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AIRF RCEVol. 61, No. 8, May 16, 2019 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force
NEW DCAF ANNOUNCEDAVM Stephen
MeredithPage 2
SPACEFEST 2019
Infinity and beyond
Centre
Hot wings on show Pages 8-9
SKY HIGH
A 36SQN C-17A Globemaster performs a handling display
during the Wings Over Illawarra air show 2019.
Photo: CPL David Said
INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR
From strength to strength
Pages 4-5
Peta Magorian
THROUGHOUT our history, men and women of the ADF have been recognised for their acts of valour on the battlefield.
However, there are other mem-bers of our service who have worked alongside our personnel and are sel-dom acknowledged for their heroic deeds, sacrifices and their everlasting mateship – the military working dogs of the ADF.
Thanks to the e ffo r t s o f Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO), seven retired Air Force military working dogs were honoured for their service in the first retirement ceremony at RAAF Base Pearce’s No. 3 Security Forces Squadron.
The MWDs – Dagger, Digger,
Fang, Frenzy, Onyx, Rico and Victory – were awarded a ‘purple poppy’ pet tag, inscribed with their name, and a ‘Thank you for your service’ pack.
Linda Scott, WA ambassador for AWAMO, and OIC 3SECFOR FLTLT Lawrence O’Reilly presented the awards at RAAF Base Pearce.
Ms Scott said: “We discussed the idea with RAAF Base Pearce last year and from there the idea devel-oped into an official ceremony.
“It’s a first for the WA branch of AWAMO and possibly the first for Australia.
“We hope to hold more ceremo-nies to acknowledge all the retiring military working dogs in WA.”
CPL Nathan Beck, a Military Working Dog Handler, said the cer-emony was a great initiative, and
although he was more than prepared to take on the costs associated with caring for his friend, he was extreme-ly grateful for the retirement pack presented to his dog Victory.
“The fact AWAMO is not only advocating for the retired dogs but also finding ways to assist with large vet bills is very much appreciated,” CPL Beck said.
“Just last year Victory had a malignant mammary tumour that required surgery and after care.
“Retired military working dogs do not have access to a health card post-service life as we do. My fel-low handlers and I appreciate what AWAMO is doing to try and fill that void, after all they have served the ADF faithfully and deserve to be treated as such.”
The AWAMO works to educate
people about the service given by our MWDs and other animals who have served in operational or mascot roles. Its initial aim was to erect war animal memorials across Australia.
Following a memorial unveiling last year, discussion turned to retired MWDs, whose handlers often take them home to see out their retirement and bear the full expense of caring for their ageing mates.
Unlike their handlers, the animals don’t have government assistance to support them with any health issues following their service, hence the formation of MWD retirement pack-age.
The ‘Thank you for your service’ pack included two 20kg bags of dog food, one year’s supply of worming treatments and an assortment of dog treats and toys.
Fine tribute for our best friends
First retirement package for our military working dogs
CPL Nathan Beck, a Military Working Dog Handler at
Defence Force Recruiting – Perth, with his retired MWD,
Victory, at the MWD memorial, at RAAF Base Pearce.
Photo: LS Richard Cordell
EDITORIALDirectorDavid EdlingtonManaging EditorMyles Morgan
Acting EditorJessica Deotto: (02) 6266 7612Deputy EditorMichelle Fretwell
ReportersSGT Max BreeSGT Mark DoranCPL Sebastian BeurichCPL Veronica O’HaraLS Jake Badior
[email protected] Editor, Air Force News, R1-GF-C037, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600
ADVERTISING AND SUBSCRIPTIONSMarketing ManagerTim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 or
0459 842 551
Assistant Marketing ManagerPam Clarke: (02) 6265 2427
DISCLAIMERAir Force News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under contract by Spotpress Pty Ltd. The material published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not neces-sarily those of Defence or Air Force News. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News approval and the Directorate of Defence News may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement. The Directorate accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence News. Defence does not endorse the products or services published in advertisements.
AIRF RCE
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2 May 16, 2019RCEAIR FNews
FLTLT Alyssa Vickridge
TRAINING has ramped up in Darwin for Air Force’s next genera-tion of air warfare instructors with the completion of the first phase of Exercise Diamond Storm.
Exercise Diamond Storm 2019 (ExDSM19) started at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal on April 29 and ends May 29 – the exercise is the final phase of the Air Warfare Instructor Course, a three-phase intensive six-month course that inte-grates warfighting functions across a range of specialisations.
ExDSM19 is a large force
employment exercise with a focus on the execution of a tactical offensive counter air operation with aircraft from RAAF and the United States operating across the Top End.
Exercise Director GPCAPT Matthew McCormack said the Diamond series of exercises was designed to enhance the integration of people and systems to facilitate the introduction of the ADF’s fifth-generation capabilities.
“The course exercises complex, war-like scenarios and the students will put their newly developed skills into practice and make decisions that will shape the way Air Force fights
in the future,” GPCAPT McCormack said.
“We have spent the past week in Darwin and Tindal integrating mul-tiple aircraft and crews into the air-space around the NT and now we are knuckling down into the complex part of the exercise.
“We will be flying during day and night from Darwin and Tindal into the NT training ranges.”
ExDSM19 is integrating almost every combat capability within Air Force.
The United States Air Force has deployed F-15C Eagles and B-52 Stratofortress Bombers, while the
United States Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys and AH-1Z Vipers from the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin will also participate.
Air Force has deployed the F/A-18A Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, Hawk 127 lead-in fighter, AP-3C Orion, P-8A Poseidon, C-17A Globemaster, K C - 3 0 A M u l t i - R o l e Ta n k e r Transport, E-7A Wedgetail and C-130J Hercules.
A range of ground-based capabili-ties and personnel from Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Air Warfare Centre and Combat Support Group are supporting the aircraft.
3May 16, 2019RCEAIR F News
‘The course exercises
complex, war-like scenarios.
– GPCAPT Matthew McCormack,
Exercise Director
Exercise Diamond Storm
A storm’s approaching
More on Diamond Storm Page 7
A RAAF F/A-18A Hornet launches for a sortie
out of RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise
Diamond Storm. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett
Next DCAF: AVM Stephen MeredithAVM Stephen Meredith has been announced as the next Deputy Chief of Air Force.
AVM Meredith brings a wealth of experience to the role gained through his current appointment as Head Force Integration, his 2017 deployment as Director of the Combined Air Operations Centre in the Middle East and his contribution to the introduction into service of the E-7A Wedgetail aircraft.
AVM Meredith is looking for-ward to the role of DCAF, and to
supporting the CAF with the con-tinuing evolution of Air Force.
“I am deeply humbled to be appointed to the role and expect to be challenged by our innovative and capable people,” he said.
“I am looking forward to work-ing together with all elements of Air Force, Army, Navy and our agency partners to unlock the fifth-generation potential of our Air Force capabilities.”
AVM Meredith will take up his role as DCAF on 1 July.
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Indo-Pacific Endeavour RCEAIR F May 16, 20194
Building a strong base
ADF members embraced an opportunity to visit Sri Lanka’s largest air force base, Katunayake, as part of
Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE19).IPE19 Joint Task Force
Commander AIRCDRE Rick Owen and Australian personnel received a warm greeting from the base com-mander, AVM Prasanna Payoe, and his executive team.
Discussions centred on the similari-ties and challenges each organisation shared.
“They were interested in our strong female representation, with 28 per cent of the IPE19 task force made up of women, covering a diverse range of roles,” AIRCDRE Owen said.
“We discussed ADF recruitment and retention programs, including the recently launched campaign focused
on science, technology, engineering and mathematics – or STEM – career opportunities for the next tech-savvy generation.
“Both air forces shared a similar focus on people, building capacity to work together and support air power.”
AIRCDRE Owen and his team toured the engineering wing, where Sri Lanka Air Force conducts training, tri-als and testing of different capabilities.
“We were proud to showcase our highly effective joint team during our visit to Sri Lanka, but it was fantastic to be surrounded by blue uniforms again,” AIRCDRE Owen said.
LACW Pia Sadler-Eriksson said the most enjoyable part was engaging with the Sri Lanka Air Force members.
“Their hospitality was warm and generous,” LACW Sadler-Eriksson said.
“They present as a truly capable and professional organisation with a plethora of experience and knowledge in their field.
“IPE19 was my first deployment and this visit was a highlight.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working as part of a JTF and the engagement activities with the Sri Lankan military.”
Relationships go from strength to strength during Australia’s major defence engagement with regional partner nations, writes FLTLT Bel Scott
Left: Sri Lanka Air Force AVM Prasanna Payoe presents AIRCDRE Richard Owen with a replica MI24 helicopter at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake in Colombo. Photo: LS Steven Thomson
IPE19 was the first deployment for LACW Pia Sadler-Eriksson. Photo: SGT Janine Fabre
Sri Lanka
Indo-Pacific EndeavourRCEAIR F May 16, 2019 5
Forging closer ties
THE mutual respect, cultural understanding and knowledge sharing of the Australia-Malaysia relationship was reinforced during IPE19.
IPE19 Jo in t Task Force members were honoured to join Malaysian Defence Force per-sonnel on a visit to the Mah Meri Cultural Village to learn about the local indigenous community, whose heritage dates back more than 25,000 years.
‘Mah’ is the word for people and ‘Meri’ refers to the forest; for this reason, tribes are referred to as the Mah Meri people.
Mah Meri Cultural Village’s Director Rashid Esa said the vil-lage was built in 2011 to provide an income stream for the local
community and educate people about their unique culture.
“It’s a story of many people whose collective vision made it what it is today; young men and women who want to bring their Mah Meri cultural heritage back to life,” Mr Esa said.
“Everyone from educational partners to archaeologists to gov-ernment officials and corporations, through sweat and determination, helped make this vision a reality.”
Joint Task Force’s Deputy Commander CAPT Andrew Quinn, RAN, said it was pleasing to visit the cultural village with Malaysian friends.
“Together we’ve learned about the cultural traditions in carvings and history of the indigenous peo-
ple of this region in Malaysia,” CAPT Quinn said.
“It was a fantastic day for all involved.
“We were able to rebuild a bridal hut, experience a traditional marriage ceremony, enjoy authen-tic Malaysian food and hospitality, and plant a mango tree in recogni-tion of the day’s activities.
“I enjoyed watching the Malaysians and Australians work-ing together; it was in line with what we hoped to achieve during IPE19.”
Mr Esa said rebuilding the structure where a marriage ritual took place was “very significant for the community and it was great to see our two countries working together to keep traditions alive”.
ADF personnel from JTF661, with members of the Malaysian Armed Forces, visit the Mah Meri Cultural Village in Malaysia during IPE2019. Inset: FLGOFF Brad McMaster participates in a traditional marriage ceremony. Photos: LS Steven Thomson
See footage at: video.defence.gov.au/play/6147#
A SRI Lankan groundkeeper who cared for the grave of a fallen Australian pilot was personally thanked by ADF personnel as part of IPE19.
Air Force Hurricane pilot SGT William Pearce, bur-ied at the Trincomalee War Cemetery, Sri Lanka will be remembered for years to come thanks to local grounds-keeper Mr Vasantharaja.
A solemn service per-formed by HMAS Success padre CHAP Simote Finau resonated in the hearts and minds of all attendees.
Attendees included Acting Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Jon Philp, IPE19 Joint Task Force Commander AIRCDRE Rick Owen and the commanding officers and ships’ companies of HMA Ships Success and Parramatta.
AIRCDRE Owen was hum-bled by the service and the visit to SGT Pearce’s grave.
“He was flying air defence missions trying to protect HMAS Vampire and HMS Hermes,” he said.
“Mr Vasantharaja looked
after the graves for many years and he is training his son to take over this important role when he soon retires.
“We are grateful to Mr Vasantharaja for preserving a fallen hero’s resting place. He is a very gracious gentleman and I was honoured to be able to thank him in person.”
The cemetery was taken over by the British Admiralty in 1948 for use as a permanent naval cemetery. Today, there are 314 casualties of WWII buried there.
Remembering a fallen hero
AIRCDRE Richard Owen, right, and CHAP Simote Finau, RAN, left, thank groundskeeper Mr Vasantharaja for preserving the grave site of RAAF SGT William Pearce at the Trincomalee Commonwealth War Cemetery, Sri Lanka. Photo: LS Ronnie Baltoft
Sri Lanka
Malaysia
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7May 16, 2019RCEAIR F News
‘For the first time in history, each maritime patrol aircraft shared
platform-to-platform processes and procedures.
– SQNLDR Brian Brown
Poseidons side-by-side
FLTLT Bel Scott
AU S T R A L I A N a n d I n d i a n Poseidon aircraft worked together for the first time during the premier Australia-India military exercise AusIndEx.
An Australian P-8A and an Indian Navy P8I collaborated to give comprehensive and crucial sur-veillance in the maritime domain for the ships and submarines partic-ipating in the third biennial iteration of the exercise.
AusIndEx 2019 was the most complex to date and focused on anti-submarine warfare and tactical maritime manoeuvres. The naval exercise is the cornerstone of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 activity in India.
SQNLDR Brian Brown said that after a visit to Sri Lanka, No. 11
Squadron travelled to Indian naval base INS Dega in Visakhapatnam to prepare for the exchange.
“We were excited to be working with the Indian Navy to expand our understanding of each other’s capa-bilities and strengthen our defence relationship,” SQNLDR Brown said.
“For the first time in history, each maritime patrol aircraft shared platform-to-platform processes and procedures to enhance interopera-bility and integration with the ships and submarines.
“Safety was paramount for both nations so there were numerous briefs and familiarisations to ensure safe operations at all times. We are working hard to ensure there is a coordinated and integrated approach between the two nations.”
During the AusIndEx harbour
phase, the coordination meeting in Visakhapatnam discussed the exe-cution of the exercise’s sea phase.
P8I aircraft captain CMDR Kanwar, of Indian Navy Air Squadron 312, said aviation opera-tions were a key component of the exercise.
“The last time the RAAF was here for the inaugural AusIndEx in 2015, they operated their AP-3C Orion with our P8I – a very dif-ferent capability,” CMDR Kanwar said.
“Four years later, we saw for the first time our P8 capabilities work-ing together.
“Both countries share common views when it comes to safety, secu-rity and negating any form of threat … be it terrorism, piracy or marine pollution. AusIndEx 2019 is a step towards firming that relationship.”
Air Force personnel disembark an Australian
P-8A Poseidon at Navy air base INS Dega during a visit to Visakhapatnam,
India, for AusIndEx.Photo: LS Steven Thomson
CPL Samuel Trew is right at home cooking up bar-ramundi, kangaroo fillets and buffalo sausages at the
remote Air Force base of Tindal in the Northern Territory.
He joined RAAF as a cook in 2011, following a proud family tradition of military service by his uncle and late grandfather.
Born and bred in Darwin, CPL Trew has deployed on both domestic and overseas operations, participated in numerous exercises and had various postings across Australia.
He is currently in his sixth year at RAAF Base Tindal – not only is it close to home but he loves the outdoor active lifestyle and being part of the Katherine community.
Being a Territorian at heart has proved beneficial in CPL Trew’s role of feeding the masses at Tindal, and he regularly uses NT flavour in his cooking.
“Cooking in a remote location gen-erally means there is more room for creativity,” he said.
“We create delicious dishes with fresh NT produce like mangoes, wild-caught barramundi and game meats like buffalo and even crocodile.”
CPL Trew’s most memorable expe-
rience so far was working as the solo cook at Delamere Air Weapons Range for three years.
“The ability to work autonomously was energising. The entire catering operations were my responsibility; everything from menu creation, order-ing, rostering, team management and VIP dinners for the CAF,” he said.
“I remember cooking a Thai red crocodile curry for some American dignitaries, and four years later one of the American officers saw me and said it was the most interesting chicken curry he had ever tasted.”
The posting at Delamere has required CPL Trew to become quali-fied in ambulance driving, remote first aid, remote firefighting and even snake handling.
“I am an NT-qualified snake han-dler,” he said.
“I’ve been around wildlife since I was young, as my mother is a wildlife carer.
“In my time at Delamere and Tindal I’ve caught and released around four king browns and 30 black whip snakes, to name a few,” CPL Trew said.
RAAF Base Tindal is currently supporting Exercise Diamond Storm and with extra units on base, the com-
Cooking up a stormThis Air Force cook is following a proud family tradition of military service, writes FLGOFF Kat Trimble
bined Sergeants’ and Officers’ Mess alone is serving around 2500 meals weekly.
“During exercises we pride our-selves in showing our visitors the local
NT flavour,” CPL Trew said.“It’s an opportunity to showcase
Territory food and also give our junior members the chance to learn how to cook these meats.
“I am passionate about sharing my skills and when a new team member nails a dish for the first time I enjoy knowing that I helped influence that,” CPL Trew said.
LIFE IN THE RAAF
CPL Samuel Trew, of 17SQN, puts the finishing touch on a breakfast meal during Exercise Diamond Storm 2019. Photo: CPL Colin Dadd
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Wings Over Illawarra RCEAIR F May 16, 20198
THE skies over the NSW South Coast were abuzz with old and new aircraft for the Wings Over Illawarra air show on May 4-5.
The ADF put on flying displays and ground attractions for the event, with the public gaining a first-hand look at Air Force aircraft, Army and Navy helicopters and even a Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle.
GPCAPT Tim Sloane, Director of Air Operations for the Air Force Show team, said tri-service participation was excellent at this year’s air show.
“While obviously aviation-centric, all three services made a large effort in pro-viding ground displays that gave the pub-lic a wide view of what the ADF does,” GPCAPT Sloane said.
“A large number of Reserve person-nel were involved and it was pleasing to see the Air Force, Navy and Army cadets
show what they could offer as progressive youth development organisations spon-sored by Defence.”
Air shows require a vast amount of planning and coordination and Wings Over Illawarra event organiser, Kerry Bright, said Bright Events Pty Ltd was grateful for the support provided by the ADF.
“The large aircraft flyovers and dis-plays were magnificent this year, with a lot of jaw-dropping moments in the crowd as they passed over,” Ms Bright said.
“The team from the Hawks and the PC-21s provided a magnificent display and also made themselves available to the public to answer questions and have their photos taken.
“This adds another dimension to the show and is something the children attend-ing always look forward to.”
Spread your wings
A 36SQN C-17A Globemaster passes over the crowd during the Wings Over Illawarra air show.
A rainbow provides a backdrop for a PC-21 during the Wings Over Illawarra air show. Photos: CPL David Said
PC-21 Pilot SQNLDR Jay Tuffley signs a poster for Joshua, a visitor to Wings Over Illawarra.
The ADF proudly supported this year’s Wings Over Illawarra air show, writes FLGOFF Claire Burnet
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Wings Over IllawarraRCEAIR F May 16, 2019 9
OPENING the show each morning were four of Air Force’s new PC-21 aircraft, flown by the aerobatic Roulettes team.
Roulette Seven FLTLT Dan Armstrong said the Roulettes like to open the air show.
“We like to open generally, because we beat all the thermals to put on a nice, precise display then go out and meet the public,” FLTLT Armstrong said.
“The PC-21 is a completely different aircraft to the PC-9/A. It’s a real genera-tional shift and because it goes really fast it’s great for putting on a show.
“At the moment we’re getting every-one low-level aerobatics qualified on the new aircraft and will soon add formation aerobatics to the whole Roulettes team. We hope to have a six aircraft display later in the year that will be very exciting to watch.”
Navy also provided displays of the MH-60R Seahawk and the MRH90 Taipan helicopters.
Navy Pilot LEUT Adam Jameson enjoyed showing the public around the MRH90 Taipan helicopter at Wings Over Illawarra.
“I’ve been flying the Taipan opera-
tionally for the past four years, and hands down it is the most capable and fun heli-copter I’ve flown,” LEUT Jameson said.
For aspiring Defence members, a Defence Force Recruiting stand was at the air show.
Responsible for recruiting engineers into the ADF, LEUT William Carter was on the DFR stall providing career advice.
“We are getting a lot of fantastic new platforms for Navy, Army and Air Force so now is a great time to join the ADF and be at the forefront of technology,” LEUT Carter said.
Closing the show each day was Air Force Hawk 127 lead-in fighter pilot FLTLT Kris Sieczkowski, who described his display as fast, low and making a whole bunch of noise.
“It was a handling display, so we showcased the ability of the aircraft by going up to around 550 knots and around 200 feet, with a bunch of aerobatic manoeuvres,” FLTLT Sieczkowski said.
The air show closed out with exciting synchronised pyrotechnics as the Hawk 127 roared past one final time, followed by the famous Wall of Fire display.
ON SHOW
Air Force flying displays of four PC-21s, C-17A Globe-master, C-130J Hercules, C-27J Spartan, Hawk 127 lead-in fighter, and P-8A Po-seidon, and ground display of the Air Force Balloon
Navy flying displays of
Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and static displays of MRH90 Taipan helicopter and Naval Aviation Prospects Scheme (NAPS) simulator.
Army ground display of the Bushmaster protected mobil-ity vehicle.‘Now is a great
time to join the ADF and be at the forefront of
technology.– LEUT William Carter
FLTLT Kris Sieczkowski climbs from a Hawk 127 lead-in fighter after arriving at Illawarra Airport for Wings Over Illawarra.
Roulette Pilot FLTLT Daniel Armstrong shows members of the Australian Air League over a PC-21 aircraft during the air show.
A Navy MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’
helicopter performs a handling display.
A C-130J Hercules transport aircraft demonstrates a touch and go landing. Photo: CPOIS Kelvin Hockey
10 11RCEAIR FSpaceFest May 16, 2019
INFINITY AND BEYOND
DEFENCE partnered with industry to develop Defence space capability at SpaceFest – a two-week-long capabil-
ity demonstration and equipment trial conducted by Defence Science and Technology on behalf of AFHQ at the Woomera Test Range, South Australia, from March 18-29.
The purpose of SpaceFest was to assess the current state of existing space situational awareness sensor systems and to inform Defence of options for future capability acquisition projects.
Deputy Director Surveillance of Space at AFHQ WGCDR Steven Henry said Defence was currently investing in space to develop and build an Australian Defence industry best suited to meet the country’s capability requirements.
“Defence is currently investing in a range of space capabilities, focusing on new and emerging technologies and the optimisation of existing systems,” WGCDR Henry said.
“This includes research and develop-ment activities, as well as enhancements to satellite communications, intelli-gence, surveillance and reconnaissance, space situational awareness, and posi-tioning, navigation and timing systems.”
WGCDR Henry said it was great
to see the number of junior officers expressing an interest in Defence and space.
“The education and skills that junior officers bring to our area is invaluable to ensuring project success,” he said.
“We are also working closely with a number of university and industry partners to design and engineer multi-technology space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities to detect, track, iden-tify and characterise objects in space.”
Plan Jericho is at the forefront of these developments, with SSA an important part of its augmented intel-ligence approach.
Director Plan Jericho GPCAPT Jerome Reid said SSA is a team game.
“It is best done with many countries, industry and academic partners bringing their expertise for the common good,” he said.
“SpaceFest is exciting as we are bringing together many game-changing technologies and concepts, and pas-sionate Australian industries, start-ups, academics and international partners to showcase and refine SSA capabilities.
“This sort of collaboration allows us to take advanced capabilities in SSA to all affiliated parties and that’s really important.”
THE doors have opened to the world of space as RAAF moves towards becoming a fifth-gener-ation Air Force.
FLGOFF Joelene Buntain dreamed of working in space and astronomy for Air Force, so after graduating from Monash University with a PhD in Astrophysics while at Officer Training School, she joined RAAF as an air traffic controller.
Now, just four years later, she is one
step closer to her dream. “Expressing my interest, I was offered a position working in the Surveillance of Space office at Air Force Headquarters,” FLGOFF Buntain said. “I learnt a lot about the acquisition of new technology and Defence interest in space.”
She has now commenced the Mission Elementary Course at RAAF Base East Sale, streaming as an air battle manager, where she will then go to Surveillance
and Control Training Unit (SACTU) at RAAF Base Williamtown.
After graduating, FLGOFF Buntain will continue working in space opera-tions, being able to implement and be part of the projects coming out of SpaceFest.
“I’m excited to see what the future holds for Air Force in the space arena after the exposure I have had in my time at AFHQ, and I look forward to being involved in projects in this area,” she said.
SpaceFest brings together game-changing technologies and concepts, writes FLGOFF Candice Green
Mechatronic and Robotic Engineer Nick Ralph assesses information from a telescope with
neuromorphic sensors on objects in space orbit from inside the Astrosite, Woomera Test Range.
Jasper, the Plan Jericho and SpaceFest mascot, leans on a solar panel powering electro-optical cameras aimed into space, during SpaceFest at the Woomera Test Range.
GPCAPT Jerome Reid, centre, and LACs Steve Scurr, left, and Chad Bray, of 3SECFOR, with an Aeryon R70 surveillance drone, left, and DJI Phantom IV drone during SpaceFest.
SpaceFest participants with Jasper the mascot at the Silentium Defence receiver array near
Coondambo, South Australia.
Defence Science and Technology’s High Frequency Line of Sight Radar
Receiver Array near Coondambo, during SpaceFest at the Woomera
Test Range in South Australia.Photos: SGT Rob Hack
GPCAPT Jerome Reid, right, is shown data about overhead satellites and their tracks by Rob Debnam, Trials Manager at the Defence Science and Technology’s High Frequency Line of Sight Radar Receiver Array.
12 May 16, 2019RCEAIR FNews
Jacqueline Payne
THE delivery of the 150th F/A-18A/B Hornet from its deeper maintenance servicing by Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) was reason for celebration in early April.
The servicing was completed under Defence’s sustainment support con-tract with Boeing and came as opera-tions of the F/A-18A/B Hornet wind down as a result of the introduction of the F-35A.
CO of Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office (TFSPO) WGCDR Allan Wherrett said BDA had been the primary support contractor for Air Force’s fleet of F/A-18A/B Hornets, conducting the deeper maintenance servicing since 2013.
“In the past six years, BDA and Defence (No. 81 Wing and TFSPO)
have enjoyed a responsive, collabora-tive and trusted relationship in manag-ing challenges and resolving issues to ensure effective support to the Hornet fleet,” WGCDR Wherrett said.
“In particular, the timely and high-quality deeper maintenance support provided by BDA prior to and during Operation Okra was a crucial factor to the outstanding performance of deployed F/A-18A/B Hornet aircraft.”
BDA will continue to provide maintenance services for F/A-18A/B Hornets, including further routine (R3/R4) deeper maintenance servic-ing, structural inspections and repairs, workshop augmentation and direct support to the operating squadrons. This will ensure F/A-18A/B Hornet operations are sustainable until the planned withdrawal in December 2021.
Milestone as F/A-18A/B Hornet winds down
Boeing Defence Australia Group celebrates the 150th F/A-18A/B Hornet deeper maintenance servicing at RAAF Base Williamtown.Photo: SGT David Gibbs
Eamon Hamilton
HIGH-SPEED internet on six of Air Force’s C-130J Hercules will provide Defence with increased flexibility when deploying on operations.
In 2017, one Hercules was fitted with a Honeywell Ka-Band satellite communications (SATCOM) system antenna, which permits broadband connectivity on board.
Beginning late this year, the first of an additional five aircraft will be fitted with this system during sched-uled heavy maintenance at RAAF Base Richmond.
Commander Air Mobility Group AIRCDRE William Kourelakos said the system would provide increased flexibility and awareness for crew and passengers.
“This will help bring the Hercules well and truly into the 21st centu-ry and allow it to better work with-in a fifth-generation Air Force,” AIRCDRE Kourelakos said.
“Even after 60 years, a RAAF
Hercules is often one of the first air-craft on the scene during a crisis and up-to-date information is critical for our people when they step off the ramp.”
RAAF became the first air force to fit the Ka-Band SATCOM system to the C-130J Hercules when it began trialling its applications in 2017.
This Hercules – called the “Jericho Demonstrator” – has explored its applications during local mission rehearsal exercises and humanitarian airdrop activities in the Pacific.
“Crews and passengers can under-take complex mission planning en route to their destination, stream video of their mission back to a head-quarters or receive it from another node,” AIRCDRE Kourelakos said.
“There’s significant potential for the Hercules to serve as a tacti-cal command and control platform, combining its range and loiter with its ability to airdrop or operate from austere airstrips.”
Ground Liaison Officer with
No. 37 Squadron, Army CAPT Ian Carter, said SATCOM connectivity would be equivalent to having broad-band internet for embarked forces.
“Having half the Hercules fleet fitted with this system provides greater assuredness of capability-boosting technology being available for embarked Defence units,” CAPT Carter said.
“RAAF is interested in under-standing the interoperability impli-cations this system could have for forces and special operations com-mand units, whether it be used for deploying forces or sustaining them on operations.”
Air Force’s entire fleet of 12 C-130J Hercules was fitted with a slower speed L-Band SATCOM sys-tem beginning in 2015.
This provided Hercules crews with global voice and data communica-tions, greatly increasing their situ-ational awareness and flexibility when on tasks.
On board with fast broadband
Five additional C-130J Hercules will be fitted with
high-speed internet at RAAF Base Richmond from
late this year.Photo: CPL David Said
Chilled approach to a complex challenge FLGOFF Claire Burnet
SHIPPING may be the backbone of the Australian Antarctic Program, but aviation is critical to sustaining Australia’s contemporary operations in Antarctica.
Operation Southern Discovery, mounted through No. 29 Squadron in Hobart, provides transport and logistical capabilities to support the Australian Antarctic Program during summer.
SQNLDR Lauren Bishop, recently returned from a four-and-a-half-month assignment as Logistic Support Force Element to the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), described some of the season’s big-gest logistical challenges.
“Many believe the fundamental task of a logistician is to move ‘stuff’ and ‘things’ from A to B, but in the remote Antarctic supply chain this is too simplistic a summary,” SQNLDR Bishop said.
“Moving that ‘stuff’ and those ‘things’ 3500km across the Southern Ocean to and from the coldest, windiest and driest continent on Earth brings many complex challenges.”
A significant summer logistics focus was the annual delivery of cargo and fuel aboard the Aurora Australis icebreaker vessel, operated by P&O Polar.
With no appropriate direct offload wharf at Casey Station, cargo had to be transferred from ship to shore using a small barge capable of car-rying one standard 20ft container at a time.
Despite this limitation, the Casey team offloaded 520 tonnes of cargo and reloaded 440 tonnes of waste and dangerous goods, including Squirrel helicopter transfers and sci-entific samples, for shipping back to Australia.
Aircraft payload restrictions, infrequent flights and poor weather increase logistical challenges in the Antarctic.
The C-17A Globemaster’s heavy airlift capability has increased Air Force logistics support to the region, with aerial deliveries into inacces-sible locations, as well as personnel and equipment deliveries to Wilkins Runway.
In a world-first last summer, the AAD supported an international scientific mission to measure pre-industrial atmospheric levels of hydroxyl by building a temporary laboratory capable of drilling 300m down to retrieve ice cores for transfer to Australia for analysis.
For a logistician, this research required considerable planning to maintain large ice core samples at exactly -23C.
“The Heavy Airlift Systems Program Office provided an engineer-ing solution that powered a com-mercial chest freezer to maintain the required ‘cold chain’ during flight,” SQNLDR Bishop said.
“We also had to maintain a ‘warm chain’ to prevent critical sensitive sci-entific equipment from cooling below 4C. And both temperature chains needed maintaining in the field and during all modes of transport.”
A shipping container is unloaded in Hobart on return from Antarctica as part of Operation Southern Discovery.Photo: SGT Rodney Welch
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From the 15th of April 2019 it became easier for Defence Reservists to access information and advice about reserve service protection, employer support payments and
employer engagement activities.
The following Defence Reserves Support numbers will be transitioned to 1800DEFENCE providing our Reservists with
greater access to information and advice,including after hours and on weekends.
Defence Reserves Support 1800 803 485
Office of Reserve Service Protection 1800 671 998
Employer Support Payment Scheme 1800 001 696
This merge will undergo a transitional period where the current three 1800 numbers will be
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Further information can be sought through 1800DEFENCE.
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14 May 16, 2019RCEAIR FSafety
Tim Bowden
REDUCING fuel exposure incidents by improving fuel risk management, communication, mentoring, safe-ty investigations and fuel incident responses is the aim of the recently established Fuel Exposure Reduction Working Group (FERWG).
RAAFSafe advisers and safety rep-resentatives, from all RAAF bases that interface with fuel, are collaborating to reduce the rate of incidents.
The Fuel Safety and Management
Improvement Project (FSMIP), from the Air Force Safety Always Program (ASAP), recognised the benefit of sharing lessons learned across Air Force and established the working group in February.
Project Manager for FSMIP WGCDR Sonya Beyer said Air Force operated 11 per cent of Australia’s defence fuel installations (DFIs).
“Air Force-operated DFIs are the highest volume installations, with over 80 million litres passing through RAAF Base Amberley DFI per year
alone,” WGCDR Beyer said.“As a large user of fuel, the deci-
sions of members, equipment, process-es and systems need to be up to the task to ensure the safety of personnel.”
Fuel safety is being addressed throughout the Defence fuel supply chain. It is an immediate priority for Air Force as one in three recorded events in Sentinel are fuel related, accounting for the largest single source of incidents.
Headquarters Air Command XO Safety and Program Manager for
ASAP WGCDR Russ Barton said the Defence Fuels Transformation Project would greatly assist improvements to fuel safety, however there was “no rea-son to not make safety enhancements now”.
“We are working collaboratively with Fuel Services Branch [FSB], in a variety of safety initiatives, and the FERWG is another positive step to reducing fuel-related risks in the short-term,” WGCDR Barton said.
“You can help by making sure you raise any fuel exposure concerns
through your safety network.”This working group will comple-
ment existing safety projects to assist in accelerating improvements in pro-cess, systems and equipment to keep Air Force members safe when operat-ing with or near fuel.
The FERWG is chai red by Headquarters Combat Support Group Fuel Capability Cell and includes members of FSMIP, RAAFSafe advis-ers, operating agents, environmen-tal health officers and subject matter experts from FSB.
Safety first
Barrie Bardoe
ADF aviation technical personnel have received good news with main-tenance licensing now aligned with a global standard.
The transition to Defence Aviation Safety Regulations (DASR) allowed the ADF to align with the European Military Airworthiness requirements, including for maintainer licensing – DASR 66.
WGCDR Roger Preston, of the Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA), said DASR Part 66 was a quality assurance system to ensure that “personnel who make important airworthiness [safety] decisions have appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience [QTE]”.
“It provides a real benefit to maintenance as it allows for the international traceability of techni-cal personnel competence – as an individual’s QTE can be bench-marked against globally recognised standards,” WGCDR Preston said.
Charles Galea, of DASA, said DASR 66 defined the requirements
for all personnel seeking a Military Aircraft Maintenance Licence (MAML) or aircraft type rating.
“It sets out prerequisites for both theory and practical training, which are delivered and assessed as competency-based training,” Mr Galea said.
“An MAML allows an individual to provide maintenance certification and issue a Certificate to Release to Service of an aircraft maintenance activity through an organisational approval.”
The ADF currently has a strong learning and development system for the respective services’ avia-tion technicians based on attaining Australian units of competence, experience and demonstrated perfor-mance and this does not change.
“DASR Part 66 sees the adoption of a globally recognised licensing standard for technical personnel. These licences will consist of core privileges and extensions – depend-ing on individual’s qualifications, training and experience,” WGCDR Preston said.
“Personnel may not be required
to undertake additional training and may still do the same jobs they are authorised to do with no disruption.”
In cases where a particular skill-set is lacking, with regard to DASR 66 requirements, individuals will still be licensed, but their licences will have limitations (exclusions) reflecting the missing skillset. This practice follows civilian and interna-tional precedents.
DASR 66 licensing allows the Defence aviation technical work-force to be benchmarked against internationally recognised criteria.
For maintenance, DASR 66 rep-resents a great opportunity, allowing technicians’ skills to be recognised in the wider global aviation com-munity.
It also enhances possible mili-tary/civilian ‘blended workforce’ approaches and sustainment and supply options.
A common licensing approach is also a win for interoperability, which is increasingly an issue as Defence undertakes operations with coalition partners.
Taking route 66
CPL Josh Claydon, of 25SQN delivers fuel to 11SQN for the
P-8A Poseidon deployed to Operation Resolute out of RAAF
Base Learmonth. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett
For ADF aviation technical personnel, it will now be easier to gain global recognition of their skills.
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Get into a healthier headspace
MANY Air Force members work long hours behind a desk, with limited op-portunities to re-energise
through physical activity. Thank-fully, the Air Force Headquarters Physical Training Instructor (AFHQ PTI) team has developed a program to change this.
Healthy Headspace is a holistic health program designed to reduce some of the stresses placed on the body and mind when working in an office environment.
When posted to Canberra in 2017, AFHQ PTI FSGT James Hood observed that Canberra’s office-based workforce were finding time
and work pressures often prevented members from participating in phys-ical training activities.
“Sedentary office work negative-ly influences overall health,” FSGT Hood said.
“Our team identified a need to think outside of the four walls of the gym and to deliver a program intended to inject health-focused practices into the office environ-ment.”
The program aims to educate members in workplace health and wellness practices, enabling them to build a daily routine and com-mitment to workplace wellness. The sessions focus on stretching,
breathing techniques and mindful-ness, with participants working with AFHQ PTIs in their own offices and workspaces.
The AFHQ PTIs introduced the program to various Canberra-based units throughout 2018, with Personnel Branch – Air Force (PERSBR-AF) the first area to trial the program.
Mixed-rank volunteers par-ticipated in a once-a-week, eight-session program, which soon saw participants in the habit of stretching at their desks.
Director of Personnel – Air Force GPCAPT Greg Frisina reflected on the program noting that “Healthy
Headspace was an easy program to support”.
GPCAPT Frisina encouraged participation within his branch.
“Our mission here is personnel capability and these specifically designed exercises encourage move-ment to improve circulation, which promotes cognitive thinking and enhances thought processes,” he said.
“It means people are effective and operate efficiently,” he said.
For more information on the program contact the AFHQ PTI section [email protected]
GET STARTEDTHE Healthy Headspace program workplace wellness tools are now available on the AFHQ PTI intranet page.
Here you can find guides on stretching, breathing and mindfulness, including video and MP3 resources.
Keep an eye out for upcoming edi-tions of Air Force News for a series of articles providing insight into the Healthy Headspace program and details of the practical skills you can incorporate into your daily routine.
The 2018 AFHQ PTI team, CPL Rebekah Allen, SQNLDR Emma Millane, FSGT James Hood and CPL Joel Munro.
A new Healthy Headspace program aims to build values and commitment to personal workplace health and wellbeing, reports FLTLT Dion Isaacson
15May 16, 2019RCEAIR F Healthy Headspace
16 May 16, 2019RCEAIR FPersonnel
CAPT Jesse Robilliard
SQNLDR Dean Kremer with Task Group Taji-8 is working alongside col-leagues from the US to improve the Taji Airfield air traffic control tower at the Taji Military Complex, ensuring the sky is the limit for the international coalition’s mission in Iraq.
Taji air operations include troop and supply movements, such as rotary-wing movement, aeromedical evacua-tion and other support missions for the coalition and Iraqi Security Forces.
Early in his deployment, SQNLDR Kremer helped move sophisticated and underutilised weather monitoring equipment into Taji’s air traffic control tower.
“In the past, they had been using weather information from Baghdad International Airport, which is a fair way away,” SQNLDR Kremer said.
“So we’ve now established a digital link to the local weather monitoring station in the operational tower.”
SQNLDR Kremer is now work-ing with his US colleagues on a more ambitious project.
LTCOL Rome Kennedy, of the US Air Force 370th Air Expeditionary Adviser Squadron, said the plan was
to move Harris radio communications equipment into the tower.
“Right now they use some modifi-cations of Harris radio equipment that are hand-held with some old anten-nas and they don’t get a whole lot of range,” LTCOL Kennedy said.
“We’re hoping to integrate new communications equipment into that control tower and improve the quality of transmissions between Taji air traf-fic control and aircraft.”
The task to move the bulky equip-ment will be challenging.
“We have to move the uninterrupt-ed power supply over into the tower,” LTCOL Kennedy said.
“There are probably going to be a lot of hours of work, but that is part of what we do to help facilitate the sustainment of the Iraqi Air Force and Iraqi Army aviation.”
Despite the challenging environ-ment, SQNLDR Kremer is enjoying his deployment to TGT-8.
“Any development in capabil-ity we can assist with for the Taji air traffic controllers, which also com-plements aviation safety, is a win and that underpins my role as an air traffic controller to improve aviation safety,” he said.
Improving skies over Taji
RAAF doctor rises to the challenge
FLTLT Matthew Jones conducts a health check at the Hamid Karzai
International Airport military hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Photo: CPL Chris Beerens
Air Liaison Officer for Task Group Taji-8 SQNLDR Dean Kremer in front of the air traffic control tower at Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo: CPL Oliver Carter
Operation Highroad
LEUT Todd Fitzgerald
THE biggest challenge working in a military hospital in Afghanistan is not knowing what will come through the door next.
RAAF medical officer FLTLT Matthew Jones is deployed to the medical facility within the military base at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul.
“The same challenges exist in Australia, but it feels like the breadth of possible presentations is wider here due to where we are and what is going on around us,” FLTLT Jones said.
“We had an event a couple of weeks after I arrived. The patient allocated to our trauma bay was a casualty of a blast.
“The case itself was serious, but it was also interesting to see how well the hospital, staffed by health professionals from all over the world, responded.”
The US-led NATO hospital pro-vides the coalition military base at Kabul Airport with a range of ser-vices, including routine and primary care, life-saving emergency resusci-tation, a blood bank, trauma surgery and dental treatment.
The ADF deploys medics, nurs-es, doctors, a scientific officer and a dental team to the hospital.
They work alongside highly skilled health professionals from Albania, Azerbaijan, Denmark, Norway, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Germany, Portugal and the US.
FLTLT Jones said the Australian contingent was well-prepared and highly regarded.
“I may be biased, but the Australians here have excellent skills and integrate well within the facility,” he said.
“They are maintaining our coun-try’s high standing in the eyes of the
host nation and coalition partners.”FLTLT Jones enjoys working in
the multinational environment. “It’s nice to interact with co-
workers from other nations and provide health care to patients from many different nationalities and backgrounds,” he said.
The depth of knowledge across the coalition staff also gave the Australians ample opportunity to learn.
“We are lucky to have US Army medical specialists within the facil-ity who are willing to provide edu-
cation and training in areas beyond the typical colds and flus,” FLTLT Jones said.
“This has allowed me to increase my knowledge in some areas of emergency medicine, anaesthetics and orthopaedics.”
FLTLT Jones said the Australian troops deployed on Operation Highroad were doing a great job and achieving their mission.
“Australians at home can be proud of the commitment and professionalism exhibited daily by ADF personnel,” he said.
FSGT Ben van den Akker and FLTLT Tracey Li
AIR Force musicians put their instruments down and their best feet forward in a show of commit-ment to Melbourne’s community on April 6.
Seven members from Air Force Band took part in the 12.8km run to support the ‘Run for the Kids’ charity.
Personnel joined other run-ners to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
Clarinettist ACW Ruby Lulham signed up to this community event because she felt inspired by the unit’s mental health awareness day.
“Air Force musicians are often away from homes as the band per-forms at over a hundred ceremo-nial tasks and community engage-ment events every year, across Australia and sometimes overseas,” ACW Lulham said.
“Being away from families and loved ones can sometimes be stressful and I find running an
effective way to improve my resil-ience, physical health and mental fitness.
“The Air Force Band has a great relationship with the Australian community and we are honoured to represent the unit.”
Commanding Officer of Air Force Band SQNLDR Mark Pentreath encouraged the partici-pation of this activity by Air Force members, as well as time spent together with their families on the day.
“Military service has unique demands and the organisation actively supports its members to help them deal with such demands,” SQNLDR Pentreath said.
“During times of stress, Air Force personnel sometimes tend to wear their uniform as an armour while at work and simply get on with the job.
“It is often at home, when the uniform comes off, that families are the first to see cracks appear.
“Families and partners play an absolute vital role in supporting the wellbeing of Defence members.”
Musicians lace up for community support
Air Force Band members LAC Nattanan Low, ACW Ruby Lulham and LAC Callum Moncrieff get ready for the 12.8km ‘Run for the Kids’ charity event. Photo: LAC Niels Rosendahl
Operation Okra
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17May 16, 2019RCEAIR F Training
FSGT Lorraine Morley
ELIMINATING ambiguities that arise in joint environments was a focal point of the second Australian Weapons and Tactics Conference (AusWEPTAC19).
The conference, at HQJOC outside Canberra from April 9-11, brought together Air Force, Navy, Army and Defence Science and Technology (DST) personnel with members of the Royal Air Force and United States Air Force.
CO No. 88 Squadron WGCDR Tim Main said the annual AusWEPTAC was the key event in the Integrated Tactical Procedure (ITP) development cycle.
“This cycle was designed by 88SQN to generate integrated and joint tactics, providing tactical solutions for mission commanders in an evolving threat environment,” WGCDR Main said.
“The conference facilitated an
opportunity to really focus some of our sharpest minds on a number of key problem sets that would be faced when executing a current joint and coalition airborne operation.”
OIC AusWEPTAC19 SQNLDR Daniel Venn said the conference had enabled greater engagement with both joint and coalition partners.
“This will ensure ITPs are developed to support effective airborne operations in a contested environment,” SQNLDR Venn said.
“AusWEPTAC19 provided the forum to clear up ambiguity that naturally occurs in the joint environment. And, importantly, it also fostered greater relationships between joint and allied subject matter experts in order to increase interoperability and combat effectiveness via teamwork.”
Aiming for clarity in the joint arena
FLTLT Stephanie Anderson
AIR Force conducted its first Combat First Aid (CFA) course, with input from Army experts, and is now a step closer to its goal of self-sufficiency in first-aid training.
No. 2 Security Forces Squadron led the CFA course at RAAF Base Amberley from March 25 to April 12.
The course is the next level of advanced first-aid training within the ADF, geared towards trauma and environmental manage-ment, and augmenting existing ADF medical support.
The three-week course covered theory and practical applications. It required students to follow the Army CFA Code of Practice and drug therapy protocols, as prescribed by the Army School of Health (ASH), including specific and strict drug management practice.
Course coordinator WOFF Nathan Hogg said the assistance of ASH and 11th Close Health Battalion in conducting the CFA course was invaluable.
“The battalion provided the CFA course with instructors for oversight, governance and specialist support, which covered all aspects of the course,” WOFF Hogg said.
“Drug protocols and administration can
only be taught by an authorised medical officer, so the support given by the battalion was greatly appreciated.
“In the future we aim to use Air Force medical officers to provide the drug protocol lessons, with ASH providing overwatch.”
The 20 students were a mix of 1SECFOR, 2SECFOR, 3SECFOR, RAAF Security and Fire School and Army members, and includ-ed airfield defence guards, Air Force police, military working dog handlers and Army cavalry.
WOFF Hogg said having CFAs in units that undertake medium to high-risk activities, both on exercises and operations, was essen-tial to the safety of personnel.
“Being able to manage trauma, environ-mental emergencies and coordinate evacu-ations within any environment will greatly increase Air Force’s expeditionary capability and will directly safeguard our people,” he said.
At the end of the course, students had a higher level of understanding of human anatomy, medical interventions, advanced first-aid application and administration of pain relief medication, as well as the abil-ity to coordinate the evacuation of patients within any environment or setting.
A first for first-aid training
LAC Jesse Stiles, of 2SECFOR, practises
cannulation on a training aid during the Combat
First Aid course.Photo: CPL Jesse Kane
Participants in the Australian Weapons and Tactics Conference 2019 at HQJOC near Canberra.Photo: SGT Rodney Welch
Name Years
SQNLDR John Herrmann 42
SQNLDR Garry Purcival 42
SGT Roderick Collis 42
WOFF Ronald Day 41
WOFF Stephen Shuck 41
WOFF Lex Glasby 40
WOFF Ian Gosper 40
WOFF David Pritchard 39
SQNLDR Steven Bekker 34
WOFF Stephen Briars 34
WOFF Andrew Godwin 33
WOFF Peter Larsen 32
SGT Wayne Grose 32
WGCDR Catriona Lyle 31
SQNLDR Kenneth Rider 28
FSGT Jason Bryce 28
FSGT Justin Galbraith 28
CPL Kerry-Ann James 28
FSGT Michael Humbler 26
WGCDR Peter Kershaw 24
FLTLT Maree Allen 24
FSGT Fiona Coward 23
SQNLDR Benjamin Edwards 22
SQNLDR Peter Lynn 22
WGCDR Adam Cole 21
WGCDR Collette Richards 21
SGT Anthony Graham 21
WOFF Chantal Ryder 20
DEPARTURE LOUNGEWho’s leaving after 20+ years
Tristen Beier watches on as a fellow Air Force Flight Camp for Young
Women participant operates the Pilatus PC-21 flight training
device. Photo: CPL Shannon McCarthy
Aircraft Technician LACW Ceillagh Svensson, of
37SQN, performs an after-flight inspection on the
C-130J Hercules landing gear during Exercise
Diamond Seas 19 at RAAF Base Pearce.
Photo: SGT David Gibbs
CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies with WWII veteran and former prisoner of war, 102-year-old Harold Martin, prior to the 2019 Anzac Day service at the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. Photo: KhaoKlong
MILITARY personnel will get free entry to a new film commemorat-ing the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings for two weeks from June 1 in Melbourne. The documentary film D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 blends anima-tion, CGI and live-action images, bringing the event to an IMAX screen for the first time. It ex-plores history, military strategy, science, technology and human values, while paying tribute to those who gave their lives. Tickets are complimentary for all current and former ADF mem-bers, with a limit of one ticket per person. Tickets are available from May 13 from the box office upon presentation of an ADF or DVA card. For more information, head to imaxmelbourne.com.au
D-Day doco in 3D AIR Force History and Heritage Branch’s 2019 RAAF History and Heritage Publishing Symposium will be held from July 10-12. The symposium will provide an insight into the roles and responsibilities of the branch, in particular its Directorate of History Services and the Air Force Historian. Historians, authors, publishers, writers, editors, members of the Air Force, Air Force associations and other Defence Services are welcome to attend. The symposium will take place at ADFA Lecture Theatre 10, Lecture Theatres North, UNSW Canberra, Northcott Drive, Campbell, from 8am-5pm each day. Registration is free: www.eventbrite.com
History and Heritage Publishing symposium
IN BRIEF
CPL Veronica O’Hara
DAYS after receiving its new aircraft, the Williamtown-based search-and-rescue heli-copter rescued three sailors who abandoned their yacht off Port Stephens on April 10.
C H C A u s t r a l i a ’ s Williamtown Base Manager Andrew Crane said the sail-ors were out of the water and climbing onto the rocks of Shark Island when the aircraft arrived.
“Our new machine has quite a good electro-optical system, so the crew could see the sailors climbing up
and were able to get in close to winch them off,” Mr Crane said.
The Leonardo AW-139 helicopter and crew of CHC Australia are based at RAAF Base Williamtown.
“It’s such an amazing, capable aircraft and the sys-tems on it are incredible,” Mr Crane said.
“It only arrived in April and we were training on it when we received the call.”
CHC Australia are contract-ed to provide search and rescue and aeromedical retrieval of RAAF aircrew in the event of aircraft accidents and ejections.
Williamtown to the rescue
Left: SQNLDR Gary Presneill debriefs 15-year-old Leading Cadet Jorden Misseos after his first flight in the new Diamond DA40 NG aircraft at RAAF Base East Sale.Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman
Defence work experience program participant, Hope Wilson, prepares to climb
the first obstacle on the over water obstacle course
at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman
CHAP Yogananda Juste-Constant performs during a Thanksgiving service to mark his contribution
to the Ministry and Air Force. Photo: CPL Bill Solomou
RAAF Technical Camp for Young Women participant, Sylvie Sharma, practises her marshalling skills in the Synthetic Environment Procedural Trainer at RAAF School of Technical Training, RAAF Base Wagga. Photo: CPL Dan Pinhorn
18 May 16, 2019RCEAIR FFlightline
Ph: 07 5495 8259www.spitpolished.com.au
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• History Plaques & BoxesSPIT POLISHED PRESENTATIONS
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19May 16, 2019RCEAIR F Sp rt
Delivered in good spirit
OFFCDT Finn McLynskey bowls to Bradman XI player Cameron
Belshaw during an Anzac Day match at Bradman Oval,
Bowral, NSW. Photos: CPL Veronica O’Hara
SGT Ian Smith, left, with part-time Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame curator David Wells and what is believed to be the ball infamously bowled by then Australian prime minister John Howard in Pakistan in 2005.
CPL Veronica O’Hara
THE spirit of Anzac and the spirit of cricket embodied two Australian traits worth cel-ebrating together.
Air Force cricket player SGT Graham Gleeson said the concept “twigged” to him that it’d be great to have a service followed by a game of cricket.
On April 25, the Air Force Cricket Association (AFCA) conducted a fourth Anzac Day service and game at Bradman Oval in Bowral, with the support of Mittagong RSL and Bradman Foundation.
Twenty-eight Air Force cricketers and their families attended.
“After posting to HMAS Albatross, I joined the Bradman Foundation as my home ground and playing a few games with them helped spur the idea on,” SGT Gleeson said.
“They were immensely keen to have mili-tary involvement and naturally, so were Air Force cricket men and women.”
Air Force set a target of 198 then dis-missed Bradman XI for 145 to emerge victorious.
It was opening bowler OFFCDT Finn McLynskey’s first time representing Air Force and he took match figures of 1-12 off eight overs.
“I was called up, actually. I didn’t know that one of my mates had put my name for-ward,” he said.
“The way we get to chat to our captain and where bowlers act in the team is brilliant. I’ve never experienced that before and I like it.”
The Miller-Bradman Anzac Day Trophy was created in honour of Air Force WWII pilot and Australian test cricketer Keith Miller and fellow member of “The Invincibles” Sir Donald Bradman.
“Keith Miller is Air Force cricket heritage and arguably one of Australia’s greatest all-rounders,” SGT Gleeson said.
Mick Otter, who recently emigrated to Australia with his wife, had a splendid day at the oval.
“We’ve just sat and watched the cricket, which is what we did back in the UK,” he said.
“I would say the sort of standard I’m see-ing is a bit like a good Leicestershire town
standard, where we came from. It’s good to watch and very entertaining.”
As the match occurred after the cricket season had finished, it also provided an oppor-tunity for the AFCA to attract Air Force men and women to cricket.
“It’s like a stepping stone, of sorts, to cricket nationals and representing the ADF as a whole, so if I can get a foot in the door here that’d be really good,” OFFCDT McLynskey said.
“I’m not used to such a high standard, but have always looked up to representative level and it’s what I’d like to do.”
During lunch, Air Force cricketer SGT Ian Smith presented a ball to part-time Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame curator David Wells.
It is reputed to be the ball bowled by for-mer Australian prime minister John Howard while visiting troops deployed on Operation Pakistan Assist.
In 2005, SGT Smith was offloaded while on task with two Air Force C-130J Hercules and heard about an activity nearby.
“What unfolded was this cricket game with lots of media and there’s Johnnie Howard standing out in the middle,” he said.
“There they are playing on a makeshift pitch trying to hold a cricket game, then he bowls that famous ball.
“Later that evening someone handed me the ball. I thought, ‘OK, that’s cool, I’m a bit of a cricket tragic’ and I threw it into my trunk, where it’s been ever since.
“When I got back from that trip it was plastered all over the media. Every channel you turned on was Johnnie bowling this tragic ball and it’s haunted him ever since.”
When Mr Howard was appointed Patron of the Bradman Foundation, SGT Smith recalled the ball thrown into his trunk 14 years before.
“I’ve got something he may hate or like. It’s no use sitting in my trunk – might as well hand it over [to the Bradman Museum],” he said.
AFCA is recruiting men and women to compete at the ADF Cricket Nationals in November. Send enquires to [email protected]
CPL Julia Whitwell
THE ADF All Stars might have fallen 27 points short of victory against the Australian Combined Emergency Services (ACES) team in the AFL Anzac Cup Challenge, but the sense of occasion was not lost on Air Force CPL Daniel Potts and his teammates.
CPL Potts said it was a great honour to play in the curtain-raiser to the AFL Anzac-round game between Port Adelaide and North Melbourne in front of 30,000 people at Adelaide Oval on April 26.
“It’s a good feeling, getting out on Adelaide Oval. Not many people get to do it and I love it,” he said.
“To be able to represent the ADF on the field during the Anzac round; it makes me think what they’ve done for us allows us to live our lives now.
“For me, running out on the footy field for this event is my way of respecting them.”
The All Stars’ head coach, Army PTI SGT James Debono, said limited opportunities to train together showed on his team in the end.
“They’re all talented players and skill-wise we matched our opponents,” SGT Debono said.
“We’re just not able to play consistent football across a season due to our work commitments.”
The All Stars’ tenacity kept the score tight in the first three quarters. The ACES opened with a goal in the first four minutes and maintained a one-goal lead going into the second quarter.
The ADF recovered early in the second quarter, staying a goal ahead until the ACES recovered to lead by two points at half time.
Hopes were high as the All Stars took a two-point advantage into the final quarter, but they ran out of steam and went down 10.12.72 to 7.3.45.
The result helped the ACES to close the gap in the overall tally to 9-7 since the annual showdown began in 2003.
Port Adelaide player Tom Jonas said watching the ADF and ACES teams play before his match was a highlight each year.
“They’re very driven, they don’t want to let their teammates down and they’re as hard as nails,” he said.
The Anzac-round match at Adelaide Oval included an Anzac ceremony and an Australian Army Band member performed the National Anthem. ADF Aussie Rules Chairman MAJGEN Matt Hall, whose father was a Port Magpies premiership player, tossed the coin.
Honour in defeat for All Stars
CPL Daniel Potts takes on ruck duties for the ADF All Stars in the AFL Anzac Day Challenge at Adelaide Oval. Photo: CPL Julia Whitwell
SP RTMay 16, 2019
Our cricketers face up to the Anzac challengePage 19
SGT Michael Gunn, of Joint Health Command, keeps his eye on the ball during an Anzac Day match at Bradman Oval in Bowral, NSW.Photo: CPL Veronica O’Hara
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