POWER OF FIVEAustralia joins forces with international partners for Exercise Bersama Shield CENTREPIECE

As dawn breaks over Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth, an RAAF AP-3C Orion stands ready for a training mission as part of Exercise Bersama Shield. Inset, FLTLT Nathan White conducts flight checks inside the cockpit of a KA350 King Air. Photos: CPL David Cotton

D-DAY REMEMBERED – 70TH ANNIVERSARY LIFTOUT

AIRF RCEVol. 56, No. 11, June 19, 2014 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

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DISCLAIMERAir Force News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under contract by Horton Media Australia Ltd. The mate-rial published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Air Force News. Every adver-tisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News approval and the Directorate of Defence News may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertise-ment. The Directorate accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence News. The fact that an advertisement is accepted for publication does not mean that the product or service is endorsed by the Department of Defence or Air Force News.

RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORKLiving the Air Force Values:

2 June 19, 2014RCEAIR FNews

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 2014

OFFICER IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIAAVM Colin THORNE (retd) For distinguished service to the ADF in senior materiel appointments.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSSGPCAPT Ian BROWNINGFor outstanding achieve-ment in expeditionary airbase capability develop-ment.

GPCAPT Deanne GIBBONFor outstanding devotion to duty as Director Review into the Treatment of Women in the ADF Project in the Defence People Group.

GPCAPT Gregory HOFFMANNFor outstanding achievement as OC of the Training Aircraft Systems Program Office.

GPCAPT Keith JOINERFor outstanding devotion to duty in test and evaluation for the ADF.

GPCAPT Brendan ROGERSFor outstanding achievement in air-borne electronic warfare capability development and delivery for the ADF.

MEMBER IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIAWOFF Dimitri DUFOUR For exceptional service to Air Force as the maintenance lead in the US Resident Project Team for a F/A-18 Hornet upgrade, and WOFF Engineer of No. 3 Squadron.

AIRCDRE Henrik EHLERS For exceptional service as Director Coordination – Air Force, Director General Defence Force Recruiting and Director General Culture Reviews Response from 2008 to 2013.

GPCAPT Sarah PEARSON For exceptional service to the ADF in the field of logistics.

AIRCDRE Michael WALKINGTON For exceptional service to the ADF in the fields of telecommunications acquisition and sustainment, capabil-ity enablement and Australian air traf-fic management.

MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE MILITARY DIVISION

SQNLDR David BURNSFor meritorious service to Air Force in the field of engineering support to training aircraft and maritime patrol capabilities.

THE BAR TO THE CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDALGPCAPT Diane JENSENFor meritorious devotion to duty as an Assistant Inspector General ADF.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDALSQNLDR Adam BOWLERFor meritorious devotion to duty as the Officer-in-Charge of Servicing and Structural Integrity Flight in the Maritime Patrol Systems Program Office.

FLTLT Nadia HARRISONFor meritorious achievement as the SO3 Satellite Communications for the Directorate of Information and Communications Technology Capability Coordination, Chief Information Officer Group.

WOFF Sam LACEYFor meritorious achievement as Capability Development Operations One at Headquarters Air Mobility Group.

WOFF Sean O’TOOLEFor meritorious devotion to duty as the Road Movements Officer at No. 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron.

WGCDR Nicholas ROBERTSONFor meritorious achievement as the Staff Officer Logistics and Engineering at Headquarters No. 81 Wing.

SQNLDR Phillip SYDNEY-JONESFor meritorious devotion to duty in AP-3C Orion aircraft operations.

WGCDR Paul WHITEFor meritorious achievement in the field of engineering management for the Air Defence Ground Environment.

SQNLDR Brett WILLIAMSFor meritorious devotion to duty as Commander Joint Task Force 639 Air Component Coordination Element supporting Operation Resolute.

COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICEGPCAPT Kevin MURRAYFor distinguished performance of duty in warlike operations as the Commander of the JTF 633 Air Component on Operation Slipper from October 2012 to April 2013.

FLTLT Bruce Chalmers

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown gave a far-reaching view of the integrated systems approach that will enhance our air combat force when he addressed the Williams Foundation in Canberra in May.

“By 2025 we will have a fleet of F-35A supplemented by the Super Hornet,” he said.

“ S u p p o r t i n g s y s t e m s l i k e Wedgeta i l , Growler, KC-30A, Vigilaire and Over the Horizon Radar, and maritime patrol fleet P-8A and Triton will enhance the effectiveness of our air combat force.”

Each system by itself is very capa-ble, but designed to be used in an inte-

grated system and will change how the Air Force interacts with Navy and Army, as well as allies.

“We cannot be complacent, that simply by having the F-35A aircraft we have a fifth-generation capability,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“We need to think about how we employ our air combat forces, as a system of systems.

“There will be fundamental dif-ferences in how we operate, train and support the force. We need to stop thinking about individual platforms and truly embrace the integrated air combat system.

“While the F-35A can find, fix, track, target, engage and assess itself, it will be more effective if other sys-

tems in the integrated system can do the same.”

Given the value of situational awareness, AIRMSHL Brown said multi-mission integration and coordi-nation should feature more than it has with current and earlier generations of aircraft.

“We are already in the process of transforming the way we deliver com-bat support and maintenance,” he said.

“Importantly, our mid-term trans-formation plan, Plan Jericho, will address fifth-generation capabilities, which we will launch in 2015.

“Working with Army and Navy will be critical to our success – fifth generation is not a single-service issue.”

An integrated systems future

Plan Jericho will address fifth-generation capabilities when it launches next year. Photo: Tom Reynolds

FLTLT Bruce Chalmers

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown has affirmed Air Force’s commitment to working with civilian aircraft in mili-tary airspace.

“Air Force’s dedication to safety is exemplified by our ongoing work to ensure a collaborative and coopera-tive approach to Williamtown air traf-fic control,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

Air Force works closely with agencies such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau to maintain its long-held collaborative and coop-erative approach to sharing airspace

with civilian operators. Air Force operates a multi-layered air traffic control system which is regulated by a comprehensive regime of inde-pendent audits and evaluations and is integrated with Australia’s national Air Traffic Management network and staffed by highly trained professional specialists.

“For example, Williamtown Air Traffic Control handles more than 34,000 civilian aircraft movements each year, including 1.2 million pas-sengers who use the Newcastle air-port terminal situated at RAAF Base Williamtown,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

For civil aircraft flying visually

through Williamtown airspace, Air Force created three specific flight paths that are designed to provide civilian access to Williamtown air-space and to deconflict with military and other civilian aircraft.

AIRMSHL Brown said it was routine to restrict access to military airspace for safety and security rea-sons.

Australia is more generous than many nations, allowing civilian access when requested and whenever safety and security allow, and oper-ates formal airspace sharing arrange-ments at Williamtown, Darwin and Townsville.

Cooperation commitment

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3June 19, 2014RCEAIR F News

FLTLT Lija Kalnins

Air Force was called on to assist in the rescue of an injured civilian in a remote area off the Exmouth peninsula in Western Australia called Wilderness island.

FLTLT Peter Watson, a Specialist reserve Medical Officer, and LAC Jason Carrick, an Advanced Medical Assistant of No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron, were support-ing Exercise Capricorn Sunset ii from rAAF Base Learmonth when they were contacted by St John Ambulance requesting their support on May 21.

CO 2EHS WGCDr Lara Gunn said St John Ambulance advised that a 26-year-old male had suffered mul-tiple potentially life-threatening inju-ries after being thrown from his boat at high speed following a collision.

Defence assistance was requested due to the limited civilian emergency services in the region.

“After assessing the potential risks associated with using a civilian contract helicopter at night, the deci-sion was made to travel to the scene via boat,” WGCDr Gunn said.

WA Police and St John Ambulance commandeered a supply barge and loaded it up with Air Force medical equipment.

Together with the Maritime rescue Crew, the medical team headed out to Wilderness island.

FLTLT Watson said the rescue was not without its challenges as the team travelled by supply barge, ‘tinnie’ and then 4WD to reach the injured man.

Over six-and-a-half hours the civil and military rescue team trav-elled through the dark of the night, battling the increasing swell to achieve the safe extraction of the patient.

“it was a difficult rescue in an unfamiliar location, in an unfamiliar marine environment and with limited resources,” FLTLT Watson said.

“The cooperation, coordination and teamwork between the civil and military emergency services team in what can only be described as chal-lenging circumstances was a credit to all involved and resulted in the successful and smooth extraction of the seriously injured man,” WGCDr Gunn said.

AB Sarah Williams

AIRCDRE Noel Derwort has tested his sea legs for the first time since taking over as Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East Area of Operations.

CO HMAS Darwin CMDR Terry Morrison and his ship’s company hosted AIRCDRE Derwort overnight before proceed-ing alongside in Dubai where the ship carried out resupply and maintenance.

“This was my first time on board an Australian warship at sea and I thor-oughly enjoyed learning about the way Navy does its business in these com-plex vessels,” AIRCDRE Derwort said.

“I have a healthy respect for the professional skill sets and highly specialised training that a ship’s com-pany is required to apply each and every time they go to sea to conduct maritime security operations in the Middle East and also when they are back home.

“The team in Darwin is doing a fantastic job, which has been clearly illustrated with their success with recent narcotics intercep-tions.”

AIRCDRE Derwort spoke with personnel in all messes, was briefed on boarding party operations, given an introduction into aviation operations of the S-70B Seahawk, and toured the ammunition magazines and weapons control room.

A first taste of life at sea

Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 AIRCDRE Noel Derwort talks with LEUT Joshua Maher about boarding party opera-tions on board HMAS Darwin. Photo: AB Sarah Williams

Personnel called on to help rescue injured man

CPL Aaron Curran

AFTEr more than 36 years in the Air Force, an engineering pioneer has called it a day and leaves the service with a lasting legacy of achievement.

GPCAPT Jenny Fantini moved to the Active reserve on May 31 and left behind a career full of firsts.

She was the first female engineer to graduate from Engineer Cadet Squadron (Frognall) and is so far the longest serving Air Force female engi-neer, first female engineer posted to an operational squadron, first female exchange officer, first female base commander at rAAF Base Wagga and first female senior Force Element Group engineer.

When she joined the Air Force on January 16, 1978, GPCAPT Fantini had no idea of the trail she would even-tually blaze through the service and the huge footprint she would leave.

“i joined because i loved aircraft and the Air Force appealed to me,” GPCAPT Fantini said.

“i saw it as something different. i wanted to be an astronaut and to have an adventure.”

With the support of her parents, she went to the Engineer Cadet Squadron at Frognall and was initially one of three women engineer cadets there.

in time, GPCAPT Fantini was the only woman left, with the other two dropping out.

“One of the girls who left said ‘don’t give up’ and i told her i did not plan to,” she said.

“i was used to being around boys due to the types of subjects i took in school and intellectually and socially i held my own against them.”

GPCAPT Fantini said because she was the first woman to graduate she didn’t have to follow in anyone’s foot-steps and could set her own path.

That path took GPCAPT Fantini to many postings and to the forefront of some of Air Force’s most important projects and acquisitions, most notably the introduction of the F/A-18 Hornet and the F-111C update programs.

“in 1984, after my posting to No. 492 Squadron at rAAF Base Edinburgh, i went to the F/A-18 Hornet Maintenance and Flight Control Systems Training in the US,” she said.

GPCAPT Fantini’s love of the Hornet started there and led her eventu-ally to No. 3 Squadron at rAAF Base Williamtown in 1986.

it was there that she became the first female engineering officer posted to an operational squadron.

“The highlight of my career was that posting,” GPCAPT Fantini said.

Career full of firsts

“i got along with everyone at 3SQN and we worked well as a team. it was a great job and a great posting.”

in her final year at the squadron, GPCAPT Fantini was awarded an Australia Day Medallion and the unit won the Maintenance Trophy.

“i am more proud of those awards than anything else,” she said.

“it was such a fabulous squad-ron. it was not all me, but i like to think a little bit of it was.”

Over the next three decades, GPCAPT Fantini worked with the

F-111s at rAAF Base Amberley, went on exchange to the ViP Aircraft Project at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, was placed in many challenging and varied roles in Canberra and became the first Air Force female base com-mander after posting to rAAF Base Wagga.

“My biggest challenge was the bureaucratic environment,” she said.

“DMO was challenging, but we had some amazing people there who wound their way through some very tedious and complex processes we

had to follow in the acquisition and support world.

“Their tenacity was admirable and their results remarkable.”

At the end of the day, GPCAPT Fantini’s heart still belonged near a tarmac.

“i love the flightline environ-ment,” she said.

“it was the unexpected nature of the job, the cadence, routine, equipment, people and being able to problem solve. Working with the Hornets puts you at the front end of Air Force.”

DCAF AVM Leo Davies and GPCAPT Jennifer Fantini at GPCAPT Fantini’s farewell reception. Photo: LAC Michael Green

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4 June 19, 2014RCEAIR FNews

Defence family surveyDefence families of Australia (DfA) has launched a survey of ADf families to provide data on the value and gaps in support services. “The opinion of families matters,” DfA national convenor Robyn Ritchie said. “This data, combined with discussions at DfA consultation meetings around the country over the coming months, will be used to assist decision-makers as to where and how to allocate DfA’s Defence community resources.” Previous DfA annual survey feedback has been used to advocate for improvements in housing standards, base access, health, education, child-care and deployment support services. families who participate in the survey will have the chance to win one of 10 copies of the book Commanding the Home Front:

True stories from the families who support the modern day Australian Defence Force. The survey will run until June 30, and can be found at www.dfa.org.au/survey

Free veteran advocacy THe Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is encouraging serving and former ADf members to make use of free advocacy and claims assistance for veterans. Those seeking advocacy services can contact their local ex-service organisations, which provide assistance with claims for free. DVA can also assist with more information on available services and entitlements. The department does not condone advocacy services that charge a fee and encourages personnel to report to DVA any advocates they suspect are charging for their services. for more information contact

DVA on 1800 555 254, email generalenquiries@dva.gov.au or go to www.dva.gov.au

G for George coinTO MARK the 70th anniversary of the retirement of the Avro Lancaster W4783 “G for George”, the Royal Australian Mint has produced a commemorative collectible coin. The $1 coin honours the aircraft, its many crews and all Australians who flew in Bomber command during World War II. The coin features G for George over a background drawn from the markings on the bomber’s side, signifying completed missions. Retailing for $13.50, it is available online through the AWM Shop at www.awm.gov.au/shop/ and the Royal Australian Mint at www.eshop.ramint.gov.au

IN BRIEF

FLTLT Dave Woods

ABOUT 1500 personnel from RAAF Base Amberley brought colour, music, tradition, pomp and ceremony to the Ipswich CBD when they exercised their right of Freedom of Entry to the city.

The event on May 31 marked 74 years in which the base has been part of the Ipswich community.

Seven Colours were proudly parad-ed for the Ipswich community, and as the parade was making its way past the dais there were three flypasts by aircraft that operate from RAAF Base Amberley, including a four-ship for-

mation of F/A 18F Super Hornets, a C-17A Globemaster and a KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport.

The granting of Freedom of Entry is a ceremony that has origins in medi-eval Europe where citizens lived in walled cities and soldiers protected them from death or capture by marauding armies.

The right of entry to a city by out-side soldiers bearing arms was there-fore rarely granted by authorities.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown said the ceremony showed the pride the local municipality had in the unit involved.

“In modern times we accept the Freedom of Entry as the most honour-able distinction that a city can bestow,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

The granting of the Freedom of Entry to Amberley was made by Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale in a ceremony on the Ipswich Grammar School’s sports ground, before the parade stepped off to march through the CBD.

The right of entry was ceremonially challenged by the senior police officer, Inspector Keith McDonald, and three mounted constables.

“I’m not sure what the Inspector

and three mounted police were going to do to stop the 1500 marching per-sonnel,” Mayor Pisasale said.

The Senior ADF Officer at Amberley, AIRCDRE Tim Innes, said while individual units had exercised their right of entry in the past, this was the first time since 2000 that a full rep-resentative of RAAF Base Amberley had paraded.

AIRCDRE Innes said it was a spec-tacular sight to see 1500 personnel assembled.

“RAAF Base Amberley has the tra-ditional Air Force elements and we are very proud to now have a strong

Army presence who, as part of RAAF Amberley, marched as well,” he said.

“We also welcome four members of the Navy, who work at RAAF Base Amberley.”

The reception following the parade was also steeped in ceremony, where AIRCDRE Innes received the Ipswich City ceremonial flag from Mayor Pisasale.

Mayor Pisasale said the Freedom of Entry was an opportunity for the community to say thank you to the personnel who served at the base.

RAAF Base Amberley will cele-brate its 75th anniversary in June 2015.

Amberley in the spotlight

A Kc-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport flies over the freedom of entry march; top right, c-17A Globemaster pilot SQnLDR Samantha freebairn; middle right, Ipswich city Town crier Mark Overell reads from the scroll proclaiming RAAf Base Amberley’s freedom of entry; below left, an aerial view of the marchers captured from a Super Hornet; below middle, personnel march past cAf AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, Mayor Paul Pisasale and AIRcDRe Tim Innes; and below right, marching through the streets. Photos: CPL Jessica de Rouw, FSGT Glen McCarthy, FLTLT Matthew Stade, FLTLT Dave Woods and LAC Brenton Kwaterski

To find out more about Merici Collegesee our website at www.merici.act.edu.auor contact the Enrolment Officer Ms Trish Ryan on (02) 6243 4102 or by email: patricia.ryan@merici.act.edu.au

5June 19, 2014RCEAIR F News

CAPT Sharon Mascall-Dare

THE latest Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course (IPRC) graduation day on June 5 had special significance for one gradu-ate.

Just two days before 20-year-old Mitchel Walsh ‘marched out’ in front of well-wishers at Adelaide’s Torrens Parade Ground, he passed his DFR assessment day and is now ready to join the RAAF as an Air Force supplier.

“The IPRC helped me to succeed,” he said.

“My fitness improved dramatically, and it also helped me to improve in maths and English so I could achieve the standard required.”

Mr Walsh (pictured right) is one of 10 trainees to be accepted by the ADF from the latest IPRC graduates and oth-ers hope to join when they return home.

Now in its seventh year, the IPRC offers personal and professional devel-opment to young indigenous men and women who are considering a career in the ADF and want to experience high-quality training in a military environ-ment.

“The IPRC changes lives,” IPRC Senior Instructor WO1 Colin Watego said.

“Every young person who comes here is on a journey. We support them on their journey into the ADF or give them skills they can use in other careers and as role models in their local communities.”

From April 28, the six-week course focused on five core training modules: language, literacy and numeracy; mili-tary skills; physical fitness; vocational training; and cultural appreciation.

CPL Mark Doran

THE ADF celebrated National Reconciliation Week (NRW) in Canberra with a keynote address on May 29 by Jeremy Donovan, a Kuku-Yalanji descendent from Far North Queensland.

A mas te r s to ry te l l e r, Mr Donovan shared his wisdom on encouraging and empowering indig-enous youth to walk in the footsteps of their culture.

“I dream that one day I will be privileged enough to be a grandpar-ent,” he said.

“I dream that my grandkids will jump up on my lap or sit down next to me by the fire. And I will tell them about the disparity and disad-vantage that exists between indig-enous and non-indigenous people.

“My grandkids will look back to me with complete disbelief because in their lifetime it won’t exist any-more. And that is my dream.”

The theme for NRW 2014 was ‘Let’s walk the talk’.

Mr Donovan said he applauded the reconciliation efforts made by the ADF.

“The ADF may be just crawl-ing, but you will never learn to walk until you first crawl, as this is where the foundations are built,” he said.

“I know one day I will certainly be able to see you walk.”

Artist Jandemarra Wall, who is an indigenous elder of the Monaro region, presented 10 handmade mes-sage sticks to Service representa-

Graduates ready for military career

Indigenous Pre-Recruitment Course graduates perform a traditional dance during their graduation parade. Photos: CPL Colin Dadd

Field training was a highlight, even though many trainees braved cold, wet conditions and sleepless nights under a hoochie for the first time.

After surviving a simulated ambush throughout the night, trainees compet-ed as sections to navigate an obstacle course, before completing a stretcher carry back to base.

“The bush phase was very rewarding even though it was a challenge we had to overcome,” Mr Walsh said.

“I’d advise other trainees to bring their thermals and give it a go. You learn so much coming here.”

Like the course itself, the gradua-tion parade combined military and indig-enous culture.

It began with a wreath-laying cer-emony at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander War Memorial next to the Torrens Parade Ground then trainees demonstrated drill movements learned during the course.

The parade ended with a traditional dance and certificate presentation.

Walk the talk

tives and group heads. Message sticks are used to pass on knowl-edge, to share information and sto-ries between different indigenous clans and encompass unique sym-bols, including travelling signs, meeting place, water and campsites.

NRW is celebrated across Australia each year between May 27 and June 3 to commemorate two significant milestones in the recon-ciliation journey – the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

Message SticksNAIDOC Message Stick The symbols burnt onto the NAIDOC message stick symbol-ise ‘Our Country’ and represent how indigenous people have protected their border, searching for intruding clans for more than 60,000 years. The indigenous man on the message stick is shown protecting his country from cattle and searching for cattle drivers who could potentially destroy sacred sites.Air Force Message Stick The symbols burnt onto the Air Force message stick symbol-ise airmen travelling through the sky, soaring with open wings like an eagle and returning to their campsite to share stories of their travels. The Spirit Tree The symbols burnt onto this message stick symbolise a sacred tree that should not be jumped or climbed on. The symbols also represent native animals that use the tree for shelter.Travelling Home The symbols burnt onto this message stick symbolise indig-enous clans travelling to a campsite to celebrate a special occasion, attend corroborees and/or set fights. The symbols also reflect their journey home, back to their country.The Mountains The symbols burnt onto this message stick symbolise indige-nous people travelling through the mountains to return home. The term ‘country’ means more than just the land, as culture, nature and land are all linked. Lives and spirituality are related to the land and to custodial relationships with country reach-ing through time.The Bush The symbols burnt onto this message stick symbolise the koori colours, representing all indigenous clans and indig-

enous people and acknowledging the native land on which indigenous people hunt and live.The Mimi Spirits The symbols burnt into this message stick symbolise the Mimi spirits moving between the silent, still, sacred trees. Mimi spirits are extremely thin and have elongated bodies. The spirits are harmless but on occasions can be mischie-vous. The Mimi spirits taught Aboriginal people how to hunt and cook and did the first rock paintings, which taught the Aboriginal people how to paint.

Artist Jandemarra Wall presents a message stick to AVM Kym Osley, who attended the ceremony on behalf of CAF.

Jandemarra Wall plays the didgeridoo for attendees before the Message Stick ceremony. Inset, guest speaker Jeremy Donovan and CDF GEN David Hurley after the presentation. Photos: David McClenaghan

Generous donations to a worthy causeOFFCDT Alexandra Hendry

PERSONNEL of Aerospace Operational Support Group (AOSG) have raised nearly $3000 to help peo-ple affected by cystic fibrosis.

AOSG Chief of Staff GPCAPT Greg Weller and seven other volun-teers collected donations at RAAF Base Edinburgh’s three gates and at the exit to Defence Science and Technology Organisation – Edinburgh on May 22 in recognition of 65 Roses Day – the national Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Day.

GPCAPT Weller presented the monies raised to Cystic Fibrosis

South Australia’s Executive Officer, Leanne Davis, on May 27.

“Every cent of the money raised will go towards helping those affect-ed by the disease and their families, paying for everything from medical bills to essential gym memberships,” Ms Davis said.

GPCAPT Weller has a personal connection to cystic fibrosis: his five-year-old son Joshua was diagnosed with the life-shortening disease at eight months old.

“Cystic fibrosis was a shock for our family but has now become a part of our everyday life,” GPCAPT Weller said.

CO Development and Test Wing Headquarters WGCDR Mark Washusen has a similar personal con-nection as both of his children carry the cystic fibrosis gene.

“Cystic fibrosis is the most com-mon genetic disorder, affecting more people than you might realise,” WGCDR Washusen said.

“It is great to see Defence mem-bers, APS staff and contractors digging deep to support this good cause.”

To learn more about cystic fibrosis or make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.cysticfibrosis.org.au

6 June 19, 2014RCEAIR FNews

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CAPT Jay Ellul

THE Force Communications Element – Rotation One (FCE 1) held a fare-well parade in Townsville on May 30 before their deployment to the MEAO this month.

FCE 1 is made up of 24 Air Force personnel from No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron, 42 Army members mainly from 3CSR and three Navy members.

CO FCE 1 MAJ Andrew Champion said the deployment would continue to provide the communications and information systems support to troops deployed in the MEAO.

“The communications element provides the command control of Australian elements and also coor-dinates the interoperability with our coalition partners,” MAJ Champion said.

“Our job remains vital because we need to maintain positive control of the Australian element supporting the Afghan mission.”

He said FCE 1’s responsibilities included computer systems for head-quarters, radio systems for the force protection elements and the welfare network for members to access dur-ing down time.

“Our members operate in shifts providing information systems and solutions for commanders and members to communicate with each area’s higher headquarters in the MEAO or Australia,” he said.

LEUT Peter Croce

P E R S O N N E L f r o m F o r c e Communications Unit (FCU) 10 at Kandahar Air Field (KAF) in Afghanistan have started planning for transition to a smaller detachment that will be in place in early July.

The 20-member FCU KAF team of Air Force, Army and Navy commu-nicators based at Camp Baker provide 24/7 communication support.

The team is responsible for the pro-

vision of a variety of communication platforms including radio and satellite systems, national command and coali-tion networks, and welfare commu-nications to all Joint Task Force 633 personnel deployed to KAF.

The team performed a key role in FCU’s redesign of the communications network, which standardised the voice telephony network and fundamentally changed the employment of satellite communications in theatre.

KAF Flight Commander FLGOFF

Lee Ligtermoet said the team was cap-ping a solid deployment with recent work in Camp Baker and continued around-the-clock technical support to deployed personnel.

“The KAF team has ensured that communication facilities were fitted out with a significant amount of addi-tional capability in preparation for the arrival of 205 CAT personnel when they vacated Forward Operating Base Lindsay in early April,” he said.

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our deployment and we have consoli-dated our equipment and have improved our network wherever possible.

“It has been a busy period but the team has stepped up to the chal-lenge. Their work has paid off with FCU building a solid reputation around Camp Baker and among the coalition.”

He said the provision of accessible and reliable communications support was key to the success of the operation and also for people to keep in touch with families back home.

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Personnel from Force Communications Unit 10 at Kandahar Air Field in Afghanistan. Photo: SGT Ray Vance

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7June 19, 2014RCEAIR F News

LTCOL Cate McGregor accepted a special invitation from Women’s Integrated Networking Seminar (WINGS) in Canberra on June 2 to share some of her inspirational life story, including her time as a cricket player, journalist and speech writer both inside and outside the ADF.

She is transferring to Air Force on June 20 as a group captain work-ing on a range of projects for CAF.

She also spoke about her per-sonal journey, reminding WINGS members from Air Force and Navy that regardless of gender, networks matter.

“WINGS is important as means

of providing networks for women inside Air Force and across the ADF,” she said.

“Throughout my career and especially over the past two years networks of supportive men and women have been vital to my well-being and efficiency.

“I have benefited from great mentors and am at a time in my career where the opportunity to assist other women is one of the most important roles that I can fill.”

LTCOL McGregor said she welcomed the chance to give some-thing back.

“People of good will and gener-

ous spirits, have a common lan-guage of humanity,” she said.

“In the ADF we have a common language of service, generosity and teamwork.

“Although women are coming from a low base in terms of num-bers across the ADF – Air Force’s culture of specialisation means a different culture to the other ser-vices, and as we reach a critical mass through events like WINGS, the future is in good hands.”

For more information on WINGS activities visit Air Force’s Directorate of Workplace Diversity page on the intranet.

CPL Max Bree

AIR Force became the first military organisation in the world to be accredited as a breastfeeding-friendly workplace when the accreditation was awarded in May.

The Aus t ra l i an Breas t feed ing Association awarded the certification after reviewing Air Force breastfeeding poli-cies and auditing workplaces.

GPCAPT Dee Gibbon, now head of Sexual Misconduct, Prevention and Response Office, started the process of gaining accreditation three years ago by engaging WGCDR Kelley Stewart as the project manager for Air Force.

“The Austral ian Breastfeeding Association are invited into Australian workplaces and ascertain the degree to which the workplaces are breastfeeding friendly,” GPCAPT Gibbon said.

“There are specific criteria that have to be met to gain accreditation, including clear policy guidance and, most impor-tantly, a private and clean area for women to either feed their babies or use a breast pump.”

WGCDR Stewart, who coordinated all aspects of the accreditation process, said the accreditation brought the Air Force into line with other progressive and inclu-sive Australian workplaces.

“There are health, cultural and capa-bility benefits to providing facilities for breastfeeding mothers,” she said.

“Breastfeeding-friendly workplaces make returning to work easier for new mothers, especially if they know their supervisor is supportive of their taking time to breastfeed or pump during the working day.”

CPL Caitlin Trow is proud that Air Force has taken this step.

“Negotiating lactation breaks wasn’t a problem,” she said.

“As a female technician in a very male-dominated environment, I returned to work completely confident that my choice to breastfeed would be supported. The support has made returning to work enjoyable.”

FLTLT Nadiah Smith agreed.“It was certainly easier to return to

work knowing that I could still meet the needs of my child,” she said.

DGPERS-AF AIRCDRE Bob Rodgers said receiving accreditation wasn’t the sole aim of their efforts.

“While accreditation was the goal, the real aim was to increase the level of sup-port and understanding around breastfeed-ing in the military workplace,” he said.

“The policies and this accreditation status shows Air Force’s genuine com-mitment to supporting working mothers and empowers women to negotiate their feeding arrangements with their chain of command.”

WGCDR Stewart said it was particu-larly challenging to provide support for breastfeeding mothers in a military envi-ronment.

“By meeting these challenges we can meet the needs of our women, which in turn meets Air Force’s goal of increased retention, reduced absenteeism and great-er effectiveness and productivity.

“Our breastfeeding support initiatives are only part of Air Force’s approach to encouraging and supporting diversity in our workforce.

“We understand that supporting our women with this healthy behaviour when they return from maternity leave is a win-win situation for the mother, the baby and for the Air Force.”

Support to mothers leads to world-first accreditation

Air Force is the first military organisation in the world to be accredited as a breastfeeding-friendly workplace.Photo: CPL Steve Duncan

CPL Mark Doran

AS A testament to years of profes-sionalism and dedication, airborne electronics analyst WOFF Glen Richardson has achieved the impres-sive milestone of one year of flying time, or 8760 hours in the air.

WOFF Richardson, of No. 92 Wing, accomplished this rare feat on a AP-3C Orion on April 5 while deployed on Operation Southern Indian Ocean assisting the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

WOFF Richardson said he remembered early times in his career when other airmen had reached a year of flying time.

“I didn’t imagine I would ever get that many hours,” he said.

“It seemed to take forever to get 1000 hours, let alone 8000, which only took me 30 years.”

WOFF Richardson enlisted in the RAF in 1980 as an airborne electronics operator and spent nine years and almost 3000 hours flying

on the Nimrod MR2 while based at RAF Kinloss in the north of Scotland.

RAF Kinloss squadrons con-ducted anti-surface warfare opera-tions and exercises during the Cold War-era, which also involved anti-submarine duties or locating and shadowing Russian naval units.

WOFF Richardson said the Nimrods also received air-to-air refuelling to extend their air time and conducted search and rescue and fishery protection surveillance missions.

“The roles we undertook were similar to the maritime roles con-ducted by the RAAF in the Orion,” WOFF Richardson said.

“The Nimrod was faster and more powerful than the Orion, but it was also noisier and more cramped.

“We spent a lot of time flying throughout Europe and the US and towards the end of my service with the RAF in 1990 I deployed to Oman during the first Gulf War.”

In 1991 WOFF Richardson transferred to the RAAF and began flying the Orion.

Since joining 92WG WOFF Richardson has deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations, supporting Operations Catalyst and Slipper in 2004, 2007 and 2008.

He has also supported Operation Gateway out of RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia and has spent more than 260 days contribut-ing to Operation Resolute.

“It has been an interesting career,” WOFF Richardson said.

“I think my most rewarding moments were in 1997 during our Southern Ocean search-and-rescue missions.

“Our crew was responsible for discovering Tony Bullimore’s upturned yacht the Exide Challenger and we also dropped a raft to French yachtsman Thierry Dubois.

“Some missions ended in trag-edy, but in others we were able to make a difference.”

Marking one year in the air

WOFF Glen Richardson has achieved a total of 8760 flying hours. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

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9June 19, 2014RCEAIR F News

Flight of their livesTHE Roulette team at RAAF Base East Sale helped two Victorian members of parliament experience first-hand the demands of flying one of their famous aircraft.

Federal Member for Gippsland and Parliamentary Secretary to the Defence Minister, Darren Chester, and the State Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Andrew Ronalds, were strapped into two PC-9/A aircraft and taken through a series of demanding aerobatic manoeu-vres in the skies above RAAF Base East Sale on May 23.

The Roulette team’s syncro pair, Roulette 5 FLTLT Steve English and Roulette 6 FLTLT Andrew Lynch, took the visitors for the flights of their lives.

“It was great to show Mr Chester his electorate from a different perspective, especially while flying inverted,” FLTLT English said.

“The flight was conducted around the East Sale training areas including along the famous Ninety Mile Beach.”

FLTLT English has more than 3000 flying hours and has just completed his fifth season with the Roulettes. He said the flight profile consisted of formation aerobatics.

“We also conducted single aircraft aerobatics including loops, barrel rolls, stall turns and vertical rolls,” FLTLT English said.

The flight was a chance for the visi-tors to gain a stronger understanding of the discipline required by the elite young pilots undertaking flying instruc-tor training.

“We were in a good pair of hands with highly qualified pilots who are pre-paring for senior roles in the Air Force,” Mr Chester said.

“It’s a rare opportunity to get to fly with a Roulette and experience the pre-cision skills these pilots have developed through their training.”

Mr Ronalds described the flight as a dream come true.

“As an aviation enthusiast this was absolutely the flight of a lifetime,” he said. “The RAAF base at East Sale is a magnificent military facility.”

CO No. 30 Squadron WGCDR James Svede said the squadron enjoyed the visit.

“We were very pleased to host Mr Chester and Mr Ronalds, familiarise them with operations at the base and have them experience first-hand some of the great work that our people are doing here at East Sale,” he said.

RAAF Base East Sale plays a piv-otal role in Australia’s military avia-tion training program. It is home to the Central Flying School, School of Air Traffic Control and Officer Training School.

Darren Chester (right) conducts a familiarisation flight with Roulette pilot FLTLT Steve English. Photo: POIS Rick Prideaux

CAPT Dominik Sander

IT’S business as usual for FLTLT William Wright who is in charge of the logistics for the Australian contingent deployed to Timor-Leste as part of Exercise Pacific Partnership 14.

Pacific Partnership is an annual US-sponsored humanitarian and civic assistance exercise aimed at strengthen-ing international relationships with part-ner and host nations in the Asia-Pacific.

There are about 43 ADF members on this year’s exercise, which will run from May 24 to July 21.

FLTLT Wright had his first go at logistics starting out in the family busi-ness in Mount Pleasant in Adelaide. It was where he learnt his basics on work ethic and management skills to succeed in the Air Force.

“I learnt everything from stock control to eventually managing staff,” he said.

“I just loved it when at the end of the day everything worked out as planned and the books were in order.”

FLTLT Wright is posted to No. 87 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh as a logistics officer.

His duties on Pacific Partnership, as they were working in the family business, include stock control, staff management and making sure ADF members are well looked after.

He said logistics officers did not usu-ally get a chance to work with US and Timor-Leste personnel.

“Working with them during Pacific Partnership has been a great challenge and a fantastic experience so far,” FLTLT Wright said.

“It’s been a great opportunity to work in this environment and nothing is more fulfilling than going overseas and do what you like doing most.”

Vital role to support partners

FLTLT William Wright, of No. 87 Squadron, is deployed as the Logistics Officer on Exercise Pacific Partnership 2014. Photo: CPL Bill Solomou

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11June 19, 2014RCEAIR F News

Eamon Hamilton

A SERIES of external lift trials with Army Aviation’s Chinook helicopter will result in greater mobility for new Defence vehicles.

Air Movements Training and Development Unit (AMTDU), a joint Air Force and Army unit, over-saw external lift trials at RAAF Bases Richmond and Townsville late last year.

The loads included G-Wagon vari-ants weighing from 3.4 to 6.4 tonnes and a John Deere bulldozer which weighed 8.9 tonnes.

Under Phase 3A of Project Land 121, a fleet of 2146 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons are being rolled out to Air Force and Army units between 2012 and 2016.

It also includes modules and trail-ers for use by the G-Wagon.

They are replacing an earlier gen-eration of Land Rover vehicles used by Air Force and Army.

The role of AMTDU is to trial and clear new load-carrying methods for Defence aircraft, and the external lift trials began inside a hangar at the unit’s home at RAAF Base Richmond.

FLTLT Harry Frecker, an engineer with AMTDU, said loads were initially rigged underneath a sling attached to a crane in the hangar.

FLTLT Frecker said the trials utilised a new sling-method obtained from the British, which would make the Army Air Dispatcher’s work of preparing a load much easier and faster.

Trial goes to new heights

Carrying the G-Wagon and bull-dozer by Chinook, however, is a role unique to Australia, with AMTDU required to examine the structure of the vehicles and their ability to remain intact during the lift.

“This includes calculating each load’s centre of gravity, as well as its aerodynamic limits and spin rates,” FLTLT Frecker said.

“The loads need to be able to with-stand 3.2Gs of force while carried beneath the Chinook.”

The trial team then moved to RAAF Base Townsville for flight tri-

als. The trials combined a mix of 5th Aviation Regiment C Squadron’s unit maintenance test pilots, junior co-pilots and aircrewmen.

One of those pilots was CAPT Scott Wallis, who said that each load trial began with hover serials, which included climbing and descending, along with sliding to the left, right, and rear.

“If the load was steady we would then take it for forward flight serials,” CAPT Wallis said.

A pair of 4867-horsepower engines push 18-metre rotors on the Chinook

in contra-rotating directions, causing a massive amount of air to pass over the externally-slung load.

“The forward flight regime start-ed at around 60 knots in straight and level, then deceleration to 40 knots before an acceleration to test air-speed,” CAPT Wallis said.

“There were also level turns and a straight-ahead climb and descent, then climb and descents while in a turn.

“This whole regime was done at speeds between 60 to 120 knots, or until a speed was reached at which the load became unstable.

“All of the in-flight serials were conducted out over water in case they became unstable and had to be jet-tisoned.”

An MRH-90 provided a camera platform to observe the loads under-neath the Chinook.

All crews at C Squadron are trained to carry external loads as part of their initial qualification to the Chinook.

“External loading is one of the primary roles of C Squadron and the Chinook helicopter so we practise doing it quite a lot,” CAPT Wallis said.

A G-wagon is lifted by a Chinook during trials at RAAF Base Townville aimed at examining the structure of the vehicles and their ability to remain intact during the lift. Photo: Rhianna

Mulqueen‘The loads need to be able to withstand 3.2Gs of force while carried beneath the Chinook.” – FLTLT Harry Frecker,

AMTDU engineer

12 13RCEAIR F June 19, 2014Centrepiece

Air Force made a significant contribution to Exercise Bersama Shield, CAPT Bradley Richardson reports.EYES IN

THE SKYONE of Australia’s most sig-

nificant military exercises, Exercise Bersama Shield 14, came to a close on June 4.

From May 22, the exercise enhanced relationships under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), which has been a long-standing Defence coop-erative arrangement between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK.

Two AP-3C Orions from No. 92 Wing flew training missions in support of the exercise, allowing the crews to hone their search skills in a complex multinational environment involving naval and air forces.

Tactical Coordinator FLTLT Thomas Hofbrucker said the Orions conducted maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare, using Navy submarine HMAS Sheean to test their skills.

“We regarded the participation of the AP-3C as a great success, testing interoperability, capability and com-munications among the other nations,” he said.

The Orion missions formed one component of the air operations activi-ties conducted by the participating air forces.

An Air Force E-7A Wedgetail and KA350 King Air also supported the exercise’s air missions, with the E-7A providing direction to fighter aircraft and naval vessels within the Malay Peninsular and South China Sea.

In total, 53 aircraft from the five nations flew more than 750 missions.

This air effort was supported by five naval vessels, including HMA Ships Sheean and Sydney, and personnel working in areas such as operations, planning, logistics and maintenance.

The air participation and coordina-

tion was supported by a 500-strong ADF personnel contingent.

Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System (HQIADS) was responsible for coordinating all the air, maritime and land assets involved in Bersama Shield.

Located at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth, HQIADS is the permanent standing headquarters for the FPDA.

Commander HQIADS AVM Warren Ludwig said this year’s participants were significant.

“The challenge is to attract more military assets so we can continue to evolve the exercise,” he said.

“We focused on anti-submarine war-fare during this exercise because of the presence of an Australian Collins-class submarine and maritime patrol aircraft.”

Air Force will participate in Exercise Bersama Lima later in the year.

Quiet achieversAvoiding the spotlight, main-

tainers from no. 11 Squadron, no. 92 Wing, worked tirelessly

in the heat at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth to enable AP-3C orions to conduct exercise mis-sions in support of Exercise Bersama Shield 14.

Avionic technician CPL Jesse Rosengren is no stranger to the heat.

“it’s hot but i have been to Malay-sia a few times now, so you get used to it,” he said.

“We also travel to darwin a lot to support the aircraft and its require-ments.”

during the exercise, maintenance crews from 11SQn conducted around-the-clock support to air operations.

Comprised of avionics techni-cians, aircraft structural technicians, life support fitters and aircraft techni-cians, the maintenance crews were integral to the success and safety

of exercise missions over the South China Sea during the exercise.

CPL Rosengren was responsible for a number of aircraft systems but, more importantly, the explosive ordnance.

“i am responsible for the loading of sonobuoys, which the AP-3C orion utilises to conduct anti-submarine warfare,” he said.

“i hold a Certificate iv in Aero-space Engineering – Avionics and hold an explosive ordnance qualification.”

Aircraft technician LAC Ben Hopkins-Rhatigan was responsible for the maintenance of aircraft, air-frame systems, engines and engine systems.

“our job is very important because at the end of the day if the aircraft isn’t serviceable they can’t fly,” LAC Hopkins-Rhatigan said.

“Before and after a flight, i inspect all mechanical components of the plane to ensure there are no faults.”

An AP-3C Orion takes off from Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth for a night sortie.

‘The challenge is to attract more military assets so we can continue to evolve the exercise.

– AVM Warren Ludwig, Commander HQIADS

Alongside other personnel from No. 11 Squadron, aircraft technician LAC Ben Hopkins-Rhatigan inspects an AP-3C Orion propeller in preparation for the aircraft’s next mission.

Photos: CPL David Cotton

A C-17A Globemaster, carrying ADF personnel and stores, takes off from Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth.

FLGOFF Jenna Korhonen concentrates on her monitor on board an E-7A Wedgetail.

On the flightline at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth, a KA350 King Air warms up its engines in preparation for a flight.

Airborne Electronics Analyst WOFF Peter Eyles manages a sensor station aboard an AP-3C Orion.

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15June 19, 2014RCEAIR F News

Eamon Hamilton

A PAIR of No. 37 Squadron Hercules is facing one of the world’s toughest air combat sce-narios at Exercise Red Flag Alaska 14-2.

From 12-27 June, a contingent of 68 Air Force personnel will work from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, alongside other participants from the US and Japan.

CO 37SQN WGCDR Darren Goldie said exercises like Red Flag Alaska were an important training opportunity for his personnel.

“We’ll be flying Hercules on tactical airlift missions as part of a wider group of aircraft that includes strike jets, fighters and surveillance aircraft,” WGCDR Goldie said.

“The training environment at Red Flag Alaska is one of the

world’s most complicated recrea-tions of a modern battlespace, with simulated missiles, enemy radar systems and ‘aggressor’ fighter jets.”

To help survive in these hostile environments, the C-130Js have received an upgraded electronic warfare self-protection system, which will greatly assist prevention of enemy attack.

“The aircrew have been develop-ing techniques to use these systems, but Exercise Red Flag Alaska will provide a suitably complex train-ing environment before we ever have to employ it in the real world,” WGCDR Goldie said.

“Coming to Alaska to work alongside foreign militaries is also critical to our success on real-world operations.

“Everyone who comes to Red Flag Alaska gets something from

this, including our maintenance per-sonnel, logistics and supply work-force, and personnel capability spe-cialists.”

Participation in foreign exer-cises is especially important for Australia’s Hercules workforce, which is frequently deployed away from home to support Australian interests abroad.

“37SQN is well-versed at con-ducting sustained operations away from home, which is something that we will be once again rehearse during Red Flag Alaska,” WGCDR Goldie said.

“It is extremely fulfilling for us to have this opportunity.”

Established in 2006, Exercise Red Flag Alaska is conducted four times a year, centring on a training area 180,000 square kilometres in size.

MEMBERS of Air Force’s Officer Training School (OTS) Adventurous Training team were invited to par-ticipate in the multinational Exercise Southern Jackaroo 14 in May.

The exercise fosters working rela-tionships between the ADF, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force and US Army.

OTS adventurous training lead-ers FSGT Donald Wales, SGT Ralph Raper, SGT Mark Helyer, CPL Robert McLaren and CPL Dean Donohue collaborated with the Adventurous Training Wing (ATW) and the School of Armour during the exercise.

“The significance of the exercise became apparent when we arrived at the Puckapunyal National Service Lines and saw the Japanese, American and Australian flags hanging from the accommodation blocks,” FSGT Wales said.

During the exercise, participants engaged in a number of activities in the Melbourne CBD, including being suspended between the two World Trade Centre buildings on a zip-line and abseiling 75m down to the Yarra River waterfront.

“It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have been involved in,” CPL McLaren said. Team flies the

flag in Alaska

A C-130J Hercules from No. 37 Squadron prepares to land at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson during the 2012 Exercise Red Flag Alaska. Photo: CPL David Gibbs

Trainers are taking it to new heights

The adventurous training leaders at OTS are well known for pushing personal barriers during the Initial Officers’ Course, but this exercise took things to a new level.

“The fact that almost a third of participants on Exercise Southern Jackaroo didn’t speak English pro-vided an exciting challenge in a per-ceived high-risk environment and our facilitation skills were put to the test in order to communicate vital safety pro-cedures,” CPL McLaren said.

For the OTS team, what made the event all the more rewarding was the fact that they were specifically called upon for their experience in resilience training.

SGT Raper said the participants enthusiastically embraced their experi-ences and took immense interest in the role of an adventurous training leader.

“Being asked to apply our spe-cialised trade as adventurous training leaders to enhance respect, trust and camaraderie was a unique privilege and a rewarding experience,” SGT Raper said.

CO OTS WGCDR Davin Augustine said adventurous training leaders with-in OTS had a lot to be proud of.

“They are instrumental in the earli-est development of our officer candi-dates,” he said.

“They push them through their initial perceived barriers, utilising lead-ership skills we have very carefully nurtured.

“To have their skills validated in such a high-profile, international activ-ity has been fantastic.”

CPL Robert McLaren assists a Japanese Self Defense Force member abseil 75m down to the Yarra River waterfront.

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FeatureRCEAIR F June 19, 2014 17

WHILE aircraft have flares and countermeasures to protect them in the air, it is the Security Forces’ Aircraft Security Operators

(ASOs) who keep aircraft safe on the ground.During ASO courses that run twice a year

airmen and women from Security Forces’ squadrons are taught to secure aircraft from a variety of threats ranging from prying eyes, to hostile passengers, to enemy combatants in an escalated threat scenario.

Course instructor CPL Gavin Jones said the courses prepared students for deployment with aircraft as an integral part of the crew.

“It sets the students up with the right tools to conduct point-protection around aircraft on domestic and international operations,” he said.

“They’ll provide feedback and planning advice to the pilots and loadmasters and also perform internal security for passengers and cargo protection.”

ASOs are sent to guard aircraft no matter what the threat level, CPL Jones said.

“Anywhere there might be some civil unrest we’ll be providing point security for the air-craft,” he said.

“If there’s a broken-down aircraft, or an aircraft anywhere both domestic or interna-tional, an ASO team would potentially be there to provide security – depending on threat level and the environment. The ASO team will pro-

vide security and remain with the aircraft for the duration of the task.

“We’ll also perform other tasks including evacuation-handling, non-combatant evacua-tions, humanitarian operations, aeromedical evacuations, tactical resupply, VIP transport and exercises on foreign soil.

“The plane might be flying from a safe zone to an uncertain environment then we would have to look after them.”

CPL Jones said ASO teams had to keep air-craft safe from a number of threats, both pas-sive and physical – from civilians trying to get on to the plane or protecting against damage to the aircraft itself.

“We also have to consider the possibility of people taking photos or video footage of sensitive areas or items they’re not supposed to see,” he said.

“During flights we’re also looking out for anyone who might be looking to cause internal damage that could make the aircraft unsafe for all personnel.”

Threat levels also dictate what weapons ASOs will carry.

“Depending on the threat environment, both hostile and non-hostile, our equipment will vary,” CPL Jones said. “We may be required to carry MP5s, pistols or Steyrs.”

In addition to airfield defence guards, the ASO course is required for Air Force Security personnel.

“You have to be very alert and keep your situational awareness going,” CPL Jones said.

AC Chris Jones, who completed an ASO course in March, gave it the thumbs up.

“I thought the theory part was pretty good,” AC Jones said.

Students made use of different aircraft simulators that recreated passenger compart-ments to practise different scenarios as part of the course.

“We went through what to do when you’re in flight and a passenger tries to damage the aircraft,” AC Jones said.

“We covered the procedures you have to follow to secure the aircraft or if you have to remove someone.”

FLGOFF Brett Davis

THE first test for the newly formed No. 1 Security Forces Squadron came with Operation Philippines Assist in November last year after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines.

1SECFOR was tasked with providing security for the C-130Js flying relief missions throughout the Philippines, and deployed three five-man AS0 teams which accompanied the C-130J on all sorties over the month-long operation.

Working closely with the aircraft captains and loadmasters, the teams prevented potential security incidents, enabling uninterrupted air operations.

ASO team members are required to be ready to deploy anywhere around the globe at 24-hour notice and must be able to sustain them-selves for at least seven days with minimal logistical support.

1SECFOR is mandated to provide domestic security to Air Force as-sets, facilities and personnel within NSW, ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as maintain expeditionary ca-pability to augment the Contingency Response Squadrons.

1SECFOR draws its members from the four security musterings: AFPOL, AFSEC, ABPF and ADG. Al-though each mustering has discrete roles, there is one common skill set across all three: Aircraft Security

Operations. To become an ASO team member, personnel from the security musterings are required to have completed advanced F88 Steyr shoots, be advance pistol qualified, have received unarmed combat training, and be proficient in basic first aid.

Once members have met these criteria they are eligible to attend the week-long ASO course run by the 1SECFOR Rifle Flight Group at RAAF Base Amberley.

For more information, contact FLGOFF Brett Davis, (07) 5361 5230, brett.davis6@defence.gov.au or see 1SECFOR’s website on the intranet.

Keeping them safe

Meeting a tough first-up challenge

No. 1 Security Forces Squadron members conduct their live-fire exercise on the 25m range as part of their course at RAAF Base Amberley; inset, LAC Brendan Howe (left), CPL Richard Borg (centre) and AC Steve Gaudioso contain ‘evacuees’ on the C-17 simulator during the course. Photos: LAC Brenton Kwaterski

No. 1 Security Forces Squadron members hone their skills on the course.

Two courses are held each year to train Aircraft Security Operators, CPL Max Bree reports.

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18 June 19, 2014RCEAIR FHistory

WHAT started as a rou-tine surveillance flight over the Atlantic Ocean, ended in the dead of night

when FLTLT Col Walker, burnt and bleeding, landed his bullet-ridden Sutherland EJ-134 in Cornwall on June 2, 1943.

The aircraft, of No. 461 Squadron, had limped home after it was attacked by eight Ju-88 long-range fighters.

But not only did the Sunderland survive the encounter, the crew of the large and slow patrol aircraft shot down three of its more heavily armed and agile attackers, possibly destroyed two others and damaged the rest.

Although an RAAF squadron, 461SQN was formed and operated

Continuing our series about landmark events in history in the 100th year of military aviation in Australia, RAAF Historian Martin James recalls one of the most extraordinary stories of survival in Air Force history.

with the Royal Air Force’s Coastal Command during World War II.

Manned mostly by Australian air and ground crews, the squadron nevertheless had airmen from many Commonwealth nations on strength under the arrangements of the Empire Air Training Scheme.

The crews of 461SQN were tasked to fly long, dangerous anti-submarine and surveillance patrols over the Bay of Biscay, not far from German-occupied France, and well within range of the Luftwaffe fighter stations positioned along the coast.

Many of these patrols were une-ventful, but there was always a chance they might be intercepted by fighters, or spot an enemy U-boat.

FLTLT Walker and his crew of 10 took off in their routine flight just after 1.30pm.

The crew were more than five hours into their patrol when they spot-ted a large formation of enemy fighters 11km off their port quarter.

Hoping to have avoided detection, FLTLT Walker turned his aircraft away from the enemy formation and headed to cloud cover.

Unfortunately the enemy aircraft turned, too, and were soon positioned off each side of the aircraft as well as taking station above and behind the Sunderland at 1500m.

Having effectively boxed the Sunderland in, the Ju-88s began the first of their attacks.

Attacked from each side the Sunderland shuddered with the impact of machine-gun and cannon strikes.

First the port outer engine was set on fire. The pilot was able to extin-guish this fire, but with white smoke continuing to come from the engine, it was clear that it was badly damaged.

Then the cockpit compass was struck by a shell, spraying the cockpit with blazing compass fluid and setting the pilots’ clothing alight.

The Sunderland was the target of more than 20 strafing runs.

During this series of attacks, one Ju-88 approaching from the starboard beam was struck by the midships gun-ner, burst into flames and crashed into the water.

Survival against the odds Aircraft captain FLTLT Col Walker, who flew the Sunderland home with a

damaged port engine and an emergency radio from the aircraft’s dinghy; right, 461SQN’s base at Pembroke Dock. Photos: Office of Air Force History

Another aircraft attacking from the port was caught in the crossfire of the Sunderland’s nose and mid-upper gunners and it too went into the sea, quickly followed by a third.

By this time the Sunderland’s hydraulics and tail turret had been damaged, trim cables, radio and numerous instruments had been destroyed and holes were peppered throughout the fuselage.

During a climbing attack from below, the flight engineer and star-board galley gunner, RAF SGT E.C.E Miles, was struck by a bullet and killed.

Then the navigator, RAAF FLGOFF Simpson, was struck in the leg and the tail gunner briefly knocked unconscious due to the violent evasive manoeuvres of the aircraft.

This did not stop the crew from severely damaging a fourth aircraft that was last seen trailing fire from its port engine and smoke from its cockpit.

After 45 minutes of constant attacks, the two persisting enemy air-craft finally broke off and turned for home.

The Sunderland was still in trouble.The damaged port engine had

seized and the propeller had come off, the radio had been destroyed and the crew was using the emergency radio from their dinghy.

With no instruments to guide their way the crew began the long, slow and uncertain way home.

At 10.48pm, FLTLT Walker set the Sunderland down in shallow water just off the beach at Maraxion in Cornwall.

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19June 19, 2014RCEAIR F Air Force Improvement

FLTLT Brendan Rothery

No. 278 Squadron Technical Training Flight Williamtown has been presented with the Air Force Improvement (AFI) Team of the Year Award.

The award recognises the achieve-ments of a unit or team which has ex-celled in delivering sustained, capability focused continuous improvement reform during the preceding calendar year.

278SQN TTF(WLM) received the award for its work last year developing the Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter computer-based training system (CBTS).

Since the aircraft’s introduction into service, Hawk technical and aircrew training has been provided by 278SQN through a contractor-supported comput-erised training system.

The future introduction of the up-graded Hawk fleet under Project Air 5438 required an update to the training system for maintenance personnel and aircrew.

Contractor options to upgrade the training system were found to be unaffordable so developing an in-house CBTS for Hawk, based on the Classic Hornet CBTS, was identified as the best value-for-money option available.

The project began in earnest in March

2013 and over the first eight months an estimated 8000 hours of work were ab-sorbed by the unit without compromis-ing core training delivery requirements.

After a further 3000 hours of work this year, the project is nearing comple-tion and staff resources are being reas-signed back to their core duties.

Development of the in-house training solution has led to an up-front multi-million dollar saving, as well as millions of dollars in further sustainment savings over the Hawk life of type.

The common management ideology, processes and procedures between the Hornet and Hawk CBTS have simplified the sustainment overheads and will also provide further efficiencies for the unit.

278SQN will be more responsive to the training requirements of No. 78 Wing, as courseware updates can now be completed in several hours, as op-posed to several months as experienced under the previous system.

The 278SQN TTF(WLM) team displayed excellent technical knowl-edge, innovation and commitment by undertaking this large and technically complex project without compromising the delivery of technical training to ACG.

Eamon Hamilton

AN AMENDED fuel optimisation pro-gram will increase efficiency for the fleet of six C-17A Globemasters at No. 36 Squadron.

Whether conducting work overseas or training in Australia, the C-17A’s typi-cal fuel burn averages a rate of 16,000 pounds an hour.

Since the C-17A integration into Australian service, the operating proce-dures have continually evolved. Derived initially from established USAF guide-lines they have been continually refined to reflect the unique Australian require-ments.

The first initiative of 36SQN’s fuel optimisation program was to mandate reduced fuel loads for local training sor-ties. Previously, C-17 aircraft would be fuelled for a day of multiple local train-ing sorties. However, now the sortie pro-files are broken down to allow for refuel-ling between sorties and modified to min-imise high fuel landing weight events.

Fuel landing weight is a critical parameter in C-17A wing root fatigue management, and has a significant impact on aircraft life-of-type (LOT). Therefore, reducing the fuel on board at landing to less than 40,000lbs has reduced stress on the aircraft wings.

“Aircraft fatigue modelling suggests this initiative alone will extend the LOT by five years,” CO 36SQN WGCDR Steven Pesce said.

A second initiative entailed a review

of fuel policy for long-haul missions, specifically looking at how alternate diversion and holding fuel is calculated.

“The first benefit is that reducing how much fuel a C-17 is required to carry directly leads to lighter fuel land-ing weights and further reduces airframe fatigue,” WGCDR Pesce said.

“I am also confident we have achieved this without any impact on the mission, legal holding requirements and safety.”

The second benefit was that reducing the amount of reserve fuel carried direct-ly reduced the fuel flow in the cruise and therefore the amount of fuel burnt on an average mission.

Pilot SQNLDR Samantha Freebairn said the alternate and holding fuel requirements were overly conservative, “but without first updating the process of determining fuel requirements, there would be little ability to validate or implement the change.”

“Our review of these figures has pro-vided greater confidence that our fuel policy is more accurate and reflects oper-ating procedures,” she said.

Initial analysis of the data before and after the implementation of these chang-es shows that 36SQN has been able to reduce hourly fuel consumption by 1.3 per cent, which equates to savings of more than $500,000 annually.

While this saving is impressive, the squadron is progressing a number of operational initiatives which complement Air Mobility Group improvement efforts.

Squadron’s saving initiative

These include a review of simu-lator and aircraft training competen-cies to rationalise aircraft flight train-ing hours, management protocols for engine fuel-flow factors for more

accurate flight planning, and centre-of-gravity management protocols to fur-ther reduce fuel burn in cruise flight.

“I am very proud of the efforts of our team,” WGCDR Pesce said.

“I believe it is a great example of 36SQN personnel embracing Air Force Improvement and the cost-conscious and continuous improvement behav-iours valued by Air Force.”

Team of the yearSADFO AIRCDRE Tony Grady presents the award to FLTLT Brendan Rothery and CO 278SQN SQNLDR Shane McBride. Photo: CPL Melina Young

36SQN’s fuel optimisation program will see savings of more than half a million dollars each year.Photo: PO Phil Cullinan

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20 June 19, 2014RCEAIR FNew Horizon

OFFCDT Alexandra Hendry

AEROSPACE Operational Support Group (AOSG) welcomed two indig-enous trainees and one cadet as part of the Indigenous Employment Pathways (Entry) Program.

One of the trainees, Woomera Test Range Trial Administration Assistant Kaden Hayes, started his traineeship in January.

He will move into a full-time APS Level 3 position upon graduating at the end of the year.

“The best thing about the program is that I was able to come straight from school with no experience into an interesting job that allows me to learn new skills while working towards a Certificate IV in Government,” Mr Hayes said.

“The work environment has been really positive. I have a supervisor and a mentor who look out for me but treat me like any other member of the team.

“I hope to stay with Defence and move into project management in the future, while being a role model for other indigenous Australians.”

Mr Hayes’ supervisor, Woomera Test Range Trials Liaison Officer John Payne, said his department was more than happy to take on an indigenous trainee.

“Kaden is very smart and a fast learn-er; give him a task and he’ll run with it,” Mr Payne said.

“The relationship between supervi-sors and trainees in the program is mutu-ally beneficial. The trainee gets a job and the opportunity to undertake part-time study, and we get a keen worker.

“In addition to the program, Woomera Test Range has a strong engagement with the indigenous community in areas such as Coober Pedy where we regularly visit the Youth Centre and this year conducted a visit to a local school for Anzac Day.”

Commander AOSG AIRCDRE Stephen Osborne said AOSG was com-mitted to maintaining a fair and inclusive work environment in line with Air Force values.

“AOSG fully supports programs such as the indigenous traineeship program because we believe it’s important to have a workforce that mirrors the composi-tion of Australian society,” AIRCDRE Osborne said.

“Defence is proud of its engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognises their contribution to Defence throughout our long history.

“We seek to continue this proud tradi-tion through promoting our pathways to more indigenous job seekers.”

The Australian Public Service Commiss ion (APSC) Indigenous Traineeship Program offers successful applicants 12 months full-time employ-ment within Defence while they study part-time towards a Certificate III or IV in a related discipline.

The APSC Indigenous Cadetship Program recruits students undertak-ing tertiary study, offering successful applicants paid work-placements with Defence and covering the cost of their Higher Education Contribution Scheme.

For more information on the program, visit www.apsc.gov.au/indigenous/indigenous-pathways

New skills, new possibilities

Kaden Hayes began his traineeship in January at the Woomera Test Range as part of the APS Indigenous Employment Pathways Program. Photo: CPL Colin Dadd

21June 19, 2014RCEAIR F Personnel

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SUBSTANTIAL mortgage sub-sidy payments are available to eli-gible reservists under the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS).

Director Relocations and Housing Alan McClelland said reservists would be required to complete effective service to be deemed a member of the ADF for the purpose of the DHOAS legisla-tion.

“If a Reserve member fails to perform 20 or more Reserve days in a service year, the mem-ber’s continued eligibility or enti-tlement to the DHOAS subsidy could be adversely affected,” Mr McClelland said.

“Ineffective service can sub-stantially reduce the subsidy ben-efit, or cease it altogether.”

Mr McClelland also remind-ed reservists to inform the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (the scheme administrator) if they think they may not be able to per-form at least 20 days’ service in a financial year.

“When in doubt about your ability to perform effective service, complete a change of circumstance form to notify DVA of your situa-tion,” he said.

“You will be less likely to incur an overpayment or be adversely impacted if you notify DVA accordingly.

“You can download the form from the DHOAS website.”

Reserve members who can-not complete effective service

WITH the recent introduction of the PMKeyS Self Service (PSS) Home Portal, reservists will no longer receive paper payslips in the mail.

Now that access to payslips and personal informa-tion is available from work and home, the mailing out of Reserve paper payslips each fortnight will cease from July 1.

PSS Home Portal provides secure internet assess to PMKeyS Self Service without the need for Defence Restricted Network (DRN) access and allows members to view payslips, check leave balances and apply for leave.

Reservists also have the ability to submit their attend-ance diary and claim forms online.

Members without general access to the DRN PSS functionality should be using PSS Home Portal to update personal details.

Reservists who have approval to use an individual diary should be submitting attendance and allowance claims using the Home Portal.

Reserve members will receive a postcard shortly with instructions on how to create a PSS Home Portal account if they have not already done so.

More information is available from your unit, the Defence Service Centre on 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 3623) or dsc@defence.gov.au or the PMKeyS intranet site.

Departure Lounge

NameGPCAPT Jennifer FantiniFLTLT Daryl BellWGCDR David RiddelSQNLDR David WilkieFSGT Mathew HowellFSGT Jason LesterSGT Angela AkaranaSQNLDR Glenn WarwickWGCDR Heidi Yeats SQNLDR Matthew Ferguson- McLellan

Must/SpecGLISTELECTRACOELECTRADGLOADMMUSICIANPLTMEDJBAC

Last day May 30May 19April 28April 27April 28April 28April 3May 25May 17May 3

Years36353028262525242121

Who’s leaving after 20+ years’ service

Payslips go online Home owner help

because of service-related rea-sons or exceptional circumstanc-es can apply for special consid-eration under Regulation 20 of the DHOAS legislation.

The application must also be endorsed by a member’s unit before it is submitted to DGPERS-AF for consideration, however, exceptional circumstanc-es would generally not include civilian employment, or where Reserve service is not offered.

Each financial year, DVA undertakes an audit of Reserve members to identify those who have rendered less than 20 Reserve days in that service year.

To avoid anomalies in data for the purpose of the audit, reserv-ists should ensure their PMKeyS records are accurate and current.

“The conditions govern-ing DHOAS can be complex and the legislation provides that members are responsible for

informing the scheme admin-istrator of any changes in their circumstances that may affect their DHOAS entitlement,” Mr McClelland said.

If you have any concerns about the scheme or how it relates to your cir-cumstances, more information can be found on the DHOAS website at www.dhoas.gov.au or by speaking with a DHOAS consultant on 1300 4 DHOAS (1300 434 627).

Reserve members may be eligible for substantial mortgage subsidies. Photo: CPL Aaron Curran

Check out the range of housing available for you on Online Services. It’s just one of the many things you can do. You can also:

› view property reports, floor plans and photos › reserve a property › view your tenancy details › apply for living in accommodation › apply for rent allowance, and › update your personal and tenancy information.

Find your next home on Online Services.

139 342 dha.gov.au/onlineDefenceCare is a charity helping current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force and their families in times of injury, illness and crisis. DefenceCare is part of RSL Welfare and Benevolent Institution

and is a Tier 1 RSL NSW recognised charity. ABN: 61 603 206 488. DGR: 752 766 491. CFN: 12317.

It’s hard to see what our veterans go through when they return to civilian life. They battle invisible enemies such as post-traumatic stress, depression, and chronic pain – all of which wage a silent war on them – and their families. Our veterans are in desperate need of crisis support. We need your help urgently.

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22 June 19, 2014RCEAIR FHealth

Phot

os: C

PL M

ax B

ree

Burpees build flexibility

THE burpee is a full body exercise used in strength training and as an aerobic exercise that will develop

your strength, agility and balance.A good result for the number

of correctly performed burpees in 30 seconds is more than 16 for men and 12 for women.

The general benefits of burpees are that no equipment is required and they can be con-ducted almost anywhere.

According to Oxford University Press, the exercise was named in the 1930s after American physiologist Royal H. Burpee, who developed the burpee test.

He earned a PhD in applied physiology from Columbia University in 1940 and created the burpee exercise as part of his PhD thesis as a quick and simple way to assess fitness.

The exercise was popularised when the US Armed Services adopted it as a way to assess the fitness level of recruits when the US entered World War II.

Consisting of a series of the exercises performed in rapid suc-cession, the test was meant to be a quick measure of agility, coor-dination and strength.

The staff of the ADF PT School (ADFPTS) agree the burpee is still a good indication of fitness in the ADF, as it tests both core strength and cardio resilience.

However, SGT Linden Bleijie, of the ADFPTS, said a good pro-gression to the traditional burpee is the “get up”.

“It has similar actions, howev-er the participant is not required to jump the feet out to the plank position, nor back in,” SGT Bleijie said.

“Instead the participant steps one foot out and then the other followed by stepping the feet back in. This is a useful activ-ity in conditioning for the full burpee.”

As with all physical training activities, conditioning and tech-nique are critical in ensuring the activity does not cause injury.

1 2

3

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5

Begin by standing straight with arms by the side.

Bend the knees and place the hands on the floor in front of the feet in a squat position.

Thrust the legs back to assume a push-up position with a straight line from the shoulders to the heels. It is also important not to let the back sag by keeping your core active while in this position.

Return to the squat position.

Jump and return to the

standing position.

The burpee is an oddly named exercise, but, as Michael Weaver writes, it has a range of benefits for those in the military.

23June 19, 2014RCEAIR F Sp rt

On the ball up in the air

SGT Scott Duncan doing one of the things he loves. “It’s always great to just get the gear and go flying,” he says. “Flying at low levels is where it’s at for me.” Photos: Jasmine Campbell

TRAVELLING just a few metres above the ground at speeds up to 70km/h while trying to pick up gym balls

with his feet is a challenge that brings out the best in SGT Scott Duncan.

As an electronics technician at RAAF Base Amberley, it may be as close as SGT Duncan gets to performing a flypast, but once he straps a paramotor to his back, it’s all about the thrill of his chosen sport – paramotoring.

SGT Duncan has been involved in paragliding for more than 10 years and has been competing in

paramotor events for three years. The paramotor is essentially an over-sized fan powered by a small motor of between 80-200cc, which turns the sport of paragliding into paramotoring.

It also allows enthusiasts to take off from level ground in little or no wind, with no need to seek out hills or ridges to launch from.

SGT Duncan said the complete paramotor weighed between 18-30kg and generated anywhere from 50-75kg of thrust, depending on the engine.

“I have always been into flying,

but this is the cheapest and easiest way to fly,” he said.

“You can fly most days in winds up to 30km/h but pilots generally prefer to fly in zero wind or very light conditions – just after sunrise and just before sunset are the smoothest conditions.

“Where and when you can fly is really only governed by airspace.

“We usually stay between 300-600m [1000-2000 feet] for cross-country flights but you can go much higher.”

The current world altitude record for powered paragliders is 7589m.

SGT Duncan placed third after four days of competition when the Australian Paramotoring Championships were held at Gloucester, NSW, in April.

Fellow Air Force colleague SGT Sean Seery, of Randwick Barracks, was sixth overall. The event was won by LTCOL Grant Cassar.

The format included numerous tests of pilot skills, including cross country, speed and slalom tasks where contestants navigated a series of gates and turn points at low level and maximum speed.

There were also accuracy and

fuel efficiency components where competitors were required to fly over an exact point, kick the marker and continue. Variations of this involved dropping a golf ball or sandbag on to a target.

SGT Duncan said competing allowed him to get out there and have a go.

“It’s always great to just get the gear and go flying, and flying at low levels is where it’s at for me,” SGT Duncan said.

“I really like the speed runs you can do and also landing as close as possible to a designated spot.”

It’s not your everyday sport but SGT Scott Duncan loves it. He was one of three ADF members who competed in the Australian Paramotoring Championships, as Michael Weaver finds out.

No. 121 caps off her Wallaroos debut

CPL Brooke Saunders gets her hands on the cap.

IT WAS one of those moments she will savour for a lifetime. CPL Brooke Saunders was presented with cap 121 after making her debut in the No. 5 jumper for the Walleroos.

It happened at Rotorua International Stadium on June 1, in the change-rooms right after Australia had played the world’s top-ranked team, New Zealand, in a tri-series rugby union Test series.

Australia, which was beaten after putting up a spirited first half, fielded 12 new players ahead of the World Cup in France in August.

Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver presented the new players with

their first caps after the game. Two other ADF members made their debuts too: CAPT Alisha Hewett and CPL Mollie Gray.

Army CAPT Caroline Vakalahi, a long-standing member of the team, also figured in the games against the Black Ferns and Canada on June 6.

CPL Saunders, captain of the Air Force women’s rugby union team, played a full game against the Kiwis and the first 60 minutes against Canada.

She was thrilled to be part of the ADF contingent.

“Women’s sport in Defence is on the up,” she said.CPL Brooke Saunders, No. 5, made her Test debut in New Zealand.

SP RTJune 19, 2014

IRONMANDOES IT AGAIN

CPL Brooke Saunders gets her first Wallaroos cap in NZ – Page 23

In the air and on the ball – Page 23

Spectators had the comfort of umbrellas to watch runners on the marathon leg pass them by but no such luck for FLTLT Marcus Lisle pictured here powering towards the finish line after a long, soggy day.

Photo: Alisha Coop

IT WAS wet and, for Cairns, it was cold – but the sizzlingly hot form of FLTLT Marcus Lisle was irrepressible in the ADF ironman triathlon championship.

FLTLT Marcus Lisle, the defending champion, trimmed 56 seconds from last year’s time to win in Cairns on June 8.

He was the best of 31 ADF contestants, including seven others from Air Force, who took part in the gruelling event (3.86km swim, 180km bike ride, 42.2km run).

He completed the race in 9hr 28min 4sec.

FLTLT Lisle, of No. 452 Squadron at RAAF Base Darwin, served notice on his rivals on May 4 when he was the lead-ing ADF competitor in the Port Macquarie Ironman, completing the event in 9hr 30min.

He won the ADF ironman title at Cairns last year, winning qualification to the famed Hawaiian Ironman too, which he later com-pleted.

This year he was 35th overall and eighth in his 35-39 years age group.

He had hoped to qualify for Hawaii again, but missed the mark.

“There were only three places in my age group, and I was about six minutes behind third place,” he said.

RCEAIR F June 19, 2014 D-DAY REMEMBERED 1

SPECIAL LIFTOUT

WE HONOUR THEM

MARKING THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY AND THE NORMANDY CAMPAIGN

RNZAF WO George Mana (left) and RAAF FLTLT Mark Schmidt stand as flag bearers during a cathedral service in the French town of Bayeux commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Photo: CPL Oliver Carter

3RCEAIR F June 19, 2014D-DAY SPECIAL LIFTOUT2

Members of Australia’s Federation Guard have supported the 70th anniversary commemorations of D-Day and the Normandy Campaign in France, CAPT Chris Rickey reports.

LASTING MEMORIESBeneath a glorious French

sky in towns and villages that still fly the american, British and, in some places, the

australian flag, the 70th anniversary of D-Day has been commemorated with a series of ceremonies in normandy, France.

For members of the australia’s Federation Guard (aFG) contingent who travelled to France to participate in the ceremony and support the seven World War II veterans who made the long trip from australia, June 6 started early with a cathedral service in the town of Bayeux, where the Commonwealth War Cemetery is located.

australian Prime Minister tony abbott was escorted into the church by Federation Guardsman CPL Cait Bourke.

Inside the cathedral, the honour of bearing the australian flag fell to aFG Contingent Commander FLtLt Mark Schmidt.

“It was equal parts exciting and emo-tional, that really is the best way to put it,” he said.

“this may sound a little corny, but being inside the cathedral, next to the Royal new Zealand air Force flag bear-er helped inject a little anzac flavour into the ceremony.”

Following the service, many of the D-Day veterans, australians included, walked or were pushed in wheelchairs along the cobblestone streets of Bayeux

to the cemetery, all to the cheers and applause of the people of France who had turned out to say ‘merci’.

Inside the cemetery, Mr abbott vis-ited the graves of two australian service-men, both members of the Royal air Force’s no. 50 Squadron, who were shot down in a Lancaster bomber following a mission to destroy the German coastal defence battery at St Pierre du Mont.

Wooden crosses provided by the australian War Memorial and bearing messages from australian school stu-dents were laid at their headstones.

Of the 4144 graves at the Bayeux Cemetery, 17 are australian, mostly pilots and aircrew who flew in support of the D-Day landings and normandy Campaign as members of the RaF.

“I’m always proud to carry the australian flag but it was a pretty special moment, being here in the Commonwealth cemetery in France, standing with the veterans and among the graves of australian servicemen, on ground that saw such brutal combat; it certainly is a moment I won’t forget,” FLtLt Schmidt said.

after the service at the cemetery, Queen elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Mr abbott spent time with the australian veterans and VCDF aIRMShL Mark Binskin.

the australian Commemorative Mission Commander, MaJGen Mark Kelly, summed up the experience on behalf of the seven australian veterans,

who all participated in RaF combat mis-sions on June 6, 1944.

“this has been a very special trip for our seven veterans,” he said.

“Firstly, to receive the Legion of honour Medal from the French Government on June 5 was a moment of immense pride for them and the entire australian contingent and then for these gentlemen to be part of the D-Day 70th anniversary services and then meet Queen elizabeth and Prime Minister abbott has been truly special.

“also, for the veterans to be in the company of the young men and women of australia’s Federation Guard has been very enjoyable and certainly helped make June 6 and both the days preceding and following very special.”

In the afternoon, the australian con-tingent moved by bus to Ouistreham for a major international commemorative event on Sword Beach, the site of the main British landing on D-Day.

Military bands, audio-visual dis-plays and interpretive dance played out in front of a crowd of 10,000 people including US President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor angela Merkel, Prime Minister abbott and French President Francois hollande.

Federation Guardsmen, all dressed in ceremonial uniform, proved a major hit following the event, posing for scores of photos on the historic sands of Sword Beach.

Veterans of D-Day, military personnel and visiting dignitaries walk towards Bayeux War Cemetery after a cathedral service commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Photo: CPL Oliver Carter

An Air Force member of Australia’s Federation Guard moves into position during an intimate service on the outskirts of the town of Ellon in France. Photo: CAPT Chris Rickey

CPL Michael Lace speaks with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and VCDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin, during a service commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, at the Bayeux War Cemetery in France. Photo: CPL Oliver Carter

Australian D-Day veteran Bill Evans waves the Australian flag during the commemoration service at the Bayeux War Cemetery in France. Photo: CPL Oliver Carter

RCEAIR FJune 19, 20144 D-DAY REMEMBERED

CAPT Chris Rickey

One of France’s highest honours, the Legion of Honour, has been pinned upon the chests of six Australian former pilots and aircrew who participated in combat mis-sions supporting the D-Day landings and Allied advance into occupied europe.

The award, which is likened to the Order of Australia, was pre-sented to a group of Commonwealth veterans who returned to France to participate in 70th anniversary activities commemorating the D-Day campaign, which hastened the end of World War II.

The seventh member of Australia’s veteran contingent, Bob Cowper, received the Legion of

Honour during a trip to France in 2004.

The Legion of Honour was pre-sented by the French Minister for Veterans Affairs, Kader Arif, during an elegant ceremony inside the town hall at Caen on the normandy coast.

“I admire the men of honour that you are, I admire the strength that enabled you to overcome fear, the fear of coming here 70 years ago to leave your mark on French soil, on the earth of normandy and on the history of the world,” Minister Arif said.

“On that day you became a leg-end. You became heroes. You are not just combatants but also liberators, not just men but symbols.”

For 92-year-old Bill evans, a for-mer wireless operator and gunner on

a Lancaster bomber, the award and ceremony was an unexpected high-light on his ‘return’ tour of France.

“They said to me there might be a surprise waiting for us in France, I thought well, what does that mean?” he said.

“So when we arrived in Caen and received the Legion of Honour medal, well it was certainly a sur-prise.

“I just feel so lucky to be here. The last time I was in this region of France I parachuted in and ended up spending a little time on the ground with the Resistance.”

Mr evans was referencing his escape out of occupied France after his Lancaster was shot down follow-ing a night raid.

He was scooped up by the French

Resistance, who kept him hidden from the Germans for more than two months, before he was eventually handed over to the advancing US Army, who returned him to england.

Mr evans’ story left an impact on VCDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin who attended the medal presentation.

“It was a great honour to share this occasion with them,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“These seven veterans fought and lived by the ideals that all Australians live by today and they should be immensely proud of bring-ing liberty back to the place they are now visiting.”

The event concluded with three simple words delivered by the French Minister.

“We are grateful,” he said.

Heroes honoured

Locals join the Australian D-Day commemoration contingent, including ADF members and WWII veterans. Pictured left are the veterans during their wartime service (from top) Fred Riley, Ron Houghton, Bill Evans, Bob Cowper, Stuart Davis, Phillip Elger and Bill Purdy. Main photo: CPL Oliver Carter

Legion of Honour medals are prepared before being presented to veterans of D-Day at a ceremony in Caen, France. Photo: CPL Oliver Carter