, FLGOFF Cain Taylor, GPCAPT Ken Robinson, FLTLT Emma Kilpatrick, SQNLDR Nelson Rapp and FLTLT Ryan Kanay. Front row from left, SQNLDRs Tim Ferrell and Jeroen Ruardij. Photo: SGT Joel Graham

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14 September 12, 2013RCEAIR FAir Force Improvement

A COMMERCIAL off the shelf (COTS) acquisition of a computer processing unit (CPU) and some in-house technical know-how has saved Air Force $2.75 million.

As an important part of the ADF’s surveillance and response capability, the E-7A Wedgetail platform is brim-ming with state-of-the-art electronics which collect, process and display sur-veillance data.

The savings were identified during a routine spare parts acquisition for the aircraft.

FLTLT Matthew Gibbons, of the Airborne Early Warning and Control System Program Office (AEWCSPO), said AEWCSPO received a quote for 190 computer processing units and, based on the size of the quote, initiated

a trade study to investigate alternate solutions.

“The prime contractor, Boeing Defence Australia, in conjunction with AEWCSPO, identified an equivalent COTS item at a significantly reduced cost, however, the units required modification to make them more durable in an airborne environment,” FLTLT Gibbons said.

The so-called ‘ruggedisation process’ involved vibration dampen-ing processes and spraying the circuit board with a special coating to protect against dust and moisture.

AEWCSPO approached staff at the 81WG Combined Workshops, formed primarily to support the Hornets, to investigate undertaking the modifica-tion in-house.

OIC of 81WG’s Combined Workshops, FLTLT David King, said the unit’s leadership agreed to support the activity.

“Boeing developed the work procedure in collaboration with 81WG subject matter experts, and 2SQN provided technicians to perform the modification,” FLTLT King said.

“Because the ruggedisation process was untried and there was a possibility that the modified items would be less reliable, an additional 60 units were acquired as safety stock.

“While there were some early failures, the modified CPUs have since proved to be at least equivalent to the original equipment manufacturer’s (OEM) product.”

FLTLT Gibbons said assembly

modification was achieved by four tradespeople in about 12 weeks and at a cost of $150,000 for time and materials, bringing the total cost for 250 CPUs to $500,000, saving about $2.75 million when compared with the OEM product.

“In addition to the financial savings, technicians gained an enhanced understanding of the CPU’s functionality and are now able to perform advanced fault-finding to ensure that only genuinely unservice-able items are inducted into the repair pipeline, thus avoiding the issue of returning an item with no fault found,” FLTLT Gibbons said.

He said the decision to rug-gedise the CPUs ra ised some contractual issues in supporting the

higher assembly, which the OEM was still contracted to maintain. This resulted in 2SQN technicians having to de-modify the assembly before return-ing it to the OEM. The complexity and cost to de-modify the CPUs were minimal.

Surveillance and Response Group Program Manager WGCDR Peter Eversten said the Defence Materiel Organisation, Boeing, 2SQN and 81WG were able to undertake a modification project that provided significant financial savings.

“Defence has clearly demonstrated that it is still a smart and technically competent customer capable of in-sourcing engineering and maintenance when required,” WGCDR Eversten said.

LEADING-EDGE WEDGETAIL: Brimming with state-of-the-art electronics, the E-7A Wedgetail, seen here taking off from RAAF Base Tindal, will benefit from the adapting of a computer processing unit, inset. Main photo: LAC Dan Pinhorn

Computer saves $2.75m‘In addition to the financial savings, technicians gained an enhanced understanding of the CPU’s functionality and are now able to perform advanced fault-finding to ensure that only genuinely unserviceable items are inducted into the repair pipeline, thus avoiding the issue of returning an item with no fault found.

– FLTLT Matthew Gibbons, Airborne Early Warning and Control System Program Office

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15September 12, 2013RCEAIR F Flightline

MAINTENANCE: Above, LAC Damien Gainey, of 11SQN, conducts maintenance in the landing gear bay of an AP-3C, and right, LAC Matthew Burke inspects a nose wheel at RAAF Base Townsville during Exercise Talisman Saber 13.

Photos: LACW Nicci Freeman

REMEMBRANCE: LACW Cassandra Champ rests

on arms as part of the catafalque party at the

Darwin Cenotaph during the Vietnam Veterans Day

Memorial Service on August 18.

Photo: AB Kathy Tuddenham

MASTER CHEF: Left, AC Abdullah Al-Amin receives his graduation certificate from the Officer Commanding the ADF School of Catering, MAJ Lisa Hooper, on completion of his initial cooks’ course at Holmesglen TAFE in Victoria.

Photo: LS Paul McCallum

ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTION: Above from left, 7SQN Personnel Capability Officer FLTLT Amanda Armstrong, Air Base XO SQNLDR Shane Smith, and CO 27SQN WGCDR George Hodgson inspect swamp land at RAAF Base Townsville during Exercise Talisman Saber 13. Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman

WHEELY THANKFUL: Above, members of the Star2Remember charity bike ride (in uniform from left) LAC Andy Duncan, FLTLT Kevin Ross and SGT Steve Barnes, present cheques to Jessica Dunstan from the Heart Foundation of South Australia and Rachael Wilson from the Cancer Council. Photo: LAC Brenton Kwaterski

LOOK AT THIS: Left, CPL David Van Hoos takes his family on a tour of the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport at the 33SQN Family Fun Day at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

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FeatureRCEAIR F September 12, 2013 17

SQNLDR Travis Hallen, the fifth RAAF officer to graduate from the School of Advanced Air and Space

Studies (SAASS) in the US, has returned to Australia after an intense year of study.

Held at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, you could be forgiven for thinking the school instructs students on air and space power.

But the name is a bit of a misnomer. The school actually uses air, space and cyber domains to focus on the exploration, advanced understanding and development of military strategy.

SQNLDR Hallen, who com-pleted his studies in June, says it was different to any other course he has done.

“It changes the way you think,” SQNLDR Hallen says. “You become more of a critical thinker.

“You are held accountable for every decision and thought through-out the course by the instructors and other students in the group seminars.”

Separating itself from the normal promotion and leadership courses required by ADF personnel, the SAASS course aims to produce strategic thinkers and focuses on teaching students to be innovative and articulate with both their deci-sions and arguments.

SQNLDR Hallen says the strategy skills learnt on the course are not just aimed at putting bombs on targets.

“It’s about approaching problems differently,” he says.

“It could be anything from an operational problem through to management or integration issues.”

Post-course postings for Australian graduates are not preordained and graduates could find themselves in varied roles back in Australia, better armed to solve problems that could arise.

Boasting a reading list more than 100 books long, and 180-300 pages of reading required before each daily seminar, the course is one of the most selective within the US Department of Defense.

Comprising mostly US Air Force students, each course also includes members from other US military branches and three international students.

SQNLDR Hallen, who arrived in the US in June last year, says the course involved 14-16-hour days.

“The SAASS community was great, especially with my family,” he says.

“Everyone is going through the

Equipped with new ways of problem solving, graduate No. 803 does not regret the many hours of study, CPL Nick Wiseman reports.

SQNLDR Travis Hallen is an Air Combat Officer who completed his basic navigator course in March 2002 and has spent most of his time at 11SQN.

He qualified as a navigator/communicator on the AP-3C Orions later that year and, over the next 5½ years, he deployed in support of operations in the Middle East and East Timor.

In 2008 he completed a CDF fellowship at the Air Power Development Centre, followed by a staff posting at Directorate of Personnel–Air Force.

Before attending SAASS, he was the ADF Joint Interface Control Officer and is now posted as the ISR Operations Team Chief, Air and Space

Operations Centre, at HQ Joint Operations Command.

THE School of Advanced Air and Space Studies was established in 1991 in response to congres-sional concerns for the future of US military strategy development.

The school’s mission is “to produce strategists, not leaders, not warriors, not even planners”.

DCAF AVM Leo Davies says although everyone does their own specialisation training, this course is one where graduates can better influence the ADF.

“Defence has become much more aware of the need for educa-tion and to better understand our allies,” AVM Davies says.

“We do this through Australian Command and Staff College, exercises and exchanges, but they generally cover very practical and tactical through to operational-level exposure.

“So we have become really good practitioners but what we haven’t had is great opportunity

to take that to the next level and make strategic thinkers and plan-ners who can execute at the stra-tegic level.”

In the future, candidates want-ing to participate in the SAASS course will be identified through a selection program run by DCAF to identify those who are most suitable and best qualified to bring the knowledge and skills back to Air Force.

RINGING ENDORSEMENT: SQNLDR Travis Hallen recently returned from the US where he completed a challenging course at the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. Inset top, SQNLDR Hallen rings the “Thesis Bell”, which students toll once their thesis is accepted and signed. Inset left, the coin that signifies he is graduate No. 803. Main photo: CPL Nick Wiseman

Hard yakka pays off

same thing and the mutual support among the families meant my family had the time of their lives.”

Being an adult learning environ-ment, students spend more time researching and studying than attend-ing traditional face-to-face lectures, although the student-led seminars are a vital component.

The course is made up of 10 modules lasting two to four weeks and there is a two-week break over Christmas to recharge for the next lot of study.

Graduate and current Staff Officer to CAF, WGCDR Craig Stallard, says the knowledge and skills from personnel completing the SAASS course increase the cache of strategic thinkers within Air Force.

“Air Force has been send-ing selected officers to the course since 2006 and is slowly building up a group of military strategists,” WGCDR Stallard says.

“These students are being taught by PhD-qualified instruc-tors who are all subject matter experts in their field.

“In many cases, if they haven’t written the book you’re reading for the subject, they know the person who did.”

To further create a sense of pride in belonging to the group, each student is awarded a coin on completion of the course with their graduate number inscribed.

SQNLDR Hallen was graduate No. 803 and says the course gave him a great sense of achievement.

“You don’t fully appreciate the course until you’ve finished it,” he says.

“Although it was extremely challenging, I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone keen to understand the role of strategy.”

ADF reaps benefits of US thinking

Military strategist hones skills in US

Books RCEAIR F September 12, 201318

A FORMER World War II and Vietnam War pilot, who joined the Air Force because his mother would not sign his

Army enlistment papers, has written an award-winning autobiography.

The book, The Joys and Dangers of an Aviation Pilot , by former SQNLDR Leigh ‘Laddie’ Hindley, 90, was launched by CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown at Russell Offices on August 23.

“Few people would have lived as full a life as you have, and fewer still have had the opportunity to share that life in print,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“In telling us of your life, you have added another dimension to how we see and understand the Air Force that existed before our time.”

Mr Hindley said he initially sat down and wrote his life story over two weeks as “a little bit of fun”.

“My daughter entered it into a competition and it came out as a winner in the 2012 RAAF Heritage Awards,” he said.

“If I’d known the outcome I

would have written twice the amount, although big is not always better.”

Mr Hindley said he initially want-ed to join the Army in WWII but his mother refused to sign his enlistment papers unless he joined the Air Force.

“Mum said, ‘I’ll sign the papers if you join the Air Force. You’ll meet nice boys in the Air Force’,” he said.

“I didn’t want to be a pilot because I knew that I would get air sick and I couldn’t join the Navy because I got motion sickness.

“But I went there because Mum said so.”

CAF launches autobiography of veteran pilot, SGT Dave Morley reports.

Mum got it started

After training on Tiger Moths and Wirraways, Mr Hindley went on to become a Kittyhawk pilot with 80SQN in the south-west Pacific theatre, seeing considerable action.

At the end of WWII he left the Air Force and returned to his home town of Goulburn in NSW.

He rejoined the Air Force in 1951 and, over the next 17 years, served at most of the Air Force’s bases including Butterworth and Vung Tau.

Mr Hindley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1967 for his exceptional service with 9SQN in

South Vietnam, where he flew Iroquois helicopters.

After retiring in 1968, he took up commercial flying in Australia and Papua New Guinea, which included service as a pilot with the PNG police.

Mr Hindley said the five years he had with the PNG police was unique.

“Every working day was involved with tribal fights, rapes and murders,” he said.

When Mr Hindley finally retired from flying, his aviation career had spanned 45 years and 18,000 hours flying 23 different aircraft.

ANOTHER DIMENSION: Leigh Hindley signs books and, above, with CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown at the launch of his autobiography.

Photo: Mr Graeme Smith

LTCOL Ken Bailey Royal Canadian Air Force

GEORGE Lee’s autobiography, Hold Fast to Your Dreams, is a tale of personal inspiration and profes-sional success.

It tells the story of a man who set numerous endurance and distance records on his way to defending his world gliding championship title twice, flew more than 2000 hours in the McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantom IIs for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and became a senior check captain for Cathay Pacific on the Boeing 747.

Born in 1945 and raised in Dublin, Lee joined the RAF as an engineering apprentice.

He took up gliding at a local RAF club and, a year before earning his aviator wings in November 1968, he became a gliding instructor, com-peting at an elite level throughout Britain and Europe.

He later flew the Boeing 747 for Cathay Pacific based in Hong Kong, before moving to Queensland where he built a gliding facility and train-ing centre.

The author provides plenty of anecdotes and offers countless tech-nical tidbits, photographs and flying stories. He leaves it to the reader to resolve the secret to success, and recognise the passions to power their dreams.

For more information about the book, visit www.holdfasttodreams.com

REVIEW

High flyer

Toll Transitions Case Managers are standing by ready to help you. Complete your Application for Relocation (AFR) online now at www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence and your Case Manager will contact you to get things moving.

Introducing the Whole of Relocation Cost (WORC) Model

From August 2013, all ADF members undergoing a domestic removal will have their goods uplifted on any day within the week of their preferred uplift date. This new approach does not involve a change to your entitlements.

Members will submit their AFR in the usual manner nominating a preferred uplift date. Toll will determine the removal cost, taking into consideration all relocation costs, and select the best value for money uplift date within the week of your preferred uplift date.

If there is an operational requirement or extenuating personal circumstance that requires your uplift to be on a specific date, you will require your unit approval prior to submitting your AFR.

You are encouraged to submit your AFR early in your relocation process. Your Case Manager will then be able to confirm your uplift date well in advance of your actual move date, which will minimise any impact of this change on you.

So don’t delay, submit your AFR online today.

For more information Freecall: 1800 819 167 www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

Relocating over the coming months?

www.dha.gov.au139 342

your housing updateDefence Housing Australia

Are you relocating soon?

If you are a Member with Dependants (MWD) and relocating soon, visit DHA Online Services to view available Service Residences on HomeFind.

I haven’t submitted my removal paperwork yet. What is the next step?

If you have not yet completed your removal paperwork, DHA can provide you with HomeFind ‘Preview Access’. Before ‘Preview Access’ can be given you will need to nominate a date that your current property will be vacated. This will allow other members and their families a chance to view your property.

What activities can I perform on HomeFind with ‘Preview Access’?

requirements. It also allows you to reserve a property for up to 10 days. During this period, you must submit your removal paperwork to Toll Transitions in order to secure the property.

The property must be available two weeks before and four weeks after your nominated arrival date. Your DHA Housing Consultant will then contact you to discuss your relocation arrangements.

I have submitted my removal paperwork. What is the next step?

Once you have submitted your removal paperwork you will be given full access to HomeFind. You can then view and lock down properties that meet your housing entitlement.

The property must be available two weeks before and four weeks after your nominated arrival date. Your DHA Housing Consultant will then contact you to discuss your relocation arrangements.

20 September 12, 2013In Memorium RCEAIR F

He lived his life tothe full KOREAN COMMAND: Above, then WGCDR Gordon Steege, centre, with AVM J.P.J. McCauley and GPCAPT

A.G. Carr; right, WGCDR Steege with AVM McCauley in the cockpit of a Meteor. Photos: Australian War Memorial

WGCDR Ken Llewelyn

ONE of the Air Force’s most distinguished fighter aces, AIRCDRE Gordon Steege, has died aged 95.

He enlisted in the RAAF in January 1937 and during World War II shot down Italian aircraft in an antiquat-ed Gloucester Gladiator biplane. He later flew Hurricanes and Kittyhawks against German Ju 87s and Bf 110s.

Retired Chief of the Air Staff and Vietnam veteran, AIRMSHL David Evans, said AIRCDRE Steege was not only a courageous and skilled pilot, he excelled as a leader.

“He was quick-witted and a gifted raconteur and if he had not left the service after WWII he may well have reached the highest levels in the RAAF,” AIRMSHL Evans said.

AIRCDRE Steege was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while flying on operations with 3SQN in the

Western Desert where he displayed outstanding determination and dar-ing, often against numerically superior forces.

In September 1941, he was Mentioned in Despatches for his exceptional ability as a leader of 450SQN, which he commanded in the Middle East.

For displaying outstanding lead-ership and skill in leading 73 and 81 Fighter Wings in the south-west Pacific, and for his courage and devotion to duty, AIRCDRE Steege was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1944.

His love of New Guinea was aroused at the outbreak of war in 1939 when he was dispatched to Port Moresby as the adjutant of 11SQN with responsibility for two Qantas Short Empire Flying Boats and two Air Force Seagulls.

T h e s q u a d r o n ’s t a s k w a s reconnaissance, as the government

AIRCDRE GORDON STEEGEOctober 31, 1917 – September 1, 2013

‘[The Italian pilots] were very capable, one could say flashy, like their racing drivers.

– AIRCDRE Gordon Steege

was convinced German raiders would operate in the Pacific as they did in WWI. After 11 months, AIRCDRE Steege was asked to return to 3SQN and action in the Middle East.

Initially given the task of assem-bling Lysander Army coopera-tion aircraft, the squadron was soon

reassigned a fighter role equipped with the Gloucester Gladiator.

AIRCDRE Steege once said he respected the Italian pilots.

“They were very capable, one could say flashy, like their racing drivers,” he said.

AIRCDRE Steege scored his first aerial victory in the North African campaign when he shot down an Italian Fiat CR 42.

On promot ion to Squadron Leader in May 1941, he was given command of the newly established 450SQN just arrived from Australia at Abusueir, Egypt, equipped with P-40 Kittyhawks.

He scored a confirmed victory over a Messerschmitt Bf 109 on March 28, 1942.

P r o m o t e d t o a c t i n g Wi n g Commander, he returned to Australia later that year with a final tally of eight enemy aircraft destroyed, two probables and five damaged.

In December 1946, he resigned from the RAAF to become a patrol officer in New Guinea but he rejoined and, on August 16, 1951, was posted to Kimpo in South Korea as the Commanding Officer of 77SQN.

After service in Korea he returned to Australia and held a number of a p p o i n t m e n t s b e f o r e b e i n g promoted to Group Captain in May 1958. He was then appointed as a senior planner at the South East Asia Treaty Organisation Military Planning Office in Bangkok.

He returned to the Department of Air in December 1961 as Director of Plans.

Promoted to Air Commodore, he commanded RAAF Bases Amberley and Butterworth in the mid-1960s before serving as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Operational Command in Glenbrook.

He retired from the RAAF on October 31, 1972.

IF YOU put fads ahead of fitness and a quick-fix solutions ahead of slow gains, this column is for you. Listed are eight common mistakes

made when pursuing better health and fitness – and what you can do about them.

Go hard or go home

Contrary to popular belief, training does not have to be hard.

Hard training sessions can over-train your nervous system. The result is that motivation goes down and you stop training.Solution: Incorporate light, medium and moderate intensity sessions in your program with harder sessions on the days you prefer to work out (typically early in the week) and easier sessions on the days you know you will not want to train.

Quick fix ideas

After several weeks, months or years of neglect, it is unrealistic to expect your body to change shape in a short time.

A quick fix has more chance of destroying your gains in one day through injury than the making of a sudden, miraculous change.

Permanent & Reserve members – Help the ADF and Yourself!

• CSD reporting now extended to all uniformed members - permanent and reserve. (CDF Directive 18/2012 provides policy guidance re use of CSD).

• Use the relevant webform via your Orderly Room/Corporate Service Centres to record or update your CSD.

• The new aspect of CSD is that ‘self-claimed’ skills and experience can be recorded (ie not only formal qualifications) so your hobbies/skills or language skills can now be included (if potentially of use to the ADF eg carpentry).

• CSD includes: - Self-claimed skills (a wide range of skills are listed from which

to choose) - Self-claimed language skills (languages acquired without

examinations) - Professional Registrations and Licences - Membership of Professional Organisations - Civil Education Qualifications - Civilian Employment Details/History (reservists and regulars)

• Keep your Personal Data, CSD and contact data on PMKeyS up to date!

CIVILSKILLSDATASkills in Defence

For more information: go to DGRES-AF website, CSD section.

For questions or help: email the CSD helpline (include your PMKeyS number): ADO.CivilSkillsData@defence.gov.au

The purpose of Civil Skills Data (CSD) is to improve visibility of the full range of member skills and experience, so as to increase opportunities for both the ADF and the individual.

21September 12, 2013RCEAIR F Health

Eight fitness-fad fizzlesThese are some of the things to avoid in your bid for fitness, says Lt Robert Orr.

Solution: Be realistic about the gains you expect, and expect it to take time and effort.

Magazine workouts

Copying Arnold’s arm-busting session, Angelina’s bun-tightening exercises or Cadel’s cycling program is more likely to give you minimal gains or, worse, cause an injury.

Every person is different, they have different training backgrounds, injury histories and body shapes.Solution: Contact your local PTI for advice, be it for a training program or contact details for coaches of your specific sport.

Training the beach muscles

There are more muscles in your body than those you see in the mirror. In fact, the most important muscles for health, fitness and performance are deep and cannot be seen.

Furthermore, your muscles need more than just lifting weights for good health. They need good flexibility, they need to be anchored to healthy bone, they need to be supplied by a healthy cardiovascular and nervous

system and much more.Solution: Contact your local PTI and discuss the full spectrum of training needs for a healthy active body and, once provided, avoid skipping bits (like stretches during a cool down).

Thinking small

Avoid training the small muscles. Abdominal curls, bicep curls, leg extensions, pec decks and triceps extensions are often done in the thousands in the hope of toning up a specific area.

For fat loss, it is important to realise that muscle does not interact with fat in its vicinity in any way.

Fat is regulated by the nervous-hormonal system and this system responds to the effect of training by releasing certain hormones that interact with receptors all over the body.

Muscles do not know exercises – they know movement. So the shoulder

action for the chest muscles perform-ing a pec deck is the same as for the bench press and push-up, but whereas the latter two exercises also condition a whole group of other muscles, the pec deck does not.

Solution: Use compound and complex movements. The more muscles you use in a single exercise, the better for you.

Training the ego not the body

If you are considering using more compound and complex exercises, focus on your training technique, not weight or speed.

Avoid training to impress, as gains will come using the correct loads and the chances of injury will be reduced.

Solution: Train to improve, not to impress. Ensure your technique is perfect and avoid changing your loads/speeds to match others.

Reliving history

After taking a break from training, do not expect to come back at the same fitness level. Likewise, do not expect to continue training at the same intensity.

If you suddenly try lifting the same weight, running the same distance at the same speed or continuing the program from where you left off, there is a high chance you will overload and either lose motivation or injure yourself.Solution: Take it slow, avoid stopping training and contact your local PTI for advice following a lapse in training.

1 in 24

Many people believe their one training session a day is all they need to make gains and be healthy.

Not so. There are 168 hours in a week, and five one-hour workouts equates to 3 per cent of the week, leav-ing 97 per cent or 163 hours a week to negatively impact on your training. Solution: Be active during the day. Take the stairs, avoid eating lunch at your desk (walk to the park or canteen), park at the furthest car pack, remove the batteries from your remote controls and eat healthy meals.

LT Rob Orr is a former Army PTI and now a reservist and Associate Professor at the Bond Institute of Sport and Health.

Photo: CPL Max Bree

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SPIT POLISHED PRESENTATIONS

22 September 12, 2013RCEAIR FSp rt

John Martin

WHEN FLTLT Melissa Hill was asked to do a 10-metre hand-stand walk at the Wellington Cup CrossFit competition in New Zealand on August 25, you could say she took it in her stride.

It is something she practises at training, never knowing what organisers might ask of her from competition to competition.

But this event also threw up kayaking – and that was a differ-ent kettle of fish.

“I’m not sure I had even been in a kayak before,” FLTLT Hill said. “Perhaps I did at a high school camp about 15 years ago.”

FLTLT Hill and her partner had to paddle about 400 metres in a marina near the main venue.

The good news is that they completed the course. The even

better news is that FLTLT Hill, the Executive Officer of the Combat Survival Training School in Townsville, finished the over-all competition third out of 60 females.

“I didn’t expect to go that well,” she said, “so I was pleased.”

She was especially chuffed with one event in which she had to row 1km then perform one front squat. She squatted 100kg,

improving on her previous best by 5kg.

The handstand walk was the last of seven events over a two-day contest.

FLTLT Hill completed the first five metres to the turnaround with no problems. The return journey was a bit tougher, balance wise. But she did it well enough to clinch second in that workout.

Walking upside-down sure beats paddle skedaddle

HANDY SKILL: FLTLT Melissa Hill shows a clean pair of heels. Photo: Clare Willsher Photography

FOR one day, teams in the ADF net-ball championships turned pink.

The day supported the McGrath Foundation and was organised in support of an Australian Defence Netball Association member who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

ACT ADF Netball Association members PO Liz Saunders, LS Nick Miller and fellow netballers organ-ised fundraising events during the championships.

The final day of competition was dedicated to the fundraising effort

with players and supporters wearing pink for a gold coin donation.

A knockout shooting competition was held with first and second place winners taking home a cash prize.

A raffle was run with 100 prizes on offer. Every ticket won a prize, which included DVD and Blu Ray packs, signed sporting goods from the Cronulla Sharks and Australian Diamonds player Erin Bell, as well as other donated items.

A total of $3500 was raised for the McGrath Foundation.

Netballer shows her versatility yet againEight hours

for LegacyWO2 Andrew Hetherington

A TRISERVICE team from Australia’s Federation Guard pedalled, ran and walked their way through an eight-hour event to raise funds for Legacy.

The 22 personnel travelled from Canberra to the Army Logistics Training Centre at Albury-Wodonga on August 30 to compete against other ADF and APS teams.

AFG entered one walking, two running and three mountain biking teams into the gruelling event.

Guardsman and fitness leader LAC John Campbell was a mem-ber of the winning mountain-bike team.

“I got involved because I’ve done mountain biking before and was asked to put a team togeth-er,” LAC Campbell said.

“Before the event I trained on the bike up to three times a week for a month, riding up the hills around Mount Ainslie [in Canberra].”

The cycling competition was run on a wet, dirt, rock, asphalt and undulating 5km circuit.

“The competition began at 7am and my goal was to keep as many people behind me during the day,” LAC Campbell said.

“The rock gardens, switch-backs and pallet bridges were challenging to ride on in the wet

conditions, especially if you weren’t in the right gear or if your legs weren’t feeling fresh.

“I rode a total of seven laps (35km) during the day.

“I hit the wall physically during my last lap, when my quads began to cramp up, but I didn’t stop.”

The AFG team completed 27 laps to win the competi-tion.

The unit’s walking team came third, com-pleting 13 laps of their course.

The combined AFG team’s contribution to Legacy was $600, which was paid as an entry fee to the events.

A total of $10,000 was raised for Legacy.

Assistant team manager and winning mountain-bike team competitor PO Don Blackley said personnel volunteered their time to compete in the event.

LONG ROAD: Australia’s Federation Guard member AC Jake MacDonald pounds the track; inset, AC Karl Daley.

Photos: LACW Casey Gaul

LS Helen Frank

DESPITE the Air Force team drawing a blank at the ADF netball champi-onships, the tournament provided yet another triumph for LACW Christine Van De Werken.

LACW Van De Werken, who has also excelled at basketball and Australian football for Defence, was judged by the umpires to be the tour-nament’s most valuable player (MVP).

LACW Van De Werken, of 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown, was one of more than 200 Defence personnel who played in Canberra from August 26-30.

The competition started with the state competition and ended with the service championships.

LACW Van De Werken played on the winning NSW women’s team and for the Air Force mixed team.

“It was a great feeling being select-ed for MVP,” LACW Van De Werken said.

“I felt very honoured but I defi-

nitely couldn’t have done it without the support from the NSW mixed team and squad both on and off the court.

“This was my fourth netball carni-val with Defence and the second time I’ve been selected for a national team.”

Army won the men’s and women’s divisions and Navy the mixed.

State grand finals – Men: ACT def SE Queensland 34-28. Mixed: NSW def ACT 28-27. Women: NSW def North Queensland 30-28.Interservice – Mixed: Navy def RAAF 36-24, Navy def Army 36-27, Army def Air Force 23-17. Winner: Navy. Men: Navy def Air Force 30-24, Army def Air Force 29-14, Army def Navy 37-19. Winner: Army. Women: Navy def Air Force 31-17, Army def Navy 44-22, Air Force 40 drew with Army 40-40. Winner: Army.

RESULTS

Thinking pink for a good cause

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Runway fun run takes off at EdinburghMichael Weaver

THE second of the RAAF Base Edinburgh fun runs was held on the main runway on August 2.

About 350 runners and walk-ers from the three services and the Australian Public Service took on the 5km course.

This year the fun run was linked to the Soldier On charity, with wounded warrior, Garth Camac, participating and representing the organisation.

FLTLT Samantha Hewitt, the senior volunteer Soldier On representative at Edinburgh, also participated.

Mr Camac presented the perpetual

WHEN 150 people ran up and down the 2400-metre 04/22 runway at RAAF Base East Sale they had a loftier motiva-tion than just getting across the finish line first.

They were participating in the base’s Half the Sky Physical Challenge to raise money for charities supporting women and girls in the developing world.

More than $5000 was raised from donations which will go to the Bandung Street Children’s Project – Rumah Singgah (Halfway House) in West Java, Indonesia, and Care Australia.

Fundraising activities from July 15-19 included a trivia night and fines from dining-in nights leading up to the main event.

About 500 people entered into the spirit of the challenge.

Personnel participated in a series of individual physical challenges dur-ing the week, which culminated on the Friday with the runway fun run and an afternoon sports carnival. Events includ-ed battle PT, ball skills, log flip, PTI workout challenge, 100-metre dash for glory and a truck-tyre obstacle course.

These were open to individuals and teams of six from various units.

32SQN claimed first place in four team events.

Top individual performers includ-ed FLGOFF Andrew Evans, FLTLT

Sajitha Ramasundara and SGT Derek Green. FLGOFFs Bryce Martin and Eleanor Bradshaw claimed the men’s and women’s title at the individual gym challenge, which was held over the week.

FLGOFF Martin, who backed up at the Friday afternoon events, was caught on camera pushing a several-hundred kilogram truck tyre and trying to make it go the right way.

“It was a very tiring few days,” he said.

Most of the runners in the fun run chose to run both the 2.4km and 4.8km distances – when they reached one end of the runway they turned around and kept running.

PLTOFF Jordan Cowley was the first male over both distances. FLTLT Jacqueline Grosvenor won the women’s 4.8km race and SQNLDR Sarah Wheal won the 2.4km race.

Chaplain SQNLDR Bruce Grey, of 30SQN, developed the idea for the physical challenge after reading sto-ries of resilience and courage shown by women in Africa and Asia in the book Half the Sky, Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Nicholas Kristoff and Sheryl Wudunn.

The term “Half the Sky” takes its name from a Chinese proverb, “women hold up half the sky”.

Half the sky’s the limit

TREADING CAREFULLY: Above, FLGOFF Bryce Martin competes in the tyre-rolling competition; right, members of the School of Air Traffic Control’s tyre-stacking team claim victory in the hotly contested event.

Photos: AB Julianne Cropley

THANK YOU: FSGT Dan Smythe accepts donations.

GOOD CAUSE: Soldier On fun run participants get off to a flying start on the RAAF Base Edinburgh runway. Photos: LAC David Cotton

trophy to SPR Jack Armstrong, of Army’s 1st Combat Engineering Regiment, who posted the fastest time of 18min 25sec.

CFN Stefan Marchesi placed second in the 5km run with a time of 18.43 and PTE Zac Gilbert was third in 19.17.

In the women’s section, PTE Ruth Potter finished first in 21.32. LACW Kimberley Greenslade, of 11SQN, placed second in 22.34, and ACW Christine Chamberlin, of 10SQN, was third in 23.01.

SGT Owen Batty organised the fun run with 24SQN PTIs, along with 453SQN’s SQNLDR Trevor Langford.

SGT Batty said it was great to raise funds in support of Australian servicemen and women who had been wounded, physically or psychologi-cally, in contemporary conflicts.

Despite the cold and overcast con-ditions, a total of $856.15 was raised through donations from participants.

23September 12, 2013RCEAIR F Sp rt

SP RTSeptember 12, 2013

LONG WAY TO THE TOPAustralia’s Federation Guard members overcome eight hours of pain for a good cause: to raise money for Legacy

NEARLY THERE: LAC John Campbell

approaches the top of the hill during the

eight-hour Legacy fundraising event.

Photo: LACW Casey Gaul

P22

RAAF Base East Sale comes out to play – Page 23

Netball award adds to tally

P22