Edition 4923, December 13, 2007 - Department of Defence

AIR 

FORCE 

Vol. 49, No. 23, December 13, 2007 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

HELPING HANDS: 38SQN 

crewmembers receive a heroes’ 

welcome by Itokama villagers after 

delivering much-needed supplies 

to the flood-stricken region as part 

of Operation PNG Assist. Centre, 

from left, is flight engineer WOFF 

Ken Flint and pilots FLTLT Craig 

Taylor and FLTLT Chris Jaensch. 

Photo by CPL Chris Moore 

THANKS FOR 

COMING 

Operation PNG 

Assist wraps up for 

Christmas – P5 

RAAFCOL’s moving tribute – P14 2007 in review – centre

2 Christmas Messages 

What a ride in 2007 

Chief of Defence Force 

ACM Angus Houston 

As we continue to experience a high 

operational tempo I want to thank all men 

and women of Defence for their hard work. 

Since July 2005, almost 20,000 personnel 

have deployed on operations. This 

level of commitment has not been seen 

since Vietnam and is greater than the entire 

number of personnel deployed in the 20 

years from 1980-1999. 

We have been called on to undertake 

a wide variety of roles including United 

Nations peacekeeping operations, humanitarian 

missions, important domestic and 

regional tasks, as well as ongoing operations 

in the Middle East. 

Wherever they may serve, Australian 

Servicemen and women make a tangible 

and positive difference to the lives of those 

they touch and I am very proud of the work 

ADF personnel do in service to their nation. 

To those personnel working away from 

home this Christmas, I thank you for your 

dedication. It is always difficult to be separated 

from your loved ones, and this time 

of year it can be especially difficult. I can 

assure you that your sacrifice, support and 

understanding are greatly appreciated. I 

also thank your families for being so understanding. 

They are also making a significant 

contribution to the success of the ADF 

and we could not continue to operate as an 

effective force without their support. 

It is an immense privilege to lead 

such an experienced and capable Defence 

Organisation. The men and women of 

Defence are a magnificently skilled, trained 

and talented group of people. During the 

last few years, our performance both here 

at home and on operations has been impressive. 

We have consistently delivered wonderful 

results in very challenging circumstances. 

Your efforts are highly regarded by 

the nation, our allies and coalition partners. 

However, service to the nation is not 

without sacrifice. This year we have lost 

some good friends and comrades. While we 

mourn them, we can comfort ourselves with 

the knowledge they will never be forgotten. 

Their names will be etched on the honour 

roll of Australian military history. We must 

harden our resolve and continue on with 

our important tasks – there is still work to 

be done. 

I wish each and every member of the 

Defence Organisation a very happy and 

safe Christmas. 

Our last edition for 2007 

Merry Christmas to all from the AIR 

FORCE News team – Simone, Barry, 

Andrew and Aaron. Thanks for your 

continued support and we look forward 

to another action-packed newspaper 

next year. Our first edition for 2008 is 

February 7. Keep emailing your contribu- 

tions to raafnews@defencenews.gov.au 

.............................................................. 

Director 

Rod Horan: (02) 6265 4650 

rod.horan@defencenews.gov.au 

Editor 

Simone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253 

simone.liebelt@defencenews.gov.au 

Deputy editor/Sports editor 

Barry Rollings: (02) 6265 7219 

barry.rollings@defencenews.gov.au 

AIR FORCE 

Governor-General of the 

Commonwealth of Australia 

MAJGEN Michael Jeffery 

(retired) 

As Commander-in-Chief of 

the ADF, I extend season’s greetings 

and congratulations to all 

Air Force personnel on a job well 

done during 2007. 

You have again worked at a 

high operational tempo, notably 

during APEC, and abroad conducting 

operations in the Middle 

East, providing direct support of 

operations in Timor-Leste and the 

Solomon Islands. This is in addition 

to fulfilling rigorous training 

and readiness requirements. You 

have consistently demonstrated 

dedication, professionalism and 

compassion in carrying out these 

demanding tasks. 

I was also impressed with the 

2007 Australian International 

Air Show held at Avalon Airport, 

which showcased the RAAF’s airpower, 

capability and diversity. 

BIG YEAR: Op 

Deluge was one 

of the more high 

profile tasks for 

Air Force in 2007. 

Pictured is 33SQN 

in an air-to-air 

refuelling task 

during APEC. 

Photo by CPL Chris 

Moore 

Secretary of Defence 

Nick Warner 

This year, my first as Secretary, 

has been incredibly busy for our 

Servicemen and women. 

The high operational tempo has 

placed considerable and constant 

demands on you and your families. 

But, despite the professional 

and personal challenges, you’ve 

responded with your world-famous 

dedication, discipline and Australian 

spirit and I’d like to thank and commend 

you for your continued commitment 

to securing our nation’s 

future and interests. 

While not as visible, over 2007 

our success on operations has been 

matched by major improvements to 

the way we do business. 

In October, the Australian 

National Audit Office signed off 

our 2006-07 financial statements as 

‘true and fair’, except for general 

stores inventory. 

This is a significant achievement 

and means we have reduced uncer- 

Senior reporter 

Andrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 7611 

andrew.stackpool@defencenews.gov.au 

Reporter/photographer 

LAC Aaron Curran: (02) 6265 1355 

aaron.curran@defencenews.gov.au 

Website: http://www.defence.gov. 

au/news/raafnews 

While many of you will spend 

Christmas at home with family 

and friends, others will remain 

on operational duty in locations 

throughout Australia and overseas. 

I hope that those absent on duty 

will find some time to share in 

the festive season, bolstered by 

the knowledge that their commitment 

is especially valued by all 

Australians. 

The Air Force has much to be 

proud of. It is recognised internationally 

for its adaptability, 

flexibility and enthusiasm and for 

consistently getting the job done. 

Marlena and I take this opportunity 

to express our deep appreciation 

to all Air Force Servicemen 

and women, and to the wives, husbands, 

partners, friends and family 

members who provide invaluable 

support to the Air Force family. 

Keep up the good work. Have 

a joyous Christmas and New Year 

and a safe return home for those 

deployed overseas. 

tainty from four line items, to one, 

and on around $2.2 billion worth of 

repairable items. 

We’ve also made substantial 

progress on the Defence 

Management Review, which is an 

opportunity for reform, not a blueprint. 

The review builds on the 

changes we’ve made over the last 

few years to our people management, 

business systems, support to 

Ministers and accountability and 

governance, and the Chief of the 

AIR FORCE 

Advertising manager 

Geoff Howard: (02) 6266 7605 

0405 310 074 

advertising@defencenews.gov.au 

www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews 

Defence Force and I aim to have all 

the agreed recommendations implemented 

by July 1, 2008. 

Next year will be a busy, important 

and difficult year. In addition to 

our operational commitments and 

reform program, we’ll be implementing 

the Labor Government’s 

Defence agenda, developing a new 

Defence White Paper and revising 

the Defence Capability Plan, and I 

know the department will meet these 

challenges with its usual professionalism. 

Even though we’ve had many 

achievements this year, we’ve also 

had some real low points. This year 

we lost four loyal and courageous 

young Australians. Like you, my 

thoughts are with their families, 

friends and colleagues, particularly 

at this time of year. 

I wish you and your families all 

the best for Christmas and the New 

Year. Thank you for your exemplary 

efforts during 2007. 

Subscriptions 

Trish Dillon: (02) 6266 7607 

tdillon@defencenews.gov.au 

Email: raafnews@defencenews.gov.au (Put 

[sec=unclassified] after title in subject line) Fax: (02) 6265 6690 

Chief of Air Force 

AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd 

In last year’s Christmas message, I mentioned 

that our Air Force team had faced 

a busy year deployed to all corners of the 

globe. The same can be said for 2007; we 

have all faced another action-packed year 

both domestically and internationally. 

With the festive season around the corner, 

I am positive that all of you will enjoy 

being at home with your families after such 

a busy year. If the job requires you to work 

over the period of operational stand-by, I 

understand the sacrifice you are making and 

encourage you to keep up the great work. 

Be confident you are making a difference. 

Our Air Force team has met the challenges 

put to it over the past 12 months and 

has successfully delivered the required government 

outcomes. I am extremely proud of 

the commitment and professionalism that all 

members of our team have displayed. 

Regionally and internationally, our Air 

Force has supported Operations Catalyst, 

Slipper, Astute, Quickstep, Gateway, Solania 

and Resolute. Our C-130 and Orions continue 

their deployment in the Middle East Area 

of Operations and the Air Force’s Control 

and Reporting Centre (CRC) continues to 

undertake 24/7 operations from Kandahar 

Airfield in Afghanistan. Across Air Force 

we have now been deployed for nearly five 

years, which is approaching the length of 

some World War II deployments. 

Domestically, Air Force participated in 

the highly successful Avalon International 

Air Show, which allowed us to mix it with 

international and domestic industry and 

other military forces, and gave the public 

the opportunity to see many aspects 

of Defence’s air capability. We also participated 

in Exercise Talisman Saber and 

Operation Deluge, which was the ADF’s 

support to APEC. 

We are progressing well with our redesign 

of Air Force. From January, some of 

our most significant changes will occur with 

the moves of RAAFCOL, OTS and 1RTU. 

36 and 37SQNs have settled in well following 

the introduction of the C-17 and we are 

looking forward to receiving our third and 

fourth C-17s in January. 

There are plenty more exciting opportunities 

and challenges ahead of us, and 

from what we have achieved this year, I am 

very upbeat about what we can continue to 

deliver. 

I know how much we depend on each 

other and our families, and it is important 

to recognise the essential role that friends, 

partners and family members play in the Air 

Force family. It is what goes on behind the 

scenes that make everything we do possible. 

I thank your families and your friends for 

their strength and dedication, and I especially 

would like to thank my wife Anne 

and my family for their unstinting support 

to me and the Air Force. 

I wish all of you in the Air Force family 

the very best for the Christmas and New 

Year period. Celebrate with your family and 

mates, and take the time to call someone 

you may not have contacted over the year. 

Please take care on the roads as we need 

you back. 

I look forward to catching up with you 

in 2008, which is promising to be equally 

busy, challenging and exciting, but most of 

all good fun! Cooee! 

December 13, 2007

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ONE of Air Force’s most important 

air combat training activities 

of the year rocked the waters east 

of NSW from November 19-30. 

The East Coast Air Defence 

Exercise (ECADEX) was conducted 

in the east coast military training 

areas. 

F-111s and Learjet aircraft operated 

from RAAF Base Amberley 

while Hawks and F/A-18s from 

RAAF Base Williamtown were also 

involved. Supporting the exercise 

was a B707 tanker from RAAF Base 

Richmond, while the Navy’s frigate 

HMAS Parramatta and a torpedo 

recovery vessel also played a major 

role. 

Surveillance and Response Group 

provided an AP-3C and personnel 

from 41WG air defence and 44WG 

air traffic control to assist in directing 

the battle. 

OC 81WG GPCAPT Gavin 

Turnbull said ECADEX was planned 

to concentrate on core air-to-air 

skills and, as importantly, practice 


the integration of ground and airbased 

air defence elements. 

“ECADEX is an important step 

in exposing aircrew to air-to-air 

combat in a high-threat and complex 

environment. The inclusion of 

HMAS Parramatta also allowed the 

practice of Joint procedures; [she] 

served as a high-value target for the 

red forces and as part of the integrated 

defence system,” he said. 

ECADEX focused on two opposing 

forces; blue, which comprised 

Hornet and Air Defence assets 

conducting defensive counter-air 

operations; and red, comprising the 

F-111s, Hornets, Hawks and Learjets 

conducting offensive counter-air 

operations. They operated within 

the bounds of a real-life scenario, 

involving the defence of sovereign 

airspace and shipping against “welltrained 

and very capable threats”. 

The scenario was designed to 

test active and passive air defence 

capabilities to further enhance the 

training elements of the exercise and 

 

 

News 3 

Jets combat 

east coast 

Air Force ramps up for major air-to-air exercise 

provide Air Force personnel with a 

unique opportunity to practise and 

utilise their skills, delivering the 

vital training necessary to protect 

the integrity of Australian air space 

and vital infrastructure. 

C o m m a n d e r A i r C o m b a t 

Group AIRCDRE Kym Osley said 

ECADEX was an important exercise 

that allowed aircraft from ACG to 

obtain excellent practice in air combat 

tactics. 

“We value enormously the opportunity 

to exercise both across Air 

Force and in partnership with the 

Navy,” AIRCDRE Osley said. 

“ECADEX enabled our pilots 

and ground crew personnel to participate 

in collaborative training within 

the military airspace over sea.” 

He praised the efforts of the personnel 

participating in the exercise. 

“The success of the exercise is 

due largely to the dedicated, professional, 

highly-skilled and talented 

Air Force men and women who supported 

the exercise,” he said. 

FILL HER UP: Above, LAC Steven Porter 

from 381ECSS tops up his fuel truck after a 

busy morning refilling F/A-18s. 

ON SCREEN: Above left, 44WG technicians 

LACs Jordan Blackeby and Nathan Abberton 

keep the radars working with the high flow of 

air traffic during ECADEX. 

READY: Left, A 77SQN Hornet taxis out for 

an exercise sortie. Photos by LAC David Gibbs 

 


4 News 

Sacrifi ce is 

honoured 

AIR FORCE personnel paid their last 

respects to fallen comrade PTE Luke 

Worsley at a flag-lowering ceremony 

in the Middle East Area of Operations 

(MEAO) recently. 

PTE Worsley, a Commando serving 

in Afghanistan as part of the Special 

Operations Task Group, was killed in 

action against the Taliban in-country on 

November 23. 

As a tribute to the soldier, the AP-3C 

Detachment (Task Group 633.2) conducted 

a flag-lowering ceremony, presided over 

by detachment commander WGCDR Steve 

Hanrahan and Air Force chaplain FLTLT 

Joe Bove. Dutch and Canadian military 

representatives also attended, along with 

RAAF personnel. 

The flag was lowered to half-mast and 

CHAP Bove addressed the mourners. 

New Defence 

ministry gets 

on with the job 

THERE has been a change of the 

guard in the Defence Ministry following 

Labor’s election victory. 

Joel Fitzgibbon MP has been 

appointed the new Minister for 

Defence and is being supported by 

Warren Snowdon MP as Minister 

for Defence Science and Personnel. 

Defence will be represented in the 

Senate by Senator John Faulkner. 

D e f e n c e n o w h a s t w o 

Parliamentary Secretaries. Greg 

Combet MP has been appointed 

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence 

AIR FORCE 

A traditional ramp ceremony for PTE 

Worsley was then held on November 27 

by Australian soldiers from the Special 

Operations Task Group and Reconstruction 

Task Force at their base in Oruzgan 

Province, southern Afghanistan. 

The soldier’s coffin was borne onto a 

waiting C-130 before being delivered to 

family in a solemn ceremony at RAAF 

Base Richmond on November 30. 

The C-130 then returned to its base in 

the MEAO. 

PTE Worsley’s funeral took place 

at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney on 

December 4 and was attended by Prime 

Minister Kevin Rudd, Opposition Leader 

Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence 

Joel Fitzgibbon, CDF ACM Angus 

Houston and Chief of Army LTGEN Peter 

Leahy. 

WELCOME ABOARD: Minister for 

Defence Joel Fitzgibbon. 

Procurement, and Dr Mike Kelly MP has been appointed Parliamentary 

Secretary. Specific portfolio responsibilities have not yet been allocated. 

FAREWELL, MATE: CHAP Joe Bove presides over a flag-lowering ceremony 

for PTE Luke Worsley in the MEAO, attended by Australian and Canadian Air 

Force members, and right, PTE Worsley’s body is borne onto a waiting C-130 

in Afghanistan in a ramp ceremony. Photos by CAPT Al Green 

Christmas air mail 

Warrant Officer of the Air Force 

WOFF Ray Woolnough 

Greetings, Airmen and Airwomen 

of the Air Force. 

It feels as though it was only last 

month that I last did my Christmas 

message to all our hardworking men 

and women in our illustrious Air 

Force. Another very productive year 

has passed, and I made the point in 

my last message that I had learnt a 

lot in my first 12 months in the job. 

I have continued to learn, and like 

you, will continue to discover more 

about our evolving Air Force. 

I take this opportunity to mention 

my recent trip to visit our men 

and women in the Middle East. 

Professional, dedicated and motivated 

are word descriptors that 

immediately come to mind. I left 

the three locations that I visited 

absolutely gutted. Not because there 

were problems, but simply because 

I did not want to leave. There was a 

buzz about them; morale was high 

– indicated by the smiles and continuous 

chats I had with those I had the 

privilege to speak to. To the leadership 

at the areas I visited, stealing 

one of CAF’s phrases – BZ to the 

commanders, WOFFs and SNCOs. 

Again, my thanks to all deployed 

personnel for the great work you do. 

We’ve had many changes over 

the past 12 months – the pay cases, 

the new Airmen Tavern management 

and the introduction of the Executive 

WOFF concept, to name a few. 

There are far too many people to 

name, but to those behind the scenes 

who worked tirelessly on all those 

changes – a big thank you. 

In my last article, I thanked the 

outgoing Air Command Warrant 

Officer (ACWOFF), now FLTLT 

Woods, and now I would like to con- 

Commendation winners 

CAF Commendation – Gold 

SQNLDR Wendy Gill – for her 

superior service in the performance 

of duty as Capability 

Manager of the Management 

Services Agency. 

SQNLDR Lee Read– for his 

outstanding performance as the 

10SQN Executive Officer. 

FLTLT Hannah Jude-Smith 

– for her tireless and exemplary 

performance as OIC of 3 Control 


MERRY MEMBERS: WOFF-AF Ray Woolnough with LACW 

Janelle Tyley and FLGOFF Sarah Clark during his visit to the C-130 

detachment in the MEAO. Photo by CPL Mike McSweeney 

gratulate the incoming ACWOFF, 

WOFF Gerard Hallinan (aka Gerry) 

for being chosen for the position. 

Well done and welcome, Gerry – I 

know that you will take the current 

healthy position to even greater 

heights, and I am looking forward 

to having the same relationship 

that I had with the past ACWOFF. 

Welcome again, and ‘strap in tight 

my friend’ as we have a lot to do. 

Along with my lovely wife 

Sheryl and my children Dale and 

Kylie, I would like to wish our large 

Air Force family a very merry and 

peaceful Christmas. 

Please remember that Christmas 

is all about families, and I again ask 

you all to spare a thought for those 

members who will be away from 

and Reporting Unit’s Intelligence 

Section. 

FLGOFF Simon Bird – for his outstanding 

dedication and professionalism 

in the successful introduction 

into operational service of 

the AP-3C Electronic Warfare Self 

Protection system. 

WOFF Peter Sullivan – for his 

outstanding performance as the 

WOFF in Charge of Technical 

Training Flight at 278SQN. 

CPL Ole Underwood – for his 

their families this Christmas on duty 

or on deployments overseas. 

A big thank you to all the husbands, 

wives, fiancés, boyfriends, 

girlfriends, children and your 

extended families for all the support 

they have given to our Air Force 

team. Without their loyal support I 

know that we would not be as effective 

as we currently are. 

I would also like to congratulate 

the Air Force personnel listed below, 

for recently being awarded commendations. 

’Till next time, please keep on 

smiling – and again, on behalf of 

my family, I wish you all a merry 

Christmas and a happy and prosperous 

New Year. 

outstanding professional competence, 

leadership and team 

contribution to Combat Support 

Unit – Edinburgh. (Recipient of 

the AVM Eaton Airman of the Year 

Award presented on May 16). 

ACAUST Commendation – Bronze 

CPL Paul Healey – for his 

outstanding professional competence, 

technical ability and 

team contribution at 323 Combat 

Support Squadron. 



News 5 

NG mercy mission 

DF delivers relief to disaster 

tricken northern neighbours 

By LT Kris Gardiner and 

Andrew Stackpool 

PEOPLE living in the flooded 

ro province of Papua New Guinea 

PNG) have received urgently-needed 

ustralian assistance with the recent 

rrival of another 350 tonnes of huanitarian 

stores as part of Operation 

NG Assist. 

The PNG government, with suport 

from Australian aid agencies and 

he ADF, conducted an intensive airlift 

peration using military and civilian 

ircraft to deliver emergency aid and 

tores to people living in the area. 

On November 30, between 60,000 

nd 100,000 people were estimated 

o have been affected by the flooding, 

hich left at least 153 people dead. 

Commander of the ADF’s relief 

ask force, GPCAPT Tim Innes, said 

he relief operations had been a team 

ffort between the PNG government, 

ustralian government agencies and 

on-government organisations (NGOs). 

“PNG police, soldiers and aid offiials 

joined with AusAID and ADF 

ersonnel in delivering humanitarian 

tores,” GPCAPT Innes said. 

Supporting the PNG’s National 

isaster Centre, the ADF worked 

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IR FORCE 

closely with AusAID, Australia’s overseas 

aid agency, the Anglican Church 

and NGOs who conducted and coordinated 

ongoing needs assessments 

throughout the province to ensure 

aid was delivered to those who most 

needed it. 

The C-17 achieved another ‘first’ 

when one flew 14 pallets of supplies 

into Port Moresby on the weekend of 

November 24 and 25; its first humanitarian 

mission. 

Captain of the 36SQN C-17, 

SQNLDR Warren Crouch, said he was 

very happy seeing the aircraft deployed 

so successfully. 

“One of the main reasons we bought 

these aircraft was for humanitarian purposes 

and we’ve justified it completely 

with this flight. It’s great to finally get 

the chance to use it to help our neighbours,” 

he said. 

Two 37SQN C-130s and an Army 

Kingair supported the strategic airlifter. 

The ADF’s forward operating base 

was at Girua airfield. It was operated 

by elements from 382ECSS, the 

Army’s 10th Field Support Battalion, 

1 Health Support Battalion and Navy’s 

Clearance Diving Team One that was 

searching for underwater obstacles and 

possible unexploded ordnance. 

INAL CALL: Above, FLGOFF Lucas Taulealeausumai and LACW 

irstine Horne from 1AOSS, RAAF Base Tindal, check the manifest before 

assengers board a Caribou assessment flight into PNG. 

IRST AID: Right, 36SQN loadmasters SGT David Pyatt and WOFF 

drian Wagner unload a pallet from the C-17 at Port Moresby for onward 

hipping to Oro Province. 

LOCAL TREAT: FLTLT Chris Jaensch throws lollies to children at Itokama 

village, while right, village children help unload boxes of food from the 

38SQN Caribou during Op PNG Assist. Photos by CPL Chris Moore 

Meanwhile, three 38SQN Caribous 

and three Army Black Hawk helicopters 

joined the relief effort to help distribute 

crucial food, medical supplies 

and shelter to the many isolated communities 

and villages in the province. 

Girua base CO WGCDR Robert 

McKenzie said he was impressed by 

the way the three Services had come 

together working as a united team. 

“We prepped 130 helicopter drops 

on the first day, and after two weeks, 

470 tonnes of relief [stores] had been 

shuttled to outlying villages by the 

Caribous and Black Hawks. 

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6 News 

Challenges 

for 6SQN 

F-111 conversion course climax 

AIR FORCE 

By Mark Tanzer 

TOWNSVILLE played host to 

some rare Air Force visitors last 

month with six F-111 aircraft from 

6SQN taking to the skies over North 

and Central Queensland as part of Exercise 

Northern Challenge. 

While residents are used to the sight 

and sound of F/A-18s, the bigger F-111 

is not a common visitor, and the city 

enjoyed the experience. 

Exercise Northern Challenge represented 

the final phase of the F-111 

operational conversion course and concentrated 

on air-to-surface weapons 

training at the Shoalwater Bay Training 

Area. 

More than 120 personnel were 

involved in the exercise. 

The scenario involved aircraft integrating 

with simulated coalition aircraft 

to negate an enemy Integrated Air 

Defence System to achieve weapons 

New pilots on 

a Sierra high 

in Hornets 

By Andrew Stackpool 

SIX new aircrew have joined the ranks of 

F/A-18 aviators following their graduation 

from 2 Operational Conversion Unit’s (2OCU) 

fast jet conversion course. 

FLTLT Daniel Burton, FLGOFFs Chris 

Baker, Dave Hannaford and Daniel Truitt, and 

PLTOFFs William Grady and Robert Cousland 

reached the climax of the course in Exercise High 

Sierra, which 2OCU conducted out of RAAF 

Base Darwin from November 16 to December 6. 

Intelligence officer FLGOFF Sam Maloney 

also graduated from the fighter intelligence 

course during the exercise. 

More than 150 Air Force personnel, 12 

Hornets, four Hawks and three PC-9 forward air 

control aircraft from the Forward Air Control 

Development Unit (FACDU) participated. 

2OCU CO WGCDR Phil Gordon said the 

exercise has evolved to incorporate the new 

capabilities introduced by the Hornet Upgrade 

Program. 

“This High Sierra is the first with a completely 

redesigned Operational Conversion Course. 

The new course takes in all the capabilities of the 

Hornet Upgrade Program and shifts the focus 

towards guided weapons delivery,” he said. 

“It was amazing to see the young students 

fighting their way to the target using all the 

Hornet systems including the new datalink and 

Helmet mounted sight, accurately identify a difficult 

target and deliver a laser-guided bomb for 

a direct hit. 

“Five months ago they didn’t know how to 

start the jet.” 

WGCDR Gordon said the exercise was a great 

success, with 2OCU completing all its missions. 

“The whole unit worked hard leading up to 

the exercise and maintained a high rate of effort 

throughout to successfully complete it. 

“Our maintenance team did an outstanding 

job to keep the aircraft serviceable. We asked a 

lot of them, flying nearly every jet twice a day, 

and they delivered once again,” he said. 

Course awards went to FLGOFF Truitt for 

weapons proficiency; PLTOFF Cousland for 

academic proficiency, and PLTOFF Grady for 

overall proficiency. 

effects with precision and unguided 

weapons. 

The exercise aim – to qualify pilots 

and air combat officers – was explained 

by 6SQN Flight Commander, SQNLDR 

Craig Whiting. 

SQNLDR Whiting said the pilots 

and ACOs were put through their paces 

in a culmination of years of aircraft 

training and six months’ instruction on 

the F-111. 

“At the end of the course, we like to 

take the students away from Amberley 

to a base where we can deploy from 

to make it a bit different for them,” 

SQNLDR Whiting said. 

He stressed that the training was 

designed to be as realistic as possible, 

utilising live weapons against targets 

in a challenging and hostile environment, 

while incorporating medium or 

high-level transits to simulate a long 

distance flight. 

HEADS UP: A 6SQN F-111 pilot and air combat officer demonstrate the use of night vision equipment during 

Exercise Northern Challenge. Photo by LAC Scott Woodward 

Scenarios changed to challenge the 

students throughout the exercise. 

Townsville Mayor Councillor Tony 

Mooney said it was “great” to have 

6SQN operating out of RAAF Base 

Townsville throughout November. 

“Townsville has a long and proud 

association with the Air Force, and we 

LET’S RUMBLE: A 6SQN F-111 taxis out for another sortie during Exercise 

Northern Challenge at RAAF Base Townsville. 

GOODNIGHT: An F-111 is given a rest overnight 

in the Ordnance Loading Area at RAAF Base 

Townsville. Photos by LAC Scott Woodward 


extended a warm welcome to the men 

and women of 6SQN,” he said. 

“Over the years, F-111 aircraft have 

been an impressive part of community 

events such as Sky Show, and was great 

to be able to welcome them back.” 

While in Townsville, 6SQN hosted 

school visits with Year 7s from the 

nearby Garbutt State Primary School 

the first to get a close-up look at the 

aircraft. 

The school’s crest features an 

F/A-18 aircraft, and the Year 7 football 

team is known as “The Bombers” 

– more than appropriate for a school 

located close to an Air Force Base. 

ALL THERE?: Above, 6SQN supplier AC Leevan 

Antalan checks squadron stores. 

WHEEL GOOD: Left, aircraft technician LAC Chris 

Gelston pre-flights an F-111 during the exercise. 


IR FORCE 


News 7 

ub hunt heads west 

By FLGOFF Skye Smith 

IT WAS a reality check of kinds for 

rews 5 and 6 of 11SQN when they 

ook part in Anti-Submarine Warfare 

xercise 2007 (ASWEX 07) off the 

est Australian coast from November 

to 16. 

11SQN deployed to RAAF Base 

earce to support the bilateral exercise, 

hich aimed to improve fleet interoperbility 

and ties between Australia and 

ew Zealand. 

The training focused on collective 

nti-submarine warfare concepts, tactics 

nd procedures by providing realistic 

ulti-threat training in a challenging 

nvironment. 

HMA Ships Adelaide, Perth, 

arramatta and Sirius and the Royal 

ew Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS 

e Kaha constituted the surface force, 

hile HMA Submarines Collins, 

ankin and Waller formed the sub-surace 

element. 

P-3K Orions from the Royal New 

ealand Air Force’s 5SQN joined 

1SQN in providing maritime air suport. 

36SQN’s C-17 also assisted with 

he exercise by transporting two of the 

avy’s S-70B Seahawks – along with 

ircrew and maintenance personnel – 

rom their base at NAS Nowra. 

11SQN Executive Officer SQNLDR 

evin Mulgrew said ASWEX providd 

essential training for the individual 

nits, as well as allowing the exercise of 

larger, combined surface action unit. 

“ASWEX 07 was an excellent exer- 

 

 

READY TO GO: 11SQN AEA SGT 

Michal Mikeska boards an AP-3C 

during the Principle Warfare Officer 

Sea Assessment Week. 

cise to practise littoral anti-submarine 

warfare in a confined environment,” he 

said. 

For the two 11SQN crews, the exercise 

provided the opportunity to launch 

the MK 46 lightweight torpedo. 

Crew 5 captain FLTLT Jay Tuffley 

said that while regular practice weapon 

drops in the simulator provided valuable 

training, they were no match for 

the real-time experience of releasing an 

actual torpedo on target. 

“It was the highlight of my maritime 

career so far,” he said. 

Following ASWEX, the two 

 

HUNTERS: FLTLT Jay Tuffley and FLGOFF Lachlan Hazeldine prepare 

for take-off before a sortie during ASWEX 07, and right, 11SQN’s FSGT 

Matthew Basedow loads a sonobuoy aboard an AP-3C during an antisurface 

warfare training mission. Photos by LAC Leigh Cameron 

11SQN crews supported the Principle 

Warfare Officer Sea Assessment Week 

(PWOSAW), held from November 19- 

23. 

The exercise aimed to enhance 

the anti-surface warfare training of 

Orion aircrew and enable the assessment 

of Navy Principle Warfare 

Officers to become the Commanding 

Officers’ adviser during operations, 

such as Border Protection and Maritime 

Interception. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


International 

arleen takes 

are 

By CPL Mike McSweeney 

MEDICAL assistant CPL Carleen 

a Rosa has already conducted two 

ero-medical evacuation missions from 

he Middle East Area of Operations 

MEAO). 

Posted to Health Service Flight, 

AAF Base Pearce, CPL La Rosa is 

eployed to Operation Catalyst where 

he works in TG 633.4’s Expeditionary 

ealth Facility. 

As task group medic, she looks after 

he 160 members of the C-130 detachent, 

but is also required to escort 

atients back to Australia. 

“We do the pre-flight preparations, 

aking sure they are stabilised, that their 

ital signs are right, and we have everyhing 

we need in a worse-case scenario,” 

PL La Rosa said. 

She said Army usually evacuated 

atients to the nearest medical facility, 

ut Air Force-trained personnel were the 

nes charged with bringing them home 

y Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME). 

“The AME course covers aviation 

hysiology and the stressors of flight, 

uch as increase in altitude, the vibraions, 

decrease in oxygen; all the factors 

hich come into it when you’re looking 

fter a patient,” she said. 

Half-way through a six-month 

eployment, CPL La Rosa said she was 

ettling in to her job with the task group. 

“The first month with the handover/ 

akeover was a bit difficult, but I’m realy 

starting to enjoy it here,” she said. “It 

s an honour and a privilege to bring the 

uys back, because they are doing such a 

ood job over here. 

“Being in the medical profession, that 

s one of our most rewarding roles. I 

onduct the AME, I get them home and I 

et them back safe with their families so 

hey can rest, recuperate and get better.” 

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IR FORCE 

REWARDING: Medic CPL Carleen La Rosa at work in the Expeditionary 

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STRIKE A POSE: FLTLT Wayne Baylis kicked off the fundraising and 

showed other 37SQN ‘Movember’ participants how to grow a mo’ in the 

MEAO. Photo by AB Paul Berry 

Herc boys went 

bush for charity 

FLTLT Wayne Baylis and his 

comrades went bushy in the desert 

to help the fight against prostate 

cancer and male depression. 

The 37SQN pilot and 44 aircrew, 

ground crew and support staff 

from the C-130 detachment in the 

Middle East Area of Operations 

(MEAO) sprouted moustaches for 

‘Movember’, a charity event promoted 

by the Movember Foundation. 

FLTLT Baylis kicked off the 

detachment’s fundraising contribution 

on November 1 in memory of 

his wife’s grandfather, Peter Cassidy, 

who succumbed to prostate cancer in 

his 70s. 

“I’ve heard some guys over the 

past couple of years got on this charity,” 

FLTLT Baylis said. 

“It’s a great charity; it doesn’t 

really matter if you are really good 

or bad at growing a mo’.” 

Movember has run over the last 

three Novembers and raised more 

than $8.5 million. This year the 

MEAO Hercules detachment has 

raised nearly $4000. 

The money is used to benefit 

the Prostate Cancer Foundation of 

Australia and Beyond Blue, which 

aims to increase awareness of male 

depression. 

FLTLT Baylis said there were a 

lot of people in the detachment who 

were keen to ‘go the mo’. “I was 

really impressed that so many stuck 

with it during the month,” he said. 

“It was a chance for us to 

do something a little bit different 

and get some odd looks from our 

American counterparts.” 

FLTLT Baylis, who has flown 

Hercules aircraft since 2001, said he 

was due home early next year. 

The 37SQN detachment has 

deployed to the Middle East in support 

of Operation Catalyst in Iraq and 

Operation Slipper in Afghanistan. 

MO’ WORRIES: Another mo’ supporter was SGT 

Nev Hoare, busy in his engineering workshop at the 

C-130 Detachment. Photo by AB Paul Berry 


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International 9 

ercs in harm’s way 

H Model a winner in MEAO 


THE C-130 H model is providing 

unprecedented serviceability on operations 

in the MEAO after almost 

30 years of faithful service to the 

ADF. 

Commander TG 633.4 WGCDR 

William Kourelakos said it was a testament 

to the aircraft type and the hard 

work of the maintenance team. 

“Since the H model has come into 

theatre, we’ve only dropped one sortie 

in more than two months,” he said. 

“That’s unheard of serviceabili- 

ty in the C-130 world. So hats off to 

the whole maintenance team because 

they’ve done an outstanding job. 

“There’s a lot of pride among the 

crews that fly it. They don’t want to 

see the old girl go.” 

With only one crew per aircraft, 

the C-130H detachment flew far more 

tasks per crew than anyone else. 

And with the H model having 

coped well with the dust and heat of 

the desert, the task group commander 

said they might be in the Middle East 

for some time to come. 

PROUD: Some members 

of the C-130 detachment 

at their compound. 

Photo by AB Paul Berry 

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MEAO C-130 missions are team 

effort in meeting critical tasks 


WHETHER on the tarmac or in the air, 

Aussie C-130 crews faced a regular danger 

in the Middle East, according to the 

commander Task Group 633.4, WGCDR 

William Kourelakos. 

“Every airfield we go to has been 

mortared or had an IDF attack at some 

point during my tenure here,” WGCDR 

Kourelakos said. 

“We had to go to one airfield during 

a period of intense IDF activity. We did a 

risk assessment and came up with a plan 

that mitigated the risk as best as possible. 

“At the end of the day that’s what 

we’ve got to do, we’ve got to support the 

guys on the ground.” 

TG 633.4 is based around a detachment 

of three C-130Hs that provide air 

transport to Joint Task Force 633. 

WGCDR Kourelakos said it was a 

critical role for which everyone at the task 

group had an important part to play. 

“A ground unit could run out of stock 

in one engagement, so our role of bringing 

the next lot of ammo in is pretty 

important. I emphasise that to everyone 

who comes here,” he said. 

He was proud of the efforts of all personnel, 

especially the air load teams who 

worked remotely with ground elements. 

“Some of them have worked themselves 

very hard and have done a great 

job,” he said. 

C-130 Detachment Commander 

SQNLDR Benjamin Cullen, now on his 

third tour to the MEAO, said the success 

of the mission was a team effort. 

“What happens in the background 

in terms of task administration is very 

important,” SQNLDR Cullen said. 

“It doesn’t run smoothly then the air 

lift mission as a whole doesn’t go well.” 

He said teamwork in the air was also 

critical to ensure the aircraft and crew 

returned in one piece. 

“The workload is a lot more intense 

than it would be for a normal mission in 

Australia,” he said. “It requires quite a 

high level of crew coordination and preparation 

before each descent and departure 

because we want to spend the minimum 

amount of time in the dangerous area.” 

WGCDR Kourelakos said before leaving 

Australia crews were taught to fly 

profiles they wouldn’t normally fly in 

peacetime. 

“Our crews are highly trained and 

have spent a lot of time learning to deal 

with threats in the air and the aircraft are 

equipped to handle those threats,” he said. 


0 International 

IR FORCE 

ortie first for 

ussies 

By FLTLT David Lee 

FOUR RAAF aircrew from 

SQN recently achieved an operaional 

first when they commanded 

US Air Force E-3B Sentry Airorne 

Warning and Control System 

AWACS) mission in the US. 

The crew from RAAF Base 

illiamtown are on loan postings 

ith the USAF at Tinker Air Force 

ase, Oklahoma. 

RAAF personnel have been flyng 

on the AWACS since 2003 but 

he recent sortie marked the first time 

our of the five mission command 

ositions, and the two senior comand 

positions on the airframe were 

illed by Australian aircrew. 

FLTLT Ian Martin (ACO/mission 

rew commander), FLTLT Ben Foote 

pilot/aircraft commander), FLTLT 

ave Lee (air combat officer) and 

LGOFF Nick Gilbert (co-pilot) 

illed the key positions on the sorie, 

and with 30 USAF personnel on 

oard, completed an eight-hour sortie 

ithin the Continental US region. 

Recently upgraded to aircraft 

ommander on the airframe, FLTLT 

oote successfully commanded the 

naugural flight, capping his recent 

ommand upgrade. 

Each E-3 sortie flown is tasked 

with various command and control 

elements resulting in the provision 

of homeland security for the US, 

Presidential support and protection, 

along with mission crew and control 

training for USAF fighter elements 

in preparation for overseas deployments. 

Although the sortie was a training 

command and control mission 

for the 966th Airborne Air Control 

Squadron, the RAAF crew members 

took the opportunity to introduce 

some Australian culture to their 

American hosts. 

Vegemite and Ritz (Jatz) flowed 

from the galley to the flight deck, 

although not many of the USAF 

members returned for a second helping. 

For those not so game, Minties 

were available. 

“There was some ribbing around 

the squadron about what would happen 

if we started heading towards 

the west coast and Australia instead 

of flying our planned profile to the 

east coast,” FLTLT Martin said, “but 

we returned to Tinker with the same 

aircraft we departed with. 

“My tour here is coming to a close 

but I can look back on this experience 

as a highlight of my career so far.” 

IN CONTROL: A 2SQN crew on exchange in the US recently 

achieved a first by commanding the USAF’s equivalent to the 

Wedgetail (pictured above), coming into RAAF service next year. 

GO AUSSIES: Right, the 2SQN crew (from left) is FLTLT David Lee, 

FLTLT Benjamin Foote, FLGOFF Nicholas Gilbert and FLTLT Ian 

Martin. Photo provided by FLTLT Ian Martin 

This is an opinion reflected by 

all of the past and present Aussies at 

Tinker. 

“We will continue to strive for 

more flights with Aussie command 

crews during our time here, 

along with clearance to deploy with 

the USAF operational squadrons,” 

FLTLT Martin said. 


The crew is gaining valuable 

operations experience in link, radar, 

Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), 

passive detection system, control 

and operations experience that will 

“value-add to 2SQN’s future”. 

The rotation of RAAF personnel 

at Tinker will continue until 

December 2008. 


6923_ADLP 

IR FORCE 

ig treat for all 

By FLGOFF Eamon Hamilton 

BIGGER was better for kids 

oung and old alike who came 

o RAAF Base Richmond for the 

efence (Sydney Region) Christas 

Treat 2007. 

Crowd numbers were solid 

espite the grey weather, with more 

han 2300 people enjoying themelves 

at the Christmas bash on 

ovember 23 and 24. 

Last year’s event raised the stakes 

n traditional Christmas Treats at 

ichmond with rides and a circus, 

nd this year’s event built on that 

uccess with a bigger sideshow alley 

f carnival rides. 

Lessons learned from last year’s 

ffort included better preparation for 

eather and rest areas for mums with 

oung children. 

Webers’ Circus entertained with 

UN RIDES: Christmas Treat 

isitors crash ’em up in dodgem 

ars, while right, those with 

tronger stomachs enjoy the 

ctopus ride at night. 

Photos by LACW Amy Trebilco 

clowning and daredevil acrobatics 

inside the Big Top tent, while outside, 

the acrobatics were complemented 

nicely by a C-130J handling 

display. 

Making the event a true tri- 

Service affair was the Navy’s sleek 

new A109E “Power” helicopter, 

along with a team of Army parachutists 

and the Australian Army Band. 

Christmas Treat committee president 

FSGT Simeon Prucha said: “We 

had ringing endorsements from people 

who said the circus show was 

better than last year and that there 

was plenty of variety with the rides. 

“ R i c h m o n d ’s M e c h a n i c a l 

Engineering Operational Maintenance 

Section also produced camouflaged 

Santa hats as a novelty item, which 

were well received,” he said. 

International visitors included 

none other than North Pole’s most 

Getaway & relax 

famous resident, who visited on both 

days in a fetching Auscam Santa suit. 

While kids will have to wait 

another month for Santa to pay them 

a visit again, an early Christmas 

present came for the Defence Special 

Needs Support Group, who received 

$3955 raised from proceeds from a 

Big Top raffle, run by Treat organisers 

in partnership with Defcredit. 

The Christmas Treat was open to 

all Defence and Defence-employee 

families in the Sydney region. 

“The Treat would not have been 

possible without the efforts of the 

committee – FLTLT Linda Bates 

(OIC), SGT Rita Coles (secretary), 

Mrs Kerri Sills (treasurer), WOFF 

Chris Sinfield (flying display) and, 

of course, our Santas – CPL Kaine 

Tessier on Friday and CPL Darryn 

Atkinson on Saturday,” FSGT Prucha 

said. 

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News 11 

MERRY CHRISSIE, MATE: Auscam-clad Santa (aka CPL Darryn Atkinson) 

proved a huge hit with the crowds enjoying themselves at RAAF Base 

Richmond’s annual Christmas Treat. Photo by CPL Brett Sherriff 

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News 5 

DHA CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR OPENING HOURS 

Monday 24 December 8.30am – 3.00pm 

Tuesday 25 December CLOSED 

Wednesday 26 December CLOSED 

Thursday 27 December CLOSED 

Friday 28 December 8.30am – 5.00pm 

Monday 31 December 8.30am – 5.00pm 

Tuesday 1 January CLOSED 

Wednesday 2 January 8.30am – 5.00pm 

If you have an emergency or an urgent maintenance request, 

our hotlines will remain open 24 hours, seven days a week. 

If required, you will also have access to a local manager 

through our emergency hotlines. 

Relocation Hotline: 1800 626 698 

Maintenance Hotline: 1300 366 615 

The festive season is a time for family and friends

IR FORCE 

AST on 

hump 

By FLTLT Stephen Crimston 

ABOUT 50 Air Force health 

rofessional reservists are now 

FAST’, following a recent exerise 

conducted by 1 Air Transportble 

Health Squadron (1ATHS) at 

AAF Base Amberley. 

1ATHS conducted Exercise 

raecordial Thump (PT07) from 

ovember 10-11. The squadron is 

equired to maintain a Fly Away 

urgical Team (FAST) capabilty. 

PT07 was designed to enhance 

xpeditionary Health Support prearedness 

and facilitate the integraion 

of the permanent and reserve 

ersonnel posted to the squadron. 

Its purpose was to familiarise 

he squadron’s specialist reserve 

ealth personnel with its deployble 

equipment and also enabled 

ATHS to identify and address any 

hortfalls and better get to know its 

eserve personnel. 

Exercise activities included 

et-up and familiarisation with the 

quadron’s FAST. The fly-away 

eam provides an emergency surery 

capability. The health reservsts 

are critical for this capability, 

nd the specialist personnel familarised 

themselves with the FAST 

equipment schedules and met the 

permanent personnel who deploy 

with them. 

The exercise enabled reserve 

personnel to gain a greater visibility 

of the expertise and capabilities 

that can be achieved through 

effective integration of permanent 

and reserve health personnel. 

They inspected a 36SQN 

C-17 and learned about the 

impending role expansion of the 

aircraft, with its aero-medical 

evacuation (AME) capability due 

to be introduced early in 2008. 

Several of the specialists had 

previously been involved in largescale 

AME operations such as Bali 

Assist, and agreed that the C-17 

would deliver an enormous capability 

enhancement in that area. 

Commander Combat Support 

Group AIRCDRE Mark Gower 

and OC Health Services Wing 

GPCAPT Tracy Smart addressed 

the exercise participants. 

GPCAPT Smart emphasised 

the importance of the reserve personnel 

to Air Force’s health capability. 

“With the recent restructure 

of Air Force Reserves and subsequent 

redistribution of reserve 

.80 % 


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HELLO: Members of the Air Force Health Reserve and 1ATHS 

get to know each other and the equipment they will use on 

deployment. 

FAST TALKER: Right, FLTLT Haydn Cohen explains the FAST 

concept to the exercise participants, including CDRCSG AIRCDRE 

Mark Gower (right). Photos by LAC Al Bencke 

personnel positions into unit establishments, 

this exercise provided 

an excellent opportunity to foster 

closer working relationships and 

facilitate a ‘one team’ approach 

to Expeditionary Health Support,” 

GPCAPT Smart said. 

“This is the first integrated 

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restructure, and it will provide a 

platform from which to launch our 

Expeditionary Health Capability 

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4 Feature 

nd of an era for 

evamped RAAFCOL to open 

or business in the new year 

By Andrew Stackpool 

THROUGH the dynamics of 

hange, an icon of Air Force training 

nd education heritage will be retained 

hen the Ground Training Wing 

GTW) becomes the RAAF College 

RAAFCOL) on January 1 next year. 

Under the Air Force Rebalance/ 

eshape initiative, CAF AIRMSHL 

eoff Shepherd approved the restructure 

f Air Force Training Group from four 

ings to three from that date. Originally, 

he concept was for GTW to absorb 

Recruit Training Unit (1RTU), the 

AAF School of Postgraduate Studies 

nd the bands, and continue operating 

s the GTW. However, CAF decided to 

etain the RAAF College title with its 

ssociated heritage. 

The college was founded at RAAF 

ase Point Cook in 1947 to provide 

rofessional education and training for 

ircrew officers. 

In 1961, it was reconstituted as the 

AAF Academy and affiliated with the 

niversity of Melbourne to provide 

egree studies in science. Following 

he formation of the Australian Defence 

orce Academy in 1986, the academy 

ecame the RAAF College again to 

over all elements of officer training. 

n 1998, its structure was widened to 

over professional military education 

nd training for all Air Force ranks. 

IR FORCE 

The bands and the RAAF Museum 

also came under its control during 

2005-06. 

Now, by amalgamation with GTW, 

the new college will provide an even 

broader training role, with responsibility 

for all induction training, Air Forcemanaged 

initial employment training for 

ground specialisations and musterings, 

through-career professional military 

training for all ranks and post-graduate 

training conducted within Air Force. 

Headquarters RAAF College at Point 

Cook will close and GTW Headquarters 

at RAAF Base Wagga will assume command 

of all college units except the 

museum. 

The title of Commandant RAAF 

College will transfer to the OC GTW. 

1RTU will relocate at the end of 

2007 to Wagga, while Officers’ Training 

School (OTS) will relocate to its new 

accommodation at RAAF Base East 

Sale. Meanwhile, a new flight will be 

formed at Point Cook to manage Air 

Force’s new Gap Year program. 

The School of Postgraduate Studies 

will remain at Wagga, while its detachments 

at RAAF Bases Richmond and 

Amberley will also remain. 

College commandant GPCAPT 

Kathryn Dunn said the changes marked 

a busy time for the college. 

“As commandant, I am very conscious 

of the value of Professional 

ast dining-out 

Colour affair 

By Peter Johnson 

IT WAS a night for farewells in 

place for traditions. 

Where RAAF history is preerved, 

the RAAF Museum, a new 

iece of history was written – a dinng-out 

night to farewell the RAAF 

ollege from RAAF Base Williams, 

oint Cook. 

More than 80 people, including 

number of previous commandants, 

at down to celebrate 60 years of 

roud achievement by the RAAF 

ollege at the birthplace of the Air 

orce. 

Commandant RAAF College 

PCAPT Kathryn Dunn said she 

as “very proud to host the diningut 

night to acknowledge 60 years 

f the RAAF College and to farewell 

oint Cook”. 

“The evening was very enjoyable 

ith the added atmosphere providd 

by the RAAF Museum’s display 

angar as the venue, and music from 

he Central Band,” she said. 

OC Ground Training Wing 

PCAPT Bob Scrivener, who will 

ecome the new commandant, said 

e had been handed a remarkable 

eam, and hoped the RAAF College 

f the future lived up to the college 

OLD AND NEW: Past and present 

College Commandants gather for 

the valedictory dining-out night. 

of today and yesteryear. “I am deeply 

honoured to be the first commandant 

of the restructured college,” he said. 

Commander Air Force Training 

Group AIRCDRE Ken Watson summarised 

the effects of the Air Force 

Rebalance project on RAAF College. 

He said the extent of the changes, 

complexity of planning requirements, 

and importance of conducting it all 

effectively provided one of the most 

significant challenges to the college 

since its inception. 

AIRCDRE Watson commended 

GPCAPT Dunn and members of 

her headquarters and units for their 

efforts in meeting the challenge, and 

thanked all who had put “such a 

magnificent evening” together. 

Military Education and Training and the 

importance of enhancing Air Force’s 

reputation,” GPCAPT Dunn said. 

“Considerable organisational change 

takes effect in January as we relocate 

1RTU and OTS, stand up the ADF Gap 

Year training program for Air Force, 

close the two bands and Headquarters 

RAAFCOL at Point Cook, form the new 

Air Force Band, and transition command 

of all the units to other Air Force 

Training Group wings. 

“My time as Commandant RAAF 


College has been very challenging, 

rewarding and enjoyable,” she said. 

As well as its training role, changes 

are in the wind for the bands and the 

RAAF Museum. 

The Central Band and the Air 

Command Band will amalgamate on 

January 1 next year to form a single 

Air Force Band based at RAAF Base 

Williams, Point Cook. 

A detachment will be formed in 

Sydney, with a small cadre of permanent 

FINAL FAREWELL: RAAFCOL’s three Colours were proudly 

marched in to the dining-out night to farewell the college from Point 

Cook. Photos by WOFF Don Kenny 

EYES RIGHT: Above, one of the last Initial Officer Course graduation 

parades held at RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook. Photo by AC Warren Derwent 

HOT STUFF: Left, an Air Force student conducts explosive ordnance 

disposal training at Defence Training Establishment, Orchard Hills, and 

below left, firefighters tackle a simulated F/A-18 crash and fire under training 

at the RAAF School of Fire and Security at RAAF Base Amberley. 

Photos provided by FLGOFF Jaye McIntyre 

Air Force staff to establish a reserve 

band capability. 

Because of its flying operations, the 

museum will transfer to Air Training 

Wing. 

Commanded from its Wagga headquarters, 

RAAF College will continue 

its tradition of excellence in initial and 

postgraduate training for Air Force. The 

college will provide a virtual ‘one-stopshop’ 

for generic training and education 

for all personnel from recruit to 

WGCDR. 

NEW BASE: Point Cook in the 1950s. 

Proud history 

AIR Force’s prestigious academic centre 

stood up on August 1, 1947, in recognition 

of the rapidly-advancing technological 

changes to military aviation. 

The college was founded to provide professional 

education and training for career 

officers. In 1961, it became the RAAF 

Academy until 1986, when its academic 

aspects were incorporated into ADFA and 

it was reconstituted as the RAAF College to 

encompass all elements of officer training. 

In 1998, the college’s structure was 

amended to include airman recruit training 

and promotion courses. Promotion training 

was further enhanced with the formation 

of the School of Postgraduate Studies. 

It became synonymous with the management 

of Professional Military Education 

and Training. 

The college’s roles expanded when it 

assumed management of the Central Band 

and RAAF Museum in 2005, and the Air 

Command Band in 2006. 


AAFCOL 


THE final graduation from Officrs’ 

Training School (OTS), RAAF 

ase Williams, Point Cook, has endd 

an era while marking a new begining 

for Air Force. 

Initial Officer Course 4/2007 was 

he last to graduate with full ceremony 

n the Australian Flying Corps parade 

round on November 30. 

Deputy Chief of Air Force, AVM 

ohn Blackburn, was the graduation 

eviewing officer. 

The Point Cook era, which began 

n January 11, 1961, gives way to 

new era for OTS at RAAF Base 

ast Sale when the unit relocates on 

anuary 14, 2008. 

IR FORCE 

Continuity of training will be 

enhanced because 35 per cent of OTS 

graduates go on to undertake air operations 

training courses, including some 

at East Sale, such as air combat officers 

and air traffic controllers. 

The final course graduated 45 officers 

from pilot, ground defence, air traffic 

control, aeronautical engineer, operations, 

administration, environmental 

health, electrical engineering, nursing, 

airfield engineering, logistics, education, 

intelligence, armament engineer 

and security police specialisations. 

Four F/A-18 aircraft from 3SQN 

provided a fly-past, and the RAAF 

Central Band – to merge with the Air 

Command Band in January to form the 

Point Cook graduates 

a league of nations 


THEY have backgrounds from many countries 

and they come from every state and territory in Australia, 

but these 48 young men and women have one 

special thing in common. They were all graduates of 

Initial Officer Course 3/2007; the second last course to 

be held at RAAF Base Williams, Point Cook. 

On course were members of Australian, Indian, 

Greek, English, Croatian, Italian, Vietnamese, New 

Zealand, South African and Dutch descent. 

AIRCDRE Anthony Needham, Director General 

Executive, was their graduation parade reviewing 

officer. His arrival on parade was greeted with a flypast 

by a 3SQN F/A-18, followed later by a fly-past of 

four PC-9s in review order. 

Administration officer PLTOFF Clive Leverment, 

who was posted to 32SQN, has a South African background. 

He said he was a member of the Air Force 

cadets as a teenager, and always wanted to be a pilot, 

but has not given up hope of achieving that aim. 

OFFCDT David Gregov has a Croatian background. 

“I decided to chase my dream of becoming a 

pilot in the Air Force instead of following a corporate 

career path,” he said. 

ISTORIC MARCH: Formed up and ready to go were the students of the last 

ecruit course (19/07) to graduate from 1RTU at RAAF Base Edinburgh. 

Photo by LAC Leigh Cameron 

Air Force Band – provided the musical 

accompaniment. 

Swords glinting in the late spring 

sun, the parade went through the timehonoured 

sequence that hundreds of 

its predecessors have followed at Point 

Cook, and hundreds of its successors 

will follow at East Sale. 

In addressing the parade, AVM 

Blackburn told the graduates that they 

inherited a proud legacy. 

“The Air Force is more than 86 

years old; the second oldest Air Force 

in the world and second to none by 

reputation in peace and war,” he said. 

“Application of self-confidence, 

initiative and assertiveness will all help 

ensure the Air Force continues as a 

first-class fighting force.” 

MULTICULTURAL: Recent OTS graduates who 

are now part of the Air Force family. Nationalities 

represented include New Zealand, South Africa, 

India, Vietnam, Croatia, England, India and 

Australia. Photo by AC Warren Derwent 

1RTU parades 

Edinburgh for 

the final time 

THE wheel has almost turned 

full circle for 1 Recruit Training 

Unit (1RTU), as it prepares to 

return to the Riverina in January 

after 43 years at RAAF Base 

Edinburgh. 

1RTU was raised at RAAF 

Base Richmond in 1954, then 

relocated to RAAF Base Wagga 

in 1960 before moving to RAAF 

Base Edinburgh as a ‘temporary 

measure’ in 1964. 

The final graduation parade at 

Edinburgh on December 5 preceded 

the occupancy of the new facilities 

at Wagga, where the training 

curriculum is being designed to 

meet Air Force’s needs into the 

future. 

The parade for Course 19/07 

comprised 82 recruits and was 

reviewed by AIRCDRE Mark 

Skidmore, on behalf of ACAUST, 

and attended by hundreds of the 

graduates’ relatives and friends, as 

well as Edinburgh personnel. The 

RAAF College Queen’s Colour 

and 1RTU Governor General’s 

Banner were paraded. 

A cocktail party held in the 

Officers’ Mess thanked a legion 


of external agencies who contributed 

to the successful operation of 

1RTU at Edinburgh. 

“It is with some sadness 

that the unit leaves RAAF Base 

Edinburgh after 43 years,” 1RTU 

CO WGCDR David Ashworth 

said. “It was only when we 

began scoping the support we will 

require at RAAF Base Wagga that 

we realised how much we have 

taken for granted at Edinburgh. 

“There is a mood of great 

excitement in the unit at present as 

we look forward to a new chapter 

of 1RTU’s history and a happy 

and prosperous integration back 

into RAAF Base Wagga. Noone 

who has seen the fabulous 

facilities being built for the unit at 

Wagga can fail to be impressed. 

“We are engaged in a process 

of continual improvement 

that embraces the optimal learning 

culture and a greater emphasis 

on air power from day one; there 

is something significant about 

doing that in a modern facility 

that demonstrates organisational 

commitment to our recruits and 

staff,” he said. 

Feature 15 

THE LUCKY LAST: Above, 

Initial Officer Course 4/2007 

marks the end of an era for 

RAAFCOL as it marches on 

to the parade ground at RAAF 

Base Williams, Point Cook. 

THANKS: Left, DCAF AVM 

John Blackburn presents 

graduate PLTOFF Christopher 

Hill with the Leadership and 

Military Qualities Award after 

the parade. 

Photos by AC Warren Derwent 

New and improved 

From January 1, 2008, RAAF College 

(RAAFCOL) and Ground Training Wing 

(GTW) will be restructured as a single 

training wing, RAAF College, headquartered 

at RAAF Base Wagga. 

Command of the RAAF Museum will 

transfer to OC Air Training Wing. 

OC GTW will be re-titled COMDT 

RAAFCOL, and will command: 

No 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU); 

Officers’ Training School (OTS), 

including Air Force’s Gap Year 

program; 

School of Postgraduate Studies (SPS); 

RAAF School of Technical Training 

(RAAFSTT); 

RAAF Security and Fire School 

(RAAFSFS); 

RAAF School of Administration and 

Logistics (RAAFSALT); 

Air Force Band, including the new 

detachment in Sydney; 

Defence Explosive and Ordnance 

Training School; 

Defence International Training Centre; 

and 

ADF School of Languages, pending its 

planned transition to Army’s Training 

Command in mid-2008. 

RAAFCOL responsibilities will cover: 

all induction training; 

RAAF-managed initial employment 

training for ground specialisations and 

musterings; 

Air Force’s Gap Year program; 

through-career professional military 

training for all officers and airmen; and 

post-graduate training. 


16 2007 in Review 

17 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s a wrap 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 5, 2007 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARSHAL 

ARTS: 

CPL Craig 

Underwood 

points the 

way during 

11SQN’s 

goodwill visit 

to Japan. 

Photo by CPL 

Andrew Eddie 

ON OPS 

Op Catalyst – Middle East 

Op Slipper – Afghanistan 

Op Astute – Timor-Leste 

Op Azure – Sudan 

Op Resolute – Darwin 

Op Outreach – Finke, NT 

Op Deluge – APEC leaders meeting, 

Sydney 

Op Big Eye – Pacific Islands 

Op PNG Assist – Oro Province, PNG 

ON EXERCISE 

Ex Red Flag – Nevada, US 

Ex Arnhem Thunder – Townsville 

Ex Bersama Shield – RMAF 

Butterworth 

Ex Talisman Saber – NT and QLD 

Ex Anzac Exchange - New Zealand 

Ex Albatross Ausindo – Darwin 

Ex Empire Challenge – California, US 

Ex Northern Station – Townsville 

Ex Suman Protector – RMAF 

Butterworth 

Ex Northern Challenge – Townsville 

Anti-submarine Warfare Exercise 

– Perth 

Ex High Sierra – Darwin 

East Coast Air Defence Exercise 

– Williamtown 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AIR FORCE News takes a look 

at some of the headlines from 

another action-packed year 

General news 

Air Force went on display at the 

Australian International Air Show at 

Avalon and the ADF Air Show at RAAF 

Base Edinburgh. 

RAAF Base East Sale personnel assisted 

residents during Gippsland floods. 

The Sea King Board of Inquiry report 

was released with 35 recommendations 

to the ADF’s airworthiness management 

system. 

More than $60 million was allocated to 

Defence for RAAF base upgrades. 

The Government announced RAAF 

Base Richmond would be kept indefinitely. 

The ADF Gap Year was launched for 

eligible 17-24 year olds to join the ADF 

for 12 months. 

The Government announced RAAF 

Base Williams (Point Cook) would be 

retained as a working heritage base. 

The ADF signed a $927 million partnership 

with the US to access a communications 

system provided by the 

Wideband Global Satellite. 

Positive changes were made to Air 

Force airmen’s clubs and taverns. 

Milestones 

37SQN’s first C-130H notched 20,000 

hours. 

38SQN’s Caribou A4-228 clocked 

20,000 hours. 

WOFF Irene Leurs became the first Air 

Force Service Women’s Adviser. 

Nackaroo Airfield in the Bradshaw 

Field Training Area, NT, was constructed 

in less than 16 days during Exercise 

Talisman Saber. 

CPL Tricia Reynolds and dog Duke 

became the first RAAF military working 

dog team to participate in Anzac 

Exchange. 

77SQN achieved the world’s first ‘inservice’ 

firings of ASRAAM (mis- 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWIN PEAKS: The sister C-17 

arrived at 36SQN in May. 

Photo by CPL Peter Borys 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sile) cued by a Joint Helmet-Mounted 

Cueing System from an F/A-18. 

WOFFs Darrell Bent and Andrew 

Newman became the RAAF’s first airborne 

refuelling operators. 

Cooks LACs Peter James and Brad 

Tellam won the state final of the Nestlé 

national cooking competition and then 

won silver at the national finals. 

Initial Operational Capability was 

reached by the C-17. 

10SQN’s WOFF Brenton Bell achieved 

10,000 hours in the AP-3C. 

34SQN’s VIP Challenger jet clocked up 

10,000 hours. 

Visits 

Two 11SQN AP-3Cs conducted a goodwill 

visit with the Japanese Maritime 

Self Defence Forces in Japan. 

1 and 6SQN visited the USS Kitty 

Hawk aircraft carrier in Brisbane. 

The Japanese Air Self Defence Forces’ 

402SQN visited Canberra and RAAF 

Bases Townsville and Richmond. 

Farewells 

Air Force’s ‘Tipsy’ radar, AN/TPS-43, 

was retired from service after 25 years. 

After nearly 30 years of service, 

33SQN’s B707 A20-624 ‘Richmond 

Town’ was retired. 

The Iroquois helicopter was farewelled 

after serving in all three Services for 

more than 40 years. 

The Air Command Band performed its 

final concert before its amalgamation 

with the Central Band next year. 

Celebrations 

6SQN celebrated its 90th anniversary at 

RAAF Base Amberley. 

Air Force celebrated its 86th anniversary. 

87SQN celebrated the first anniversary 

of its reformation at RAAF Base 

Edinburgh. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GO AIR FORCE: Ten Air Force members were selected for the representative rugby team after the Australian Services Rugby 

Union Championships. Pictured is LAC Michael Mason (centre) cheering with the rugby bench during the championships. 

Photo by LAC Aaron Curran 

 

 

RAAF College at Point Cook celebrated 

its 60th anniversary. 

The 67th anniversary of the Battle of 

Britain was commemorated in Hobart. 

11SQN celebrated its 68th anniversary 

at RAAF Base Edinburgh. 

3CRU celebrated its 40th anniversary at 

RAAF Base Williamtown. 

Awards 

All three rotations of the Australian 

Medical Detachment – Balad, Iraq, 

were recognised with a Meritorious Unit 

Citation. 

Two 1SQN aircraft technicians, CPLs 

Lucas Rodman and Michael Finn, 

received a Good Show Award by averting 

a possible mishap with an F-111. 

Eight military working dog handlers and 

their dogs took awards in all but one category 

at the QLD Police Games. 

Eight 37SQN C-130H aircrew were 

awarded commendation medals for their 

role in the rescue of four fishermen off 

the West Australian coast. 

Air Force was awarded the Grand 

Master Medal for the successful and 

rapid introduction into service of the 

C-17. 

Careers/pay and conditions 

The new Air Combat Officer (ACO) category 

was implemented. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new ADF pay structure took effect 

to meet contemporary workplace standards. 

A new housing classification policy 

was launched to provide more housing 

choices for members with dependents. 

The Compulsory Retirement Age was 

lifted from 55 to 60 and 65 for reservists. 

Changes to the Air Force Physical 

Fitness Test (PFT) was introduced to 

offer a wider variety of test options and 

reduce pre-test stress. 

The ADF Integrated People Support 

Strategy was launched to provide 

through-life support to Defence members 

and their families. 

DP-AF created a new mustering, 

the Executive Warrant Officer 

(EXECWOFF), to support senior levels 

of Air Force command. 

The establishment of a voluntary antemortem 

DNA repository service was 

announced. 

Sporting achievements 

CPL Kahla Bullemor won the 

International Natural Body Building 

Association’s Miss Australia Natural 

Physique-Short Class. 

FLTLT Richard Gardiner broke the 

ADF 10km road championship record, 

took out the 2007 Defence Marathon in 

 

 

AIR FORCE December 13, 2007 www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews 

AIR FORCE December 13, 2007 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sydney and placed eighth overall in the 

City2Surf fun run. 

ADF’s women’s basketball team produced 

its best result in eight years by 

taking bronze at the Arafura Games. 

LACW Cassie Fien won four gold medals 

at the Arafura Games, the Noosa 

women’s open half marathon, the women’s 

open in Ipswich half-marathon and 

second in the Brisbane fun run. 

CPL Fiona Bradfield was the overall 

women’s champion at the Australian 

Defence Road Cycling Championships 

at RAAF Base Williamtown. 

CPL Geoff Hanckel won the Australian 

Defence Sports Triathlon Association’s 

ironman and silver in the men’s open 

triathlon at the Arafura Games. 

SGT Madonna Doyle won her third 

women’s crown at the Australian 

Defence national squash championships 


Air Force got up 50-28 over Army in 

the South Australian inter-Service basketball 

tournament. 

SQNLDR Kay Hatton won the short category 

and overall women’s title, while 

her daughter LACW Angela Wiseman 

claimed the medium category and second 

overall in the ADF body building 

and sculpting competition. CPL Owen 

Batty won the men’s medium category 

and overall championship. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BIG NEWS 

F/A-18F Super Hornets (24) were 

selected to replace the F-111 fleet, 

due for retirement in 2011. 

Two Security Policemen from 

34SQN survived a Garuda aircraft 

crash in Indonesia. 

Major reforms to the military 

justice system were implemented, 

including the new Australian 

Military Court. 

36SQN received its second C-17. 

41WG contingent deployed to 

Afghanistan to run the Control and 

Reporting Centre at Kandahar. 

11SQN was congratulated on 

completing four-and-a-half years 

continuous service in the MEAO. 

A 37SQN C-130J set an Australian 

air drop record with 40,000lb of 

cargo. 

Air Force joined the Op PNG Assist 

relief effort following devastating 

flooding from Cyclone Guba. 

WITH BITE: CPL 

Tricia Reynolds and 

dog Duke were the 

first RAAF military 

working dog team 

on Anzac Exchange. 

Photo by LAC Scott Woodward 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZOOM: 

2010 was 

the date 

announced 

for the 

retirement 

of the F-111 

fleet. Photo 

by LAC Scott 

Woodward

8 News 

FTS instructors star 

n Red Bull air race 

IR FORCE 

By Barry Rollings 

OVERSEAS pilots might have taken 

entre stage at the finale of the internaional 

Red Bull air race series in Perth reently 

but Air Force played a strong hand 

n the success of the event. 

The Swan River foreshore was lined by 

ore than 300,000 who were entertained 

y race pilots, and various fly past and 

erobatics displays – including those by 

Flying Training School (2FTS) from 

AAF Base Pearce. 

2FTS qualified flying instructor FLTLT 

ichael Perry amazed the crowd with his 

erobatics, showcasing the skill of 2FTS 

lying instructors. A four-ship flypast led 

y FLTLT Charles Baylis made three passs 

over the course and ended with a ‘bomb 

urst’ over the packed southern shoreline. 

Pilots from 209 Advanced Pilots’ 

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Course distributed Air Force merchandise 

and supported Defence Force Recruiting 

at the event. 

Along with displaying life support 

equipment necessary for high-performance 

flight, 2FTS also allowed members of the 

public to strap in to an ejection seat. 

2FTS CO WGCDR Jason Waller hailed 

the event as a significant image boost for 

the ADF, especially with the large 2FTS 

presence. For FLTLT Charles Baylis, “it 

was good fun and rewarding to fly over 

such a big crowd”. 

FLTLT Miles Le Ray, who organised 

the ground activities, said it was pleasing 

to see a lot of hard work come together 

and for everyone to take something away 

from the Air Force’s involvement. “2FTS 

pilots mingled with the crowd giving out 

stickers to children and were very well 

received,” he said. 

TUCK ON FLYING: Newly-graduated 2FTS pilots, PLTOFFs Nathan 

hompson (left) and Glenn Baker, helped distribute Air Force stickers at the 

ed Bull air race in Perth. Photo by FLTLT Scott Bosman 

LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN: Rugby league referee Bill Harrigan with his sons Charlie and Jed in the cockpit 

of a B707 simulator during their recent visit to RAAF Base Richmond as guests of the Sergeants’ Mess. 

Photo by CPL Brett Sherriff 

Ref calls in 


A CHANCE meeting at an investiture 

ceremony last year between 

WOFF Don Sturwohld from 

RAAF Base Richmond and Bill 

Harrigan resulted in the high-profile 

National Rugby League referee 

visiting RAAF Base Richmond 

with his family. 

The two met in Sydney in April 

2006, when Mr Harrigan was invested 

with his Order of Australia Medal 

for his services to rugby league. 

“We met at his investiture at 

Government House last year,” 

WOFF Sturwohld said. 

“After the ceremony, serving 

members mingled with award recipients, 

and Bill, being keen on aircraft, 

started talking to a couple of us. 

“We traded phone numbers 

– with the understanding that 

I wasn’t to call every time I disagreed 

with a video referee decision 

– with the view to him coming out 

to Richmond for a look around. 

“During the last week of the 


October school holidays he phoned 

me to ask if it wouldn’t be too much 

trouble for him to bring his family 

out for the day. After the required 

clearances through the base commander, 

WGCDR Tracy Simpson, 

all was set for a tour of the base.” 

The morning began with Mr 

Harrigan taking the controls of a 

B707 flight simulator for a short 

sortie around Sydney and the region. 

“By all reports, he was not kind 

to our airframe [he couldn’t fly] 

and we were grateful the sortie took 

place in the simulator and not on an 

actual aircraft,” WOFF Sturwohld 

said. 

“At lunchtime, Bill surprised the 

on-base touch football competition 

with an impromptu visit, where he 

talked with players and referees. 

“In the afternoon, he toured 

37SQN, looking over a C-130J and 

a C-130H. Being an aircraft enthusiast, 

he had an appreciation of the 

work that our transport aircraft are 

doing and the work that it takes to 

keep these workhorses in the air. 

KIDS PLAY: From left, “Nitro”, 38SQN’s FLTLT Natalie 

Pietrobon and FSGT Craig Hunter and “Curio” check out 

a Caribou during the visit of the children’s TV show “The 

Shak” to RAAF Base Amberley. Photo by LAC Scott Woodward 

“After the tour, I invited Bill to 

the Sergeants’ Mess where he was 

greeted by the SNCOs and officers 

from the base. He happily mingled 

with those present at the Sergeants’ 

Mess for a couple of drinks and discussions 

on the NRL rules before 

departing. 

“I would like to thank WGCDR 

Simpson, the 285SQN CO WGCDR 

Jack Foley and the 37SQN CO 

WGCDR Paul Nicholas, as well 

as the members of Richmond for 

accommodating his visit,” he said. 

Widely acknowledged as 

Australia’s finest sport official, Mr 

Harrigan remains involved with the 

NRL as a video referee. 

He has refereed 393 first-grade 

games, 21 State of Origin fixtures, 

25 Test matches and 10 NRL grand 

finals. 

He was graded to the NSWRL 

referees in 1983, and made his firstgrade 

debut in 1986. After retiring 

as a referee, Mr Harrigan spent a 

year as a consultant with Sydney 

City Roosters. 

Shakadelic 

at Amberley 


“PICASSO” lent a little colour and 

movement to activities at RAAF Base Amberley 

recently and all because of an inquiry 

about how to become an Air Force pilot. 

The “Picasso” in question is one of the 

characters from “The Shak” program on 

television station QTQ Channel Nine in 

Queensland. 

“The Shak” is described as “a cool and 

unique children’s show designed to make 

learning fun and exciting for kids at home”. 

The characters Picasso, Curio, Eco and 

Nitro explore everything that children want 

to know and find answers to viewers’ questions. 

When a viewer wanted to know about the 

Air Force, RAAF Base Amberley was happy 

to play host to the team. 

They inspected the control tower, looked 

at a Caribou and F-111, and got “up close 

and personal” with the puppies from the 

Security and Fire School Breeding Cell. 

The episode, which airs in early 2008, is 

dedicated to the Air Force and its people. 


3CRU 40 

NO. 3 Control and Reporting Unit 

3CRU) turned 40 early last month, and 

arked the event with an open day at 

he facility. 

OC 41WG GPCAPT Chris Westwood 

nd 3CRU CO WGCDR Krista 

hompson joined about 150 3CRU peronnel, 

their families and friends and 50 

nit veterans at the event. 

Organised tours through the Tactical 

ontrol Centre and Regional Correlation 

entre were conducted, giving 3CRU 

ersonnel a unique opportunity to show 

heir family, friends and past members 

heir working environment. 

The veterans were particularly intersted 

in the changes in technology that 

ave evolved over the past 40 years. 

As well as the tours, staff and visitors 

njoyed a buffet lunch, a birthday cake 

nd a jumping castle, which was pro- 

APPY BIRTHDAY: WGCDR Krista Thompson 

nd 3CRU take time from their 40th birthday to 

ecord the historic event, and right, former unit 

embers join in the celebrations. 

Above photo by LACW Veronica McKenna 

Accessing your local Branch during 

the Holiday Season 

During the Holiday Season Branches 

will be closed on Public Holidays and 

other days during the Holiday season. 

Visit our website or contact your local 

Branch for further details. 

How to Afford this Year’s Christmas 

With Christmas just around the corner, 

have you decided how you’re going to 

afford this year’s Christmas holiday 

purchases? SAVE money by applying 

for an Australian Defence Credit Card 

with our low introductory rate (on 

balance transfers and transactions). 

Alternatively if your loan repayments 

are in advance, you can redraw those 

funds at no cost. To registry for redraw 

visit www.adcu.com.au and select 

‘Apply Online’. 

24 Hour Access 

You can access your money 24 hours 

a day, 7 days a week at any ATM & 

EFTPOS throughout Australia and 

thousands more overseas. 

When using EFTPOS, don’t forget to 

use ‘Credit’ to avoid transaction fees. 

IR FORCE 

vided by Defence Health who also had a 

stall on the day. 

WGCDR Thompson said that as well 

as changes to the technology of control 

and reporting, there had been a revolution 

in the way 3CRU went about its business. 

“Forty years ago it was about fighter 

control locally. Today, we provide a 

regional surveillance picture across the 

entire nation and conduct world-class 

activities using sophisticated computerbased 

integrated radar systems,” WGCDR 

Thompson said. 

With the main celebrations over, 

WGCDR Thompson then hosted a dinner 

for six previous CO’s of the unit at the 

RAAF Base Williamtown Officers’ Mess, 

spanning a significant portion of 3CRU’s 

history. 

3CRU stood up on November 1, 1967 


Regional 

Manager 

Southern 

Vivien Allen 

Fast Access to Your Accounts 

Wherever you are 

24 Hour Banking 

Members have 24 hour phone and 

online access to your account/s. 

• Obtain account balance information 

• Review transactions 

• Use BPAY to pay bills 

Via online banking you can also: 

• Check your credit card limit 

• Confi rm the due date and amount 

of your next credit card monthly 

payment 

Access Phone Banking on 

1300 13 23 28 or Online Banking 

www.adcu.com.au 

Member Contact Centre 

For member enquiries please contact 

our Member Contact Centre Monday 

to Friday from 8am to 6pm (AEST) or 

email service@adcu.com.au 

Best Wishes for a safe and happy 

Christmas from everyone at Australian 

Defence Credit Union 

Terms, conditions, fees and charges are available 

at our offi ces and at www.adcu.com.au 

Level 8, 1 York Street Sydney NSW 2000, Phone: 1300 13 23 28, web: www.adcu.com.au 

* Introductory rate of 8.25%pa effective 07.11.07 fixed for 6 months, then at our standard Credit Card 

interest rate, currently 12.55%pa (subject to change without notice: see www.adcu.com.au for details). 

Fees and charges, terms and conditions apply and are available on application. 


News 19 

Operation Brolga launched at 

Townsville for feathered VIBs 

VIBs: Above, a pair of brolgas, 

and below, CPL Powell and his 

herding team-mates. 

Below photo provided by FLTLT Fiona Harris 

Treat yourself this Christmas - 

with an Australian Defence 

Credit Card 

You’ll pay the same low rate on balance 

transfers and transactions for 6 months! 

APPLY ONLINE – WWW.ADCU.COM.AU 

APPLY BY PHONE – 1300 13 23 28 

OR VISIT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH 


WHETHER you are a VIP or 

a VIB, you can rest assured you 

are in good protective hands with 

the 323ECSS Security Police 

(SECPOL) at RAAF Base Townsville. 

A VIB? Yes, you read it correctly, 

VIBs – or very important birds. 

The 323ECSS SECPOL were 

protecting a VIP jet which was visiting 

as part of the Federal election 

campaign recently when the call 

came through to activate Operation 

Brolga. 

The brolga is the official symbol 

of the base and it had been noticed 

that a mum, dad and juvenile bird 

were on the loose on the base. 

Conscious of the fact that an airstrike 

between a commercial airliner 

and two brolgas late last year resulted 

in another juvenile brolga being 

left stranded on the base, every effort 

was made to ensure that this family 

stayed together. 

So began a half-hour tactical 

approach to the wary birds, constantly 

looking for threats to their infant. 

Finding a suitable place to shuttle 

the brolga up the mulga was the easy 

part, as a crash gate leading to the 

nearby town common was opened. 

Then it was up to SECPOL and 

the local wildlife authority to shepherd 

them through the opening. 

“Using the fenceline as a funnel, 

we approached the family at a rightangle 

about 50m away,” one of the 

shepherds, CPL David Powell, said. 

“The family saw us and started 

moving in the direction of the opening; 

Operation Brolga was working. 

“About 30m from the opening, 

the brolgas saw the open gate and 

started to panic; here was something 

that they were suspicious of. 

“The family started moving away 

from the fenceline but a quick shuffle 

to cut them off and they were on 

their way along the fenceline again. 

“The family got to the opening 

and, while wary at first, they eventually 

ran through to the safety of the 

town common, but not before the 

male of the group turned to give us 

the defiant spread wings telling us to 

stay back. 

“All in all, a good day for the 

brolgas and the airfield,” he said. 


1. For all aspiring applicants wishing to attempt 

the 2008 SAS Selection Course (SAS-SC) 

take note of the following: 

a. There will be only one selection course to be held in the 

next calendar year ( 28 July 2008), 

b. Attend the National SF info Tour in all major base 

locations 04-12 February 2008 ( DTG TBC in 

Defence Newspapers) 

c. Have your current CO sign off on the application 

prior to BRL. 

2. To ensure you are at the start line for 

the SAS-SC (with the best possible 

preparation), it is in your best interest 

to comply with the following directive 

a. Start your build up training for the SAS-SC NLT 15 

April 2008. 

b. Have your completed paper work submitted into 

SFTC by NLT 20April 2008 

c. You will be notifi ed of the results of the SFPB by 

signal 29-30 April 2008 

d. You will be sent a joining instruction (by mail) for the 

SAS-SC the same day. 

e. You are to RV at your designated location to conduct the 

SAS-SC from 27-28 July 2008. Detailed timings and locations 

will be released by signal (dated 01 July 2008). 

f. On successful competition of the SF Panelling Board (29 April 

2008) your position on the SAS-SC will be confi rmed. 

g. Remember your start date for the 13 week SAS-SC training 

program should commence NLT 15 April 2008 regardless of 

delays in Psych or medical appointments. This will allow you to 

complete the training just prior to the course. 

h. Take note: No man fails the SAS-SC…you are either selected 

or you are not. The only guarantee is that if you adhere to the 

training program, you will be in the best physical condition to 

survive the course. 

1/08 SAS 

Selection 

Course 

For the SF preparation guide and CD 

email: 

SFTCOPS@defence.gov.au 

or write to: 

SFTC 

C/- selection GP 

Lone Pine Barracks 

Singleton NSW 2331 

or phone: 

Selection Group 02 6570 3315

2 

Case Study 2 

IR FORCE 

lenbrook busy 

By SQNLDR Brett Dockett 

RAAF Base Glenbrook gave about 

000 visitors a day to remember when 

ts open day on November 11 coincided 

ith Remembrance Day. 

The open day was a great way for 

he community to better understand the 

ole of the base, as well as the wider Air 

orce, as they inspected the Glenbrook 

acility. 

“The day allowed our neighbours 

rom the Blue Mountains and western 

ydney to understand the function of the 

ase and enjoy a great family day out,” 

lenbrook Base Commander WGCDR 

rett Bishell said. 

The open day was no small feat for the 

taff at Combat Support Unit Glenbrook 

CSUGBK), which has only nine permaent 

Air Force members on strength. 

The day was planned and executed 

ith the assistance of CSUGBK Reserve 

irbase Protection Flight, which travelled 

rom Richmond, Canberra and Wagga to 

ssist on the weekend. 

“The day could not possibly have 

een the huge success it was without the 

ard work of all those involved, includng 

the members who supported us by 

roviding displays for the day,” WGCDR 

ishell said. 

Static displays were supplemented 

ith various demonstrations of Air Force 

apability throughout the day. The Air 

orce hot-air balloon was on hand to proide 

tethered rides for the public and the 

AAF search and rescue chopper from 

ast Sale dropped in, allowing the public 

o see the machine at close quarters. 

When selling makes 

dollars and sense 

George and Sarah - salaries 

$40,000 and $60,000 PA. 

George has been in the services for 12 

years and is being posted. They own an 

investment property of $450,000 with a 

loan of $180,000 and have $30,000 in 

savings. 

George and Sarah now want to buy 

their own family home. 

With the new Defence Home Ownership 

Assistance Scheme starting 1/07/08 

George and Sarah qualify for the 

maximum rebate and following 

discussions with SPECTRUM they take 

the following options: 

• Sell their investment property 

• Use the released funds and the 

DHOAS to buy their family home plus 

an investment property. 

• Pay 12 months interest in advance on 

their investment loan which reduces 

their current year’s tax. 

• Use their new increased net weekly 

income from rent to accelerate the 

repayment of the home loan. 

George and Sarah are now well on their 

way to financial freedom. 

Spectrum’s wealth creation 

strategies include: 

• Shares & Managed Funds 

• Property Investments 

• Tax Planning 

• Loan Structures 

• Superannuation 

• Defence Home Ownership 

INSIDE INFO: Visitors check out an 

F-111 cockpit which made the journey 

from RAAF Base Amberley for the 

open day. 

There were military working dog handler 

displays, cadets from 323 (AAFC) 

Squadron put on several drill demonstrations, 

and an F-111 cockpit was brought 

down from No. 23 (City of Brisbane) 

Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley to 

give the public a taste of what it’s like to 

sit in a jet. 

1 Combat Communications Squadron 

set up a comms display, and the bomb 

disposal teams from Defence Explosive 

Ordnance Training School brought their 

bomb disposal robots, in addition to inert 

missiles, ejection seats and various examples 

of what these experts do. 

In addition to the military displays, 

many people came to enjoy a Devonshire 

tea in the beautiful gardens of the 

Officers’ Mess, which was also the historical 

Lapstone Hotel. The Government 

purchased the hotel in 1949, and ever 

since, the Mess has held pride of place 

overlooking the surrounding suburbs. On 

a clear day you can even see Sydney. 

14965 

WHO’S A HAPPY HOUND: Children get in close to meet with 

military working dog ‘War’ and his handler AC Dave O’Donnell 

at the Glenbrook open day. Photos by LAC Christopher Dickson 

Get financially fit. For life. 

Imagine having enough assets to create income for life... that’s 

financial fitness. Spectrum have supplied specialised financial and 

investment services to the Defence Forces since 1982. You don’t 

have to bend over backwards for a FREE financial fitness 

assessment, call 1300 784 246 or visit www.spect.com.au 

INCREASED KNOWLEDGE + TIME FRAME WITH A PLAN + DISCIPLINED APPROACH = SUCCESS 


News 21 

Drive to arrive 

alive is CAF’s 

travel message 

DEFENCE has taken fatigue awareness 

a step further by again offering the Defence 

highway rest stop program to allow 

personnel and their families to use service 

accommodation while travelling off-duty 

over Christmas-New Year. 

The program encourages drivers to break 

up fatiguing trips, a major contributor to 

road deaths. Participating bases offer single 

to family-sized accommodation. 

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd has 

reminded everyone to ‘arrive alive’ when 

travelling long distances on holidays. 

“As the festive season approaches, many 

of us will be heading home, or enjoying the 

offerings of holiday destinations around the 

country,” he said. 

“You’ve all worked hard and deserve a 

break. So I hope you have a chance to have 

fun and recharge your batteries. 

“ Road trips can be demanding and tiring 

for drivers and motorcyclists. There are 

more vehicles on the road and we all just 

want to get there. 

“I’d like to see you back healthy, happy 

and refreshed in 2008 so I ask you to take 

care on our roads over Christmas-New 

Year.” 

Highway rest stop program bases 

include: RAAF Bases Tindal, Townsville, 

Williamtown, Richmond, Wagga, East 

Sale and Edinburgh; HMAS Albatross and 

Stirling; Oakey Army Aviation Centre, 

Rockhampton, Puckapunyal, South 

Bandiana Gaza and Ridge Barracks. 

Program information and bookings are 

available at www.defence.gov.au/dpe/ohsc 

or visit the website for travel tips. 


2 News 

ELCOME: Mary Wheeldon from QLD’s Prince 

harles Hospital is shown an F-111 cockpit by 

2WG XO WGCDR Terrence Deeth. 


xecutives 

tretch at 

mberley 

IR FORCE 

By LAC Aaron Curran 

MORE than 20 business executives and owners 

eceived a taste of Air Force life when RAAF Base 

mberley held the annual Exercise Executive Stretch 

EES) recently. 

From corporate suites to the Caribou, that was the 

ransition for the business and public sector managers 

ho took the flight from Brisbane to Amberley aboard 

ne of 38SQN’s aircraft. 

EES was coordinated by Defence Reserves Support, 

hich assists reservists and their employers and hosted 

y No. 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron. They were taken 

n tours of 1, 6, 36 and 38SQNs, base facilities and units 

ith a lunch provided at the Officers’ Mess. 

The tour included a visit to the F-111 Simulator and 

AFDS. 

23SQN CO SQNLDR Brady Cummins said EES 

llowed employers to see first-hand how reserve training 

ctivities can directly benefit their businesses. 

“EES demonstrates how the unique professional, 

eadership and career development skills taught in the Air 

orce can be transferred in the day-to-day workplace,” 

QNLDR Cummins said. 

“Our aim is to highlight the skills reservists gain from 

eing in the Air Force. Furthermore, we want to encourge 

employers to use the resources and financial support 

vailable to them through programs like the Employer 

upport Payment and Prince of Wales Award Schemes.” 

Guests were from a wide range of backgrounds, from 

oeing to a local builder. After their visit to the RAAF 

ase, attendees were treated to a C-17 flight back to 

risbane airport. 

“Feedback was very positive, with some attendees 

onsidering joining the Air Force Reserves themselves. 

ne of the employers stated that flying over Brisbane in a 

aribou with the ramp down was one of the biggest thrills 

he has had in a long time,” SQNLDR Cummins said. 

WANTED 

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milcollectables@optusnet.com.au 

Restructure has positive effect for reservists 

By FLGOFF Eamon Hamilton 

CHANGES from the Reserve 

Restructure are bearing fruit for 

those listed in the latest round of 

Air Force Active Reserve airmen 

promotions. 

OC Reserve Training Wing 

GPCAPT David Pasfield said 

Active and Specialist Reservists 

now posted to their war establish- 

ment roles are completely integrated 

within the PAF. 

“Over the last 18 months, the 

Air Force has seen some massive 

changes in the employment of 

Active and Specialist Reservists,” 

GPCAPT Pasfield said. 

Changes have also been effected 

to the reservist promotion system, 

which now reflects its PAF 

counterpart more closely. 

Pulling the pin? 

Hitting the silk? 

Jumping ship? 

However you describe it, leaving the Services is a big step and we urge you to 

consider health insurance before you leave. 

As a serving member of the ADF we’ll waive your waiting periods if you join within 

2 months of discharge. All you need to do is nominate your cover to take effect from 

the day following your discharge. 

For details call Defence Health on 1800 241 651 or visit www.defencehealth.com.au 


Director of Personnel Reserves, 

WGCDR Ken Robinson, said: 

“Reserve promotions were previously 

tied to vacancies within 

reserve squadrons and reservists 

being nominated to fill those posts. 

“Now, the promotion boards 

are modelled on those used by DP- 

AF for the PAF, giving both commanders 

and candidates far greater 

confidence in the reserve promo- 

tion system. This provides promotion 

opportunities for reservists 

across the whole of Air Force.” 

Those benefiting from the 

new promotion system include 

SGT Anne-Maree Morris and 

CPL Natalie Riggs, both Active 

Reservists at RAAF Base 

Richmond who were recently presented 

with their new ranks. 

Defence Health Limited is a Registered Health Benefits Organisation 

 

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RAMED: Above, Townsville Mayor Tony Mooney 

resents the No. 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron 

ayor of Townsville Award to FSGT Tony Fifield, 

entre, as SQNLDR Alan Collier-Baker looks on. 

Photo by Michael Chambers 

T THE READY: Below, LAC Matthew Grey mans a 

AG 68 for the Defence Force Air Show at RAAF 

ase Edinburgh. Photo by AB James Whittle 

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IR FORCE 

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CLOSE CONTACT: Above, CPL Jason Hajek 

works on a piece of communications equipment in 

preparation for the Defence Force Air Show. 

Photo by AB James Whittle 

ME AND DAD: Below, SQNLDR Nicholas Hogan 

and son Matthew enjoy the 37SQN Family Day at 

RAAF Base Richmond. Photo by SGT William Guthrie 

WELL EARNED: CDRSRG AIRCDRE Warren 

Ludwig presents LAC Paul Mulraney with his Active 

Service Medal, a Returned from Active Sevice 

Badge and Afghanistan Campaign Medal at RAAF 

Base Darwin. Photo AB Bradley Darvill 

Simply great value 

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Flightline 23 

2007 SPACE ODYSSEY: Above, FLTLT Dave Goodwin from 1RSU was one of 

four Air Force officers to become the first international students to attend the 

National Security Space Institute’s space fundamentals course at Peterson Air 

Force Base in Colorado Springs, US. Photo by AC Mark Friend 

LANDED: Below, from left, QLD Police constable Ivan Parsons, WWII vet 

Jospeh Land and 36SQN’s FLTLT Lukasz Wijacha and WOFF Mick Wilson at 

RAAF Base Amberley. Constable Parsons arranged a visit to the C-17 squadron 

for Mr Land, a local plane-spotter, after meeting the veteran while on duty. 


Defence Health Limited is a Registered Health Benefits Organisation 


24 My Career 

Don’t forget about your PARs 

TO MAXIMISE your promotion chances, it is critical that your Performance 

Appraisal Report (PAR) and/or any Supplementary Reports (SRs) are available for 

consideration by the Promotion Boards (PBs). 

While assessors are generally responsible for submitting PARs and SRs, it is in 

your best interest to ensure they are received by the Directorate of Personnel in a timely 

manner and are free of technical deficiencies. Accordingly, all members are encouraged 

to hasten the submission of their 2007 report/s and confirm receipt by checking 

the ‘Member Reporting Register’ (an excel spreadsheet on the front page of Air Force 

People Central which can be searched by Employee Identity Number). 

DRN relocation now streamlined 

CHIEF Information Officer Group 

(CIOG) has significantly streamlined 

the function for users relocating their 

DRN account during the posting in and 

out process. 

Users will be required to use the “Move 

Account Request” tool to arrange the 

transfer of their DRN account to their new 

location. This year, for the first time, users 

will have 100MB of emails transferred to 

their new location as well as the current 

transfer of 100MB of H: Drive data. The 

“Are You Being Posted” icon on the DRN 

Air Force Departure Lounge 

Name 

WOFF Gary Bones 

SQNLDR Robert Tandy 

WOFF Bernadette van de Tillaart 

CPL Greg Walls 

FLTLT Peter Hassett 

WOFF Judith Denison 

WOFF Peter Fraser 

SGT Louise O’Neill 

SGT Michael Powell 

SGT Neil Perkins 

CPL John Hawke 

T/SQNLDR Peter Miller 

SGT Terrence Paine 

SGT Norman Christopher 

SGT Gavin MacGregor 

CPL Michael Paine 

AIR FORCE 

Must/Spec 

CLK 

ATC 

CISCON 

PHOTO 

INTEL 

AEA 

CETECH 

CLK 

GSETECH 

AVTECH 

ALSFITT2 

ED 

AVTECH 

SECPOL 

GSEFITT 

GHAND 

HAPPY HOMES: Every regional DHA office now 

has a customer relations officer to help resolve 

complaints quickly, giving posted members more 

avenues with which to contact DHA during the 

relocation process. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran 

desktop has changed to “Move Account 

Request”. By clicking on this icon users 

will be directed to the new tool where they 

can submit their request. 

For details of how the tool operates, 

click on the help instructions link located 

on the tool or access the instructions via the 

CIOG homepage and click on “Posted?” 

Users wanting to transfer their DSN 

account will be required to log an Electronic 

Network Access Request through the DSN 

homepage. Ideally, the request should be 

lodged four weeks before vacating a location. 

Who’s leaving after 20 years’ service 

Last day 

November 11 

November 4 

November 20 

November 8 

October 30 

November 3 

October 23 

November 18 

November 11 

November 18 

November 7 

November 14 

November 5 

November 20 

November 1 

November 11 

Years 

37 

36 

30 

30 

29 

26 

25 

25 

23 

22 

21 

21 

21 

20 

20 

20 

MORE OPTIONS: As part 

of a two-year trial, reservists 

will be eligible to apply for 

the Defence Assisted Study 

Scheme. Pictured is SGT 

Carol Sedgman from No. 22 

(City of Sydney) Squadron. 

Photo by CPL Rob Mitchell 

DHA is on 

call for your 

next posting 

WITH the ADF posting cycle upon us, Defence 

Housing Australia (DHA) now has regional officers 

dedicated to assisting you with any issues or difficulties 

you have with any aspect of DHA. 

DHA has recognised the need to provide a more 

comprehensive complaints management process and 

the 2006 review aimed to improve consistency of complaints 

management across DHA’s regional offices and 

to improve the complaints reporting mechanisms. 

In November 2006, DHA implemented a new DHA 

complaints management process, which involves having 

a customer relations officer (CRO) in each regional 

office. They are responsible for working with their 

regional DHA managers and the Defence Relocations 

and Housing Manager (DRHM) to resolve complaints. 

The reporting requirements under the new complaints 

management process provide a greater level of 

visibility to Defence of complaints received by DHA 

on a national basis. The reporting process allows DHA 

to identify factors that have contributed to complaints 

arising and any improvements that can be made as a 

result. 

The aim is to provide a consistent approach to the 

recording and management of complaints with the 

intention of continually improving the level of customer 

service provided. 

The table at right lists the contacts for the DHA Housing 

Management Centres, DRHMs and CROs in each region 

who can assist in managing relocation issues. 

DASS for all 

By Deanna Nott access DASS, this access has now make their own decisions regarding 

RESERVISTS are now eligible 

for support through the Defence Assisted 

Study Scheme (DASS). 

Head Reserve and Employer 

Support Division, MAJGEN Greg 

Melick, recently announced the twoyear 

DASS trial for members of the 

High Readiness, Active and Specialist 

Reserves. 

DASS has proven itself to be a 

valuable tool in helping members 

to access training and development 

opportunities based on mutual 

Defence-member obligation, but initiated 

by the member. 

“Access to DASS is a great 

benefit that has now flowed on to 

all reservists with a training commitment,” 

MAJGEN Melick said. 

been extended to reservists serving 

on training days.” 

DASS caters for a range of training 

and development opportunities 

but is not an automatic right or entitlement. 

While the rates of reimbursement 

are a good indicator, Defence 

cannot guarantee these levels as it 

depends on the number of applicants 

and the support sought. However, 

support is provided on a tiered basis. 

Level 1 can attract up to $4000 per 

year reimbursement, Level 2 – $2000 

and Level 3 – $1000. 

“The two-year trial will be funded 

by Reserve and Employer Support 

Division,” MAJGEN Melick said. 

“During this trial period we will be 

able to assess how well it is working 

on-going funding. 

“However, we need to keep in 

mind that the aims of DASS are to 

improve the in-Service study opportunities 

for military personnel of all 

rank levels and to encourage individuals 

to consider professional training 

and education options throughout 

their careers,” he said. 

“It is not to provide for the development 

of job-specific training or 

military career progression qualifications 

as these firmly remain the 

responsibility of the individual 

Services. 

“I commend the DASS to any 

reservist who is committed to both 

personal and professional development.” 

“While reservists on Continuous Full- and what benefit it brings to enhanc- For more information on applying 

Time Service (CFTS) of 12 months ing Defence capability. Following the for DASS, visit http://defweb.cbr. 

or longer have always been able to trial, the Services will then be able to defence.gov.au/det/dass 

VEHICLE SALARY PACKAGING AT FLEETNETWORK.COM.AU 


Location DHA HMC CRO emails DRHM contacts 

Adelaide (08) 8245 7800 clientservicesadel Bill Griggs on 0407 211389 or Leo 

aide@dha.gov.au Pope on 0418 801981 

Wagga (02) 6933 7200 clientserviceswag Debra Sims on 0428 238046 

ga@dha.gov.au 

Brisbane (07) 3355 8800 clientservicesSQ Brian Grear on 0402 824035 or 

LD@dha.gov.au Tania Smith on (07) 3332 6992 

Canberra (02) 6268 3700 clientservicesACT Jo Payne on 0404 823766 or Fran 

@dha.gov.au Telfer on 0404 823765 

Darwin (08) 8901 7100 clientservicesNT@ Louize Jowitt on 0438 924351 or 

dha.gov.au Melanie Robson on 0428 285030 

Hobart (03) 6215 7600 

clientservicessouth 

Tracey Pannell on 0418 651744 

east@dha.gov.au 

Perth (08) 9210 3400 clientservicesperth Bob Smith on 0408 970557 or 

@dha.gov.au Robin Anderson on 0408 978979 

Richmond (02) 4588 1000 

clientservicessydn 

Carol Sedgman on 0408 481880 

ey@dha.gov.au 


Melbourne (03) 9947 8101 east@dha.gov.au John Gaffney on 0407 462437 


Sale (03) 5143 6500 

east@dha.gov.au 

Christine Sarkies on (03) 9282 3628 

Sydney (02) 8836 5700 clientservicessydn Joanne Bradford on 0408 973533 

ey@dha.gov.au or Jodie Tannock on 0408 972933 

clientservicesNT@ 

Tindal (08) 8972 8000 Rob Smith on 0429 780211 

dha.gov.au 

Ipswich (07) 3355 8800 

clientservicesSQ Chris Gordon on 0419 103415 

LD@dha.gov.au 

Townsville (07) 4726 1800 clientservicesNTH Merv Dicton on 0408 457468 or 

QLD@dha.gov.au Rae Kline on 0408 717410 

Williamtown (02) 4983 5300 clientserviceshunt Roger Lamothe on 0413 728512 or 

er@dha.gov.au Vanessa Sellick on 0429 127082 


RIEFS 

roops vote in MEAO 

USTRALIAN troops serving in the Middle 

ast were able to vote in the Federal election 

fter using the latest voting technology. 

he members used a new secure electronic 

oting system as part of a trial being underaken 

by Defence and the Australian Electoral 

ommission (AEC), using Defence’s secure 

atellite and ground-based communication 

nfrastructure that allows encrypted electronic 

oting data to be transmitted straight back to 

he AEC. 

emote electronic voting has the potential 

o provide a more effective voting service in 

emote locations. 

OMAN system upgraded 

EFENCE has successfully upgraded its 

inancial management system, with the 

esource and Output Management and 

ccounting Network (ROMAN) going live on 

ovember 14. 

he milestone signifies the completion 

f the first stage of the ROMAN upgrade 

rogram, involving upgrading of software 

nd infrastructure and modernisation of the 

OMAN application. 

peakeasy replacement 

FTER about 15 years of service life, 

peakeasy will be replaced as the ADF’s 

eans of secure communication. There are 

bout 3500 units across Defence. 

n 2003, DSD recommended its 

IR FORCE 

replacement by the Secure Communications 

Interoperability Protocol (SCIP). 

Defence has acquired a number of SCIP 

devices and will migrate Defence’s 

Speakeasys to SCIP products with an 

expected completion by mid-2008. 

AOSG milestone achieved 

AEROSPACE Operational Support Group 

(AOSG) has achieved another milestone with 

the appointment of WGCDR Stephen Kerr as 

OC Air Systems Development and Test Wing 

and WGCDR Christopher Carruthers as OC 

Information Warfare Wing. 

With these appointments, AOSG comprises 

three wings: Information Warfare Wing, Air 

Systems Development and Test Wing and 

Woomera Test Facility, and is organised 

along the structure of the Force Element 

Groups. 

AIRMSHLs’ charity drive 

DURING the CAF’s annual AIRMSHLs’ 

dining-in night at RAAF Base Edinburgh, 

more than $1600 was raised for breast 

cancer research. 

In dining-in tradition, a number of fines were 

issued to guests (on this night by AIRMSHL 

Errol McCormack (ret’d)). One of the fined 

guests, Debbie Osley (wife of AIRCDRE 

Kym Osley) gladly offered to pay $100 if the 

money raised went towards breast cancer 

research. AIRMSHL McCormack matched 

the figure, and a flood of other donations 

then followed. 

NEWS FLASH 

Defence members who purchase an investment property receive 

30 weeks rent PAID IN ADVANCE 

THIS PAYMENT IS IN ADDITION TO YOUR STANDARD WEEKLY RENTAL RETURN 

That's right, on all investment packages 

built direct with us, you will receive 30 

weeks rent, on the completion of your 

new investment home. 

Control your own 

RENTAL GUARANTEE 

Use the money to offest your own 

Use the money to offset your own 

mortgage mortgage or or pay payoff off that that credit credit card 

card! 

South-East Queensland 

Investment Properties 

Deal direct with the Property Developer / Builder 

Phone today 

1800 000 916 

We have a number of hand selected 

packages throughout South East 

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Packages fully turn key with 

inclusions such as air conditioning, 

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and much, much more. 

Virtual tour available for most properties 

www.wacalhousing.com.au 

FLEETNETWORK FOR VEHICLE SALARY PACKAGING 08 92482225 


Cadets Corner 25 

MODEL AIRMEN: Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) Kyle Harrison (left) and Zac Wheeler from 409 

(AAFC) Squadron admire a scale model Spitfire and a PC-9 at RAAF Base Williams (Point Cook). 

409SQN gained some practical experience on the theories of flight when members of the Sale and 

District Aero Modellers Club instructed them in flying radio-controlled model aircraft at a model 

aircraft flying day at the base’s airfield recently. Members of clubs from Bairnsdale and Traralgon also 

participated in what was described as an “excellent model aircraft flying display”. 

Photo by AC Warren Derwent 

EYES LEFT: Air Force Cadets from 305 (AAFC) Squadron march on to 

a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Avalon Beach, NSW, RSL. 305SQN 

joined Navy and Army Cadets from Sydney’s northern beaches at a Cadets 

Expo on November 10-11. It featured a wide range of activities and displays. 

The massed cadets conducted a memorial ceremony at the RSL as part of 

Remembrance Day commemorations, and the Expo concluded with the Navy 

sunset ceremony performed by the Navy’s Reserve Band. 

Photo provided by Gaye Collins, AAFC 

HOT SHOTS: School of Air Traffic Control CO WGCDR Andrew Gilbert 

congratulates CCPL Harrison Page from 429 (AAFC) Squadron after 

he won the individual top shot award in the recent 4WG (AAFC) weapons 

competition. 429SQN from Queenscliff, Victoria, were the overall winners for 

2007. The squadron faced stiff competition from 17 cadet squadrons in the 

keenly-contested event. 428 (AAFC) Squadron from Geelong and 402 (AAFC) 

Squadron from Watsonia came second and third. Photo by WOFF Ray Bennell 


6 Lifestyle 

REV UP 

Swift impression 

IN 1985, Suzuki released the first 

generation Swift with a 993CC engine 

producing 37kW of power. 

How times have changed; three vehicle 

generations later and in 2005 with 

the development and production of the 

fourth-generation Swift, Suzuki went to 

great lengths to build a vehicle which was 

vastly different in style, quality and performance 

from all the previous variants. 

In this test, two variants of the Swift 

were driven; the standard 1.5L five-door, 

automatic, and the snappy 1.6L, five-door, 

manual Sport. 

Both are handsome externally and 

internally. The compact body shape is 

easy on the eye and is by far the easiest 

car I have ever parked. 

A rounded body, coupled with an 

excellent driving position and good allround 

visibility, allows drivers to dart 

through traffic and manoeuvre around car 

parks with little inhibition. 

The cabin has been well thought out, 

utilising easy-to-read instruments and 

dials, with a handy instrument cluster 

atop the centre of the dash, providing 

time, outside temperature and fuel usage 

information. 

Switches are within easy reach and to 

add to driver convenience there are audio 

controls mounted on the steering wheel, 

mated to an MP3 CD player, which are an 

unexpected addition for a car in this class 

IR FORCE 

I did it on my head... 

Completing your AFR has never been so easy 

DHA’s online services are convenient and easy to use. You can complete your AFR online and start searching 

for your next home straight away. 

Once you have completed your AFR and received your PIN, you can access HomeFind, DHA’s online search facility, as often 

as you like – in fact the more often you log in, the greater the opportunity to find a home that suits your family’s needs. 

How to do it 

Don’t forget completing your AFR early also means a greater housing choice for all ADF members. 

Log on to DHA’s online services (www.dha.gov.au) 

and access the ‘online AFR’ (you will need your email 

address and employee number on hand). Once you 

have registered, you and your family can then log in 

and search for your next home straight away. 

Now is also the time to complete your Toll Transitions 

inventory online at www.tolltransitions.com.au or 

return your inventory together with your AFR. 

Toll Transitions will plan your removal once they 

receive your inventory - the earlier you submit your 

inventory the more chance you have of moving on 

the dates you have requested. 

NEW GENERATION: The Suzuki Swift is being noticed for style, quality 

and performance. Photo by CPL Andrew Hetherington QUICK SPIN 

and price range. Seats in the auto Swift 

were firm, but comfortable and appear 

to be made of a hard-wearing fabric. 

Both models include fold-down rear 

seats, expanding the small boot space. 

Seats in the Sport are what I would 

term semi-sport in their appearance and 

feel. Other Sport additions are a leather 

steering wheel, red stitching and silver 

trim on doors, gear knob, drilled metal 

foot pedal covers, side, rear and front 

skirts, alloy wheels and rear spoiler. 

Searching for your next home has never been simpler! 

What’s in it for you? 

• More housing choice – the flexibility to 

search HomeFind as often as you like 

• Save time 

• Easy to use 

• Complete online at your convenience 

• Secure – your information and details 

are protected 

• Instant confirmation sent to your email 

On the road, the 1.5L auto has the 

direct, predictable handling and engine 

performance I expected. It’s a little 

sluggish under acceleration. The Sport 

is a different beast altogether and its 

1.6L engine loves to be revved. 

Both Swifts punch well above their 

weight in their car class and succeed 

in their mission to provide more than 

basic transport, within a practical and 

handsome body shell for a great price. 

– CPL Andrew Hetherington 

Need more information? 

Visit DHA’s website (www.dha.gov.au) 

or contact our Customer Service line on 

1800 249 711. 

Visit Toll Transition’s website 

(www.tolltransitions.com.au) or 

phone 1800 819 167. 


I&D 12187 

Price: $17,990/ $23,990 plus ORC 

Power: 74kW and 133Nm of torque from 

a 1.5L engine/92kW and 148Nm of torque 

from a 1.6L engine 

Fuel consumption and type: ULD 

6.3L/100km (combined)/ 7.5L/100km 

(combined) 

Co2 emissions: 166 grams/km/179 

grams/km 

Safety: Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD 

and BA, curtain airbags, vehicle stability 

control and traction control 

Insurance: $1295/$1430 both for 12month 

comprehensive insurance for a 

25-year-old male living in Sydney 

My ratings: 4.0 stars/4.5 stars out of 5 

SPILT POPCORN 

OFF THE SHELF 

Sink into a 

good book 

Enduring 

Deception 

Brett 

Manning 

17 Mile Well 

Publishing 

$25.00 

 

THE sinking of HMAS Sydney, by 

the German raider Kormoran on 

November 19, 1941, and the loss 

of her 645-man crew remains both 

Australia’s greatest naval disaster 

and greatest maritime mystery. 

Brett Manning’s book Enduring 

Deception is a fictional account of the 

loss of the Sydney. 

It will certainly excite the conspiracy 

theorists among us. Not satisfied with 

dragging out the myth of a Japanese 

submarine’s involvement, he has also 

worked into the story the other popular 

theory that the US President was aware 

of the attack on Pearl Harbour weeks 

before it happened. 

The author has certainly put a great 

deal of effort into research before 

putting pen to paper. The description 

of the battle at sea is so realistic I could 

almost smell the burning oil fuel. 

– SGT Dave Morley 

4 

Escaping the lions 

Lions for Lambs 

Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise. 

Rated M (92 mins) 

IF you want exotic locations, see a 

James Bond movie. In Lions for 

Lambs, much of the movie happens 

in a senator’s office in Washington, 

a university professor’s office in 

California and a snow-capped peak in 

Afghanistan. 

Three basic scenes are played out and 

pieced together under Robert Redford’s 

directorship. 

Meryl Streep plays Janine Roth, a 

cynical veteran reporter summoned to 

the office of up-and-coming US Senator 

Jasper Irving (Tom Cruise). He’s using 

her to write about a new way to win the 

war in Afghanistan and win back public 

support. As they speak, an operation is 

under way in Afghanistan, with Special 

Forces being choppered on to specially 

selected mountain peaks. But it all goes 

wrong. Two college buddies from a poor 

neighbourhood fall from a Chinook and 

land, badly injured, on a peak surrounded 

by Taliban. The stakes are high and the 

usual ‘race against time’ rescue operation 

commences. The two SF soldiers must not 

be captured by the Taliban. 

– SGT Dave Morley 

A cowardly cowboy 

The Assassination of Jesse James 

by the Coward Robert Ford 

Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard, 

Sam Rockwell, Mary-Louise Parker. Rated 

MA15+ (160 mins) 

THE psyche of outlaw Jesse James is 

the focus of this epic western, directed 

by Andrew Dominik. 

Brad Pitt produces and stars as Jesse 

James. Jesse is 34, burnt out, and wary 

of the reward out for his capture. He’s 

paranoid that someone in his gang will 

betray him. 

Robert Ford is brilliantly played by 

Casey Affleck. He is a creepy, engaging 

character; whose idolisation of James 

turns to resentment, hate and the decision 

to kill him. While the audience knows the 

outcome, the moody way in which the 

story is told and the captivating cinematography 

keeps audiences interested. 

SLIPPERY RIDE: Soldiers deploy in 

Lions for Lambs. 

SAY YOUR PRAYERS: Casey Affleck 

as Robert Ford. 

A haunting soundtrack by Nick Cave 

and Warren Ellis suits the film; watch out 

for a brief appearance by Nick Cave. 

Dominik adapted the film from the 1983 

novel by Ron Hansen. This is a long film 

– 160 minutes – and perhaps several scenes 

could have been cut. 

The family of Jesse James has applauded 

the film and the acting. It’s a great story 

played out by a solid cast, definitely worth 

a look. – Rebecca Thistleton 


Be a Top Gun 

Ace Combat 6: 

Fires of Liberation 

Atari 

Xbox 360 PG 

IR FORCE 

4 

The game: A mother shares a 

few parting words with her daughter 

as she boards a school bus for a field 

trip. She waves in farewell as she 

begins to reminisce about the fighter 

pilot husband she barely sees and 

the beauty of her country, Emmeria. 

She gazes patriotically at the large 

steel support bridge on the horizon, 

a proud feature of the capital of 

Gracemeria. She barely notices the 

missile that passes overhead. The 

bridge crumbles. War is imminent. 

Welcome to Ace Combat 6: Fires of 

Liberation. 

The play: Ace Combat is a modern 

air combat franchise that is all 

about intense dogfighting in the 

world’s fastest and deadliest aircraft. 

Like most console flight/action 

games, the gameplay and controls 

are pure arcade as you twist and turn 

your jet at ridiculous speeds. 

Starting out in the F-16, you 

can customise appearance, load-out 

and purchase new aircraft, eventually 

unlocking the likes of the fullyloaded 

F-22 Raptor. The mission 

structure gets more complex than 

the usual ‘kill everything’ approach, 

with some levels involving multiple 

operations happening at once, allowing 

you to choose which efforts on 

STUNNING: The visuals of Ace Combat 6 are unbelievable. 

the battlefield need your assistance 

more. 

The terrain: While the menus 

and briefings are a little old-school, 

the in-game graphics are absolutely 

stunning. The jets are sleek and 

animate believably, making for an 

imposing sight when the afterburner 

kicks in. 

What really sells the visuals is 

the terrain, with sparkling water, 

a beautiful sky, and detail on the 

ground that enhances the sense of 

speed as you thunder along. The 

sight of missiles filling the sky 

with dense vapour trails during 

large-scale engagements complete 

with spiralling wrecks, smoke, and 

explosions will thrill any lover of 

the action/sim genre. 

The experience: It’s not easy 

rusading conquests 

f epic proportions 

HARGE!: The huge armies in 

edieval II are still very impressive. 

edieval II: Kingdoms 

EGA 

C M 

4 

The game: Kingdoms adds a massive 

mount of new content to Medieval II, 

ncluding 13 new factions, 50 new buildngs 

and hundreds of new units, as well as 

ew multiplayer modes. 

The play: Four new campaigns fea- 

A tactical challenge 

upreme Commander: Forged 

lliance 

HQ 

C M 

4 

The game: This stand-alone expanion 

to the Supreme Commander franhise 

continues the story and adds a 

ourth playable faction in six new misions. 

Forged Alliance picks up the pace 

f the action and adds a multitude of new 

nits as well as improved versions of the 

nits previously available. 

The play: Gameplay is not noticebly 

altered from Supreme Commander. 

conomy structure, base building and 

actics are as important as ever. Even 

hough there have been a few changes to 

he interface and improvements to your 

nit’s AI, the game can still be overhelming 

with so much going on at once. 

ot that it’s a bad thing, just that Forged 

lliance has a steep learning curve. 

The terrain: Visually, the game has 

turing the Crusades in the Holy Land, the 

Spanish conquests of America, Christian 

wars against the pagans and the expansion 

of the British Isles in 1258 are truly 

massive and will please Medieval II players 

who have craved more content. 

The terrain: The expansion retains 

the superb visuals and sound of Medieval 

II. However the expansion has failed to 

address a few of the series’ key problems, 

such as odd path finding and dubious 

friendly AI. This is a minor quibble with 

all the new content more than making up 

for it. Greek Fire anyone? 

The experience: Kingdoms is a great 

expansion for an already great game, 

enlarging the scope of wars you can 

participate in and offering a challenging 

and vastly different experience from 

the campaigns in Medieval II. If you 

own Medieval II, you can’t look past 

Kingdoms. 

– LS Yuri Ramsey 

COMPLEX: Supreme Commander 

features warfare on a massive scale. 

been improved slightly with more special 

effects and better looking units. The 

sound is still good but the voice acting 

can be a bit odd in places. 

The experience: If you’re willing to 

spend time learning the complex resource 

system and planning offensive and defensive 

tactics, Forged Alliance should 

prove to be enjoyable. Just don’t expect a 

Command and Conquer kind of game as 

it’s more of a tactical simulator. 

– LS Yuri Ramsey 

to combine arcade and realism 

while juggling that balance, but Ace 

Combat nails it. 

The countries at war and overall 

narrative are highly fictional, as 

are many other surprising elements, 

such as the arrival of a missile- 

spewing Flying Fortress. To top it 

all off are the cutscenes between 

each mission, which tell the war stories 

of seven different characters on 

the ground and how the war affects 

them. 

As you can probably tell from 

my intro, they are of a pretty dramatic 

nature and often feel like 

watching pieces of a longer animated 

film. This alone sees Ace Combat 

setting a new standard for presentation 

in air combat games. 

– Sean Roberts 

DEF1148 

Why reward yourself with points that amount to very little? A True Blue Credit Card 

offers what you really need - a super-low introductory rate and low ongoing rate for 

all transactions including balance transfers and cash advances. 

Reward yourself every month with: 

• A low start rate of 4.99%p.a. * for 6 months 

• Low ongoing rate of 11.49%p.a. * 

• Up to 55 days interest free 

• Low annual fee of $36 

Apply online at www.defcredit.com.au 

visit your local branch, or call 1800 033 139. 

*Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on application. 

Offer not available to existing Defcredit True Blue Credit Card holders. 4.99%p.a. 

applicable for the fi rst six months which then reverts to the variable credit 

card rate which is currently 11.49%p.a. 


Lifestyle 27 

Ditch the points 

and save money 

every month instead 


ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL 234582 

ACE COMBAT GIVEAWAY 

Thanks to Atari 

we have 5 

copies of Ace 

Combat 6: Fire 

of Liberation for 

Xbox 360 to give 

away. To be in 

the running, tell 

us in 25 words 

or less what 

your favourite 

combat fighter 

jet is and why. Send your entries 

to: competitions@defencenews. 

gov.au with “Ace Combat giveaway” 

in the subject line. Remember 

to include your name, rank, unit 

and mailing address in the email. 

Winners published February 7. 

CALL OF DUTY WINNERS 

As a techo in the RAAF, it would be 

good to see what it’s like to do real 

work in the Defence Force. 

LAC Christian McCann 

RAAF Base Edinburgh 

As a lateral transfer from the Marine 

Corps, I’d love to play and challenge the 

review opinion that “Marines don’t have 

much subtlety, just firepower.” 

CAPT Grant Shottenkirk 

Robertson Barracks 

Looking forward to the AC-130 spectre 

mission, and playing online while 

sucking on a VB, sitting in my undies 

on leave ignoring the kids. 

SGT Darren Thornberry 

Gallipoli barracks 

Having only to date experienced Ghost 

Recon Advanced Warfighter FPS action, 

the chance to experience a similar but 

advanced concept game excites me. 

WO Peter Porter 

HMAS Darwin 

As submarines do not have email or 

Foxtel, everything about Call of Duty 4 

would be a great experience for all on 

board. Diesel Boats Forever. 

LS Rohan Hahn 

ASNCOMMCEN 

Full of laughs 

The Simpsons Game 

EA 

Xbox 360 M 

The game: The Simpsons have been pumping 

out spin-off games for almost as long as the show 

itself. Most of these have been consistently mediocre 

cash-ins but Electronic Arts have the answer 

with The Simpsons Game. 

The play: The game is an action/platformer, 

meaning there is plenty of double jumping and button 

mashing. It features a free-roaming Springfield 

that lets you explore the famous town, bumping 

into popular characters at your leisure in between 

levels. 

The terrain: The graphics use a style of cell 

shading that gives the 3D a very bright and colourful 

cartoon appearance that looks like the show. 

They also have regular cut scenes that look like 

they could have come straight out of an episode. 

The experience: Ultimately, The Simpsons 

Game proves to be a fairly generic experience as 

far as the gameplay is concerned. This won’t be 

a problem for the younger audience, but makes 

up for it with its humour. If you’re up on your 

Simpsons and videogaming trivia, The Simpsons 

Game holds so many laughs it may well make up 

for the conventional gameplay. – Sean Roberts 

4.99 %p.a.* 

for 6 months on 

all transactions 

3.5 

FREE-ROAMING: Explore Springfield and 

meet popular characters at your leisure. 


8 Lifestyle 

ICK PARADE 

ater stressors 

ehydration in the gym is dangerous and dehydration in the field is more 

o. LT Rob Orr looks at how you should respond. 

ost people are aware of the 

importance of consuming 

sufficient water and minimising 

the intake of diuetics 

(concentrated salt, caffeine, etc) 

o remain hydrated. However, while 

emaining hydrated is important to 

inimise heat-related illness, another 

mportant factor is the electrolyte balnce 

within the body. 

Where water provides the mechaism 

for sweat, electrolytes are vital 

or a variety of functions, including 

luid retention, muscle function and 

ervous system control of the body. 

lectrolyte balance 

Electrolytes, like sodium, chloide 

and potassium, are lost through 

weat, therefore, the more you sweat 

he more electrolytes you lose. It 

s here that the nature of your fluid 

ntake becomes important. 

If you only replace the water lost 

especially if force-drinking high 

uantities of plain water), the elecrolyte 

concentrations in the body are 

iluted. This is similar to filling a 

lass with cordial and water, drinking 

alf and replacing only water, then 

epeating the process. The cordial 

ontent dilutes. This effect, commony 

known as ‘electrolyte wash out’, 

eads to an electrolyte imbalance and 

60 

of Australian Peacekeeping 

th Anniversary 

A permanent reminder of the courage, 

professionalism and personal sacrifi ces 

made by all Australian Peacekeepers, 

in maintaining international peace 

and security. 

To own one, simply phone or visit our 

website and order today. 

LAPEL PIN Price: $19.95 (inc GST) 

2007 ONE DOLLAR UNCIRCULATED COIN Price: $12.95 (inc GST) 

IR FORCE 

potentially hyponatremia, a serious 

and potentially fatal condition. 

Drink water, but not to excess. 

Ensure meals are not missed. 

Missing meals (as a field exercise 

requirement or dieting) deprives 

the body of a good source of electrolytes. 

Sodium (or salt) drives your thirst, 

so if you eat salty foods you will 

drink more water. The salt also 

retains the water in your body. If 

you just drink a lot of plain water, 

much of it just passes through your 

body. 

Electrolyte replacement solutions 

(mixed in the recommended concentrations) 

are popular, but they 

do not provide enough electrolytes 

to replace your losses, particularly 

in situations where you sweat a lot. 

That’s why it is important to have 

food when you finish exercising. 

Monitor urine output. The aim is 

for urine to be as clear as possible 

(straw yellow to clear in colour). 

Tailor your physical activity to the 

heat. Work/rest tables show how 

hard you should work depending 

on the heat stress measured by a 

wet bulb globe thermometer. 

Acclimatisation 

Another important factor in heat 

injury prevention is acclimatisation, 

with many ADF members proceeding 

to a new climatic environment on 

posting. It is important that the body 

is given time to acclimatise to the 

new environment as the acclimatisation 

process can increase sweat production 

by more than 50 per cent. 

It is not just the temperature 

ranges between posting locations 

that need to be considered but, more 

importantly, the humidity. Humidity 

reduces the effectiveness of fluid 

transfer from the body to the air, 

which in turn reduces the effectiveness 

of sweating as a means of heat 

reduction. 

Depending on the severity of the 

climate change, acclimatisation is 

best achieved over a seven to 14-day 

period. This acclimatisation period 

should include bouts of physical 

activity, predominantly aerobic in 

nature, in the environment (not just in 

an air-conditioned room). The activity 

should gradually increase in time 

and intensity, up to the level you were 

operating at prior to your posting. 

For more information on acclimatisation 

guidelines, see section 3, 

chapter 6 of the RAAFSAFE Manual 

located at http://intranet.defence. 

gov.au/raafweb/Sites/AFS/comweb. 

asp?page=home 

1300 652 020 


SMART MONEY 

BEWARE: While it might fit on your card, can you afford it? 

Photo by CPL Andrew Hetherington 

Credit cards are 

Christmas traps 

‘Tis the season to be jolly, not crumpled in a corner wondering 

how to pay for all your excesses with the credit 

cards, as GPCAPT Rob Brown writes. 

The most common financial trap 

over the holiday season is uncontrolled 

spending, particularly on 

credit cards. Pressure of Christmas 

present shopping, combined with the 

relaxed holiday atmosphere, can lead to 

frightening bills arriving in the New Year. 

Financial damage caused by credit 

cards can destroy a family’s financial stability 

for years to come if they battle to 

pay expensive debts that could have been 

avoided. 

The good news is credit cards can be 

used sensibly and even to your advantage. 

The key is to have an understanding of 

terms, conditions and interest rates. If you 

discipline yourself to use a credit card as 

a ‘convenience card’ and pay it off in one 

lump sum within the specified time, you 

can borrow interest-free from your card 

provider. However, failure to pay off the 

card in one lump sum can lead to high 

interest charges, sometimes in excess of 

20 per cent. 

Better still; don’t use credit cards at 

all. Save a small amount each pay for 

presents and holidays, and consider buying 

Christmas gifts throughout the year. 

Another common financial trap is to 

sign up to a superficially attractive ‘interest 

free’ deal on furniture, electrical and 

whitegoods, and fail to meet the repayment 

schedule. Depending on the small print 

(which most people don’t read), failure to 

make a repayment even by one day can 

immediately trigger interest rates similar 

to credit cards. 

By planning and budgeting as early 

as possible, you can avoid financial stress 

during the Christmas season. Work out 

exactly how much you can afford to spend 

on gifts and holidays. Ask yourself whether 

you’ll be able to repay the debt immediately, 

or will you be stuck with it for the 

next 12 months or more? 

These strategies, while simple, aren’t 

followed enough and too many people 

learn the hard way – it’s your choice. 

For more information on budgeting and 

personal finances, visit: www.adfconsumer.gov.au 

GPCAPT Brown is an independent member 

of the ADF Financial Services Consumer 

Council. To suggest a topic, email: 

ADFcolumn@asic.gov.au 

Defence Families — who will care? 

In the current world situation, 

the ADF is being increasingly 

called on for service in war, 

peacekeeping and disaster relief 

operations around the globe. 

All Defence Force service, 

operationally or in training, is 

potentially hazardous: Should 

the worst happen, who cares 

for the Defence Force families 

left behind? 

One organisation does - and 

that is Legacy. 

Since 1923 Legacy’s ‘promise of care’ has been to provide for the welfare of 

the widows and children of veterans. 

Today, Legacy cares for some 133,000 widows and over 1800 children, and 

remains dedicated to provide for the welfare of the widows, widowers and 

children Defence of veterans who Families have served on – operations who in will war. Care care? is also 

extended to the families of Regular and Reserve members of the ADF who 

In the current world situation, the ADF is being Today, Legacy cares for some 133,000 widows and over 

increasingly called on for service in war, peacekeeping 1800 children, and remains dedicated to provide for the 

lose their and lives disaster relief in hazardous operations around the service, globe. including welfare of the peacekeeping widows, widowers and children operations, of veterans or 

who have served on operations in war. Care is also 

in training for war. 

All Defence Force service, operationally or in training, is extended to the families of Regular and Reserve 

potentially hazardous: Should the worst happen, who members of the ADF who lose their lives in hazardous 

cares for the Defence Force families left behind? service, including peacekeeping operations, or in 

This is Legacy’s promise to you and your training family. for war. Contact Legacy for more 

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visit www.legacy.com.au 


IR FORCE 

itle snatched 


AIR Force left its stamp on the Australian 

efence Football Federation titles by taking 

ne title, gaining a share of the best player 

wards and having a life member inducted 

n Sydney recently. 

The titles were held at the Sydney United 

ootball Stadium from November 3 to 9, 

hen Air Force won the over-35s title, SGT 

erry Backhouse was inducted as a life memer 

and FSGT Brett Chapman from RAAF 

ase Tindal finished in a three-way tie for 

layer of the carnival in the over-35 division. 

Only an upset loss to Navy allowed the 

rown to be snatched away from the fancied 

ir Force men’s team, seeking a third succesive 

title. 

This year, the Australian Public Service 

APS) entered teams in the men’s open and 

he over-35 divisions. 

On day one, Air Force over-35s beat Army 

-0 and an under-strength APS lost 8-1 to 

avy. Air Force beat APS 8-1 in the next 

ound, with Navy and Army drawing 1-1. In 

he final round, Army beat APS by 7-1, with 

ir Force and Navy playing a 2-2 draw. 

Undefeated, Air Force won the title by 

inning two of its matches and drawing the 

hird. Navy finished second with Army third 

nd APS fourth. 

Air Force men had won the championhip 

for the previous two years and looked 

trong contenders again after beating APS 7-0 

n their first game. Navy played well below 

ts expected standard and was beaten 7-0 by 

n Army team eager to lay its hands on the 

rophy. 

Army beat APS 5-0 on day two with APS 

etting stronger with each game. 

Navy came away with the upset of the 

ournament by downing Air Force 1-0 in a 

ard-fought game. Navy’s defence was 

xtremely difficult to break down. It took 

dvantage of a poor clearance by Air Force in 

he second half to slot a goal from more than 

5m out to take the lead, which it kept until 

he final whistle. 

On an exciting final day, Navy beat APS 

-0, which meant that Army needed only to 

raw against Air Force to win the men’s cometition. 

DIVORCE SEPARATION 

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• Over 20 years experience specialising in 

Family Law both in relation to matrimonial 

and de facto relationships. 

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CHALLENGE: CPL Nelson Aceituno from 2OCU (right) deprives his Navy opponent of 

possession at the Australian Defence Football Federation titles. Photo by AB Justin Brown 

This it did after a gruelling physical 

encounter that ended 1-1. 

The women’s competition, which did not 

include an APS team but will from next year, 

went to Navy on goal-difference – 5-1 to 

Army’s 1-1 – after the two had finished with 

a win each. 

Air Force finished third after losing both 

games but the competition was much closer 

CHIP ‘N’ PUTT: SGT Derek Brown chips on to 

the green at the inter-Service golf titles. 

Photo by LACW Veronica McKenna 

than previous years. Army edged Air Force 

1-0 before the reigning champion, Navy, 

came out with guns blazing for a 5-0 win over 

Air Force. 

With everything to play for in the final 

game against Army, Navy won its third successive 

title with a 1-1 draw in a great game 

of football. 

Looking for accurate, up-to-date, credible information 

on alcohol, tobacco and other drugs? 

Visit the ADF Drug & Alcohol Program website (the “AOD cabinet”) at 

www.defence.gov.au/health/ 

The alcohol and other drugs (AOD) cabinet contains a range of information, resources for ADF health and allied health 

professionals, policy material and links to publications and other sites of interest. 

ADF ATODS: The Defence Health Services response to AOD issues. 


SGT Darren Pay from RAAF Base 

Wagga was named the most valuable 

player as Air Force regained the NSW Inter-Service 

Golf Champions’ Trophy with 

a hard-fought 3-0 win in the recent series 

at the Horizons Salamander Bay course. 

The Air Force team was led by captain 

FSGT Stew Rawlinson from RAAF Base 

Wagga and vice-captain SGT Derek Brown 

from RAAF Base Williamtown, with strong 

support from SGT Pay. He had an outstanding 

week in winning all his matches in both 

foursomes and singles. 

Tournament organiser, WOFF Shane 

Jensen from RAAF Base Williamtown, said 

more than 60 personnel from all four Services 

competed. 

“For the first time in the competition’s 

history, an Australian Public Service (APS) 

team was included, creating a new format 

Sport 29 

Kiwis edge ADBA 

women’s team in 

basketball clash 


REBOUNDS and three-pointers proved decisive as 

the New Zealand Army edged the Australian Defence 

Basketball Association (ADBA) women 26-20 in Canberra 

on November 30. 

Their encounter at the Australian Institute of Sport 

Training Hall was a curtain-raiser to the Women’s 

National Basketball League (WNBL) AIS-Christchurch 

game, won 87-83 by the AIS. 

NZ Army led 11-6 at half-time before the ADBA 

competed on more even terms in the second half, being 

edged by a point (15-14). 

New Zealand’s 36 rebounds to the ADBA’s 21 and 

nine points from three successful three-point shots 

proved the difference. New Zealand’s key players of the 

match were Rebecca Brand, Kate Hockings, Rose King 

and Sarah Cosgrove. 

ADBA standouts were PTE Kelly Nelson, matching 

Rebecca Brand’s six points; ACW Karen Herbert scoring 

five and FLTLT Megan Hurley keeping the ball in 

play with four rebounds and five steals. 

“The Kiwis were very strong and bonded well as a 

team initially,” ADBA assistant coach FLTLT Janeter 

Turnbull said. 

“They had very good crowd support from the vocal 

Army men’s team which was touring with them. 

“Our guards Karen Herbert and Megan Hurley took 

control in the second half but were not quite able to 

match the strength of the Kiwis,” she said. 

BREAKAWAY: FLTLT Megan Hurley (right) sets up 

an attack for ADBA women against New Zealand 

Army. Photo by GNR Shannon Joyce 

Pay day for Air Force 

in hard-fought golf 

involving four teams,” WOFF Jensen said. 

“The opening day’s individual stroke event 

(involving all players) belonged to Army’s 

CPL Trent Fortescue, who shot a scorching 

round of 72 to collect the prestigious Cliff 

Morey Trophy.” 

This was followed by three days of foursomes 

in the mornings and individual match 

play in the afternoons, with competitors 

playing up to 36 holes of golf each day. 

In the Monday foursomes, Air Force 

squared the foursomes with Army for three 

points but won the singles 9-4 for an overall 

12-7 victory. On the Tuesday, Air Force 

accounted for Navy 12-7, after taking the 

foursomes 5-1 and the singles narrowly 7-6. 

Air Force made the title its own in the 

Wednesday foursomes, with a 4-2 win 

against APS and taking the singles 8-5 for 

an overall 12-7 win. 


0 Sport 

DF teams 

atter up 

THE ADF men’s and women’s 

oftball teams had mixed fortunes 

hen they played their counterparts 

rom the New Zealand Army in the 

rans Tasman Series at Randwick 

arracks in Sydney recently. 

The matches, played between 

ovember 12 and 15, were part 

f the Australian Defence Softball 

ssociation’s (ADSA) national carnial. 

The ADSA women retained the 

rans Tasman Trophy but the Kiwi men 

ere too strong for the Australians. 

The competition attracted men’s 

nd women’s teams from NSW, the 

orthern Territory, Queensland, 

outhern States and the New Zealand 

rmy. 

After three days of preliminary 

ames, the grand finals were played 

n the Wednesday afternoon. 

NSW lost only one game in the preiminary 

rounds and met Queensland 

n the men’s final as clear favourite to 

in. 

Queensland, consistent in the preiminaries, 

built its teamwork steadily 

o come through and upset NSW in the 

rand final. 

NSW, the stronger team throughut 

the women’s preliminaries, beat 

orthern Territory in their grand final. 

“The men’s competition was very 

IR FORCE 

GIRL POWER: The winning ADF 

women’s softball team. 

exciting this year as there were a 

lot of new faces, and exciting talent 

has emerged,” ADSA secretary SGT 

Virginia Morris said. 

Life Memberships were awarded 

during the titles to CPO Donna Edge 

and SGT Morris for their dedication 

and support shown to Defence softball 

over the past years. 

At this year’s championships, 

ADSA men’s and women’s team 

were selected to tour New Zealand in 

December 2008. 

ADSA now has a new website: 

http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/ 

Softball/ 

Anyone interested in playing softball 

should contact SGT Morris by emailing 

virginia-lee.morris@defence.gov.au 

IN THE SWING: SGT Josh Page from Defence Force Recruiting, 

Hobart, bats in the ADSA v NZ Army game during the Trans Tasman 

softball series. Photos provided by SGT Virginia Morris 


Air Force takes 

to lake for ADF 

Dinghy champs 


AIR FORCE finished third behind two 

Navy crews in the ADF Sailing Association’s 

(ADFSA) Dinghy Championships in 

very light conditions on Canberra’s Lake 

Burley Griffin from November 22-25. 

CDRE Rick Longbottom and MIDN 

Andrew Foulkes were the leading ADF boat 

and third overall, with CMDR Martin Linsley 

and CMDR Bruce Eddes placed second in 

the ADF titles. SGT Ross MacDonald from 

RAAF Base Richmond and Antonia Kaucz 

were third. 

While physically undemanding, the light 

Canberra winds proved mentally taxing for 

skippers and crews as they battled to both 

keep their boats in the strongest breezes and 

achieve tactical superiority over their rivals. 

The ADF titles were contested in Tasar 

dinghies and were held in conjunction with 

the ACT Dinghy Championships. 

The ACT championships involved more 

than 50 boats racing in the same patch of 

water, leading to some close calls and “discussions” 

about rules. Breezes ranged from 

zero to five knots, with major direction 

shifts. 

“Sailing well required intense concentration 

from the crews, and carefully controlled 

movements to avoid the wind and water 

turbulence that reduce a boat’s momentum,” 

SGT MacDonald said. 

“Smooth and sequential teamwork – not 

easy to perform in the confines of a small 

boat.” 

The next representative event for the ADFSA 

is the Australian Tasar Championships in 

Adelaide from December 27 to January 4. 


IELDING WILLOW: CPL Michael Gunn in action during Air Force’s win against 

he UK Adjutant General’s Corps team during the international Defence Cricket 

hallenge round-robin. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran 

arriors tour to 

outh America 

tremendous’ 


THE recent tour to South Ameria 

by the Australian Services Rugby 

nion (ASRU) Warriors is expected 

o provide the ideal platform for next 

ear’s Pacific Nations Defence Cup in 

ew Zealand. 

The October-November tour to 

hile and Argentina scheduled five 

atches and the Warriors returned 

ome with two wins and three losses, 

ith the losses coming against some 

trong competition. 

“Overall, the 2007 ASRU tour 

o South America was tremendous,” 

SRU development officer, Graham 

ing, said. 

“The South American experience 

as provided a wonderful foundation 

or the core ASRU players to continue 

o develop,” he said. 

After beating Santo Tomas Rugby 

lub 120-7 on their tour opener in 

hile and losing 19-10 to the province 

f Mendoza in Argentina, the tour coninued 

with a match against Rosario, 

he second most successful province in 

rgentinean rugby. 

Rosario fielded five players from the 

rgentinean national team, the Pumas, 

nd this highly-skilled representative 

eam won 39-6. 

Renowned for its traditional 

rgentinean backline attacking flair, 

osario proved a different challenge 

IR FORCE 

from the forward confrontation of the 

previous match. 

The game began with both sides 

trading penalty goals as the forwards 

sorted themselves out. 

As the game settled, the classy 

Rosario backline began to show its 

wares. A couple of quick tries gave 

Rosario an 18-6 half-time lead. 

After the break, the ASRU was 

able to more than match the Rosario 

side but was unable to convert several 

opportunities. Rosario, on the other 

hand, was able to convert its opportunities 

and ran in three more tries. 

“It was actually a credit to ASRU 

that they chose such a strong side to 

play against us,” Mr King said. 

“It was a very different game to that 

against Mendoza, which was likened to 

trench warfare. 

“Rosario played a very fast, expansive 

and free-flowing game.” 

Next port of call for the Warriors 

was Bahia Blanca in the south of the 

country for another hard match against 

the Union Rugby Del Sur (URDS). The 

city prepared a very strong team to meet 

the ASRU on November 17. 

In another physical and demanding 

match, the advantage alternated between 

ASRU and the URDS many times. 

ASRU had to work very hard for the 

entire 80 minutes of the match to secure 

a 19-15 victory. 


A FIRST-DAY loss and the 

weather left Air Force pondering 

its fate and settling for a fourth 

place at the inaugural International 

Defence Cricket Challenge (IDCC) 

in Canberra from November 15 to 

23. 

Air Force lost its opening match 

to the eventual winner, Australian 

Army, before accounting for New 

Zealand Army and then producing 

an exciting win against the British 

team, Adjutant General’s Corps 

(AGCs), in their final pool match. 

Air Force made 9-211 in reply to 

AGC’s 210. CPL Brett Harris played 

a starring role with the bat with 69 

not out. That gave Air Force second 

place behind the Australian Army in 

pool B, while the RNZAF topped 

pool A from the RAN. 

The round robin section of the 

challenge produced tight, hard cricket 

in which the Australian Army and 

RNZAF were undefeated in their 

pool games. 

Rain then forced the cancellation 

of all semi-finals and plate finals on 

November 22, except the 5-6 playoff 

between the Royal Engineers 

and New Zealand Army. That was 

reduced to a 20-20 game and was 

won by the Kiwis, who were pre- 


Sport 31 

Cricket comp 

a mixed bag 

Air Force takes fourth spot in IDCC challenge 

On November 21, the ASRU team 

was outclassed in its last tour match 

by a Buenos Aires Selection and lost 

53-13. 

Played at the historic Casi Rugby 

Stadium in the precinct of Palermo, 

Buenos Aries, it was a ‘heroic defeat’ 

with the team playing against a team 

that beat the Queensland Reds during 

their last tour of Australia a year ago. 

The Warriors played very entertain- 

Three world-beaters 

AIR FORCE had three players 

named in the IDCC World 

Defence XI at the end of the 

tournament: SGT Shawn 

Binnion and CPL Brett Harris 

(RAAF Base Edinburgh), and 

AC Aaron Goodwin (RAAF 

Base Richmond). 

sented the GEN Peter Cosgrove 

(ret’d) Plate for fifth overall. 

The poor weather forced the 

IDCC committee to award places in 

the grand final based on pool results 

with the two leading sides in each 

pool getting the nod. 

All other plate final winners were 

determined by pool results and net 

run rates, with the RAN declared the 

SQNLDR Stan Sismey (ret’d) Plate 

winner (third overall) and the AGCs 

from Britain given the COL Wal 

Hall (ret’d) Plate (seventh overall). 

The Australian Army’s tail 

wagged long and hard to win a 

tense grand final against RNZAF at 

Manuka Oval on November 23. 

The grand final was played under 

difficult conditions. A crowd of 

about 500 looked on as Army won 

the toss and elected to bat. 

TRYING: FSGT Jason Ryan (centre) and ADF mates take a quick breather 

during the warm conditions of the recent rugby tour to South America. 

Inset, FLTLT Leigh Foster in possession outflanks the opposition. 

Photos provided by Graham King 

ing rugby and for the most part were the 

equal of the Argentinean forwards. 

It was in the backline that ASRU 

struggled to contain the free-running 

and highly-skilled Pumas. Any mistake 

by ASRU was invariably punished by 

the Buenos Aries backs. 

That said, ASRU played some wonderful 

attacking rugby, and at times, 

stretched the Argentinean representative 

players. 

Army’s top order failed to fire 

and it reached 139 from its reduced 

allocation of 42 overs, thanks to the 

efforts of two tailenders, LCPL Don 

Mander and GNR Adam Ratcliffe, 

who made 30 not out and 27 not out 

respectively. 

The RNZAF was shaken by a 

good early spell of bowling from 

PTE Laurie Wood and LT Matthew 

Pascoe, who rocked the RNZAF, 

leaving it stumbling at 3-13 before 

recovering to be 4-74. 

Then, SGT Lindsay Black (3-19) 

and MAJ Michael Say (3-18) ended 

the Kiwi dream by taking the final 

six wickets for 30 runs to secure the 

IDCC Champions Trophy. 

A presentation dinner was held, 

with the patron of the Australian 

Services Cricket Association ACM 

Angus Houston in attendance, to 

present the awards. 

“The overwhelming success of 

the inaugural IDCC has proved the 

concept of staging Defence cricket 

on an international stage,” Australian 

Services Cricket Association 

President, BRIG Stephen Dunn, 

said. 

“The professionalism of the 

tournament and the outstanding 

spirit of the players has allowed me 

to begin planning for the 2009 iteration 

of this fabulous event.” 


SPORT 

AIR FORCE 

Inside: ■ Softball ■ Soccer 

Rain ruins Air Force’s good run 

in the International Defence 

Cricket Challenge – see P31 

FEVER 

PITCH 


ON THE RUN: 

SGT Shawn 

Binnion heads 

towards batting 

partner CPL 

Craig Dekaste 

after a good 

shot during the 

RAAF V Adjutant 

Generals Corp 

(UK) match in 

the International 

Defence Cricket 

Challenge in 

Canberra. 

Photo by LAC 

Aaron Curran

Edition 4923, December 13, 2007 - Department of Defence

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