AIR FVol. 54, No. 4, March 15, 2012 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

RCERCETh

OUT IN FORCE

New dad to the rescue

Cope North wrap-up P12-16

RAAF Base Wagga rushes to help local community in fl ood crisis P3

Air Pageant thrills P11P7

HELPING HANDS: As the rain poured

and flood waters continued to rise on March 3, Air Force

members from RAAF Base Wagga got to

work filling sandbags at the local SES

Headquarters. Inset, a view from the air

showing the swollen Murrumbidgee River.

Photos: Michael Frogley, Daily Advertiser (main) and

LACW Jessica Smith

2 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF

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News

CPL Melanie Schinkel

“BRING it on.” Those were the words of CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown when he learned that Army had beat-en Air Force in the annual tri-service and APS challenge to donate the most blood each year.

“Almost a third of the Air Force donations came from RAAF Base Williamtown and Wagga, so I’m chal-lenging all the other bases to roll up their sleeves for this great cause,” AIRMSHL Brown said. “If we all donate, I’m confident we can beat Army, Navy and the APS for the 2012 Challenge later this year.”

Last year Army topped the dona-

tion count with 767 followed by Air Force with 577, Navy with 424 and the APS with 388.

But Air Force won the challenge in both 2009 and 2010 – and AIRMSHL Brown said there was more where that came from.

“This is an incredibly important cause and last year’s results showed that Williamtown with 271 donations and the RAAF School of Technical Training with 127 donations account-ed for almost a third of the total dona-tions collected,” CAF said.

“Air Force has room to move with more donations in 2012 and it doesn’t like to lose, so bring it on.”

The CEO of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, Jennifer Williams, who presented the per-petual trophy to AIRMSHL Binskin on February 29 in Canberra, said Australian Defence Organisation per-sonnel made a record 2156 donations across three months last year, saving many lives in the process.

“This result represents a huge 30 per cent increase in donations from Defence compared to previous years,” Ms Williams said.

The trophy will be used to mark the achievements of the highest donat-ing service in the annual Defence blood challenge.

AIRMSHL Binskin said it was

good to see Defence men and women extending their spirit of service by participating in the challenge, now in its fourth year.

“This is such an important cause. Not only do these donations save lives in the Australian community but Australian Red Cross Blood Service products are also used on opera-tions in East Timor and the Solomon Islands,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

CA LTGEN David Morrison also accepted a trophy on behalf of Army for winning the 2011 Defence blood challenge. He warned the other ser-vices to “watch out because Army is out to win again this year”.

AIRMSHL Brown also accept-ed an award on behalf of Air Force for winning both the 2009 and 2010 blood challenges.

The 2012 Australian Defence Organisation Blood Challenge will be launched in August and donations will be counted towards the challenge from September to November.

CAF’s call to arms on giving blood

BLOOD OATH: CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown and Red Cross Blood Service CEO Jennifer Williams with, from left, FLTLT Stacey Webb, WOFF Richard Neal, FSGT Christine Williams, FLTLT Gina Kimmins and FSGT Peter Jackson at the awards ceremony. Photo: Steve Dent

CPL Max Bree

CHANGE is on the way after the release of a series of reviews delving into Defence culture in Canberra on March 7.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith, CDF GEN David Hurley and Defence Secretary Duncan Lewis released six reviews covering the personal con-duct of ADF personnel, use of alco-hol in the ADF, use of social media in Defence, Defence public service women’s leadership pathways, man-agement of incidents and complaints, and allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence.

A report into the ADFA “Skype incident” which prompted the cul-ture reviews will not be made public because of privacy concerns and an ongoing police investigation.

“The ADF has had a mirror in the form of six reviews held up to it over the past 11 months. As any of us nor-mally do when we look into a mirror, we see strengths and we see flaws,” GEN Hurley said.

In response to the culture reviews, Defence has produced a strategy, The Pathway to Change: Evolving Defence Culture. The strategy outlines steps toward culture change, includ-ing re-examining the organisation’s values, reviewing the handling of mis-conduct and diversifying the senior leadership group.

“The type of deep and far-reach-

Reports releasedin full were:

➤ Personal conduct of ADF personnel – Found members were aware of the expectations on them and a relatively small number failed to live up to those standards. Its recommendations included simplifying policy and the complaints process.

➤ Use of alcohol in the ADF – Recommendations included a review of alcohol prices at ADF bases and preparation of an evidence-based alcohol management strategy for Defence.

➤ Use of social media in Defence – Recommended a review of all ADF policies in relation to social media and a review of social media training within Defence.

➤ Defence APS women’s leadership pathways – As a result of the report Defence will begin a rotation program for senior women at Senior Executive Service Band 2/3 with the broader APS and establish a central maternity leave pool to manage the full-time equivalent liability associated with maternity leave.

➤ Management of incidents and complaints – Recommended Defence reduce the current backlog of grievances, simplify training and information on complaint and develop an improved process to manage grievances.

➤ The report of the review into allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence, was redacted for privacy reasons.

ing reform we are seeking will take time and a sustained effort from all Defence staff over many years,” GEN Hurley said.

“But make no mistake – we are committed to tackling our cultural challenges at their source.”

He said recommendations from the review into the treatment of women at ADFA were already being implement-ed, including a new residential sup-port officer scheme, which puts junior officers in their final years at ADFA in place to provide live-in supervision and peer support for cadets.

“As Defence members we under-stand that we are quite rightly held to

Steps for change

higher standards and greater scrutiny than the majority of the Australian society,” GEN Hurley said.

“And while we strive for a clean record, if things do go wrong, we must be able to demonstrate that we have the moral courage to act and the ability to respond in an appropriate and timely manner.”

Defence Minister Smith said the reviews were a “frank and sober assessment of the past”.

“But it’s also a very constructive and positive way forward,” Mr Smith said.

The reviews made 109 recommen-dations. Of these, 85 have been fully

accepted by Defence. The remaining 24 have been accepted in principle.

The reviews were initiated last year after an incident in which a male ADFA officer cadet streamed internet video of consensual sex with a female cadet to cadets in another room with-out the woman’s knowledge.

ADFA Commandant CDRE Bruce Kafer has resumed his duties after the Kirkham Inquiry into the incident found no wrongdoing with his han-dling of the matter.

The reports can be viewed online at www.defence.gov.au/culturereviews

New strategy the result of culture review findings

JOINT RESPONSE: From right, Defence Minister Stephen Smith, CDF GEN Hurley and Secretary for Defence Duncan Lewis who jointly announced the response to reviews into aspects of Defence and Australian Defence Force Culture.Photo: Lauren Black

3 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF News

SGT Dave Morley

DOZENS of ADF members swung into action across southern NSW and northern Victoria to assist with recent flood relief operations.

Tasks have included sandbagging, door-knocking, and the provision of Unimog and Mack vehicles for access-ing flood-affected areas.

WGCDR Jo Elkington, Air Base Executive Officer at RAAF Base Wagga (RBW), said it had been one of the busiest times experienced at the base.

“At very short notice 59 person-nel, led by RAAF School of Technical Training (RAAFSTT) staff, rallied in support of the SES at the Local Emergency Management Centre,” she said.

“They ran out of sand and sand-bags before they ran out of energy.

“The RAAFSTT WOD, WOFF Richard Salcole, capped off the even-ing task by volunteering his services as a forklift driver for the SES.”

WGCDR Elkington said a sec-ond Defence Assistance to Civil Community task was later issued for RBW members to assist with evacua-tion notifications to residents of North Wagga. “Thirty-eight RAAFSTT

FLOODS in the Wagga area forced the organisers of the annual Kapooka sports series to postpone the rugby union competition on March 10.

At this stage the organisers are planning to hold the Kapooka 10s competition on a weekend in September with a date yet to be confirmed.

Raveena Carroll-Kenney

IT IS MIDNIGHT on March 7 at the ADF Emergency Operations Centre that has been established at RAAF Base Wagga.

Earlier in the day, the desks and whiteboards had been manned by a busy team of Air Force personnel, but as the clock ticks towards a new day, fresh faces wearing Army rank slides on their cams start to arrive for the graveyard shift.

This scene is one of many demon-strating a united ADF that have played out behind the walls of this unassum-ing building over the past 12 hours.

A CASUALTY of the floods was F-111C A8-142, which was about half-way along its journey to new home of RAAF Base Wagga when it was forced to turn around.

The F-111 – which will become a static display aircraft on base – had left in convoy from RAAF Base Amberley on March 5 and was supposed to have arrived on March 7.

The conditions at Wagga, however, meant the aircraft would not be able to be safely unloaded on base.

So on March 6 a decision was made to return it to Amberley.

The F-111 disposal project man-ager from the Disposal and Aerial Targets Office (DATO) within DMO, WGCDR Clive Wells, said Wagga base management requested that if pos-sible, the F-111 not proceed to Wagga because of base resources being used for disaster relief.

“This included the equipment required to unload our convoy, storage and workspace required to reassemble the aircraft and accommodation for the work team,” WGCDR Wells said.

“Also, the crane required to unload the fuselage could not access the base from Wagga due to the flooding and had been seconded for flood emer-

gency support.“Although

we looked at other options of securely stor-ing the aircraft en route, the logistics, costs and unknown timeframes until Wagga was in a position to accept the aircraft, we deter-mined it would be more cost effective to have

the convoy return home. “We expect to attempt the move

again in late April/early May once the flood waters have subsided.”

The F-111 will be the fifth of seven to be displayed at Air Force bases as static display aircraft.

To the watery rescue

BEHIND THE

SCENES

trainees supervised by 12 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU) staff assisted the police and SES notifying residents before assisting with sandbagging of local businesses in the area,” she said.

“RAAFSALT have assisted through the provision of forklift driv-ers at the LEMC Depot and the Wagga Wagga City Council.”

RBW duty members have had their hands full with telephones “running red hot” with personnel contacting the base due to difficulties in returning to Wagga for courses or duty.

WOFF Salcole said he was espe-cially impressed by the efforts of two instructors, SGT Duane Chugg and CPL Dion Johnston, who despite the pouring rain, got stuck into the job of filling sandbags.

“They took charge of the trainees and really helped get the best effort out of them during the situation,” he said.

“I reckon that 75 millimetres of rain fell on top of those young men and women over five hours, but that didn’t stop them from giving every-thing they had to the job.

“It was an amazing sight and the word ‘pride’ doesn’t quite express just how impressed I was by their efforts.”

WOFF Salcole said staff from

1RTU were doorknocking in the North Wagga Wagga area when they came across an elderly couple who were struggling to move their belongings out of their home and onto dry ground.

“The boys quickly found a pantech and took care of the job themselves. That generous action will make a world of difference to that couple when the crisis is over,” he said.

“Come Monday and Tuesday the school had a contingent of up to 150 staff and trainees out in the field and the commitment continues.”

WGCDR Elkington said the

Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Councillor Kerry Pascoe, and COL David Hay, Commandant of the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, passed on their thanks for the hard work from RBW.

“They appreciated the efforts of Navy, Army and Air Force personnel all providing an outstanding effort in supporting the SES,” WGCDR Elkington said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard also thanked ADF members for their assis-tance to the Wagga Wagga community when she visited the city on March 7.

INUNDATED: Above, the flood-affected city of Wagga in NSW; inset, retired F-111 A8-142 pulls into a park in Wallangarra during its aborted road trip to RAAF Base Wagga. Photos: LACW Jessica Smith

Kapooka washout

Pig in the middle has to head back to Amberley

United ADF reaches out to help Wagga flood victims

MR SAND MEN: SGT Duane Chugg, left, and CPL Dion Johnston who led a team of trainees to fill sandbags for about five hours in pouring rain (above inset); below inset, FSGT Rick Mortellaro speaks with Prime Minister Julia Gillard during her visit to flood-affected Wagga.

Photos: LACW Jessica Smith and Michael Frogley, Daily Advertiser

Earlier in the day, aircrew from a visiting Navy Squirrel aircraft had temporarily occupied the facility after taking the commandant of Kapooka

on a flight to survey the devastation from the air. Air Force had provided the photographic support for that mis-sion.

A few hours later, Navy, Army and Air Force were handing out dinner boxes to each other, and to the civil-ian staff who had come to support the effort. In the background, Defence Support Group officers were allocat-ing rooms to Defence and civilian emergency service personnel who were part of the flood relief operation.

This cooperative scene has not just occurred by accident. It was part of a strategy to help each other out in order to achieve the dual goals of fighting

the floods and continuing the impor-tant training courses at both Kapooka and RAAF Base Wagga.

The principle was fairly straight-forward. Emergency operations plan-ning and coordination happened out of the dedicated Air Force facility. Staffing was rotated between Army and Air Force.

Meanwhile, Kapooka was ready to stand up an emergency evacuation centre for 300 people at short notice.

Out in the field, all three ser-vices were doorknocking homes to advise residents when it was time to evacuate. At other times they could be found working side-by-side to fill in

excess of 65,000 sandbags that were used by the local community.

The Commandant of the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, COL David Hay, said the concept had helped all ADF elements involved in the operation.

“This rotation planning has shared the workload and enabled both bases to continue with their important train-ing schedules,” COL Hay said.

“Of course this situation has had some impact on the ADF, just like the rest of the community, but by working together the three services have man-aged to achieve much more than we could have otherwise.”

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4 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FNews

CPL Melanie Schinkel

POSITIVE changes are unfolding to increase the protection of Defence personnel and establishments in the event of a threatening security inci-dent such as a terrorist attack.

Defence personnel may notice an increase in deterrent infrastructure and Australian Federal Police (AFP) presence on their bases and establish-ments as a result of security improve-ment initiatives being implemented by the Base Security Improvement Program (BSIP).

Coordinating the program’s sched-ule and reporting on its progress is Matthew Couch from the BSIP pro-gram management office in Canberra.

Mr Couch said the program was established in 2010 after a security review made 33 recommendations to enhance the protection of Defence per-

Enhancements being implemented on selected Defence bases and establishments to improve security include:Base Security Improvement Program➤ Enhanced access control➤ Enhanced command and control➤ Improved infrastructure for per-

sonnel and vehicle control

➤ A wider scope of guarding activi-ties

➤ A robust base-wide alert func-tionality

➤ An inspection, search and seizure regime that aims to deter and reduce the likelihood of weapons and explosives being brought on to Defence establishments

➤ Improved security planning

including up-to-date plans and pro-cedures Enhanced Self-Defence Capability

➤ Onsite armed AFP➤ Armed and unarmed security wardens➤ Improved communications capa-

bilities to assist with command and control

➤ SMS alerts in addition to a base-wide alert system

sonnel and workplaces in August 2009. “The AFP and a number of intelli-gence agencies foiled a terrorist plot targeted at Holsworthy Barracks in 2009. This led to a review of secu-rity across the Defence estate with the intention of improving protection for personnel serving on bases,” Mr Couch said.

“The threat is real and the best security enhancement is for all per-sonnel to be alert and proactive.

“Under an intelligence-led and risk-based approach, the BSIP contin-ues to deliver security measures aimed at mitigating identified risks.

“By tailoring improvements to the profile of each base, identified risks will be reduced and the safety of per-sonnel against terrorist-based attacks will be increased.”

A component of the BSIP is the Enhanced Self-Defence Capability

Security boosted on bases

(ESDC), which builds upon strength-ened self-defence legislation pro-viding a more robust framework by which base personnel can defend themselves and others in the event of a serious incident.

The EDSS capability focuses on protecting Defence people through a deter, protect and respond model.

ESDC Project Team Leader LTCOL Wayne Higgins said the capa-bility included an armed AFP pres-ence on some bases to provide sur-veillance and an immediate response. On bases identified at most risk of an

attack, ADF wardens with access to weapons would also be present.

“If the need arises, uniformed ADF personnel, who are trained and authorised, will draw weapons, ammunition and other equipment and take up positions to protect approach-es to designated safe zones where the base population will take cover during an incident,” LTCOL Higgins said.

He said onsite AFP would be the first to respond to an incident by cor-doning and containing the threat and, if was within their capability, resolv-ing the situation.

“The AFP will do what they can but by in large the state or territory police will come onto the base to resolve the situation as they have jurisdiction.”

Security program and self-defence capability developments will contin-ue as systems are brought online and supporting infrastructure works are completed.

For more information on security initiatives being implemented on specific bases or establishments, contact the site liaison officer or search for the BSIP website on the DRN.

SOME CHANGES YOU’LL SEE

5March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF News

Eamon Hamilton

IT’S NOT every day a C-17A arrives home to find a wheeled-walking frame waiting for a crew member.

WOFF Chris White surpassing 10,000 flying hours, however, was cause for members of 36SQN to con-gratulate their fellow loadmaster in tongue-in-cheek fashion.

“They said ‘here you go, old fella, you must be tired!’” WOFF White said.

Having clocked his 10,000th hour during a task to the Middle East, WOFF White was also greeted at RAAF Base Amberley by the fire-trucks, which had formed a water arch.

It was an appropriate gesture for WOFF White, who began his career with Air Force beginning as a fire-fighter in 1975.

At 19, he left Killarney in southern Queensland to follow in the footsteps of other local boys who joined the Air Force.

“Every six months when we would come to the big smoke – Brisbane – and the first thing we would come past was Amberley,” WOFF White said.

In 1978, he decided to become a

crewman after 35SQN Iroquois used firefighters as volunteers for winching practice.

Similar to a loadmaster, the crewman on RAAF helicopters was responsible for passengers, cargo, winching, and being an extra set of eyes for the pilot.

“I think the motivation was excite-ment and every day a different place or task,” WOFF White said.

“The flying was tremendous – seat of the pants stuff with many rescues included.”

Completing his training in 1979, he was posted to 9SQN at Amberley, and served with the RAAF’s United Nations Iroquois detachment in the Sinai Desert in 1982.

Indeed, WOFF White deployed to the Middle East before many of his present 36SQN colleagues were born.

From 1986, the crewmen were remustered to loadmasters, allowing them to reach the rank of WOFF in their career. He moved on to C-130Hs and held a variety of ground posi-tions in Headquarters Air Command and Air Movements Training Development Unit along the way, as well as serving on B707s at 33SQN.

Having progressed from Iroquois to C-130s and B707s, he moved on to C-17As in 2008. “The motivation (to fly on C-17As) was to crew an excep-tionally capable and flexible airlifter unlike anything we’ve had before,” WOFF White said.

Despite the variety to his 10,000 hours of flying, he will not admit to a favoured aircraft. “They’ve each been completely different and great,” WOFF White said.

“For the C-17A, it has so many cargo configurations we can use, but

the C-130H is so capable, and the Iroquois had some great flying for us.”

The one constant through his fly-ing career however has been humani-tarian assistance and disaster relief, and he ranks 2011’s Operation Pacific Assist highly for job satisfaction.

FRAMED: After being jokingly greeted with a walking frame when he got off his operational flight, 36SQN loadmaster WOFF Chris White stands on the flightline with his colleagues to mark clocking up 10,000 flying hours. Left, a watery welcome at RAAF Base Amberley. Photos: LAC Dan Pinhorn

Well done, old manWell done, old man

D it th i t t hi 10 000 th

Hornets flying Red Flag

DESERT DELIGHT: A 75SQN Hornet prepares to taxi out for another sortie during Exercise Red Flag 12-3 at Nellis Air Force Base Nevada.Photo :LAC Terry Hartin

THE aircrews of RAAF Hornets are once again gain-ing valuable experience in the international, high-level combat environment alongside their US and UK counterparts.

Since February 17, eight F/A-18s from 75SQN, supported by 75 personnel, have been deployed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada for Exercise Red Flag 12-3.

Red Flag is a Large Force Employment exercise designed to provide coalition aircrew training in a simulated combat environment with day and night missions flown out of the Nevada Test and Training Range, consisting of more than 12,000 square miles of airspace and 2.9 million acres of land.

Missions can involve up to 70 aircraft and com-prise attack aircraft supported by fighters, air-air

refuellers, electronic jammer and anti-radiation mis-sile and Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft in attacking and defending roles.

Aircraft participating include the RAF’s GR-4 Tornado and the US Air Force’s F-15 Eagle, F-22 Raptor, B-2 Spirit, F-16 Falcon, E-3 Sentry, E-2D Hawkeye and EA-6B Prowler.

The exercise ends on March 16, after which the 75SQN contingent will deploy to China Lake in California to participate in Exercise Silverwater, a test and trial evaluation of aircraft weapons and capabilities. The next exercise in the Red Flag series will be held in Alaska in June.

Full coverage of Exercise Red Flag will feature in the next edition of Air Force News.

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6 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FFNews

32SQN was hastily formed as a bomber and recon-naissance squadron in Port Moresby on February 21, 1942, in the face of the advancing Japanese forces.

Its personnel were drawn from other units operating in the area and it was equipped with Hudson bombers.

It went into action on the day it was formed, searching for a Japanese submarine.

The squadron was soon in action in a wide variety of roles ranging from reconnaissance and supply drops to anti-submarine and anti-shipping patrols and conventional bombing raids on ships, airfields, flying boat bases and other targets.

In September 1942, 32SQN was withdrawn to Sydney and re-equipped with Beauforts the following year. 32SQN spent the remainder of the war conducting anti-submarine patrols along the east coast from RAAF Base Richmond and then Camden until its disbandment in November 1945. On July 1, 1989, 32SQN reformed at RAAF Base East Sale as a training and transport squadron. It flew the Hawker Siddley HS-748 aircraft and sup-ported the then School of Air Navigation (now the School of Air Warfare).

In 1997, some Beechcraft B200 Super King Airs joined the squadron and the iconic “Draggie” 748s were retired in 2004.

The squadron further upgraded in 2003 when the first of eight Beechcraft King Air 350s arrived.

FLTLT Kirsten Gunn

IT MAY have rained on its parade, but in keeping with the squadron’s motto of ‘Adaptable’, 32SQN switched to a wet weather plan and commemorated its 70th anniversary in high spirits at RAAF Base East Sale on March 2.

The day opened with a commem-orative ceremony, which was held in the base chapel to reflect on the sacrifices made by 81 of 32SQN’s first members in New Guinea during WWII.

The roll of honour took pride of place in the chapel, with DCAF AVM Gavin Davies, Commander Air Force Training Group AIRCDRE John Hewitson and FLGOFF Grant Targett – as the youngest squadron member – all laying wreaths.

AVM Davies paid tribute to 32SQN’s participation in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle for Milne Bay, as well as its current role in training air combat officers.

“A common thread has endured: success, brought about by a highly professional squadron, capable of adapting and remaining committed to the provision of the best level of sup-port possible,” AVM Davies said.

The commemoration continued in the evening with a 1940s-style cock-tail party.

The walls of one hangar were adorned with photographs of the

CPL Nick Wiseman and Andrew Stackpool

THREE 79SQN Hawks from RAAF Base Pearce provided a fitting trib-ute when they overflew the memo-rial service for the 70th anniversary of the first air raids on Broome on March 3.

In February 1942 Broome was the epicentre of evacuees escaping from the Japanese invasion of the Netherlands East Indies.

They arrived in both military and civilian aircraft, including military and Qantas flying boats, and by March the town was overflowing with both military personnel and refugees.

On the morning of March 3, 1942, nine Japanese Zero fighters and a Mitsubishi reconnaissance air-craft attacked the town, the RAAF base and the flying boats moored in Roebuck Bay without warning.

In wha t was t o become Australia’s second-worse air raid, at least 88 people were killed and 25 aircraft were destroyed, including 16 flying boats.

Many of the victims were Dutch women and children, packed into the flying boats, either waiting to be transferred ashore or flown further south.

Many of these drowned while trying to swim ashore or were burned to death by burning fuel

32SQN’s historic wartime service. A modern King Air 350 parked in the hangar provided a stark contrast to the faded sepia images of the Hudsons and Beauforts projected onto the wall behind it.

During the party, AVM Davies presented a framed painting of the Unit Colours that Queen Elizabeth approved late last year.

CO 32SQN WGCDR Peter Donaldson wrapped up the for-malities with a story only recently uncovered of a young WWII pilot and crew who died after taking on eight

Adaptable still after 70 years

Japanese Zero fighters. He remind-ed the attendees that 32SQN started flying operations on the day it was formed.

“I can still see that level of dedica-tion at the squadron today,” WGCDR Donaldson said. “We fly over 5000 hours a year and provide an incred-ible level of support to the School of Aviation Warfare while still conduct-ing air lift support and pilot develop-ment.

“While the roles and aircraft have changed, we have adapted and will always get the job done.”

THEN AND NOW: A line of Lockheed Hudsons on the tarmac, a reminder of 32SQN’s beginnings in 1942; inset, one of the squadron’s first King Airs to arrive at RAAF Base East Sale in 2003.

32SQN’S LONG ROAD

REMEMBERING THE PAST: Among those at the memorial service at the RAAF Base East Sale Chapel were, from left, CO 32SQN WGCDR Peter Donaldson, Commander AFTG AIRCDRE John Hewitson and DCAF AVM Gavin Davies. Photo: WOFF Ray Bennell

Broome’s crisis recalled

and many were never recovered. Consequently, the final death tally may never be known.

In addition, a B-24 with more than 30 wounded personnel on board was shot down off the coast with the loss of all but one and further north a Dutch DC-3 full of evacuees was shot down with the loss of four lives.

In reply, two Zeros were shot down by ground fire.

The 70th anniversary service took place in Bedford Park, over-looking Roebuck Bay with the wreckage of Catalina flying boats destroyed during the attacks still remaining on the sea bed.

The Hawks flew a box forma-tion about 500 feet over the town and bay.

On the last pass, they performed the missing man manoeuvre, with

one jet climbing vertically from the group.

Also involved were a Qantas 717 and several general aviation aircraft.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett, former CDF ACM Angus Houston (ret’d) and GPCAPT David Thiele, representing CAF, were among the guests.

GPCAPT Thiele said it was important to recognise and remem-ber what happened.

“The Broome air raids rep-resented the coming of war to the Australian shore,” GPCAPT Thiele said.

Commander Air Combat Group AIRCDRE Tony Grady said the group was honoured to support Broome residents and help the town to commemorate the fateful events that occurred 70 years ago.

GRIM REMINDER: Former CDF ACM Angus Houston (ret’d) was one of the many people to pay their respects. Photo courtesy GPCAPT Thiele

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7March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF News

CPL Melanie Schinkel

“IT WAS happening – Stacey was going into labour with our firstborn. I left work and on approach to Stebonheath Road roundabout I noticed a garbage truck.

“Then, before I knew it, I was looking at the underside of the truck as it tipped onto its side. The truck bounced once and then the driver smashed through the front windshield,” CPL Robert McInnes said.

The aircraft life support fitter from 92WG was faced with life or death on February 8 when he was on his way home and a truck overturned while driving through the roundabout near RAAF Base Edinburgh.

Despite his rush, CPL McInnes stopped to assist by providing initial first aid and calling emergency services.

“I got out of my vehicle, checked around for other cars and then looked around the truck. Fuel was spilling from its petrol tank and the driver was halfway out of the windscreen,” he said.

“There was a bit of blood and he was unconscious but he had a pulse and I could hear him breathing. I immediately dialled triple zero.

“A Defence civilian and two Army personnel approached me while I was on the phone. One of the Army guys made the truck safe and it was at this time that the casualty regained consciousness.

“I asked the other Army guy to reas-sure the driver so I could continue the emergency call.”

Shortly after the phone call CPL McInnes heard an ambulance siren.

Meanwhile, his partner Stacey was

waiting at home to be driven to the hos-pital.

“I had completely forgotten why or where I was driving until Stacey rang me and told me how much pain she was in,” CPL McInnes said.

“I informed the Army guys of my situ-ation and they assured me they had eve-rything under control and would wait for emergency services to arrive.

“It was quite a frantic and shocking situation. I’m grateful to the soldiers and civilian for assisting and essentially taking over so that I could get home to Stacey. I’m sure things could’ve gone a lot worse if they hadn’t of showed up.

“I wish I knew their names because they all deserve recognition for what they did. It was a terrible scenario, but one that was handled the best it could’ve been because of Defence personnel – all that first aid training definitely paid off.”

CPL McInnes and Stacey welcomed their baby girl Isabel into the world just before 3 o’clock the next morning.

“Stacey didn’t find out what had hap-pened until after Isabel was born. She was pretty shocked and then understood why I had been pacing and looking so pale when I arrived to take her to the hospital,” he said.

“I just hope the guy is all right. I don’t want to claim any praise for helping him because it’s just part of what we do in Defence. I would expect the same assis-tance from anyone if I were in the same situation.”

At time of print, Lyell McEwin Hospital was unable to disclose informa-tion regarding the casualty’s condition.

New life after close call

AT THE SCENE: CPL Robert McInnes, of 92WG, with his wife Stacey and their four-week-old baby Isobel at Stebonheath Roundabout, Edinburgh. Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman

‘‘It was quite a

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8 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FFAir Force Improvement

RAAF Williams is trialling new messing arrangements at its Laverton site.

A single dining facility providing a combined officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) dining area and a separate airmen’s dining area, together with a shared officers and SNCOs bar area with separate social areas, make up the new arrangements.

The trial began on March 12 and will run through to June 30.

It is being conducted as part of the Strategic Reform Program to find more cost-effective ways of deliver-ing hospitality and catering services to Air Force.

The Senior ADF Officer at Williams, AIRCDRE John Hewitson, said meeting capability requirements and ensuring customer satisfaction were vital outcomes of the trial.

“How these requirements are met will shape the reforms permanently implemented at Laverton, as well as informing reform work at other Air Force bases,” he said.

In implementing the reforms, Air Force has been working closely with Defence Support Group (DSG) and its contractors, and with the mess committees at Laverton.

“I’ve been really impressed at how our members, DSG and Transfield have worked collabora-tively to design the arrangements that are being trialled,” AIRCDRE Hewitson said.

“We are all working together to find an effective and efficient way to provide our messing arrangements, while respecting our culture and traditions.”

Under the trial, the Airmen’s Mess has become a combined din-ing facility for day-to-day dining. There are two dining areas, one for airmen and the other for officers and SNCOs.

In the officers and SNCOs din-ing area, Sergeants Mess service

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown has announced a voluntary redundancy pro-gram for selected specialisations and musterings as part of Air Force’s con-tribution to workforce reform under the Strategic Reform Program.

“As Air Force moves towards 2020 and 2030 some of our specialisations and musterings need to evolve in responsibili-ties and numbers, both up and down,” AIRMSHL Brown said. “This is because our capability and operational needs are changing and they determine our work-force requirements.

“My focus is on setting the right workforce mix and numbers, with a bal-ance of military, APS and contractors, so that we have the right people in the right place at the right time to meet our capa-bility requirements.

“This voluntary redundancy pro-gram will assist us in meeting our com-mitments under the Strategic Reform Program.”

The redundancy program is voluntary and open to members in the selected jobs of musicians, general hands, photog-raphers, clerks, supply, administration officers and training systems officers.

“We have done a careful workforce analysis in developing the redundancy

program, ensuring that the reductions will not impact the future health of the selected employ-ment groups, and the delivery of capability will not be affected,” CAF said.

Members need to apply for the redundancy and successful members will then be required to depart the Permanent Air Force by June 27.

“If you belong to one of these occupations, I encourage you to care-fully consider the suit-ability of the program against your personal circumstances. This includes considering your career aspirations and opportunities, and seeking your own finan-cial advice,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

Catering to reform

Redundancy program is announced

standards will apply and there will be a lounge area for members to use before and after meals.

A combined officers and SNCOs bar and leisure area has been estab-lished in the Officers Mess bar and ante room. The Officers Mess will be available for officers and SNCOs functions involving the service of food.

Accommodation arrangements on base will remain unchanged.

AIRCDRE Hewitson is encour-aging members to have their say.

“Air Force and DSG will be closely monitoring the trial, and we are keen to get feedback on the new arrangements,” he said.

“We want to hear the good and the bad, so we can make adjustments along the way.”

For more information or to provide feedback, contact WGCDR Tony Dolin at anthony.dolin@defence.gov.au, the local Mess Committee representative, or use the comments book provided in the new combined dining facility.

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Did you know?Did you know?The first SRP-related change to messes within Air Force was the combining of the RAAF Base Glenbrook messes in late 2010. These combined facilities meet Air Force capability require-ments, have been favourably received by diners, and have resulted in savings of more than $200,000 a year.

NEW WAY TO DINE: As part of the Strategic Reform Program, new messing arrangements are being trialled at Laverton, with a single but segregated dining facility and a shared officers/SNCOs bar with separate leisure areas available. Main photo: SGT Kirk Peacock

IN FOCUS: Photographers are among those eligible for voluntary redundancies under a new program. Photo: SGT Kirk Peacock

Expressions of inter-est for the redun-dancy program must be lodged by March 23. More information on eligibility criteria, program condi-tions, the application process, as well as practical details of a redundancy is avail-able on the DGPERS-AF website at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/DGPERSAF/

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9March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF News

CPL Max Bree

THE development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will not cost Australia a “single cent” more than our cur-rent contribution, despite the US military deferring acquisition of some of its early aircraft, according to the head of Australia’s New Air Combat Capability project.

AVM Kym Osley said the recent US decision to defer procurement of 179 of the new fighters over the 2013-2017 period to allow for more testing and development would not change Australia’s dollar contribution to the development of the F-35s.

“The Americans, over the past 18 months, have put an extra US$7.4 bil-lion into development of the F-35. We put in $150 million at the start as a fixed price for the development of the aircraft,” he said.

Nor does the decision to defer procurement of 179 aircraft change the total number of F-35s the US will eventually purchase, he said.

“The US is still committed to buy-ing 2443. That’s the same number they’ve been planning to buy for ages.”

While the US decision will margin-ally increase the cost of Australia’s

early aircraft, the potential increase had been budgeted for.

“Some people confuse the US pro-gram and Australia’s project,” AVM Osley said.

“If I asked the average person in the street they would say the F-35’s cost has blown out. But we’re running to the budget we took to Government in late 2009.”

He said on current plans, Air Force pilots are programmed to start training with the new fighters in 2014. This would enable sufficient pilots to be trained in time for the first operational F-35 squadron to commence opera-tions at RAAF Base Williamtown. It would also allow the gradual retire-ment of the Classic Hornets from about 2020.

The F-35 was recently put through its paces with test pilots taking the aircraft up to Mach 1.6. The F-35’s stealth coating had now been perfected and was being retrofitted to the US military’s F-22 Raptors.

The F-35’s radar and electro-optical sensors, which form a “situational awareness bubble”, performed well when flown against modern fighters during a recent US Air Force exercise in Alaska, AVM Osley said.

“Against their latest fighters, like F-16s and F-22s, the F-35 radar and sensors did a fantastic job. It detected and tracked the other aircraft despite their best efforts. It was also able to jam the radar on the fourth-generation fighters,” he said.

The F-35 fleet has notched up about 2500 test flight hours. The air-craft is in its fourth year of production at the Lockheed Martin production line in Fort Worth, Texas.

“With the Russian fifth-generation fighter, the Sukhoi PAK FA, and other high capability fighters likely to be

marketed in the region, it is essential for Australia to stay on the cutting edge of fighter technology,” AVM Osley said.

He said being involved in the JSF Program meant Australia would have access to the new fifth-generation capability sooner.

“The US military is to retire a lot of jets in the next decade and there will be great demand for fifth-generation fighters from many other countries around the world as their air combat fleets reach their ‘use-by’ dates.

“There is no other alternative to the

F-35 for those seeking an interoper-able Western-sourced fifth-generation fighter, and I predict demand will be very high from late this decade.

“If you’re not a partner nation you will run the risk of having to stand in line behind the US and all the other eight partner nations before you could get hold of any F-35s.”

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said while Defence was on-track to receive the first two F-35s in 2014, the schedule for another 12 was “under consideration, just as the US’s sched-ule is under consideration”.

Still on track rack with JSF

WE’RE MOVING AHEAD: AVM Kym Osley (pictured inset) says Australia’s JSF project will not be affected by the US decision to delay procurement of 179 jets. Main photo: Darin Russell, Lockheed Martin

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11March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF News

FLTLT Nick O’Connor and FLTLT Baz Bardoe

HOT temperatures, gusty winds and the threat of a thunderstorm failed to deter the more than 12,000 aviation enthusiasts who were treated to a spectacular mix of military aircraft history at the RAAF Museum Biennial Air Pageant (AP12).

AP12 was held at RAAF Base Point Cook on February 26.

The flying displays included a WWII Boomerang, Vampire jet, BAE Hawk, Trojan training aircraft and the ever-popular Sabre.

Event organiser AIRCDRE Rod Luke, the director of special events at Air Force Headquarters, said AP12 was a resound-ing success, despite the challenging weather conditions.

“The Air Pageant is always a most pleasant event. We try to focus on the historic aircraft to showcase the RAAF Museum collection, along with a taste of the modern Air Force,” AIRCDRE Luke said.

“The pageant is very much a family day and I believe we gain a great deal of value from a recruiting perspective with so many children, parents and grandpar-ents appreciating the rich Air Force his-tory and the career prospects available.”

The Air Pageant provided an oppor-tunity to focus on the incredible history of the Air Force and pay tribute to the RAAF’s birthplace at Point Cook.

RAAF Museum director Dave Gardner said the pageant was an impor-tant event for highlighting the excellent work undertaken by the museum’s volun-teers and staff.

“It showcases the RAAF Museum in its role in preserving our military aviation heritage by presenting displays of not only our general heritage but the preser-vation of and operation of those historic aircraft which were an important part of the Air Force,” Mr Gardner said.

“Additionally, the Air Pageant pro-motes the unique distinction that Point Cook is the oldest continuously operating military airfield in the world.

“It also highlights the community’s acceptance of the Air Force in the area for nearly a century.”

FLTLT Nick O’Connor

“AN HONOUR and a privilege” was the way SQNLDR Paul Simmons, of 2 Operational Conversion Unit, described his experience of fly-ing the CAC Sabre fighter at the Air Pageant.

The Sabre flew in formation with a CA-18 Mustang fighter to provide a rare visual treat for pageant goers.

An experienced F/A-18 pilot, SQNLDR Simmons said flying the Sabre required him to be “on his game” at all times.

“It’s an unbelievable privilege to fly the air-craft,” he said.

“Every time I fly I approach it with some fear and trepidation as you don’t want to muck things up. I respect it greatly and I never take it for granted.

“It is an amazing aeroplane. They say if it looks right, it will fly right. It is a wonderful and complex aircraft.”

The RAAF operated the Sabre from 1956 to 1971.

The Sabre flown at the pageant was the result of an historic agreement between the Air Force and the Temora Aviation Museum.

Thousands of hours were spent getting the historic aircraft into flying condition.

SQNLDR Simmons said flying the Sabre at the pageant ensured this important part of Australia’s military history was appreciated.

“It’s great to bring the aircraft back into its element so that people can experience the emo-tion by seeing it and hearing it; it displays itself,” he said.

“I enjoy seeing some of the older generations remember the important role the Sabre played and, who knows, maybe it will inspire some of the younger generations to think they could join the Air Force.”

FLTLT Nick O’Connor

THE SKIES over AP12 were kept safe thanks to the efforts of 44WG’s team of joint battlefield airspace controllers (JBACs).

Headquarters 44WG aviation safety officer SQNLDR Ken Van Raay said the JBAC team played a pivotal role in coordinating the flying program.

“We provided a deployed mobile air operations team tower as the Point Cook tower has been de-activated for some time now,” he said.

“We had five air traffic con-trollers in the team from a range of locations such as Darwin, Amberley and East Sale.

“We acted as the liaison

between the ringmas-ter and the aircraft to ensure that safety is at the forefront of every-one’s minds.”

He paid tribute to the efforts of 1 Combat Communications Squadron (1CCS) for delivering the commu-nications required to operate the tower.

“There is an air traffic control console that has been totally gutted – the only thing that exists is a few live power outlets. Everything else was brought in by 1CCS and we brought in some of our own equipment,” he said.

On with the Air Pageant

AMAZING GRACE: The CAC Sabre flown by SQNLDR Paul Simmons, pictured inset.

Sabre dance an honour

Safe skies empowered from the tower

BUSY JOB: From left, 44WG JBACs FLTLT John Zamattia, SQNLDR Ken Van Raay, FLTLT Michael Skinner and SQNLDR Mark Oksansen man the Point Cook Air Traffic Control Tower during the Air Pageant.

HISTORY HEAVEN: One of the historic aircraft participating in the 2012 Air Pageant.

LOOK AT THAT: The CAC CA-25 Winjeels.

HOW: There was an array of WWII aircraft on display.

BITE FRIGHT: Above, A CAC Boomerang, left, and Curtiss P-40N Kittyhawk line up on the flightline of RAAF Base Point Cook.

AMAZING GRACE: The CAC Sabre flown

HOW: There was an array of WWII

LOOK AT THAT: The CAC CA-25 Winjeels

.

LL

COLOUR AND MOVEMENT: RAAF Williams - Point Cook was a hive of activity as fans gathered to see the many aircraft. Photos: LACW Nicci Freeman

12 March 15, 2012Exercise Cope North RCEAIR FF

On our gameJaimie Abbott

MORE than 1000 military personnel spent two weeks in Guam as part of Exercise Cope North 2012, and the RAAF

made its mark among the best of them.

The trilateral exercise was held in the skies above the Pacific Ocean from February 11 to 24, and was designed to enhance air operations between the US Air Force (USAF), Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the RAAF. It was the first time Australia has participated in the exercise since it began in 1978.

More than 1000 sorties were flown by about 80 aircraft. Among them were six 1SQN Super Hornets, a 2SQN Wedgetail and a 37SQN C-130. The JASDF flew the F-15 Eagle, F-2 attack fighter and E2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft, while the USAF were armed with the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker. ‘

Great opportunity to promote

security and cooperation

in the Pacific region.

– GPCAPT Geoff Harland

DIAGNOSIS: 1EHS medical assistant ACW Hollie Cartwright checks a patient during Exercise Cope North 2012 in Guam. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

During the exercise, participating forces demonstrated the ability to train together to improve aircrew abil-ities and employ tactical air power as a multinational force. The giant role-playing war game involved dedicated opposing ‘red air’ forces integrating into the real-life air combat scenarios.

US exercise director COL Marc Reese said it was a challenge any time 30 to 40 aircraft were in the sky.

“The key thing to me is the inter-operability and the understanding of the ways each of the other nations will look to employ their forces,’’ he said.

In addition to air combat forces, the 37SQN C-130 participated in a human-itarian assistance disaster relief sce-nario as well as being part of the major airborne packages in the exercise.

RAAF exercise director GPCAPT Geoff Harland said Cope North was a “great opportunity to promote security and cooperation in the Pacific region”.

CO 1SQN WGCDR Murray Jones said the face-to-face time was invalu-able, and squadron detachment com-mander SQNLDR Cameron Cornell said it was a great learning experience for Super Hornet aircrew.

“One of the biggest lessons on these types of exercises isn’t so much about the flying and the individual missions,” SQNLDR Cornell said.

“We come here and you’ve got to sit down and put a lot of thought into

what we call your ground timeline, to guarantee you will become airborne on time and get to your target on time.”

Andersen Air Force Base – which has been host to the exercise for the past 10 years as a bilateral train-ing event between the JASDF and USAF – is designed to accommodate a maximum of 10 different types of aircraft, so the base was put to the limit when an additional 13 aircraft squadrons moved in for the exercise this year.

JASDF F-15 pilot Shingo Kimoto said it was their chance to shine dur-ing Cope North.

“We are living in a small coun-try island. We don’t have the good opportunity to exercise with the USAF and the RAAF, so in a differ-ent environment, in another country, we can try to prove our standards,’’ he said.

The exercise was the second overseas deployment for both the Super Hornet and Wedgetail since being delivered to the Air Force.

AT HER STATION: 2SQN ACO FLTLT Lee Stanway operates her console during an air battlespace control mission aboard a Wedgetail. Photo: SQNLDR Neil Whitehead

READY TO GO: JASDF exercise director COL Takahashi and his RAAF counterpart, GPCAPT Geoff Harland, lead the formation of the USAF, JASDF and RAAF personnel. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

JUST CHECKING: 2SQN aircraft technician CPL Michael Turner inspects the turbine blades on a Wedgetail. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

AERIAL FEED: Two 1SQN Super Hornets line up for a refuel from a USAF KC-135 tanker on the way home from Guam. Photo: SQNLDR Cameron Cornell

OFF THE GROUND: A USAF B-52 Stratofortress takes off from Andersen Air Force Base. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

EAGLE ROCKS: Right, a JASDF F-15 Eagle fighter takes off for an air combat mission. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

13March 15, 2012 Exercise Cope NorthRCEAIR FF

in Guam

Jaimie Abbott

IN A CHANCE to give back to the commu-nity, a large group of Air Force personnel spent half their weekend participating in a beautification project in a Guam village during Exercise Cope North 2012.

Paintbrushes and toolkits in hand, volunteers from the RAAF, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and US Air Force (USAF) spent the day at different locations throughout Dededo, includ-ing the library building, Senior Citizens’ center, Benavente Middle School and Maria Ulloa Elementary School.

When the volunteers arrived at the

elementary school there was not much of a playground at all. Once they got to work, it was quickly built and painted. Together they refurbished swing sets and hallways and restored buildings.

2SQN volunteer FLGOFF Alexandra Deitch said it was a fun and reward-ing to be able to contribute to the local community.

“It would have no doubt put smiles on the faces of all the children there,” she said.

1SQN volunteer CPL Scott Dawson said it was also rewarding to work alongside their exercise counterparts.

“It’s good to get to work with the

Japanese and the US air forces because we learn from each other,” CPL Dawson said. “We find out things we do differ-ently and adapt, making it easy to work together.”

The community event was an initia-tive of Cope North, and was designed to bring the services together and allow them to make their mark in the local community as well as learn things from one another.

Air Commander Australia AVM Mel Hupfeld joined in the community day, which included a lunch with the Dededo mayor and the Yigo deputy mayor.

The mayor’s office was also among

the buildings that needed some atten-tion.

Mayor Melissa B. Savares was grateful for the help. “I would like to thank all representatives and volunteers from the Cope North 2012 exercise who came out to the village,” she said.

Maria Ulloa Elementary School assistant principal Josephine Parel-Fontbuena was also grateful.

“We are really, really happy to have them here today; the playground looks beautiful now,” Ms Parel-Fontbuena said.

“Earlier it was really dull, but now because of the colours and new swing sets the children will be very happy.”

Village says thanks for big spruce-up

REWARDING: 1SQN’s CPL Scott Dawson paints playground equipment. Photo courtesy USAF

POINTING THE WAY: Above, 1SQN armament technician SGT Daniel Scott talks to Chief Master Staff Sergeant Satoshi Yudahira, of the JASDF, about the Super Hornet.

HERC WORK: Right, a 37SQN technician stands fireguard on the start-up of C-130 for a mission.

DISCUSSION: Left, ACAUST AVM Mel Hupfeld talks to RAAF and USAF members during the exercise.

SUPER JOB: Above, 1SQN avionics technician CPL Ken McNelley (front) leads the crew of technicians launching Super Hornets.

INSTRUCTIONS: Left, 2SQN mission commander FLTLT Martin Davies, centre, briefs the aircrew on an air combat mission.

HIVE OF ACTIVITY: A 1SQN Super Hornet sits on the tarmac at Andersen Air Force Base while a JASDF F-2 fighter takes to the air for a mission during Exercise Cope North 2012.

Photos: CPL Col Dadd

14 15RCEAIR FF March 15, 2012Exercise Cope North

‘P

ROMPTED by last year's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, for the fi rst time Exercise Cope North 2012 included

a Humanitarian Assistance and Dis-aster Relief (HADR) component.

A 42-strong RAAF contingent from Combat Support Group (CSG) worked with the US Air Force’s (USAF) 36th Contingency Response Group (CRG) in building a tent city, and over a week they simulated possible conditions during real-world relief efforts.

Together they operated out of North West Field, an old WWII airfield on Guam’s northern end. Throughout the simulation, different roles were played out such as secu-rity, emergency response, medical and evaluation.

36 CRG Deputy Commander LTCOL Joseph Mull said the camaraderie developed with the Australians was “awesome”.

"The reason why we are here is because we all need each other," he said.

A separate contingent of 30 per-

Real-world relief effortsCombat support and air lift personnel join forces for humanitarian and disaster relief activity in Guam, reports Jaimie Abbott and Eamon Hamilton.

sonnel supported a C-130H from 37SQN.

They worked alongside American air lift and combat support ele-ments, including a Hercules from the USAF’s 36th Airlift Squadron from Yokota Air Force Base, Japan.

37SQN XO SQNLDR Ken Rogers said they played a new role within the exercise, which was external to the larger exercise with fighters and strike aircraft.

“Within the scenario, we were simulating the resupply of an island that had suffered an earthquake and was in need of international assis-tance,” SQNLDR Rogers said.

The role required C-130s to land at North West Field and conduct onload and offload of cargo with engines running, or alternatively air-drop of the cargo.

For Cope North’s second week, Hercules missions were integrated within the wider Cope North activi-ties, preparing aircrews for higher-threat environments.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel watched the HADR response, less than 12 months after

seeing it play out in their own coun-try during Operation Pacific Assist.

“They flew on board with us, and were also out in the field watching,” SQNLDR Rogers said.

RAAF exercise director GPCAPT Geoff Harland said the activity was valuable due the likelihood of the RAAF being called upon to assist in future disaster relief operations.

CO 381 Expeditionary Combat

Support Squadron WGCDR Lee de Winton led the RAAF CSG contin-gent.

She said their work was a con-tinuation of an airfield activation in Shoalwater Bay during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, which was also undertaken with 36 CRG.

“This was the first exercise of this type conducted with the USAF in an overseas environment

by CSG,” WGCDR de Winton said. “It was an interoperable activity – while 36 CRG held the command position, we filled the XO position; roles such as operations and air load teams were completed jointly. This was agreed in advance for the purpose of a successful exercise.”

Plans are under way for North West Field to be upgraded to allow more than one aircraft to operate from the field, and in the next exer-cise Japan may bring C-130s to par-ticipate in the flying component.

WGCDR de Winton said the emerging relationship between American and Australian combat support elements benefited greatly from Cope North, and future exer-cises would enhance CSG capabil-ity.

“Conducting HADR activities is especially important, given the unpredictability within this region,” she said.

“It’s been great to meet our sis-ter squadron too – all of this is built on relationships that will endure throughout what we do in this region.”

This was the first exercise of this type

conducted with the USAF in an overseas environment

by CSG. – WGCDR Lee de Winton

TOP OF THE GAME: Above, 37SQN loadmaster WOFF Randolph Jachimowicz connects a piece of equipment to a C-130 as other 37SQN and USAF maintainers prep the aircraft for an airdrop mission. Photo: SrA Asha Kin, USAF

LOOKING ON: CPL Jamey Hudson, of 1AOSS, watches his team work with the USAF to unload a C-130. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

READY AND WAITING: Above, 37SQN loadmaster SGT Josh Kelly waits to open the ramp after an airdrop mission. Photo: SrA Asha Kin, USAFON CAMERA: Below, CO 381ECSS WGCDR Lee de Winton is interviewed by USAF airmen during the exercise. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

AND THEY’RE AWAY: Above and left, 37SQN loadmasters SGT Josh Kelly and WOFF Randolph Jachimowicz offload heliboxes during a humanitarian and disaster relief activity for Exercise Cope North in Guam. Photos: SrA Asha Kin, USAF (main) and CPL Col DaddFRONT ROW SEAT: Below, 37SQN C-130 co-pilot FLTLT Chris Ahearn in the cockpit during an airdrop mission. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

PLANNING IN PROGRESS: Above and left, USAF and RAAF Hercules aircrew and ground crew members prepare for the missions ahead. Photos: SrA Asha Kin, USAF

PULLING TOGETHER: USAF and RAAF air load teams unload equipment from a USAF C-130. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

LET’S GO: A USAF firefighter from 36 CRG helps evacuate a pilot during a training scenario. Photo: SrA Asha Kin, USAF

16 March 15, 2012Exercise Cope North RCEAIR FF

Jaimie Abbott

EXERCISE Cope North 2012 marked the begin-ning of what’s set to be a demanding year for the Wedgetail Airborne Early

Warning and Control aircraft, as it moves towards declaring initial operational capability (IOC) later this year.

After it won the title of being the first large RAAF aircraft to successfully complete air-to-air refuelling (AAR) last November with the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s KC-135, during Exercise Cope North 2012 it successfully completed AAR with the USAF’s own version of the tanker.

This was the Wedgetail’s second overseas exercise since it became a RAAF-owned asset, after it debuted at Exercise Bersama Lima in Malaysia last year. Cope North marked another step forward in the $3.9 billion project that will pro-vide the Air Force with a leading-edge command and control surveil-lance aircraft.

Fifty-six personnel made up the 2SQN detachment, which included pilots, air combat officers, airborne

Wedgetail in demand2SQN works its capability with counterparts in Guam

electronic analysts, maintenance, operations, administration and intel-ligence personnel.

CO 2SQN WGCDR Paul Carpenter praised the detachment’s efforts.

“Everyone in the squadron worked so hard to ensure our suc-cess during Cope North 2012,” WGCDR Carpenter said.

Senior engineering officer SQNLDR Amool Prasad was also impressed with his team.

“While there are many chal-lenges in maintaining a complex jet at an away-base location, the maintainers showed off their Aussie know-how to improvise, overcome and adapt,” SQNLDR Prasad said.

The Wedgetail platform includes a phased array radar and an extensive communications suite. The Boeing 737s are modified to accommodate sophisticated mission systems and an advanced multi-role radar that will increase Australia’s surveillance and air combat capabil-ity, as well as provide a significant increase in capability in all joint arenas, and assist in civil operations such as border protection and search and rescue.

The Wedgetail will also practise AAR when it participates for the

first time in Exercise Red Flag in Alaska in June.

OC 42WG GPCAPT Tracey Friend said the aircraft would be participating in some other big exercises this year.

“We’ll be taking the aircraft to Exercise Bersama Shield in Malaysia in April, and then we will also participate in RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) in Hawaii and Exercise Pitch Black,” she said.

“At the end of this year, we will have declared IOC and will have a strong platform that can operate in an international environment.”

Cope North put all Wedgetail personnel to the test, including air combat officer FLGOFF Kent Lockwood, who said: “The experi-ence was valuable, and providing command and control for aircraft from different Air Forces in a range of scenarios was a great training opportunity.”

Airborne electronics analyst WOFF Graeme Abberton said it was also “great to establish rela-tionships with the Japanese and US personnel as we will no doubt run into them again in the future”.

PART OF THE TEAM: Above, ACO FLGOFF Kent Lockwood gives the thumbs up at his console aboard the Wedgetail during an air battlespace control mission; left, technician CPL Brett Whalley refuels the aircraft; and below, 2SQN XO SQNLDR Simon Wildermuth stands at his ACO station. Photos: SQNLDR Neil Whitehead and CPL Col Dadd

IN FLIGHT: Above, 2SQN AEA WOFF Graeme Abberton checks the aircraft surveillance system during an exercise mission; below, the Wedgetail takes off from Andersen Air Force Base. Photos: CPL Col Dadd

NICE RIDE: Two USAF members exit the 2SQN Wedgetail after a tour of the aircraft during Exercise Cope North 2012. Photo: CPL Col Dadd

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FeatureRCEAIR FF March 15, 2012 17

CAF was right about his SSV not having any rattles. During my 15 minutes behind the wheel you would not guess it was built in 2007. The engine felt fresh and was willing to rev in every one of its six manual gears. The suspension seemed tight, but not kidney-jarringly so. The interior, complete with red and black leather seats, dash and steering wheel, appeared almost new. This SSV has aged well and is a credit to its owner, who has kept it in near showroom condition. This is a difficult task for anyone who owns a red car, as they are known to fade over time.

As it is an SSV, resale on this particular vehicle should be good when sold either privately or as a trade-in, with a top market estimated private price of nearly $28,000. This SSV lives up to its reputation of being a powerful family sized sedan, capable of towing your second transport – even if it is a glider.

This is the first of an occasional My Ride column in Air Force News. If you have a car or motorcycle you would like featured, contact SGT Andrew Hetherington on (02) 6266 7614 or at andrew.hetherington@defencenews.gov.au ‘

I BOUGHT my ride brand new in 2007. The VE Holden Commodore SSV is a good performance package and honest car. I’ve had a VL turbo, VR

SS, VX SS, VY SS and now this SSV. There are better cars around, but the SSV is a solid car that handles well and has the flexibility to carry a fam-ily and tow my glider. At seven metres, the trailer for my Schleicher ASW-20B glider means the SSV is perfect.

It has great seats and is easy to drive on long trips. I’ve found after four years it doesn’t have any rattles and squeaks. I think I’ll keep it for a while, as there’s not many differences between it and a 2012 model.

You can’t compare flying aircraft to driving, but the SSV helps keep the heart racing when I haven’t been fly-ing for a while.

One day I’d like to chip it to add some more power and do a track day, but it’s hard to find the time.

When I was a Roulette, I flew displays at Bathurst and the Adelaide and Melbourne F1 Grand Prix. I

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown and his 2007 Holden VE SSV Commodore, 6 speed manual, pumping out 270kW of power at 5700rpm and 530Nm of torque at 4400rpm from a 6.0L V8 engine. Current km on clock: 100,000km plus.Price when new: $52,490 before on road costs. Average market value now: between $19,600-$27,990.

even got to see a race or two! If I was to follow any particular drivers it would be Mark Webber, and Craig Lowndes, especially now he drives for Holden again. They’re both talented drivers and have a well-balanced personality.

We also have a 2008 red auto XR6 Falcon, which my wife mostly drives. I bought it because I think the

XR6 had a better six cylinder engine and transmission than Holden had at the time with the SV6. It’s not my preferred ride – I can’t get a really good driving position in it as the key hits my knee and the seats are too soft. Maybe I have had Holdens too long.

Looking back, the first cars I owned were mainly Italian. I chose

them because they’re fun to rev and drive. They’re the sort of cars you’d get up at 2am to drive, which I did when I was younger. I started in 1975, buying a white Fiat 125S, and I’ve owned a red Lancia Beta Coupe, but I always found the maintenance bills were hefty, and they’re not really family cars.

Later I had a red 1990 Toyota Celica, which is still in the family. I

never really fell in love with it, but like most Toyotas they’re reliable, go well and last the distance. It’s now done over 300,000km.

If I had unlimited funds my dream garage would contain red Ferraris, a green Aston Martin and a Lamborghini. Before I purchase any-thing, I’d have to make sure I would fit in the cockpit.

SSV, it will do me

MINI ROAD TESTby SGT Andrew Hetherington

READY TO GO: AIRMSHL Geoff Brown with his ride. Photo: SGT

Andrew Hetherington

W f t

MY RIDE

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18 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FFlightline

MINE BY DESIGN: Aircraft technician LAC Nick Pearsall, of 77SQN, in front the Hornet painted in the design he created (pictured up close, right). 77SQN members were asked to come up with a jet paint scheme to mark the squadron’s 70th anniversary this year. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett

HERON POSE: The Air Force electronic warfare team with a Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan; from left, LAC Wayne Krueger, WOFF Gary Anderson and CPL Kobriana Leslie. Photo: AB Peter Thompson

MOVING UP ON OPS: Above, CPL Lisa Gray, an operations clerk with the AP-3C detachment, after being promoted at Al Minhad Air Base in the Middle East.THIS WAY, PLEASE: Left, CPL Thomas Loewe, of 21SQN, directs traffic during the 2012 Air Pageant at RAAF Base Point Cook. Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman

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20 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FFPersonnel

Expressions of Interest

Role: Flight test engineerRank: FLTLTSpec: AERO/ARM/ELECTRClosing date: March 19.........................................

Role: SENGORank: SQNLDRSpec: AERO/ARM/ELECTRClosing date: March 19.........................................Role: Fully qualified transferSpec/mustering: MED/INTEL/GMEFITTClosing date: March 19.........................................Role: Defence Admin Assistant, HoniaraRank: WOFFMustering: ANYAClosing date: March 23.........................................Role: Defence Admin Assistant, Abu DhabiRank: WOFF

Mustering: ANYAClosing date: March 23.........................................Role: RemusterMustering: ARMFITT/LOADM/SIGSOP(T), SIGSOP(L)Closing date: March 26.........................................Role: Civil Schooling (Respec/Comm)Mustering: CHAP/ENVH/GMS/NURS/PHARMClosing date: March 30.........................................Role: Command and Staff CollegeRank: SQNLDR/WOFFSpec/mustering: ANYA/ANYOClosing date: March 30.........................................

� For information on how to apply, log on to People Central.

Air Force events calendarAir Force MuseumMarch 23-25: Australian Antique Aeroplane Association Fly-in, Cowra.

Air Force RoulettesMarch 15-18: Formula 1 Grand Prix, Melbourne. March 17: Skyfire and Government House Open Day, Canberra.March 23: National Wish Day, Portland, Victoria. March 25: Parafield Airshow, Adelaide.

Air Force BalloonMarch 10-18: Canberra Balloon Festival.March 18: Government House Open Day.

Air Force BandMarch 16: 70th anniversary parade for 75, 76 and 77SQNs, RAAF Base Williamtown.March 28: 1RTU graduation parade, RAAF Base Wagga.

AIR Force members are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to attend the inaugural Women’s Development Forum in Canberra from June 20-21.

The interactive forum, titled ‘Women in non-traditional employment thriving and surviving’, will feature presentations from senior Air Force leadership and include topics covering case studies, recruitment challenges, the support available for women in Air Force, and networking opportunities.

A Defgram will be released shortly with more details. For more information, contact SQNLDR Llani Kennealy at llani.kennealy2@defence.gov.au

First women’s forum

THE purpose of this article is to update Air Force personnel on the changes to be made to the next round of promotions following the conclusion of the Promotion Boards for 2012.

The officer and airmen pro-motion messages will be released to the wider Air Force on the DP-AF website from March 30.

Officer and airmen pro-motion board alignment

In order to more closely align the conduct of the officer and air-men promotion boards, the 2012 airmen promotion boards are now provided with the promo-tion target numbers and will now decide who will be promoted, rather than merit ranking the lowest cohort which falls within the approved target. Promotion boards are not driven by vacan-cies; rather by reported perfor-mance and potential. Vacancies reflect capability requirements and may not correlate with the number of promotable members in each promotion pool.

Changes to Promotion Board Codes

In response to feedback from the 2011 promotion board series, modifications were made to the 2012 promotion board codes in order to provide clearer guidance to both members and their chain of command of the results for those officers and airmen who

Changes to next promotion round

Report form numbers are not identified for promotion in competition with their peers. Each are assigned a promotion code by the promotion board that describes their relative compe-tiveness for promotion having regard to all relevant, available information:� ‘A’ – an officer/airman who

demonstrates superior poten-tial for promotion but is not sufficiently competitive for promotion relative to peers and having regard to promo-tion targets.

� ‘B’ – an officer/airman who demonstrates high potential for promotion but is not suf-ficiently competitive for pro-motion relative to peers and having regard to promotion targets.

� ‘C’ – an officer/airman who demonstrates potential for promotion but is not yet com-petitive for promotion relative to peers and having regard to promotion targets.Where appropriate, the pro-

motion board may further refine the ‘C’ code awarded by applying one of the following descriptors: Limited reporting history, a nar-row experience profile (officers and FSGTs only), non-compet-itive reported performance, or a lack of experience in current rank.� ‘X’ – an officer/airman

whose promotion potential

is assessed to be poor at this time as a consequence of: imposition of an administra-tive sanction, civil conviction, DFDA conviction, limited reporting history, no report-ing history the last three years (SGTs and below only), a narrow experience profile (officers and FSGTs only), non-competitive reported performance, a ‘not recom-mended for Promotion’ recommendation supported by the narrative, or a lack of experience in current rank.

2013 PAR submission deadlines

The deadline for the submis-sion of Performance Appraisal Reports (PARs) for the 2013 pro-motion board series is December 10. The responsibility for the submission of PARs rests with the member, assessor, senior assessor and commanders.

Changes to PRP and PAR forms

After tri-service consulta-tion, new Preliminary Review of Performance (PRP) and PAR forms have been developed which provide more detailed assessment criteria along with an additional assessment level for each of the PAR assessment sections. The new PRP and PAR forms replace the previous forms. Should commanders and asses-

sors be required to provide a PAR for pre-2012 reporting periods, the old PAR forms must be used. See the breakout box for PRP and PAR form numbers.

For more information on the Air Force promotion system, visit the DP-AF website or contact Promotions Cell personnel FLTLT Adam Hurrell on (02) 6265 2220 or WOFF Kellie Wood on (02) 6265 2268.

Preliminary Review Of Performance For ADF Officers � Pre 2012 – AC 833-14� 2012 onwards – AD645-7

ADF Performance Appraisal for Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen and Airwomen Preliminary Review of Performance� Pre 2012 – AC 833-24� 2012 onwards – AD645-8

RAAF Officer Performance Appraisal Report � Pre 2012 – AC 833-13� 2012 onwards – AD647

Airmen and Airwomen Performance Appraisal Report� Pre 2012 – AC 833-24� 2012 onwards – AD650

AFFECTING THE RANKS: Personnel eligible for promotion in 2013 should be aware of changes being made by DP-AF.

Reminder to reservist homeownersRESERVISTS receiving subsidies under the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) must provide effective service to ensure their entitlements don’t change, according to Relocations and Housing Director Alan McClelland.

“If a reservist fails to

perform 20 or more reserve days in a service year, the member’s continued eli-gibility or entitlement to the DHOAS subsidy could be adversely affected,” Mr McClelland said.

Reservists should notify the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the scheme admin-

istrator, if they are unable to meet the effective service requirement. A DVA rep-resentative will be able to discuss the options available to individual members.

For more information, visit www.dhoas.gov.au or call 1300 434 627.

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21March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF Personnel

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DEFENCE families were among the guests at the official opening of the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Headquarters in Deakin, Canberra, on February 29.

Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon official-ly opened the building, collocating DCO Canberra and the Canberra ADF Transition Centre.

DCO Director General Michael Callan said the opening was an impor-tant day in the organisation’s 16-year history.

“It is the culmination of four years of hard work to strengthen DCO’s capa-bility and focus our services where they are most needed,” Mr Callan said.

“In December 2007, my vision was to develop a high-performing organisa-tion, well respected and able to respond to the emerging issues of Defence fami-lies.

“Since then DCO has been devel-oping an integrated service delivery model, where Defence families receive services based on best practice, good governance and measured performance

consistently delivered across the nation regardless of posting locality.

“This approach is underpinned by a self-reliance strategy designed to build the capacity of the Defence community.

“DCO’s mantra is ‘Strong families, strong communities, strong Defence’.”

The services provided by DCO include support for partners’ education and employment, help with childcare, financial support for Defence commu-nity groups and support to families dur-ing crisis and emergency, and education support for children.

During the ceremony, CDF GEN David Hurley re-signed the ADF Family Covenant on behalf of Defence and said members of the ADF could not do their jobs without the help and sup-port of their families and loved ones.

“The ADF Family Covenant articu-lates how highly Defence values the significant and irreplaceable contribu-tion families make to the operational effectiveness of our Defence force,” GEN Hurley said.

The final part of the ceremony was the formal introduction of the CDF’s wife, Linda Hurley, as the Patron of the Defence Community Organisation.

CPL Mark Doran

ASSISTANCE for families is now available 24 hours a day with the launch of the Defence Family Helpline.

The helpline, which is staffed by human services professionals includ-ing social workers and psychologists, was officially opened by Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon on February 29.

It offers referrals, information and advice on deployments and postings, childcare, community support pro-grams, employment and education assistance, crisis and emergency sup-port and help for members leaving the ADF.

Mr Snowdon said the Defence Family Helpline was part of Defence’s commitment to improving the strength and resilience of families.

“The helpline will also offer assis-tance at the most critical times of all – in emergencies,” Mr Snowdon said.

“It’s good to know that when your partner’s deployed and the worst hap-pens at home, help is just a phone call away.”

DCO Director of Operations Cathy Davis said the helpline was already receiving a range of calls both domesti-cally and from members deployed over-seas.

“An advantage of the helpline is it also centralises the intake system for DCO, which gives us a good oversight of the range of issues members and their families are facing,” Ms Davis said.

“On our first official day of opera-tion we had 56 phone calls and received seven official requests for DCO sup-port. And I received four phone calls overnight.”

The helpline can be called on 1800 624 608 or emailed at DefenceFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au, or visit www.defence.gov.au/dco for information on the range of support services provided to families of ADF members.

Boost to family support

New headquarters combines services COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Samantha Murray and her daughters Lauren and Zara meet CDF GEN David

Hurley and his wife, Linda, at the official opening of the Defence Family Helpline and the Defence Community Organisation Headquarters in Canberra. Photo: CPL Mark Doran

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Safe hands

22 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FPersonnel

My name is Tina Stuchbury and my hus-band is the late WGCDR Grant Stuchbury. He passed away suddenly on December

12 at home. Your newspaper ran a story on Grant in the February 2 edition. Thank you for this, it was lovely to see.

My family and I would like to pass on our thanks to all the wonderful Air

Force personnel who came from far and wide to attend Grant’s funeral service on December 22. I did not know many

Letter to the editor�My namband is He pass

12 at on GThasee

on oForce

and widon Dece

�

Overwhelmed by support

WING Commander (AAFC) Robert Somerville recently created a piece of Air Force history when he became the first Aboriginal officer to be appointed the OC of a wing in the Australian Air Force Cadets.

He commands the 750 staff and cadets of 7WG in Western Australia.

In 1969, aged 14, WGCDR Somerville joined the Air Force Cadets (then called the Air Training Corps) in the Perth suburb of Belmont.

Since then, he has become a multi-engine, instru-ment-rated pilot and qualified parachutist.

“As a young Aboriginal teen from a single par-ent family living in state-owned housing, joining the Air Training Corps was my first experience of being treated equally,” WGCDR Somerville said.

“I learned the real meaning of equity was that no matter how rich you were, and regardless of the col-our of your skin or the language you spoke, you were judged solely on your achievements and character.

“This is one of the great values of the AAFC, where everyone is treated equally and you advance on the basis of merit.

“Being treated as an equal, largely unique for Aboriginal people in those days, inspired and empowered me to pursue a professional career as a primary school teacher, school principal and then school superintendent, mainly in the north west of WA.”

He has just finished 10 years as the WA Government’s Director of Aboriginal Education and is now Adjunct Associate Professor at Edith Cowan University and Principal Adviser to the National Principals Association’s Institute.

“I owe this organisation [the cadets] a great deal, and am delighted to now be able to further encour-age young Australians from all backgrounds to join an organisation that will firmly encourage them to achieve their dreams – while also having a really good time,” he said.

He was commissioned in 1978 and since then has served as a squadron CO as well as a range of staff appointments, including adult leadership training.

In 2003, he was awarded Membership of the Order of Australia for services to WA youth through the AAFC and to indigenous young people as an educator.

A STUDENT at the Australian National University doing a PhD in Australian peacekeeping in the Pacific, specifically Bougainville, Solomon Islands and East Timor, is seeking participants who would like to talk about their personal experiences during deployment. � If interested in participating, contact Kimberley

Doyle at the ANU School of History on (02) 6125 2357 or kimberley.doyle@anu.edu.au

First for cadets

HISTORIC POST: OC 7WG WGCDR (AAFC) Robert Somerville is the first indigenous member to be appointed OC of a wing in the Australian Air Force Cadets. He has been involved with the cadets since 1969.Photo courtesy 7WG

Peackeepers wanted for study

of them and have no way of contacting them to thank them for their support. For those who sent cards, floral tributes, individual condolences, letters, food and visits, your thoughtfulness and love have been a great comfort to us. We have been overwhelmed by the support and kindness shown by the personnel of the Air Force, in particular, GPCAPT Forster Breckenridge, CHAP Peter Friend, CHAP Murray Fraser, SQNLDR Richard Rundle, SQNLDR James Pritchard, WOFF Lloyd Hamilton and Samantha Jenkinson. Please accept this letter as our personal thanks.

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23March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF History

Andrew Stackpool

WHEN 31 Radar Station (31RS) arrived at its Dripstone Caves site outside Darwin to set up

its radar on February 9, 1942, its anti-aircraft defences comprised a .303 rifle with no magazine or ammunition.

It would have been useless, any-way. On the day of the bombing of Darwin 10 days later, the men faced a worrying 10 minutes when a Japanese dive bomber circled the site.

FLTLT Kevin Wass, then a 19-year-old radar operator, said he believed the reason the aircraft did not attack was because radar was so new the aircrew had no idea what the radar station was.

Kevin enlisted in Brisbane on June 6, 1941, and was one of the first of the new specialist radar operators.

The system was so new they did not even train on working equipment.

Arriving in Darwin, the men had to make the equipment operational with-out knowing exactly how it all fitted together and other problems.

It was a complex task, made worse by being under enemy attack.

Kevin said the general feeling about the raids was one of complete mayhem.

“I saw three formations of 27 aircraft each in the first raid and also saw three Kittyhawks heading out to sea just as the raid began,” he said. “I saw a parachute come from each and the aircraft crash into the sea. I don’t think they even knew the Japanese were there.

“The second raid came in about 11am; it comprised 54 bombers and supporting aircraft.”

When the RAAF base moved 65km south to Adelaide River, 31RS remained in Darwin. It was effectively 65km ahead of the frontline, and could detect aircraft up to 225km or 60 minutes out.

“I could detect a Japanese recon-naissance aircraft come over the west coast, over to Daly River then Charles Point and then offshore.”

An hour after the plane left, anoth-

er raid would start. “However, as our fighter aircraft became available, they would be despatched and wait for the Japanese aircraft,” he said.

He said that after the move of the base, the station had difficulties with maintaining communications and get-ting even their daily basic needs.

“It would take transport vehicles a full day to arrive with our rations. However, we were able to get tins

of food that washed ashore from the sunken ships.”

After his time in Darwin, FLTLT Wass posted to New Guinea to set up and operate other radar stations before retouring to Brisbane and then Nelson Bay.

In 1958, he commissioned and was posted to RAAF Bases Richmond, Butterworth and Darwin.

While he was at Richmond, on February 10, 1964, his wife was in hospital giving birth to his youngest son and he hoped to have time off. It was not to be. That night, the RAN aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne col-lided with its escort destroyer HMAS Voyager off Jervis Bay, and he was required for air traffic control of air-craft involved in the rescue.

He was in Darwin on Christmas Eve 1974 when the town was dev-astated again, this time by Cyclone Tracy.

FLTLT Wass played an important role in re-establishing the radar, which had been taken out as well as assisting with the huge air traffic control task-ing and getting the base operational as well as clean-up activities.

For this he received a commenda-tion.

He also suffered a severe gash, which needed stitching.

“I’m allergic to painkillers so the doctor gave me a stubby of beer before he stitched me up,” he said.

FLTLT Wass retired in 1976.

10 minutes of anxiety

SITTING DUCK: The unprotected 31 Radar Station’s site at Dripstone Caves .... fortunately, the attacking Japanese aircraft had no idea what it was. Inset: Kevin Wass who was a 19-year-old radar operator in 1942. Photos courtesy Geoff Wass

Bombing of Darwin

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If so, you need to understand export controls and how they may apply to your organisation.

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AG60870

Fit ball incline push-upsStart in the kneeling position with both hands on the fit

ball, your fingers facing for-ward and head neutral.

While contracting your abdominals, slowly lower your chest towards

the fit ball. Return back to the starting position and repeat. Once comfortable in the kneeling position and able to

perform at least 10 repetitions move up on to your toes, but be sure to keep your body in a straight line from your shoulders to your knees.If you are unstable on your toes, regress back to the kneeling position until stabil-

ity on the fit ball is achieved.

Fit ball decline push upsMethod: If the incline push-

ups are hardly a challenge for you then roll your body over the fit ball and walk your hands out until stable. For this exercise you can choose one of three leg level positions. Rest your thighs, shins or toes on top of the fit ball, whichever is most stable and comfortable for you. Align your hands under your shoulders, hold your head in a neutral position and contract your abdominals while lowering your chest towards the ground. Once again, try to complete at least 10 repetitions. Once complete, walk your hands back until your body is back in the starting position with your hands on the fit ball and toes firmly on the ground. If performed correctly, both of these push-up variations will strengthen your chest, shoulders, triceps and core.

1

1

2

3Using a fit ball to perform simple exercises such as push-ups can provide a more intense workout, target different muscle groups and add variety to your fitness regime. PTI SGT Emma Adamson shows CPL Melanie Schinkel.

2

3

Having a ballHaving a ball

25March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF Sp rt

By FLTLT Matt Basedow who was part of a quartet of weightlifters put to the test last month

We suffered for it – but it took just 90 minutes to earn the respect of trainers from two Adelaide gyms

who invited two Air Force and two Army weightlifters to participate in a combined ADF and civilian weight training day.

The trainers, from MassiveJoes.com and Buddies Gym, prepared an exclusive back workout they called The Back Attack.

With RAAF Base Edinburgh now a super base and home to such units as 7RAR and 102 Battery, this training day provided not only an excellent opportunity for the ADF to train with the community, but also for Air Force and Army to train together.

The Air Force participants were myself and LAC Prajeev Mahendrarajah and Army PTIs SGT Rob Kawana and CPL Callan Metzger.

The intention of the workout was to provide us with information and education on specific strength and conditioning training as well as nutrition and to have a fun and safe workout.

But there was a harsh reality.

Trainers Joseph and Joel laid down the challenge for us to match their intensity. They were confident, and determined to see us break and quit.

We were separated into two groups and began the workout with a warm up. Then the pain started.

There were five different exercises to complete, with four sets per exer-cise. The goal was 10-15 repetitions for each set and continued until you reached complete muscle failure.

The first exercise was bent over rows.

I finished my first set completing a total of 12 reps. I racked the bar feel-ing proud of my effort and looked at Joe. He was staring at me.

“Is that it? Is that all you’ve got? My turn.”

After Joe completed his 16 reps he racked the bar, looked over and

CONCENTRATION: Above, LAC Prajeev Mahendrarajah practises his lifting techniques.

WEIGHTY MATTERS: Above, FLTLT Matthew Basedow puts his back into it, and left, teaming up with LAC Prajeev Mahendrarajah.

Photos: LACW Nicci Freeman

smiled. That look of “I just beat you, big time!” set the tone for the rest of the session.

From then on, the grunts, groans and screams were loud and frequent.

I don’t think I’ve had a weights workout that can match that level of intensity.

Everyone, including the trainers, were exhausted at the end of the ses-sion.

Joel, owner of Buddies Gym, said: “I like training with you guys.

You don’t complain, you don’t say I can’t or it’s too hard. You just keep going and going. That was an intense workout.”

That’s what we do, Joel. Regardless of whether you’re Navy, Army or Air Force, we are the ADF; one team with one purpose. To get the job done, whatever that job may be.

And Joseph said: “Because of what the Defence Force does for the civilian community, defending our

way of life, this is our chance to use our expertise to give something back. We plan to run these training sessions on a regular basis for any member who wants to improve their form, strength or muscle endurance.”

The following Monday, I ran into Rob and Callan in the gym on base.

“How’s your back?” Rob asked.Embarrassed, I responded “I’m in

agony. It hurts to lift my arms over my head.”

“Me too,” he replied.

Mission Mission Back Back AttackAttack

THE snow and ice which blanketed Afghanistan was hardly conducive to playing cricket, a game normally played in summer across the world.

But the cold weather did not stop ADF members from pausing from their duties and getting some games together to raise money for the McGrath Foundation’s Pink Stumps Day on February 18.

Not just in Afghanistan either. Games were held all across the MEAO: in Kandahar, Kabul, Tarin Kot, Qatar and even on board HMAS Parramatta.

In Kadahar, the game was played indoors (howzat for a weather solu-tion, ump?), and the money raised was gratefully received by event organiser FLGOFF Alex Barbaro, from Force Communications Unit 6, who was bowled over by the massive response from ADF troops and coalition part-ners in getting behind a worthy cause.

“There would be few people who don’t have a partner, mother, sister or friend who has been affected by breast cancer,” FLGOFF Barbaro said.

“This event was a perfect oppor-

The pink guys who came in from the cold

tunity to support a charity that will in turn support women in our communi-ties.”

This was the second Pink Stumps Day held by the McGrath Foundation, which was co-founded by Jane McGrath and her cricketing husband Glen after Jane’s initial recovery from breast cancer.

All of the funds raised on Pink

Stumps Day go back to the McGrath Foundation to help place breast can-cer nurses in communities across Australia, as well as increase breast awareness in young Australian women.

To donate to the McGrath Foundation, go to www.gofundraise.com.au/page/ADFPinkStumpsDay

CHARITY PITCH: Members deployed at Kandahar Airfield play a game of cricket for Pink Stumps Day.

CHEQUE MATES: Above, FLGOFF Alex Barbaro who was handed a cheque for $500 by a construction company at Kandahar for Pink Stumps Day; left, FLTLT Craig Peterson wields the willow.

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26 March 15, 2012RCEAIR FSp rt

Setting off on a new

IT WILL come as no surprise to those who know him that FSGT Tony Benfer already has his sights on succeeding at a new sport next

year – cycling“I’m always looking to push

myself, see what my body can do,” he says.

FSGT Benfer, a physical train-ing instructor (PTI) at RAAF Base Wagga, was struck by a hit-and-run driver at Townsville in 2007. He lost his lower right leg and now has an artificial right elbow and only four fingers on his right hand.

Since entering the paralympic arena he has contested a number of sports, some of them quite diverse.

These include swimming, row-ing, wheelchair basketball, shooting, skiing, snowboarding and the newest feather in his cap, archery.

Swimming is where he has excelled most.

He recently returned from the US Marine Corps’ Paralympic Trials at Camp Pendleton in California, held from February 12 to 23, with four medals – all won in the pool.

He won gold medals in the 50m freestyle, the 100m freestyle and the 50m backstroke, and a silver medal in the 4x50m relay.

He had won those same gold-medal events at the inaugural US Marine Corps’ Paralympic Trials in 2011, so this was a once-more-with-feeling achievement. To drive it home strongly, though, he broke his own record in each event – by 3sec in the 50m freestyle, by 4sec in the 100m freestyle and by 5sec in the 50m backstroke.

At the 2011 trials competitors came from just three countries: US, Britain and Australia.

This year it was also opened up to Germany, Canada, France, Colombia and the Netherlands and the number of competitors were up from 176 to more than 300. “Competition was much fiercer than last year,” FSGT Benfer says.

At the 2011 trials, he was intro-

duced to the sport of wheelchair bas-ketball and found he was quite good at it. His team won a silver medal in the final in a close, thrilling game and since then he has competed in a Wednesday night competition in Wagga.

This year he tried recurve bow archery for the first time. The memory still makes his mind boggle. All up, there were 95 competitors and 48 of them could be on the line at any one time firing their arrows towards the targets. He estimates the line was no more than 70 metres – which doesn’t leave a lot of shoulder room for eve-ryone. Good for togetherness, not so

good for any Robin Hood types who like to range over an area about the size of Sherwood Forest.

FSGT Benfer did not win any archery medals but found he was quite good at it. He was encouraged to stick with the sport and plans to give that some thought.

One thing that requires no further thought, though, is cycling.

FSGT Benfer took time at the tri-als this year to check out the 30km road cycling race.

It was won by an American. “Nice guy. He entered the swimming too. Very competitive.”

But so is FSGT Benfer. Competitive and determined.

“I reckon I can beat him,” he says in the same tone of voice you and I might ask the other person at the table to pass the sugar.

For the past two months FSGT Benfer has ridden his bike to and from work, clocking up to 100km a week.

He plans to step this up closer to next year’s trials. There will be hills, you see, and luckily there are a few nasty big hills around Wagga too.

We don’t need to worry about his swimming dropping off. He plans to also keep up his almost daily swim-

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Air Force News back page last March.

ming sessions. The cycling is just an added goal.

But first things first.As this newspaper goes to print,

FSGT Benfer is preparing for a date with a surgeon in Wagga.

On March 16 he is due to have shoulder surgery to realign the head of the humerus back in the socket and repair the numerous capsule tears.

You can trace this injury back to his accident in 2007 through it has

been exacerbated by all his training since.

He has no idea how long it will sideline him. Six weeks is the aver-age, but that will become clearer when the surgeon goes in and finds out the extent of the damage.

He laughs at the thought of him being the PTI driving his own rehab. We suspect he will be a tough task-master.

“My next challenge.”

FEATHER IN HIS CAP: There was no gold at the end of this bow, but FSGT Tony Benfer found out he was quite good at recurve bow archery.

RECORD BREAKER: FSGT Tony Benfer in the 50m backstroke. He not only won gold in the event but shaved his own record by 5sec.

But wait, there’s more. FSGT Tony Benfer is looking beyond the pool for more success. John Martin reports.

BTDTAFNbplM

Rattle those pots and pans and score a touchdownIN THE bad old days, it used to be the team manager’s job to double as cook for the ADF touch football team.

But when 113 members of the Australian Defence Touch Association (ADTA) converged on Port Macquarie for the 2012 National Touch League, they took three cooks with them.

The titles started on March 8 and were due to finish on March 11 – after this newspaper went to print.

So we can’t tell you the results or even what was on the menu.

Tour o rgan ise r SGT Je remy Armstrong said the touch players had been taking cooks for about five years.

“It makes perfect sense and I have suggested to a few of the other sports associations that they should include them on their tours also,” he said.

“It used to be the team manager’s job to cook and we have some young man-agers who don’t even know how to cook

for themselves, let alone 16 other peo-ple. This way we can ensure the play-ers get the right sustenance at the right time.”

Six ADTA teams were among the 123 teams competing in 14 divisions in one of the biggest touch carnivals in NSW. ADTA fielded teams in the women’s open, men’s open, men’s 30s, men’s 40s, men’s 45s and senior mixed divisions.

The ADTA contingent included 45 RAAFies – 33 players, four referees and eight support staff.

“In the past it’s been a case of who-ever could afford to pay for themselves went rather than the best players going.

“With the change in funding arrange-ments through the Australian Defence Sports Council, ADTA has been able to identify and take the players we wanted to take, so we’re hoping the results will reflect that,” SGT Armstrong said.

WE WANT YOUR NEWS

If you have sports news of interest to the service newspapers, contact Sharon Palmer, (02) 6266 7612 or sharon.palmer@defencenews.gov.au

27March 15, 2012RCEAIR FF Sp rt

From Back Page“The competition was fantastic

and highlights how important sport is to rehabilitation and recovery,” FSGT Benfer said.

The Australian team includ-ed amputees, a double amputee, members who have experienced traumatic brain injury and other service-related injuries.

The competition was organised by the US Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Regiment and included more than 300 military personnel from eight countries.

FSGT Benfer said sport had been critical to his rehabilitation and recovery since the accident, soon after returning from deploy-ment.

“Being competitive in sport keeps you fit and healthy which is an important part of our rehabilita-tion,” he said.

He said he was left humbled by the courage of other coalition soldiers with severe injuries and wounds who battled adversity on a daily basis.

“It was really humbling how these soldiers, with such injuries and wounds, are always smiling and never complaining about their situation – just getting on with their lives,” he said.

FSGT Benfer, who is posted to RAAF Wagga as a PTI, said he hoped to compete in the event again next year because competi-tive sport was an important part of the rehabilitation and recovery process.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon welcomed home the athletes at Sydney Airport, say-ing the seven ADF participants had brought great pride to Australia and their respective services with their sporting achievements.

“This competition is about overcoming adversity, and the ADF team has worked hard, shown determination and in many events, has come out on top,” he said.

Mr Snowdon said the team’s involvement in these trials was part of the ADF Paralympic Sports Program, a clinical rehabilitation initiative that uses adaptive sport to optimise functional independence, physical fitness and promote posi-tive self image.

“Their rehabilitation and activi-ties such as Exercise Wounded Warrior aids in bringing them back to the enjoyable and quality lives that we all expect to live,” he said.

“The team members have faced a range of major challenges since sustaining their injuries, but Defence is committed to support-ing our injured personnel and has a full range of programs in place for them and their families.”

Joy comes after terrible accident

golden path

A REAL BLAST: Aside from his sporting prowess, FSGT Tony Benfer is a pretty handy didgeridoo player. The ADF team took a didge over to the US and FSGT Benfer, who says he can circulate his breath for three minutes, played it at every event where an Australian competed or received a medal at a ceremony. Don’t believe us? Then check this video out with him playing at the wheelchair basketball: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcZu_nUdgQw&feature=player_detailpage

ADSTA triathletes come out in forceCPL Mark Doran

AIR FORCE athletes hit 2012 run-ning when the Australian Defence Sports Triathlon Association (ADSTA) athletes competed in the Geelong Multisport Festival on February 12, followed by the Jervis Bay Running Festival at Huskisson from February 18-19.

The ADF members were com-peting against some of the quick-est professional and age group ath-letes in the world, including current world champions.

PLTOFF Kendall Dransfield was the eighth-fastest ADSTA com-petitor in the Olympic Distance Triathlon at Geelong with a time of 2hr 26min 6sec for the 1500m swim, 40km ride and a 10km run event.

PLTOFF Dransfield said he played mainly soccer before he was posted to ADFA in 2012 when he started competing in triathlons.

“There is just something about racing – it’s a lot of fun and all the hard work you put into train-ing pays off on race day,” PLTOFF Dransfield said.

“I am still finding my feet and am training for six days a week, which could involve a swim, bike ride and a run on one day.

“I was a bit disappointed with my run at Geelong but I did well on the bike, maybe a bit too well, as I paid for it on the run. About half-

way through I started feeling a bit lazy and just had to remind myself to run faster.”

PLTOFF Dransfield’s next events include the Batemans Bay Sprint Distance Triathlon on March 31.

FLTLT Timothy Smith joined more than 3500 athle tes a t Huskisson and placed second in the ADSTA Sprint Championships with his time of 1:18.07.

Having competed in triathlons for the past 10 years, FLTLT Smith said it was an interesting sport because it had the three different disciplines which he also enjoyed and it was a good way to keep fit.

“The best part of the sport is not the training, it is the competing against a lot of athletes,” FLTLT Smith said.

He is now preparing for the Sydney Olympic Distance Triathlon (1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run) on April 15.

LEADING THE WAY: FLGOFF Bianca May at the Geelong Multisport Festival.

CPL Melanie Schinkel

SNOWBOARDER FLTLT Amanda Gosling won two titles and achieved several other podium positions against the British military on the slopes of France in January.

She was the sole RAAFie on a tri-service team of 21 from the Australian Defence Alpine Snowsports Association which participated in the biennial Exercise Alpine Challenge. On the international tour, she trained in Italy’s Aosta Valley and represented the ADF in both the Royal Navy alpine championships in Tignes, France, and the British inter-services snowsports championships in Meribel, France.

FLTLT Gosling, of 37SQN, was the overall female snowboarding champion in the 2010 British inter-services snow-sports championships and followed that up this year by finishing third in the same event.

“Luck didn’t go my way during a few events this year, so I didn’t do as well as I did back in 2010,” she said.

“Overall, I’m happy with how I per-formed.”

FLTLT Gosling said Exercise Alpine Challenge was a great success.

“It was the first time we had a full female snowboarding team, which just goes to show that women’s snow-boarding is really starting to take off in the ADF,” she said.

At Tignes, FLTLT Gosling won the parallel giant slalom and boarder cross and then finished second in the slope-style event.

In the Meribel competition she was second in the both the parallel giant

slalom and slopestyle events, and fin-ished third in the category for overall female boarder.

“It was a tight battle for first place during the boarder cross event in Tignes. SGT Bianca Kaden and I are known rivals at ADF championships back home. We battled it out and it was a very close race – she was extremely tough to beat,” she said.

“We competed against each other again in the Meribel championship finals. The race was held at night but the slope was lit up like a football field. We could hear the other skiers and boarders who weren’t competing cheering us on from the bottom of the slope – a pretty amazing experience.”

She said the most exciting event she competed in during both competi-tions was slopestyle.

“I had only competed in this event once before in 2010 and it’s an event we don’t hold in our service competi-tions. We really liked the way the British ran the event and we’re planning to introduce it into our ADF competi-tions this year.”

FLTLT Gosling will not contest Air Force’s championships at Mt Hotham in Victoria from July 30 to August 5 because she will be deployed.

The best performers at the Air Force championships will be selected to compete in the national inter-service competition at Perisher in NSW from August 6 to 10.

For more information, visit the RAAF Alpine Sports Association website on the DRN.

Royal Navy alpine championships Boarder female parallel giant slalom: FLTLT Amanda Gosling 1.Skier male giant slalom: LCDR Daniel Crocker 2.Skier female giant slalom: LCPL Zoey Pepper 2, CPL Kris Rayner 3.Boarder cross female: FLTLT Amanda Gosling 1, SGT Bianca Kaden 2.Skier male Super-G: LCDR Daniel Crocker 1.Skier female Super-G: MAJ Claire Baker 1, LCPL Zoey Pepper 3.Boarder female slopestyle: SGT Bianca Kaden 1,

FLTLT Amanda Gosling 2.Skier male slalom: LMDR Daniel Crocker 1.Skier female slalom: LCPL Zoey Pepper 2, Claire Baker 3. British inter-services snowsports championshipsBoarder female parallel giant slalom: FLTLT Amanda Gosling 2.Boarder cross female: SGT Bianca Kaden 3.Boarder female slopestyle: FLTLT Amanda Gosling 2.Skier male slalom: LCDR Daniel Crocker 3.

BEST OF THE ADF PARTICIPANTS

POWDER UP: FLTLT Amanda Gosling during the female snowboarder parallel giant slalom event at the Royal Navy alpine championships.

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SP March 15, 2012

RTRTM

RepelRepelallallboardersboarders

Joy in aftermath of terrible accident

Snowboarder FLTLT Amanda Gosling returns from Europe after a string of top performances against the British military

Winning heavy hearts in Adelaide

– PAGE 25

REASON TO SMILE: FSGT Tony Benfer displays his latest clutch of medals at Sydney Airport.

Photo: AB Richard Cordell

Cricketers think pink to raise money for charity in MEAO – Page 25

– Full story, Page 27

Michael Brooke

AFTER FSGT Tony Benfer lost his lower right leg in a hit-and-run accident in Townsville in 2007, he never thought he would live a normal life again, let alone win a brace of gold medals in competitive sports competitions.

But the seemingly impossible

for FSGT Benfer became possible through the Joint Health Command’s ADF Paralympic Sports Program (ADFPSP), which is instrumental to the rehabilitation and recovery of wounded and injured ADF personnel.

The ADFPSP catapulted FSGT Benfer to a swag of triumphs in the swimming pool at the US Marine

Corps’ Paralympic Trials from February 12 to 23.

He won gold medals in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke and a silver in the 4x50m open freestyle relay.

FSGT Benfer, who also won three gold medals at the trials last year and broke his own records in all three

events, was one of seven injured or wounded ADF personnel to compete.

Between them they won 14 gold medals, three silvers and two bronzes.

To Page 27

➤ Eyes on the nextchallenge, Page 26

FLYING HIGH: FLTLT Amanda Gosling soars down the slope during the female snowboarder parallel giant slalom at the 2012 Royal Navy Alpine Championships in Tignes, France.