AIRF RCEVol. 57, No. 20, October 22, 2015 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

Redevelopment opens at RAAF Base East Sale P4 Getting ready for F-35A

at Williamtown CENTRE

MODEL OF SERVICENew statue pays tribute to service and sacrifice of Explosive Detection Dogs and their handlers

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2 October 22, 2015RCEAIR FNews

DirectorDavid Edlington: (02) 6265 4650

EditorLauren Norton: (02) 6266 7615

ReportersWO2 Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614SGT Dave Morley: (02) 6266 7613CPL Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608 CPL Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304LS Jayson Tufrey: (02) 6266 7606

CONTACT USraafnews@defencenews.gov.auThe Editor, Air Force News, R8-LG-047, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnewsFax: (02) 6265 6690

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DISCLAIMERAir Force News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia. It is printed under contract by Horton Media Australia Ltd. The material published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Air Force News. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia approval and the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement. The Directorate accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia. Defence does not endorse the products or services published in advertisements.

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RCEAIR F

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

HENRY, Sea World’s two-year-old polar bear, was a special passenger on a C-130J Hercules for the first leg of his relocation to Canada on October 6.

After his RAAF flight from the Gold Coast to Sydney, Henry departed for the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat in Ontario as part of con-servation efforts to support polar bear breeding following the decline of the wild population.

Hercules pilot FLTLT Conan Brett, of No. 37 Squadron, said it was a fantastic oppor-tunity to be able to combine routine flying operations with such a special event.

“It was a great honour for the RAAF to be able to assist with Henry’s move,” FLTLT Brett said.

“I’ve flown thousands of passengers, but Henry is certainly the most unique.”

He said Henry was a ‘cool’ passenger. “Henry handled the flight very well and

was calm throughout,” FLTLT Brett said. “As an apex predator they have no

ingrained fears and are more inquisitive than aggressive.

“It was however very reassuring to have the custom-built cage to ensure he stayed where we wanted him.”

Logistics officer FLGOFF Sarah Fraser, of the Air Mobility Control Centre, ensured Henry was loaded onto the aircraft safely.

“Ensuring Henry’s safety on the flight was a new experience and I was so excited to be able to use my skills to help transport him comfortably and securely,” she said.

“It can get quite cold at an altitude of 30,000 feet, so the conditions suited him well.”

The Hercules crew met Henry and the Sea World team at his enclosure before the flight.

“It was an amazing trip to be a part of and something that few people would have the opportunity to be involved in,” FLTLT Conan said.

“It was a ‘feel good’ mission because we were assisting Sea World and the wider con-servation community by helping Henry on his way to, hopefully, successfully integrate into the Canadian breeding program and support the survival of this beautiful animal.”

Getting up close and personal with a unique cargo

Above left, FLTLT Conan Brett helps polar bear keeper Matt Coogan feed Sea World’s polar bears. Above right, (Back L-R) SGT Geoff Brown, SGT Adam Lee Roberts, FLGOFF Robert Maliphant and FLGOFF Sarah Fraser. (Front L-R) CPL Mark Quemard, FLTLT Conan Brett, Sea World’s Director Marine Sciences and Wildlife Trevor Long and SGT Sean Marshal. Photos: CPL Shannon McCarthy

Henry the polar bear.Photo: CPL Shannon McCarthy

Bear force one

Watch the video at: http://video.airforce.gov.au/tags/V20150591

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3October 22, 2015RCEAIR F News

ATG continues the fightWO2 Andrew Hetherington

DURING his brief to the media on October 7, CJOPS gave a compre-hensive summary on Air Force’s Air Task Group’s efforts during its more than 12 months operating over Iraq and now eastern Syria.

“The government’s decision to commence air strikes in Syria was an extension of the exist-ing Australian air contribution,” VADM Johnston said.

“As Daesh controls a large amount of territory in eastern Syria, it serves as a source of recruitment, and as a base from which it continues to train, stock-pile and launch attacks in both Syria and Iraq.

“In the past 12 months to October 2, the ATG completed a total of 434 strike missions over Iraq.”

AS AT October 2, Air Force has used six different aerial platforms to attack the Daesh and support the Air Task Group mission in Iraq and now Syria.

F/A-18F Super Hornets completed 209 missions, releasing 278 weapons.

F/A-18 Hornets have completed 225 missions, releasing 258 weapons, including nine missions in Syria against two targets.

The KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport has completed 411 missions, transferring about 15 million kilograms of fuel to

Australian and coalition aircraft, including five missions over Syria.

The E-7A Wedgetail has completed 142 missions, including one over Syria.

The C-17A Globemaster and C-130J Hercules and crew continue to demonstrate their professionalism and ability to support operations on the ground and in the air. Their efforts have made a genuine contribution in the fight to halt the advance of Daesh and the continuing mission to degrade and destroy this threat.

MISSION FACTS & FIGURES

Every dog has its day New sculpture unveiled at the Australian War MemorialLS Jayson Tufrey

EXPLOSIVE Detection Dogs (EDD) and their handlers have been immor-talised in a bronze statue at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra.

Displayed in perpetuity in Poppy’s Café forecourt, the sculpture, which was unveiled on October 8, features an EDD elevated to the eye-level of its handler, staring into each other’s eyes during a brief moment.

The EDD is on a plinth composed of a stylistic representation of the envi-ronment the dog worked in, including a tunnel and the rocky environment of the Middle East.

Behind the handler, through his legs and as seen through the tunnel, is the handler’s kit bag and the dog’s reward, a tennis ball.

Five EDDs have been killed while on active service in Afghanistan. The names of EDDs Merlin, Razz, Nova and Andy are inscribed on the sculp-ture, which also commemorates han-dler SPR Darren Smith, killed in Afghanistan in 2010 with his beloved dog Herbie.

The sculpture is titled Elevation of the senses and was created by sculptor Ewen Coates.

The memorial was dedicated by celebrity vet, Harry Cooper, who said he was honoured and privileged to be doing so.

“I’m blown away by the eyes of the dog and handler just staring,” Dr Harry said.

“The detail is amazing – I could not have done it better.

“As previous speakers have said, I believe this will become an icon of the AWM and people will travel from all over just to see this – a man and his dog.”

EDD handler CPL Mark Douglas, of No. 1 Security Forces Squadron, attended the dedication with his EDD, Quill.

He said the sculpture raised public awareness of what they did.

“With our military working dogs (MWD) we often do demonstrations to raise their profile with the public,” he said.

“With the EDDs it’s a bit harder to demonstrate their skills – so having a memorial here dedicated to that and the handlers who put their lives on the line is amazing.

“A lot of the time our dogs go unno-ticed unless we’re doing demolitions or the like, so to actually have this recog-

nition at the AWM is pretty amazing. As a new EDD handler, taking part in today’s dedication has been fantastic and something of which I feel proud.”

AWM director Brendan Nelson said EDDs were one of the main reasons there were not more than 41 names on the Afghanistan Roll of Honour.

“Life is precious and often it hung by little more than a gossamer thread, but life has been protected, and indeed saved, by the work, the skill, the cour-age and the devotion of these handlers and their dogs,” Dr Nelson said.

“It’s not a relationship we can necessarily understand; it is a bond between these handlers and their dogs.

“This sculpture is a gift to us as civilians as it gives us an understand-ing of the multiple layers of this bond and the work done by these personnel and their dogs that they have done and continue to do to protect us.”

Veterinary Officer MAJ Kendall Crocker, of the School of Military Engineering EDD section, said the pin-nacle of his dual careers as a veterinar-ian and Army reservist had been work-ing with EDDs and their handlers.

“I’ve worked with all our EDDs at one time or another,” he said.

“I’ve been to Afghanistan and seen them work. I’ve heard many amazing, inspiring and humorous stories about

our legendary dogs at war, firsthand from the people who were there – it makes me proud to be associated with our EDD trade.

“Elevation of the senses also stands as a reminder to all of Aussie EDD service. EDDs and their handlers have given tremendous service to our coun-try, and not just in Afghanistan, but also Somalia, Timor-Leste, Bougainville, Solomon Islands as well as numer-ous domestic search tasks such as the Olympic and Commonwealth games.”

MAJ Crocker said he was aware of the increasing number of monuments and memorials to MWDs around the world.

“Most of them feature dogs in the process of carrying out their military work, often in vigorous action,” he said.

“By sculpting a dog and its handler in a moment of quiet connection the artist has created a unique, evocative work of art which I believe will quickly become Australia’s and perhaps one of the world’s most iconic working dog images.

“The statue of Simpson and his don-key Murphy now has some real compe-tition for the children’s fascination and attention when they visit the AWM.”

Elevation of the senses was fund-ed by a generous donation from Doug Thompson and his late wife, Monique.

Top right, CPL Mark Douglas and EDD Quill at the unveiling. Above, LAC Daniel Johnson and EDD Bruce, CPL Douglas and EDD Quill, CPL Patrick Yeates and EDD Spike, LAC Jesse White and EDD Lucy, CPL Heath Weber and EDD Esky and SGT John Kingston and EDD Omeka in front of the statue. Photos: LS Jayson Tufrey and courtesy of the Australian War Memorial

FLGOFF Carl Curtain

THE $185 million redevelopment of RAAF Base East Sale will encourage younger generations to seek a career in the military, according to CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies.

The three-year base upgrade was officially opened on October 8.

It includes the building of living-in accommodation, a gym and chapel.

A new air traffic control tower, School of Air Warfare extension and engineering services upgrades have also been completed.

In a boost to family services, a facil-ity dedicated to Defence partners and children has been included in the rede-velopment.

The Family Group centre, featuring a large function room and outside play area, will host a number of activities designed to strengthen support for mem-bers’ spouses.

These are timely upgrades for RAAF Base East Sale, which will soon host more trainee pilots and aircraft as part of Basic Flying Training moving from Tamworth.

Lockheed Martin Australia will pro-vide the new pilot training system, sup-ported by 22 Pilatus PC-21.

AIRMSHL Davies, who first arrived at East Sale as a student in 1979, said the redevelopment had improved the base significantly.

“When we have great facilities we get great innovation, we get better ideas and better ways of getting the job done,” AIRMSHL Davies said.

“That then transfers to great opera-tions.”

AIRMSHL Davies said East Sale was turning into a fifth-generation base which would cater for future training needs.

He said it was important to offer high-quality infrastructure as many sec-tors were competing for the same high school graduates.

“Without that innovation, that this base is starting to show now, we won’t get young folk,” he said.

“This base is the beginning of that journey for many of them.”

Assistant Defence Minister Darren Chester said the world-class training facilities would attract future ADF per-sonnel.

“It will encourage young people, young men and women who are think-ing about a career in the Defence Force, to look across at RAAF Base East Sale and think ‘that’s a place I want to do my training’,” he said.

“It sets them up for a long career in the Defence Force.

“We need to keep investing in that training and making sure young peo-ple are well prepared for the challenges ahead.”

RAAF Base East Sale is also home to No. 32 Squadron, the Central Flying School and Officer’s Training School.

Your achievementsA SERIES of posters has been designed to highlight some of the achievements throughout Air Force. While the posters don’t capture all the good work being done across the organisation, members are encouraged to review, share and display the poster. Download the poster from the Air Force intranet homepage at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/RAAFhome/

Legacy study tourJUNIOR Legatees from across Australia will travel to France and Belgium on a Legacy-sponsored study tour next July. The Pozières…Our Legacy 2016 study tour was launched at the Australian War Memorial on September 25. During the

14-day tour, the 90 Junior Legatees will attend the Last Post ceremony at Menin Gate, a centenary commemorative service at Pozières and the eternal flame ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Each Junior Legatee has lost a parent or parents who has previously served in the ADF.

Global talksDEFENCE Minister Marise Payne visited the US from October 11-15 to attend the Australia-US Ministerial Conference in Boston with Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop. The consultations with US Secretary of State John Kerry and US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter pro-vided an opportunity to discuss a range of regional and global security challenges and further

strengthen the US-Australia relationship.

Spitfire success RED Bull Air Race pilot and former fast jet pilot Matt Hall has become one of only five pilots to fly the Spitfire Mk XVI in Australia. At the Temora Aviation Museum, he completed an engineering introduction facilitated by Museum Chief Engineer Andrew Bishop. Director Flying Operations Temora Historic Flight Club and Spitfire pilot, Guy Bourke, led him through an aircraft endorse-ment. Mr Bourke and Hall flew the Museum’s two Spitfires in formation to prepare for the Warbirds Downunder Airshow, to be held November 20-21. For more information, visit www.warbirdsdownunderairshow.com.au

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4 October 22, 2015RCEAIR FNews

RAAF Base East Sale’s new look Three-year base upgrade opens

‘When we have great facilities we get great innovation, we get better ideas and better ways of getting the job done.

– CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies

PTI SGT Andy Miller speaks with Mr Chester about some of the equipment used at the new Physical Fitness Training Facility. Right, CO 30SQN and ABXO WGCDR Jim Svede, AIRMSHL Davies, redevelopment officer WGCDR Wally Walton and Mr Chester inspect the pool area.

CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies and Assistant Defence Minister Darren Chester officially open the new Physical Fitness Training Facility at RAAF Base East Sale. Photos: PO Rick Prideaux

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5October 22, 2015RCEAIR F News

Rolling up for worthy cause Personnel learn about the importance of blood donationTHE RAAF Base Amberley Officers’ Mess hosted a combined officer/sergeant morning tea on September 29 to promote this year’s Defence Blood Challenge and raise awareness about blood donation.

Red Cross community relation officers Wesley Thomas and Amy McDowell attended the morning tea and provided valuable information on how members could donate and the latest Defence statistics for this year’s challenge.

FSGT Nicola O’Brien, of Health Operational Conversion Unit, is the RAAF Base Amberley Red Cross Blood Coordinator and said the event went well.

“I was extremely happy with the huge turn out for the morning tea,” she said.

“I hope it will generate more conversations around blood donation and increase donations for both the donor van and the Ipswich Donor Centre.”

The Red Cross donor van visits

RAAF Base Amberley every three months, however, members also go into Ipswich to donate at the Ipswich Donor Centre.

FLGOFF Diane Casey said the morning tea was a good reminder.

“I have not donated blood for a

AIR Force needs your help!All personnel who are able to

donate blood are encouraged to roll-up their sleeves during the Defence Blood Challenge.

Your friends and family members can donate towards Air Force too, simply ensure they register with the Blood Service.

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while, but after attending the event I’m keen to roll-up my sleeves and donate again,” she said.

SGT Felicity West said the infor-mation that Mr Thomas and Ms McDowell provided was valuable.

“The morning tea was a great way to educate us about the need for blood,” she said.

Each day, those battling cancer, as well as nursing mothers, people with blood disorders and others undergoing emergency surgeries, are among the many Australians who rely on donated blood to save their lives.

In Australia, 1 in 3 people will need blood at some stage in their lifetime, yet only 1 in 30 currently donate.

The Defence Blood Challenge runs from September 1 to December 8.

Last year, Defence gave more than 5400 blood donations and is on track to meet the target of more than 6000 donations this year.

Health Operational Conversion Unit members with Billy the Blood Drop at the morning tea. (L-R) FLTLT Christine Smyth, FLTLT Tassie Smith, FLTLT Leigh Molloy, FLTLT Pamela Wittmann, FLTLT Amanda Gloury, SQNLDR Kelly Taggart Wilson and FSGT Nicola O’Brien. Photo: CPL Shannon McCarthy

SGT Dave Morley

THE dedication of a reservist has been recognised with a Mayor of Townsville Award celebrating her outstanding con-tribution to her unit.

CPL Natalie Eagles, of No. 27 Squadron, was presented the award on September 10.

The mayor’s award helps cement the link between the civilian community and Air Force.

The award is presented to the 27SQN reservist who makes the most outstanding contribution to the goals and missions of their unit.

CPL Eagles provides admin support to the chaplains and base warrant officers, both permanent and reserve.

She said 2015 had been a big year for her, which started with a two-week trip to New Zealand as part of the Tasman Scheme Exchange Program in April.

“The presentation of the 27SQN Mayor of Townsville Award is the icing on a big cake,” she said.

“I thoroughly enjoy the work I do and feel my contribution, no matter how big or small, makes a difference.

“It’s been an amazing experience and to have it publicly recognised is hum-bling.”

CPL Eagles said what she enjoyed most about serving in the Air Force Reserve was the people she met, the flex-ibility and the feeling of accomplishment knowing she was doing her bit for the ADF.

Director Chaplaincy – Air Command

CHAP Mark Willis said CPL Eagles was a constant, pleasant presence at the front counter of the chaplaincy centre and knew how and what to do with distressed mem-bers, having provided a lifeline to many.

“This allows the chaplains to pro-actively ‘walk the hangar floor’ solving problems before they become unsolvable,” he said.

“Chaplains are good at chaplaincy but often challenged by admin.

“Nat’s superb abilities in this area have kept many a chaplain on the straight and narrow and allowed them to focus on their core business.”

OIC Chaplaincy and Welfare Support at RMAF Base Butterworth CHAP Campbell Carroll first met CPL Eagles at Townsville in 2010 and said her assis-tance produced evident improvement in the chaplaincy and welfare services across the base.

“It was clearly evident she enjoyed the work and it suited her personality and generous heart,” he said.

“CPL Eagles was an incredible sup-port. She looked after the administrative needs of the chaplaincy centre, was a per-sonal support when things got tough and was instrumental in establishing new pro-grams and their implementation.

“All these things I would have found difficult to achieve had she not been a part of the team.

“Her nature and her perspectives as a woman, a mother and a born leader enhanced our collective mission to care and support for those in need in that location.”

Outstanding work acknowledged

CPL Natalie Eagles with Reserve WOD WOFF Ray Eastham and RAAF Base Townsville WOD WOFF Steve Holland after receiving her award.

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6 October 22, 2015RCEAIR FNews

We take action Defence turns out in force in support of ADF Mental Health monthCAPT Anna-Lise Rosendahl

CDF ACM Mark Binskin led about 300 Defence and APS personnel in a walk around Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra to raise awareness of mental health on October 9.

According to ACM Binskin, about 20 per cent of people in the ADF have mental health issues.

“We know that leads to about 8-10 per cent post traumatic stress disorder,” ACM Binskin said.

“What we’re looking to do is trying to address those issues early and look to break down the stigma of mental health and seek recovery for our people as best as we can.”

The 5km bridge-to-bridge walk was one of several events held during ADF Mental Health month to highlight the issue and support services available.

FLTLT Candice Gardner, of Logistics Branch – Air Force, partici-pated in the walk and said it was a good turnout.

“The walk is for everyone, you can do it if you’re a runner or a walker, everyone can participate,” she said.

She said it was important to raise awareness about mental health issues within Defence.

“At the moment it’s something my branch is talking about,” FLTLT Gardner said.

“It’s good for everyone to be aware that mental health issues can affect anyone no matter where they work in the organisation.”

Director Navy Logistics CAPT Lisa Batchler made the walk a family event, bringing her daughter along for the stroll.

“I think it’s a great idea, because too many people get caught up in the office and don’t make the effort to do this,” she said.

“We see so many people who are struggling, and just even talking about it and saying it’s okay to ask for help goes a long way.”

Army Personnel Operations Officer LTCOL Michael Webbe said there was a range of support options available.

“There is a fantastic system of peo-

ple who are there to support you when you need it,” he said.

“We also have a number of support lines, the all-hours mental health sup-port line and fair go hotlines, and we also sometimes refer people to organi-sations like Beyond Blue.”

The mental health theme for this

year is ‘Take action’ and is all about being positive and proactive.

“Mental health is everyone’s responsibility. It’s a responsibility for yourself, it’s a responsibility for your mates,” LTCOL Webbe said.

More coverage of ADF Mental Health month activities in next edition.

THERE is a range of support services available for serving and former personnel and their families experiencing mental health issues. In the first instance, serving members should seek support and guidance from their chain of command and the medical system. Defence all-hours support line:

1800 628 036 Defence family helpline:

1800 624 608 Veterans’ and veterans’ families

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Defence members participate in the ADF Mental Health Walk in Canberra. Inset, FLTLTs Stephanie Anderson and Candice Gardner, chat at a barbecue after the walk. Photos: CPL Bill Solomou

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7RCEAIR F NewsOctober 22, 2015

AIR Force dental teams are pro-viding essential dental services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of Broome from October 3 to November 1.

CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies said the pilot exercise, named Kummundoo-Dental, formed part of an agreement between Air Force and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

“The agreement highlights Air Force’s shared commitment to improved outcomes across the lifespan of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” AIRMSHL Davies said.

“Air Force recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have served Australia and par-ticipated in Air Force since its incep-tion, and we are committed to closing the gap in indigenous disadvantage.

“The best talents are from a broad cross-section of all Australians and it is important that we help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to have the best chance at succeeding in life, starting with having access to basic healthcare.

“The overarching Kummundoo program will create community engagement and contribute to primary health care outcomes in indigenous communities while also creating opportunities for Air Force personnel to deploy into different environments to assist on projects across the breadth of our capability.”

The Kummundoo program and its various initiatives are a key part of the Air Force Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy ‘Our Place, Our Skies’.

It also ties in with whole-of-Defence programs such as NAIDOC Week.

The exercise is part of Air Force’s commitment to collaborate with NACCHO on health-related Kummundoo programs from 2015 – 2020.

NACCHO is the national peak body representing the health and wellbeing needs and interests of indig-enous Australians.

Defence is committed to Australia’s whole-of-government ‘Closing the Gap’ strategy.

RAAF Base Amber l ey ’s A i r Base Command Post has inspired Aboriginal students to reach for the stars during a base visit on October 1.

Director of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Oodgeroo Unit, Anita Lee Hong, praised the Amberley Air Base Command Post after its recent sup-port to a QUT indigenous education initiative called Project Imba.

The word Imba means ‘listen and learn’ in the language of the Kooma Aboriginal people of south-west Queensland.

“Listen and learn is exactly what the students do on this program,” Ms Lee Hong said.

“We help students to identify their interests and passions. We then encourage them to appreciate their individual strengths and consider future pathways that best align with their interests.”

Now in its second year, Project Imba is a week-long residential pro-gram designed by two indigenous QUT Law and Justice students – Corey Curran and Allison Boland.

It aims to improve access and

retention of Aboriginal high school students from Cunnamulla in south-west Queensland.

The Projec t Imba v is i t to Amberley showcased a wide variety of Air Force role models, capability and opportunities.

Students visited No. 452 Squadron Air Traffic and Approach Control, the Base Fire Section and the Puppy Breeding Cell.

After a visit to Army’s 6 Engineer Support Regiment, the students enjoyed lunch at the Airmans’ Mess hosted by CO No. 23 Squadron WGCDR Tony Blair.

“It was good to be a part of Project Imba because we felt like we were genuinely value-adding to a worth-while program,” WGCDR Blair said.

CPL Jenna Spinella also found the visit to be memorable.

“I accompanied the group and it was inspirational to see how passion-ate Professor Lee Hong, as a senior Aboriginal academic, was about the success of her students,” she said.

The visit also featured a No. 36 Squadron flightline tour of a C-17A Globemaster, a visit to the Amberley

Inspirational visit Aboriginal students visit Amberley

Working to make smiles brighter

Aviation Heritage Centre and fin-ished with a presentation of Air Force deployable health capabilities from No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron.

“Our Oodgeroo Unit has devel-oped a strong relationship with the Air Force team at Amberley and that is important to us,” Ms Lee Hong said.

“The willingness of Air Force to support our indigenous programs is having a positive effect on our young people.

“Our students take these aspira-tions back into their community and they work hard to achieve their new goals.”

Project Imba participants visit No. 36 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley.Photos: CPL Glen McCarthy

MWD handler CPL Samantha Luck introduces the students to MWD puppies-in-training at RAAF Base Amberley.

Designers of Project Imba, Corey Curran and Allison Boland, on the ramp of a C-17A Globemaster with pilot FLTLT David Bowen-Thomas.

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9October 22, 2015RCEAIR F News

Pulling together for health Strength on show at RAAF Base Amberley for mental health awarenessSQNLDR Samantha Freebairn

PERSONNEL from No. 36 Squadron turned their attention to mental health awareness on September 10 for nation-al R U OK? Day.

In the spirit of getting people together, the call went out to RAAF Base Amberley for others to join the quest to move a C-17A Globemaster.

With an upgraded rope (due to a previous snap) and an overwhelming response, the day grew to include teams from across the base to battle it out to move the mighty C-17A.

A combined team from No. 2 Security Forces Squadron and No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron moved the aircraft a record distance of 10m in 20 seconds.

An Army team from 6 Engineer Support Regiment smashed this time in half for the same distance with their unicorn mascot clearly adding some magical assistance.

However, the fastest team by far was from RAAF Security and Fire School, which took only 3 seconds to make the distance.

A combined team of 36SQN, No. 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron and the Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office (HALSPO) also successfully moved the aircraft, a little slower but with argu-ably the best style.

CO 36SQN WGCDR Steve Pesce said the day aimed to “simply ‘start the conversation’, which helps to de-stigmatize mental health issues”.

The focus of R U OK? Day has tra-ditionally been on Australia’s fly-in fly-out workforce.

Formed to raise awareness of sui-cide prevention, R U OK? Day encour-ages people to have a meaningful con-versation with family, friends and col-leagues about their circumstances.

“This is a workforce with similar work patterns to our own at 36SQN,” WGCDR Pesce said.

“Our people are often faced with limited or no interaction with family and friends for extended periods while away on a task.”

He said while there was a close sense of camaraderie in the squadron, there could be a prevalent sense of iso-lation and loneliness.

“We might go away for a five-day task which extends for an unknown length of time,” WGCDR Pesce said.

“It’s also our family and friends who deal with this uncertainty.

“Our personal circumstances don’t ‘clock off’ when we ‘clock on’ at work, and in fact can often be compounded by the nature of the squadron’s engage-ments.”

Lucas Martin, of HALSPO, said coming together for R U OK? Day was important to him.

“This issue is very important to me

as I have recently had a family member go through and is still going through some depression issues,” he said.

“Just being part of something today has made me feel better.

“I had a couple of good conver-sations with people I had never met before and maybe it even helped them talk about the injuries they had or were recovering from.”

For more information, visit ruok.org.au

Air Force personnel from RAAF Base Amberley, including ACW Keesha von Stieglitz and LACW Sarah Biele (inset), tough it out to pull a C-17A Globemaster to show their support for R U OK? Day. Photos: Peter Longland

10 October 22, 2015RCEAIR FNews

Insight into fast jet career Aircrew students inspired by interview with Red Bull Air Race pilot Matt HallFLGOFF Natalie Giles

AIRCREW students from around Australia had the opportunity to ‘meet’ Red Bull Air Race pilot Matt Hall during a webinar held at Air Combat Group (ACG) last month.

The webinar, conducted from the RAAF Base Williamtown Officers’ Mess on September 15, involved air-crew students from ADFA, Officers’ Training School (OTS), School of Air Warfare, Basic Flying Training School, No. 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) and No. 79 Squadron.

ACG organised to interview Hall as part of the No. 78 Wing Fast Jet Aircrew Performance Enhancement Program (PEP).

The interview will form part of the training package provided to aircrew students and trainees and is an exam-ple of how Hall’s experience using this program has helped him, not only in his Air Race career, but also in his previous life as an F/A-18 Hornet pilot.

The program is designed to educate aircrew to master nine key mental skills in order to achieve professional mastery.

OC 78WG and PEP program direc-tor GPCAPT Terry van Haren thought giving the students an opportunity to ask Hall questions about his career, both in ACG and with Red Bull, might inspire them to ‘have a go’ at a fighter aircrew career.

“The webinar was a great success and the feedback from the school COs

has been positive,” GPCAPT van Haren said.

“This is definitely something new that we haven’t done before in ACG and I am keen to see it continue and give other students coming through the training pipeline similar opportunities.”

Hall was asked questions about his recent wins in the Air Race, his Air Force fighter career and deploying on operations as well as how he recovered from mistakes.

CO 2FTS WGCDR Graham Williams said the experience was worth repeating and his students found it val-uable.

“I thought his answers were insight-ful, humble and really hit the mark,” WGCDR Williams said.

“I had a discussion with the students after the event which focused on some of Matt’s responses including effective goal setting, visualisation and embrac-ing mistakes.

“The universal view from the stu-dents was that it was a positive and worthwhile activity.”

Trainees from OTS faced the big-gest difficulty in connecting as the webinar was scheduled during a field training phase of the course, however, FLTLT Charles Tomlinson ensured his trainees didn’t miss out on the oppor-tunity.

“The four students who participated, one pilot and three air combat officers, all found the webinar useful and inspir-ing,” FLTLT Tomlinson said.

OTS students and instructor FLTLT Charles Tomlinson take time out of their field training to speak to Matt Hall (pictured inset with GPCAPT Terry Van Haren). Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

“This was a great experience for OTS. The upside for us was the abil-ity to conduct a valuable learning and interactive opportunity while not detracting from key learning outcomes.

“The disruption to the students was minimal and they were back in the

ground training activity within minutes. It worked well.”

For more information on the 78WG PEP, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/HQ78WG and select ‘Fast Jet PEP’ from the sidebar.

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11October 22, 2015RCEAIR F News

AUSTRALIA’S newest military capability, the Amphibious Ready Element, has demonstrated its capaci-ty in waters off the North Queensland coast during the Sea Series of exer-cises.

Conducted by the Brisbane-based Deployable Joint Force HQ, under command of MAJGEN Stuart Smith, the Sea Series of exercises enabled the amphibious force to achieve an interim operational capability.

The series involved about 1100 embarked forces and crew on board HMAS Canberra with medium lift helicopters, landing craft, small boats, trucks, troop carriers and other vehicles.

The embarked force includ-ed major elements from the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, and 5 Aviation Regiment supported by HMAS Stuart, Air Force assets and other government

THE life and service of GPCAPT Paul ‘Monto’ Moran (retd) was honoured by family, friends, colleagues and serving and former RAAF members at his funeral on July 25.

From an early age, GPCAPT Moran wanted to be an aircraft pilot. After com-pleting secondary school, GPCAPT Moran trained to be a teacher in Brisbane where he met his bride-to-be, Glynnis.

While teaching he still dreamed of life in the air. In 1968, he came across an advertisement for a career as a RAAF pilot and decided to apply. His application was accepted and he enlisted as cadet aircrew on July 22, 1968.

GPCAPT Moran graduated from No. 70 Basic Flying Training and Pilot Course in October 1969 and posted to No. 37 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond to fly the new C-130E Hercules.

Over the next three decades, GPCAPT Moran served around Australia and overseas including a return to 37SQN as CO from 1989-1991. He finished his career as OC HQ Air Training Wing before retiring from the permanent Air Force in October 1999.

After he retired, he and Glynnis were actively involved with the National Arboretum Canberra where they were among the first group of Friends of the Arboretum to undertake guide training.

GPCAPT Moran passed away on July 15. He is survived by his wife, Glynnis, sons, Chris and Brent, daughter, Karla, their spouses and his grandchildren.

37SQN Association president Col Coyne said the association was saddened by his death and passed on messages of condo-lences to his family at the funeral.

“Those messages described Paul as an outstanding leader, mentor, counsellor and excellent reader of others,” Mr Coyne said.

“The world was a better place with Monto around, and we are all poorer with him gone. He was a true gentleman, held in high esteem. May he rest in peace.”

GPCAPT Paul ‘Monto’ Moran (retd)19/10/1945 - 15/07/2015

First refuel a success Our KC-30A refuels a USAF F-35A for the first timeAIR Force has completed the first fuel transfer with the air refuel-ling boom from a KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport to a US Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

A total of 59 contacts were conducted of which five contacts transferred 43,200 pounds of fuel during the four-hour sortie.

CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies said the trial was a significant step in the development of the KC-30A’s capability.

“Our KC-30A is an essential force multiplier. Mid-air refuelling is critical to ensuring global reach for our aircraft, our people and our equipment,” AIRMSHL Davies said.

“Refuelling between the KC-30A and F-35A is an impor-tant step towards the KC-30A’s achievement of Final Operational Capability and represents contin-ued progress in the development of the F 35A.

“This achievement is significant because the future of Australia’s air combat capability is reliant on the successful partnership between these two aircraft and our ability to be interoperable with our interna-tional partners.”

The KC-30A has two refuelling systems – the hose-and-drogue and advanced refuelling boom system.

The two different refuelling systems allow RAAF to support a wide range of coalition aircraft on Operation Okra where a KC-30A

is currently deployed to support combat operations against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

The five KC-30As are based at RAAF Base Amberley and oper-ated by No. 33 Squadron.

Air Force will receive an addi-tional two aircraft in 2018.

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An RAAF KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport refuels a USAF F-35A Joint Strike Fighter at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Photo: Jonathan Case

Sun sets on Sea Series

agencies. MAJGEN Smith said this capability would enhance the defence of Australia and support our strategic interests in the region.

“The amphibious force has been tested in scenarios that reflect tasks that the Australian Government may direct in response to local and regional emergencies,” he said.

Commander Amphibious Task Force CAPT Jay Bannister said Sea Series enabled the ADF to test and train every aspect of the team.

“The training enabled a diverse

and capable force embarked in HMAS Canberra, to learn how to operate as an amphibious joint task force,” he said.

“The exercise also provided us with an opportunity to rehearse for future humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions with the support of colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Federal Police.”

Sea Series was conducted from August 17 to October 6.

HMAS Canberra sails off the North Queensland coast.Photo: AB Kayla Hayes

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12 October 22, 2015RCEAIR FNews

AIR Force’s target development capability has reached another mile-stone, with the declaration of ini-tial operating capability for Target Development – Australia (TD-AUS) on August 31.

The declaration enabled TD-AUS to start live production of deliberate targets in support of operations in the Middle East Region.

The occasion was marked by a visit from J2 Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) BRIG Matt Hall who reflected on the importance of the work that TD-AUS will be conducting.

“Your direct support will enhance coalition targeting operations in the Middle East and will strengthen Australia’s relationship with allied partners, in particular the US, Canada and the UK,” BRIG Hall said.

Director of Effects, Targeting and Network Analysis GPCAPT Dianne Turton, of HQJOC, said TD-AUS was a collaborative capability comprised of air intelligence analysts from No. 460 Squadron and led by an air intelligence officer.

“TD-AUS is a further example of the close relationship that Air Force and HQJOC share daily in supporting operations,” she said.

“Air Force intelligence profession-als currently work hand-in-hand with HQJOC personnel in joint intelligence fusion and reporting, battle damage assessment and now target develop-ment in support of Operation Okra.”

Team is on target Target Development – Australia reaches initial operating capability

CO 460SQN WGCDR Nathan Klohs was highly supportive of the construct.

“The TD-AUS capability is the lat-est 460SQN contribution to enabling targeting operations in the Middle East,” he said.

460SQN provides staff to deployed

targeting roles, as well as to the Battle Damage Assessment cell in Canberra.

“The operational context of the TD-AUS mission will enable air intelligence analysts to build on their knowledge and experiences, which will be increasingly relevant in our future Air Force,” WGCDR Klohs said.

As TD-AUS moves towards Full Operating Capability, analysts will have greater capacity for autonomy and streamlined processes.

This will enable an increased rate of effort and more significant contribu-tion to Middle Eastern targeting opera-tions.

TD-AUS members with J2 HQJOC BRIG Matthew Hall (centre) at the declaration of initial operating capability.(L-R) CPL Andrew Read, AC Timothy Hides, FLTLT Christopher Humphrey, LAC Daniel Glaser, LAC David Anstee and CPL Kyle Golding.

WEIPA-based No. 112 Squadron has become the newest squadron to join No. 1 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC).

Assistant Defence Minister Darren Chester presented the RAAF Ensign to 112SQN on October 10.

He said the formation of 112SQN as a permanent squadron would ensure the youth of the Weipa community in Queensland had a per-manent and ongoing opportunity to participate in an adventurous youth organisation.

“The establishment of a squad-ron in a remote town such as Weipa would not have been possible without the strong support and enthusiasm of the local council, par-ents, community and of course the cadets,” Mr Chester said.

“This is a very exciting day for the community of Weipa and sur-rounding areas.”

112SQN is home to 41 cadets and this number is likely to grow steadily.

1WG AAFC has provided train-ing and youth development activities for young people across regional Queensland from as far south as Mackay and west as Mt Isa for more than 60 years.

“The squadron is also home to five RAAF personnel who have been instrumental in enabling 112SQN to become a permanent squadron, volunteering a large portion of their own time,” Mr Chester said.

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13October 22, 2015RCEAIR F News

FLTLT Baz Bardoe

A FLIGHT lieutenant has become an internationally recognised subject mat-ter expert through his research on air-worthiness systems.

FLTLT Leon Purton, of the Direc tora te Genera l Technica l Airworthiness – ADF (DGTA-ADF), received a CAF Gold Commendation for his work on ‘mutual recognition’ between the ADF’s airworthiness sys-tem and those of allied militaries.

While FLTLT Purton was under-taking his Masters of Engineering (Aerospace) at RMIT University he regularly presented internationally to foreign military and continues to rep-resent DGTA-ADF on mutual recogni-tion matters.

Mutual recognition of allied mili-taries’ airworthiness systems is vital, however, for about 20 years Australia has operated its own military airwor-thiness regulations.

Each time the ADF acquires air-craft, aviation services and airworthi-ness information from other countries, an assessment of the other nation’s airworthiness system is completed.

The problem is that each nation’s airworthiness management framework differs, often dramatically, and can be cumbersome and inefficient.

“Australia is participating in an international airworthiness project group to establish a recognition system between allies,” FLTLT Purton said.

“It was recognised that the pre-ferred European airworthiness system still required an independent system for understanding other airworthiness systems.”

FLTLT Purton worked to establish this recognition system and presented his final research thesis at two differ-ent European Conferences.

“During the European conference I was the Australian Regulatory repre-sentative at a meeting of one and two star equivalents,” he said.

“During this interaction I assisted DGTA-ADF to gain access to suffi-cient information to make an informed decision about European military air-worthiness requirements – which we will be aligning to – and I have been invited to supply airworthiness advice to NATO.

“The assessment methodology developed in my thesis was used within the airworthiness recognitions between several allied nations.”

FLTLT Purton’s work has potential benefits to Air Force in terms of cost savings and efficiency improvements.

“The intent is to improve rela-tionships with military airworthiness authorities globally,” he said.

“We have, or will have short-ly, recognition agreements with the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada and Spain.

“These recognitions will improve how we interact, making it simpler for

the ADF to use information and ser-vices provided by that country.”

Di rec to r-Gene ra l Techn ica l Airworthiness AIRCDRE James Hood praised FLTLT Purton’s accomplish-ments.

“Leon has become an internation-

ally recognised subject matter expert in a very niche field,” he said.

“His important work is contribut-ing to big improvements in how we do business, and I am delighted he has received acknowledgement of his important work.”

As DGTA-ADF moves toward an airworthiness framework similar to those being adopted by many allied militaries, FLTLT Purton’s expertise will be invaluable in helping to shape the ADF implementation of mutual recognition.

Niche research recognised Airworthiness research earns flight lieutenant a CAF Gold Commendation

DCAF AVM Warren McDonald presents FLTLT Leon Purton

with a CAF Gold Commendation.

14 15RCEAIR FCentrepiece October 22, 2015

KEY subject matter experts met last month for a concentrated planning session to ensure RAAF Base Williamtown is

ready to accept and operate the first F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) from the end of 2018.

Representatives from JSF Division, RAAF, US-based F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and JSF prime contractor Lockheed Martin met in the week-long planning session known as the JSF Site Activation Task Force (SATAF).

JSF Division F-35A Maintenance Lead SQNLDR Scott Schultz said there were many aspects to consider when planning a sustainment solution for the F-35A capability.

“The agenda was based around funda-mental inputs to capability development and included topics such as facilities, workforce, training, security, warehous-ing and contract planning,” SQNLDR Schultz said.

“One of the most critical aspects in integrating the new capability into the ADF sustainment environment is the incorporation of the new autonomic logistics information system into the existing Defence information environ-ment.”

This was the second of four SATAFs to be conducted in Australia.

SATAFs are conducted once a year for the four years leading up to the start of F-35A operations at each country’s main operating base.

“Australia has the most rapid acqui-sition and stand-up program of any part-ner country outside the US,” SQNLDR Schultz said.

“We are going to bring a lot of air-

F-35A FUTURE FOCUSPlanning is in full swing to ensure RAAF Base Williamtown is ready to accept and operate our first F-35A from the end of 2018.

‘We have a big task ahead, but the anticipation and excitement is ramping up as we prepare to bring this exceptional new capability into service.

– AIRCDRE Terry Saunder Director-General JSF Acquisition

and Sustainment

Preparing for global opportunitiesTHE Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Division Industry Team has been in top gear pre-paring for the first round of global oppor-tunities for Australian industry in JSF component maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U).

During 2015-16, the US Government will be assigning responsibilities to nations and companies for JSF component MRO&U.

The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) is expected to issue an initial request for information towards the end of 2015 and will require a single national response from each partner nation.

The JSF Division Industry Team is

leading a whole-of-government approach to coordinate Australia’s response that considers Australia’s sovereign sustain-ment requirements and industry competi-tive strengths.

On October 6, an invitation to regis-ter was issued to Australian industry as the first step in developing a coordinated response.

Director of Industry and Commercial Alison Petchell said there were two clear goals her team was aiming to achieve.

“The first goal is to ensure the JSF component MRO&U global share of work assigned to Australia meets Defence’s JSF and other sovereign requirements, and second that it delivers return on invest-

ment to Australian industry,” Ms Petchell said.

“Issuing an invitation to register ahead of receiving the JPO’s request for infor-mation aims to canvas industry aspirations for global JSF component MRO&U and to provide information to industry about the entire response process.

“Importantly, it provides more time for industry to work collaboratively and for government to work with industry to pre-pare Australia’s best response.”

The invitation to register will priori-tise a list of potential industry companies and inform Australia’s final submission in mid-2016.

craft online in a comparatively short amount of time, which is an exciting opportunity and a big challenge.”

The JPO and Lockheed Martin representatives, led by LTCOL Shaun McDaniel and Vernon Perry, have expe-rience conducting previous SATAFs for other partner nations including the US Marine Corp, which achieved initial operational capability in July this year.

“This year’s SATAF provided a huge jump in knowledge and lessons learnt from last year,” SQNLDR Schultz said.

“So much happens in a year as F-35A operating sites stand up in the US and around the world.”

Australian staff based in the US are

working with Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force to operate and sustain the F-35As everyday, including Australia’s first two F-35A aircraft which are flying at the international Pilot Training Centre at Luke Air Force Base.

“We rely on a small amount of Australian staff in the US to provide insight to us here in JSF Division as we plan for the arrival of our first two F-35A aircraft at RAAF Base Williamtown at the end of 2018,” SQNLDR Schultz said.

SQNLDRs Jody Hillier and Kevin Le Poidevin are two of the US-based staff who provided valuable input to Australia’s SATAF this year.

“They both have a sound understand-ing of existing fighter squadron opera-tions, the F-35A concept of operations here in Australia along with having first-hand knowledge of the F-35A air system. They have also participated in a number of SATAFs in other partner nations,” SQNLDR Schultz said.

“This knowledge base allowed SQNLDRs Hillier and Le Poidevin to provide considered advice throughout the SATAF process on where we need to adjust and change.”

Director-General JSF Acquisition and Sustainment AIRCDRE Terry Saunder said JSF sustainment would be different to legacy aircraft.

“Australia will be part of a global sus-tainment system that will provide a cen-trally managed, best-value support sys-tem for all F-35s worldwide,” AIRCDRE Saunder said.

The global sustainment system con-cept includes sovereign, regional and global sustainment activity.

“Australia has identified some sover-eign sustainment needs, which are those

capabilities we need to look after here in Australia to maintain capability, national security, self-reliance or other factors that are important to us,” AIRCDRE Saunder said.

“For those sustainment activities that are not sovereign, Australia as a global JSF partner can benefit from the economies of scale a global system can provide.”

The JSF sustainment model will be different to previous models due to the fifth-generation support required and the global nature of the sustainment system.

“We will need to challenge ourselves to think like a force that will be sustain-ing a fifth-generation capability – and that’s exciting,” AIRCDRE Saunder said.

JSF Division is proactively work-ing with the US F-35 JPO, RAAF and Defence industry to develop the sustain-ment model for Australian JSF.

This involves taking into consider-ation Australia’s sovereign capability requirements and also planning to posi-tion Australian industry for optimum participation in the JSF global sustain-ment system, which is a key outcome for Australia.

“We will rely on our existing exper-tise within Air Force, the ADF and industry to shape an effective transition,” AIRCDRE Saunder said.

“We are looking at existing capabili-ties within Defence and industry that we already have and how we can integrate them in JSF and finding the gaps so we can address them and be ready for this new platform.

“We have a big task ahead, but the anticipation and excitement is ramping up as we prepare to bring this exception-al new capability into service.”

Air Force’s AU-02 F-35A flies over Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Photo: Lockheed Martin

F-35As fly in formation over Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Subject matter experts from JSF Division, the US F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin at the BAE Systems Australia facility at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Air Force’s AU-01 F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter on the runway at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, US.Photo: Matthew Short/Lockheed Martin

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17October 22, 2015RCEAIR F News

Course puts safety first International aviation safety officers converge on CanberraSQNLDR Tony McDermott

AVIATION safety officers from around the world converged on Canberra for the annual International Aviation Safety Officer Course.

The Directorate of Defence Aviation and Air Force Safety (DDAAFS) con-ducted the course on behalf of Defence Cooperation Liaison Office within International Policy Division from September 14-25.

Director DDAAFS GPCAPT Paul Long said this year’s course included participants from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand.

“Although it may not be highly vis-ible to most members of the ADF avi-ation community, DDAAFS plays an important role in promoting safety in international military aviation,” he said.

The course began in 2008 after it was recognised that some regional part-ners, as well as those further afield, either did not have the economies of scale or the resources to conduct their own aviation safety training, or alterna-tively were seeking external training to diversify their existing safety manage-ment.

Representing the ADF on this year’s course were LEUT Michael Cairncross, MAJ Rob Mitchell and FLTLT Brendan Smith.

“The course provided me with an insight into other nation’s Aviation Safety Management Systems and les-

sons learnt that will prepare me for my next posting in 2016 to DDAAFS,” FLTLT Smith said.

Attendees said they appreciated the quality of presenters, particularly GPCAPT Rob Lee, who is a former Director of the Bureau of Air Safety Investigation.

The first week of the course was almost identical to the standard ADF Aviation Safety Officer (Initial) course, while the second week comprised crew resource management, safety manage-ment system integration.

On the last day, members demon-strated their new investigation and risk management skills in presentations to Director DDAAFS GPCAPT Long.

“The student presentations were of extremely high quality emphasising the value of learning outcomes that can be derived from conducting international courses,” GPCAPT Long said.

He said it was expected DDAAFS would conduct the course again in 2016, and would be seeking ADF course mem-bers through the usual Aviation Safety Officer course nomination process.

“It has proven to be far more than a one-way transmission of information, as it has enriched ADF aviation safety management as much as it has educated the course members,” he said.

DDAAFS also organised a visit to the Australian War Memorial on September 24, where the course mem-bers laid wreaths during the Last Post ceremony. The 1/2015 International Aviation Safety Officer Course at the Australian War Memorial. Photo: SGT Murray Staff

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18 October 22, 2015RCEAIR FNews

SQNLDR Deanna Nott

AUTHOR and former member of the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) Audrey Wicks has donated a swag of her books to help keep heritage alive.

Ms Wicks, now 91, wrote Coral Sea Log to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the battle.

She presented the books to Director RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre GPCAPT John Benjamin in late September.

“I really wanted to meet with GPCAPT Benjamin and share some photographs, my stories and of course to also give him some of my books as a donation for the centre,” she said.

“This is also my opportunity to encourage our nation’s young people to serve.”

Ms Wicks shared stories about her WAAAF experience as a wireless operator during WWII.

“Our radio traffic, which we han-dled each day and night, consisted of messages in code and plain lan-guage being sent to us from Air Force Headquarters,” she said.

“They were about transfers and armaments stores and instructions to the base commanding officer and the flying school at Point Cook.

“Most of the time it was just hard, steady work but I got close to action on October 21 and 23 in 1942 when we received air raid warnings from the Flinders Naval Base.”

She said the message indicated the presence of two Japanese heavy cruisers, three destroyers and two submarines in Bass Strait and outside the Heads.

“Given most of our air raid trenches were half filled with water, nobody was keen to jump in, but we sounded the air raid sirens appropri-ately and it went for almost an hour. Fortunately it was only a Japanese spotter plane taking photographs,” she said.

“I loved my time in the WAAAF. Serving is one of the most important things I have done in my life. I am pleased, however, this was as close as I got to the action.”

GPCAPT Benjamin said the donation was a great addition to the centre. “Coral Sea Log is an intricate overview of the Battle of the Coral Sea,” he said.

“Anyone with an interest in the battle and the way communication systems assisted the war effort would find Audrey’s book engaging.

“But most importantly this book was written by a great woman who served during the war and I want people to recognise the contribution made by women across our nation during all conflicts.

“I am eager to feature more women and their contributions at our centre and would encourage families to contact us to tell us their stories.”

The RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre has a section devoted to women’s service in the Air Force.

“I am very keen to see more women and young girls coming to the centre and learning about our mil-itary history,” GPCAPT Benjamin said.

“We have so many interesting dis-plays and I would encourage every-one to visit. We have open days on the third Sunday of every month and entry is free.”

Ms Wicks’ books are for sale at the Heritage Centre for $10. All pro-ceeds will be used to continue resto-ration work.

For more information, visit www.raafamberleyheritage.gov.au or email RAAF.AAHC@defence.gov.au

WAAAF shares her stories

Audrey Wicks presents a copy of her book to GPCAPT John Benjamin. Photo: SQNLDR Deanna Nott

Crews sail through course Air Force members get a taste of life at sea in Exercise Soldier SailSGT Dave Morley

IT WAS a case of all hands on deck for a group of 12 Air Force and Army members who took part in Exercise Soldier Sail 15.

SQNLDR Rob Saunders, of Aerospace Development Branch, and FSGT Mikkie Aram, of the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPS), provided assistance as yacht skippers, trained and accredited by the Royal Yachting Association.

They commanded a series of day sails from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron into Moreton Bay in August, which enabled members to experience inshore sailing and learn the skills necessary to crew a yacht.

FSGT Aram said the exercise was a 35-day program to train soldiers in coast-al sailing and test themselves against the Army’s core values of courage, initiative, teamwork and respect.

“Over the five days SQNLDR Saunders and I worked together, we trained six Army and three Air Force personnel from the Brisbane area to an ‘introduction to yachting’ skill level; basically an opportu-nity to get a feel for sailing and what it’s all about,” he said.

“I also worked with WO1 Chris Renall for five days, where we trained three Army personnel, in a more intensive program, to a ‘competent crew’ skill level.

“This course made the participants think critically about what they were doing and why they were doing it.

“After ensuring we had provided the necessary training and skills, we gave them more responsibility to decide where they wanted to go and how they were going to get the yacht there.

“The activity was also planned as an opportunity for returned service personnel to decompress.”

The activity was sponsored by the Army Sailing Club (ASC) and conducted aboard the ASC’s yacht, SV Gun Runner.

“Coastal sailing is an integral part of the ASC’s training, exposing participants to rigorous physical and mental stressors within a controlled environment to promote personal resilience,” FSGT Aram said.

He said the exercise was a great success. “All the personnel who sailed with me

were enthusiastic about the challenges and took part in all aspects of sailing the yacht, including hoisting and controlling the sails, tacking and gybing drills, man-overboard drills, steering and navigation,” he said.

“The participants all seemed to enjoy the courses and I know at least two of the Army members subsequently registered with the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron as ‘available crew’ for yacht skippers seek-ing crew for racing and social events.”

OIC Airman Education Flight SPS SQNLDR Nick Elliott said he was pleased to give FSGT Aram the opportunity to par-ticipate in Exercise Soldier Sail.

“This was a great opportunity for him to apply his SPS facilitation skills in a unique outdoor environment involving Army per-sonnel,” SQNLDR Elliot said.

“He now has the unique opportunity to take that experience back into the class-room for the benefit of the SPS and Air Force personnel.”

FSGT Aram said the ASC, and the opportunity to sail Gun Runner, was open to all members of Defence.

“Air Force personnel interested in sail-ing or learning to sail, should also consider membership with the Australian Defence Force Sailing Association (ADFSA),” he said.

“ADFSA organises representative sport-ing activities and supports serving ADF members in competitive sailing.

“It supports both yachting and dinghy sailing events and activities, with members sailing in events in boats owned by the ser-vices, privately owned boats or, for major events, chartered boats.”

Membership of ADFSA is free and open to Defence personnel, ADF reserve mem-bers and members of foreign defence forces on long-term exchange service.

For more information on next year’s event, email army.sailing@defence.gov.au or visit http://drnet.defence.gov.au/VCDF/Sports-Sailing/

ACW Melissa Tonkin, Air Force CPL Nathan Bishop, PTE Benjamin Bereza, Army CPL Dimitri Jikharev and LAC Bradley Dore enjoy time on board SV Gun Runner. Inset, SQNLDR Rob Saunders and FSGT Mikkie Aram.

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19October 22, 2015RCEAIR F Flightline

LACW Emma Chapman, of Combat Support Unit 13, sorts mail in the Middle East Region. Photo: SGT Guy Young

ACW Tayla Buhagiar prepares to serve entrees for the Initial Cooks Course 164 graduation luncheon. Photo: AB James McDougall

Aircraft technician CPL Ben Johnson, of No. 35 Squadron, checks the landing gear of a C-27J Spartan in preparation for a mission. Photo: CPL David Said

LAC Adam Fraser gives Harold Ganter a Legacy Badge for his donation during Legacy Week. Photo: LS Justin Brown

SGT Steven Hunt shows his wife, Cecilia, and boys, Alexander and Andrew, around No. 76 Squadron Family day at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

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Feature RCEAIR F October 22, 201520

Between the Dances: World War II Women Tell Their Story

By Jacqueline Dinan392 pages, Ventura Press, ebook, $16.99Reviewer: SGT Dave Morley

BEING told, “Hurry up, love, I don’t buy green bananas anymore”, by a female WWII veteran, spurred on an author to complete a book on the war-time experiences of Australian women.

Jacqueline Dinan launched her book, Between the Dances, at Campbell High School in Canberra on August 31.

She said the focus of her book was not facts and figures, but more on the efforts, experiences and feelings of the women she interviewed.

“With the help of Legacy and the Country Women’s Association, I distrib-uted questionnaires during 2011-2013, and the interviewees generously and bravely shared their descriptions and

anecdotes from their war years to help create this interesting collection,” she said.

“The book is a living history, told at the 11th hour by a generation that were there, and no history textbook will tell it as well.”

The book covers all facets of WWII service, including the nursing services, the three branches of the forces, vol-unteers on the home front and women either living or serving overseas during the war.

Between the Dances doesn’t need to be read front-to-back – it can be opened anywhere and an interesting story will be found.

Air Force News has a signed copy of Between the Dances to give away. Tell us in 25 words or less why you would like to win it and send your entry to competitions@defencenews.gov.au by October 31 to be in the draw to win.

Living history of WWII

Never to be forgottenPrize-winning biography pays tribute to the life and loss of WWII pilot.

A LIFE of adventure that met with a tragic end has provided inspiration for a new book and continued the

legacy of a WWII pilot.The literature winner of the 2014

RAAF Heritage Awards was launched at the RAAF Museum, Point Cook, in late August.

Alf Batchelder’s winning book, On Laughter-Silvered Wings, is the biography of WWII pilot FLTLT Henry ‘Lacy’ Smith, who died after his Mk IX Spitfire crashed over Normandy in 1944.

The book held special meaning for AIRCDRE Andrew Elfverson, who represented CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies at the launch.

“In 2011, I was the Director of Co-ordination for Air Force and part of my remit was what we term, wrecks and recoveries,” AIRCDRE Elfverson said.

“I can still remember the buzz around the office when we received notification from our Defence Attaché in Paris that the wreck of an RAF Spitfire flown by an Australian aircrew member had been found.”

He said as the days unfolded and the situation became clearer, the identity of the aircrew was confirmed to be that of FLTLT Smith.

“There was a sense of foreboding among the staff because it was thought that with the surname of Smith the task of finding relatives was going to be problematic,” AIRCDRE Elfverson said.

“But as we pieced together Lacy’s service history and records we were able to trace down the Dostine and Bullman families and start planning in earnest for a service of reinterment.”

AIRCDRE Elfverson was Master of Ceremonies for FLTLT Smith’s military reinterment service at the Ranville War Cemetery in Normandy in April 2011.

“I was honoured to be involved and finally give Lacy’s family his known resting place,” he said.

The book’s title is derived from the words on FLTLT Smith’s grave stone from a poem by John Gillespie Magee Jnr – ‘Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings’.

On Laughter-Silvered Wings contains stories of a life full of adventure, and reminds readers that fighter pilots were not constantly engaged in aerial warfare.

FLTLT Henry ‘Lacy’ Smith was killed on June 11, 1944, when his Mk IX Spitfire crashed after it was hit by flak from concealed German forces in the Orne Estuary in Normandy.

His remains were discovered in 2010 and he was buried in the Ranville War Ceremony in Normandy on April 19, 2011.

The wreck of his spitfire is undergoing conservation for eventual display at the RAAF Museum, Point Cook, Victoria.

Alongside duties that ranged from routine patrols and escorting bombers, FLTLT Smith wondered and worried about his family in Sydney.

He enjoyed occasional spells of leave and fell in love with the Edna

Dorothy ‘June’ Miller, whom he married in 1943. “Alf, well done and congratulations on the book, and for telling the story of FLTLT Smith,” AIRCDRE Elfverson said.

“He is at rest and will not be forgotten.”

Copies of On Laughter-Silvered Wings can be obtained through the Air Power Development Centre: http://airpower.airforce.gov.au The book is also available at the RAAF Museum Shop, Point Cook, and specialist military bookshops.

LACY’S LEGACY

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AIRCDRE Andrew Elfverson and Alf Batchelder at the launch of On Laughter-Silvered Wings (cover above left). The gravestone of FLTLT Henry ‘Lacy’ Smith at the Ranville War Cemetery in Normandy.

The coffin of FLTLT Henry ‘Lacy’ Smith ready for burial during the military reinterment service at Ranville War Cemetery in Normandy on April 19, 2011.

21October 22, 2015RCEAIR F Air Force Improvement

AIR Force Training Group (AFTG) have saved the equivalent of 10 years of work in just one day delivering greater training efficiency across Defence.

Representatives from the RAAF School of Administration and Logistics Training, the RAAF School of Technical Training (RAAFSTT) and the Defence Explosive Ordnance Training School met with scheduling staff at HQAFTG to identify and analyse courses that were traditionally under subscribed or cancelled due to low numbers.

Factoring in historic trends and likely future demand, the group was

able to identify course sessions that could be combined or cancelled without any reduction in the unit’s capacity to meet anticipated demand.

This resulted in a reduction of almost 4000 training days for the 2015/16 financial year.

The courses remaining on the schedule are anticipated to be 90 to 100 per cent full with no individuals missing out on training opportunities.

HQAFTG Chief of Staff GPCAPT Terence Deeth said the benefits were significant.

“This is perhaps something that, traditionally, Air Force had not addressed very well in post-graduate

training but the benefits are obvious,” he said.

“Having better articulated training numbers and better utilisation of the available courses makes much better use of our resources.”

While reducing unnecessary courses has a direct benefit for instructor and staff workloads, CO RAAFSTT WGCDR Chris Ellison said this process would also generate financial savings for Air Force.

“Under the current contractual arrangements with RAAFSTT’s training provider, Air Force receives better value for money when courses are fully subscribed,” he said.

“This training analysis seeks to establish the true need, rather than want, for post-graduate coursework delivered by RAAFSTT through its training service provider, so training to need represents a genuine cost saving for every course we do not ask our provider to deliver.”

Staff Officer Capability Management HQAFTG WGCDR John Ward said the work was just the beginning of a process that would encompass all of AFTG’s courses.

“This will be conducted annually to ensure AFTG training ticks all the boxes in terms of it being essential,

effective and efficient,” WGCDR Ward said.

The first step towards this annual process was the Training Planning Conference held from September 22-24 at AFTG.

Building on the positive work undertaken for the 2015/16 schedule, AFTG invited all training units, spon-sors and personnel representatives to address course numbers and sessions for the 2016/17 schedule.

This was the first time all relevant decision-makers gathered in the one meeting with the aim of developing a more accurate and efficient training schedule.

Students from RAAFSALT practice fitting a loading ramp jack during the first C-27J Spartan Air Movements Course.Photo: CPL David Said

Training ticks all the boxes New course schedule saves Air Force Training Group 10 years worth of work

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22 October 22, 2015RCEAIR FPersonnel

Years

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SGT Theresa PryorFSGT Peter EvansSGT Martin VerrallFSGT Lindsay NelsonWGCDR Richard EnsorSQNLDR Dimitri PantzopoulosWGCDR Andrew MartynFLTLT Roy HoldenWGCDR Leigh CollinsWGCDR Walter MazzoniFSGT Stephen O’Keefe

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DEPARTURE LOUNGE

Who’s leaving after 20+ years’ service

All Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate trial results are subject to command review and appeal. The results are of trials across the ADF.

OTHER RANKDefence Force Magistrate1 x Assaulting another person on service land – DFDA s 33(a)1 x Prejudicial conduct (doing an act) – DFDA s 60(1) The member was accused of assaulting another person on service land. The member was also accused of making certain statements that were likely to bring discredit on a part of the ADF. The member pleaded guilty to the charges and was found guilty of the charges. The member was severely reprimanded and sentenced to 35 days’ detention (with seven days of it suspended).

SEPTEMBER TRIAL RESULTS

SGT Dave Morley

AN ART program developed spe-cifically for serving and former personnel living in WA started this month.

The Military Art Program’s facilities and services, together with time from the program’s artists, are donated to provide an opportunity for participants to learn and experi-ence art classes in Perth.

According to Program Director Leza Howie, many of the program’s artists are well-known and many share a military background.

“The free program is widely endorsed and supported within the Defence community and other organisations, enabling regular monthly art activities, developed to provide an exploratory experience,” she said.

Among artists donating their time is MAJ Ian Young (retd), who said all through his Army service he found having a creative outlet of great benefit.

“It was a way I could relax, unwind and get a tangible result that I felt good about,” he said.

“I think it’s fantastic the Military Art Program is providing this won-derful service to our servicemen and women, particularly those who are suffering as a result of their service to our country.

“Military life has few opportuni-ties to be artistic or creative and I believe it’s important to have a bal-ance in all aspects of life.

“So pursuing a creative outlet helped me achieve this balance.”

For more information, email militaryartprogram@hotmail.com

Alan Beasley

CLOTHING Ordering Online (COOL) is now available on mobile devices.

Personnel can access COOL through iOS (Apple) and Android (Google) mobile platforms.

Accessing COOL on a mobile device will provide access to your local Joint Logistics Command Clothing Store or Central Issue Combat Kitting Store anytime, any-where. To access COOL:

1. On your mobile device, visit www.defenceclothing.com.au

2. Member’s accessing COOL for the first time will need to sign up by entering members details and accepting the site terms and conditions.

3. Member’s who have accessed COOL before will need to enter

their email address, password and confirm they are an active and current-serving member.

COOL is a secure online order-ing system available to current serv-ing members of the ADF.

It provides online access to more than 4000 non-combat items of Defence clothing.

More than 3400 Air Force members have used COOL to order products online.

These members have experi-enced the convenience of ordering products online from the 29 Serco Sodexo Defence Services Clothing Stores.

To access COOL, visit www.defenceclothing.com.au For general enquires contact the Defence Online Clothing Stores Helpdesk at cool.helpdesk@ssds.com.au or 1300 277 737.

THE Reserve Assistance Program (RAP) is available to provide mental health and wellbeing support to active reservists and their families.

RAP is an initiative of the ADF Total Workforce Model and an extension of Defence’s Employee Assistance Program.

The RAP includes a confidential, free, professional counselling service that can provide practical assistance to address ser-vice related or personal challenges experi-enced by reservists or their family mem-bers.

Highly experienced, professionally qualified psychologists or social work-ers provide counselling face-to-face, by telephone, email or over the internet if the appropriate equipment is available.

Under the RAP, Defence funds up to four counselling sessions for a reserve member or an immediate family member to discuss an issue.

Defence may approve an additional four sessions if necessary, to support the resolution of an issue.

Reserve members may attend the first counselling session when on duty.

Any remaining sessions they attend will be in their own time and will not be remunerable.

Eligible reservists and their immediate family can access the RAP and contact a counsellor for confidential, independent and free counselling.

An after-hours crisis counselling sup-port hotline is also available.

RAP has a manager hotline to assist managers and supervisors by providing guidance and strategies to manage issues that are impacting the workplace.

Managers and supervisors can also access awareness programs to enhance the wellbeing of their personnel.

Awareness programs or ‘springboard sessions’ can cover personal, professional and psychological topics designed and developed by qualified psychologists to meet specific team needs.

Springboard sessions require 30 days notice to arrange a psychologist to deliver the presentation and require a minimum of 15 attendees and an appropriate venue.

Managers who wish to organise one of these sessions for their staff can email WHS.COH@defence.gov.au

Veterans may be eligible for alternative support through Veterans’ and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service where an identifiable, diagnosable condition has arisen from duty.

Reservists on continuous full-time ser-vice and permanent ADF members should seek assistance through their local health facility.

For advice on access to services after hours, members can contact 1800 IMSICK.

For more information, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/People/sites/EAP/ComWeb.asp?page=123970

New program provides artistic outlet

Support available for reservists

RAP: 1300 361 008 RAP after-hours crisis hotline:

1800 451 138 Veterans’ and Veterans’

Families Counselling Service: 1800 011 046

Permanent or continuous full-time members: 1800 IMSICK (1800 467 425)

KEY CONTACTS Going mobile Ordering clothing online just got easier

Colin Sherriff and Sarah Smurthwaite sort GPUs. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

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If you have any questions, or require assistance completing your paperwork online, call Toll Transitions on 1800 819 167.

What happens after I submit my AFR (Application for Relocation)?

Your Toll Transitions Case Manager will contact you to start making arrangements for your relocation.

I have moved with Toll before, do I need to complete a new inventory?

No, you can access and update the inventory from your last move online at Toll Transitions’ website www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

How long does it take for Toll to confirm the actual uplift date?

Once you have submitted a completed AFR, and your removal has been approved, in most cases you will receive confirmation of the actual uplift date from your Case Manager within 10 working days. This timeframe is dependent on you being available for Toll to complete a Pre-Removal Visit.

What is a Pre-Removal Visit (PRV)?

A Toll Transitions Consultant will attend your home to confirm your removal details. You will need to make yourself available for the PRV. The Toll Transitions Consultant will assess the volume of your household furniture and effects and note any special packing requirements and access conditions. They will also advise of your responsibilities and the removalist’s responsibilities during your relocation.

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23October 22, 2015RCEAIR F New Horizon

T H E n ew l y a n n o u n c e d To t a l Workforce Model will allow vari-ous Service Categories and Service Options to make better use of Defence personnel’s skills regardless of chang-ing life circumstances.

One key to this success is to pro-ductively employ reserve members, making the best use of each member’s experience and ability.

The Air and Space Operations Centre (AOC) is one such unit making the most of its reserve workforce.

The AOC plans and executes the rapid, adaptable and precise deliv-ery of air and space effects on behalf of Commander Joint Operations and Chief of Air Force.

The AOC has a flexible structure that allows its baseline complement of about 50 personnel to rapidly expand to more than 300 to cope with different operational problems, be it humanitar-ian aid and disaster relief or armed conflict.

Apart from calling on specialists from Force Element Groups and allies, much of the growth would come from reserve members.

Even in times of relative calm, the AOC uses reserve members to maintain

their skills while allowing permanent members to take leave, attend courses, or undertake exercises or operations.

WGCDR Mark Holland is a reserv-ist who regularly works as Chief of Combat Operations at the AOC.

He has benefitted from a smooth transition to the Active Reserve and has remained a vital member of the team.

“My transition from the PAF to the Active Reserve was smooth because AOC leadership adopted a strategic view of reserve personnel staffing,” he said.

“I discussed potential opportunities for employment before I left the ADF and was simply told to get in touch once I was settled in my new job.”

Out of uniform he now works as a search and rescue officer at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

He said once his availability opened up, the AOC began a training and inte-gration program that allowed him to gain the required level of competence before assuming his duties.

“This built upon my previous expe-rience through study, on-the-job train-ing and exercise exposure,” WGCDR Holland said.

“The AOC’s ability to forecast its

Best use of skills Reservists provide return on investment

needs up to six months ahead has ena-bled my workplace to release me for up to four weeks a year.

“Additional ad-hoc work days are then massaged into my work roster without the need to seek further leave from my employer.”

He said a highlight of the process was the willingness of leaders, peers and subordinates to accept him as an effective team member.

“The AOC’s ability to integrate reservists and PAF members high-

lights a culture where members are judged by their performance, not by their status,” WGCDR Holland said.

“Working as an active reservist has provided me with a great sense of sat-isfaction because I’m able to provide meaningful service that releases per-manent members to attend courses, exercises and take much needed leave.

“I owe a great deal to the Air Force, being in the active reserve is my way of hopefully giving some-thing back.”

He said members about to leave the ADF should consider the benefits they could offer their peers by providing relief staffing as an active reservist.

“Equally, my message to ADF units is that those ADF members who transition to civilian employment can be very useful,” WGCDR Holland said.

“However, many, like me, need months of advance notice to integrate their reserve time into their civilian work roster.”

WGCDR Mark Holland at work in and out of uniform. Photos: LS Jayson Tufrey and Emma Holland

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Proceeds from the sale of these shirts will provide much needed funds for Legacy in WA, to support the families and loved ones of incapacitated and deceased veterans. The ANZAC Centenary is a milestone of special significance to all Australians, marking 100 years since our nation’s involvement in the First World War. During the ANZAC Centenary we remember not only the original ANZACs who served at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, but commemorate more than a century of service by Australian servicemen and women.

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24 October 22, 2015RCEAIR FHealth & Fitness

IMAGINE your loved ones sitting at home waiting for your arrival oblivious to the fact you are unconscious and unidentified

lying in hospital or in the back of an ambulance – this can be avoided through ICE.

While accidents and injuries are a sad fact of life, In Case of Emergency (ICE) details can be easily added to the mobile device carried by most people.

In the first instance you should place your emergency contact in your phone list with the contact name ICE. For example:

ICE – Mum 0412 345 678Emergency service first

responders and doctors are trained to look for this.

Because most people lock their phones for security reasons, this information can be displayed on the lock-screen if you set it up beforehand by accessing the ‘user information’ menu. On most phones it is found here: Settings/security/lock screen/user information.

From here, you can input your emergency contact details along with your own name. This will

scroll across your lock screen every time it is displayed.

For iPhone users this user information option is available by activating the Health app that comes installed on your phone.

The first responder needs only swipe the lock-screen, push the ‘emergency button’ (which will also allow 000 to be dialled) and then click the ‘Medical ID’ button to locate an emergency contact list, as well as other details such as blood type and known allergies.

For Android, the ICE: In Case of Emergency app can be purchased the from the Play Store for a couple of dollars and allows access to medical data and emergency contacts from the lock screen.

There are a number of other apps that allow emergency services and doctors access to a wealth of information should they require it.

Some of these apps, such as ICEcard, even have alarm button functionality and can send emergency SMS’ to your nominated contact, along with your GPS coordinates.

Check the App Store for iPhone

or Play Store for Android for more details.

Experienced Ambulance Victoria paramedic Simone Grixti said this was a fantastic idea.

“With the proliferation of mobile phones and smart phones these days, apps like this are great for finding a patient’s name and next-of-kin details,” she said.

“These apps can provide emergency services with extra information such as a patient’s existing conditions and relevant allergies, which is important to know before we administer any medication.

“In the past we have also had to rely on police to assist us with unidentified patients before we could find out who they were – this can take some time and often cannot be resolved while we have the patient in our care.

“The apps that are available not only assist in alerting a patient’s loved ones, they actually save lives. This is great for us as paramedics and assists us to deliver better outcomes for our patients.”

Help is in handKeep yourself and your loved ones safe with emergency contact and medical information apps on your smart phone, LS Jayson Tufrey reports.

Smart phone apps can help keep you and your family safe by providing emergency services with urgent medical information. Photos: LS Jayson Tufrey

‘These apps can provide emergency services with extra information such as a patient’s existing conditions and relevant allergies..

– Paramedic Simone Grixti, Ambulance Victoria

25October 22, 2015RCEAIR F Sp rt

Charity golf dayADCU and White Ribbon Australia will host the annual charity golf day on November 6 at the RMC Duntroon golf course in Canberra. Players should arrive at 7.30am for an 8am tee-off. Cost is a $50 donation to the ADCU White Ribbon Golf Day and lunch will be provided. RSVP by October 30 to the ADCU regional manager Andrew Moebus on 0419 560 511 or email amoe-bus@adcu.com.au

Softball championshipsTHE 2015 Australian Defence Softball Association National Championships will be held in Brisbane from November 28 to December 6. Women’s teams will compete for the WO1 Dowsett Perpetual Trophy, while men’s teams will compete for the Pat Rawlings Perpetual Trophy. The Royal New Zealand Air Force will also participate and the ADF men’s and women’s teams will play test matches against the New Zealanders for the Trans Tasman Trophy on December 4. On December 5, Anzac teams will compete against the Brisbane Softball Association representative sides as part of the annual ‘Play for a Cure’ charity fundraising day. For more informa-tion, visit http://drnet.defence.gov.au/vcdf/Sports-Softball/pages/Welcome

A TEAM of ADF wounded, injured and ill members proudly represented Australia in the Canadian Forces half marathon in Ottawa last month.

Several former ADF wounded, injured or ill members also participat-ed, through significant support from the NSW Branch of the RSL.

Many of the Australian team mem-bers completed the half marathon and 5km courses in personal best times and were inspired by the large crowd support.

ADF Contingent Commander AIRCDRE Hayden Marshall (pictured above) completed the 21km event in 1 hour, 40 min and 55 sec.

He said many of the Australians competing in Ottawa had overcome

big challenges just to get to the start-ing line. “Some have been wounded on operations, some were injured or became ill while in Australia,” he said.

“I’m enormously proud of the spirit they displayed in preparing for this event and completing it. It will give them the confidence and motiva-tion to continue their rehabilitation back home.”

Participation in the half marathon is part of the ADF’s broad program that supports the rehabilitation of wounded, injured or ill people.

This includes sending representa-tives to adaptive sports competitions like the Invictus Games, Canadian Forces Soldier Allied Winter Sports Camp and the US Marine Corps trials.

LAC Andrew Duncan: second cross-country short course, third cross-country Olympic. PLTOFF Doug Bell: second elite road race. FSGT Lindy Turnbull: second women’s

cross-country Olympic, third cross-country eliminator. FSGT Paul Hollander: second cross-country

Olympic, third super downhill, fifth cross-country short course. FLTLT Shayne Hohensee: first seasoned

riders’ velodrome exhibition. LACW Melinda Boyle: second women’s

velodrome exhibition, third super downhill. CPL Michael Crummy: first cross-country

eliminator, third cross-country short course. CPL Ben Crawford: third elite road race and

road time trial.

WO2 Andrew Hetherington

A HUSBAND-and-wife team proved to be Air Forces most successful rid-ers at this year’s Australian Defence Cycling Club championships.

Cycling was the sport that brought SGT Jamie Burton and CPL Nicole Burton together.

“We were both in the Navy in 2002 in Darwin and one day I noticed Jamie in the mess sitting by himself,” CPL Burton said.

“I was running late on that day and I still had my bike helmet with me and we started to talk about bikes.

“He then invited me on our first

mountain bike ride, but he stood me up.”

SGT Burton said he didn’t turn up for the ride for a genuine reason.

“The day before our ride I broke my shoulder, but I still got a couple of my mates to take her out for the ride any-way,” SGT Burton said.

“After the ride I got a text from one of my mates wanting Nicole’s phone number. I sent back to him a text saying nick off.”

From this shaky start, their rela-tionship flourished and they became engaged in 2004.

SGT Burton transferred to Air Force in 2005 and CPL Burton in 2007.

They are both currently posted to RAAF Base Tindal and keep each other bike and race fit by training together.

“We ride together to work four days a week, which is a 34km round trip,” CPL Burton said.

“We also do a training ride with a local group of riders, which takes us up to about 200km of riding a week.”

CPL Burton said cycling did a lot for them as a couple.

“Cycling keeps us fit, allows us meet all of our friends outside of Defence and separates work from our personal life,” she said.

The couple intend to defend their championship titles next year.

Outstanding pedal power Air Force competitors dominate in the Australian Defence Cycling championshipsWO2 Andrew Hetherington

AIR Force’s road and off-road cyclists put in an outstanding effort to top the winners and placegetters list at the 2015 Australian Defence Cycling Club (ADCC) championships, held at Mount Stromlo in Canberra from October 5-11.

More than 85 ADF personnel gath-ered at the Stromlo cycling facility to compete in nine road and mountain bike off-road riding events.

Air Force topped the points score for the event by achieving 36 points to Army 27 and Navy 21.

Points were allocated to riders from each service who won and placed in the men’s and women’s elite and overall categories for each of the events.

ADCC president LCDR Andrew Willett said this year there was no over-all winning service or service placeget-ter trophies presented, but there will be changes to next year’s competition.

“Next year we intend to increase interservice competition by reinvig-orating the championship through the inclusion of some new events,” LCDR Willett said.

“We intend to introduce BMX, cycle-cross and track cycling to expand the overall competition and we will then introduce overall service first, sec-ond and third trophies.

“We hope to also increase our club

member numbers and the extra events should help us do this.”

LCDR Willett said he was happy to see the ADCC members get on a bike and compete against each other.

“During the races everyone gave their events a red-hot go and everyone pushed themselves to a win, or just better themselves as cyclists,” LCDR Willett said.

Two of Air Force’s most success-ful riders were SGT Jamie Burton and his wife CPL Nicole Burton, of RAAF Base Tindal.

Between them they entered seven events, winning four and placed in two others.

It was CPL Burton’s first time com-peting at the ADCC championships.

“I entered four events, winning three of them and came second in the other,” CPL Burton said.

“I came first in the cross-country short course, cross-country Olympic and the road criterium races and came second in the cross-country eliminator.”

SGT Burton entered the cross-country eliminator, cross-country short course and the cross-country Olympic.

“I came second in the cross-country eliminator and won by a small margin the cross-country short course,” he said.

“I disappointingly crashed during the Olympic when I was coming third, but managed to get back on and finish sixth.”

OUR OTHER TOP

PERFORMERS

‘Cycling brought us together’Husband-and-wife team SGT Jamie Burton and CPL Nicole Burton. Photo: WO2 Andrew Hetherington

LAC Andrew Duncan catches some air during the cross-country short course. Photo: WO2 Andrew Hetherington

Team’s marathon effort

SPORTS SHORTS

FLTLT Baz Bardoe

TWO teams of engineers and scientists battled it out on the footy field for the rights to the ‘Structural Integrity Shield’ at RAAF Williams last month.

The Directorate General Technical Airworthiness – ADF (DGTA-ADF) provided the en-gineers, while Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) provided the scientists.

WGCDR Jason Dean, of DGTA-ADF, said the annual footy game was now in it’s ninth year.

“The game brings out mateship and team orientated aspects that are simply not achievable with the normal office environment, making this an invaluable activity that brings both organisations closer together,” he said.

With the yearly tally at 5-3 in favour of the scientists, the engineers managed to close the gap this year winning 66 to 19.

“After some recent defeats to DSTG, there’s nothing more

pleasing than to have bragging rights until the next years game,” WGCDR Dean said.

DGTA-ADF, with the help of some ring-ins from RAAF Williams, dominated play from the outset, grinding down the DSTG side.

Only one goal was scored in the first quarter by DGTA-ADF, but momentum was building with two more majors and several points by the big break. DSTG had been kept to just one point.

After halftime, DSTG im-plemented some much-needed recalibrations to their game plan, scoring two majors for the quarter.

DGTA-ADF scored just one major, but also kicked five points, keeping them well ahead as they went into the final quarter.

The fitness and skill of the engineers came to the fore in the last quarter with five majors to just one by the sci-entists, resulting in a resound-ing win for DGTA-ADF.

ENGINEERS VS SCIENTISTS

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ADF crews competed in the 43rd National Tasar Championship held on the warm tropical waters of Townsville from September 28 to 3 October 3.

SGT Graham Baxendale skippered while FLTLT Alice Baxendale crewed to win heat one of the Interservice Dinghy Championship to give Air Force first placing in the ADF handi-cap, third in the ADF titles and 33rd overall.

“It was great being back on the water again. The competition, both interservice and national, was strong,” SGT Baxendale said.

“Townsville is an ideal location for a regatta like this, with perfect weather, consistent breeze and a great bunch of people combining to make a memora-ble event.

“Although not sailing together since 2011, we adjusted quickly to the con-ditions and quickly recalled how to

race competitively in a large regatta to achieve a great result.”

Each Tasar is almost identical, so unlike some sailing classes, the skill and teamwork of the crew determines the racing results.

Seven Defence boats competed in a fleet of 61 boats over 10 heats, with the championship decided by four points between the three finishers.

CDRE Rick Longbottom and PO Darryl Bentley placed first in the ADF titles, and third overall.

LS Keith Eddy skippered FLTLT Sacha Casken to be the second Defence boat in 32nd place.

FLTLT Casken and LS Eddy under-took three days of training before the event to familiarise themselves with the specific techniques required in the Tasar.

Strong winds on Townsville’s shal-low Cleveland Bay created choppy conditions, which required LS Eddy to depower the mainsail to prevent cap-

size on upwind legs, while both mem-bers had to hold their body weight out horizontally to provide sufficient power to drive through the waves.

More strong winds of up to 25 knots prepared the pair well for the last two days of racing, when nearly a third of the fleet retired, unable to sustain the physical effort to stay upright.

Service members who sail are invit-ed to represent Air Force in upcom-ing heats of the Interservice Dinghy Championships , which inc lude the ACT Dinghy Championship, November 14-15, Sail Melbourne (an Olympic qualifying event), December 7-13 and Sail Sydney, December 17-20.

Pre-race training can be arranged for sailors converting from one racing class to another for these events.

Details of ADF Sailing Association keel boat and dinghy racing events are available at: http://drnet.defence.gov.au/VCDF/Sports-Sailing/Pages/Welcome

Crews sail to success in Queensland

SGT Graham Baxendale and FLTLT Alice Baxendale prepare to round a mark. Photo: John De Rooy

THE jersey presentation for the second game against France was held in a farmer’s field in Codford where an Anzac Badge sits high on the hillside.

The Anzac Badge was the idea of an Australian Brigade Commander who wanted to leave a memento of the thousands of Australian and New Zea-landers who served in the training and transfer camps in the Salisbury Plain area before going to the Western Front.

So the 53 x 45m Rising Sun was

created in 1916 by the AIF soldiers who carved the shape into the grass and then embedded empty beer bottles to give the appearance of a bronze badge. The AIF soldiers maintained the badge as a form of punishment so site became known as ‘Misery Hill’.

Nowadays the underlying chalk is still clearly visible to create the shape and the badge is maintained by the local community in honour of all who served and gave their lives.

ASRU was no match against a vastly superior team from Ted-worth House in a friendly game of wheelchair rugby before their first match at the IDRC.

The ASRU team was dominated from the start during their visit to the Help for Heroes recovery centre on October 2.

The three-man and one-woman team from Tedworth House steered their wheelchairs quickly and nimbly around the clumsy Australians who were often left behind.

The referee, taking pity on the Australians, allowed nine players, but they were still beaten by the team of four veterans.

The Australians afterwards said it was really difficult to steer the wheelchairs and it required a different type of strength to what they were used to.

“It was pretty hard, we just couldn’t keep up,” AB Will Solway said.

“They just dominated us but it was awesome,” he said.

Air Force CPL Zac Studders said the highlight of the visit for him was the wheelchair rugby.

“I was really impressed how the veterans have moved forward with their lives instead of giving up,” he said.

“It was quite inspirational.”The ASRU team were also

taken on a tour of the facilities at Tedworth House recovery centre.

The recovery centre is run by Help for Heroes, a UK charity that provides support for wounded, injured and sick veterans and servicemen and women as well as their loved ones.

They work closely with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the veterans obtain the best possible support for their rehabilitation.

Help for Heroes director of recovery David Richmond, him-self wounded in Afghanistan, knows personally the long road that recovering veterans face.

“We are not out of conflict, we are in between conflicts,” Mr Richmond said.

“We want to make sure that when the next batch of casual-ties come there is something in place for them so we need to make sure that support is always available.”

WHEELY GOOD RUGBY

A CLOSE win over the French and a shellacking of the Canadians at the International Defence Rugby Competition

(IDRC) meant the Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU) team finished in second position in their pool and set up a quarter final match against Fiji on October 19.

This came after a demoralising loss to the British Army in their first match.

Twelve teams from 10 nations are competing in the IDRC being held in the UK from October 5-29 – British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, French Armed Forces, Georgian Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces, Japan Self-Defense Force, South African National Defence Force, Republic of Fiji Military Forces, His Majesty’s Armed Forces (Tonga), New Zealand Defence Force and ASRU.

ASRU’s campaign is based at Aldershot Army Barracks, with the finals being played at Twickenham Stoop in London on October 29.

A KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport left Australia with the ASRU team on October 1 and stopped in Fiji en route to the UK to collect the Tongan and Fijian teams.

ASRU chairman MAJGEN John Frewen said it was important to maintain ties with our neighbours.

“Australia was pleased to be able

to provide logistical support to Fiji and Tonga in travelling to the UK, which was an example of the practical benefits these events can have on our broader defence relationships,” he said.

“Sports diplomacy - particularly rugby - resonates strongly within the South Pacific, and ADF participation at this event will continue to strengthen Australia’s ties to countries like Fiji and Tonga,” he said.

KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport crew attendant CPL Josh Edmunds said they put on extra rations to cater for the three rugby teams.

“We made sure there were plenty of snacks because it’s a long time to be on board,” CPL Edmunds said.

“We don’t want them to get the han-grys.”

Fijian coach Esala Nauga said it was the first time the Fijian team had flown with the RAAF and were unlikely to have participated in the IDRC without their support.

“It would have been very hard because it is too expensive for the whole team to fly to the UK without the Aussie support,” Mr Nauga said.

He also said they were “quietly confi-dent” in their IDRC campaign and had a score to settle against the Australians.

“We have to pay back the Aussies and reverse the result after what happened to Fiji in the World Cup,” Mr Nauga said.

Our team through to quarter finalsThe Australian Services Rugby Union team tackles the best to make the quarter finals at the International Defence Rugby Competition, CPL Janine Fabre and LTCOL Adam Boyd report.

THE ANZAC SPIRIT

Australia versus BritainTHE first round pool match between ASRU and the British Army was an eagerly anticipated replay of the 2011 final.

The match was played at the Alder-shot Garrison under fine conditions and on a lush green pitch, in front of a vocal home crowd on October 8.

As was the case in 2011, ASRU was outclassed by with the British Army running in eight tries to nil. The final score was 62-0 with all tries coming from the backrow or wing. One of those wingers, Semesa Rokoduguni, was capped for England in 2014.

British Army ran away with the game in the second half, after ASRU had displayed plenty of steel in the first half, restricting the tournament favour-ites to 19 points at half time.

ASRU had only a few genuine scor-ing opportunities with their most posi-tive period of play occurring midway through the first half when they were camped just short of British Army’s try line for several minutes.

ASRU threw everything at the opposition during that period, hopeful of eventually finding a crack in their armour.

That crack never appeared; not in the first half, nor the second.

ASRU front rower LAC Jared Play-ford said ASRU was competitive during the first half, but slipped off the pace in the second half.

“I think we were able to match the British Army in the close contest around the rucks, but we let ourselves down with less than acceptable ball retention, especially under pressure,” LAC Playford said.

ROUND ONE

ROUND TWO

Australia versus FranceASRU’s campaign was back on track after a heroic victory against the French National Military team at Aldershot, 15 – 11, on October 12.

The win was desperately needed by the ASRU team in order to keep their quarter final aspirations alive.

Outside centre, Army CPL Blake Hart, scored the winning try in the 76th minute, but the team had to withstand a barrage of attacking raids by the French in the final four minutes of play.

The French team was the first

to score in the match, crossing the tryline in the fifth minute of the first half.

They extended their lead 10 minutes later with a penalty goal before ASRU responded with a bril-liant team try, scored by CFN Jeremy Nelson, and a penalty goal by LS Damien House.

The teams were locked at 8-all at half time. For the first time in many matches, ASRU was able to produce 80 minutes of high quality, consist-ent and disciplined rugby. Army SGT Scott Ashurst was man of the match.

FLTLT Robbie Harlow said it was

a bruising encounter. “However, the boys managed to stick at it and ultimately our perseverance got us across the line followed by some pretty tenacious defence in the last couple of minutes to see them off,” he said.

The win meant ASRU would meet Canada in round three.

“I think we are fully prepared,” FLTLT Harlow said.

“Canada might be the worst ranked in the pool but we can’t take them too lightly. We need to put our structures in place to ensure that we do get the result we are after.”

ROUND THREEAustralia versus CanadaIN A stunning victory, ASRU played its final pool match against the Canadian Armed Forces, 145-7, on October 15.

Due to the upset by French Na-tional Military over British Army, 24-23, Australia will now go into the quarter finals in eighth position where they will meet Republic of Fiji Military Force at Portsmouth on October 19.

Photo: CPL Janine Fabre

FLTLT Robbie Harlow prepares to pass the ball during the match against the French National Military. Photo: CPL Janine Fabre

FLTLT Arthur Iconomou dodges the opposition during the match against the Canadian Armed Forces. Photo: CPL Janine Fabre

SP RTOctober 22, 2015

FAST TRACK TO SUCCESS

Air Force brings home the title at the Australian Defence Cycling Championships

PAGE 25

SGT Jamie Burton on his

way to winning the cross-country short course race

at the Australian Defence Cycling Championships

in Canberra.Photo: WO2 Andrew

Hetherington

ASRU MAKE

QUARTER FINALS IN

THE UK P26-27