Amberley goes on show in style - Department of Defence

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6 News AIR FORCE October 16, 2008 Hornet savings gs arrel along By Barry Rollings WITH the second F/A-18 centre barrel replacement safely back on the tarmac at RAAF Base Williamtown and another two more to be flown to Canada in coming months, years of fatigue testing and analysis are finally paying dividends for the Air Force and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO). This is all thanks to the Directorate General Technical Airworthiness (DGTA) and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) for their successful centre barrel testing program. DGTA, DSTO and DMO joined forces to save the Commonwealth up to $400 million through a structural life extension and effective reduction in the number of F/A-18 aircraft required to undergo the Centre Barrel Replacement (CBR) program. Originally up to 49 aircraft were to undergo CBR during phase three of the Hornet Upgrade program. As a result of the work of DGTA, DSTO and Defence contractors QinetiQ and Fortburn, this number may now be reduced to just 10. Registered Tax Agent Specialising in Tax returns for the Armed Forces Personnel at Competitive rates Income Tax Returns PERSONAL • BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP BRISBANE Appointments ph: 0414 270 221 Home visits - Weekends SYDNEY Phone for details ph: 0414 270 221 CANBERRA Blain & Assoc. 4 Carbeen St, Rivett, ACT Appointments ph: 0414 270 221 “A centre barrel testing program, known as FINAL, was conceived by DGTA and DSTO to reduce airworthiness risks arising from extension of the Hornet structural life of type,” the Director General Technical Airworthiness at RAAF Base Williams, AIRCDRE David Tindal, said. The program aimed to remove individual modifications, reduce overall associated costs and increase aircraft availability. From the outset, Aircraft Structural Integrity DGTA (ASI-DGTA) staff took on the responsibilities of project manager and co-technical leads with DSTO and held these positions for the duration of the project. Over the course of this project, about 1.2 man years of effort, both engineering and management were undertaken by ASI-DGTA staff. Undertaking fatigue analysis, structural certification and overall project management, ASI-DGTA staff, in collaboration with DSTO and industry partners, extended the life of the centre barrel structure by 10 per cent, or two years. On delivery of this project, Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon MP said that “this is a good news story for the ADF and the taxpayer, delivering considerable savings and ensuring Australia’s frontline fighter capability is maintained”. A Ukranian Antonov transport aircraft delivered the second Hornet centre barrel replacement to Williamtown – where it will be re-assembled – on September 18. The Antonov was used for the task as it can carry a payload almost double that of a C-17, including two Hornets at once. Fitting a Hornet into a C-17 has not been proven yet and may require removal of the fins, a complex process not yet attempted on RAAF Hornets. An Antonov will return to Australia in November to pick up the next two Hornets due for centre barrel replacement in Canada. BACK HOME: Above, a 20CU Hornet is offloaded from an Antonov at RAAF Base Williamtown after being transported from Canada. Photo: AC Mark Friend ALL ABROAD: Above inset, the same Hornet awaiting centre barrel replacement in Canada. Photo: DMO Bersama Lima exercising skills POWER PLAY: Our F/A-18s and F-111s are currently participating in the major international Bersama Lima exercise in Malaysia, along with C-130s, C-17s and an AP-3C. Photo: CPL Andrew Eddie THE Air Force has a strong presence in the Five Power Defence Arrangement exercise Bersama Lima, now being staged in Malaysia and the South China Sea. The annual exercise, which ends on October 24, involves fighter, strike, transport and maritime patrol aircraft, as well as Australian warships and soldiers. Air Force C-130s and C-17s are providing strategic lift and logistics support to the deployed forces. Three F-111 aircraft from RAAF Base <strong>Amberley</strong> and about 80 personnel are based at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth, along with an AP-3C from 92WG. Up to six F/A-18s and 100 personnel from RAAF Base Williamtown’s 77SQN are also participating and are based at Singapore’s Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB). 92WG Detachment Commander SQNLDR Lee Read said it was a fantastic opportunity for his team. “Exercises such as Bersama Lima provide essential training opportunities for AP-3C crews and other Air Force crews to enhance key skills in an international environment,” he said. “It allows the Air Force to test and practise deployment capabilities that enable us to operate away from our home base.” Air, ground and naval forces from Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and Britain are using the exercise to practise interoperability between the nations. Full coverage of the exercise will feature in an upcoming edition.
AIR FORCE October 16, 2008 News ‘Nichi Gou’ goodwill Japanese crews visit Edinburgh to say ‘Konichiwa’ to 10SQN counterparts By FLTLT Jaimie Abbott IT’S BECOME tit-for-tat between he Australian and Japanese Orion rews, and this year it was the ‘away eam’s’ turn to visit Adelaide. The crew of two Japanese P-3C Orions were officially welcomed at RAAF Base Edinburgh recently, underlining an important maritime co-operation event between Australia and Japan. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) aircraft were here to conduct a bilateral goodwill visit called ‘Nichi Gou Trident 08’ with the Australian AP-3C crews. ‘Nichi Gou’ is Japanese for Australia Japan. It was the second Japanese P-3C visit to Australia and builds on previous bilateral exchanges in Australia in May 2006 and in Japan in October 2007. It was no small fanfare – 40 members of the JMSDF arrived in Adelaide for a jam-packed week of flying activities off he coast of South Australia. 10SQN had the hosting honours, nd coordinating officer SQNLDR John rime said there were many benefits to he bilateral P-3C flying. “The week focused on improving nteroperability in the area of maritime urveillance and communications,” QNLDR Grime said. “It was an opportunity to deepen he links and working relationship with apan.” Commander Surveillance and Response Group AIRCDRE Warren Ludwig said Australia had a developing bilateral relationship with Japan, particularly for maritime cooperation. “We share an interest in working with Japan to maintain stability and security, particularly in the Asia Pacific region,” AIRCDRE Ludwig said. The ‘exchange’ continued on the ground, as the aircraft were compared side-by-side in a joint static display. Crews were given tours to learn the features of each other’s Orion aircraft. The Japanese aircraft then headed to New Zealand for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Exercise – MARU. On the way back to Japan, the crews stopped over at Darwin for a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph, to pay tribute to those killed in the World War II bombings in 1942. G’DAY MATE: CO 10SQN WGCDR Kevin Murray welcomes VP-1 operations officer CMDR Kouichi Kitahara after he arrived at RAAF Base Edinburgh as part of the visiting Japanese contingent. Photo: LAC Glen McCarthy With a rate this low, you can afford a few optional extras With one of the lowest car loan interest rates available of just 9.56%p.a. and no ongoing fees, you can own the car you want sooner and save thousands of dollars. For fast pre-approval, visit your local branch or call 1800 033 139. *Comparison rate is calculated on $30,000 secured loan over a 5 year term, based on monthly repayments. WARNING: This comparison rate is true for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on request. The rate is correct at the time of printing and subject to change. DEF1413_AANN Defence Force Credit Union Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL 234582 9.56 %p.a. comparison rate* 7 THANKS FOR COMING: 10SQN’s Crew 2 wave ‘Sayonara’ to their P-3C counterparts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force as the visitors depart RAAF Base Edinburgh after a goodwill visit. The bilateral activity called ‘Nichi Gou Trident 2008’ focused on strengthening working relationships between the two countries and involved a week of flying activities off the coast of SA. Photo: AC Brenton Kwaterski LOCAL HELP: Above inset, 1AOSS member CPL Keith Watson gives 10SQN a hand to unload the Japanese P-3Cs after they arrived on base. Photo: LAC Glen McCarthy
Page 1 and 2: AIR FORCE Vol. 50, No. 19, October
Page 3 and 4: AIR FORCE October 16, 2008 News AME
Page 5: AIR FORCE October 16, 2008 Night Ha
Page 9 and 10: AIR FORCE October 16, 2008 Bruce le
Page 11 and 12: AIR FORCE October 16, 2008 History
Page 13 and 14: AIR FORCE October 16, 2008 LOADED B
Page 15 and 16: 2008 Defence Force Air Show AIR FOR
Page 17 and 18: 18 Flightline AIR FORCE October 16,
Page 19 and 20: 20 Cadets Corner AIR FORCE October
Page 21 and 22: Don’t forget... another important
Page 23 and 24: 24 Lifestyle AIR FORCE October 16,
Page 25 and 26: 26 Sport AIR FORCE October 16, 2008
Page 27: SPORT October 16, 2008 Inside: ■

Amberley goes on show in style - Department of Defence

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