AIR FVol. 53, No. 3, March 3, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

RCERCE

ANYTHING TO HELP

The

Air Force joins international relief efforts

OP CHRISTCHURCH ASSIST

CoveragePage 3 Christchurch

DISASTER ZONE: Rescue workers at the collapsed Pyne Gould Guinness building, where dozens of workers were trapped after the 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit central Christchurch on February 22. Photo courtesy New Zealand Herald

TASMAN PUSH: LAC George Marshall loads essential supplies on to a C-17A before it departs for Christchurch. Photo: LAC Dan Pinhorn

Editorial teamActing DirectorDavid Edlington: (02) 6265 4650david.edlington@defencenews.gov.au

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2 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FFNews

SGT Andrew Hetherington

SPR Jamie Ronald Larcombe from the Darwin-based 1st Combat Engineer Regiment (1CER) was a truly out-standing bloke.

So said SPR Robert Armand, 1CER, during his reading of an eulogy at a memorial service held at 1CER, Robertson Barracks on February 24.

SPR Larcombe, 21, was killed in action on February 19 when his Mentoring Task Force 2 (MTF 2) patrol was attacked by a group of insurgents in the Mirabad Valley region of Uruzgan province.

He was the 23rd Australian soldier and the second from 1CER this year to die in Afghanistan since Operation Slipper began.

On February 22, a 37SQN C-130J flew him from the Multi-National Base at Tarin Kot on the first leg of his journey home. He was farewelled by his fellow combat engineers, MTF 2 and coalition soldiers, who paid trib-ute to his sacrifice at a memorial ser-vice.

As his casket was borne to the air-craft on the back of an ASLAV, it was saluted by an honour guard comprised of more than 2000 coalition personnel

from the six nations at the base who lined both sides of his path.

During the memorial service before he left Tarin Kot, MFT2 CO LTCOL Darren Huxley said SPR Larcombe was a young soldier who epitomised the core values of an Australian soldier.

“Mateship is what defines the best in an Aussie Digger and Jamie was amongst our best,” LTCOL Huxley said.

“He was a volunteer for his coun-try. He knew the risks and he accepted them. He shared the danger and aus-terity, but mostly, I am sure, he was

driven by his desire to protect and sup-port his mates.

“Jamie Larcombe is now part of our nation’s history and his name will echo in Anzac Day toasts long after all of us have gone.”

More than 1000 soldiers attended the Darwin service where they heard about a man and professional soldier who never wavered in his faithfulness to his mates no matter what the situ-ation.

“You never shied away from a dif-ficult situation and pushed through the hard times with that renowned Aussie attitude,” SPR Armand said.

THE Air Force Ensign flown outside the Department of Defence complex at Russell flew at half-mast on February 23 as Air Force farewelled AIRCDRE David “Gerard” Whitford Richards.

AIRCDRE Richards, the former Director-General Joint Capability Coordination, died on February 16.

AIRCDRE Richards held many impor-tant single-service, joint and combined staff positions over a 33-year career but it was the P-3C and AP-3C Orions that were his first love.

AIRCDRE Richards joined the Air Force as an aircrew cadet at RAAF Base East Sale in June 1977 and graduated as an airborne electronics officer. He was then posted to 11SQN at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

In 2000 he was appointed Director of Operations at Air Headquarters during which time he was deployed to the Middle East and attached to the US Air Force 376th Wing as the operations group commander as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His honours and awards include the Australian Active Service Medal with Clasp (International Campaign Against Terror), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Australian Service Medal with Clasp (SE Asia), Defence Force Service Medal with First, Second and Third Clasp and the Australian Defence Medal.

AIR FORCE NEWS is farewelling CPL Aaron Curran after more than three years as the newspaper’s only service reporter. Aaron has played an integral role in the team, producing high-quality imagery and articles for the three Service news-papers since arriving in August 2007. He has covered countless events around Australia and deployed to Vietnam, the Solomon Is-lands, East Timor and the Middle East (twice). He has earned regular high praise for his exceptional photogra-phy skills, which have also markedly improved the overall quality of the newspaper. We thank him for his hard work and dedication and wish him well in his career.

Fallen Fallen digger’s digger’s fond fond farewellfarewell

JJJJOJOJOURURNENEYY HOHOMEME: ThThe bbearer party carries SPR JJamie Larcombe’s casket on tto a C-130 at Tarin Kot at the sstart of his journey home to ffamily and friends in Australia.

Photo: CPL Christopher Dickson

23RD LOSS: SPR Jamie Larcombe with his partner, Rhiannon Penhall.

CPL Aaron Curran

Moving on

AIRCDRE David Richards

23RD LOSS SPR J i L b ith hi t

AIRCDRE mourned

Respected

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CHRISTCHURCH ASSISTMarch 3, 2011MMMMMMMMRCEAIR FF 3

Andrew Stackpool

AFTER supporting the Queensland natural disasters, 36 and 37SQN swung into action just hours after Christchurch was hit by a deadly, devastating earthquake.

The magnitude 6.3 quake struck the city in the middle of the day on February 22.

That night a 37SQN Hercules l i f ted off from RAAF Base Richmond with 40 personnel and 10 tonnes of equipment from Emergency Services NSW.

A second C-130 flew a fur-ther 34 personnel and 12 tonnes of equipment from the organisation early the following morning.

At Amberley, a 72-person Queensland search and rescue team, with three dogs and 10 pal-lets of equipment, also headed for New Zealand aboard a 36SQN C-17A.

The team was tasked with assisting in the search for those still missing in the Christchurch CBD.

On February 24, a second C-17A flew to the city with a field hospital and six ambulance drivers, again courtesy of the Queensland government.

Operation Christchurch Assist and a new Joint Task Force (JTF) is headed by Commander Air Lift Group AIRCDRE Gary Martin.

His team comprises the Air Operations Centre at HQ Joint Operations Command (HQJOC), the Air Movements Control Centre (AMCC) at RAAF Base Richmond and squadron assets as tasked.

After requests for assistance from the New Zealand authorities and a reply from Prime Minister Julia Gillard that Australia would do whatever was needed, the opera-tion began.

“The squadrons were warned out at about the same time as we realised how large the disaster was. In effect, we were moving in paral-lel to the government-to-govern-ment actions,” AIRCDRE Martin said.

With the search and rescue personnel safely on the ground in Christchurch, Air Force turned its attention to evacuating Australian citizens.

On the evening of February 23, the second Hercules returned to Richmond with 36 passengers

and the C-17A touched down at Brisbane International airport with a further 53 passengers.

Another C-130 was despatched from RAAF Base Richmond on February 25.

AIRCDRE Martin said the ADF response was determined by the New Zealand government as it identified niche capabilities outside its own organisations.

“We’re responding to requests from the New Zealand government and recovering Australian citizens on an opportune basis after they have had their needs assessed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),” he said.

“The first passengers had approached DFAT seeking gov-ernment assistance to get home. We became aware that this would become a requirement while the first Hercules was on the ground but with the other two aircraft returning later in the afternoon it made it easier to load the passen-gers between them.

“Now, we are working to

a formalised plan. We are work-ing with a number of Australian agencies who, in turn, centralise their requests through Emergency Management Australia where a daily list of prioritised tasking is produced. Once we receive this information, we decide which aircraft is the most suitable and manage the actual tasking of the aircraft, while liaising with our contacts in New Zealand to estab-lish any return loads back into Australia.

“Overall, the demand for per-sonnel and equipment f rom Australia is determined by the needs identified by the New Zealand government as they move from rescue to recovery operations in Christchurch.”

AIRCDRE Martin said the JTF and Australian assistance would continue for as long as required.

“Once again, we have another whole-of-government response to the situation; it is the same broad pull-together we saw in Queensland.”

Answering Answering NZ’s callNZ’s call

SSSIST

HELP IS ON THE WAY: Queensland Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 on board a 36SQN C-17A at RAAF Base Amberley on February 23. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

‘SNIFFERS: Above, canine specialists from the Queensland Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1 just before they board a 36SQN C-17A at RAAF Base Amberley.Photo: LAC Dan Pinhorn

CRISS-CROSSING THE TASMAN: Left, members from 37SQN prepare to tow C-130J A97-450 into the hangar at RAAF Base Richmond after the aircraft returned from Christchurch.

Photo: CPL Amanda Campbell

The squadrons were warned out at about the same time as we realised how large the disaster was.

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CPL Aaron Curran

RAAF Base Darwin rose to the chal-lenge when Cyclone Carlos hit the city on February 16.

Rated as a Category 2 cyclone, it struck Darwin during the biggest wet season in its recorded history with more than 400mm of rain coming down in the preceding 24 hours.

FLTLT Stuart Lane, from No. 13 (City of Darwin) Squadron, said in the hours before the cyclone hit, the base Emergency Control Centre was activated and the Cyclone Emergency Plan swung into action.

“That included manning of the base cyclone shelters, preparation of health assets, emergency accommo-dation, and an evacuation reception centre,” FLTLT Lane said.

He said the airfield provided a vital link to the outside world during this time.

“The enormous joint effort from all units ensured that the base was prepared for whatever the cyclone could throw at it,” he said.

“We quickly recovered and recom-menced operations as soon as the cyclone had passed.”

With winds of more than 100km/h and further rainfall of more than 330mm, damage to the Darwin area and the base included fallen trees, flooding, and buildings damaged or destroyed.

“Once the cyclone had passed and the base successfully reactivated, we assigned base personnel and assets to work alongside Northern Territory emergency services and local councils to help the region recover,” FLTLT Lane said.

XO 13SQN SQNLDR Greg Elliot said this work had occurred over February 17 and 18 and that all that

IN BRIEFNo medals for MPsA HOAX email is being distributed claiming that Members of Parliament receive medals and repatriation enti-tlements for participating in the ADF Parliamentary Program (ADFPP).Defence Parliamentary Secretary David Feeney said the email was false.“I can say unequivocally that Australian parliamentarians are not eligible for military medals or repatriation entitlement as part of this program,” Senator Feeney said. “The ADFPP gives parliamentarians a chance to see first hand the important work of our ADF.”

Ration researchDSTO’s nutrition research facility at Scottsdale in Tasmania will be upgraded as part of a $18.7 mil-lion government project. The works include the redevelopment of food technology facilities, upgrades to existing chemistry and nutrition laboratories and improvements to site infrastructure and working areas. Veterans Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon and Defence Parliamentary Secretary David Feeney said subject to parliamentary clearance, construc-tion was expected to begin in late 2011 with an estimated completion date in late 2013.

Comms upgradeINTERNAL communications are set for a major overhaul with the govern-ment’s recent announcement of a $300-$500m upgrade of the ADF’s fixed telecommunications networks. Phase three of Project 2047 aims at enhancing Defence’s information and communications technology services across 330 sites Australia-wide. The project is expected to significantly improve network performance to meet future capability requirements.

Darwin’s own crisis

all non-essential units and personnel were stood down during the cyclone.

Now, the clean-up task was ongoing.

“The on-base Defence Support

Group contractors are doing the bulk of the work with individual units and sections cleaning their immediate work environment where they are able to do so,” he said.

CLEANING UP: Above, RAAF Base Darwin members help clear fallen trees, including one which fell on a Heritage listed accommodation block on the base, right. Photos courtesy FLTLT Stuart Lane

MANY HANDS: RAAF Base Darwin personnel at work.

5 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FF

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perations

THE ADF has drawn down its forces providing support to re-sponse and recovery operations in the wake of Cyclone Yasi.

Members have returned to their home units as the clean-up and reconstruction situation in north Queensland moves into its next phase.

After Cyclone Yasi hit, about 1500 ADF personnel worked to help communities and state emergency services.

Commander of the Joint Task Force, BRIG Stuart Smith, said personnel had com-pleted the tasks requested of them by civilian authorities.

“Emergency services and public utilities have restoration tasks well in hand for those areas hardest hit by the cyclone,” BRIG Smith said.

For more information on the operation, visit www.defence.gov.au/op/yasiassist

CPL Aaron Curran

THE aircraft and personnel of 92WG are still going strong after more than a decade on Operation Resolute in the north of Australia.

On call 24/7 and constantly tested, personnel assigned to Resolute to sup-port Australia’s border and maritime security operate at a tempo that has increased in recent years.

C o m m a n d e r J o i n t Ta s k Force (JTF) 639 Air Component Coordinat ion Element (ACCE) SQNLDR Brett Williams said the JTF was on national Search and Rescue (SAR) standby duties for six months of the year.

“Ours are often one of the first air-craft to get airborne for any SAR task-ing,” he said.

“When the Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel struck rocks at Christmas Island in December, one of our AP-3Cs provided overwatch of the area and was still locating debris sev-eral days later.”

He said JTF 639 ACCE constantly detected illegal fishing vessels and suspect boats around Australia.

“This has now become a routine operation,” he said.

“We have close coordination with the Navy and that is crucial for success-ful operations on a number of missions. JTF 639 ACCE constantly achieves results because of the excellent relation-ship the unit has with not only the Navy but a number of other significant agen-cies.”

He said currently there were three Orions and 90 Air Force personnel comprising aircrews, maintenance and JTF 639 ACCE personnel.

One aircrew member was FLTLT Joshua Smith, a co-pilot from Crew 5, 10SQN.

“Most c rew members have deployed in support of Op Resolute numerous times,” FLTLT Smith said.

CPL Aaron Curran

THREE 92WG crews and two Orion aircraft provided a vital capability to the recovery efforts after Cyclone Yasi in north Queensland.

Two crews were sent at short notice to RAAF Base Amberley on February 2 for the initial sorties into the worst-hit areas of the coast, with a third launching from RAAF Base Darwin the following day.

FLTLT Richard Court from 11SQN’s Crew 3 said the Orions were deployed to provide initial Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assistance to Joint Task Force (JTF) 639.

“This included providing initial esti-mates of damage to infrastructure such as road and rail links, personal property and assessment of flooding,” he said.

“The Orions were able to take high resolution photographs of cyclone-affected areas and pass these images directly to the JTF through the satellite

communications link. These images enabled the Army elements to accu-rately plan their logistical move-ments over the ensuing period to best help in the recovery efforts.”

Additionally, the Orions were able to assess damage to the Willis Island radar site, on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns, and provide the reconstruction crews with imagery of the radar head and associated components.

“The crew were able to use the infrared camera to determine that the generator on the island was in fact working,” FLTLT Court said.

“This assessment also allowed the reconstruction crews to assess the requirements for spare

parts, tools and essential supplies.”He said the Orions had been used

convincingly in the overland ISR role as well as the maritime role for many years and that inherent capability made them a suitable platform for most ISR type missions, including natural disaster recovery.

ADF assistance to Cyclone Yasi wraps up

92WG’s resolute

“This is my ninth deployment and it is going really well. One of the biggest challenges we face is the onset of the wet season and its associated weather.”

He said the wet season added an additional element of complexity to

their operations as it brought hot and steamy weather, lightning storms and heavy rains.

“Crews safely manage the risks that the wet season brings thanks to the accurate forecasts provided by the

Bureau of Meteorology. Also we have the on-board radar system and a vigi-lant approach to flight operations. I have always enjoyed conducting these surveil-lance patrols because they help to protect Australia’s borders,” he said.

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK: Above, FLTLT Joshua Smith, left, and SGT Kirk Olver on a routine Op Resolute flight while deployed to JTF 639 ACCE; right, SGT Olver maintains the flight engineer’s log. Photos: LAC David Cotton

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FLTLT Skye Smith

NUMBER 44 Wing celebrated the reformation of wartime units 452 and 453SQNs with a parade at RAAF Base Williamtown on February 16.

The new squadrons, which will be responsible for air traffic control services at bases from Darwin to Edinburgh, stood up on December 1.

OC 44WG GPCAPT Forster Breckenridge said the parade was the culmination of a lot of hard work by many people involved in the reforma-tion of the squadrons.

He said the squadrons were a vital component of the national air traffic management system.

“They will provide airspace man-agement and air base air traffic con-trol for both civil and military aircraft operating in and around ADF airbas-es, including Darwin and Townsville airports,” he said.

“We also look forward to the enhancement of career opportunities across a number of categories and musterings through the establishment of a new commanding officer, sen-ior engineering officer, administrative officer and technical and administra-tive positions in the new headquar-ters.”

The restructure will improve the efficiency of 44WG.

452 and 453SQNs will separate

NUMBER 452 Squadron first formed at Kirkton in England on April 8, 1941, the first RAAF squadron stood up in Britain under the Empire Air Training Scheme.

It was equipped with Spitfires and established itself as one of Fighter Command’s leading squadrons.

The squadron reformed at Richmond on September 6, 1942, and became opera-tional again on January 17, 1943.

Initially based at Batchelor in the defence of Darwin, in July 1944 it deployed forward in ground attack and other combat roles in the Dutch East Indies and to sup-port operations in Borneo.

It disbanded on November 17, 1945.Number 453 Squadron formed in NSW

in May 1941 and three months later sailed for Singapore. It was equipped with the Brewster Buffalo.

Following Japan’s surprise attack on Malaya on December 7, the squadron deployed forward to Ipoh in Malaya to support retreating Allied troops.

It destroyed several Japanese aircraft. However, with no warning systems and vastly overwhelmed, it suffered severe losses.

In February, 1942, 453SQN returned to Australia and disbanded.

Then, in June 1942, the squadron reformed in Britain, flying Spitfires.

In 1944, it was given a vital task of defen-sive sweeps around the southern British coast to prevent Luftwaffe aircraft from detecting the build-up of shipping before the June 6 D-Day landings.

It returned to Britain in September for another vital task; finding and destroying the well-defended V-1 and V-2 missile launch sites, and then until the end of the war was reassigned to sweeps and bomber escort.

After Germany’s surrender it was selected as part of the Allied occu-pation forces and became the first Commonwealth squadron based in Berlin.

453SQN disbanded in early 1946.

Distinguished history to build on

the tactical command and control of the subordinate flights at each base, allowing HQ 44WG to focus on oper-ational matters and the overall man-agement of the Battlefield Airspace Control capability.

452SQN is headquartered at RAAF Base Darwin with flights at Darwin, Tindal, Townsville, Amberley and Oakey. 453SQN is headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown, with flights at Williamtown, Richmond,

Nowra, East Sale, Edinburgh andPearce.

In November 2000, 44WG wasreformed as a dedicated Air TrafficControl Wing.

It is responsible for delivering aer-odrome and radar control services toNavy, Army and Air Force and also forproviding tactical control of forwardairfields, battlefield aviation and otherairspace activity, both within Australiaand on operational deployments.

Squadrons reformedSquadrons reformed

NEW ERA BEGINS: ACAUST AVM Mark Skidmore talks at the reformation parade for 452 and 453SQNs, watched by OC 44WG GPCAPT Forster Breckenridge. Photo: LACW Amy Trebilco

WWII FLASHBACKS: Above, 452SQN RAAF Spitfire FU_Z on the English coast; right, 453SQN pilots in front of a Spitfire Mk IX.

Photos courtesy RAAF Museum

7 NewsMarch 3, 2011RCEAIR FF

FLTLT Skye Smith

PIGS really do fly – well, by air mail now anyway.

The F-111, which was retired in December after 37 years’ service, has made its comeback on a stamp.

Air Force joined with Australia Post in launching an aviation com-memorative stamp issue on February 18.

The stamps feature the F-111 (60 cents), Super Hornet (60 cents), Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft ($1.20) and C-17A ($3).

CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said the stamp honour was a fitting tribute to F-111 crews and support personnel as they retrain on new air-craft platforms.

“This is a very timely partnership for Air Force as we celebrate our 90th anniversary this year with the theme, Tradition, Innovation, Evolution,” he said.

The stamps were launched at RAAF Base Amberley with the assis-tance of former F-111 pilot and now XO 82WG, WGCDR Robert Denney.

“The stamps reflect the changing of the guard from F-111s to Super Hornets, as well as representing the wide range of functions performed by some of our most capable platforms that have recently come into service,” WGCDR Denney said.

Amberley served as the perfect place for the launch with all four aircraft

featured calling the Queensland base home, even if the Wedgetail is just a temporary resident while undergoing

a flight test program with the Defence Materiel Organisation.

“With the F-111 now retired, the

C-17A is the oldest aircraft current-ly in service at Amberley,” WGCDR Denney said. “That is a remarkable

evolution of platforms with the C-17A only coming into service in 2006.

“This emphasises the technologi-cal advancements that have taken place recently, putting Air Force at the forefront of integrated and net-work-centric warfare, not to mention the hard work by many to introduce these new capabilities in a short period of time.”

Australia Post Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said the F-111 was the most identifiable Air Force aircraft for many years and so an obvious choice

for the s tamp issue.

New Zealand-based Australian illustrator Jamie Tufrey was com-m i s s i o n e d t o i l l u s t r a t e t h e stamps and has skilfully drawn attention to the speed, purpose and technical spe-cifics of the four aircraft.

The stamp issue is available at participating

Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at www.auspost.com.au/stamps. The stamps will also be on sale at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon from March 1 to 6.

Stamps of approval PPPROUD: WGCDR RobertGCDR Robert CCDR Robert

Denney with aa a replica of the F-111 stamp.

Photo: LACW Kyyylie Gibsononn

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8 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FNews

FIFTY members from RAAF Base Williamtown’s 381 Expedition-ary Combat Support Squadron (381ECSS) rolled up their sleeves to help clean up some of the local beaches in Port Stephens last month.

CO 381ECSS WGCDR Lee de Winton said a number of person-nel from the base lived in the Port Stephens and Nelson Bay areas.

“This community project provid-ed us with the opportunity to give something back a little,” she said.

The Mayor of Port Stephens Council, Councillor Bob Westbury, joined Air Force members in the clean-up.

LEUT Alistair Tomlinson

EAST Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta paid tribute to the ADF at a cer-emony recently to present members of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) with the East Timor Solidarity Medal.

Descr ib ing the conduct of Australian service men and women in Timor-Leste as irreproachable, Dr Ramos-Horta said he appreciated their work in helping to consolidate peace and security in his country.

The ceremony, which coincided with the departure of Timor-Leste Aviation Group 14, was held at the recently completed helicopter base at Dili Airport, home to the Operation Astute Black Hawk helicopters.

The East Timor Solidarity Medal

recognises members of armed forces who have contributed to stability and peace operations in East Timor.

Dr Ramos-Horta , a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, also thanked Australia for helping in the reconstruction of his country after independ-ence.

“ I h ave p e r s o n -ally visited many of the buildings and travelled

A MEDAL WELL DESERVED: FLTLT David Woods shakes the hand of Dr Jose Ramos-Horta after being presented with his Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal. Photo: LAC Leigh Cameron

Highest Highest praisepraisefor ISFfor ISF

on roads which were built or repaired thanks to your efforts,” Dr Ramos- Horta said.

He said that only military forces possessed the capability to respond to large-scale natural disasters, such as

the one which had devastated Pakistan last year.

“Civilian organisations simply don’t have the capacity to respond like the military can in these times of crisis,” he said. “For those of you

returning home to Queensland and Victoria where many thousands of families have been affected by floods, let me express my deepest sympathy and solidarity with you.”

ISF Commander COL Mick Reilly

thanked Dr Ramos-Horta for his thoughts.

“It was a great honour and privi-lege to have the President here today,” COL Reilly said.

PITCHING IN: ACW Ashleigh Warrior, LACW Rhiannon Bowshall, LACW Kristie Tape, LAC Travis Radford, WGCDR Lee de Winton, LAC Matthew Anderson, LAC Andrew Hokin and CPL Steven Jermey clean up Nelson Bay. Photos: LACW Amy Trebilco

Cleaning up the beaches

BAG IT: LAC Colin Foard.BAG IT: LAC Colin Foard

9 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FF

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News

Andrew Stackpool

WHILE a team from 1 Airfield Op-erations Support Squadron (1AOSS) headed far north to begin clean-up operations after Cyclone Yasi, another one headed south to start setting up for the Australian International Airshow at Avalon.

Drawn from 1AOSS detachments at RAAF Bases Townsville, Amberley and Richmond, the Avalon team was tasked with setting up the airfield in prepara-tion for the ADF’s involvement in the airshow from March 1 to 4.

Headed up by FLGOFF Daniel Carpenter, the contingent of 28 – which included additional sup-port personnel from Amberley and Richmond and two ADFA cadets on work experience – deployed to Avalon on February 8.

Initially, they were tasked to pre-pare the surfaces, provide the power and plumbing required for the wide range of ADF displays (including that by 1AOSS), lay 5000 square metres of AM2 matting as a deployable taxiway, construct a fuel area and construct a deployable aircraft maintenance and

logistics hangar (DAMALSH) for an F/A-18 display.

Despite being hampered by wet weather, in six days they had com-pleted the main taxiway, had most of

11AAOSS gets OSS gets to workto work

the matting completed, including a Hercules matting pad, and had con-structed the DAMALSH.

FLGOFF Carpenter was proud of his team’s efforts.

“We had a few technical issues; however, 1AOSS is always able to come up with a solution,” he said.

“We wouldn’t be who we are with-out our engineers and tradesmen.”

During the second week the team concentrated on setting up the power, plumbing and other support systems as well as preparing the 1AOSS dis-play. Featuring a mixture of plant and hardware, the display will show-case the history of 1AOSS as well as demonstrate the range of trade and professional skills available across the squadron from airfield engineer-ing, air movements and explosive ordnance demolition.

The team will remain at Avalon until March 20 to pack up and restore the area.

Catch all the Avalon action on Twitter: www.twitter.com/airforcehq#RAAFAirShowMajor updates will be on Facebook: www.facebook.com/royalaustralianairforceVideos on www.youtube.com/airforcehq and http://bit.ly/er7p0z (air show playlist)

Our airshow internet site is: http://www.airforce.gov.au/AirShows/ with photos at: http://images.airforce.gov.au and http://bit.ly/e32Myk (air show search)

HEAVY WORK: LAC Col Ansell behind the wheel of the eight-tonne Manitou. Photos: courtesy FLGOFF Daniel Carpenter

GOING UP, GOING DOWN: Left, the DAMALSH under construction; below, laying the AM2 matting.

STAYING IN TOUCH WITH AVALON

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10 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FNews

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AB Melanie Schinkel

FOR the second year in a row, Air Force has led the way in the Defence Force Blood Donation Challenge.

Seven hundred and seventy-nine Air Force personnel presented their arms during a 13-week period late last year.

Next was Navy with 491 dona-tions, Army with 428 and the Australian Public Service with 405.

Overall, Defence made 2103 dona-tions, smashing 2009’s total by 838.

The 2010 Defence Force Blood Donation Challenge was launched in September by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS).

Defence Blood Drive Coordinator Gary Schulz said most of the dona-tions were tallied in ARCBS cen-tres or via the Club Red website. He said this year there would be further emphasis on participants registering their donations online to enable the ARCBS to track the number of dona-tions from each service.

A JOINT Defence and In-dustry team asked to find solutions to C-130J engine vibrations has achieved an eight-fold increase in spare engine availability.

The Tiger Team, formed by the Air Lift Systems Program Office (ALSPO) in 2009, has been working in coordina-tion with 84WG, 86WG, 37SQN, Industry and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to look at how to sustain the AE2100 turboprops. The C-130J is powered by four of the Rolls-Royce engines.

Between December 2008 and September 2009, there were 48 separate instances where the engine had to be shut down dur-

ing flight due to vibra-tion warnings. The Tiger Team, in cooperation with Rolls-Royce, 86WG and 37SQN, developed new fault diagnosis methods, brought in a gearbox mod-ification program three years ahead of schedule and applied new software solutions.

A fleet-wide vibra-tion sensor replacement program helped eradicate false indications.

It also capitalised on a software program devel-oped between ALSPO, 37SQN, DSTO and Defence firm Qinetiq.

The team was recog-nised for their efforts at the inaugural Defence Materiel Organisation’s Engineering Awards late last year.

We’re stillWe’re stillthe the bloody bloody bestbest

OUT IN FRONT: LACW (now CPL) Melissa McRae at the Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank at Russell Offices with, from left, Commander Joint Health MAJGEN Paul Alexander, AB Tiffany Hill, PTE Sean Bourchier and AB Elisabeth Hudson.Photo: CPL Aaron

Curran

“Unfortunately, not everybody registered their donation, so there could’ve been many more donations that we were unable to track,” Mr Schulz said.

“I think Defence personnel are driven to donate because they see it as another way to serve their country on a local level. They also understand the importance of blood products when it comes to saving lives during opera-tions.”

The ARCBS shares an important

relationship with Defence, supplying almost 400 units of blood annually to Australian personnel on operations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

ADF Surgeon Genera l and Commander Joint Health MAJGEN Paul Alexander said the resuscitation, damage control and surgery under-taken in the field relied heavily on blood products.

“We use a range of blood prod-ucts including pack-cells, fresh fro-zen plasma and whole blood plate-

lets,” MAJGEN Alexander said. “Not only do we use these products dur-ing operations overseas but also here in Australia to aid Defence members in recovering from severe illnesses, infections, injuries and chemothera-py.”

He said Defence had partnered with the ARCBS to conduct further research on the use of frozen blood products.

“Defence is looking at increas-ing the range of ARCBS products it

uses, particularly frozen products to increase flexibility during exercises and operations.

“I’d like to encourage everyone to get on board for the challenge again this year.”

Only 3 per cent of Australians regularly donate blood. The ARCBS needs about 27,000 donations a week.

To make an appointment, call 13 14 95 or visit donateblood.com.au

JOINT EFFORT: Members of Standard Aero Corporation, Air Lift Systems Program Office and 37SQN in front of a C130-J Propeller Gearbox. Photo: LAC Michael Green

Top Tiger Team

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FeatureRCEAIR FF March 3, 2011 11

TUCKED away in a quiet corner of south-west Melbourne is an Air Force pilot doing a unique and satisfying job.

SQNLDR Stephen Baker is the only Air Force pilot posted to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, where he has the thrill of flying the old warbirds based there.

“This posting may be news to a lot of people,” SQNLDR Baker said.

“But after being involved in Air Training Wing, which the museum comes under, I believed it was the best job in the Air Force.”

He said there were three factors which sold the posting to him – he got to live in Melbourne, display heritage aeroplanes and run all the flying opera-tions there.

“The type of flying we do is just awesome,” he said.

“We do three flying displays a week using the old warbirds. It is a very inter-active display because the crowd gets to come up and ask you questions. It’s much more personal than the flying dis-plays we normally do in the Air Force.”

At the moment SQNLDR Baker flies the Winjeel and CT-4, but there are three other aircraft that can do displays, the Sopwith Pup, Tiger Moth and CAC Mustang.

“Those aircraft cover a lot of our Air Force’s history.

“We also get many old pilots that come along who used to fly these planes. To listen to their experiences is fantastic.”

A lot of SQNLDR Baker’s work is PR-based; working with the media and taking school groups through the museum.

“Getting to show special-needs kids the museum and the aircraft and to see the looks on their faces is pretty special.

“I also have to manage the pilot workforce that does the flying, which are either reservists or volunteers, and I conduct their annual tests and make sure their displays are safe.”

SQNLDR Baker is a qualified flying instructor, a requirement for the post-ing, with 20 years’ experience in the Air Force.

“This posting gives you the respon-sibility to be your own boss and to make all the flying-related decisions for the museum,” he said.

Soaring with warbirdsShhhhh. No one must know this pilot reckons he has one heck of a job. CPL Aaron Curran reports.

“We work under a stringent chain of command.”

One of the biggest challenges for him is that the museum sits in a grey area.

“We are under strict Air Force guidelines with everything we do, but we have civilian-registered aeroplanes,” SQNLDR Baker said.

“We must comply with Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules and regulations and sometimes they clash with Air Force regulations, especially when it comes to fly-pasts. So it comes down to satisfying the Air Force’s and CASA’s requirements, getting the job done and done safely.”

SQNLDR Baker said apart from flying displays at Point Cook, they regularly supported many events, including Remembrance Day in Melbourne and even the historic car shows at Sandown Racecourse.

“I have been here for seven months now and will try to stay as long as I can,” he said with a grin.

“Everyone stay away because I want to keep this job.”

WHO’S THE BOSS?: SQNLDR Stephen Baker in the RAAF Museum hangar with a CT-4 trainer. To the right is a Bristol Boxkite.

Photo: CPL Aaron Curran

12 March 3, 2011 13Cyclone Yasi centrepiece MMMMMRCEAIR FF

WEATHERING THE WEATHERING THE STORMSTORMFrom floods to cyclones, Air Force was there to help Queensland

� King Airs, C-130s and C-17As flew more than 80 hours of sup-port tasks and moved more than 320 tonnes of cargo, including 220 tonnes of food, in the wake of Cyclone Yasi.

� C-17As and C-130s evacuated

173 patients from Cairns hos-pitals to Brisbane before the cyclone and returned 35 patients back to Cairns after it had passed.

� An AP-3C was tasked from Operation Resolute at Darwin to

provide aerial surveillance of the cyclone-affected areas.

� 1AOSS air load teams helped with the mammoth task of load-ing and unloading cargo at RAAF Bases Amberley and Townsville, while 1AOSS airfield engineers

helped with clean up opera-tions on the ground in far north Queensland.

� Air traffic control and communi-cations services were provided by a 44WG mobile air operations team at Innisfail.

Our mighty effort

HARD YAKKA: Left, airfield engineer LAC Kayne Jones from 1AOSS prepares to clear more debris from a local community in far north Queensland. FULLY LOADED: Right, LACW Kate Johnston from RAAF Base Richmond Air Movements Section prepares netting at Cairns Airport, and below, WOFF Jamie Auld (left) and LACW Jacqueline Clark from 1AOSS load a C-17A at RAAF Base Amberley. Photos: CPL Melina Mancuso

ARRIVAL: Above, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service members disembark a C-17A at RAAF Base Townsville on their way to Tully. Photo: LCPL Mark DoranON QUEUE: Right, ACW Donna Strachan waits in line to load the C-17A at RAAF Base Amberley with one of the many pallets full of relief products. Photo: CPL Melina MancusoHELPING INNISFAIL: Below right, 1AOSS Air Movements Team members LAC George Marshall, SGT Jason Bond, FLGOFF Gabrielle Cook and WGCDR Steve Force at Innisfail Airport.

HELP AT HAND: SGT Robyn Baxter (left) from HOCU and 36SQN loadmaster SGT Derek Long comfort an elderly patient during an AME flight from Cairns to Brisbane during one of the AME missions during Op Yasi Assist. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

STRETCHERED:Left, WOFF Ian Swney, FLTLT Maxhem Gorbach and SQNLDR George Abraham from 3EHS rush a patient on to a waiting C-17A at Cairns Airport (right). Photos: LAC Philip Sharpe

12 March 3, 2011 13Cyclone Yasi centrepiece MMMMMRCEAIR FF

WEATHERING THE WEATHERING THE STORMSTORMFrom floods to cyclones, Air Force was there to help Queensland

� King Airs, C-130s and C-17As flew more than 80 hours of sup-port tasks and moved more than 320 tonnes of cargo, including 220 tonnes of food, in the wake of Cyclone Yasi.

� C-17As and C-130s evacuated

173 patients from Cairns hos-pitals to Brisbane before the cyclone and returned 35 patients back to Cairns after it had passed.

� An AP-3C was tasked from Operation Resolute at Darwin to

provide aerial surveillance of the cyclone-affected areas.

� 1AOSS air load teams helped with the mammoth task of load-ing and unloading cargo at RAAF Bases Amberley and Townsville, while 1AOSS airfield engineers

helped with clean up opera-tions on the ground in far north Queensland.

� Air traffic control and communi-cations services were provided by a 44WG mobile air operations team at Innisfail.

Our mighty effort

HARD YAKKA: Left, airfield engineer LAC Kayne Jones from 1AOSS prepares to clear more debris from a local community in far north Queensland. FULLY LOADED: Right, LACW Kate Johnston from RAAF Base Richmond Air Movements Section prepares netting at Cairns Airport, and below, WOFF Jamie Auld (left) and LACW Jacqueline Clark from 1AOSS load a C-17A at RAAF Base Amberley. Photos: CPL Melina Mancuso

ARRIVAL: Above, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service members disembark a C-17A at RAAF Base Townsville on their way to Tully. Photo: LCPL Mark DoranON QUEUE: Right, ACW Donna Strachan waits in line to load the C-17A at RAAF Base Amberley with one of the many pallets full of relief products. Photo: CPL Melina MancusoHELPING INNISFAIL: Below right, 1AOSS Air Movements Team members LAC George Marshall, SGT Jason Bond, FLGOFF Gabrielle Cook and WGCDR Steve Force at Innisfail Airport.

HELP AT HAND: SGT Robyn Baxter (left) from HOCU and 36SQN loadmaster SGT Derek Long comfort an elderly patient during an AME flight from Cairns to Brisbane during one of the AME missions during Op Yasi Assist. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

STRETCHERED:Left, WOFF Ian Swney, FLTLT Maxhem Gorbach and SQNLDR George Abraham from 3EHS rush a patient on to a waiting C-17A at Cairns Airport (right). Photos: LAC Philip Sharpe

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14 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FFlightline

87SQN chomps cupcakes for charity

AUSSIE DAY AWAY: COL Paul Nelson, from the US 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, and CPL Craig Hollindale, from the RAAF’s 87SQN, cut a cake to celebrate Australia Day. CPL Hollindale is currently attached to the American unit as part of an orientation program.

MMMM: Above, FLGOFF John Pumpa who won the 87SQN Headquarters cupcake-eating competition at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Organised by FSGT Suzanne Harvey, right, the fundraiser on February 10 raised $452 for the Cancer Council’s ‘Relay for Life’ charity. Above right, LACW Bodene Childs reaches for one of the 200 cupcakes baked by squadron members. Photos: LAC Brenton Kwaterski

PROUD AUSSIE: Above, FLTLT Benjamin Barber of 1AOSS, RAAF Base Richmond, proudly displays the Australia Day Medallion he was awarded for his previous role as logistics officer at 3CRU, where he was OIC of the Williamtown to Tindal Vigilare transition project. Photo: LAC Chris Hall

HELP FLOODS IN: Below, 1AOSS air load team member LAC Christopher Jones, from RAAF Base Richmond, prepares to load a pallet of groceries donated by the Australian National Retail Association on to a 36SQN C-17A in support of the recent Operation Queensland Flood Assist. Groceries were flown from the base to areas where they were needed most. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul

philosophical doctrine) and the AAP 1000-F – The Future Air and Space Operating Concept (our future under-standing of air power).

The 6th Edition is planned to be released in mid-2012.

APDC welcomes comments through a short online survey on its website.

To complete the online survey or for more information on how to contribute, visit APDC on the DRN at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/APDC or contact the APDC doctrine staff, WGCDR Greg Weller or SQNLDR Xerri at apdc.doctrine@defence.gov.au

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Role: Re-specialisation to OPSOClosing date: March 7.....................................Role: Defence Force RecruitingRank: CPL-WOFFMustering: ANYAClosing date: March 11.....................................Role: SECPOL MWDH EDDHRank: LAC/WMustering: SECPOL MWDHClosing date: March 18.....................................Role: Remuster to SIGSOP(T)Closing date: March 25.....................................Role: Australia’s Federation GuardRank: LAC/W-CPLMustering: ANYAClosing date: April 21.....................................

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AN IMPORTANT element in develop-ing air power doctrine is securing input from the wider Air Force community.

The Air Power Development Centre (APDC) is seeking contributions from serving and former Air Force members on improvements to the current edition, AAP1000-D – The Air Power Manual.

Director APDC GPCAPT Rick Keir said they were interested in hearing from people across Air Force.

“All serving Air Force members have an opportunity to contribute to the document by providing feedback to the APDC,” he said.

“If our doctrine is invalid, or out of date, the risks of strategic failure are high.”

The forthcoming publication will be the 6th edition of the AAP1000-D and will focus on the role of air power as part of Australia’s national security structure, with particular emphasis on its roles, enablers, characteristics and tenets.

The important relationship of space and cyber to air power will also be cap-tured in the new edition.

GPCAPT Keir said the release of the 2009 Defence White Paper meant that the original guidance, on which the current air power doctrine – Edition 5 – is based, is now dated.

“Combined with the evolving char-acteristics of warfare, developing air

Input wantedpower concepts and the ever shifting strategic security environment, these factors indicate that it is now time for the Air Force to update its core air power doctrine,” he said.

CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said the transition of Air Force to a 21st Century force required doctrine that was current, accurate and relevant.

“The art of doctrine is keeping it philosophical but relevant,” CAF said.

WGCDR Greg Weller, one of the primary writers of the 6th Edition, said doctrine needed to be clear, concise and current for both the present and imme-diate future. “If this is not achieved, it becomes irrelevant or worse, flawed.”

He said it was necessary for Air Force to clearly articulate its role in national security and how it would meet global challenges, particularly as it transitioned over the next decade into a 21st Century force.

“Air Force doctrine provides the philosophical foundation on which Air Force builds a clear understanding of air power and how it delivers it for the Australian Government in protecting its national interests,” he said.

The doctrine is articulated in the AAP 1000 Air Power series of docu-ments comprising the AAP 1000-H – The Australian Experience of Air Power (historical lessons), the AAP 1000-D – The Air Power Manual (our

POWERFUL STUFF: Pictured is air power in action; a 75SQN F/A-18 carrying a payload of 10 Mk82 500LB bombs. Photo: CPL Steve Duncan

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16 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FPersonnel

Tracey Hansell

DEFENCE members who perform specific acts of bravery or provide exceptional service will be recog-nised under changes to the award-ing of formal commendations for service.

The new integrated Defence Commendation Scheme includes a jointly awarded Secretary/CDF Commendation, a Secretary’s Commendation and a separate commendation to be awarded by non-service groups and agencies that mirrors the existing gold, sil-ver and bronze commendations of the armed services.

The scheme has been intro-duced to formally recognise out-standing and exceptional achieve-ments or specific acts of bravery for which the Australian system of honours and awards is not deemed an appropriate medium of recog-nition.

Under the scheme, commenda-tions may be awarded to individu-als or collectively to a group, unit or team. Individual commenda-tions will comprise a commenda-tion certificate and badge while group, unit and team commenda-tions will comprise a certificate only; no badge will be issued.

The Secretary, CDF or three-star/SES band 3 officers are the only people authorised to award group commendations.

Under the new scheme, the Secretary and the CDF may award commendations either separately or jointly.

Recipients of a joint commen-dation will be presented with a joint commendation certificate signed by the Secretary and the CDF and a joint commendation badge.

Continuing the present system, gold, silver and bronze commen-dations will be awarded for all other individual commendations within the groups and services.

The bronze level commenda-tion will be awarded for high or noteworthy achievement, silver for excellent achievement and gold for superior achievement.

Nominations are to be com-ple ted us ing Form AD112 – Nominat ion for Defence Commendation for Service, which can be found on the Defence Intranet Web Forms System. All nominations are to be submitted through the member’s respective chain of command to the appro-priate awarding authority.

Nominations may be submit-ted at any time.

The policy for the new scheme is contained in Interim Policy DEFGRAM 4/2010.

All unit and squadron com-manders are encouraged to rec-ognise those people who have achieved outstanding results that have enhanced Air Force/ADF

capability or have benefited the unit or squadron.

For further advice about the new system or the awards, contact your FEG HQ Honours & Awards point of contact (listed on the HQAC

intranet website), Executive Warrant Officer chain, SOH&A at HQAC, COORD2 at AFHQ or SOHD at the Directorate of Honours & Awards, or visit the intranet website: intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/HonoursandAwards/

SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT: The Air Force gold commendation badge. Photo: CPL Aaron Curran

DEFENCE Support Group has provided clarification about foreign decorations awarded to ADF personnel deployed on Operation Slipper.

They are the NATO Medal with Clasp ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) and the Dutch Medal of Peace Operations.

In 2007, CDF accepted the offer for award of the NATO Medal with Clasp ISAF to ADF mem-bers who served in Afghanistan from June 1, 2003, in support of the ISAF.

Since then, there have been a number of issues in the interpretation of the eligibility criteria, par-ticularly regarding whether qualifying service is over a single tour or multiple tours.

NATO has advised that the qualifying period for the medal is 30 days of service that is con-tinuous or accumulated within the Afghanistan Area of Operations (AAO) within a single tour.

Aircrew will accumulate one day’s service for the first sortie flown on any day within the AAO. Any additional sorties flown on the same day will receive no further credit.

There have also been some issues regarding the issue of the Dutch Medal of Peace Operations that is being awarded by the Netherlands to selected ADF personnel who served under Dutch command in Afghanistan.

Under Australian policy, only one foreign award may be accepted and worn for a single operation. Consequently, as the NATO Medal has been accepted as the official foreign award, members who have received the Dutch medal may not formally wear it with their other medals.

For more information, contact the Directorate of Honours and Awards on 1800 111 321 (toll free).

Clarification on NATO medalAward changeschanges

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17PersonnelMarch 3, 2011RCEAIR FF

STAFF at Air Force bases around Australia can hear about the latest developments in personnel matters when staff members from the Directorate of Person-nel – Air Force (DP-AF) conduct a rolling base visit program during the first half of the year.

During the visits, DP-AF personnel managers and promotions staff will provide short presenta-tions on current and upcoming issues.

Attendees will also be able to ask questions of the respective personnel management sections at the end of the presentations.

Information regarding exact timings of presenta-tions will be available from your local visits coordi-nator closer to the date.

Also, for general information regarding the roadshow, contact the coordinator, FLTLT Tania Williams, on (02) 6265 2289 or email CSIM.Cell@defence.gov.au

Meanwhile, despite the conditions caused by Cyclone Yasi at RAAF Base Townsville during the recent airmen promotion boards there, the officer and airmen promotion boards remain on track.

Once the boards have been completed, person-nel will be notified of the outcomes using the same process that has been used for the past four years.

A list of names of all officers and airmen select-ed for promotion to WGCDR and below will be despatched by noon on March 30 to OCs and direc-tors who have members in their chain of command identified for promotion.

The promotions signal will be released by noon on April 1 and a copy will be posted on the DP-AF website.

➤ March 2 – RAAF Base Wagga➤ April 4 – RAAF Base Williams, Laverton ➤ April 5 – RAAF Base East Sale➤ April 7-8 – RAAF Base Edinburgh ➤ May 3 – RAAF Base Glenbrook ➤ May 4-5 – RAAF Base Richmond ➤ May 17-18 – RAAF Base Darwin ➤ May 19 – RAAF Base Tindal ➤ June 01 – RAAF Base Pearce ➤ June 20-21 – RAAF Base Williamtown ➤ June 22-24 – RAAF Base Amberley

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NameWOFF David SmithWGCDR Terrence SideyWOFF Robert HawkeSGT Graham CourtsWGCDR Nigel NelsonSQNLDR Brydon OkeWGCDR Noel HinschenWGCDR Ian MurphyWOFF Mark AntonioGPCAPT Stephen CookSQNLDR Geoffrey MenziesWOFF Gerard SmithSQNLDR Bradley ArmstrongFSGT Alan CooperSQNLDR Shane ReesCPL Stuart BirkinFSGT Michael FrancisFLTLT David WardSGT Damian CampbellSGT Matthew EpisSGT Phillip FarleySQNLDR John BuckleySGT Paul HarrisonSGT Geoffrey HuddCPL Patrick LeisCPL Jayme MarshallSGT Kevin Bassett

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Last day Feb 6Feb 6Feb 7Feb 7Feb 21Feb 4Feb 28Feb 13Feb 14Feb 27Feb 11Feb 6Feb 6Feb 5Feb 13Feb 13Feb 11Feb 23Feb 25Feb 28Feb 13Feb 28Feb 4Feb 19Feb 25Jan 16Feb 28

Years403836333333313130302828262424232323222222212121212120

AIR FORCE BAND

March 5: The Air Force Jazz Ensemble will perform at the RAAF Base Edinburgh family day from 12pm.March 5: The band will support the closing ceremony of the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Victoria. March 10: A band piper will provide musical support to the RAAF Base Williams, Laverton, Officers’ Mess dining-in night.March 12: The Air Force Jazz Ensemble will support the RAAF Base Glenbrook All Ranks Ball at the base Officers’ Mess.March 16-17: The band will perform as part of the Morning Melodies series at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre.

Supporting Australia’s veterans, peacekeepers and their familiesVVCS provides counselling and support services to Australian veterans, peacekeepers, eligible members of the Defence Force community and their families, and F-111 Fuel Tank Maintenance workers and their partners and immediate family members. VVCS is a specialised, free and confi dential Australia-wide service.

VVCS can provide you with:• Individual, couple and family counselling including case management services• After-hours crisis telephone counselling via Veterans Line• Group programs including Anger Management, Depression, Anxiety, Lifestyle Management and

Heart Health• Support on transition from military to civilian life, including The Stepping Out Program• Information, self-help resources and referrals to other services.

We can help you work through issues such as stress, relationship, family problems and other lifestyle issues as well as emotional or psychological issues associated with your military service.If you need support or would like more information about us please give us a call or visit our website.

1800 011 046*www.dva.gov.au/health/vvcs

* Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur changes. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service

A service founded by Vietnam veteransadcorp35821

18 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FFTraining

THE joint air intelligence capability between Australia and New Zealand has been further enhanced with the graduation of the first Kiwi from the RAAF’s Intelligence Graduate Development Program.

PLTOFF Lauretta Wheeler from the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Integrated Mission Support Squadron (IMSS) completed the arduous course in 12 months while attached to the RAAF under the program.

She said a highlight of the attach-ment was the opportunity to visit other RAAF bases and units.

“This was invaluable for under-standing RAAF capabilities and gave real-life context to classroom lessons,” PLTOFF Wheeler said.

A f t e r c o m p l e t i n g h e r A i r Intelligence Officer Basic Course, PLTOFF Wheeler attended a further 10-week attachment to 87SQN’s 92 Tactical Intelligence Flight (TIF).

The attachment provided an oppor-tunity to practically reinforce the skills and knowledge that was learnt on both the basic course and the other training delivered through the program.

Her tasks involved giving intelli-gence update briefs to 92WG executive staff on a range of issues as well as supporting local flying activities as a fully integrated member of the section.

“Being attached to the intel sec-tion that supports the AP-3C capability gave me some real-world, transferable experience that I hope to be able to use when I return to the RNZAF,” she said.

CO 87SQN WGCDR Richard Trotman-Dickenson was optimistic for the future.

“Ideally, we will be able to inte-grate personnel from both 87SQN and IMSS on exercises and operations quite seamlessly,” WGCDR Trotman-

The Intelligence Graduate Development Program (IGDP)➤ Trainees complete their Air Intelligence Officer Basic

Course at the Defence Intelligence Training Centre, Kokoda Barracks, Canungra, Queensland.

➤ For six months after this course, the trainees are developed and mentored within the IGDP, undertake additional courses and participate in RAAF exercises.

➤ The IGDP can take between 12 and 18 months, depending on when a member’s clearance is granted.

TWO RAAF officers who attended a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Women’s Development Forum (WDF) last year have returned home with new ideas.

WGCDR Dee Gibbon and WOFF Carmel Pako, both from DGPERS-AF, represented the RAAF at the annual forum, which was held at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

The conference aimed to sup-port, encourage and contribute to the development of women in the RNZAF, in order for women to realise their full potential.

The theme was ‘Leading Yourself, Your Peers, Your Boss’.

WOFF Pako and WGCDR Gibbon found the conference to be very inspir-ing, with women from a range of professional and Defence backgrounds openly sharing stories of some of the gender-based challenges they had faced throughout their careers.

The RAAF representatives pre-sented a talk outlining some of the barrier-mitigating initiatives under development within DGPERS-AF.

The RNZAF’s WDF is growing in attendance and scope each year, and the 2010 conference was well subscribed by members of all ranks, services, Defence civilians and women from non-defence corporations with an interest in women’s development.

After some initial reluctance regarding the concept, more New Zealand Defence women were seeing the benefits of attending the forum and the positive outcomes that the confer-ence facilitated.

WGCDR Gibbon found the experi-ence to be “extremely motivational and enjoyable” and hoped that ADF representatives were afforded further opportunities to attend the conference each year.

AIR FORCE’S new breed of Operations Officers (OP-SOs) recently completed a three-week interim initial course at RAAF Base East Sale.

The course was conducted to meet the immediate needs of the 14 officers and commissioned airmen who recently transferred into the specialisation while the new OPSO category stood up as a PAF capability.

Held at the School of Air Warfare, the course com-bined elements of the previous RAAF Reserve OPSO basic course, air combat officer ground school, crew resource and aviation risk management and meteorol-ogy as well as specialised modules on core information systems used to plan, coordinate and support air power projection.

Category sponsor and course student SQNLDR Matthew Harvey was pleased with the results.

“This interim course represented a critical milestone in the development of the OPSO specialisation – PAF and Reserve,” he said.

“The depth of experience already with the students on the course formed a strong basis for the mature initial employment training course that best provided for the Air Force’s operations support capability needs.”

The training aimed to produce subject matter experts in operations planning, coordination and management supporting air and base environments.

The new OPSOs will be capable of running a unit operations room in a high-tempo environment.

The 14 students came from a diverse range of spe-cialisations – joint battlefield airspace controller, educa-tion officer, ground defence officer, airfield defence guard, clerk and firefighter.

They have been posted to a range of units includ-ing Headquarters Northern Command, the Air Mobility Control Centre and 1, 32, 76, 77 and 285SQNs.

NZ women’s forum inspires Trans-Tasman intel

Dickenson said. “This will increase operational capability and collabora-tion in the processing, exploitation and dissemination of intelligence prod-ucts.”

It is expected that the initial success of this initiative will be followed with an additional four RNZAF trainees attached to the program this year.

BETTER ACQUAINTED: PLTOFF Lauretta Wheeler who says she now has a greater understanding of the RAAF.

FAST FACTS

COMPLETE: The 14 new OPSOs after completing their course at RAAF Base East Sale.

Interim course equips OPSOs

April 29, 2010RCEAIR FF

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‹ Easy, accurate planning‹ Battleground graphics & details‹ Targeted at ADF personal & family finances‹ Super-fast calculationsWho said finances are boring? This whole exercise will help all ADF members and their families manage income and expenses, create personal balance sheets, and understand progress towards financial independence. Check it out now at:

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20 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FFFinance

Many ADF personnel travel the world through deploy-ments and personal travel and are probably very ex-

perienced at managing foreign curren-cies. But trading foreign currencies, or forex trading, is a very risky form of investing. In one trade your invest-ment can turn into thousands of dol-lars in debt.

What is forex?Foreign exchange trading is the

practice of buying and selling foreign currencies to make a profit. Foreign Exchange is also known as Forex or FX trading.

An example of the simplest form of foreign exchange is when you are deployed overseas and sell Australian dollars to buy foreign currency. When you return home, if the value of the Australian dollar has gone down rela-tive to the currency of the country you came from, then you will get more money back for each dollar.

Foreign exchange markets work in a similar way but on a larger scale.

Dangers of leverageMost forex trading products are

highly leveraged.This means you only have to pay a

fraction (for example, 0.5 per cent) of the value of your trade up front, but you are still responsible for the full amount of the trade.

For example, a $50 invest-ment could let you place a $10,000 forex trade. If the value of the trade

dropped by 0.5 per cent to $9950, you could lose the original $50 that you invested. If it fell further, you may have to pay much more.

You could even be liable for the entire $10,000 – that’s 200 times your original investment – unless you close out the trade before the losses become so extreme.

Risks of forex tradingTo trade successfully in forex you

need to understand the economic con-ditions of each country whose cur-rency you are trading, and how those conditions affect the relative value of those currencies.

This is extremely difficult because

so many factors come into play including politics, economics and market forces.

Forex providersThere are many providers and

types of forex trading products.Some that you may see adver-

tised are forex contracts for differ-

ence (CFDs), margin forex trad-ing, spot forex contracts and forex options.

Different types of forex trad-ing products involve different risks.

If you are looking at forex CFDs, download ASIC’s investor guide Thinking of trading contracts for differ-ence (CFDs)? from www.fido.gov.au

There are also many soft-ware programs available.

Be wary, though, of mar-keting promises that suggest that by using a particular product you will get access to better exchange rates.

Trading in international currencies is never easy and requires a huge amount of research and monitoring. Even the most skilled and experi-enced investors cannot reason-ably predict currency move-ments.

So always consider our six steps to investing between the flags: Understand yourself, understand investments, devel-

op an investment plan, decide how to invest, implement your plan and monitor your investments.

For more information, see ASIC at www.fido.gov.au or call 1300 300 630. Email ASIC with topics that interest you at ADFcolumn@asic.gov.au

Forex market risks: ➤ You could lose more money than you put

in when the trade is leveraged.➤ There is a huge volume of trading.➤ You’re dealing with foreign traders and

laws.➤ Markets are open 24 hours a day, five

days a week, so it’s hard to monitor.➤ Markets are impossible to predict

because so many factors affect exchange rates.

To trade successfully:➤ Have extensive trading experience in

shares and other investments for a long period.

➤ Know how forex works in detail.➤ Read the product disclosure statement

and discuss it with your financial adviser.➤ Have the financial capability to afford to

lose more than the amount you invested.

Beware foreign threatForex trading can look attractive, but it’s extremely risky, according to ASIC chairman Tony D’Aloisio.

If you’re leaving the ADF or you’ve been separated for some time, touchbase is a handy online resource to help you and your family.

Out of the Service, but still in touch.

www.touchbase.gov.au

21HealthMarch 3, 2011RCEAIR FF

CLOCK WATCHING: Focusing training sessions on speed and intensity can help improve run times. Photo: CPL Aaron Curran

IF YOUR run time isn’t what it used to be there are some steps you can take to increase your pace and improve your results.The two most common symptoms

when diagnosing slow run times are:➤ You run out of puff – start well, slow

down, then walk.➤ Just can’t run faster, but could keep on

running comfortably.

Run out of puffIf you do not have the aerobic fitness

to maintain a given pace, your body must start working anaerobically. Although good for short, high-intensity events, this system becomes inefficient very quickly.Solution: There are several training methods, but here we’ll cover the two most common – continuous running and Fartlek.

Continuous runningThe most common form of continu-

ous running training is long slow distance (LSD) – running continuously at a steady pace (which may mean reducing your run speed). LSD is the keystone method for

developing base aerobic fitness and pre-paring the body for more arduous training.

Run session example: ➤ Run continuously for 10 minutes,

building up to 20 minutes through sev-eral sessions.

Fartlek trainingFartlek training, which is Swedish for

speed play, involves changing speed and distance with the option to make slow or fast distances and times longer or shorter during the session. Fartlek training is a progression from LSD and can increase your run speed.

Run session examples:➤ 400m slow pace, 100m medium, 50m

fast, repeat. ➤ Three minutes slow pace, one minute

medium pace, 30 seconds fast pace, repeat.

Just can’t run fasterThe potential cause of this scenario is a

lack of leg speed, often due to always run-ning at a given pace.

This in turn develops a motor pattern for running, which is consistent and efficient, but currently too slow.

Solution: The most effective means of increasing leg speed is to practice running at faster speeds. Interval training is one of the best options in this scenario. Interval training mixes periods of fast running over short distances with standing recovery. Interval training is intense and should only be completed once every one or two weeks, when free from injury and with a solid LSD and Fartlek base. See a PTI for more guid-ance for your specific needs.

Run session example:➤ Four 400m intervals. Build up to six or

add some 200m intervals over several training sessions. 1:2 ratio where stand-ing recovery time is twice as long as your run time. Target run time for the 400m is 10 seconds faster than your last 2.4km time divided by six.

Progression and maintenanceTo develop the conditioning to run

faster takes time, so several weeks of continuous running should be performed before introducing Fartlek, which again requires several weeks of adaptation before advancing to interval training.

Seek PTI guidance to mold these solu-tions to your ability.

If you’re taking longer to complete the 2.4km run after returning from a holiday,or if you just want to do it faster, LT Rob Orr may have the answer.

Faster Faster blasterblaster

22 March 3, 2011RCEAIR FSp rt

15 years of 15 years of excexcellenceellence

EVERYWHERE MAN: SGT Geoff Gillard chases down the ball in Geelong in 2009 when he captained an ADF over-35s team to a silver medal at the Australian Masters Games. Inset: SGT Gillard coached the Air Force over-35s at the ADF titles last year. This game is against Navy, which Air Force won 4-2. Pictured is the Navy keeper getting in a tangle with one of his own teammates as the Air Force players, from left, CPL Bradley Moore, LAC David Wilson and SGT Vernon Pather get ready to swoop. Photos: Chloe Brian, LAC Michael Green

John Martin

GILLIE Award recipient CPL Chris Speranza holds his former teammate and captain SGT Geoff Gillard in the

highest esteem.“Many regard SGT Gillard as the

best player to ever play for the Air Force,” he said of the man for whom the trophy has been named.

CPL Speranza, of RAAF Base Amberley, was awarded the Gillie Trophy for being voted the player’s player in the open men’s team at the ADF soccer titles in Sydney in November.

SGT Gillard presented the award at the Australian Defence Football Federation (ADFF) dinner.

“I was delighted to present it to one of the biggest work horses I’ve seen in the Air Force,” SGT Gillard said.

“I’ve had the privilege of playing with Chris and, as his captain, am delighted in the way he goes about his business on the park.

“He’s developed his game mas-sively over the past few years and will no doubt be a future leader involved with Air Force football.

“The award was richly deserved and hopefully I’ll get to coach him in the future.”

SGT Gillard, a striker, has done much to earn his stripes on the Air Force soccer pitch.

He did not play soccer for Air Force for his first three years in, owing to work training commitments and a knee reconstruction.

He made his debut for the Air Force in 1997 and was picked for the ADF team that year.

The next year he was selected as Air Force captain, a position he held until he retired from the open team in 2007. In that time, Air Force won the ADF title five times and SGT Gillard captained the ADF combined team for four years.

For the past three years, SGT Gillard has been playing in the over-35s, which is probably something that makes the Gillie Award extra special. How many sporting awards do you hear about that are named in honour of people who are still playing?

He does accept that his playing days are drawing to an end. He started playing the game as a seven-year-old

‘

and “after 30 or so years being kicked around by defenders it’s catching up on me”.

He sees his future now as increasing his involvement in coaching and admin-istration. “With plenty of years ahead of me in the Air Force I look forward to continually being involved and assisting Air Force Football to be the dominant service.”

He’s already made significant inroads into administration and coach-ing though.

From 2002 to 2009, he was sec-retary of the RAAF National Soccer Association which became the Air Force Football Association, with soccer play-ers preferring these days to be called footballers to bring them in line with most of the rest of the world.

In 2009 he was appointed vice presi-dent of the ADFF, a position he still occupies.

He coached the Air Force open men’s side in 2008.

Last year he was player/coach for the Air Force over-35s men’s side and was appointed coach of the ADF over-35s team that finished third in the Pan Pacific Masters games on the Gold Coast in November.

“When I was asked if I’d like to put my name to the player’s player trophy it was a great honour and pleased me greatly,” SGT Gillard said.

“To have the respect of your peers for not just what is done on the field but also to recognise the hard work done in the background is very gratifying. It makes it an even greater honour when I think of some of the people I’ve played alongside and dealt with over the past 15 years.”

It makes it an even greater honour when I think of some of the people I’ve played alongside and dealt with over the past 15 years. – SGT Geoff Gillard

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23 March 3, 2011RCEAIR F Sp rt

AIR FORCE open men’s coach FLTLT Ben Cowan is optimistic about the future, despite his team stumbling at last year’s ADF soc-cer titles in Sydney.

The Air Force team featured a bunch of new players who all performed strongly.

The ADF titles this year will be held in Sydney from October 31 to November 4.

“The new boys will certainly be wiser for the experience and should be keen for 2011,” FLTLT Cowan said.

“Teams go through transi-

tional periods and providing we can keep a similar squad over the next couple of years, I expect Air Force to be the dominant service in ADF football again.”

Navy won the title last year.For Air Force, the tournament

was the culmination of intense selection trials at RAAF Base Richmond, a training camp and four intense games. Players had to get through six games plus training in only 12 days.

Although the team had a less-than-satisfying tournament, four players were selected in the ADF

national team: FLTLT Ben Cowan, CPL Michael Derricott, CPL Craig Gallard and LAC Liam Mercer.

An injury-plagued women’s team also had a disappointing tournament, despite the players putting their heart and souls into each game.

Three women were named in the ADF team: CPL Aimee Murphy, LACW Danielle Kemps, and LACW Caroline Saville.

LACW Saville was named as the player’s player and CPL Amy Lotts won the coach’s award.

The disappointment continued

with the men’s over-35s which had won the division for the past four years.

It only lost to Army – and only by one goal – but that was enough for the title to slip away.

The player’s player award went to SGT Nelson Aceituno.

T h i s y e a r ’s A i r Fo r c e national carnival will be held at Hawkesbury from October 23 to October 28.

A team representing the Australian Defence Football Federation will tour New Zealand from July 31 to August 9.

LEADING LIGHT: Over-35s player’s player SGT Nelson Aceituno, left, competes for possession of the ball against Navy. Photo: LAC David Said

Open soccer coach has reason for optimism

BACK WITH A VENGEANCE: Far left, LAC Pete Adam kicks during last year’s CASRL tournament; left, CPL Aiden Burke gets a pass away.

Photos: CPL Aaron Curran

RUGBY LEAGUE RETURNS WITH TRI-SERVICE CASRL

CPL Aaron Curran

AIR FORCE is pinning its hopes on some tried-and-tested players and a few new stars to propel it to success at the Combined Australian Services Rugby League (CASRL) Inter-service Carnival in Sydney.

Air Force kicks off the tournament on March 7.

Air Force had a disappointing CASRL last year, losing both games against Navy and Army at Victoria Barracks – but Air Force coach SGT Geoff Britton is upbeat this year.

“We are looking to improve in all facets of the game,” SGT Britton said.

“Our execution is something we will work on in the lead-up to the first game.”

He said he knew the playing group were disappointed with the results from last year and the players were keen on making amends.

“We have a good core of 40 players who play at club level.

“The real improvement will come with a better understanding of our game plan and getting the guys to gel at train-ing.”

He blamed fatigue for Air Force falling out of last year’s contest against Army.

He said he could depend on Air Force’s good depth of talent this year, including LAC Jeff Moate, who he said was a standout.

Hopes fora bettershowing

➤ Air Force v Army on March 7 at 2.30pm➤ Air Force v Navy on March 9 at 2.30pm

Both games will be played at Norford Park, Sefton, in Sydney.

➤ Air Force v Army on March 7 at 2 30pm

THE CHALLENGES

“Another is LAC Pete Adam who had a bumper year for his club side in Canberra last year and we are expect-ing big things from him in the next few years,” SGT Britton said.

“Our captain, CPL Aiden Burke, turns 42 this year, and he is still going really strong. He leads the playing group from the front and is a real father figure for the younger guys.”

Hooker FSGT Adam Robinson retired after last year and SGT Britton said Air Force was looking for a new player for that position.

In the lead-up to CASRL, Air Force scheduled in a selection trial, the Paul Mason Shield, at RAAF Base Williamtown on March 1, where it anticipated 40 players would try out for the 25-man squad to compete in Sydney.

Anyone interested in playing RAAF rugby league should download a registration form from http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/AFRLC and email it to SGT Britton.

Victors returnWITH coach SGT Sean McGrath at the helm again, Air Force will defend its Kapooka 12s Australian Football title at Wagga on March 12. The RAAF 2 team beat a Navy team from HMAS Cerberus by two points in the final last year. Kapooka 12s games are played on a full-sized oval with two 10-minute halves. Each team is allowed 12 players on the oval and six interchange players. Last year, however, both the Air Force teams started the day with only two interchange players and come the final six games later, RAAF 2 had only 12 fit men. The Kapooka sev-ens netball tournament will also be played on March 12 and the Kapooka 10s rugby union tourna-ment on March 19.

‘Many regard SGT Gillard as the best player to ever play for the Air Force’

SP RTRTMarch 3, 2011

WHEN Geoff Gillard was 16, he packed his suitcase, waved goodbye to his family and went off to the other side of the world to chase his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.

He lived that dream at the Walsall Football Club, 16km north-west of Birmingham in the West Midlands of England, for about a year.

That’s if you can call training each day, sometimes in snow, living the dream. Or polishing a senior player’s boots (seen as a rite of pas-sage because that was one of his jobs as part of the club’s mentoring program). Or the longing that never

really subsides to be with family and friends or even to hear Australian accents once in a while.

He did get to play once or twice a week in the club’s youth team and reserves, and that was fun.

But he came to the realisation that as much as he loved the game he just did not have the fire in the belly for such a huge ongoing commitment.

“There are millions of football players in Europe, all with the same goals,” he said. “As a young lad in the late 80s it was a real cut-throat world.”

He was dispirited and jaded. So he quit, returned to Australia and

rediscovered his enjoyment of the sport playing as a semi-pro in local leagues. After completing his edu-cation and then trying a variety of jobs – dock worker, courier driver and foreign exchange consultant – at the age of 22 in late 1994 he followed his grandfather, father and uncle into the Air Force.

Fast-forward to 2011 and the now-SGT Gillard, 39, who works at Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, has contributed so much to Air Force soccer an award has been named in his honour.

That award is the Gillie Award, given to Air Force’s open men’s player’s player.

TheirTheirloss, loss,

CPL Chris Speranza, left, felt especially pleased to win the inaugural Gillie Award for Air Force’s open men’s player’s player because he knew it was named in honour of a soccer colossus. John Martin reports.

our our gain

WELL DONE, SKIPPER: Above, SGT Geoff Gillard celebrates with teammates after he chipped in from 25 yards against the Malaysian Defence Force in Kuala Lumpur in 2007. He was captain of an ADF team that toured Singapore, Malaysia and China; left, SGT Gillard playing in the green and gold for the ADF over-35s against NZDF in 2009.

Photos: LEUT Angela Rogers, Adam Peiyuan Cai

League players

ready for titles

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