Exercise Pitch Black takes to the skies in the Top End

AIR F 

RCE 

Vol. 54, No. 14, August 2, 2012 2 The Th official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force 

NEW MEDAL TO RECOGNISE OP RESOLUTE SERVICE 

Exercise Pitch Black takes to the skies in the Top End 

JOINING 

FORCES 

P5 

P3 

MAKING AN ENTRANCE: 

77SQN F/A-18s welcomed 

Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) 

Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker jets 

into Darwin when they arrived 

on July 26 to participate in 

Exercise Pitch Black for the first 

time. Below inset, members of 

the TNI AU, assisted by RAAF 

air load team members, unload 

equipment from a TNI AU C-130 

after arriving at RAAF Base 

Darwin. Photos: SGT Shane Gidall 

(main) and FSGT John Carroll

2 AIR F RCE August 2, 2012 

News 

Drop in and save lives 

CPL Mark Doran 

UNTIL November last year, SGT 

Andrew Kleef, of 81WG, had never 

donated blood. 

This year, SGT Kleef is Air Force’s 

blood challenge ambassador and says 

it has provided him with an opportunity 

to help educate and encourage 

people to donate blood. 

“I can do this by sharing my family’s 

story about how much it has 

helped us and made a difference to our 

ives,” he said. 

“I had not even thought about 

onating until November last year. 

“I didn’t understand how many 

uses blood had and how many people 

t helped and the lives it saved.” 

SGT Kleef said when he and his 

ife Tracy decided to have children 

hey discovered they would need to 

use in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). 

“It took eight attempts to conceive 

our first child, Mitchell, and three for 

Nathan,” he said. 

“Nathan was diagnosed in August 

2011 with X-linked hyper IgM syndrome 

which is a primary immune 

deficiency. 

“He was only 13 months old.” 

X-linked hyper IgM syndrome is a 

condition that affects the immune system 

and occurs exclusively in males, 

affecting one in 500,000 children. 

Individuals with the syndrome 

begin to develop frequent infections in 

infancy and early childhood. Without 

treatment, this condition can result in 

death during childhood or adolescence. 

People with the syndrome have 

abnormal levels of proteins called antibodies 

or immunoglobulin. 

Antibodies help protect the body 

against infection by attaching to specific 

foreign particles and germs, 

marking them for destruction. 

SGT Kleef said Nathan’s body did 

not produce the immunoglobulin he 

needed to be able to fight bacterial 

infections. 

“These infections include pneumonia, 

chest and ear infections. And if he 

rinks water containing cryptosporidium 

he can get an intestinal infection,” 

he said. 

The treatment for immune 

deficiency has come a long way. 

Immunoglobulin boosts the immune 

system and helps provide a normal 

balance of antibodies to fight infections. 

Before these procedures existed 

patients were like the ‘Bubble Boy’ 

nd had to live in a sterile environment 

o avoid the possibility of infections. 

Patients are highly prone to lung 

nd liver damage, and even 10 years 

go, life expectancy was dramatially 

reduced with a large percentage 

f people with an immune deficiency 

ying before they were 25. 

SGT Kleef said before Nathan 

as diagnosed he suffered from chest 

nfections and an abscess in his groin 

Director 

David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650 

EDITORIAL TEAM 

Editor/Deputy Director 

Simone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253 

Deputy Editor 

John Martin: (02) 6265 7219 

Production Editor/Sports Editor 

Sharon Palmer: (02) 6266 7612 

Reporters 

SGT Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614 

CPL Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304 

CPL Nick Wiseman: (02) 6265 4140 

CPL Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608 

LAC Bill Solomou: (02) 6265 1355 

Andrew Stackpool: (02) 6266 7611 

TELL US YOUR 

STORY 

If you donate regularly 

or have received 

blood, we want to hear 

from you. Email the 

editor at: raafnews@ 

defencenews.gov.au 

and share your story. 

DEFENCE 

ORGANISATION 

BLOOD 

CHALLENGE 

ALL BETTER NOW: Blood ambassador SGT Andrew Kleef, of 81WG, with his son Nathan who requires 

regular blood products to treat his rare immune deficiency disorder. Photo courtesy Australian Red Cross Blood Service 

and ulcers in his mouth and throat. 

“He was at a point where he stopped 

eating and drinking,” he said. 

“We decided to take him to the 

John Hunter Emergency Department 

in Newcastle where the doctors realised 

they were dealing with a rare case 

history. It took them six days to identify 

the problem. 

“Initially, Tracy and I thought a 

solution would involve minor treatment 

then everything would be fine. 

“It turned out to be a bit more complicated, 

and very serious.” 

Nathan now receives a blood product 

called intravenous immunoglobulin, 

which is taken from whole blood 

or plasma donations. 

Intravenous immunoglobulin contains 

the pooled, immunoglobulin 

antibody extracted from the plasma of 

more than 1000 blood donors. 

Immunoglobulin is absorbed by the 

body, so every month Nathan requires 

a top up, which until recently meant 

regular trips to hospital. 

The Kleef family have a new deliv- 

LS Paul Berry: (02) 6266 7606 

Michael Brooke: (02) 9359 2494 

CONTACT US 

Email: raafnews@defencenews.gov.au 

Fax: (02) 6266 7701 

Mail: The Editor, Air Force News, R8-LG-048, PO 

Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600 

Website: www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews 

ADVERTISING and SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Advertising Manager 

Tim Asher: (07) 3332 7651 or 0459 842 551 

Email: advertising@defencenews.gov.au 

Assistant Manager Advertising/Subscriptions 

Trish Dillon: (02) 6266 7607 

Email: tdillon@defencenews.gov.au 

ery system and are able to do the top 

up at home. 

“Once his treatment was balanced, 

which took a few months, he become 

a typical, completely healthy kid. He’s 

very happy,” SGT Kleef said 

“He’s a funny kid with a lot of 

character, a bit cheeky and has to play 

with whatever his brother is playing 

with – he actually gets sick less than 

Mitchell – it’s just amazing for us now. 

“We can take him everywhere 

and don’t have to worry about him 

catching germs at the shops or on the 

swings and slides at the public playground. 

It’s been a life-changer.” 

A bone marrow transplant offers 

a full cure for X-linked hyper IgM 

syndrome by essentially replacing the 

immune system. 

SGT Kleef and Tracy were tested 

and found not to be donor matches 

though Mitchell was a 5/6 match in the 

first round of testing. “If Nathan stays 

healthy, the doctors have suggested we 

wait until he is around five before we 

attempt the transplant,” he said. 

DISCLAIMER 

The work being done at RAAF 

Base Williamtown by the base blood 

service coordinator, Samuel Hays, has 

increased the base blood donation rate 

from 120 to 280 donors a quarter. 

SGT Kleef said he would like to 

help other bases achieve similar success 

by using a comparable system to 

improve blood donations. 

“We need base coordinators and 

ideally unit coordinators under them to 

encourage volunteers and take it to the 

next level,” he said. 

“Statistics have shown units which 

have a coordinator have a donor participation 

rate of 9.3 per cent while units 

without have a rate of 1.8 per cent. 

“It makes a bigger impact when 

people take on the role to promote the 

blood service and this can be done by 

hanging posters or distributing flyers 

and sharing e-mails explaining why 

blood donations are important.” 

More information on the ADO blood drive 

will appear in future editions of Air Force 

News. 

Air Force News is published fortnightly by the 

Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under 

contract by Capital Fine Print. The material 

published is selected for its interest. The views 

expressed in published articles are not necessarily 

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is subject to Directorate of Defence News 

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The Directorate accepts no responsibility or 

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the Directorate of Defence News. The fact that an 

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mean that the product or service is endorsed by the 

Department of Defence or Air Force News. 

IT’S ALMOST 

TIME TO SIGN UP 

� THE 2012 Defence Organisation 

Blood Challenge 

will be launched this 

month and will run from 

September to November. 

� The partnership between 

the ADO and the Australian 

Red Cross Blood 

Service has produced 

more than 5000 donations 

in the last three years and 

potentially saved more 

than 6000 lives. 

� Now in its fourth year, the 

Blood Challenge is Australia’s 

largest. 

� Navy, Army, Air Force and 

Defence Public Service 

employees compete over 

a three-month period each 

year to make the highest 

number of blood donations 

and friends and family 

can also donate. 

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AIR F RCE August 2, 2012 

News 

Wider recognition 

with new medal 

ALL future operations will now be 

recognised with the new Australian 

perational Service Medal (OSM). 

Defence Science and Personnel 

inister Warren Snowdon and CN 

ADM Ray Griggs announced the 

new medal on July 19. 

The OSM will recognise 

Defence personnel who work as 

part of a declared operation or withn 

other specific hazardous environments 

and circumstances. 

Retrospective recognition from 

1997 will be granted for ADF personnel 

involved with border protection 

operations. 

The OSM will replace the 

Australian Service Medal, 

Australian Active Service Medal or 

campaign medals in future operations. 

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown 

said he believed the Government’s 

decision would pave the way for 

wider community recognition 

of Air Force people deployed on 

operations, in particular, Operation 

Resolute and the preceding 

Operations Relex and Relex II. 

“For the last 11 years, our Air 

Force personnel have worked tirelessly 

to protect Australia’s borders 

as part of the ADF’s contribution to 

the whole of government focus on 

domestic maritime security activities,” 

he said. 

“I am very proud of our members 

on Operation Resolute. They 

constantly demonstrate a level of 

professionalism and devotion to 

uty that enhances Air Force’s repuation. 

“I am keenly aware of the susained 

pressure that has been on the 

ircrew, maintenance and support 

taff during the current increase 

n operational intensity, and many 

reas of Air Force are working 

bove and beyond to ensure misions 

are accomplished, day in and 

ay out.” 

Head of People Capability 

AJGEN Gerard Fogarty said the 

new medal would enable greater 

Criteria for border 

protection ops 

The border protection operations 

the OSM applies to are: 

Cranberry, Dirk, Stanhope, 

Mistral, Teebone, Celesta, 

Sutton, Gemsbok, Relex, Relex II 

and Resolute. 

The basic qualifying criteria for 

the OSM – Border Protection 

require members of the ADF 

to have been deployed or force 

assigned for duty as such a 

member of a declared operation: 

➤ for not less than an aggregate 

of 30 days; or 

➤ completed 30 sorties from a 

unit assigned to a declared 

operation, provided that 

those sorties were conducted 

over a period of not less than 

an aggregate of 30 days at a 

rate of one sortie a day. 

recognition of ADF members who 

deployed on different operations. 

“Learning from the past, it 

seeks to provide our people with 

the potential to attain more visible 

recognition through the prospect 

of attaining multiple awards of the 

OSM through deployments to different 

operations with unique ribbons,” 

MAJGEN Fogarty said. 

“Those who undertake additional 

periods of qualifying service on the 

same operation will, where appropriate, 

receive an accumulated service 

device, in the form of a numeral 

similar to those issued by the United 

Nations.” 

MAJGEN Fogarty said it was 

important to note the new medal had 

no bearing on ADF members currently 

deployed. 

“They will continue to receive 

the same benefits and medals they 

currently do,” he said. 

MISSION READY: Aircrew 

on the job during Operation 

Resolute. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson 

Separate recognition for 

Defence civilians will now be 

available through a civilian variant 

of the new medal, which will 

be available to those who are 

employed as part of a declared 

operation under the Defence Force 

Discipline Act 1982. 

Eligible civilian personnel will 

receive a medal of the same design 

but will receive a unique civilian 

service ribbon to differentiate it 

from the ADF variant. 

The Directorate of Honours 

and Awards has requested that 

ADF personnel or Defence civilians 

who believe they might be 

eligible for the medal not apply for 

recognition until eligibility criteria 

and administrative processes are 

finalised. 

Air Force will develop a consolidated 

list of eligible personnel 

for submission to Defence 

Honours and Awards. Further 

information will be provided as 

soon as it becomes available. 

For updates on the OSM, visit the 

Defence Honours and Awards website 

at www.defence.gov.au/medals 

ON OP RESOLUTE: A military 

working dog handler guards 

an Orion at RAAF Learmonth; 

below left, aircraft technicians 

monitor an Orion during startup 

at RAAF Base Darwin. 

Photos: LAC Mark Friend (main) and 

CPL Glen McCarthy 

Inner Pocket 

777 detours 

to Learmonth 

AIR Force personnel were quick to assist 

when a Singaporean Airlines Boeing 

777 passenger jet was diverted to RAAF 

Learmonth in Western Australia. 

The aircraft was on the final stages of 

a flight into Perth on July 11 but could not 

land because of fog. 

The Singaporean jet was low on fuel, so 

it was diverted to Learmonth. 

Air Force personnel on the base assisted 

with its landing (and departure), and 

provided security while the aircraft was on 

the ground. 

Refuelling services were provided by 

the Shire of Exmouth. 

The incident started unfolding about 

9.15am. 

The four Airbase Operations caretaker 

personnel at the base were alerted by a 

telephone call from Melbourne Air Traffic 

Control Centre to the site manager, while 

Singapore Airlines alerted the Exmouth 

Aerodrome Reporting Officer. 

SQNLDR Gregory Thexton, of 396 

Expeditionary Combat Support Wing, said 

after the aircraft landed, it was parked on 

the RAAF Air Movements hardstand. 

“Air Force staff provided the air stairs 

so the aircraft captain could come down 

and conduct the refuel panel operation,” 

he said. 

“They also helped the civil refueller to 

reach the underwing refuel point.” 

The captain of the Singapore jet 

requested support for one of the passengers 

whose medications were secured 

in the hold and therefore inaccessible, but 

there was a change of mind. 

“A doctor on board had reviewed and 

provided a list of medication, however, as 

the nearest chemist was 40km away, the 

doctor apparently decided that the passenger’s 

health would not be impeded by 

the delay.” 

Because there were no customs or 

immigration services at Learmonth, all 

passengers remained aboard the aircraft 

for the stop. 

After being refuelled, the 777 took off 

at 12.20pm. 

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4 AIR F RCE C August g 2, , 2012 

News 

RIMPAC time 

for Orions 

APT Sarah Vesey 

WO Orions from 10 and 11SQNs 

rovided anti-submarine and anti-surface 

warfare and maritime surveillance 

issions at Exercise Rim of the Pacific 

012 (RIMPAC) in Hawaii. 

Two 2SQN Wedgetail aircraft, 

rews and support personnel also paricipated. 

RIMPAC, the world’s largest martime 

exercise involving 22 nations, 

egan on June 27 and was due to finish 

n August 2. 

The exercise practises the skills of 

ersonnel as well as testing the aircraft 

n an international environment. 

The Orions operated out of the 

arine Corps Base at Kaneohe Bay, 

orking alongside Patrol Squadron 

P-4 (call sign Skinny Dragons) and 

atrol Squadron VP-47 (call sign the 

olden Swordsmen). 

The Australian team, along with 

anadian, Japanese, South Korean and 

ew Zealand maritime patrol aircraft 

etachments, were well supported by 

heir US counterparts. 

92WG RIMPAC Detachment 

Commander WGCDR John Grime 

said it had been fantastic effort by the 

team of maintenance, aircrew and support 

staff. 

“The opportunity to work with 

our international counterparts and the 

Royal Australian Navy improves our 

high-end warfare fighting skills and in 

particular our anti submarine warfare 

skills,” WGCDR Grime said. 

“We cannot achieve this level of 

intensity and complexity at any exercise 

other than RIMPAC.” 

The maintenance crew had their 

work cut out for them, loading up to 

84 sonobuoys for an anti-submarine 

warfare mission and conducting preflight 

checks to ensure the aircraft 

were ready for aircrew to launch on 

time. 

In flight, the aircraft was controlled 

by a ship-borne aircraft control unit, 

and once on station, the crews were 

tasked to conduct anti-submarine or 

anti-surface warfare by one or many 

surface vessels taking part in the sea 

phase of RIMPAC. 

Aircraft maintainer SGT David 

Anson, who worked at the coalface in 

ensuring the aircraft was maintained 

correctly and ready to go for each mission, 

said the schedule was busy. 

“There are lots of moving parts to 

coordinate in order to get the aircraft 

ready on time,” SGT Anson said. 

“It is a great opportunity to see 

how other nations do business and to 

improve our practices and help other 

nations as well.” 

The Wedgetail provided battlespace 

management at RIMPAC, specifically 

in the roles of offensive and 

defensive counter-air, maritime strike 

BBUSY 

SCHEDULE: Above, aircraft maintainers 

cconduct 

post-flight checks on an Orion; left, 

aaircraft 

on the flightline at Kaneohe Bay. 

Photos: PO Ollie Garside 

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and interdiction, dynamic targeting, 

air-to-air refuelling and joint personnel 

recovery. 

As well as the aircraft, 2SQN 

deployed 63 members, comprising 

aircrew, operations support, maintenance 

and Joint Electronic Warfare 

Operational Support Unit personnel. 

LOADING UP: Aircraft maintainer CPL Chris Whyte passes sonobuoys 

to LAC Ben Dangerfield, both of 11SQN, in preparation for the next Orion 

mission at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii during RIMPAC. 

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News 

Welcome to 

Pitch Black 

FLTLT Cath Friend and 

Eamon Hamilton 

THREE 77SQN Hornets provided 

a fitting welcome to the 

Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) on 

July 26 when they escorted four 

Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker jets into 

RAAF Base Darwin for the start 

of Exercise Pitch Black 2012. 

It is the first time the TNI AU 

has participated in Pitch Black, 

hich is the largest and most 

ntense exercise on the RAAF 

alendar. 

The Indonesians have 

joined Australia, New Zealand, 

ingapore, Thailand, and the US 

n the Top End for the biennial 

arge Force employment exercise, 

hich began on July 27 and will 

nd on August 17. 

Along with Indonesian 

lankers, a number of new airraft 

will participate in this year’s 

xercise, including the debut of 

ingapore’s F-15SG Eagle and 

ulfstream G550 Conformal 

irborne Early Warning aircraft. 

This year’s Pitch Black will 

lso feature the debut appearance 

f the RAAF’s Super Hornet, 

edgetail, and KC-30A tanker. 

Elsewhere, the RAAF will 

operate its King Air 350, Hawk 

127 Lead-in fighter, AP-3C Orion, 

C-130J and, for the final time in 

its career, the C-130H Hercules. 

The Royal Thai Air Force 

will employ its F-16s, while the 

US Marine Corps has brought 

F/A-18s and KC-130J tankers 

and Singapore have also returned 

F-16s and KC-135 tankers to the 

exercise. 

Up to 94 aircraft will battle it 

out between ‘blue’ and ‘red’ forces, 

supported by more than 2200 

personnel, with crews flying missions 

at training ranges across the 

Northern Territory out of RAAF 

Bases Darwin and Tindal. 

Commander Air Combat 

Group AIRCDRE Anthony Grady 

said this year’s Pitch Black would 

be one of the most fast-paced 

exercises ever staged in Australia. 

“I am confident that it will 

prove to be both exhilarating and 

professionally challenging for all 

those involved,” he said. 

“The aim of Pitch Black is to 

exercise international forces in the 

planning and execution of largescale 

offensive counter air operations 

and counter-land operations 

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in a coalition environment against 

a capable adversary force,” he 

said. 

Aircrew and maintenance 

personnel were welcomed to the 

exercise by GPCAPTs Michael 

Kitcher and Joe Iervasi on July 27, 

and at the time of going to print, 

the first missions were scheduled 

to launch on July 30. 

Further coverage of Exercise Pitch 

Black will feature in coming editions. 

GREETINGS: WGCDR Max 

Merritt, of ACG, welcomes 

Kolonel Agus Munandar, the 

commander of the TNI AU 

detachment, to RAAF Base 

Darwin. Photo: FSGT John Carroll 

WE’RE WITH YOU: 

Looking down from the 

cockpit of a 77SQN F/A- 

18, two other squadron 

Hornets fly alongside 

four TNI AU Sukhoi 

Su-30 Flanker jets which 

arrived in Darwin for 

Exercise Pitch Black. 

Photo: SGT Shane Gidall 

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6 News 


Sub hunting 

in Japan 

FLGOFF Joseph Mack 

DARK clouds, heavy rain and the 

threat of a typhoon didn’t dampen 

the spirits of the 10SQN Orion crew 

that travelled to Japan to participate 

in Exercise Nichi Gou Trident from 

June 2-11. 

The heavy weather on arrival also 

didn’t overshadow the warm welcome 

provided by host squadron VP-5 

(fixed wing maritime patrol) of the 

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force 

(JMSDF). 

The Orion, operated by Crew Five 

and supported by 11SQN maintenance 

personnel and elements of 92WG, 

joined US and Japanese forces at Naha 

in Okinawa for the exercise. 

For eight days, the 10SQN crew 

participated in a series of anti-submarine 

warfare (ASW) exercises with 

JMSDF Orions, and Japanese and 

United States Navy (USN) submarines. 

Despite the threat posed by 

Typhoon Mawar throughout the 

exercise, the JMSDF cancelled only 

one mission. 

CO 10SQN WGCDR Mick Jansen 

was delighted with the outcomes 

achieved. 

“For both 10SQN and 92WG, Nichi 

Gou Trident has been an extremely 

successful deployment,” WGCDR 

Jansen said. 

“All the other missions resulted in 

excellent ASW training for the crews 

in waters not often visited by our 

AP-3Cs. 

“The experience we gained will 

assist in maintaining our core capabilities 

and consolidate our already strong 

working relationships with both the 

JMSDF and USN. 

“The exercise also provided 92WG 

members with a rare opportunity to 

experience first-hand the similarities 

and differences of a foreign maritime 

patrol aircraft squadron.” 

WGCDR Jansen said the success 

of Nichi Gou Trident was largely due 

to the enthusiastic and helpful support 

provided by the members of VP-5. 

“JMSDF personnel were willing to 

pass on their wealth of local knowledge 

to ensure safe and effective opera- 

SKY VIEW: This 

submarine, with its 

periscopes raised, was 

sighted by a 10SQN AP-3C 

Orion during Exercise Nichi 

Gou Trident. Below right, 

a JMSDF Orion in flight 

during a combined ASW 

mission off Japan. 

Photos: WOFF Mark Koschenow 

tions in the Japanese operating areas,” 

he said. 

The Orion and its crew also paid 

a visit to the US Marine Corps base 

Futenma on Okinawa on June 7. 

The visit was made to exercise a 

United Nations right of freedom of 

movement through US establishments 

on the Japanese islands. The US personnel 

who welcomed the Australians 

were enthusiastic hosts. 

“Every effort was made to make 

the crew comfortable and aware of the 

rarity of a visit from an aircraft exercising 

the UN freedom of movement,” 

WGCDR Jansen said. 

GREETINGS: JMSDF members of the host squadron, VP-5, wait to 

welcome the 92WG crew to Naha, Japan, after landing at the base. 

Photo: WGCDR Michael Jansen 

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News 

Hawk pilot’s double joy 

THE pilot at the controls of the Hawk 

127 Lead-in fighter when it clocked 

78WG’s 75,000th flying hour has two 

reasons to celebrate. 

FLTLT Daniel Truitt has also been 

ndorsed as the new Hawk 127 Leadn-Fighter 

low level aerobatics and display 

pilot at 76SQN at RAAF Base 

illiamtown. 

The 75,000th flying hour came 

n late June at Williamtown during a 

lying display and FLTLT Truitt was 

understandably thrilled to be involved 

n the historical moment. 

“In addition to the 75,000-hour 

mark, it was also the 4000th flying 

hour for 76SQN for the financial year,” 

LTLT Daniel Truitt said. 

“I was very proud to be part of 

uch a wonderful milestone for the 

awk fleet and all the personnel that 

keep them in the air.” 

76SQN CO WGCDR Chris Hake 

added his congratulations. 

“Four thousand flying hours this 

year has been a remarkable team effort 

rom 76SQN and is testament to the 

hard work and quality of the squadron 

maintainers,” WGCDR Hake said. 

On July 10, 78WG, Tactical Fighter 

Support Project Office Lead in Fighter 

Logistics Management Unit and BAE 

Systems recognised the achievement 

of the Hawk 127 fleet at a function. 

OC 78WG GPCAPT Bernard 

Grealy said the achievement represented 

the collaborative efforts of the Air 

Force, Defence Materiel Organisation 

and BAE Systems personnel in supporting 

the aircraft. 

Heading Overseas? 

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FINEST HOUR: 

FLTLT Daniel Truitt 

who was at the 

controls when the 

Hawk’s 75,000 flying 

hour was brought up. 

Photo: CPL Mark 

McConnell 

The Air Force ordered 33 Hawks in 

June 1997, 12 of which were produced 

in Britain and 21 in Australia. 

They were divided between 76SQN 

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at Williamtown and 79SQN at RAAF 

Base Pearce. 

The Hawk is used as a fast-jet 

conversion aircraft for pilots going 

on to the Classic Hornet or the Super 

Hornet. 

It also provides vital maritime 

strike, air defence and close air support 

training to the Army and Navy. 

The Hawk also has a throughlife 

support program that has been 

designed for 25 years service. 

Its design allows for system 

upgrades to be incorporated, reflecting 

evolving training requirements. 

On July 10, Defence Minister 

Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel 

Minister Jason Clare announced the 

signing of a $25 million contract with 

BAE Systems in Britain to upgrade the 

Hawk 127. 

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7 

MMILESTONE: 

GPCAPT Bernie Grealy signs 

tthe 

commemorative certificate, pictured left, 

iin 

recognition of the completion of 75,000 

fflying 

hours by the BAE Systems Hawk 

1127, 

flanked by General Manager Fast Jet 

SSupport 

Andrew Gresham, left, and Director 

LLead-In-fighter 

Logistic Management Unit 

RRichard 

Weston. Photos: CPL Mark McConnell 

Commander Air Combat Group 

AIRCDRE Anthony Grady said: “The 

upgrade of the Hawk 127 systems will 

also allow Operational Conversion students 

to successfully convert not just into 

our current platforms but also into our 

future platforms including the F-35A.” 

FLTLT Truitt can probably expect 

to take the Hawk 127 to about 10 

events, such as the Avalon air show, in 

his new role. 

He joined the Air Force in 2003 

and graduated from 2 Flying Training 

School at RAAF Base Pearce in 2005. 

He flew F/A-18s for 75SQN at 

RAAF Base Tindal before completing 

his instructor’s course last year.

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News 

You’re still 

ill 

a winner, 

Mindy 

Tindal cook proud of daughter’s MasterChef journey 

Simone Liebelt 

MINDY Woods may not have become 

Australia’s next MasterChef, but she 

was certainly a winner to proud dad, 

WOFF Gary Woods, of RAAF Base 

Tindal. 

The Air Force cook of 37 years was 

thrilled that Mindy, a physiotherapist 

from Queensland, had made it into the 

top four on Network Ten’s MasterChef 

Australia program. 

And he wasn’t the only one. 

“Knowing Mindy was a RAAFie’s 

daughter sparked a lot of interest within 

the Air Force community,” WOFF 

Woods said. “She had a big following 

while on MasterChef.” 

Mindy was chosen as one of the top 

24 amateur chefs among 7000 hopefuls 

who auditioned for the show, which ran 

over 12 weeks. 

When the program began, WOFF 

Woods was deployed at Al Minhad Air 

Base in the United Arab Emirates as part 

of Combat Support Unit 6. 

“I would always update the execs at 

the morning brief on Mindy’s progress 

on the show,” he said. “When I returned 

to Australia, current and former Air 

Force friends that we have made over the 

many years would make comments on 

acebook supporting Mindy, and I also 

received heaps of emails and phone calls. 

“We were really thankful for all the 

upport.” 

Mindy was the last contestant to be 

liminated from the show before the 

inale, which aired on July 24. 

“We knew Mindy would do well 

s she had the personality, attitude and 

etermination to do as well as she did,” 

OFF Woods said. 

“When she was eliminated, we were 

isappointed but happy for her at the 

ame time. For her to come fourth out of 

000 people who auditioned was a great 

chievement. 

“My wife and I and all of our famly 

and friends are extremely proud of 

Mindy, and even though she didn’t win, 

in our eyes she is still a winner and can 

only go forward from here.” 

In the lead-up to the final week of 

competition, WOFF Woods made a surprise 

visit to the MasterChef kitchen as a 

special family guest. 

He said taking part in the episode, 

which aired on July 19, was an exciting 

experience, especially when Mindy 

cooked the dish of the day in his honour. 

“Mindy cooked Crispy Skin Duck 

with Lychees and Red Curry Sauce, and 

when I tasted it (along with the judges) 

on the set, I thought to myself ‘the flavours 

in this dish are amazing’,” he said. 

“Then standing in front of the judges 

at the end of the day waiting on their 

decision was a nerve-racking experience; 

you could cut the air with a knife. When 

Mindy was given the dish of the day and 

put into the top six, I was the proudest 

dad. My wife Brenda, who in the background, 

was the proudest mum as well.” 

WOFF Woods said a family posting 

to RAAF Base Butterworth in 1991-92 

influenced Mindy’s love of Asian cuisine, 

which featured prominently in her 

cooking on the show. 

“Living in Butterworth made us 

aware of the fantastic food available in 

Malaysia and Thailand and we all fell in 

love with it,” he said. “Whenever we are 

together we always cook up curry with 

Rotis and Char Keow Teow, which is one 

of our favourites.” 

He said they had always loved cooking 

as a family. 

“My wife and I taught all three of 

our children at a young age to cook various 

types of food, with Asian being our 

favourite. 

“Now I guess it’s our turn to get a 

few cooking lessons from Mindy. We’ve 

already received some great tips and 

recipes from her since she’s been on 

MasterChef, and we can’t wait to see 

where her culinary skills will take her in 

the future.” 

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GUEST CELEBRITY: 

WOFF Gary Woods with 

his daughter Mindy on 

the set of Network Ten’s 

MasterChef Australia, 

where he made a 

surprise appearance 

during one of the shows. 

Photo courtesy Network Ten 

IN SERVICE: Left inset, 

WOFF Woods (far left) 

enjoying a meal with 

colleagues at Al Minhad 

Air Base while deployed 

there late last year. 

Photo: CPO Damian Pawlenko

10 Pacific Partnership 


Checking 

health of 

water too 

MAJ Cameron Jamieson talks to some of the 

Air Force contributors on board USNS Mercy. 

FLGOFF Jessica Dagger took the 

idea of ‘wellbeing’ to a new level by 

seeking to find out what is wrong with 

local water wells while deployed on 

Pacific Partnership 2012. 

On the remote Indonesian island of 

Talaud, in North Sulawesi, FLGOFF 

Dagger and her team investigated 

why the local well water had become 

undrinkable. 

“Currently there are a number of 

wells on the island which the local 

residents do not drink, and so they are 

nly drinking bottled water,” she said. 

“As this is not a sustainable water 

ource, our team of US Air Force and 

non-government organisation specialsts 

and I have been doing sanitary 

urveys and water quality analysis on 

What are my housing options? 

Defence provides you with subsidised housing in your 

posting locality. 

If you own a suitable property in your posting location 

you will generally not be eligible for subsidised housing 

support from Defence. This includes if you purchase your 

own home while you’re in your posting location. 

If you do not own a property in your posting location, 

DHA can offer you a range of housing options, depending 

on which category you fall into. These include: 

> Living In Accommodation (LIA) for Members Without 

Dependants and Members With Dependants 

(Unaccompanied) 

> Service Residence (SR) for Members With 

Dependants 

> Rent Allowance (RA) for Members Without 

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(Unaccompanied) and Members With Dependants 

(where no SR available) 

To gain one of the above housing options, variables other 

than your categorisation do apply. Your DHA housing 

consultant can assist with any queries about your 

housing options. 

CONTACT 

these wells to try to determine 

what the problem is.” 

FLGOFF Dagger, of 1 

Expeditionary Health Squadron’s 

Townsville Detachment, is among 

the 41-strong ADF contingent 

serving aboard the US Navy hospital 

ship USNS Mercy as part 

Pacific Partnership 2012. 

After collecting samples, 

FLGOFF Dagger took them back 

to the ship’s laboratory to study to 

try and determine the causes. In the e 

meantime, Pacific Partnership engi- 

neers installed sand filtration water r 

treatment systems for the wells near ar 

the hospital and police station so the he 

effectiveness of the treatment systems 

could be further assessed. 

Defence Housing Australia 

Your housing update 

info@dha.gov.au 

139 DHA (139 342) 

www.dha.gov.au 

IMPORTANT: 

DHA can help you 

understand what your 

housing options are. 

Visit our website at 

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�� 

�� 

DENTIST FLTLT Kate Aitken has been 

working at free regional dental clinics 

as part of Pacific Partnership 2012’s 

rolling Medical Civic Aid Project schedule 

around the city of Vinh in northern 

Vietnam. 

“When we first arrived at a village 

for a five-day clinic the people 

we saw were hesitant to have their 

teeth extracted,” FLTLT Aitken, of 3 

Expeditionary Health Squadron, RAAF 

Base Richmond, said. 

“However, after a couple of days we 

got more and more people turning up 

and willing to accept treatment. 

“It seemed that news spreads around 

each community by word of mouth that 

we are providing pain-free dentistry.” 

FLTLT Aitken said the Pacific 

Partnership experience had allowed her 

to vastly broaden her dental experience 

through the access to a different group 

of patients. 

“It’s good to work with the locals 

SURGEON SQNLDR David Stoney joined 

the reserve eight years ago. At 67 now, 

he wishes he had joined long ago. 

“The military do things very well,” he 

said. “The infrastructure they set up on 

deployment is very good and they also 

provide care beyond just medical care. 

“You see different kinds of injuries 

in war zones, and on peacekeeping and 

humanitarian relief operations you deal 

with local populations where things go 

untreated and are far more progressed 

than you would see in Australia. 

“As a result you can make a real difference 

to the lives of people beyond 

your own community.” 

SQNLDR Stoney has been serving 

in Vietnam as a member of Pacific 

Partnership 2012. 

Back in Australia he is the surgical 

AIR A FORCE 

HELP: H 

Top, T FLTLT 

Katherine K 

Aitken A 

examines e a 

Vietnamese 

V 

boy’s b teeth; far 

left, le FLGOFF 

Jessica J 

Dagger; D and 

SQNLDR S David 

Stoney. S Photos: 

FSGT F 

Craig Sharp 

Dentists benefit from 

word-of-mouth effect 

and to do some oral surgery that we 

don’t get to do much of at home,” she 

said. 

“There we do more preventative 

dentistry because everyone has annual 

dental checkups, so their teeth don’t get 

to the level of decay we are seeing here. 

“Here we’re seeing extremely 

decayed teeth that have broken down to 

the gums and are unable to be restored. 

“We are also seeing a high prevalence 

of gum disease. 

“Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of 

opportunities within these communities 

to see a dentist, and there are some 

dietary issues caused by high levels of 

sugar in their food. 

“There’s also a general lack of oral 

hygiene awareness, so we provide all 

our patients a teeth-care pack [toothbrush, 

toothpaste and dental floss] and 

oral hygiene instructions plus encouragement 

to see a dentist more regularly 

in the future.” 

Surgeon, 67, sees benefits 

director for Maroondah Hospital in eastern 

Melbourne and the director for breast 

and endocrine surgery for Eastern Health 

(Melbourne). 

“I was welcomed into the Air Force 

and I’ve had the opportunity to serve in 

Afghanistan, East Timor and the Solomon 

Islands,” he said. 

“One of the great things about my 

military service has been its impact on 

how I approach emergency surgery management 

back home. 

“After managing trauma in 

Afghanistan it becomes easier to manage 

it in Australia. 

“It helps you to organise your mind, 

so when you come to deal with severe 

cases back in Australia the processes 

become automatic.”


Air Force Improvement 

Finding right fit for job 

Eamon Hamilton 

AIR Lift Group’s (ALG’s) Air 

Mobility Control Centre (AMCC) is 

maximising the use of its platforms by 

ransitioning from a ‘platform-based’ 

cheduling approach to an ‘effectsbased’ 

outcome for meeting tasking 

requirements. 

Acting Director of AMCC 

GCDR James Hogg said instead of 

ustomers requesting a specific aircraft 

ype, a request for an effect would be 

made to the AMCC. 

“We will then, in turn, determine 

the most effective and efficient means 

to satisfy the user’s requirement,” he 

said. 

WGCDR Ken Roberts, of the Air 

Mobility Improvement Program, said 

his team was working closely with the 

AMCC on how it would coordinate the 

ALG fleet into the future. 

“AMCC is akin to advanced 

problem solving, where there is 

finite amount of aircraft and capacity 

to meet a customer’s requirement 

to reach their destination by a certain 

date,” WGCDR Roberts said. 

“We’re aiming to achieve a force 

multiplier effect so that we can better 

utilise our assets. 

“AMCC staff have been engaged 

and are actively committed to this 

reform – they will see the results 

played out before them as this organiation 

owns this process.” 

With the introduction of C-17A, 

C-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, 

nd C-27J Spartan aircraft, the ongo- 

ing success of AMCC will require 

improvements within its own organisation 

and planning to meet tasking 

requirements. 

“When the KC-30A declares initial 

operational capability later this year, 

the AMCC is expecting a 50 per cent 

increase in its tasking capacity alone 

for that platform,” WGCDR Roberts 

said. 

He said to meet future demands, 

AMCC was process-mapping its business 

and consulting with its primary 

customers to determine user requirements. 

That includes the Air and Space 

Operations Centre, Joint Movements 

Group, Army and Headquarters Air 

Command. 

“Educating AMCC’s customers 

will lead to improvements,” WGCDR 

Roberts said. “If a customer books a 

C-17A and only 50 per cent of people 

show up to be moved, then this task 

could have been met with a C-130 aircraft. 

“We will place more emphasis on 

the Air Load Coordination section in 

the early planning phases instead of f 

in the final planning phases to help p 

accomplish this.” 

Straightforward fixes, like review- 

ing standing instructions and rational- 

ising of forms used by AMCC to book k 

services to request air mobility, are e 

also being carried out. 

The result will be the streamlining of f 

AMCC’s work processes so it can sup- 

port aircraft which are larger and more e 

capable than their predecessors. 

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Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement of 

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about the product. 

11 

EFFECTIVE E 

PLATFORM: Under a new scheduling approach, the 

AMCC A will determine what aircraft type customers need based on 

their t requirements. For example, if a C-17A was booked to transfer 

troops t to an exercise, but only half the troops showed up on the day, 

a C-130 would have been the more appropriate choice of transport. 

Pictured P above are Army troops being loaded on to a C-17A at RAAF 

Base B Townsville, and left, members working in the Air Mobility Control 

Centre C 

at RAAF Base Richmond. Above photo: LAC Michael Green 

Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra 

Printed by Capital Fine Print, 9 Pirie Street, Fyshwick, ACT, 2609 DVADHIS2_AFN

Centrepiece August 2, 2012 

12 AIR F RCE 13 

FOCUSED: 

From top, 

LACW Abigail 

Murray, of 

23SQN, 

updates the 

vehicle board; 

intelligence 

Officer FLTLT 

Robbie Harlon, 

of 87SQN, 

guards 

Benning 

airfield; LAC 

Shamus 

Marson, of 

1AFDS, moves 

to a defensive 

position. 

Photos: CPL Casey 

Smith and LAC 

Glynn Jones 

A PRECISE RESPONSE 

Exercise Precision Support took Townsville by storm through air-land 

integration, integratio FLTLT Dave Wood and FLTLT Nicholas O’Connor report. 

M 

ORE than 350 Air 

Force members and 

months of planning Boosting our international ties 

came together to 

ensure the suc- 

cess of CCombat 

Support Group’s 

(CSG) Exercise Ex Precision Support 

12-1. 

Held 

from July 3-28 in 

Townsvil Townsville, the focus of the exer- 

cise was to 

provide airbase opera- 

tions suppor support for Precision Red, a 

deployme deployment preparation exercise 

for C-130 C-130J Hercules crews. 

Airb Airbase and air operations 

ele elements worked together 

to provide support, while 

also highlighting the 

essential requirements 

ffor 

air-land integration. 

Com Combat Support ele- 

ments under th the exercise title of Air 

Operations Tas Task Unit 006 established 

airbases at thre three airfields – Benning, 

Samuel Hill an and Williamson – to enable 

C-130J aircraft 

to conduct mission 

rehearsal and aaircrew 

validation activi- 

ties. 

Task unit co commander SQNLDR 

Gary Mott said 

an enormous team effort 

was required by 

all personnel to raise 

the airbase to aan 

operational standard 

capable of rece receiving C-130 aircraft. 

“Deploying 

350 airbase operators 

to three locatio locations and establishing a 

headquarters el element at RAAF Base 

Townsville req required detailed planning,” 

SQNLDR Mot Mott said. 

“The weath weather presented significant 

challenges for 

our members in the field 

and back at the 

base. However, I was 

impressed with 

how everyone handled 

themselves in tthe 

trying exercise condi- 

tions.” 

Before the ttactical 

air insertions 

into Benning aairfield, 

1 Airfield 

Defence Squad Squadron (1AFDS) and 

381 Expedition Expeditionary Combat Support 

Squadron (ECS (ECSS) deployed personnel 

to Townsville aand 

conducted reception, 

staging, on-forw on-forwarding and induction 

training. 

PERSONNEL from the US Air Force, 

Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal 

Canadian Air Force joined their RAAF Expeditionary 

Combat Support counterparts 

for Exercise Precision Support 12–1. 

The international guests were present 

to observe, and in some cases participate, 

in CSG’s critical exercise, which 

focused on providing airbase operations 

for the successful and efficient conduct 

of Precision Red, C-130J Hercules Air 

Operations. 

Airbase Operations Support Task Unit 

Commander SQNLDR Gary Mott hailed 

said the exercise’s international flavour 

added another dimension to the exercise. 

“Sharing ideas and experiences with 

our international colleagues presented 

some great opportunities,” SQNLDR Mott 

said. 

1AFDS inserted personnel first and 

cleared Benning Airfield. Three days 

later, 381ECSS took control of the 

secured location and started establishing 

a minor airbase. 

“To ensure exercise authenticity, 

Benning airfield was under a nonpermissive 

environment with an opposition 

force in place, making the task of 

establishing the airbase more complex,” 

SQNLDR Mott said. 

To the south of Benning airfield 

in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, 

322ECSS and 382ECSS activated 

Williamson and Samuel Hill airfields, 

completing the three operational airbases. 

SQNLDR Mott said airbase operations 

consisted of 10 functions, each 

having specific areas of responsibility. 

“In the early stages of establishment, 

airfield engineering tempo is the 

highest, ensuring electrical reticulation, 

plumbing and plant operating require- 

ALLIES: Royal Canadian Air 

Force SGT Gregory Juste 

with SGT Eddie Westney, of 

1AFDS. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy 

ments for the establishment of working 

and living accommodation facilities are 

provided,” he said. 

“Individually, each CSG employment 

group performed an important 

role in achieving overall airbase operations.” 

He said establishing the airbase was 

only one step in the exercise. 

“Sustaining the airbase operational 

capability consistently to maintain the 

air operations requires ongoing air land 

integration,” he said. 

“Air land integration was one of the 

main focuses of the exercise and working 

seamlessly with the air operations 

personnel ensures we mutually complement 

each other’s efforts resulting in 

effective air power generation.” 

Before starting full air operations, 

aircrew conducted familiarisation 

flights into each location to ensure all 

airbase operations were functional and 

ready to receive aircraft. 

STRATEGIC HELP: Clockwise from top, members of 1AFDS at Benning airfield; Operations HQ for Exercise Precision Support; 

medical staff at the Expeditionary Health Services tent; military working dogs and their handlers conduct a survey of the 

hardstand and static aircraft. Photos: CPLs Casey Smith and Glen McCarthy 

Behind the scenes 

at Townsville 

Some of the locals on hand to help... 

Martin 

AC Martin 

Hannelly, of 

27SQN, repaired d 

a wide variety of f 

equipment during g 

the exercise. 

He works at 

the Mechanical 

Equipment 

Operational 

Maintenance 

Squadron on 

base. 

Donna 

� 

� 

LACW Donna 

Hayes, of 1EHS, 

used her dental 

hygienist skills to 

assess members’ 

dental health 

during Precision 

Support. 

Mia 

� 

CPL Mia Wolley, 

of 1E 1EHS, a 

medical med assistant 

who is studying 

for her h Bachelor 

of NNursing 

degree, deg provided 

assistance ass 

at the base 

medical me section 

during du Exercise 

Precision Pr 

Support. Su 

Photos: CPL 

Casey Smith 

Hannah 

� 

FLGOFF FLG Hannah 

Taino, Tain a supply officer 

with 1AFDS, provided 

equipment equ support, 

such suc as transporting 

supplies su with a forklift 

during du the exercise.

14 News 


Touching 

base 

across 

nation 

SQNLDR James Badgery 

THE latest air combat officer (ACO) 

fast-jet graduates were exposed to 

a range of conditions when 76SQN 

conducted an around-Australia 

navigation exercise over four days 

in May. 

FLGOFF Jono Wilson and 

FLTLT Will Powell completed their 

final preparations for ACO conversion 

on to the Super Hornet by plan- 

6481_0712AS 

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ning and navigating two Hawk 127 

Lead-In fighters across a range of 

bases around Australia. 

The pilots conducting the mission 

were RAF exchange pilot FLTLT 

Glyn Williams and 76SQN CO 

WGCDR Chris Hake. 

Extensive planning was undertaken 

by the maintenance, logistics 

and administrative teams before the 

deployment. 

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lorraine.worley@ihs.com or Tel: 0477 220 027. 

This included the decision to 

provide a small maintenance team 

at RAAF Base Darwin to mitigate 

against potential unserviceabilities. 

The mission flew from RAAF 

Base Williamtown to RAAF Bases 

Amberley, Townsville, Tindal, 

Darwin, and Edinburgh – via 

Uluru – before transiting back to 

Williamtown. 

Despite meeting the odd chal- 

lenge along the way, the aircraft 

arrived back safely within the time 

allocated and showcased the reliability 

and overall serviceability of the 

Hawk 127. The ACO graduates flew 

nearly 16 hours on each aircraft, 

over the four days of flying. 

FLTLT Williams said it was a 

memorable experience. 

“It was a great opportunity to 

see one of the most amazing coun- 

Bulletin board 

Charity runners 

SUNNYFIELD, a not-for-profit charity 

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people with a disability across NSW, 

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August 12. Sunnyfield has secured 

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the race. Secure your entry for a 

minimum donation of $250 and then 

pledge to raise at least $750. Former 

CDF ACM Angus Houston is a patron 

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contact Julieri De Florio on (02) 9412 

8653 or j.deflorio@sunnyfield.org.au 

Motorcyclists’ call 

CANBERRA Defence Riders are 

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lodging their tax returns 

WHERE TO NEXT? The sun sets on one 

of the Hawk-127s at RAAF Base Tindal 

as the ACOs from 76SQN prepare for 

another mission. Photo: FLGOFF Jono Wilson 

tries in the world, and some of the 

most rugged terrain you want to be 

flying a single engine jet aircraft 

over,” he said. 

The ACOs now look forward to 

greater confidence with conversion 

to the Super Hornet at 6SQN, but 

know nothing comes easy. 

“It’s been very tough for previous 

courses and we know it is no different 

for us,” FLGOFF Wilson said. 

remembrance motorcycle ride to the 

National Police Memorial in Canberra 

on September 15. The ride is a charity 

event, intended to highlight the 

ultimate sacrifice of police in seeking 

to protect the community since the 

earliest days of the colony of NSW. 

Interested personnel can email Paul 

Brealey, Canberra Defence Riders 

Coordinator, at paul.brealey@defence. 

gov.au. Further details and registration 

information can be found at www. 

walltowallride.com 

Reunion for 2SD 

THE No. 2 Stores Depot reunion 

will be held at Rosnay Golf Club in 

Auburn, Sydney, on November 10. 

Cost will be $25 a person. Anyone 

previously involved in the unit is 

invited to attend. Full details, including 

the payment procedure, is outlined at 

www.facebook.com/groups/Ex2SD/. 

For more information, contact Bill 

Murray, Secretary of the DFWA (ACT 

Branch) at wrmurray@tpg.com.au 

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or visit us online at 

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News 

15 

Scotland, here we come 

Musicians 

combine 

for Tattoo 

CPL Mark Doran 

EIGHTEEN members of the Air Force 

Band will perform as part of the ADF 

Band at the 2012 Royal Edinburgh 

Military Tattoo. 

They have joined forces with 

members of the Navy Band and Army 

and Corps to form a 54-member 

trong ADF Band. 

As part of the Diamond Jubilee 

elebrations for Queen Elizabeth II, 

he ADF musicians will take their 

places among more than 1000 musiians, 

pipers, drummers, singers and 

ancers from four continents at the 

2nd Tattoo at Edinburgh from August 

-25. 

The invitation to Scotland will be 

he first time a permanent forces ADF 

and has performed overseas at this 

vent. 

The musicians will have a six 

minute and 40 second spot, during 

hich time they will sing, play and 

ance to music iconic to Australia – 

rom colonial times through to pop 

ongs and rock and roll by Kylie 

inogue and AC/DC. 

Contingent Commander LTCOL 

ordon Lambie, Director of Music– 

rmy, said music celebrating the 30th 

nniversary of the Man from Snowy 

River would also feature. 

“This is a major contribution from 

the ADF for the Queen’s Diamond 

Jubilee in one of the world’s most recognised 

public arenas,” he said. 

“Performing at the Royal 

Edinburgh Military Tattoo is the pinnacle 

of a Defence musician’s career 

nd something we all strive and hope 

or.” 

LACW Sandra Gudze, who plays 

he clarinet, said there was definitely a 

ulture difference between the bands. 

“Even with the way some people 

peak and especially with some of the 

erms the sailors use,” she said. 

“I have enjoyed training with the 

ther bands preparing for this event 

s everyone is prepared to put in their 

best effort. 

“My favourite part of the performance 

is near the end where we get 

ll these intricate moves happening 

ogether.” 

SGT Ian Hodgson, who plays the 

rench horn, said the Tattoo was his 

hat-trick as an ADF musician performng 

overseas as 

he had played 

or the Changing 

f the Guard 

n London and 

t Gallipoli for 

nzac Day cermonies. 

“After 31 

years as an Air 

orce musician 

t will be a good 

inish,” he said. 

“Strangely 

nough, I am 

njoying the 

udience paricipation 

part of 

he show where 

e will be going 

nto the crowd 

nd getting them 

nvolved.” 

CASTLE ROCK: The ADF Band gave two performances at 

Russell Offices in Canberra on July 20, above, shortly before 

leaving for Scotland. Spectators were asked to imagine one 

building as Edinburgh castle, which will be the backdrop for the 

Tattoo. For those who just couldn’t imagine it, here’s the real 

thing at right. Band photos: CPL Mark Doran 

AUSSIE FLAVOUR: 

Above, LACW 

Sandra Gudze gets 

into the groove at 

rehearsal. 

PART OF LARGE 

CAST: Left, WOFF 

Attilio Celata. 

FINAL BOW SGT Ian Hodgson. 

DEFENCE TRANSITIONS 

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Call 1300 112 114

16 News 


Cadets answer call 

INSTEAD of chilling out on their 

school holidays, a bunch of teenagers 

spent 10 days in Darwin last 

month preparing to become cadet 

eaders. 

Their tuition covered leadership, 

rill, fieldcraft skills and instrucional 

technique. 

On July 7, their hard work 

became worthwhile when the 

ustralian Air Force Cadets 

AAFC) welcomed the graduation 

f 21 cadets in the Junior Nonommissioned 

Officers’ Course at 

AAF Base Darwin. 

The cadets, from 8WG and 

WG, are from the Northern 

erritory and South Australia. 

Aged between 14 and 18 years, 

hey will now be eligible for promoion 

to the rank of cadet corporal 

nce they return to their home 

quadrons. 

Detachment Commander 

QNLDR (AAFC) Heath Fulton 

aid the course was the first step in 

he leadership ladder for cadets. 

“These young Australians have 

been presented with many challengs 

throughout the last 10 days, buildng 

their self-discipline, resilience, 

nd initiative,” SQNLDR (AAFC) 

ulton said. “They now have the 

oundation skills in leading junior 

adets when they return to their 

quadrons.” 

Casuarina Senior College student 

CDT Natalie Jones, who hopes to 

ne day fly Super Hornets, said the 

raduation ceremony was awesome. 

“We learnt various team-building 

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FUTURE LEADERS: Above, course dux LCDT Michael 

Ninneman cuts the cake in celebration with his fellow 

course mates after their graduation parade, right, at RAAF 

Base Darwin. 

and leadership skills; these are 

opportunities we wouldn’t get anywhere 

else. The week really built my 

confidence and it was loads of fun,” 

Natalie said. 

Course dux LCDT Michael 

Ninneman originally from a town 

near Johannesburg, South Africa, 

moved to Australia just over a year 

ago and is aspiring to join the Air 

Force as an airfield engineer, once 

he gains his citizenship in a few 

years. 

“The Corporals’ course devel- 

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Phone NOW on 1800 652 224 

oped my confidence in teaching and 

leading younger cadets and also my 

initiative,” Michael said. 

“We also had the opportunity to 

fire the F88 Austeyr at the indoor 

simulator range, so it wasn’t all just 

work.” 

WHERE REAL ESTATE 

EARNS REAL RETURNS. 

Aussie trio 

challenged 

in UK comp 

THREE teenagers became the first 

Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) to 

participate in the Schools Aerospace 

Challenge in the United Kingdom from 

July 17-30. 

CSGT Eden Maynard, of Brisbane, 

CSGT Tiffany Chapman, of Melbourne, 

and LCDT Dillon McGrath, of Canberra, 

were selected for the challenge during a 

rigorous training program held at RAAF 

Base Amberley in April. The cadets were 

assessed on their performance in a week 

of training, Defence industry visits and 

team presentations to a panel of senior 

officers. 

During the challenge, which is run by 

the RAF and Cranfield University, participating 

teams had to develop and present 

alternative solutions to the task of training 

pilots to operate a remote piloted 

aerospace system, culminating in the 

presentation of their results to a panel of 

academics. 

LCDT McGrath said it was an “amazing 

opportunity to view companies and 

aerospace projects that very few people 

in the world get to see and to establish 

an interest in the aerospace industry”. 

The program is supported by 

Defence Materiel Organisation's Industry 

Division, as part of their Skilling 

Australian Defence Industry Youth 

Engagement Program. 

More on the AAFC’s involvement in the 

Schools Aerospace Challenge, including the 

results, will be published in a future edition. 

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30923B


News 

Simulating 

experience 

Andrew Stackpool 

TWELVE Aboriginal students aged 

between 16 and 18 received a greater 

ppreciation of a possible future life 

nd career in Air Force after attending 

special four-day familiarisation proram 

at RAAF Base Richmond from 

uly 2-5. 

The program was the inaugural 

Indigenous Student Military 

Familiarisation Camp, a joint initiative 

between Air Force and the Booroowa 

Aviation project. 

Booroowa Aviation is managed by 

the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation, 

an organisation which provides 

employment pathways for Aboriginal 

youth who are interested in aviation 

careers. 

The students came from regional 

communities around NSW and flew to 

Richmond in a Booroowa Aviation aircraft, 

along with two indigenous mentors. 

Program leader WGCDR Barb 

Wells, of Air Force Workforce 

Diversity, said the program exposed 

the students to military aviation careers 

as well as life on an operational air 

base. 

“The students participated in a wide 

range of activities, including a dem- 

onstration of military working dogs, a 

tour of the base fire section and a visit 

to the 22SQN ground defence training 

section,” WGCDR Wells said. 

The students visited 37SQN and 

Aircraft Maintenance Flight where 

they joined maintenance crews working 

on C-130 aircraft, as well as climbing 

aboard a Hercules during engine 

testing on the flightline. 

Program sponsor DGPERS-AF 

AIRCDRE Bob Rodgers accompanied 

the students for the day at 37SQN, and 

Commander Air Lift Group AIRCDRE 

Gary Martin joined them for lunch at 

the Airmens’ Mess. 

WGCDR Wells said day three 

proved most popular with the students. 

“They visited 285SQN, where they 

spent time in the C-130H flight simulator,” 

she said. 

“They rated the opportunity to ‘fly’ 

and ‘land’ the aircraft at a range of 

locations under different weather conditions 

as Number 1 on their course 

evaluation forms.” 

During the evenings, the students 

were kept busy with a series of cultural 

activities led by Aboriginal elders who 

were specially invited for the purpose. 

“The evening sessions provided the 

students an opportunity to reflect on 

how a career in military aviation, and 

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LOOKING AND LEARNING: Above, FLTLT Robert De Brito, a pilot from 

285SQN, talks about the C-130H simulator while indigenous mentor 

Adam Brady takes to the controls and Nikitah Wilson watches. Right 

inset, AC Daniel Gomes, of 22SQN, supervises as students play with 

12-week-old puppy Avanti. Photos: CPL Amanda Campbell 

the requirement to work at a range of 

posting locations, could work in the 

context of their cultural obligations,” 

WGCDR Wells said. 

The program concluded with a presentation 

by Defence Force Recruiting 

about the range of entry pathways and 

career opportunities available. 

Student Cristie Donovan, of Dapto 

High School, said the program “really 

opened my eyes about possible jobs 

and a future in the Air Force”. 

CLARIFICATION: On page 10 of the July 

19 edition, it was incorrectly reported that 

indigenous students visited RAAF Base 

Richmond as part of the Defence Work 

Experience Program. They were actually 

part of the inaugural Indigenous Student 

Military Familiarisation Camp. 

ADCU DHOAS 

Value Home Loan 

5.99 

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%p.a. 

Interest Rate 

%p.a. 

Comparison Rate* 

Terms and Conditions, Fees and Charges and lending criteria apply. ^ As at 4 July 2012, the ADCU DHOAS Value Home Loan has the lowest standard variable DHOAS Home Loan rate. *Comparison rate based on a loan of $150,000 over 25 years with 

monthly repayments. This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and does not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates are current at the time of publication and 

are subject to change. Visit dhoas.adcu.com.au for more details. Australian Defence Credit Union Limited ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL No. 237 988. Australian credit licence number 237 988. 

17

18 Flightline 


MEAO MECHANICS: Above, CPL Luke Boulton, 

who is with Combat Support Unit 7’s MEOMS 

section, works on an air-conditioning unit at Al 

Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. 

Photo: CPL Mark Doran 

ADFA Open Day 2012 

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FIGHTING FOR YOU 

TINDAL CHEER: 

Above, RAAF Base 

Tindal won the Northern 

Territory Defence/ 

Government award 

for their efforts in 

raising $5,800 for the 

Leukaemia Foundation 

as part of the World’s 

Greatest Shave event. 

Tindal families cheer 

as the Leukaemia 

Foundation’s Community 

Relationships Manager, 

Roxy Morton-Owen 

(right), presents 

a certificate and 

trophy to Network 

Tindal Chairperson 

Amy Martin, who 

was instrumental in 

coordinating the event. 

Photo: SGT Shane Gidall 

TOP ASOP: Left, LAC 

Andrew Gleave with an 

Airman of the Quarter 

award for his efforts as 

an ASOP with 1RSU. 

Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman 

Level 3, 39 London Circuit, Canberra City, ACT 2601 E-mail: mail@capitallawyers.com.au 

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Personnel 

Nearly 600 

in support 

Deanna Nott 

APPROACHING the signing of the 

600th “Supportive Employer” has 

given the Reserve and Employer 

Support Division (CRESD) reason to 

celebrate. 

The successful campaign – that 

encourages Australian employers to 

publicly declare their support for the 

nation’s reservists – was adapted by 

CRESD in 2009 from a similar program 

in the UK. 

The UK program, coordinated by 

the Ministry of Defence’s Supporting 

Britain’s Reservists and Employers 

(SaBRE) organisation, has attracted 

almost 1500 supportive employers. 

Australia is rapidly catching up, with 

more than 550 featured on the new 

Defence Reserves Support website. 

Head of CRESD MAJGEN Paul 

Brereton said it was a case of “why 

reinvent the wheel?” 

“Given the SaBRE program was 

helping encourage widespread support 

for reserve service in the UK, it 

as clear that Australia should follow 

uit,” MAJGEN Brereton said. 

“We regularly share ideas and iniiatives 

with our international counerparts 

and this is a perfect example 

f how this liaison benefits us.” 

Attention 

He said the program had come a 

long way since it began three years 

ago. 

“Through the hard work of our 

State and Territory Defence Reserves 

support staff, the Defence Reserves 

Support Council and its committees, 

as well as a dedicated communication 

campaign, we have moved from 90 

supportive employers to almost 600,” 

he said. 

“As a reservist of 37 years standing, 

I know that the support that I 

have enjoyed from my employers, and 

the understanding of my family, has 

been critical to my ability to serve in 

the reserves.” 

Jill Woods, Chief Executive 

Officer of the Penrith Valley Chamber 

of Commerce, is one of Australia’s 

most vocal business leaders in 

encouraging organisations to sign up 

as a Supportive Employer. 

Chair of the Defence Reserves 

Support Council Western Sydney 

Committee, Ms Woods said she 

would use every opportunity within 

the business and wider communities 

to encourage employers to sign on to 

the program. 

“I am totally committed to the 

cause of promoting the Supportive 

Employer concept at every opportu- 

Air Force Defence Personnel 

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AMBASSADORS: Chief Executive Officer of the Penrith Valley 

Chamber of Commerce, Jill Woods, with Defence Reserves Support 

Regional Manager Western Sydney, SQNLDR Del Gaudry. 

nity to business people because the 

benefits are enormous to both parties,” 

she said. 

“It only takes a very short time 

when talking with and observing 

reservists in action to realise the 

potential their continuing Defence 

program of training and upskilling 

can offer their employers back in the 

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workplace. They are focused and disciplined 

thinkers and leaders. They 

know teamwork is critical.” 

For more information on the program, or 

the benefits of reserve service, call 1800 

803 485, or to view the list of Supportive 

Employers, visit defencereservessupport. 

gov.au 

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19 

DVA services 

go online 

DEPARTMENT of Veterans’ Affairs 

(DVA) clients can now do business 

online with the launch of a new 

self-service portal. 

MyAccount offers DVA clients a 

more immediate way of interacting 

with the department. With a registration 

number, a computer and an 

internet connection, members can 

update contact details, view payments 

and card information, view 

claims, apply for entitlements, book 

transport to medical appointments, 

lodge claims for travelling expenses 

on DVA medical visits, request 

replacement cards, and request 

forms, fact sheets and publications. 

For more information, contact DVA on 

1800 173 858 or go to www.myaccount.dva.gov.au 

Air Force events 

RAAF Museum 

August 8: Battle of Amiens 

commemorative service, 

Melbourne Shrine. 

Roulettes 

August 9: RAAF Museum 

interactive flying day, Point 

Cook. 

Air Force Band 

July 15-August 26: Royal 

Edinburgh Military Tattoo, 

Scotland.

20 Personnel 


ADF members may no longer be 

covered in all the circumstances 

that they once were under their 

personal insurance policies. 

The ADF Financial Services 

Consumer Council has reminded 

personnel to check that their policies 

are the best for them and their 

families and has outlined some 

important points. 

What cover does Defence 

provide if I am injured or die? 

Defence covers ADF members 

and their families through 

the Military Rehabilitation and 

Compensation Scheme (MRCS). 

The military superannuation 

scheme also provides spouse 

benefits on the death of a member 

and there are invalidity benefits 

that are payable to members who 

satisfy the requirements set out in 

the rules that apply to the military 

superannuation schemes. 

How can personal insurance 

cover me? 

A good way of working out 

whether you need extra personal 

insurance is to have a look at what 

you would be entitled to under the 

MRCS and your superannuation 

scheme, and then work out what 

your dependants would need, each 

year, to maintain their current 

lifestyle. 

What should I look out for 

with personal insurance? 

You should make sure you 

understand the policy’s validity in 

a war zone or in war-like activity. 

These are called “war exclusions”, 

but they can apply more widely 

than just in war. Even if you are 

applying for a new insurance 

policy that does not contain these 

exclusions, the insurance company 

might not agree to accept you or 

might place conditions on you 

because of the nature of your ADF 

duties, so ask questions about these 

issues before buying a policy. 

According to the Australian 

Government Actuary, Asteron 

offers a life insurance policy called 

Supporting Australia’s veterans, peacekeepers 

and their families 

VVCS provides counselling and support services to Australian veterans, peacekeepers, eligible members 

of the Defence Force community and their families, and F-111 Fuel Tank Maintenance workers and their 

partners and immediate family members. VVCS is a specialised, free and confi dential Australia-wide 

service. 

VVCS can provide you with: 

• Individual, couple and family counselling including case management services 

• After-hours crisis telephone counselling via Veterans Line 

• Group programs including Anger Management, Depression, Anxiety, Lifestyle Management and Heart 

Health 

• Support on transition from military to civilian life, including The Stepping Out Program 

• Information, self-help resources and referrals to other services. 

We can help you work through issues such as stress, relationship, family problems and other lifestyle 

issues as well as emotional or psychological issues associated with your military service. 

If you need support or would like more information 

about us please give us a call or visit our website. 

1800 011 046* 

www.dva.gov.au/vvcs 

* Free local call. Calls from mobile 

and pay phones may incur charges. 

Term Life that does not contain 

war exclusions or other related 

acceptance restrictions. However, 

the policy must be purchased 

before formal notice of deployment. 

For more information, call 

Defence Health on 1800 335 425. 

The actuary says Chartis (formerly 

AIG) has released a new personal 

injury and accidental death 

policy called D-Pax under which 

an option exists for ADF members 

to purchase limited “high-risk location 

cover”. Call Chartis on 1800 

650 224 for more information. 

If you own (or are proposing 

to buy) a different policy, 

the insurance company of your 

choice may cover you even if your 

policy contains conditions relating 

to war, war-like or hazardous 

activities. But tell the insurer about 

your ADF duties and ask for written 

confirmation that you will be 

covered while on duty. Otherwise 

the insurer may deny cover to you 

and your family when you need it 

most. 

CHANGES: If you have an 

insurance policy covering war-like 

service, make sure you’re still 

covered as some insurers have 

cancelled their policies covering 

military service. Photo: LS Paul Berry 

Cover all bases 

Changes to some commercial personal insurance policies may affect your cover 

Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service 

A service founded by Vietnam veterans 

What changes do I need to be 

aware of? 

Last year, Chartis made a commercial 

decision to discontinue 

the Services Security Policy, the 

Injury and Accident Insurance, 

the Services Accident Insurance 

and On Guard policy, but allowed 

policyholders to keep their policies 

until August 2012. If this applies to 

you, consider alternative insurance. 

Zurich’s Ezicover Term Life 

policy on life insurance, which was 

available through Navy Health, is 

no longer available to ADF members. 

However, if you are already 

a policyholder, coverage will continue 

as long as you continue to 

pay the premium. 

The above information should not be 

treated as personal advice. Members 

should carefully consider their specific 

needs and think about consulting an 

insurance company or a licensed 

financial adviser before making any 

decisions. 

AG45761 

Departure Lounge 

� 

Who’s leaving after 20+ years’ service 

Name 

Must/Spec 

WOFF Eric Brown 

SUP 

SQNLDR Christopher Badman ADMIN 

GPCAPT Keith Brackenbury ACO 

WOFF Michael Hinton CLK 

WOFF Sandra Nicholson CLK 

FSGT David Barlow SUP 

CPL Anthony Scheirich SUP 

SQNLDR Neil Snudden ELECTR 

WOFF Shane Haire SUP 

WOFF Andrew Gillespie GSEMGR 

WOFF David Moore SUP 

WOFF Geoffrey Raymond SUP 

WOFF Kylie Terry 

CLK 

WOFF James Filkov CLK 

GPCAPT Mark Kelton ACO 

SGT Kevin Curtis 

MEDASST 

WGCDR Katrina James ADMIN 

SQNLDR Anne Taylor TSO 

WOFF Lex Roberts CLK 

WOFF Richard Brown GIA 

SGT Lisa Shone 

CLK 

WOFF Robyn Usuga SUP 

CPL Brenton Watson CLK 

SGT Kerry Diemar 

SUP 

FSGT Tracey Goss 

CLK 

WGCDR Brock McKinlay ADMIN 

LAC David Crandell GHAND 

SQNLDR Philip Dolan TSO 

WGCDR Fiona Hewson ADMIN 

WGCDR Paul McLeod ADMIN 

CPL Debra Hall 

SUP 

CPL Stephanie McAndrew MUSICIAN 

FSGT Brian Smith 

SUP 

CPL Tracey Templar SUP 

FLTLT Wayne Donchi ADMIN 

SQNLDR James Riddell PILOT 

Last day 

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Help Air Force 

recognise its 

best in safety 

NOMINATIONS are now being sought for the 

2012 Air Force Safety Awards (AFSA), which are 

designed to recognise the units and individuals 

that display an outstanding level of innovation and 

excellence in safety management. 

The awards are applicable to all Air Force program 

personnel, including Defence civilians and 

Australian Air Force Cadets, and consist of the following 

categories: 

➤ Category 1 – Best workplace health and wellbeing 

program. 

➤ Category 2 – Leadership award for injury prevention 

and management. 

➤ Category 3 – Best workplace health and safety 

management system. 

➤ Category 4 – Best solution to an identified 

workplace health and safety Issue. 

➤ Category 5A – Best individual contribution to 

health and safety for an employee who does not 

have full-time OHS responsibilities. 

➤ Category 5B – Best individual contribution to 

health and safety for an OHS practitioner. 

➤ Category 6A – Rehabilitation and return to work 

award for an organisation. 

➤ Category 6B – Rehabilitation and return to work 

award for an individual. 

CO-endorsed nominations are to reach the 

respective wing headquarters safety adviser 

by August 31, wing-endorsed nominations are 

to reach the respective FEG Safety Adviser by 

September 14 and FEG-endorsed nominations 

are to reach the Air Command Safety Adviser for 

ACAUST (or DCOORD-AF for AFHQ nomination) by 

September 28. 

All nominations must be completed and submitted 

to the AFSA Selection Panel by October 19. 

For further details and entry forms, see the Air Force 

Safety Website, or contact WOFF Rob Swanwick at 

DDAAFS on (02) 6128 7492 or robert.swanwick@ 

defence.gov.au


Health 

Look after that smile 

CPL Mark Doran gets advice on taking care of those pearly whites. 

EALTHY teeth make you 

look and feel good, and excellent 

oral hygiene is one way 

of keeping a bright smile. It 

means your teeth are clean, your gums 

are pink and you do not suffer from 

bad breath. 

ADF members should also be 

vigilant with their dental health to 

ensure their operational readiness. 

Personnel who are not dentally fit 

when they deploy are more likely to 

become non-battle casualties as a result 

of dental disease, which may require 

emergency treatment or evacuation. 

Sioban Blaney-Brown, of the 

Russell Health Centre, recommends 

some simple steps that can make 

a big difference to oral health and 

overall well-being. 

“Firstly, make sure you have 

regular dental check-ups,” Dr Blaney- 

Brown said. 

“Secondly, have a good oral 

hygiene regime, brush at least twice a 

day and floss daily to remove plaque 

and help prevent dental decay. 

“Thirdly, eat a well-balanced diet 

limiting high sugar foods and soft 

drinks. 

“There is no doubt that preventive 

care can help stop problems developing 

and stop minor problems developing 

into major ones. Taking good 

care of your oral health can be seen 

as a long term investment.” 

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‘Taking good 

care of your oral 

health can be seen 

as a long term 

investment. 

– Dr Sioban Blaney-Brown 

Flossing daily is an integral part 

of good oral hygiene practice. 

It is the only way to remove 

debris from between the teeth where 

toothbrushes cannot reach. 

Without brushing and flossing the 

plaque left on the teeth can produce 

toxins that ultimately cause decay 

and gum disease. 

Left untreated, gum disease 

can lead to more severe problems. 

Untreated decay can lead to root fillings 

or even extraction of teeth. 

If your gums hurt or bleed while 

brushing or flossing, or you are experiencing 

persistent bad breath, see 

your dentist. 

Early treatment is less painful, 

expensive and worrying than treating 

conditions that have been allowed to 

progress. 

Dental hygienist Sarah Musial 

said she was an advocate of electric 

toothbrushes. 

“Electric brushes have a smaller, 

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round head that you can manoeuvre 

to clean more effectively in those 

hard to reach areas,” Ms Musial said. 

“They also encourage you to 

brush one tooth at a time without 

missing too many areas. Teeth should 

feel very smooth after brushing for at 

least two minutes. 

“They really do make a huge difference 

to the oral health of patients I 

see who are using them properly.” 

If you experience sensitivity with 

your teeth, try toothpaste for sensitive 

teeth. 

If the problem persists, see your 

dentist, as it may be an indication of 

a more serious condition, such as a 

cavity or a cracked tooth. 

Ms Musial said she also recommended 

using toothpastes containing 

fluoride. 

“It’s just a matter of finding a 

type of toothpaste which works for 

you and meets your requirements,” 

she said. 

“Just check with your dentist to 

find out which is most appropriate 

for you.” 

Eating a well-balanced diet gives 

your gums and teeth the important 

nutrients and minerals they need to 

stay strong and resist infections. 

Dr Blaney-Brown advised limiting 

snacks between meals to reduce 

the frequency of acid attack on tooth 

structure. 

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21 

EXPERT CARE: As dental professionals, dentist Sioban Blaney-Brown, 

left, and hygienist Sarah Musial, of the Russell Health Centre in Canberra, 

are well qualified to offer advice about oral health. Photo: CPL Mark Doran

22 Sp rt 


ALL TOGETHER 

NOW: SQNLDR Sean 

Walsh, above and 

encircled top in the 

56-person formation 

high in the Californian 

sky, and FLTLT Barry 

Calver, encircled 

bottom. 

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Down time 

in the US 

SQNLDR Sean Walsh and FLTLT 

Barry Calver were among 56 skydivers 

who jumped from three aircraft 

and joined up in midair over the 

Perris Valley in California. 

The two RAAFies were among 

world-class skydivers invited to participate 

in an invitational event called 

Power Play from June 28 to July 2. 

“The satisfaction of participating 

in such high-class events is 

immense,” SQNLDR Walsh said. 

“Formations like this one are very 

Merici College 

Caters for ADF families in the ACT 

Merici College .… 

Photo: George 

Kastoulis 

technical because the openness of 

the centre makes them very fragile 

while flying. 

“Events like this are great for us 

personally and for the Australian 

Defence Parachute Association as 

we are representing Australian skydiving 

on a world stage.” 

He said that as a result of events 

at Perris Valley, where the event is 

held each year, the quality of large 

formation Australian skydiving had 

improved considerably. 

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see our ��bsite at www.merici.act.edu.au 

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Sp rt 

VESTED INTERESTS: Warrior workout participants started off the 

challenge with an 800m sprint, wearing 10kg vests just to make the race a 

tad harder. Photos: LAC Mark Friend 

FLTLT Cath Friend 

THERE was no lazy Saturday morning 

for some eager members of 

82WG – instead they pushed their 

bodies to the limit in a CrossFit 

challenge to raise money for 

Legacy. 

The event happened on July 7 

when about 100 people, comprising 

civilian visitors from a CrossFit 

gymnasium in Brisbane and 82WG 

personnel, challenged themselves 

with a massive CrossFit at RAAF 

Base Amberley, and raised about 

$1500 for Legacy. 

CO 6SQN WGCDR Terence 

Deeth was pleased with the results. 

“The Charity Challenge was a 

great opportunity for the civilian 

attendees to enjoy a guided tour 

of a Super Hornet and an F-111 as 

well as view a military working dog 

display,” he said. 

“The event itself was very well 

FEEL THE EFFORT: SGT Mick Derricott, left, and FLTLT Adam 

Grinyer take on chin-ups. 

It ain’t heavy, they 

are our brothers 

HOW MANY TO GO?: FLTLT Joel Stitt on his push-up quest in the warrior workout. 

FLTLT Erin Rinaldi 

NUMBER 4 Squadron raised more than $5000 for the 

Commando Welfare Trust Fund through a warrior workout on 

June 29. 

The workout was a team event, in which groups of four 

competed in combat or open heats. 

Members who participated in the combat division had to 

add a 10kg vest for the 800m run, 20 pull-ups, 30 push-ups 

and 50 squats. It was all for a good cause, though. 

The trust fund supports the families of personnel killed or 

wounded in action while on operations with 2nd Commando 

Regiment (2CDO), and 4SQN started its charity workouts last 

year. 

4SQN B Flight personnel have been deployed continuously 

on operations since 2008 in support of Army Force 

Elements. As a result, 4SQN now shares a close working relationship 

with 2CDO and its soldiers. This year the workout 

was held in memory of commando SGT Todd Langley who 

was killed in action in July last year. 

Teams from all units across RAAF Base Williamtown, as 

well as a contingent from 2CDO, donated money to participate in 

the event. Money was also raised through gate collection and 

donations from deployed combat controllers. 

CO 4SQN WGCDR Stuart Bellingham said: “We really 

value our relationship with 2CDO Regiment, and this event is 

an important part of our annual calendar that is gaining more 

and more support each year. 

“This year we again received outstanding support from 

the Williamtown PTIs, and I would like to pass on my sincere 

gratitude to those who came and participated or donated to the 

event. It was a great success and we are looking forward to an 

even bigger and better event next year,” he said. 

Hard yakka for another good cause 

received by all participants but the 

highlight for me was to see the military 

personnel experience a fitness 

session that few (especially those 

new to CrossFit) will forget in a hurry. 

“To end the event the 6SQN Social 

Club put on a hearty barbecue for the 

hungry participants,” he said. 

PREPARING FOR PAIN: FLTLT 

Brendan Preston warms up. 

GET READY: 82WG members warm up under the supervision of Doug 

Armstrong, owner and principle trainer of Crossfit Rocks, before their 

intense workout. Photos: LAC Dan Pinhorn 

23 

November 

return for 

Defence 

cricket 

From Back Page 

The Malaysians will be hosted 

at RAAF Base Glenbrook, and 

the Royal New Zealand Air Force 

(RNZAF) will be based at RAAF 

Base Richmond. The RAAF teams 

will also be based at Richmond 

from November 6-11 for trials and 

team selection. 

On November 9, RAAF, RMAF 

and RNZAF will hold an air forces 

round-robin competition in Sydney, 

followed by a function that evening. 

IDCC12 will start in Canberra 

on November 12 with a series 

of Twenty20 games and 50-over 

one-day games, culminating in the 

IDCC grand final at Manuka Oval 

on November 23. 

A World Defence XI will then be 

selected to play against former Test 

and first class cricketers from the 

Australian Cricketers Association 

(ACA) Masters at Manuka on 

November 24 in a Twenty20 game 

to be known as the International 

Challenge Shield. The match will 

coincide with the launch of the 

Stand Tall (for Post Traumatic 

Stress Disorder) awareness campaign. 

PTSD Limited is headed by 

Vietnam veteran Tony Dell, who 

was the ADF’s last serviceman to 

play Test cricket (he was a bowler 

who played two Tests in the early 

70s). 

Mr Dell has suffered for more 

than 40 years with PTSD and this 

campaign aims to put the focus back 

on this battle so that others do not 

have to wait that long to find help. 

Army won the first IDCC in 

2007 but lost to RMAF by 65 runs 

in the final the last time it was held 

in 2009. 

The IDCC will be conducted 

under the direction of the Australian 

Services Cricket Association 

(ASCA) president, RADM Mark 

Campbell. 

CDF GEN David Hurley is the 

ASCA patron. 

At the time of going to print, 

the participation of the Pakistan 

Defence team was still awaiting 

approval from the Pakistan Defence 

Minister. 

“It promises to be a great couple 

of weeks of Defence sport playing 

against cricketers from New 

Zealand, Malaysia and Pakistan,” 

WGCDR Pinder said. 

For more information, email ASCA. 

cricket@defence.gov.au or ASCA. 

cricket@defence.gov.au, or contact 

RAAFCA vice-president FLTLT Justin 

van Beuningen on (02) 4588 1140. 

Calling on the 

soccer crowd 

THE Air Force Football Association 

(AFFA) is calling for nominations for 

players, coaches and team managers 

to represent the Air Force at the 

open men’s, over 35 men’s and open 

women’s sides for the interservice 

soccer tournament in Sydney from 

November 2 to 6. 

Air Force won the open men’s 

title last year. 

Expressions of interest for players 

close on October 12. 

Air Force will hold a training 

camp at RAAF Base Richmond from 

October 27 to November 1. 

For more information, contact FLTLT Ben 

Cowan, ben.cowan@defence.gov.au

SP 

LEAD TWICE THE LIFE 

DMO 

August A 2, 2012 

THE Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) 

will return to the scene of an unlikely 

victory when it comes to Canberra in 

November for the Australian Services 

Cricket Association’s third International 

Defence Cricket Challenge (IDCC12). 

Malaysia does not figure in the upper 

echelon of senior international cricket – 

but in 2009 it was a convincing winner in 

the IDCC. 

This year it will be back to defend its 

title and will be up against the ADF, Royal 

New Zealand Air Force, New Zealand 

Army, Pakistan Defence team and a 

RT 

Cricketers 

back again 

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HOWZAT H FLASHBACK: Air Force players appeal in unison against Royal New Zealand Air Force in 2009 – from 

lleft, 

LAC Michael Rutherford, CPL Adam Bosworth, FLGOFF Mitchell Dockett and FLTLT Jarrod Moxey. Inset, if you 

tthought 

you had seen the back of the Malaysians when they applauded their supporters after winning the title at 

MManuka 

Oval in 2009, think again. They plan to return this year. Photos: LS Phillip Cullin Cullinan 

Barbarian team which will comprise Army 

players from Australia and New Zealand. 

The RAAF, which won the inter-service 

50-over title in 2010 and the Twenty20 

title last year, aims to do well again, 

according to the president of the RAAF 

Cricket Association, WGCDR Grant Pinder. 

FLEXING THEIR MUSCLES AND DOING THEIR BIT FOR CHARITY – PAGE 23 

Down 

time in 

the US 

– Page 22 

“The RAAFCA wants to once again field 

a strong team that will compete against 

tough competition and proudly represent 

Air Force,” WGCDR Pinder said. 

The Air Force team will play host to two 

of the visitors as part of the lead-up to the 

tournament. Continued Page 23

Exercise Pitch Black takes to the skies in the Top End

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