Exercise Pitch Black takes to the skies in the Top End

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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 exercise was to provide airbase operations 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 elements 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 conditions.” 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 AIR F RCE August 2, 2012 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 IHS Jane’s 2.0 The Next Generation platform for IHS Jane’s News, Information and Analysis The new IHS Jane’s 2.0 platform enables customers to better search and manipulate the exhaustive library of reference data and news, information and analysis that forms the foundation of our world-leading defence and security intelligence resources. IHS Jane’s 2.0 enhancements include: ��Upgraded Search Capabilities ��Enhanced Charting and Mapping ��Comprehensive RSS Feeds ��Streamlined Client Area Home Page ��Subject-Based Dashboard Pages for Defence Equipment and Military and Security intelligence 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. ��Customised Notes Capability ��Easy-to-Use Feedback Tool ��Combined Taxonomies for Granular Search and filtering ��And more... To login to IHS Jane’s 2.0 you can access the website via http://library.defence.gov.au or http://janes.ihs.com For further information about the Defence Library Service access to IHS Jane’s, please go to http://library.defence.gov.au or contact your nearest library, defence.library@defence.gov.au. Alternatively, you can contact your local IHS Jane’s consultant, Lorraine Worley at 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 which supports more than 1700 people with a disability across NSW, is looking for volunteers to run the City2Surf fun run in Sydney on August 12. Sunnyfield has secured 10 gold charity runner places for 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 of Sunnyfield. For more information, contact Julieri De Florio on (02) 9412 8653 or j.deflorio@sunnyfield.org.au Motorcyclists’ call CANBERRA Defence Riders are prepared to coordinate a combined Defence group interested in participating in an annual NSW and Victorian Police National Wall2Wall Now the #1 tax agent for ADF members Maximum returns - We know all the specifi c deductions, so you get a great tax return every year! Defence Force tax specialists - We have extensive experience across all ranks and specialities, including: � Members who are currently deployed or have served overseas � Members with investment properties � Members who have fallen behind on 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 Phone consultations - All tax returns are completed over the phone, so you don’t have to leave your base, ship or assignment. One tax agent - We are not limited by locality so you and your family don’t ever have to look for another tax agent again. Call 1300 76 35 75 24/7 or visit us online at www.phatreturns.com.au
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Page 3 and 4: AIR F RCE August 2, 2012 News Wider
Page 5 and 6: AIR F RCE August 2, 2012 News Welco
Page 7 and 8: AIR F RCE August 2, 2012 News Hawk
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Page 17 and 18: 18 Flightline AIR F RCE August 2, 2
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Page 23: SP LEAD TWICE THE LIFE DMO August A

Exercise Pitch Black takes to the skies in the Top End

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