AIRAIRFF RCERCEVol. 62, No. 10, June 11, 2020 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

INSIDE: ‘OUR PEOPLE’ - WOFF-AF’S NEW COLUMN – Page 2 DRONES’ VIEW OF FIGHTER WORLD – Page 13

LEADTHEWAY

Blazing a trail in the MER

FLTLT Hayley Moulds has become the first female pilot to captain the KC-30A multi-role tanker transport in the MER as part of Operation Okra. Photo: PO Yuri Ramsey

Page 4

2 News

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EDITORIALDirectorDavid Edlington

Acting Managing EditorRichard Mihaich

EditorBenjamin Doherty: (02) 6266 7612

Deputy EditorTatiana Gallon

ReportersSGT Max BreeSGT Dave MorleyCPL Sebastian BeurichCPL Veronica O’HaraCPL Julia WhitwellLS Kylie Jagiello

raafnews@defencenews.gov.auThe Editor, Air Force News, R1-GF-C037, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600

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AIRAIRFF RCERCE

Living the Air Force Values: RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORK

27SQN teamwork super impressiveTHIS is the first of many

columns of Our People with WOFF-AF, which you’ll be able to read regularly in Air

Force News. My intent with this col-umn is to showcase the excellence of our workforce by presenting to you stories of achievements across the total spectrum of our Force.

This week, I want to share the innovative work of No. 27 Squadron Mechanical Equipment Operations and Maintenance Section (MEOMS) at RAAF Base Townsville. After identifying a need for aircraft arres-tor system (AAS) electrical and mechanical skill sets for ground support equipment technicians, the 27SQN team got to work. They designed and built a replica AAS training aid, which incorporated electrical and pneumatic faults as well as an air traffic control tower indication panel.

This was a true representation of leadership at every level with the issue identified by the Workshop

Supervisor WOFF Boyd McMahon, designed and built by LACs Colton Augustin and Chris Tapiolas and AC (now LAC) Jai Thomson. The design was reviewed and signed off by aeronautical engineer and 27SQN

Senior Maintenance Manager FLGOFF Matt Grusovin, with the full support of the Commanding Officer.

I am super impressed by some of our most junior enlisted stepping up to challenge this project and bring it to life. They designed and built the electrical, mechanical and pneumatic components that mapped all the expected faults of the AAS, which could be selected and pre-sented to trainees for their specific training needs. After completing the training aid build, Colton, Chris and Jai mentored their peers through the first round of training.

Critically, this training aid will provide members of the ground equipment trade group with the opportunity to increase AAS-related skill sets from within a training environment in the MEOMS work-place, and ensure members are best placed to respond to AAS faults.

This also means we are working safely and effectively. Not only are

our GSETECHs trained appropri-ately, but their improved skill sets means that if our aircrew ever need to engage the AAS they can be assured that the teams supporting the mission are highly skilled and safety focused always.

This training aid is a great exam-ple of training how we fight. Its design mirrors the AAS to such a degree, our intelligent and skilled workforce can develop the com-petence and confidence they need when responding to actual AAS faults on the airfield.

Our commitment to developing a culture that supports innovation is one of the many reasons why I am proud of our Air Force. Our people are our strength. 27SQN MEOMS are a true reflection of leadership at every level and what can be achieved when our workforce are empowered to explore their creativ-ity.

Very respectfully,Fee

Warrant Officer of the Air Force

27SQN LAC Jai Thomson with the aircraft arrestor system mechanical and electrical training aid he helped design and build. Photo: LACW Annalin Wright

Give your daughter the skills to build an exceptional futureMerici College is an affordable secondary school, educating young women in a Catholic environment with a strong focus on pastoral care, and targeted support for ADF families with an ADF mentor on site.

Our curriculum is wide and varied within a technology rich environment.

Direct buses to the College are available from most suburbs and neighbouring NSW centres.

To find out more contact the Enrolment Officer Ms Narelle Patrick on 02 6243 4150 enrolment@merici.act.edu.au merici.act.edu.au

RCE 3June 11, 2020AIR F News

Dream to be part of the team

RESEARCHING Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tools, materials, hunting and farming methods is a passion

for Cairns local CPL Brodie McIntyre, a descendant of the Warlpiri people of the Northern Territory.

CPL McIntyre now works at RAAF Base Darwin where he is a military working dog handler protecting the Air Force’s Darwin-based assets.

He’s not the first in his family to serve in the ADF, his grandfather is an Army veteran, and now he and his dog Kesha, a Belgian Malinois, have become veterans themselves having served together since 2015.

“Kesha is a courageous and smart dog and I have been awestruck to be

Centenary onlineThe AF2021 team has been gathering stories about past and present members who have made an exceptional contribu-tion to Air Force.

These stories will be shared through Air Force social media and website platforms showcas-ing the critical role our people have played in building the world’s best Air Force over the past century.

More information about Air Force 2021 is available at our website www.airforce.gov.au/100

paired with her and to this point in my career she is the only dog I have had,” CPL McIntyre said.

“To me, being in the Air Force means being dedicated to the nation, my family and, with or without Kesha, being prepared to assist in peacetime or warlike operations.

“As we commemorate the forma-tion of the Air Force 100 years ago, I feel I have had an extremely blessed career with the opportunity to partici-pate on numerous occasions with pre-recruitment Indigenous programs.

“I’ve had the honour to play the

didgeridoo at Gallipoli twice, at the Australian War Memorial on Anzac Day, and at the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo.

“Dr Brendan Nelson asked me to display one of my didgeridoos in the Australian War Memorial and I have indeed agreed and have donated it to them for their collection.”

Attached to No. 2 Security Forces Squadron at RAAF Base Darwin, CPL McIntyre makes time for his hobbies of fishing and researching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tools and culture and one day would like to

work closely with the Department of Indigenous Affairs.

“I have had to experience and adapt to a different lifestyle while educating others about my background and the cultural worlds I live in,” he said.

“I would like to work in training and development one day as well as work closely with the Department of Indigenous Affairs.”

CPL Brodie McIntyre says he’s had an ‘extremely blessed career’ with Air Force, SQNLDR Bruce Chalmers writes.

Life in the RAAF – Pages 8-9 NRW – Pages 10-11

RAAF Base Darwin celebrates 80th

Military Working Dog Handler CPL Brodie McIntyre and Military Working Dog Kesha with a C-17A Globemaster aircraft at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: SGT Ben Dempster

FLTLT Robert Cochran

RAAF Base Darwin has wit-nessed its fair share of history since its official opening on June 1, 1940.

From World War II Japanese air raids, to the devastation of Cyclone Tracy in 1974, to the roar of jet engines during Exercise Pitch Black in more recent years, the base has a rich and varied history.

To celebrate RAAF Base Darwin achieving octogenarian status, personnel were treated to a cake cutting in the Officers’ Mess – a building strafed by Japanese aircraft in 1942 and still bearing the scars to prove it.

Sticking with tradition, the youngest serving member on base, ACW Sarah Seabrook, of No. 452 Squadron, was presented with a RAAF ensign

by SADFO WGCDR Andrew Anthony.

ACW Seabrook also cut the cake, made by the cooks of No. 13 Squadron.

For the 19-year-old person-nel capability specialist, it was an experience she would never forget.

“I was excited when I was told that I’d be cutting the cake, but when I was presented with a RAAF ensign by the SADFO I felt extremely honoured and lucky,” ACW Seabrook said.

Air Base Executive Officer SQNLDR Melanie Free empha-sised the importance of staying focused on the road ahead.

“We’ll continue to hold our place guarding the northern approaches – we remain vigilant and ready 80 years on,” SQNLDR Free said.

WGCDR Anthony was struck by the poignancy of the occasion.

“We stood together in the same space as Air Force offic-ers 80 years before us and we’re part of a team that shows the same commitment and dedica-tion in its service to the nation – a very proud moment,” WGCDR Anthony said.

WGCDR Andrew Anthony and ACW Sarah Seabrook.

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4 News

FLTLT Chloe Stevenson

SUNSHINE Coast local FLTLT Hayley Moulds has become the first female pilot to captain an Air Force No. 33 Squadron KC-30A multi-role tanker transport while on deployment in the Middle East.

FLTLT Moulds recently completed her deployment on Operation Okra,

which is the Defence Force’s contri-bution to the international coalition against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

“My role was to operate the KC-30A through the Arabian Gulf into Iraq to provide air-to-air refuelling to coalition aircraft,” FLTLT Moulds said. “We work with our own E-7–A Wegetail aircraft and provide fuel to the United States, France, Germany

and other nations to help them achieve their mission in the Middle East.

“We are one tanker in a sky of mul-tiple, but you are given the opportunity to work with numerous countries on a daily basis, all contributing to changing the outcome of the flight. It’s rewarding as a pilot to be given that opportunity and especially as a captain.”

The COVID-19 pandemic had changed the operating environment.

“COVID-19 has crumpled the avia-tion industry and the route we usually follow up the Gulf has become quiet,” FLTLT Moulds said.

FLTLT Moulds’ deployment was memorable in ways she didn’t expect.

“It has highlighted the power of people banding together when times

are tougher than expected and the resilience in individuals,” she said.

The KC-30A can remain 1800km from its home base, with 50 tonnes of fuel available to offload for up to four hours. It is capable of carrying 270 passengers and its under-floor cargo compartments can accommodate 34,000kg of military and civilian cargo pallets and containers.

Blazing a trail in the MER

FLTLT Hayley Moulds with a KC-30A multi-role tanker transport in the Middle East region.Photo: PO Yuri Ramsey

CPL Julia Whitwell

DESCRIBED by his veteran mate as “without doubt, one of the fin-est characters I have ever met,” LCPL Christopher John Parker was killed in 1917 retrieving sol-diers wounded under heavy shell and machine-gun fire in Gaza.

His story will be read by LAC Kyle Fletcher – currently deployed to the Middle East – in a virtual Last Post ceremony dur-ing the Australian War Memorial’s COVID-19 closure.

“We’ll always remember them any way we can and we’re not going to let COVID-19 get in the way of that,” LAC Fletcher said.

Throughout June, eight deployed and 20 Canberra-based ADF members will be broadcast reading stories of the fallen.

LAC Fletcher said conducting the reading while deployed gave

Last Post readings available online

him a greater appreciation for LCPL Parker’s sacrifice.

“I put myself in LCPL Parker’s shoes and it’s hard to imagine what he faced back then,” LAC Fletcher said.

Recording a reading from an empty Australian War Memorial, GPCAPT Ron Tilley said he was

focused on honouring the family of WOFF Maxwell John George Schultz.

“You do get emotional thinking about it, reading a brief snippet of the life of someone who paid that sacrifice,” GPCAPT Tilley said.

Warrant Officer Ceremonial ADF, WO Nikolai Rofe, said the virtual Last Post ceremonies ensured the 102,800 Australian servicemen and women lost to war could still be honoured.

“It enables the general public, the veteran community and the ADF community to continue to pay their respects,” WO Rofe said.

The virtual Last Post ceremonies will continue throughout June until the AWM opens to the public, at limited capacity, on July 1. They can be viewed at www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/last-post-ceremony/live-stream

GPCAPT Ron Tilley lays a wreath for WOFF Maxwell John George Schultz.

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RCE 5June 11, 2020AIR F News

FUNDING to the Australian Wom-en Pilots’ Association (AWPA), CAF’s Flying Scholarships, has been approved for another four years to support aspiring female pilots. Each year, two scholar-ships are awarded to females aged 16 to 24, who are already undertaking training for a pilot’s licence. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the scholarships helped young women pursue an exciting and challenging career in aviation. “These scholarships, valued at $14,350, are designed to help young women make their flying dreams a reality, while also supporting Defence’s objective to increase female participation within the aviation sector,” Sena-tor Reynolds said.

Further information on these grants can be found at: https://awpa.org.au/scholarships-and-awards/

Pilot scholarships

DEFENCE, in partnership with the Office of National Intelligence, is calling on budding artificial in-telligence specialists from around the country to apply themselves to some of the key Ai challenges confronting the Defence Force and the National Intelligence Community. Under the Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making initiative, funding of up to $20,000 is available to individuals to undertake a three-month project addressing one of a number of pre-defined challenges.

Ai specialists

THE Townsville economy is receiving a $40 million boost through Defence works at RAAF Base Townsville. Minister for De-fence Industry Melissa Price said the new facilities for Defence’s CH-47 Chinooks were being constructed using local compa-nies and employees. The project includes new aircraft shelters, a support facility, working accom-modation and tarmac parking for three Chinooks for the 5th Aviation Regiment at RAAF Base Townsville.

Townsville boostIN BRIEF

Innovation lighting new path

THE first group of about 200 US marines has arrived at RAAF Base Darwin as part of the ninth Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D). Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said their arrival was the result of extensive planning and coordination to address challeng-es posed by COVID-19. “MRF-D is an important initiative that deep-

SGT Max Bree

OLD ways of national defence are starting to take a back seat to new innovation, according to Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Monro.

Professor Monro told the National Press Club on May 27 technology and hyper-connectivity were disrupting traditional strategies, such as massed warships, aircraft and soldiers.

“The deterrence that was once afforded by distance has now given way to the perils of proximity,” Professor Monro said.

“New capabilities—like hypersonic weapons, high-speed and long-range missiles, and artificial intelligence—is increasingly challenging traditional military capabilities.”

Professor Monro said Australia needed a modern force and this was where Defence Science and Technology (DST) and its partners came in.

One priority was addressing reli-ance on a single GPS framework to guide weapons, coordinate manoeu-vres and synchronise computers.

“GPS doesn’t work in all environ-ments, it typically won’t work under-ground, underwater or sometimes in complex, urban environments,” Professor Monro said.

DST was looking to quantum-assured position, navigation and tim-ing to create alternatives through things such as gravity meters, acceler-ometers, magnetometers and precision clocks.

Five Eyes scientists and engineers planned to test various, similar capa-bilities on a New Zealand frigate in 2024.

“In 10 years’ time, we hope to have an alternative to the existing GPS system that will operate in contested environments and deliver that assured positioning, navigation and timing capability our nation needs,” Professor Monro said.

“There is a fabulous opportunity to bring together world-leading capabil-ity that Australia is already develop-ing, to apply it to a practical problem where, in time, that will likely save Australian lives.”

DST sci-ent is ts a lso poured efforts into low-tech, a d d i t i o n a l protection for B u s h m a s t e r vehicles, by way of lever-aging the hun-dreds of litres of water they carried on a patrol.

“Our eng inee r s popped to Bunnings, bought some jerry cans and tested what happens in an explosion,” Professor Monro said.

“They demonstrated that if you position water in the right places, the water absorbs energy of an explosion and can help protect its crew – there’s something quintessentially Australian about that discovery.”

Their scientists partnered with a team from the University of Adelaide to develop a cryogenic sapphire clock, that only gains or loses one second over 40 million years.

“This unparalleled precision should guarantee that future upgrades to the JORN high frequency radar system will allow us to continue to lead the world in this technology,” she said.

A DST scientist’s 1949 paper on aircraft metal fatigue had ramifications for decades. His colleagues later tested 222 Mustang fighter wings and wrote a manual on the ‘Goldilocks zone’ of metal fatigue, meaning aircraft could be flown to the limits of wear without endangering crews.

“Since that time, we have saved the Australian taxpayer tens of billions of dollars, supporting the safe extension of life and operation of the F-1-11s, the F/A-18 Hornets, Hercules, Orions and other aircraft,” Professor Monro said.

“Today, we are using these same principles to assess our latest jets – the F-35 – so that the nation gets the most from the world’s most sophisticated stealth fighter.”

DST was also putting technology in space to manage congestion by auto-matically manoeuvring satellites.

Professor Tanya Monro at the National Press Club.

FLGOFF Andrew Sittler

THE RAAF’s No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU) has assisted with the SpaceX launch of the Crew Dragon capsule on May 31.

Joining an international network of space surveillance sensor capa-bilities and operators, 1RSU based at RAAF Base Edinburgh provided monitoring and tracking support.

The launch was the first time the SpaceX’s Dragon capsule (named Endeavour by the crew) took astro-nauts to the International Space Station (ISS). It was an important event for NASA, as it was also the first time since the space shuttle retired nine years ago that NASA astronauts had launched from American soil.

The safety of astronauts inflight and at the ISS relies on the precise tracking of over 20,000 objects around Earth, orbiting satellites and space debris that can reach veloci-ties of almost 30,000km/h.

Since 2015, 1RSU has tracked space objects at ranges up to 3000km away with a C-band space tracking radar located on the north-west coast of Western Australia. Combined with access to satellite information supplied by the United

States Air Force, the unit contrib-utes on a daily basis to Australia’s awareness of activities in space and the safety of flight of satellites.

During the launch, 1RSU personnel initially monitored the progress of the launch to ensure that the upper stages of the Falcon rocket re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere in the planned loca-tions over the Indian Ocean.

Later in the flight, the C-band tracking radar tracked the Crew Dragon capsule as it passed over Australia, with this informa-tion being fed into the US Space Surveillance Network to help further refine the orbit.

Air Surveillance Operator LAC Sean Bull said it was exciting to be a part of the history making flight.

“It was rewarding engaging our skill sets and essentially doing our job of tracking launches and objects in space - but this time for such a special event,” LAC Bull said.

“The launch went fine and we didn’t detect any flight anomalies. Everything our sensors picked up for the Crew Dragon capsule was as we were expecting.”

1RSU CO WGCDR Richard Harrison said support for activities of this type required high levels

of operator expertise developed through years of routine surveil-lance operations.

“The success of the 1RSU mis-sion depends solely on the skills and ability of the people operating our sensors,” WGCDR Harrison said.

“It is a point of pride for me to see the dedication the operators and technicians apply to all of our taskings on a daily basis.”

1RSU was originally established in 1992 to conduct air and maritime surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches using the ground-breaking Jindalee Over-The-Horizon-Radar.

The unit looks forward to expanding its capabilities in 2022 with the planned delivery of the Space Surveillance Telescope, also located in Western Australia. This highly advanced telescope will ena-ble the observation and detection of objects in space up to 36,000km above Earth.

1RSU is part of Surveillance and Response Group’s No. 41 Wing which delivers precision air defence and air battlespace management for the joint force.

1RSU helps shepherd SpaceX capsule crew across the skies

LAC Ben Byrne from 1RSU at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

Marines rotation

ens interoperability between the ADF and the US military,” Senator Reynolds said. “Australia’s Alli-ance with the United States is our most important Defence relation-ship. It sends a clear signal about our commitment to the security and stability of our region.” All ma-rines were biosecurity screened and COVID-19 tested on arrival ahead of a 14-day quarantine. They will be tested again for COV-ID-19 before exiting quarantine.

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RCE 7June 11, 2020AIR F News

Proud heritage for all to seeFLTLT Bel Scott

NO. 462 Squadron marked the 78th anniversary of Bomber Command – an enduring strategic bombing campaign against Germany during World War II.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a small ceremony was held at the Air Force Memorial in Adelaide on May 30.

462SQN CO WGCDR David Clyde said under normal circumstances all members would be involved in the parade.

“It’s an honour to be able to connect with several Bomber Command veter-ans, including No. 462 Squadron air-crew who live locally and are still part of the squadron,” WGCDR Clyde said. “We recognise their remarkable achieve-ments and remember the supreme sacri-fice of the Bomber Command members who lost their lives over the campaign. As the Commanding Officer of No. 462 Squadron, it is an honour and privilege to lead a unit with such an incredible legacy.”

No. 462 Squadron has a rich history. It became part of the No. 100 group of

Bomber Command that was responsi-ble for counter-measures and jamming enemy radars.

“The squadron’s Halifax aircraft were modified with electronic jamming equipment which would interfere with German night fighter radio and ground based radars,” Squadron WOFF Darren Rhodes said.

“Aluminium strips were dropped by the bombers and used to great effect to confuse enemy radars.

“This would give the impression the force was much larger and was used as a diversion tactic so the true bombing target could be reached with little resist-ance.

Today, the No. 462 Squadron patch is a con-tinual reminder of its story.

“Its three vertical yel-low stripes that were located on the Halifax Bomber tail and Z5 on the body of the aircraft make it easily identifi-able as an aircraft utilised by No. 462 Squadron,” WOFF Rhodes said.

“These distinguishing markers are a reminder to the squadron of its historical links and significant operational achieve-ments.”

Eight Royal Australian Air Force squadrons and about 10,000 Australian airmen served with Bomber Command in Australian and composite squadrons. Of those, just over one-third paid the ultimate price.

Bomber Command units completed more than 364,500 operational sorties and dropped more than 1,030,500 tons of bombs.

FIRST formed in 1942 as a heavy bomber unit, 462SQN initially saw combat in the Mediterranean but was disbanded in March 1944.

Reformed in August 1944 in England as part of Bomber Command, the unit attacked German industrial cities while also supporting the ground offensive. The unit disbanded on September 24, 1945 and was reformed in April 2005 as a non-flying squadron. Based at RAAF Base Edinburgh as part of the Air

A very special squadron

Warfare Centre, its role today is to conduct defensive cyberspace operations. The squadron hon-ours its World War II heritage with many displays and mementos including:

• Wreckage from the last 462SQN Halifax shot down dur-ing a night time bombing attack on Augsburg. This aircraft was known as C for Charlie and was piloted by RAAF FLGOFF Alan Lodder who was one of three that survived the crash.

• Large wall art of 462SQN

Halifax MKIII known as Jane.• Training logs, flying cap,

briefing reports of missions.• Briefing rooms named after

462SQN veterans. One is named after WOFF Kevin Dennis, a South Australian awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his actions during a mission on March 13, 1945.

• All members posted to 462SQN receive a copy of the novel To See the Dawn Again. This book is about the history of RAAF 462SQN from 1942-2008.

The bank clerk who displayed ‘courage of the highest order’WOFF Kevin Dennis was a bank clerk in Adelaide when he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force.

He trained as a wireless opera-tor, serving in No. 462 Squadron.

In a Halifax bomber on a raid to Frankfurt on March 13, 1945, the aircraft was leaving the target when it was hit by heavy flak. The flight engineer was killed and the plane sustained heavy damage.

WOFF Dennis was seriously wounded – one foot was almost completely severed and his other leg shattered. Although bleeding profusely, he refused to leave his post. He continued to send and receive messages until the air-craft’s forced landing in France.

During his long hospital convalescence in England, a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (CGM) arrived in the mail from the King. The citation read in part, ‘for courage of the highest order

when he must have been experiencing extreme agony’.

WOFF Dennis is one of only 10 Australians awarded the CGM for actions during World War II, six of which were awarded to members of Bomber Command.

WOFF Kevin Dennis in 2014.

No. 462 Squadron Halifax Z5-N known as Jane. Inset below: South Australian Governor and honourary AIRCDRE Hieu Van Le salutes during the 78th anniversary ceremony at the South Australian Air Force Memorial.

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8 Life in the RAAF

The art of leadership

ACW Olivia Tiele

LEADERSHIP filters through all levels of our organisation. Put simply, every air-woman and airman – regardless of rank – is a leader, ensuring the continued suc-cess of Air Force.

In discussion with WOFF-AF Fiona Grasby, we explored the idea that lead-ership stems from simply being a good human and is shaped primarily by your experiences. It is also the idea of perpet-

ual empowerment across our troops and crafting the workforce of our Air Force.

The most influential leaders of our Air Force are those who listen to hear, and not merely listen to respond.

Sometimes our passions can come over the top of our listening skills, but it’s essential to hone in to listening to hear and to better understand.

WOFF-AF Grasby’s leadership is guided by the notion of altruistic leader-ship, focusing on the service of others

and the service between two people. It is the act of giving.

“I believe leadership is who you are as a person, and starts from the day you begin your career within the Air Force,” WOFF-AF Grasby said.

“To our colleagues, to each individual leader: This is your Air Force. The best Air Force in the world. It is your space to take each opportunity that comes to you and make the most of becoming a mod-ern leader.”

Leadership is an understanding that can be valued and explored by each rank of our organisation and one that is craft-ed through interactions that challenge and motivate your values of leadership.

It is admirable to look at the experi-ences and intrinsic leadership of the WOFF-AF and the ways in which the most junior members of our Air Force can build their own leadership model from such influence and perpetual empower-ment.

ACW Olivia Tiele with mentor WOFF-AF Fiona Grasby at Air Force Headquarters in Canberra.Photo: CPL Kylie Gibson

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RCE 9June 11, 2020AIR F Life in the RAAF

A NATIVE of Sale, Victoria, CPL Madeline Meyer spent a lot of her time growing up in Yarram where her grandparents farmed.

Although through her father’s work, some of her youth was spent in Queensland, CPL Meyer completed high school in Sale, where spare time was spent fishing trying to catch a big tuna or flathead to be cooked for dinner over a barbecue with the rest of her family.

Having a love of fishing and cooking, CPL Meyer considered a career in the Navy as a steward but her Air Force parents guid-ed her to a career as a crew attendant in the RAAF on the VIP transport aircraft opening up a raft of opportunities.

As part of the Air Force 2021 campaign, CPL Meyer is being featured as one of the exceptional members who have contributed to the RAAF.

She is now posted to the Combat Survival Training School in Townsville, working as a Survive Evade Resist Escape instructor.

“It’s a brand new position and I am lucky to be the first person to fill the position,” CPL Meyer said.

“One of my early courses as crew atten-dant was combat survival and I loved it.

“In my crew attendant career with No. 34 Squadron I travelled extensively around the world in the special purpose aircraft – the 737 Boeing business jets and Challenger CL604 aircraft used to transport government members on business.

“It is that experience that led me to recognise that specific needs for attendants should be developed, so I proposed it.”

Air Force also recognised the require-ment and CPL Meyer was posted to the job.

“Being in the ADF means a lot to me, coming from a small country town with not too many job opportunities, and I have had, so far, an amazing career path,” she said.

“Before joining I had never been out of Australia and now I’ve travelled across the globe making friends and experiencing things that I’ll never forget.”

When she eventually finishes her Air Force career, CPL Meyer wants to retire to a country town with some land, plenty of animals and close to a beach where she can go fishing every day.

Planning is underway for the commemoration of the Royal Australian Air Force’s formation in March 1921. For more information, go to airforce.gov.au/100.

Love of the outdoors

CPL Madeline Meyer is mixing career with a lifelong passion, SQNLDR Bruce Chalmers writes.

Memories of making a real differenceFLTLT Chloe Stevenson

ON May 29, International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, SQNLDR Karl Woodward took a moment to reflect on a pivotal deployment to South Sudan.He is presently deployed to the ADF’s Operation Accordion in the Middle East.

However, SQNLDR Woodward took a moment to think back to his life-changing deployment to South Sudan with the United Nations in 2015.

United Nations Peacekeepers have contributed personnel to the UN Mission in South Sudan since 2011.

SQNLDR Woodward said peace-keeping was an eye-opening and rewarding challenge.

“I remember arriving in the capi-tal, Juba, and seeing trucks rolling around with weapons on the back - the guys in them just wearing singlets and thongs,” SQNLDR Woodward said.

“It was a shock to the system. It set the tone for what I would experi-ence over the next six months.”

His primary role was to look after the Australian contingent’s sustain-ment requirements, which were chal-lenging during the rainy season when

roads were cut and helicopter sup-ply became the norm.

“From supply and sustainment, including food and weapons, to welfare – we did it. We also helped provide communication back home and to National Headquarters Command,” SQNLDR Woodward said.

Flying by helicopter to work in the Greater Jonglei town of Bor was a unique experi-ence he will never forget.

“We were able to conduct vehicle and foot patrols with the United Nations police in the local area, including the displacement camps,” he said.

“I remember walking around the refugee camp, seeing

children with not a lot, just a couple of soccer balls.

“It was amazing to see that despite the war-like circumstance around them, they were so happy to be able to talk and laugh with us. We were able to hang around for a bit and kick a ball with them – it was cool. Overall my deployment with the United Nations was life-changing. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone.”

SQNLDR Woodward is on his third deployment since joining the ADF, providing personnel opera-tions support to the Air Task Group Headquarters at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East.

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers pays tribute to those who have worn the blue beret. It honours the more than 3900 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the United Nation’s flag since 1948.

SQNLDR Karl Woodward. Photo: PO Yuri Ramsey

CPL Madeline Meyer is posted with the Combat Survival Training School. Photo: SGT Pete Gammie

11June 11, 2020RCEAIR F10 National Reconciliation Week

AIR Force Headquarters dis-plays physical and symbolic commitment to Reconcilia-tion, in the form of a painting

for National Reconciliation Week unveiled in Canberra on May 28.

Titled Ngunnawal Mulleyah, which translates as Ngunnawal Wedge-tailed Eagle, Shaenice Allan presented her artwork to Chief of Staff-AFHQ AIRCDRE David Hombsch.

Ms Allan said it embodied how Ngunnawal land was interwoven in Air Force Headquarters’ story.

“As with most stories, I found I had to include not just the Air Force, but others as well,” Ms Allan said.

“The main dots represent the people in Air Force and small dots are every-body else who are quite involved, and as part of the story I’ve included the seven Ngunnawal clans as the circles.”

Ngunnawal Mulleyah was commis-sioned by AFHQ to serve as an ongoing acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land on which AFHQ stands.

“The common symbology is fantas-tic,” AIRCDRE Hombsch said.

“The Wedge-tailed eagle is very important to the Ngunnawal people and for us – it’s on so many of our badges and crests and worn on our uniforms every day.

“Normally we like to do something ceremonial for the week; we couldn’t with restrictions on coming together in large groups but still wanted to look after the Ngunnawal Elders.”

Working in two stages, it took Ms Allan a couple of days to include Air Force in story.

“I’m so excited for Air Force – I think that’s so important to under-stand the art because how we use our symbols is how we explain a story,” she said.

As an acknowledgement of Country where the headquarters is located and the importance of the Wedge-tailed eagle to both cultures, the painting will be displayed in AFHQ.

Indigenous Liaison Officer FLTLT

Grace Casey-Maughan wanted to make these connections known.

“It’s significant also because I’m fairly sure there’s no Ngunnawal art in Air Force Headquarters and it’s so im-portant to ground us to where we are,” FLTLT Casey-Maughan said.

It is hoped that displaying the paint-ing will encourage AFHQ members to ground themselves to the land on which we live and work and to serve as a link to the traditional owners of the area.

The artwork will physically display an ongoing commitment to increas-ing Air Force’s cultural awareness and understanding as dedicated in the ‘Our Place, Our Skies’ Air Force Indigenous strategy.

“I’m proud of our momentum with ‘Our Place, Our Skies’ and our com-mitment to reconciliation,” AIRCDRE Hombsch said. “There’s still a lot to do but I think we’re showing real progress in the five vectors of cultural guidance, community engagement, recruiting, retention and cultural awareness.”

A new artwork at AFHQ will be displayed as a symbol of deep connections and cooperation, CPL Veronica O’Hara writes.

OUR WINGSOF UNITY

In reflection ... images of a special time of year for nation and Country

LACW Petrea Saunders presents a Message Stick to Commander Joint Task Force 633 MAJGEN Susan Coyle at the NRW ceremony at Australia’s main operating base in the Middle East. Photo: PO Yuri Ramsey

ADF members and public servants in Can-berra contributed to this NRW 2020 artwork by including their fingerprints on the canvas as it was displayed in the R1 foyer of the Russell Offices. Photo: Kym Smith

Commander of Air Force Training Group AIRCDRE Gregory Frisina and ILO FLTLT Aimee McCartney with artwork unveiled during NRW.

Finding new wayto beinvolved

MAJ Bradley Richardson

VICTORIA Point’s LAC Anthony Scarcella is proud to be an In-digenous airman, rounding out his deployment with the ADF in the Middle East during National Reconciliation Week.

LAC Scarcella’s family roots stem from the Gubbi Gubbi nation in southern Queensland.

The 26-year-old grew up not knowing too much about his Indig-enous heritage.

“When I was younger, I don’t think I appreciated what my cul-ture really meant but I’ve immersed myself in the community more now and I feel like it’s almost my duty to contribute to the visibility of the culture and encourage our young people to do the same,” LAC Scarcella said.

He knows it’s important for Australia to acknowledge and under-stand its history for a united future.

“National Reconciliation Week is a vehicle to encourage our so-ciety to learn from each other and move forward together,” he said.

“It’s important because it is part of our nation’s story. A lot of people think our history started in the 18th century, during colonisa-tion, but we have been in Australia for over 60,000 years, which we should be proud of too.

“For me, serving in the Air Force has developed the sense of pride I have – not only in being Australian, but an Indigenous Aus-tralian.

“The opportunities available in Defence to connect with the In-digenous community is something I’m looking forward to getting in-volved in when I’m home, now that I’m a part of RAAF Richmond’s Indigenous Liaison Team.”

LAC Scarcella enlisted in the RAAF in 2017, looking to chal-lenge himself and try something new.

“I was sitting at Newcastle Airport one day, staring across at the aircraft and I thought about how awesome it would be to work with them some day,” he said.

“I applied to join the next day and it was the best decision I ever made.”

LAC Scarcella provides time-critical mission support to all air mobility operations across the Middle East on Operation Accordion.

“I enable the commander and crews to analyse risk and make informed decisions,” he said.

“Whether it’s flying a route a little differently or prioritising some missions over others, the support we provide enables these assess-ments to help our crews get the mission done and get home safely.

“I love it. I’ve been challenged every day in the volume and com-plexity of the information we need to analyse and make assessments on.”

Stirred to share history and culture

LAC Anthony Scarcella. Photo: PO Yuri Ramsey

FLTLT Bel Scott

THIS year ADF members in South Aus-tralia acknowledged National Recon-ciliation Week (NRW) virtually with the annual Reconciliation SA Breakfast live streamed to participating Air Force and Army units.

RAAF Base Edinburgh Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) and Kaurna man, FLTLT Steven Warrior overcame the COVID-19 restrictions by initiating an innovative way to acknowledge the sig-nificant calendar event with support from No. 24 Squadron.

“This year NRW is like no other, we’ve had to step up and adapt to the many challenges in the current environ-ment,” FLTLT Warrior said.

“On Wednesday 27 May, a number of ADF units held a small barbecue break-fast while watching virtual videos being released to the wider community.

“The event provided a great opportu-nity to build morale, raise awareness of NRW and most importantly, strengthen the relationship between the broader Aus-tralian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

The virtual breakfast gave a great in-sight into the experiences and leadership of Patricia Turner CEO – National Abo-riginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

FLTLT Warrior also participated in a commemorative service conducted by Aboriginal Veterans South Australia. This is a small ceremony which is also held annually to commemorate the Abo-riginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women that have served their country.

Based at RAAF Edinburgh, six mem-bers from 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR) also participated in the virtual NRW breakfast.

7RAR Rifleman PTE Jacob Asai was born on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and grew up on Hammond Island.

“To me, National Reconciliation Week means to celebrate and learn about our shared history, cultures and achieve-ments, and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort,” PTE Asai said.

“It is important to recognise Indig-enous Australians because we have been involved in major conflicts since the Boer War up until today’s conflicts in Afghani-stan and Iraq.

“I am proud to be a serving member within the Australian Army as the older generations did before me.”

RAAF Base Edinburgh ILO FLTLT Steven Warrior. Inset below: The live-streamed NRW event.

COS-AFHQ AIRCDRE David Hombsch holds Ngunnawal Mulleyah by artist Shaenice Allan, right, at AFHQ in Canberra.Photo: CPL Veronica O’Hara

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RCE 13June 11, 2020AIR F News

TWO military drone rac-ing pilots have tested their slow-flying skills at aviation museum Fighter World near

RAAF Base Williamtown.Army Drone Racing Team member

SPR Alex Brown was quick to offer his help when the opportunity to film the museum came up last month.

“I’m passionate about aviation and videography is a hobby, so I thought it a great opportunity to fly drones around a small area and heritage air-craft,” SPR Brown said.

Flying into small gaps was his biggest challenge to avoid damage to exhibits.

“When flying close to the ground or surfaces, the wind from the drone circulates back up into it, so maintain-ing control in the turbulent air was dif-ficult,” SPR Brown said.

Using DSLR and drone footage, he produced a short video for the Army Drone Racing Team Facebook page.

“I love drone racing for the adrena-line, but filming is a lot calmer and more flowing,” SPR Brown said.

Air Force drone racing team mem-ber FLGOFF Nicholas Eberl said they had to adapt to the museum’s confined space.

“The large amount of metal caused interference and made the FPV feed quite bad,” FLGOFF Eberl said.

“Our biggest risk was avoiding the guide wires holding up the hanging exhibits and making sure we knew where they were without being able to see them.

“We’re used to going as quick as

we can around a course, but the aim here was to be slow and cinematic.”

FLGOFF Eberl and SPR Brown also took the chance to fly from a unique vantage point.

“Climbing into the seats of a Mirage cockpit and flying the drone from there was a lot of fun,” FLGOFF Eberl said.

“We can stand anywhere with gog-gles on and control a drone so this was really something different.”

Fighter World Vice-President Richard Coleman wanted to get some drone footage in the hangar museum to attract a younger audience.

“It’s difficult for us to get good film and photos inside the hangar because of the limited space, so having these guys was fantastic,” Mr Coleman said.

“We put the drone high in the hangar, not normally a position you get to view the aircraft and it intro-duced movement in a smooth and simple way.

“The drone is so small and manoeuvrable it went everywhere, also flying into cockpits and air intakes.”

He was concerned a few times but admitted he couldn’t see what the drone pilots could.

“For them it was all normal. They can see what the drone sees via the first-person-view goggles so they knew exactly where they were going,” Mr Coleman said.

“In fact, it was probably a bit slow for them because they’re used to rac-ing flat out around a track.”

A whole new Fighter World

Two drone racers have put their skills to the test and captured some unique vision, CPL Veronica O’Hara writes.

Virtual racing Page 18

Clockwise from above: FLGOFF Nicholas Eberl gets a drone into the air, an unusual piloting position and a Sinewhoop drone.

Main: A drone’s-eye view from inside the Fighter World

hangar. Inset: FLGOFF Nicholas Eberl, left, Fighter World Vice-

President Richard Coleman and SPR Alex Brown.

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14 Personnel

Creating equality cultureMOVING to Australia

in 2009, Personnel Capability Of-ficer FLGOFF Jay

Mitra was motivated to join the Air Force and represent the inclusive, accepting Australian community.

“Applying for RAAF was a big step for me – I did not know anyone within Air Force to guide or mentor me through the selection process, but Recruiting provided me with a list of current personnel whom I approached for guidance,” FLGOFF Mitra said.

“These junior officers supported me with informa-tion about what PCOs do, the recruitment process and prepar-ing for officer selection board. They also shared their experi-ences of the supportive and inclusive work culture within the Air Force.

“All of them were so sup-portive that I already felt belonging to Air Force.”

Professionally and culturally, FLGOFF Mitra’s background and experiences bring his own unique perspective to Air Force.

“Along with my academic and professional experience, I am a careful and conscien-tious person, although in times of need, I can be directive and influencing,” FLGOFF Mitra said.

“Culturally and ethnically as a Bengali Hindu, I am sea-soned to be resilient, patient and respectful. I also have a friendly and candid approach which I hope will complement my leadership skills and inspire my team members to perform at their best.”

FLGOFF Mitra believes workplace diversity creates opportunities for all Air Force members.

“To me, workplace diver-sity is about acknowledging the differences, creating equal opportunities and adapting the inclusive work environment for everyone,” FLGOFF Mitra said.

“As we move forward to a fifth-generation Air Force, we need to attract talent from a diverse society, which means we must create a work environ-ment which supports diversity and promotes an inclusive work culture.

“Through this, Air Force will foster creativity and inno-vation in the workplace, which in turn will increase our produc-tivity, job satisfaction and staff retention.”

More stories from members can be found in the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion Guide at: http://drnet.defence.gov.au/raaf/AirForce/PERSAF/PersonnelBranch-AF/Pages/Resources.aspx

FLGOFF Jay Mitra believes workplace diversity leads to opportunities, FLTLT Jessica Aldred writes.

The Directorate of Organisational Behaviour and Culture – Air Force has developed the Air Force Diversity and Inclusion Guide which discusses diversity of thought, perspectives and approaches using examples, members’ stories and a range of online resources including Ted Talks and useful templates.

The Guide

FLGOFF Jay Mitra says diversity brings innovation.

SGT Sebastian Beurich

THE safety of Super Hornet maintainers came to a head when head-strike incidents aver-aged two-a-month last year.

Commercially available or in-service head-protection options were at loggerheads with the maintainers’ requirements.

So ACEASPO (Air Combat and Electronic Attack Systems Program) Safety Manager Neil Tunbridge put his head together with colleagues and laid the deci-sion on the shoulders of people with the most at stake – the air-men using them.

“Builders helmets were impractical due to their size, too hot to wear in northern summers, or couldn’t be worn with other PPE such as headsets or ear-muffs,” Mr Tunbridge said.

“We even considered ballistic-type helmets, but they were too impractical. So we put it out to the squadron members and asked what they would prefer. The most requested requirement, by far, was appearance – they had to look cool, but they also had to be lightweight and not-cumbersome. Internally, we had other considerations: cost, effec-tiveness, durability, availability and comfort. The material also had to be suitable for working with fuel, chemicals and in vary-ing weather conditions.”

Hats off to a ‘cool’ PPE solution

They hit the nail on the head when a Boeing Defence Australia contractor realised they already used something head-and-shoul-ders above the rest.

“Boeing maintenance have been using a low-profile bump cap for quite some time with great results,” Mr Tunbridge said.

“We trialled a few design

variations of their cap and imple-mented a cost-effective solution. Six months on, we’ve had no strike incidents from maintainers wearing the caps and everyone seems to be pleased with them.

“An added benefit is that the plastic liner fits into their squad-ron caps and can also be used inside a beanie or balaclava.”

Maintenance personnel from No. 6 Squadron wearing bump caps to protect their heads on the flightline. Photo: SGT Peter Borys

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RCE 15June 11, 2020AIR F Health and Safety

LS Craig Walton

CONTRIBUTING to health of per-sonnel deployed to the Middle East region on Operation Accordion is RAAF Physical Training Instructor FSGT Owen Batty.

“My role requires me to plan, pre-pare and provide the physical training capability to all Australian Defence Force members in my location and to the Middle East region where pos-sible,” FSGT Batty said.

“It allows me to connect with peo-ple and provide them with a physical, mental and emotional outlet through physical training.”

In the fight to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Australian Government implemented restrictions on social gatherings, meaning that gymnasiums across Australia were closed.

Embracing new challenges by thinking outside the square

“In line with Australian restrictions, the Australian Defence Force gym-nasiums in the Middle East were also closed, so my role took a turn some-what,” FSGT Batty said. “These have been challenges I have embraced because it has forced me to think and work outside the box as well as out-side my comfort zone.”

On completion of his deployment, FSGT Batty will return to No. 30 Squadron in RAAF Base East Sale where he is the senior non-commis-sioned officer in charge of physical and recreation training.

FSGT Owen Batty.

A mission to helpEvita Ryan

FLTLT Kimberley Macdonald, a nurse from No. 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, is helping the people of Papua New Guinea cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

After weeks of quarantine, FLTLT Macdonald, as well as three of her col-leagues, arrived in Port Moresby on May 11.

“This is my first time in Papua New Guinea so I’m excited to see the country, meet people, experience the culture and try the food. But in the meantime, I’ll be using my experi-ence and skills to provide advice and support on best practice with regard to health,” FLTLT Macdonald said.

As a health adviser, FLTLT Macdonald is making a difference but couldn’t have predicted the path she is now on.

Like many school graduates, she didn’t have her heart set on a career path and wasn’t ready to commit to further study.

Born and raised on the Mornington Peninsula, south-east of Melbourne, FLTLT Macdonald said it wasn’t until she travelled to America during a gap year that her passion for first respond-er health support was ignited.

“While working as a water skiing instructor at an all-girls summer camp, I completed an American Red Cross Lifeguard Certificate that included first aid in an emergency response environment, and that’s where my journey began,” she said.

Members asked to download appLS Kylie Jagiello

IT is everyone’s responsibil-ity to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and using the COVID-Safe app is a simple way we can all contribute to the national effort.

That’s why Defence is encour-aging its personnel to download the COVIDSafe app.

It helps find close contacts of COVID-19 cases with state and ter-ritory health officials being able to contact people who may have been exposed to the virus.

More than five million Australians have downloaded the app, designed to be more effective

with a higher number of users.While voluntary, head of the

COVID-19 taskforce LTGEN John Frewen encouraged all Defence personnel to download and activate the app.

“I’ve downloaded it, the Chief of the Defence Force has downloaded it, as has the Secretary,” he said.

“I strongly encourage you to download and register for COVIDSafe. It’s easy and will go a long way to helping stay on top of COVID-19.”

Additional information regarding the app can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

Returning home, she undertook a Bachelor of Nursing at Monash University.

Dur ing her s tudies , FLTLT Macdonald travelled to Kenya, to vol-unteer as a student nurse. After gradu-ating, she worked as a theatre recov-ery nurse at Frankston Hospital and in day surgery at The Bays Hospital in Mornington, Victoria.

With two years of nursing experi-ence under her belt, FLTLT Macdonald started researching nursing careers in the ADF.

“I’d always had an interest in air-craft, so I applied to join the Air Force in 2015,” she said.

F i v e y e a r s l a t e r , F LT LT Macdonald’s experiences as a nurse in the Air Force have included remote nursing, international exercises and the repatriation of Australians injured dur-ing the White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand in December 2019.

FLTLT Kimberley Macdonald.

Proud to push the limitsTina Turner

DEFENCE Force personnel from bases across south-east Queensland took part in the Push-Up Challenge to raise awareness about mental health during May.

Adhering to COVID-19 restric-tions, members from HMAS Moreton, Gallipoli Barracks and RAAF Base Amberley participated in the challenge completing 3046 push-ups as part of a joint team.

CAPT Luke Le Grand and CPL Lucy Lockhart organised the triserv-ice activity at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane.

“The Push-Up Challenge is a men-tal health charity raising money on behalf of the Australian Government-funded Headspace network,” CPL Lockhart said.

“Doing this challenge not only increased my fitness level, it also moti-vated me and my colleagues to speak

openly about mental health and check in with our mates.”

CAPT Le Grand oversaw the plan-ning and conduct of the activity. He said the ADF was recognised as a leader in promoting health among its people, aiming to achieve the highest levels of physical strength, endurance, mental health and resilience.

“The Push-Up Challenge was a natural fit for us but we had to ensure it complied with social distancing guidelines,” CAPT Le Grand said.

A total of nine personnel – three members from each service – did push-ups in allocated positions at a distance of no less than 1.5m apart.

Air Force members from RAAF Amberley in Ipswich made a special trip into Brisbane to be involved.

FSGT Michael Godfrey, of HQ96WG, organised Air Force’s team.

“I put the feelers out and my fellow Air Force colleagues came forward to help out,” FSGT Godfrey said.

“It was rewarding to see everyone come together to be involved in this worthy cause.

“I wanted to take part in the Push-Up Challenge to show my support and break down the stigma that surrounds mental health.”

The Push-Up Challenge aims to reduce the number of Australian lives lost to suicide by increasing awareness of mental health in the community.

The 3046 push-ups completed in the challenge represent the number of lives lost in Australia to suicide in 2018.

Defence has long recognised that the mental health and wellbeing of its workforce is critical to overall capabil-ity.

The ADF Health and Wellbeing Portal provides a wide range of Defence websites containing informa-tion on ADF Health and Mental Health services and support.

CPL Craig Stewart, from Headquarters No. 96 Wing Movements, participates in the Push-Up Challenge. Photo: CPL Colin Dadd

16 Features

IT SEEMS somehow appropriate that FLGOFF Fred Anderson, the last airman to witness the momen-tous 1943 Battle of the Bismarck

Sea, and who died just a few months short of his 100th birthday last month, had his own part to play in one of the RAAF’s most iconic images.

“Yes, I remember that being taken,” FLGOFF Anderson said, indicating the instantly recognisable photo, care-fully mounted inside a large frame along with his observer’s half-wing brevet, service medals and officer’s cap badge.

It depicts a No. 30 Squadron RAAF Beaufighter navigating one of the treacherous high-altitude passes of New Guinea’s Owen Stanley Ranges, where the mountains rise like walls of green – often shrouded in mist – ready to swat any aircraft whose pilot or observer were even slightly off their game.

“‘Clouds with rocks’ we called them”, FLGOFF Anderson said.

And he should know – it’s his very aircraft – Beaufighter A 19-15 ‘O’ – immortalised in the famous pho-tograph, and that’s him visible in the observer’s astrodome.

“I was wondering why the bug-ger taking the picture was getting so close!” FLGOFF Anderson said.

Fred Anderson was born in 1920 in Bankstown, having never known his mother who died soon after his birth. His father, a market gardener, man-aged to provide for his family during the Depression, relying largely on chooks, a cow and “a couple of enor-mous Alberta peach trees,” FLGOFF Anderson said at his home in Bathurst just six weeks before he died.

Leaving school at 15, FLGOFF Anderson helped his father for a cou-ple of years before finding a job as a clerk with the Producers and Citizens

FLGOFF Fred Anderson was the last witness of the Battle of Bismarck Sea, SQNLDR Michael Veitch writes.

A humble observer’s iconic role

The famous photograph of FLGOFF Fred Anderson’s RAAF Beaufighter A 19-15 ‘O’ navigating New Guinea’s Owen Stanley Range. Inset below: FLGOFF Anderson at home in Bathurst, NSW, just weeks before he died on May 11.

Assurers Company, then joining the RAAF on July 29, 1940.

Whereas almost all young men joining up at that time were deter-mined in becoming pilots, FLGOFF Anderson harboured no such ambi-tions.

“I didn’t even want to be aircrew,” he said. “I would have been happy to just be a storeman, something like that.”

The RAAF, however, had other plans for FLGOFF Anderson, and he soon began a 16-month course in wireless operation, navigating and air gunnery.

Joining No. 30 Squadron in August 1942, FLGOFF Anderson was placed with FLGOFF Bob Brazenor.

“He’d flown Beaufighters in England already, and was a year younger than me, but a wonderful pilot,” FLGOFF Anderson said.

Flying from Townsville at wave-height north along the Great Barrier Reef in late 1942, FLGOFF Anderson’s first taste of New Guinea was the base at Milne Bay.

“Awful place!” he remembered. “Nothing but coconut trees and mud. When we landed they didn’t know we were coming. We had to sleep on stretchers in the hospital tent.”

From Wards strip at Port Moresby, No. 30 Squadron conducted recon-naissance and ground attack opera-tions, but its most famous action was undoubtedly the March 1943 Battle of the Bismarck Sea, when an entire Japanese convoy of 16 ships – deter-mined to reinforce their Lae garrison – was destroyed solely by aircraft.

“Our job was to come in at water level and strafe the ships from nose to tail,” FLGOFF Anderson said.

“Some of them thought we were

torpedo planes and turned bow towards us, which was just what we wanted! We shot everything on those decks that moved or didn’t’ move.”

Rendered defenceless, American Mitchell bombers then came to hit them with skip bombs and torpedoes.

“Some flew so close it looked like they were going to hit them,” FLGOFF Anderson said.

“I saw one destroyer on fire, with smoke rising from it like cigarette smoke, just roll over and disappear.”

Observing strict radio silence, FLGOFF Anderson remembers hear-ing the American airmen “getting a little excited” over the air as they watched the Australians attack.

“Look at them goddamn Beaufighter boys go in!”, he remem-bered hearing them say.

FLGOFF Anderson was still full of praise for his pilot, FLGOFF Brazenor.

“We did 44 operations together and never had an argument,” he said.

Later, he would join No. 31 Squadron based at Coomalie Creek near Darwin, where he would con-tinue to attack targets, primarily in Portuguese Timor, before being ‘rest-ed’ on test and ferry flights until his tour expired in late 1944.

After the war, FLGOFF Anderson became a company rep for SABCO (the South Australian Brush Company), a career he enjoyed until his retirement. He and his wife, Doris, had three daughters. He died peace-fully aged 99 and nine months at his home in Bathurst on May 11.

Like many World War II veterans, FLGOFF Anderson didn’t talk about his experiences for years, let alone reveal that it was his aircraft in that most iconic of RAAF pictures.

Heritage awardsTHE RAAF Heritage Awards for Literature are now open to nominations.

In 2021, the three prize categories include an award of $25,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place and $10,000 for third place.

In a break from previous years, the 2021 round will seek entries that highlight areas of the Air Force’s history, which have not been thoroughly covered in the past.

The focus will be on Cold War activities and South-East Asia Treaty Organisation involvement, United Nations commitments, and post-war transitions as a period of force regeneration and force rebalance.

Submissions are to be received no later than midnight June 30, 2021, with winning manuscripts published over the following two years.

Further details, including full conditions of entry, can be found at airforce.history@defence.gov.au

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18 Sport

Turning a negative into

a positive

POSTPONEMENT of the Invictus Games gave SGT Nathan King an unexpected chance to catch his breath.

“Between working at 37SQN and getting to training this year I was start-ing to feel a bit anxious, so the initial announcement was a bit of relief in a way,” SGT King said.

“With longer to prepare, it felt like I didn’t have to stress much that pools and gyms are closed.”

When the Games resume at The Hague next year, SGT King is to compete in nine events for athletics, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball and swimming.

SGT Nathan King is using the Invictus Games postponement to take stock and focus on fitness, CPL Veronica O’Hara writes.

Training has been difficult while facilities were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“I’ve decided to take a rest and reset. For now, I take the kids walking or scootering around the parks doing a 2.4 to 3.5km lap, which gets us out of the house too,” SGT King said.

He’ll plan his recovery as restric-tions ease.

SGT King was a keen soccer player and represented Air Force and ADF

before an injury resulted in losing two muscles in his left thigh.

“The bonus of having longer training time means I can stagger the intensity over 12 months,” he said. “I can only walk, so I can’t burn off the energy I need to. I’m looking forward to getting more active to help with rehab and how the body’s feeling.”

His interest in Invictus Games started in 2018 while recovering at Holsworthy.

“The games were on in Sydney at the same time I was doing intensive rehabilitation and thought, ‘I’ll try for this now’,” SGT King said.

He’d been out of hospital about 18 months before selection for the games.

“There was time they didn’t know if they could save my leg. I had to learn to walk and get the leg going again,” SGT King said.

He chose sports within his capabil-ity.

“I’d done swimming for fitness and had given shotput and discus a go in the past and sitting volleyball – because I love the team aspect,” SGT King said.

“Wheelchair basketball and rugby were interesting but my leg doesn’t bend all the way so it would stick out in front – I’d get crunched all the time.”

He was looking forward to getting to the starting blocks.

“For how bad as my injuries were and all the care and support I had from the hospital, work and family and friends, it’ll be my way to show it’s paid off,” SGT King said.

SGT Nathan King, from No. 37 Squadron, will represent Australia in nine events at the Invictus Games across athletics, indoor rowing, sitting volleyball and swimming.

Racing goes online and internationalCPL Veronica O’Hara

MILITARY drone racers from three nations flew simulated races during the VelociDrone International from April 18 to May 16.

About 18 competitors from the UK, New Zealand and Australia raced online over four weekends, with Australian Air Force Cadet LCDT Tristan Hahn winning the final round and Kiwi Kevin MacKenzie taking out the first two.

LCDT (AAFC) Hahn said there was frequent swapping of the lead.

“All the battling for position made it a super-close race between Australia and New Zealand and it felt great to win the final round,” LCDT (AAFC) Hahn said.

“I think we could have done a lot better because we both crashed a lot, but it was a tough race in parts with Kevin and I constantly switching posi-tions.

“I always enjoy flying against Kevin as he pushes me to my limits and we sometimes help each other – he told me how he flew part of the track which really helped me in the final race.

“What I did was to slow myself

down a little and think a couple of gates ahead, to give me time to work out how to line up for the next gate.”

He found small differences between virtual racing and the real thing.

“There’s not much to change but it took a while to get used to minute dif-ferences in the handling compared to a real drone,” LCDT Hahn said.

“Aerodynamics are very hard to model correctly as are the “rates” [how fast the drone rolls, pitches and yaws].

“At first it felt strange not using goggles but after a couple of hours practising, I got used to it.”

It was the first time the three countries raced each other since 2018 and came about because this year’s Military International Drone Racing tournament was postponed.

VelociDrone was the brainchild of FLGOFF Jake Dell-O’Sullivan and used contacts from previous events to get it off the ground.

“Now we’re all connected via our voice server, we can keep contact and it’ll be easier to set something up like this in the future,” FLGOFF Dell-O’Sullivan said.

“Live streaming was challenging with multiple feeds at the same time and there were lessons learnt, but it was a pretty good first attempt.”

Each country designed a track and FLGOFF Dell-O’Sullivan and LCDT (AAFC) Hahn created one for the final round.

“It’s the first time I’ve made a sim track and built a really high moun-tain to fly up and back, which is not so easy in real life,” FLGOFF Dell-O’Sullivan said.

“There’s more freedom to be crea-tive with the layout because you don’t

have the same limitations of terrain or where to place gates.”

Air Force drone racing team mem-ber FLGOFF Nicholas Eberl found the virtual races more engaging.

“We were online chatting so there was more feedback from the other pilots about how they were flying with a bit of banter,” FLGOFF Eberl said.

“You could see exactly where they were because the drones are brightly displayed in the sim and have a tail behind them.”

Cost-savings were another advan-tage.

“I didn’t have to rock up with three identical drones just to make sure one got up in the air,” FLGOFF Eberl said.

“It was good to not repair the drone each time you smash into a gate at 100km/h.

“We set the drones up to be the same so it was a very level playing field.”

After a practice round to iron out technical issues, the following three rounds included qualifiers and finals.

“It was very experimental to see if we could pull it off three Saturdays in a row with the time zones, but it worked and I think we’ll do it again,” FLGOFF Eberl said.

“The time between races was a lot shorter and was more fatiguing but meant we could run it over three hours, instead of the usual whole day.”

Professional drone-racing announc-er Joe Scully commentated from Canada on their last two rounds.

“One of the UK pilots contacted Joe and his input increased it anoth-er level compared to what we could have done ourselves,” FLGOFF Dell-O’Sullivan said.

“He’s very good at getting the gen-eral public to understand drone racing without getting technical and describes a battle for the lead in a way that gets the audience excited.”

LCDT (AAFC) Hahn said he enjoyed the hobby for its “openness”.

“I love the feeling of freedom it gives – I can loop around trees and in between branches, fly super-fast and do anything I want with the level of customisation possible,” he said.

“If our equipment breaks, the pilots help each other to get them back into the air or assist them the best they can, even if it means they may lose their next race to that pilot.”

For more information about Air Force Drone Racing, email AFDR.team@defence.gov.au

FLGOFF Jake Dell-O’Sullivan competing in the virtual world.

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RCE 19June 11, 2020AIR F Sport

Epic run: 172km in 24 hoursFLTLT Courtney Jay

FUELLED to the finish line by endur-ing support and sheer willpower, FLTLT Tom, of Air Force’s No. 1 Squadron, tallied up an inspirational 172km during a gruelling 24-hour run-ning challenge.

With the aim of chalking up as many kilometres as possible to raise funds for UNICEF Australia’s Coronavirus Appeal, FLTLT Tom set off on the taxiway at RAAF Base Amberley, west of Brisbane, at 3pm on Thursday, May 28.

Despite some challenges, his years of Air Force training and a strong mind-set ensured he was still moving when the clock struck 3pm on Friday, May 29.

“I had a couple of low points around the 13-hour and 16-hour mark,” FLTLT Tom said.

“At 13 hours I realised I was behind my planned pace and no matter how hard I pushed I knew I couldn’t catch up. At 16 hours my feet and ankles had sharp stabbing pains from the sides, and the soles of my feet felt like they were on fire.

“However, I never contemplated throwing in the towel. I decided the only way I would stop was if I either collapsed or physically broke some-thing that would mechanically stop me from moving.

“I certainly think that my training to be an Air Force pilot helped prepare me, as our continuous training cycle helps us keep an open mind and allows us to break down big tasks into man-ageable chunks.”

Originally from Bristol in the United Kingdom, FLTLT Tom has personally felt the effects of COVID-19 as members of his family in Britain had unfortunately contracted the virus. This and the postpone-ment of a planned race, the Marathon Des Stables, was the catalyst for his 24-hour dash for charity.

“I have family in the UK, some of whom have had COVID-19, so I am

all too aware of how pervasive this virus is and it’s made me realise that those without physical or financial security now find themselves against even greater odds just to get by, the younger generation in particular,” FLTLT Tom said.

“It seemed logical to support a charity like UNICEF that supports those in need.”

Crediting the success of the $7000-

plus already raised and the seamless running of the event to his squadron, base personnel, partner and coach.

“My support crew from 1SQN were phenomenal, taking it in turns to run laps with me, making sure I always had what I needed and offering words of encouragement at the right time,” he said.

“The volunteers from the health centre and base support also went

above and beyond in helping make this challenge happen. They all have a share in the credit for the funds raised.

“I was truly overwhelmed by the turnout of supporters for the comple-tion of the 24hrs. Running that last lap with that amount of support will stay with me forever.”

Visit www.mycause.com.au/page/228580/24hrs4unicef

FLTLT Tom had to push through the wall several times during his 24-hour marathon to raise funds for UNICEF Australia’s Coronavirus Appeal.Photo: CPL Colin Dadd

SPSP RTRTJune 11, 2020

1SQN Super Hornet Pilot FLTLT Tom has raised funds for UNICEF’s Coronavirus Appeal by running for 24 hours around a 1km closed-loop track at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: CPL Colin Dadd

EPIC RUN

24-hour marathon at

AmberleyPage 19