AIR FVol. 54, No. 6, April 12, 2012 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

RCERCETh

CHARGING AHEAD

Air Force one step closer to advanced Rhino technology

Tanker’s record flight P4-5Air Force’s 91stP2

As the announcement was made on March 29 that $19 million would be procured

for the potential conversion of Air Force’s Super Hornets

to the E/A-18G Growler variant, nine of the aircraft

were just about to return home from Exercise Faru

Sumu (Swahili for Charging Rhino). Pictured is one of

the jets on the flightline at RAAF Base Darwin

during the exercise. Turn to the centre pages for full

coverage. Main photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

SUPER SWAHILI

P3Full story

he Royal Australian Air Force

2 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FF

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EDITORIAL TEAMEditor/Deputy DirectorSimone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253Deputy Editor/Sport John Martin: (02) 6265 7219ReportersLAC Bill Solomou: (02) 6265 1355Andrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 7611SGT Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614CPL Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304CPL Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140CPL Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608LS Paul Berry: (02) 6266 7606Michael Brooke: (02) 9359 2494

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DISCLAIMERAir Force News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under contract by Capital Fine Print. The material published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Air Force News. Every adver-tisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News approval and the Directorate of Defence News may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertise-ment. 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. The fact that an advertisement is accepted for publication does not mean that the product or service is endorsed by the Department of Defence or Air Force News.

News

Eamon Hamilton

THE RECORD has been broken for the most people carried on board a RAAF aircraft.

On March 12, a KC-30A carried 234 passengers – known as pax – for a two-hour flight from Defence Establishment Fairbairn.

RAAF’s previous record holder was a C-130, which held up to 180 pax during a humanitarian flight in 1999 from East Timor.

The record-breaking KC-30A flight carried 220 officer cadets and mid-shipmen from the Australian Defence

Force Academy, along with 14 crew members from 33SQN – the purpose being to give 33SQN the practice it needs when carrying large numbers of passengers on the 270-seat KC-30A.

33SQN crew attendant SGT Chris Mayers said the KC-30A had not car-ried more than a 50 per cent pax load before.

“Catering for 270 passengers on the KC-30A is a major logistic exer-cise considering the nature of military non-scheduled flying activities,” SGT Mayers said.

While civilian airlines routinely use the Airbus A330 to its capacity, Air

Force faces new challenges when fill-ing the KC-30A with passengers.

In-flight kitchens on RAAF bases are accustomed to loads of up to 100 pax travelling by C-130. For the March 12 flight, 33SQN turned to a civilian catering services to meet its requirements.

Civilian airlines typically allow catering companies free access to their aircraft when replenishing gal-leys – a practice Air Force cannot support for obvious security reasons. Despite this, 33SQN and the civil-ian catering company demonstrated a sound concept for catering for such

a large number of passengers for the flight and met their departure sched-ule.

As well as the food service, crew attendants are responsible for passen-ger safety – including evacuation with-in 90 seconds of the full pax load.

“It’s a big difference from flying on a Boeing Business Jet which only holds 26 passengers,” SGT Mayers said.

“After the flight I spoke to some of the cabin crew and the vast majority of us now realised on this flight the enor-mity of what we have been employed to do.”

AIR Force’s KC-30A tanker will go on public show for the first time when RAAF Base Pearce opens its gates on May 19 and 21 for the 2012 Defence Force Air Show.

Up to 30,000 people are expected to attend the show each day.

Also on display will be the Super Hornet, Wedgetail Air Early Warning and Control aircraft, C-130, Classic Hornet, Hawk 127, PC-9/A and C-17A.

The Roulettes, Air Force Balloon, Navy Seahawk helicopters and Army Bushmaster vehicles will also be part of the attractions, along with displays by the Air Force Band, military work-ing dogs, Army parachutists and Australia’s Federation Guard.

Participating civilian and historic

SERVICE personnel should be excited

about the pros-pect of flying on the KC-30A.

I travelled to and from Malaysia on board 33SQN’s KC-30A in December – its first overseas flight with the squadron.

With initial operational capa-bility due to be declared later this year, the KC-30A is expected to fly many strategic transport tasks like this.

For Defence members accus-tomed to travelling by C-130 and C-17A, the KC-30A is a far more comfortable experience.

Similar to the C-17A, the KC-30A made Amberley to Malaysia in a single eight-hour hop.

But, unlike the C-17A, the KC-30A has the same seating lay-out as a Qantas Airbus A330. As someone who struggles to sleep on a C-17A, I had little trouble dozing on a KC-30A.

There is ample space between the seats. Taller passengers such as myself won’t suffer aching knees from hitting the seat in front.

The KC-30A presents Air Force with challenges in sup-porting the catering and luggage requirements of so many people.

While we took a modest load of 30 passengers to Malaysia, the local airport had no trouble apply-ing their experience with A330s to supporting our KC-30A.

The lack of in-flight enter-tainment has drawn some comments, but should be of no surprise.

In any case, my fellow pas-sengers carried enough electronic devices to open their own hifi store, much less entertain them-selves.

For the next generation of Defence personnel deploying to or returning from exercises and deployments, the KC-30A will be a welcome sight.

Eamon Hamilton (pictured above) is the Air Lift Group Public Affairs Officer and a former FLTLT.

Tanker pax Tanker pax them inthem in

Saying goodbye to aching knees Eamon Hamilton travelled on the tanker and gave it the thumbs up

aircraft might include Nanchang, Winjeel, Stinson, Fournier RF4, T6 Texan (Harvard trainer) and Rebel 300 aircraft.

Up to 650 ADF personnel will be deployed to support the assets on dis-play as well as related activities.

The theme of the show is ‘Air Force: Anywhere, Anytime’ to reflect the speed with which the ADF can deploy around the nation and the

world, and its aim is to demonstrate Air Force’s ability to project air power in Western Australia.

Head of Special Events AIRCDRE Phil Byrne said the ADF was an important part of the Perth community, so it would be great to put on an air show to thank the community for their support.

“Among the displays at the show will be the PC-9/A and the Hawk 127,

so locals can get up close and see the aircraft that regularly fly here [from Pearce],” AIRCDRE Byrne said.

“We undertake vital training using the PC-9/A and Hawk 127 aircraft based here at Pearce. We are quite literally preparing the fighter pilots of the future.”

The air show will run from 8am to 5pm, with the last entries at 2pm.

Flying displays will be held from noon to 3pm. Discounted tickets are available at www.airforce.gov.au for $20 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 15; children under 5 are free. Presales also offer a family ticket of two adults and two children for $45. Tickets will be available at the gate for adults ($25) and children ($5, aged 5-15 years). Family tickets will not be available at the gate.

Big people mover to star at Pearce air show

ONE FOR THE BOOKS: Passengers line up on the Tarmac at Fairbairn.

LOTS TO SEE: Up to 30,000 people are expected each day.

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LONG-lead electronic equipment worth more than $19 million will be procured for the potential conversion of Air Force’s Super Hornets to the E/A-18G Growler variant.

The purchase of the Growler elec-tronic equipment was announced by Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare on March 29.

The announcement follows the Government’s decision in 2009 to wire 12 Super Hornets for potential conver-sion to the Growler configuration.

A final decision on whether the jets will be converted will be made later this year.

The long-lead items to be procured include electronic systems, antennas and high frequency modulation receivers.

Growler is an electronic warfare system that gives the Super Hornet the ability to jam the electronics systems of aircraft and land-based radars and communications systems.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown welcomed the procurement announce-ment, saying Growler was a joint capa-bility “force-multiplier” that would lower risk in the battlespace.

“I am very passionate about the support provided by electronic tech-nologies that expand our capabilities,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

He said the Growler electron-ic warfare aircraft was used very effectively by the US Navy during

Some of the advantages of the E/A-18G Growler variant:➤ Suppression of Enemy Air

Defences – ability to counter enemy air defences using both reactive and pre-emptive jam-ming techniques.

➤ Stand-off Jamming – highly effective in traditional stand-off jamming, but with the speed and agility of a Super Hornet.

➤ Non-Traditional Electronic At-tack – dramatically enhanced situational awareness and uninterrupted communications to achieve a higher degree of integration with ground opera-tions.

➤ Self-protect and Time-Critical Strike Support – self-protec-tion capability with advanced Electronically Scanned Array radar, digital data links and air-to-air missiles, and effec-tive target identifi cation and prosecution.

air operations in Libya last year. If Australia converted some of its Super Hornets to Growler configuration it would be the only country in the world, other than the US, operating such aircraft.

Mr Smith said the decision to buy the equipment was made to ensure

$19m Growler outlay

Australia continued to have potential access to Growler technology.

“A final decision on whether Australia converts some of its Super Hornets to Growler configuration will be made after exhaustive assessment by the Government this year,” he said.

“This purchase ensures Australia

will continue to have access to spe-cific technologies needed to make any such conversion.”

The equipment is being purchased through the US foreign military sales process. A letter of request formal-ly requesting the purchase has been delivered to the US.

FUTURE GLIMPSE: A US Navy E/A-18G Growler.

EVEN BETTER: A laser-guided bomb on a Super Hornet during Exercise Faru Sumu at RAAF Base Darwin last month... the Rhino fleet could soon be better armed with Growler technology. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

WHAT IF OFFERS

Source: Boeing

4 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FAir Force birthday

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

Service (APS) Team Member of the Year Award: Mr Gary Dobe, Headquarters Air Combat Group.

➤ The AVM B.A. Eaton Award: CPL Matthew Brougham, 1 Combat Communications Squadron.

➤ The AVM Tony Dietz Memorial Quality and Achievement Medallions: FSGT David Kadel, Health Operational Conversion Unit, and Mr Dean Bzadough, Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office.

➤ Her Majesty The Queen’s Gold Medal: OFFCDT Maxwell Watterson, 2 Flying Training School.

➤ The J.R. Bartram and R.A. Kee Sword of Honour: AC Matthew Xuereb, 37SQN.

➤ The McCarthy, Rowbottom and Jones Memorial Award: SQNLDR Kimberley Davey, Health Operational Conversion Unit.

➤ The Lipshut Family Bursary: CPL Rhet Tainton, Directorate General Technical Airworthiness – ADF.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown has congratulated the winners of the 2011 Air Force Proficiency and Leadership Awards, which were announced on the Air Force’s 91st anniversary on March 30.

“As a values-based organisation, I believe it is very important to recognise the efforts of our people,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“The Air Force Proficiency and Leadership Awards exist to acknowledge and recognise the outstanding performance and achievements of Air Force personnel and units over the previous year.

“The awards are primar-ily awarded to Air Force personnel, Air Force units or other Australian Defence Organisation elements whose primary purpose is to project or support air operations.

“Well done to all the win-ners.”

Best of 2011

TWO artists and an author are collectively $15,000 better off after the results of the bien-nial RAAF Heritage Awards competition for 2012 were announced on March 30.

The first prize for art ($5000) went to Ben Patynowski’s painting Heron Eyes, which depicts a Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft over Afghanistan.

The second prize for art ($2500) went to Drew Harrison’s painting Pressure Point, depicting 457SQN Spitfires in action over Darwin during the Japanese raid of June 20, 1943.

The first prize for literature ($7500) went to Leigh Hindley’s The Joys and Dangers of an Aviation Pilot, which is an autobiography of his flying career with the RAAF and commercial aviation.

No second prize for literature was awarded.CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown judged the

awards with the assistance of a panel of asses-sors comprising representatives from the Office of Air Force History, the RAAF Museum and the Australian War Memorial.

Air Force deputy historian Dr Gregory Gilbert said the 2012 Heritage Art awards were again very competitive with a large number of entries received.

“The artists demonstrated their artistic abili-ties and their detailed knowledge of the RAAF by producing artworks which will have an enduring heritage value,” Dr Gilbert said.

The entries will be displayed at the 2012 Air Power Conference, which is being held in Canberra from May 10-11.

To view this year’s entrants and winners, visit the Air Power Development Centre website at airpower.airforce.gov.au

Heritage art rewarded

➤ The Chief of Air Force Instructor of the Year Award: SQNLDR Peter Ferris, School of Air Traffic Control.

➤ The SQNLDR W.T. Riggs Perpetual Trophy: CPL Chris Dickson, 1 Joint Public Affairs Unit.

➤ The Thales Australia Leadership Sword: OFFCDT Maxwell Watterson, 2 Flying Training School.

➤ The Warrant Officer of the Air Force Instructor of the Year Award: CPL Lachlan Pegg, 1 Recruit Training Unit.

➤ The Air Force Improvement Leadership Award: FLTLT Amanda Gosling, 37SQN.

➤ The Air Force Improvement Team of the Year Award: 77SQN.

➤ The Duke of Gloucester Cup: 37SQN.

➤ The Hawker Siddeley Trophy: RAAF Base Darwin.

➤ The Markowski Cup: Air Movements Coordination Centre.

➤ The RAAF Maintenance Trophy: 37SQN.

➤ The Stonehaven Trophy: 278SQN.

Air Force Safety Awards: ➤ The Leadership Award for Injury

Prevention and Management: Headquarters Ground Training Wing, Physical Training Section.

➤ The Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System: Headquarters 81WG.

➤ The Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue: 292SQN.

➤ The Best Individual Contribution to Health and Safety – Category 5A: Mr Scott Dawson, 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron; Category 5B: FSGT Andrew McGough, 11SQN, and SGT Sean Mohapp, 4SQN.

Royal Aeronautical Society Aviation Safety Award:➤ The Royal Aeronautical Society

(Australia Division) award: FLTLT Bruce Preston, 24SQN.

Chief of Air Force Essay Competition:➤ The Air-Vice Marshal H.N.

Wrigley Prize: FLTLT Alexandra McCubbin.

The winners will be recognised at the Air Force Awards night on May 31 at RAAF Base Amberley. For more information, contact FLTLT Gina Kimmins on (02) 6265 5461.

Big night ahead

Look what’s new

Well done, says CAF

TWO new categories have been added to the Air Force Awards:➤ The Air Force Improvement

Leadership Award recog-nises an Air Force member up to the rank of SQNLDR or APS level 6 working in an Air Force program or sup-porting the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) System Program Office who has achieved excellence in con-tinuous improvement.

➤ The Air Force Improvement Team of the Year Award is awarded to an Air Force unit and/or DMO System Program Office for excel-lence in the delivery and sustainment of continuous improvement.

See who the inaugural winners are in the awards list, right.

Photo: FSGT John Carroll

FIRST PRIZE: Ben Patynowski’s painting Heron Eyes.

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LAC Bill Solomou

MEMBERS throughout Australia and overseas attended ceremonies on March 30 to commemorate the 91st anniversary of the Air Force.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown was joined by Defence Parliamentary Secretary Dr Mike Kelly MP and more than 100 personnel for a commemora-tive service at the RAAF Memorial Grove in Canberra.

The moving service paid homage to past and present members of the RAAF, the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force and the Australian Air Force Cadets.

AIRMSHL Brown said all Air Force members should celebrate the day by renewing their individual commitment to the qualities and values of the service.

“Sacrifice, selflessness, loyalty, mateship and endurance have been the qualities that have kept our people at the very foundation of our Air Force,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“Celebrating the Air Force anniver-sary provides us with the opportunity to pause in our busy lives in order to reflect on the achievements of the Air Force, not only in the past year but also over our many years of service to Australia.”

AIRMSHL Brown said the present Air Force owed a lot to its brave fore-bears.

“Our cultural identity has taken years to grow into what it is today; a vision of who we are and what we stand for is the basis of our military ethos,” he said.

“We have a responsibility to foster that ethos and pass it on to the next gen-eration of Air Force members.”

In keeping with Air Force tradi-tion, WOFF-AF Mark Pentreath led a contingent of airmen from Australia’s Federation Guard to raise a 7m x 3.5m Air Force Ensign at Regatta Point in Canberra.

Elsewhere at bases across Australia, personnel held commemoration services and functions to mark the special occa-sion.

Paying homage to pastBUILDING ON WHAT’S GONE BEFORE: Left, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown addresses the guests at the commemorative service at the RAAF Memorial Grove in Canberra; below, members at the service salute.

Photos: FSGT John Carroll

THE PIPES ARE CALLING: SGT Craig Dawson prepares to march in the Colours at the 91st anniversary reception at RAAF Base Edinburgh’s Officer’s Mess.

Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman

EVEN IN INDIA: Above, GPCAPT Mick Brown, who is the studying at the Indian National Defence College, and his wife, Pam Brown, cut the birthday cake with GPCAPT Sandeep Rawat, left, and AIRCDRE I.P. Vipin, second left.

SYDNEY TRIBUTES: Left, LACW Natalie Summersgill holds post as part of the catafalque party in Sydney.

Photo: SGT Brett Sherriff

FLYING THE FLAG: WOFF-AF Mark Pentreath and members of Australia’s Federation Guard raise a 7m x 3.5m Ensign at Regatta Point in Canberra, middle photo and far right. Photos: FSGT John Carroll

6 April 12, 2012RCEAIR F

MAJ Al Green

A FEW good men averted a poten-tial disaster caused by extreme weather conditions at Multinational Base Tarin Kot on the day remem-bered by all as one that literally went to poo.

Project engineer CAPT Angus Johnson, works supervisor WO2 Leeroy Wyness and Air Force plumber CPL Shane Watts were called to stem the flow of raw sew-age caused by rain and snow melt that flooded into the camp sewer-age pump pit and dislodged a con-tainer housing high-pressure pumps, breaking both them and the inlet and outlet pipes.

T h e m e n f r o m P r o j e c t Management Team Alpha and the Camp Maintenance Team immedi-ately sprang into action.

WO2 Wyness conducted an assessment and developed a work-able solution, starting with a tem-porary fix that involved digging pits to install two 30,000 litre sewerage diversion tanks.

Inflow pipes to the crippled pump pit were blocked to allow work to proceed without workers swimming in sewage.

The sewage was transferred to the temporary storage tanks by a pump system installed by CPL Watts, who monitored and nursed the system alongside WO2 Wyness for 72 solid hours. During this time the pumping system needed to be cleaned and adjusted because debris and paper was still coming down the sewerage line.

Both WO2 Wyness and CPL Watts showed no fear in preventing many spills and overflows from the temporary pump system at all hours over four tense days while all held their breath.

While most would have wilted, CPL Watts said he revelled in the challenge.

“How did it feel working in all that poo? It was a pretty good feel-ing to be honest,” he said.

“It’s about doing your job out there with everybody relying on you, so you don’t have a second thought

about it – you just get straight into it and do it with no hesitation.”

While the overflow system and its dramas continued, the task of fix-ing and strengthening the damaged sewerage pump pit was the next pri-ority.

CAPT Johnson designed and coordinated the fix with help from WO2 Wyness.

The container that had housed the broken pumps was removed and the team had the unenviable job of digging out the pit by plant and hand. This was a dirty job given the raw sewage that had flowed in before the temporary system was set up.

Environmental health technicians came to the rescue, chlorinating the affected areas.

A new reinforced concrete slab was supplied by an Afghan contrac-tor and, despite a fresh snowfall, the slab was able to cure and the repaired container was repositioned, connected, tested and then allowed to run overnight to confirm pump and generator operation.

Avoiding pile of problems in TK

DEEP TROUBLE: WO2 Leeroy Wyness, left, and CPL Shane Watts work with a civilian contractor to repair the sewerage pump at Multinational Base Tarin Kot. Photo: SGT Mick Davis

ULTRA-HIGH frequency (UHF) com-munications support to ADF person-nel in the MEAO was significantly enhanced with the successful launch of the IS-22 satellite from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 26.

More than 30 per cent of the satel-lite’s payload comprises a new UHF communications suite, which was pur-chased by the ADF.

Until the launch, Australia relied on the shared use of US satellites in the region. Now, for the first time, it has its own dedicated satellite communications network in the region.

UHF is widely used for military sat-ellite communications because of its adaptability to small, mobile terminals used by ground, sea and air forces.

Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare said the satellite meant the ADF

would be able to transmit voice and data anywhere between the west coast of Africa and the east coast of Australia and would allow more effective com-munication in all types of terrain including desert and jungle environ-ments.

“This new satellite will help our ground troops and tactical forces com-municate better with each other and their headquarters,” Mr Clare said.

“We will continue to work in a resource-sharing partnership with the US to provide satellite network cover-age worldwide, but this [acquisition] means we are no longer reliant on US satellites in the Middle East.”

The satellite will also be used for commercial purposes, but Defence has incorporated high-level security meas-ures, including data encryption, to pro-tect its communication links.

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Country Music artist Chris E Thomas performed at Multinational Base Tarin Kot during a Forces Entertainment Tour to the MEAO last month. Among the entertainers were comedian Mick Molloy, country music artist Doug Weaver and AC/DC cover band Damnation. The performers gave a series of shows at Tarin Kot, Kandahar and Kabul in Afghanistan, and Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

Photo: CPL Raymond Vance

Music to their ears

THE Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and Canberra City Pipes and Drums wants people to show their support for Australia’s service veterans and serving members by buying and wearing a special t-shirt on Anzac Day. The t-shirt is black with the words “THANK YOU remember them – 25 April” in white. The t-shirts cost $20 plus posting and packaging, with profits going to the RSL’s Australian Forces Overseas Fund. The t-shirts can be ordered online from www.rememberthem.com.au

Wear a t-shirt this Anzac Day

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7April 12, 2012RCEAIR FF News

Andrew Stackpool

AFTER more than 30 years in blue and brass, former Air Commander Australia (ACAUST) AVM Mark Skidmore has said goodbye to Air Force.

Well, the permanent Air Force at least.

AVM Skidmore was sent off with a dining-out night at RAAF Base Glenbrook on March 22, attended by CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown.

He has now transferred to the Air Force Reserves.

AVM Skidmore joined the RAAF in 1977 and was appointed ACAUST in June 2008.

In the intervening years, he flew F-111s in Australia with 1SQN and in the US.

He was then posted to the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU), RAAF Base Edinburgh, where he f lew F-111, Mirage, MB-326H, CT-4A and Dakota aircraft.

Other postings included back to 1SQN and 82WG and Headquarters Air Command before he resigned in 1988.

He re-enlisted in 2000.From 2003 he was Director of

Operational Requirements for the New Air Combat Capability project.

In 2005, he was appointed Joint Force Air Component Commander, and deployed to the MEAO as the Director Combined Air Operations Centre.

AIRMSHL Geoff Brown thanked AVM Skidmore for his contribution.

“During his time as ACAUST, AVM Skidmore oversaw planning and implementation for the withdrawal of the F-111 and introduction of the Super Hornet, Wedgetail, Vigilare and Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“During his tenure as ACAUST, our Force Element Groups (FEGs) have been very busy contributing to operations, disaster relief, and a num-

ber of VIP visits. I thank him for his leadership of Headquarters Air Command and our FEGs, and also acknowledge his 30-year contribution to Air Force.”

AVM Skidmore said that Air Command had undergone significant development but that every single member of the 14,000-strong organisa-tion had played a central role in ensur-ing Air Force had the capability for air

operations. “We have certainly learned a lot,” he said.

He includes himself in that.“When I first started as ACAUST

I felt I was ‘flying on the buffet and about to stall’.

“However, I can now say that the 3½ years has flown by at the speed of sound.”

One of his primary duties had been to ensure Air Force had a trained force

ready to deliver on operational com-mitments.

“Such diversity of operations has demanded a strong cross-section of skills and experience, and at any one time, there are about 1000 personnel deployed around the world,” he said.

“If I could have a ‘buzzword’ term relevant to my tour I would like it to be, ‘look after your mates – in the office, on the flightline and socially’.”

What a ride for Skidmore PARTING GESTURE:

Above, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown presents AVM Mark Skidmore with a farewell gift at his dining-out night at RAAF Base Glenbrook.

Photo: LAC Chris Hall

FLASHBACK: Right, AVM Skimore in a Super Hornet cockpit in the US in 2009.

Photo: LACW Casey Gaul

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8 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FFNews

IN BRIEFCelebrating the RNZAF’s 75thA RAAF contingent helped the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) celebrate its 75th anniversary at an air show at RNZAF Base Ohakea on March 31. The contingent included CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, more than 80 RAAF personnel and a C-130J, C-17A, Wedgetail and six F/A-18 aircraft. The Hornets provided aerial displays, the C-130 transported RNZAF personnel, and RAAF security police provided force protection. Full coverage next edition.

WWII pilot to be reinterredSGT William James Smith will be reinterred at a cere-mony with full military honours at the Cassel Cemetery in France on April 19. SGT Smith, of 457SQN, went down in his Spitfire aircraft on operations on May 9, 1942 while escorting a bombing mission over enemy occupied territory to Bruges, Belgium. SGT Smith was last seen near the coast of France engaged in a dogfight with an enemy aircraft at 20,000ft over the English Channel. He and his Spitfire were discovered buried underground in northern France in 2011.

DSD approves iPads, iPhonesTHE Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) has certified the use of government-owned iPhones and iPads for classified Australian government communications. DSD has been working closely with industry to develop practical instructions for government to securely use the latest technologies, including smart phones and tablet PCs. DSD has led the way to safely enable devices running the latest Apple operating system (iOS version 5) to communicate and store classified infor-mation up to protected level.

Defence Health satisfaction STAFF members of Defence Health received an unexpected bonus on March 2 when the organisa-tion received the Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Award. The award recognised Defence Health as the Private Health Insurer of the Year 2011. The Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Award is based on sur-vey data collected from more than 50,000 consumers and 20,000 business decision makers annually.

CPL Nick Wiseman

AVIONICS engineer FLTLT Peter Simpfendorfer was delighted to be a finalist in the inaugural Defence Excellence in Security Awards.

Twelve Defence people and teams were recognised for their contribution to security at the awards at the Australian War Memorial on March 27.

FLTLT Simpfendorfer, of Aerospace Systems Engineering Squadron, was a finalist in the out-standing contribution to security by an individual category for his involvement in security and over-seeing the change from swipe to proximity card access at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

FLTLT Simpfendorfer said it was an honour to find out he was nominated and then to find out he was a finalist was an even greater surprise.

“I think the category I was a finalist in is important as it deals with people who are not security specialists such as myself,” he said.

“The awards are a great idea to raise the awareness of security in people’s minds as it is something that can sometimes be easy to for-get.”

The awards featured four cate-gories focusing on security special-ists, leaders, teams and individu-als, which were open to everyone

➤ Outstanding performance by a security specialist – Winner: WO2 Peter Henrichs. Finalists: Steven McLeod (DSD), Jennean Whilesmith (DMO).

➤ DepSec I&S award for outstand-ing leadership in security – Winner: Vivienne Dawes (DSA). Finalists: Ray Andersson (Army) and Scott Minchin (CIOG).

➤ Outstanding contribution to se-curity by a team – Winners: DMO Munitions Branch Relocation Team, HQJOC Security Directorate. Final-ist: Navy Guided Weapons Systems Program Offi ce – West.

➤ Outstanding contribution to se-curity by an individual – Winner: LCDR Joshua Wilkinson. Finalists: MAJ Keith Lawton and FLTLT Peter Simpfendorfer.

working for Defence and recog-nised excellence and outstanding performance in security.

Deputy Secretary Intelligence and Security Steve Meekin said by acknowledging the efforts of the finalists and winners, security awareness within Defence would strengthen.

“Security can be a tough job, it’s hard work and needs constant attention,” Mr Meekin said.

“These awards ce lebra te achievements in security and will play an integral role in embedding security as a natural part of every-day work.”

With more than 50 nomina-tions across the categories, this highlighted the amount of effort and achievement within security across Defence and also posed a challenge for the judging panel to identify finalists and winners from within these nominations.

Mr Meekin said while only a small amount of security profes-sionals were recognised in the awards, there were many within Defence who were doing outstand-ing work every day.

“It’s important to acknowledge the efforts of all people doing great work in security,” he said.

Plaudits for Plaudits for securitysecurity

➤➤ Outstanding performance by a

HONOUR BOARD

GREAT SURPRISE: FLTLT Peter Simpfendorfer.

Photos: David McClenaghan

SHARING THE JOY: Above, Scott Minchin with some of his Air Force security police colleagues at the awards ceremony. Mr Minchin, who is the Executive Director Information Assurance Branch, Chief Information Officer Group, was a finalist for the category of outstanding leadership in security.

SHARING THE JOY Abo e Scott

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9 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FF News

Peter Purcell

MORE than 60 officials from the nine nations partnered on the US F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program gathered in Sydney from March 13 to 15 to dis-cuss progress.

The officials comprised the JSF Executive Steering Board (JESB) which meets every six months.

This was the first time Australia had played host to the JESB.

Defence Materiel Organisation’s Chief Executive Officer Warren King is co-chair of the board.

The meeting included in-depth dis-cussions about F-35 development, pro-duction, engineering and sustainment operations.

“Private meetings were also held between the US delegation and each of the individual nation partners to discuss sovereign issues,” Mr King said.

The key message from the US prin-cipals was that while there is still risk in the program, it is on track.

Outgoing US Air Force (USAF) acquisition chief David Van Buren said that US observations and assessments over the past year provided confidence that the basic aircraft designs were sound and would deliver.

Mr Van Buren was invited to RAAF Base Williamtown for a familiarisa-tion visit to Air Combat Group and Surveillance and Response Group, and to discuss planning for the F-35’s antici-pated arrival in 2017.

As this article goes to print, Australia’s first F-35A aircraft is set to

start down the Lockheed Martin produc-tion line, while delivery of Australia’s first two aircraft in the US for training at the international F-35 pilot training centre remains on track.

The meeting heard the Australian F-35A variant is meeting all key per-formance parameters, including range, stealth, speed, sensors, radar and

weight, and that 80 per cent of its full software capability is flying today.

USAF MAJGEN John F. Thompson, of the US JSF program office, told the meeting the F-35 flight test program across the three variants exceeded over-all test point and flight goals last year.

He said that software development and flight test execution remained the

program’s primary focus over the next 12 months.

“While F-35 flight testing is pro-ceeding slightly ahead of the revised schedule, only 20 per cent of flight test-ing is currently completed,” MAJGEN Thompson said.

“Many of the more challenging ele-ments of flight testing are ahead of us.

“Our flight test program will informus of what the issues are in the design that we need to work on.”

Australia’s head of the F-35 project, AVM Kym Osley, said the discussions provided useful indicators on F-35 pro-gress.

“This will help inform everyone’s decision-making on the F-35,” he said.

Sydney in JSF spotlight

FAMILIARISATION VISIT: Above, ADF members with the Joint Strike Fighter Steering Board delegates, headed by David Van Buren, during a visit to RAAF Base Williamtown.

Photo: CPL Mark McConnell

PROGRAM ON TRACK: Left, JSF in full flight in the US.

Photo: Darin Russell,Lockheed Martin

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10 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FNews

CPL Nick Wiseman

ONE military working dog handler is determined to take first place in Air Force’s top dog competition this year – and be the first female to do it.

LACW Cheryl Chaffey, of 13SQN, and her dog Pax have a busy year in front of them training for both the Bill Perrett Competition – for best Air Force working dog and handler – and a deployment to East Timor.

She said her focus was on improving her dog’s tactical skills before deploying to East Timor, however doing well in this year’s top dog competition would also be nice.

“The Bill Perrett competition rewards the best dog handler team in the Air Force each year,” she said.

“A female hasn’t taken it out yet – it would be good to see that change.”

LACW Chaffey has undertaken more than 18 months of training to get where she is today, includ-ing single and tri-service policing courses and her military work-ing dog course. She said she was always learning about dog training.

Becoming a handler was a natu-ral choice because she has a history of animal training in her family.

Eamon Hamilton

TWO crew attendants will see life from the perspective of the Royal Air Force (RAF) under the exchange pro-gram Long Look.

CPL Timothy Taylor, of 33SQN, has already left to fly with Tristar tanker transports at 216SQN RAF, while CPL Skye Cooper, of 34SQN, will exchange with 32SQN RAF, which is responsible for transport of the royal family and other VIPs.

Under the Long Look program, RAAF exchanges four junior officers

(FLGOFF to FLTLT) and 16 NCOs with the RAF for 16 weeks.

RAAF crew attendants have worked previously with the Royal New Zealand Air Force under the Anzac Exchange program.

CPL Taylor expects some familiari-ties when he swaps 33SQN’s KC-30As for the RAF’s Tristars, as they achieve the same mission with different plat-forms.

While the KC-30A has only recent-ly begun RAAF service, the fleet of nine RAF Tristars are in the twilight of their career.

CPL Taylor said he expected the size and tempo of 216SQN to be quite different from 33SQN.

“The squadron numbers about 450 members, of which 107 are in Cabin Crew section – nearly double the total number of crew attendant flying posi-tions in the whole RAAF,” he said.

“I am looking forward to work-ing on a different aircraft type, learn-ing from a squadron with well-estab-lished and practised procedures, and of course spending some time travelling the UK.”

The RAF’s Tristars were instru-

mental in refuelling NATO aircraft in Operation Unified Protector over Libya, and also carry service person-nel between Britain and the Middle East.

Finding out how the RAF effective-ly uses the Tristar on these operations will be one of CPL Taylor’s aims.

“My goal is to learn as much as possible about how their aircraft inte-grates with their support network both on military bases and civil air-ports, as that appears to be one of our challenges at the moment,” CPL Taylor said.

Long look at Tristar

High flyers rewarded

“I’ve always had a love of dogs and have trained German shepherds previously,” LACW Chaffey said.

Doing shift work at RAAF Base Darwin can be exhaustive but she enjoys spending the time with Pax, particularly when patrolling and training.

On a typical shift she spends a couple of hours maintaining and improving Pax’s skills as well as learning new ones herself.

Her primary motivation is to produce a reliable dog that will per-form the job he is trained to do in “real time”, not just in training.

LACW Chaffey said Pax had learnt some very handy skills such as opening doors himself.

“That can be very useful when there is a danger to us entering the room,” she said.

“Obedience is also a very criti-cal skill we need to maintain as it is our means of controlling our dog.”

Being her first deployment with Pax, LACW Chaffey is look-ing forward to using their skills operationally as part of a security team.

She said Pax was a bold and confident dog.

“He is a very intelligent dog with loads of character and loves his work.

“For a dog, Pax has a great work ethic and really enjoys doing his job.”

After top dog crownBUSY TIME: LACW Cheryl Chaffey and Pax ... eying the Bill Perrett competition. “A female hasn’t taken it out yet – it would be good to see that change.”

Photo: CPL Nick Wiseman

LAC Bill Solomou

A HANDFUL of lucky junior Air Force members received a boost recently as recognition for their good work.

They were treated to a ride in the Air Force Balloon during the annual Balloon Spectacular in Canberra, held from March 10 to 18.

ACAUST AVM Mel Hupfeld and Air Command WOFF Brett Holland were keen to use the bal-loon as a way of rewarding some of Air Force’s quiet achievers.

“I contacted representatives from Air Command units in the Canberra region and obtained names of airmen and officers that the command chain wished to acknowledge,” WOFF Holland said.

FLTLT Timothy Clark, SGT Michelle Forbes and LAC Bhupinder Singh went up over Canberra, while FSGT Geoff Kempster and LACW Ciara Nuttycombe received a tethered flight due to weather on the day.

That didn’t ruin the experience for LACW Nuttycombe, though. “We may not have lifted off, but it was still great fun,” she said.

THUMBS UP: FSGT Geoff Kempster and LACW Ciara Nuttycombe with the balloon. Photo: LAC Bill Solomou

MUCH TO LEARN: CPL Timothy Taylor who is swapping flying with KC-30As of 33SQN for the RAF Tristars at 216SQN.

Photo: LAC Benjamin Evans

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11 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FF Air Force Improvement

AEROSPACE Operational Support Group (AOSG) has launched its Foundation Element Centre (FEC) to deliv-er more effective and efficient administrative support services across the group.

The Acting Director Capability Reform, AOSG, WGCDR Stephen Kerr, said the Administrative Services Review of late 2011 showed that per-sonnel in some units were spending time on administrative support that was shared across the group, such as human resources, logistics, IT and project management. This took time away from their primary duties.

“The FEC has been imple-mented to address this, with the aim of reducing duplication, increasing efficiency and creat-ing consistency in delivery of administrative services,” he said.

“In designing the FEC, and responding to the AOSG Administrative Services Review, we focused on the main areas of: accuracy and timeliness in all administrative processing; customer satisfac-

Director General AFIAIRCDRE Adam Brown

DO YOU have a role in Air Force Improvement (AFI) and strategic reform? Absolutely.

We are a very different Air Force today than we were at our beginning in 1921.

We have changed to meet the demands placed upon us by war, peace, technology, society; and we have done this through the ingenuity and innovation of our people. Today, AFI is of fundamental importance to Air Force and provides a great opportunity for every unit to challenge the status quo, think differently, and create the future.

You know the work and the problems Innovation and improvement are CAF

priorities.We have serious challenges ahead of us:

conducting operations, introducing and sup-porting our new aircraft and systems, evolv-ing our organisation and processes to get the most from our capabilities, and doing all this in a financially constrained environment.

We can’t be successful in this unless every member of the Air Force team is engaged.

You know the work and what adds value, you also know where the waste is.

We need your experience to look innova-tively at what you do, to find ways to perma-nently do it better.

We control our destinyRunning the Air Force is complex and

costly. As you all know, we are in a very tight

financial environment. It is not going to get any easier.

Cutting out duplication

tion; and focus on continuous improvement.”

He said staff across AOSG had been involved and their commitment to improving the group had been fantastic.

“The FEC has only been operating for a couple of months now, but already we are seeing more consistent service delivery across AOSG.”

WGCDR Kerr said feedback had been mixed. Some of this

was because some units were being over-serviced before and this had now reduced. However, in a few cases, processes didn’t work as anticipated and some things fell through the cracks.

“The really positive thing has been that our continuous improvement approach has meant we’ve been able to iden-tify these shortfalls and we’re now looking at how to address them,” he said.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Part of the AOSG Administrative Services team, from left, David Collison, LAC Phillip Coutts, CPL Kirsty Evans and SGT Michael Fuller. Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman

If we don’t take the lead and improve we run the risk of having changes made for us.

Every work decision we make costs some-one time or money; we need to value every-one’s time, we can’t afford waste.

Ask yourself, are you doing the right things? Are you doing those things right? We must all play our part in improving Air Force.

The Chief often talks about how we need to control our own destiny and change before we are forced to. AFI and SRP give us the chance to do this.

Less frustrationWe all have frustrations at work – a part

that’s not available when you need it, a job that takes twice as long as it should.

AFI challenges you to look at processes large and small; improving them, ensuring they add value, stop doing them if they don’t, removing frustration, and then using the freed-up time more productively.

That means more time for our friends and families, more time to commit to those key tasks we never get around to, and more capacity to surge when needed.

There is no more useless weapon of war than a broken jet.

By removing waste AFI aims to help make sure this doesn’t happen.

In 91 years, we have come a long way. We have never stood still.

Today, under AFI, we have the opportunity and duty to continue that legacy of innovation and reform to create the Air Force of the future. Improvement is part of who we are.

12 13RCEAIR FFCentrepiece April 12, 2012

NINE Super Hornets and 140 personnel from 6SQN and a 4SQN combat control team arrived in Darwin on March 11 to fi nd themselves con-

fronted by a tropical cyclone.The aircraft and personnel had

deployed for Exercise Faru Sumu (Swahili for Charging Rhino), which commenced on March 13.

A 37SQN C-130J provided air lift and logistics support.

The exercise is an air-to-ground bombing exercise and involves a series of scenarios that tests instructors and ground crews to the highest level.

Throughout the exercise, a range of high explosive ordnance was dropped on the Delamere Range facility.

It was the first opportunity for 6SQN to deploy away from RAAF Base Amberley as a Super Hornet squadron to conduct bombing activi-ties.

With the possibility of the cyclone damaging the Darwin area, the Hornets and essential ground crew were evacu-ated to RAAF Base Tindal.

Personnel remaining in Darwin secured other squadron assets and pre-pared bunkers. Fortunately the cyclone weakened and turned into a tropical low, which produced heavy rain and some wind.

The aircraft remained at Tindal until it was clear that the low was not going to redevelop into a cyclone.

CO 6SQN WGCDR Terence Deeth said he was proud of the way squadron members were able to quickly assem-ble a safe plan, including the right personnel and equipment to support the evacuated aircraft in Tindal.

“I was also very impressed with the excellent support provided at short notice by 13SQN, 322 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron and 75SQN who were our hosts at Tindal,” he said.

With the danger passed, the jets

returned to Darwin and the exercise got under way.

“Exercise Faru Sumu provided essential training for both air and ground crews, and invaluable training for our logistics, support and mainte-nance personnel,” WGCDR Deeth said.

“This is the first time that 6SQN has participated in the exercise.”

The exercise was also intended to let the instructional staff test and evaluate the structure and format of the exercise to ensure the required learning outcomes are achieved by students on future exercises.

WGCDR Deeth was proud of how his personnel conducted themselves over the two-and-a-half weeks in Darwin.

“For many of them it was their first bombing camp, which is challenging enough,” he said.

“Throw in a tropical cyclone and subsequent evacuation; you now have people who in some cases were forced

to work a little outside their normal comfort zones.

“The troops did an outstanding job in ensuring all jets were serviceable to evacuate and when they got back have been able to deliver aircraft for a very busy flying program on a daily basis.

“The exercise was an excellent opportunity for the squadron to learn valuable lessons about deployed HE operations and to hone the skills of 6SQN aircrew, instructional staff and support personnel.”

CO 4SQN WGCDR Stuart Bellingham said the exercise was the perfect opportunity for the combat control team to conduct essential train-ing before deploying on operations overseas.

Exercise Faru Sumu finished on March 28.

The next exercise is expected to be conducted in November or December this year.

A tropical storm added to the drama during Ex Faru Sumu, reports FLTLT Cath Friend.

Come rain, shine or cyclone

DIFFERENT VIEWS: Left, a 4SQN combat control team member briefs Super Hornet aircrew for a close air support mission as part of Exercise Faru Sumu. Above, a 6SQN technician watches as a Super Hornet takes off from RAAF Base Darwin. Right, Administrator of the Northern Territory Sally Thomas talks to 6SQN members SQNLDR Garry McKee and LAC Reece Dennis during a visit to the base with her husband, Ted Rowe.

Photos: LACW Kylie Gibson

PREPARING AND PROTECTING: Above, 6SQN armament technicians CPL Christopher Gould (left) and LAC Shavneet Prasad prepare a laser-guided bomb for fitting on to a Super Hornet for a Faru Sumu mission. Right, LACW Jo Booth from the RAAF Base Darwin Security Police section patrols the flightline during the exercise.

WORK NEVER STOPS: Above, LAC Shaun Williams, a cook with 13SQN, prepares midnight meals to feed the late shift during Faru Sumu. Top, 6SQN weapon systems officer FLTLT Justin Baldry checks his jet before a mission. Right, 6SQN aircraft life support fitter SGT Peter Boakes (left) inspects a torso harness with the assistance of an aircrew member.

COCKPIT COUNSELLING: Above, avionics technicians conduct maintenance on a Super Hornet following an exercise mission.

WILD WEATHER: Above, a 6SQN Super Hornet taxis out of RAAF Base Darwin in a tropical shower before taking off for an Exercise Faru Sumu mission, top inset. Above left, military working dog handler LACW Joanne Booth, of 13SQN, and her dog Iri run for cover across the flightline during the downpour.

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15 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FF In Memoriam

THERE was standing room only when a highly respected and well-liked WOFF who had spent

his entire adult life in the military was farewelled on February 10.

36SQN loadmaster WOFF Michael Wilson died on February 3.

WOFF Wilson was born in Brisbane in June 1963 and joined the Air Force as a 16-year-old apprentice in 1979.

In 1982, WOFF Wilson remus-tered from engine fitter to flight engineer and spent most of his career with 36 and 37SQNs at RAAF Base Richmond.

His time included a deployment to Sinai as part of a multinational observer force.

In 1995 he was promoted to WOFF and worked with 386 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron and 37SQN before transferring to the RAF in 2000.

He completed operational deploy-ments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan before returning to Australia in 2005 and re-enlisting in the RAAF.

In 2007 he remustered to loadmas-ter and returned to 36SQN to assist in the introduction of the C-17A.

That would be his final posting.More than 50 members of 36SQN

formed a bearer party, guard of honour and firing party, and joined relatives, friends and colleagues for the funeral.

Members from Richmond travelled to RAAF Base Amberley on a C-130 for the funeral. This was an aircraft which WOFF Wilson had served on in a variety of roles.

A large number of relatives, friends and colleagues attended the funeral service.

RAAF Base Williamtown lost a promising young member when 20-year-old LAC Douglas

Graeme Bell was killed on March 14 in a car accident near the base.

LAC Bell, better known as Dougy, enlisted as a cook on January 13, 2009, and quickly proved to be an extremely capable member in the kitchen.

He was a member of 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron (381ECSS).

LAC Bell became noted for his willingness to go that extra mile, both within and outside the service.

He was always willing to volunteer for exercises or to help out in any way he could, while his jovial, larrikin atti-tude lifted those around him.

His contribution to the local com-

munity went beyond his Air Force service as he was also a volunteer firefighter.

He initially served with the Rural Fire Services and then was retained with the NSW Fire Services.

He was buried with full military honours on March 23 after squadron CO WGCDR Lee de Winton and members from 381CSS joined his parents, family and friends at a ser-vice to celebrate his life at the base chapel.

After the service, an honour guard led the hearse and escort vehicles to the Beresfield Crematorium for a private ceremony while other mem-bers lined the route and saluted as he passed.

A wake was held at the Sergeants’ Mess after the service.

WOFF Michael Wilson LAC Douglas Bell

BEYOND THE CALL: LAC Douglas Bell ... noted for his willingness to go that extra mile, both within and outside the service.

PROUD MOMENT: 36SQN loadmaster WOFF Mick Wilson, of RAAF Base Amberley, on the occasion of the first scheduled C-17A flight into Afghanistan in 2009. Photo: LAC Scott Woodward

16 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FFlightline

FORCE SUPPORT UNIT ROTATES: Above, LAC Caine Hodder, of FSU 5, stacks the shelves at Camp Baker in Afghanistan, while below, CPL Elvin Prasad does the same at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. Left, SGT Sandra Baldry (right), is seen off by CPL Anne Wilkins and her son Cody at the FSU 6 deployment farewell ceremony in Townsville. Photos: SGT Mick Davis and CPL Mark Doran

CHEVY’S MILESTONE: Above, FLTLT Chris “Chevy” Badman, of DP-AF, is presented with his fourth clasp to the Long Service Medal for more than 35 years service by DGPERS-AF AIRCDRE Bob Rodgers. Photo courtesy WGCDR Deb Greig

SPECIAL VISITOR: Below, Roulette ground crew member CPL Karen Nott with patient Eva Wheatley, 4, at the Children’s Hospital in Adelaide. The Roulettes team visited the hospital while in town for the Clipsal 500 V8 race recently. Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman

CULTURAL FEAST: Above, the RAAF Base East Sale Health Centre had a taste of harmony for lunch on March 20 when personnel shared their culture and food with dishes from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Italy, Germany, and Australia. It was part of A Taste of Harmony, an annual initiative held at workplaces to celebrate cultural diversity. The health unit has a blend of permanent and reserve staff, APS members, and contract health professionals. Photo courtesy SQNLDR Sarah Wheal

17 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FF Cadets

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1WG wins trophy yet againTHE 537 Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) and 76 staff members of the North Queensland-based 1WG (AAFC) were delighted when they were told that the wing had won the Air Force Trophy for the fourth time.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, a former Air Force cadet, presented the trophy and the AAFC National Banner to the wing during a special parade at RAAF Base Townsville on February 26.

CAF congratulated the cadets for their high stand-ard of dress and bearing on parade.

“You are a credit to the Australian Air Force Cadets and to the Air Force uniform you wear with such pride,” he said.

He thanked the parents for their support and said he was “always impressed with the dedication and hard work of the cadet staff and the volunteer instruc-tors, the perseverance of the parents and the achieve-ments of the cadets”.

The trophy is the most prestigious award for the AAFC. It is awarded annually to the most proficient AAFC wing.

It recognises outstanding performance in admin-istration, communication, training and community participation.

OC WGCDR (AAFC) Danny Pieri said he was delighted when he was told they had won the trophy.

“This award is shared by all, with each and every staff member and cadet playing a direct role in the success of the wing,” WGCDR (AAFC) Pieri said.

“It’s not often we receive recognition for the com-mitment our staff and cadets show routinely, and I trust each of them will find some time to celebrate this outstanding achievement in their own way.”

He said last year was a tough year by anyone’s standards, made more difficult by Cyclone Yasi and the floods.

“The wing covers an area from Mackay to Mareeba and out to Mount Isa,” WGCDR (AAFC) Pieri said.

“There wasn’t a single squadron anywhere that was not affected by Yasi, floods, or both.

“Considering this adversity, the staff and cadets not only maintained their community support and engagements but delivered one of the most exciting and activity-packed training programs for years.

“I draw great inspiration and pride in the work our staff and cadets do and feel both humbled and privi-leged to work alongside some of the most dedicated and highly professional people you could ever want to meet in life.”

Air Force events

Air Force RoulettesApril 12: Richmond 3WG cadets. April 15: Wings, Wheels and Wine, Mudgee, NSW.April 25: Various Anzac Day march-es and services.

Air Force BalloonApril 21-27: WA Tour.May 19-20: RAAF Base Pearce air show.

Air Force BandApril 19: 2FTS graduation parade, RAAF Base Pearce.

April 19: Re-interment ceremony for SGT William (Bill) James Smith, Commonwealth War Cemetery, Arneke, France.April 20: Tri-service “At Home” concert, the Defence Force School of Music, Simpson Barracks.April 25: Anzac Day activities in Melbourne.April 25: Anzac Day commemora-tive services in Belgium.

Air Force MuseumApril 15: Maltese Australian Association, Melbourne Shrine.April 19: Legacy Anzac Day flypast, Melbourne Shrine.April 25: Anzac Day, Melbourne Shrine.

A REUNION for past members of the No. 2 Stores Depot at Regents Park, 2SDGEMS at Villawood and 2SDD Detachment at Dubbo will be held on November 10 at the Rosnay Golf Club in Auburn, Sydney. It has been 17 years since the closure of these units and all former members or those involved with the units are invited to attend. For more information, contact Samantha Faragher on (02) 4034 6810 or 04235 85051 or email samantha.far-agher@defence.gov.au

Reunion notice

WELL DONE: CAF presents the Air Force Trophy to 1WG OC WGCDR (AAFC) Danny Pieri on the parade ground at Townsville.

WALKING TALL: 1WG cadets on parade at RAAF Base Townsville. Photos courtesy Northern Services Courier

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18 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FPersonnel

AIR Force members who want to book holidays at the three Air Force holiday facilities will see a new look to the RAAF Welfare Recreation Company (RWRC) website following its recent refresh.

Director General Personnel Air Force and Chair of the RWRC, AIRCDRE Bob Rodgers, officially launched the upgraded website on March 26.

It was the culmination of several months work by the RWRC Board of Directors, with support from website developers Cornerstone Design and photographer LACW Jessica Smith, of RAAF Base Amberley.

The website provides members with information on the three facili-ties – Ambassador Apartments on the Gold Coast, Tuscany Apartments at Merimbula in NSW, and Marrakai Apartments in Darwin.

It also provides additional links to the Navy, Army and Overseas Holiday facility websites.

AIRCDRE Rodgers said the refresh was one component of a review of Air Force holiday facili-ties, which also includes revised tar-iff seasons, tariff prices, and current and proposed renovations to the three facilities.

“These initiatives support the overall aim of the company to pro-vide access to discounted recreational LEGAL officers throughout the Asia-

Pacific region have access to a state-of-the-art, dedicated training facil-ity with the official opening of the ADF Military Law Centre at Victoria Barracks in Sydney on March 29.

Defence Parliamentary Secretary Dr Mike Kelly MP opened the new centre, which has been in develop-ment since 2008 as a facility for both the ADF Military Law Centre and the Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law.

“I recall my time as the inau-gural Director of the Military Law Centre some 10 years ago and shar-ing my vision with Professor Tim McCormack of the University of Melbourne Law School to expand legal training into the Asia-Pacific region through the creation of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law,” Dr Kelly said.

“We hoped that through courses, seminars and ongoing research, we could facilitate cooperation among

New-look holiday site ready to take your bookings

Legal centre opened

ADMINISTRATION officers now have the opportunity to undertake a full-time Masters of Business course at UNSW@ADFA.

Senior flight lieutenants and junior squadron leaders can apply.

The first participant in the program is SQNLDR Tania Jones, who on com-pletion of her studies can be posted to one of a number of identified positions requiring advanced pre-employment training.

“I see this as a great opportunity for adminos to improve their skills so that they can provide the best possible con-tribution to the strategic management of the organisation through areas such as workforce planning and personnel capability management,” SQNLDR Jones said.

“I am already looking forward to

Masters for adminos

using the theory and concepts that I am learning in areas such as change man-agement and strategic management to develop and recommend strategies to enhance organisational performance, in line with the strategic intent of Air Force.”

For information on the initiative, contact SQNLDR Mike Edwards on (02) 6265 2076 or at micheal.edwards11@defence.gov.au

FIRST PARTICIPANT: SQNLDR Tania Jones, of AFHQ.

military forces of the Asia-Pacific region in the research, training and implementation of the laws govern-ing military operations.”

Defence established the Military Law Centre in 2001 to provide pro-fessional in-service training for ADF legal officers and form the ADF component of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Military Law.

Since 2001, about 400 trainees from 25 different countries have attended courses at the centre, with most international trainees coming from Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Dr Kelly said both centres would continue to build on the good work already achieved since 2001.

“Courses that have existed since the 1990s continue to be improved. Innovative training methods have been incorporated and new challeng-es are being addressed,” he said.

“The completion of the building

will be instrumental in the centres maintaining their existing reputation as two of the leading military aca-demic centres of their kind in the Asia-Pacific region.

“It will give the centres a perma-nent and purpose-built home to con-tinue to provide for and develop the finest teaching and training of our own Defence Force members as well as officers from around our Asia-Pacific region.”

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: From left, Director Military Law Centre GPCAPT Ian Henderson, Head of Defence Legal Mark Cunliffe, Defence Parliamentary Secretary Dr Mike Kelly MP and Director General ADF Legal Services AIRCDRE Paul Cronan at the official opening of the Military Law Centre at Victoria Barracks, Sydney. Photos: AB Dove Smithett

NEW HOME: The sign at the front of the Military Law Centre.

TAKE A BREAK ONLINE: From left, RWRC Secretary Bruce Perry, RWRC Chairman AIRCDRE Bob Rodgers and RWRC Director FSGT Julie Higgs launch the new RAAF Holidays website in Canberra.

accommodation and to manage and promote RWRC-owned recreational facilities for Air Force members, their families and other eligible people,” AIRCDRE Rodgers said.

Those eligible are serving ADF members, including reservists; Australian Public Servants work-ing in Defence; staff of the Defence Housing Authority, Defence Bank and Australian Defence Force Credit Union; Defence contractors; and for-mer members of the ADF.

Eligible members are encouraged to check out the website for information on RWRC holiday facilities, including booking their next holiday online, at www.raafholidays.com.au

CHECK IT OUT: The new RWRC website homepage.

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19April 12, 2012RCEAIR FF Personnel

Departure Lounge�NameFLTLT Alan ThomsonSGT Jeffery LloydAVM Mark SkidmoreAIRCDRE Ian MeynWOFF Peter WallaceGPCAPT Nick BricknellWGCDR Stephen EdwardsWOFF James GriggSQNLDR Glen SchroederWOFF Andrew AlfordWOFF Clive BunnFLTLT Susan WithersWOFF Edward HassellCPL Gregory AllenWOFF Philip GardhamWOFF David SampsonFSGT Robert AverySGT Samantha RichardsSQNLDR Isabelle MainSGT Tony ParsonsSQNLDR Paul LaingCPL Douglas PedlerFSGT Adam RobinsonWOFF Trevor AmosSQNLDR Rodney Whannell

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CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown is encouraging Air Force personnel from all levels of the organisation to attend the inaugural Air Force Women’s Development Forum.

The forum will be held at the Pavilion Hotel in Canberra on June 20 and 21.

With the theme of ‘Women in Non-traditional Employment’, the forum will address some of the opportunities, challenges and bar-riers that face women who work in those fields, such as aircrew and technical trades where they comprise a small component of the workforce.

The aim of the forum is to pro-vide a place where women can meet, build networks, discuss their career, hear from subject

matter experts and contribute to the direction of future gender ini-tiatives for Air Force.

CAF said the forum was an important step towards helping Air Force to better understand the unique challenges and opportuni-ties experienced by women work-ing in non-traditional employment fields.

“There has already been some excellent work done by Air Force, but there is much more that can be done,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

Through the forum, Air Force will be able to better understand the opportunities to address the challenges in attracting, recruiting and retaining women in opera-tional roles.

“I am committed to ensuring

that Air Force continues to devel-op innovative strategies to con-firm our place as an employer of choice for all Australians,” CAF said.

“Not only because I believe in a fair and equitable workplace, but also because our future suc-cess as an Air Force depends on it.

“Women comprise 50 per cent of the population but only 18 per cent of the Air Force’s workforce.

“They are a largely untapped group of potential talent, espe-cially in those fields considered ‘non-traditional’ for women. In some fields, such as firefighters, women comprise only 2 per cent of personnel.”

AIRMSHL Brown said it

was important to look at ways to “future proof” Air Force.

“As the Australian popula-tion ages, we are going to have to work harder to retain the right people with the right skills, because the competition for talent will be fierce,” he said.

“We need targeted programs to attract, recruit and retain the very best, regardless of their gender. Our ability to deliver capability in the future will depend on our abil-ity to do this.”

For information on the Women’s Development Forum, including the full schedule and how to register, visit www.airforce.gov.au/Aboutus/WomensForum.aspx

Get in line for women’s forum

THE 2012 Telstra Business Women’s Awards are seeking nominations from women work-ing in demanding leadership roles.

Air Force COs are being encouraged to consider nominating their high performing female leaders.

Although there are five categories of awards, the most appropriate category for Air Force nominations is the Community and Government Award.

Finalists will be selected by a judging panel, and announced at the awards dinners held in each state and territory. The overall winner will be announced in November.

Nominations can be entered online at www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com/nominate and there is no cost involved.

SQNLDR Llani Kennealy, of Air Force Workforce Diversity, is keeping track of all Air Force nominations and needs to be advised once a member has been nomi-nated. Email her at llani.kennealy2@defence.gov.au

Michael Brooke

EIGHT Air Force officers were given the opportu-nity to learn about one of the game-changing defence technologies to be procured under Force 2030 when they participated in a course recently.

The Air Force members were among 50 ADF officers and NCOs who signed up for the Aegis Combat System Overview course at HMAS Watson in Sydney from March 19-23.

Named after the shield of Zeus from Greek mythology, Aegis will be fitted to the Navy’s Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), which comes online in 2015.

Defence recently rolled out an overview course to raise awareness of the new naval weapons system, which uses powerful computers and radars to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets.

Participant FLTLT Maurice Hall, of 3 Control and Reporting Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown, said the course provided an important insight into the new capabilities to be delivered by the Aegis-equipped AWD.

“It’s important Air Force understands the tech-nologies being employed by the other services, so we can begin to look at potential integration and interoperability,” he said.

“It will be very challenging to integrate not only Aegis but other new capabilities to meet our ambi-tion with Force 2030.”

FLTLT Hall said the Air Force representatives gained a greater understanding of the challenges involved in managing the complexities of the Aegis Combat System, especially in regard to the way the ADF needs to train to operate together.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown said recently that the Air Force’s full range of air denial capabilities including the Super Hornet and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter would be networked with the AWDs and the Landing Helicopter Docks.

“The Air Force has long supported Australia’s maritime strategy through air power, in the form of maritime strike, anti-submarine warfare and intelli-gence, surveillance and reconnaissance,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

Sharing new warfare technology

Nominations open for Telstra awards

SYSTEM LINK: Navy’s WO Justin Stone, of the School of Maritime Warfare, shows FLTLT Maurice Hall, of 3CRU, how to operate one of the Aegis training consoles at HMAS Watson.

Photo: LS Brenton Freind

MOVING FORWARD: Air Force women are being encouraged to attend the inaugural Women’s Development Forum, which will address some of the opportunities and challenges faced by women in non-traditional roles, such as aircrew and technical trades. Pictured is the first all-female C-17A crew flanked by their female passengers after a flight to mark the rare milestone in 2008. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

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20 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FHistoryFLTLT Cath Friend

THE courage, stamina and determina-tion to beat the odds of four WWII air-men were remembered at two services on March 24.

The services were united by one theme and were attended by people from the same organisations – but were thousands of kilometres apart in Australia and the Czech Republic.

On the night of March 24, 1944, RAAF officers SQNLDR John Will iams and FLTLT Reginald Kierath, of 450SQN, were two of the 76 prisoners who escaped from the German Stalag Luft III POW camp in what has become known as The Great Escape.

They teamed up with RAF officers FLTLT Leslie Bull and FLGOFF Jerzy Mondschein (a Polish officer) and set out on foot through thick snow for Switzerland via Czechoslovakia.

Near the Czech border they were arrested by a German mountain patrol and taken to a nearby prison for inter-rogation.

After hearing of the escape, Adolf Hitler ordered that 50 of the 73 escap-ees who had been captured were to be executed “while trying to escape”.

The four officers were shot on March 28 and cremated in the Czech village of Most the next day.

On March 24 this year, family members of the four men joined the president of the 450SQN Association, representatives of the ADF, Britain and Poland, and members of the public for the dedication of a marble memorial in the Most cemetery.

At the same time, at RAAF Base Williamtown, the association and 3SQN held a memorial service at the 450SQN memorial, which was attend-ed by more members of SQNLDR Williams’ and FLTLT Kierath’s fami-lies, members of the association and representatives from 3SQN and Air Combat Group.

CO 3SQN WGCDR Timothy Alsop said that 3 and 450SQNs shared a long and rich history built on the shared experiences of achievement, service and sacrifice.

“That connection is alive and well today and 3SQN takes great pride in its connection with 450SQN,” he said.

“The sacrifice made by the four

FLTLT Cath Friend

THE story of the Great Escape by 76 Allied prisoners of war from the German camp Stalag Luft III is well known.

What is less known is the vital role two members of the RAAF played in the execution of the escape.

Australians SQNLDR John Williams and FLTLT Reginald Kierath, of 450SQN, were among the escapees on the ill-fated evening of March 24, 1944.

SQNLDR Williams and FLTLT Kierath were shot down on October 31, 1942 and April 23, 1943, respec-tively and became POWs at Stalag Luft III.

The camp, 160km south-east of Berlin, was run by the German Air Force and housed captured allied airmen. Eventually it housed almost 11,000 inmates.

The site for the camp was select-ed as the sandy subsoil would make tunnelling difficult.

That did not deter the prisoners who decided to get 200 men out. To do so they would dig three tunnels, Tom, Dick and Harry.

The two Australians joined 600 men who spent a year digging tun-

nels, forging documents and chang-ing uniforms into civilian clothing.

FLTLT Kierath was tasked to build fake walls in order to hide the forged documents and other mate-rial while SQNLDR Williams was in charge of ‘scrounging’ the 4000 bed boards used to shore up the tun-nels and a myriad of other materials; all without the guards realising that anything was missing.

The escapees had a major set-back when guards eventually dis-covered and destroyed Tom and all tunnelling had to be suspended for a time to avoid further detection.

Due to building construction above Dick, the decision was made to use that tunnel for storage only.

All work then focused on Harry, which was to become a 10-metre deep, 111-metre long tunnel that was intended to surface behind trees in a wood outside the camp.

The escape went to plan, but when the outer end was opened it was discovered that the tunnel ended about 10 feet short of the woods – on the path of the perim-eter guard.

The escape continued and 76 men got out before a shot was heard at the tunnel exit about 4.45am. Harry had been discovered.

The Germans began a country-wide search, which included the three services and the police.

Adolf Hitler instructed the Gestapo heads in eight German cit-ies that 50 of the escapees – more than half of those captured – were to be shot after their interrogation; a violation of the Geneva Convention.

As the prisoners were recap-tured, they were interrogated and taken out two at a time, on the pretext that they would be returned to the camp. Instead, the Gestapo escorts stopped in the country and invited them to relieve themselves. The prisoners were then shot at close range from behind. The bod-ies were left for retrieval and their death certificates read, “Shot whilst trying to escape”.

Of the 76 who escaped, only three made it home safely. The sur-vivors remained in German custody until the end of the war.

Apart from the two 450SQN members, three other Australians were executed after being recap-tured. They were SQNLDR James Catanach, DFC, of 455SQN; WOFF Albert Hake, of 72SQN (RAF); and FLTLT Thomas Leigh, of 76SQN (RAF).

Australians’ story retoldThe two Australian airmen had key tasks in the building of thetunnels, writes FLTLT Cath Friend.

men plays a central role in the ethos of the 3SQN of today. Their example set a standard which we hope and can only strive to achieve in our service – both in the air and on the ground.”

ONE OF TWO CEREMONIES: 450SQN veteran Maurie Douglas, right, sits with Chief of Staff ACG GPCAPT Michael Kitcher, centre left, and OC 81WG GPCAPT Joe Iervasi at a Great Escape memorial service at RAAF Base Williamtown. Left inset, families and veterans of 450SQN remember those who lost their lives during the war. Photos: LAC Mark Friend

Remembering the Remembering the Great EscapeGreat Escape

CONTACT

info@dha.gov.au

139 DHA (139 342)

www.dha.gov.au

The Rent Allowance Review will begin on 19 April.

If you receive Rent Allowance (RA) you may be included in this year’s Review.

What is the RA Review?

The Review looks at your domestic circumstances

If you are selected for this year’s Review you will be

Here’s what to do – now it’s online and easier than ever.

Services at www.dha.gov.au and complete the Review online.

If you haven’t used this service before, contact

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You can follow the prompts online if you’ve forgotten your login details.

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22 April 12, 2012RCEAIR FFHealth

Having done the hard yards, PTI CPL Aaron Rawnsley is well placed to offer advice about sports shoes. CPL Mark Doran reports.

Choosing the right shoesChoosing the right shoes

BEST FOOT FORWARD: There are many types of shoes available but you should take the time to find the one ones that suit you best for the job at foot. Photo: LAC Bill Solomou

CPL Aaron Rawnsley says a good pair of shoes offers protection from injury – and he should know.

The PTI from RMC-Duntroon has completed a running biomechanics course and is completing his diploma in fitness.

For the past 18 months, he has focused on the research and application of the minimalist footwear transition and put his knowledge to the test in May last year by competing in the 100km North Face 100 in the Blue Mountains.

He completed the run injury free – coming 78th out of the 800 competitors in 13hr 41min.

He says a good pair of shoes reduces muscle or joint aches caused by poor footwear.

Running shoes are more comfortable, protective and durable than ever before and CPL Rawnsley says there is a very diverse range available – which can make it difficult to choose the right pair.

“There are specialist shoes for just about every different application you can think of,” he says, “like high-top shoes which provide ankle stability for court sports such as basketball; cross-training shoes for general fitness and walking; lightweight running specific shoes which suit different foot types; and tennis shoes with flexible soles suitable for the quick side-to-side move-ment and agility experienced when playing court sports.”

To decide which types of shoes are best for you, you need to work out how you run.

There are three types of running style: fore-foot strikers, mid-foot strik-ers and rear-foot strikers. Most runners tend to rear-foot strike, landing on the outside of the heel and rolling their foot inwards. This is called pronation.

Some runners over pronate as their feet roll too far inwards which can lead to lower leg and knee injuries, while some runners under pronate as their feet roll inwards only slightly and do not absorb the shock as well, which can also lead to injury over time.

Sprinters tend to run on the balls of their feet and endurance runners tend to have a flat/mid foot shuffle. The cur-rent fashion is barefoot running, which

forces people to run on the balls or soles of their feet.

To work out what your foot type is you need to check your arch height and one way is to use the “wet test”.

Wet the bottom of your foot and then make a footprint on a flat, dry surface such as a white piece of paper on a hard floor.

If your wet footprint is very full and wide you have a low arch and flat foot and most likely over pronate (25 per cent of runners).

If the print is of heel and toes mostly you will have a high arch and probably under pronate (25 per cent of run-ners).

A print of your full foot with moderate curve for arch is normal arch which means you probably pronate to cor-

rect degree (50 per cent of runners).You must then consider the shape of

the bottom of the shoe as this is related to your foot type.

CPL Rawnsley says there are three main shapes: straight shape for over pronators, curved shape for under prona-tors and semi curved shape for normal pronators.

“For flatter feet that over pronate, you will need a shoe to control motion other-wise known as a motion-control shoe.

“With a straight shape, normally the shoe gives maximum support to the foot.

“Look for a firm rather than soft midsole with denser material along the inner edge of the shoes and a firm heel counter to reduce rear foot motion.

“If you have a high arch, your feet are not as good at absorbing the shock so you need to look for a cushioned sole.”

For more information on footwear, 3 Bde PTI WO2 Simon O’Regan has prepared a video presentation which is at http://iarmymediali-brary/videos/73/footwear-advice

CPL Aaron Rawnsley

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23April 12, 2012RCEAIR FF Sp rt

From Back Page“By that time the

Murrumbidgee River had peaked and the immediate threat of the levee breaking had passed, and the water began to subside,” FLGOFF Bretherton said.

“On arrival at RAAF Base Wagga there was a plan to send in Air Force members from the RAAF School of Technician Training to assist with the clean-up so I completed a risk assessment on the task as a starting point; but it was then decided that 5 Brigade would come in and assist.

“I gave a safety brief about base safety to the 5 Brigade members once they arrived on base. As this was the second year in a row Wagga Wagga was affected by floods the main priority to was gain an over-view of the emergency response

FIVE Air Force players were named in NSW state-of-origin squads after the National Touch League (NTL) in Port Macquarie, NSW, from March 8 to 11.

They a re FLGOFF Danny Bretherton (men’s 35s) SGT Michelle Cronin (women’s 35s), SQNLDR Brad Squires (men’s 40s), WOFF Mick Lennon (men’s 40s) and SQNLDR Shane Cooper (men’s 40s).

They were among 116 ADF per-sonnel (including 45 RAAFies) who contested the titles against players and teams from throughout Australia. There were 123 teams competing in 14 divisions.

The Australian Defence Touch Association fielded six teams in women’s open, men’s open, men’s 30s, men’s 40s, men’s 45s and senior mixed divisions.

The best returns came in the men’s 30s, the men’s 40s and the senior mixed teams, with all three finishing fifth.

FLTLT Derrick Cant was named players’ player in the men’s 30s team and FLTLT Jason Woodcoe won the players’ player in the men’s 40s team.

The players in the women’s open went into their games lacking experi-ence, with only three players having experienced touch footy at the elite level before. They did not win a game in a division of 15 teams but improved every time they played.

LACW Aby Murray, who never

Our bunch of five

stopped running and never gave up, was named the players’ player.

The men’s 45s team finished sixth of eight teams.

The men’s open team – with play-ers from as far afield as Perth, Darwin, Hobart, Brisbane, Adelaide, Townsville, Sydney and Brisbane – finished 13th

from 14 teams and CPL David Murray won the players’ players trophy.

CPL Murray is based at RAAF Base Amberley as is LACW Murray, who won the women’s award – but they are not related.

“We did have a discussion at some stage to see if there was a distant con-

nection but it couldn’t find anything,” he assured us.

He added: “Our team did not win a lot of games but we definitely held our own and I could not have played with a better bunch of guys. The play-ers worked hard for each other.”

LACW Murray has been playing touch football for a while – at univer-sity and for local teams – but Defence has given her a taste of playing at the NTL level.

“Defence will be sending a Women’s 27 team next year which is anticipated to be an extremely com-petitive side. I am hoping to make the team but it will be tough,” she said

Most of the ADF players arrived at Port Macquarie ahead of the actual tournament and spent some days hon-ing their skills in a training camp.

Three cooks – CPL Mick Johnston, LAC James Johnson and LAC Ben Roberts, all from Amberley – provided an estimated 4000 meals for them over 11 days.

Four Army players and one civil-ian were also selected in the NSW state-of-origin squad, and three Army players were selected in the Queensland squad.

The state-of-origin will be held in September and the squads will be culled at lead-up training camps.

For more information on touch football, email jeremy.armstrong@defence.gov.au

process. With no specific tasks I was there to offer any assistance where I could.”

His attention turned back to what was happening at Port Macquarie and he was in daily contact with his team’s coach, SGT Brendan Sargent, to see how his teammates were going. They finished fifth.

Thirteen divisions will contest the state-of-origin series against Queensland at Port Macquarie in September, at a date yet to be announced.

State of surprise after origin call-upTO THE RESCUE: FLGOFF Danny Bretherton, centre, at the World Cup.

Photo: Glen Eaton , Aisle 5 Photography

Footy nears its first bounce

RISING STAR: LACW Grace MacPherson winning the 20-24 female category in the 70.3 half ironman Championships in Phuket, Thailand in December.

Race that stops the bridgeNINE RAAF triathletes will be among the 1500 competitors in the Sydney Olympic Triathlon on April 14 and 15.

The triathlon follows the 2000 Olympic course. It will include a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run and the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be closed for the duration of the race.

The RAAFies are part of the Australian Defence Sports Triathlon Association (ADSTA)and will compete along with 28 Army triathletes, nine RAAF rep-resentatives, 10 Navy competi-tors and five Defence civilians.

ADSTA treasurer CAPT Peter Howden said the course held its own unique challenges.

“The most exciting part is we get to swim with the sharks in Sydney Harbour,” he said.

“So there will be some fast swim times with that in mind.”

As part of the weekend ADSTA will be holding its AGM at Randwick Barracks.

For more information on the sport of triathlon, contact adsta.admin@defence.gov.au or go to www.adsta.asn.au/main

SGT Mick Rush’s debut as coach of the Air Force Hawks is nearly here.

This year’s Australian Services Aust ra l ian Footbal l Associa t ion (ASAFA) National Championship will be held against Navy and Army in Melbourne from April 17 to 21.

The Air Force men’s and women’s sides were more than competitive last year, however just fell short.

Army and Navy’s men’s and wom-en’s teams will kick off proceedings on April 17, followed by Air Force versus Navy on April 19 and Air Force tackling Army on April 21.

A championship dinner and awards ceremony will be held on April 21, where the respective men’s and women’s All-Stars teams will also be named.

For more information on the men’s team, con-tact SGT Rush at michael.rush1@defence.gov.au or or on (07) 5361 4942 or 0430 961940.

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SP April 12, 2012

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John Martin

FLGOFF Danny Bretherton was pleasantly surprised when he opened an email that told him he had been selected in the NSW men’s 35s squad for the touch state-of-origin against Queensland in September.

He was selected despite missing the National Touch League in Port Macquarie in March because he was called back to base to help cope with rising floodwaters in Wagga.

FLGOFF Bretherton, who plays in the middles, has been playing touch footy for about 20 years and has twice represented Australia overseas (World Cup in Edinburgh, Scotland, last year and the World Cup in Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 2007).

But he has never played in a state-of-origin. Although he’s been picked in squads before, the venues and timing of training camps have never been convenient.

This time though he said he’s very keen. The competition is sched-uled to be played at Port Macquarie.

He’s checked his work diary and, fingers crossed, nothing clashes.

He said he had been looking for-ward to competing in the National Touch League this year.

FLGOFF Bretherton, who is the RAAFSafe safety adviser at 31SQN,

drove to Port Macquarie with fellow RAAF Base Wagga players, hus-band and wife FSGT Ivan and CPL Nicole Petrovic, with whom he had been training at lunchtimes since January, in a bid to be in tip-top condition for what he thought was a realistic shot at winning the senior mixed division against players from throughout Australia.

They arrived five days before the tournament – in time to participate in a training camp. This was the first time the team was able to train with all members.

But on day four he got the call.“We had just had a training ses-

sion and were cooling down,” he said. “I checked my phone messages and there was one asking me to con-tact my CO regarding being recalled back to Wagga.

“The rising floodwater was threatening to break the levee bank that was protecting the Wagga Wagga CBD. If it broke, it was predicted that the CBD would be flooded within 30 minutes.”

FLGOFF Bretherton flew out on Port Macquarie early the next morn-ing, and after five hours of flying and transiting in Sydney was back in Wagga about 10.30am.

To Page 23

FLGOFF Bretherton is one of fi ve RAAFies picked in touch state-of-origin squads. For a report on that and on how the ADF players went at the National Touch League, see Page 23

STATE OF STATE OF SURPRISESURPRISE

Despite answering an 11th-hour call to help with Wagga’s floods, FLGOFF Danny Bretherton has been called up to the NSW touch squad

COMING THROUGH: FLGOFF Danny Bretherton at the World Cup in Scotland last year.Photo: Glen Eaton, Aisle 5 Photography

Defence triathletes heading for Sydney again

Page 23