AIR FVol. 54, No. 2, February 16, 2012 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

RCERCE

LIFELINE

Orions clock nine years

Wedgetail’s mid-air fill

Snow business on ops P12-13P5P3

FLOOD OF HELP: 3EHS nursing officer FLGOFF Alex Hardingham helps carry a patient on to a waiting 37SQN C-130 in the flood-affected town of St George, Queensland. More than 30 patients were transported to Coolangatta airport after the local Warrawee nursing home was evacuated on February 5. Below inset, a view of the flood zone at Charleville, near St George. Main photo: Dan Peled, AAP

Air Force airlifts elderly to safety in Queensland flood emergency P2

2 Th

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2 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FNews

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SGT Andrew Hetherington

“THANK God for you all, if it wasn’t for you helping us where would we be?” was the grateful reaction from an elderly resident of St George, Queens-land, to 3 Expeditionary Health Squad-ron’s (3EHS) medical assistant CPL Madelaine Byers after she was evacu-ated from her nursing home.

The elderly patient was being evacuated along with 31 other Warrawee nursing home residents from the St George flood zone by 3EHS and a 37SQN Hercules on February 5.

Richmond-based 3EHS and 37SQN were put on four hours notice to assist with potential aeromedical

evacuations (AME) in the South East Queensland flood zone on February 3.

3EHS XO SQNLDR Walter Goedde said his unit’s alert status changed again on February 5 after he received a call at 6am to come into work.

“I was recalled to work with 10 personnel in my team consisting of one doctor, myself and one other reg-istered nurse and medics who were called in too,” SQNLDR Goedde said.

“We began to pre-flight all of our medical equipment and it was taken down and loaded onto the aircraft.”

The AME team left Richmond aboard a 37SQN Hercules shortly after 11am bound for St George.

“We arrived two hours later at the small airfield and were met by

Queensland Ambulance staff and 32 patients from the Warrawee nurs-ing home and their concerned family members,” SQNLDR Goedde said.

“They ranged in age from 67 to 97 and 17 of them were stretcher patients.”

CPL Byers began directing and

loading the elderly patients into the aircraft, which took three hours.

“When the patients entered the back of aircraft I quickly decided where they would be put on stretchers and on seats,” CPL Byers said.

“Once we were in the air we moni-tored their blood pressure, pulse rates,

assisted with pain relief, toileting and comforted them during the take-off and landing.

“During the flight the patients were extremely grateful for what we were doing for them.

“They were holding our hands, grabbing and thanking us and it was absolutely beautiful. It was a warm and fuzzy feeling.”

The flight landed at the Gold Coast Airport in Coolangatta at 5.30pm, where 10 ambulances were waiting to receive the patients.

For 37SQN Hercules co-pilot FLTLT Brendan Quaife, the February 5 mission was his first AME mission.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, but as they were elderly and sick, we had to fly smoothly and keep the cabin at a certain pressure,” FLTLT Quaife said.

“The cabin had to be kept at a sea level air pressure to make it more comfortable for the patients, so they didn’t have ear problems or feel dis-tressed.

“To do this we flick a switch in the cockpit and fly below 20,000ft.”

This was not the only task 37SQN had conducted during the flood assis-tance.

CO 37SQN WGCDR Mark McCallum said his unit’s role began on February 2.

“We sent a Hercules full of sand-bags and flood assistance equip-ment to Moree in NSW,” WGCDR McCallum said.

“After the February 5 AME to St George we flew personnel from Army’s 7 Signals Regiment to Amberley on February 9, so they could be transported further into Queensland to assist with the clean up.

“From early this month we’ve had aircrew and aircraft on from as lit-tle as four hours, and up to 12 hours notice to move to respond to any other circumstances.”

HELPING HANDS: Above, WOFF John Pawliw, FLTLT Brendan Quaife and SGT Liam Higgins in front of a 37SQN Hercules. The trio were part of an aircrew that flew a relief mission to flood-affected areas of Queensland; right, from left, 3EHS members SQNLDR Walter Goedde, SQNLDR George Abraham and SGT Sharee Lewis who were part of the Combat Team Vigilance Flood Assist 2012; far right, Army Black Hawks flying over flood-ravaged St George. Photos: LAC David Said, LACW Casey Gaul and LAC Benjamin Evans

TOUCHED: CPL Madelaine Byers, right, with stretcher, and her 3EHS colleagues WOFF Rolland Wilson, left, and LAC Allan Ravenscroft. “They were holding our hands, grabbing and thanking us and it was absolutely beautiful,” CPL Byers said. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul

3EHS and 37SQN Hercules evacuate grateful nursing home residents

Godsend Godsend for flood for flood victimsvictims

3 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF News

Jaimie Abbott

WHEN Air Force’s Orions clocked up nine years of continuous service in the Middle East on January 28, two men who were there at the very start were once more involved.

The milestone was reached dur-ing an over-water mission in search of suspected pirates and smuggling operations over the Red Sea.

Among the aircrew on the flight were two members of the inaugural sortie flown in the MEAO on January 28, 2003. FLTLT Nathan Bunt (then a SGT airborne electronics analyst), who was the pilot in command of the AP-3C, and WOFF Richard Engel (then FSGT), who was the senior air-borne electronics analyst.

Following the flight, the two ‘orig-inal’ detachment members joined their task group colleagues to help cele-brate the milestone with a cake at Al Minhad Air Base.

Commander Surveillance and Response Group (SRG) AIRCDRE Stephen Osborne said it was a great tribute to SRG personnel who had worked long hours flying and main-taining the Orions.

“Many of our 92WG members have completed multiple deployments to the Middle East, and I thank their families and friends back home for their support,” he said.

SQNLDR Jesse Laroche, com-mander of the AP-3C task unit, said the AP-3C operations were a team effort.

“The entire task unit always

puts in their best effort to ensure we achieve an extremely high mission success rate and keep operations here safe and effective,” SQNLDR Laroche said.

“To be able to do that day in and day out successfully for nine years is incredibly professionally rewarding.

“Perhaps what makes this [mile-stone] so special is not just the efforts of our frontline aircrew and mainte-nance personnel, but the tireless work by intelligence, imagery analysts, operations officers, logistics and many other combat support personnel who combine to help the AP-3C generate a product that is highly regarded and sought after by our many coalition partners.”

Over the past nine years, the Orion crews have conducted overland intel-

ligence, surveillance and reconnais-sance tasks in Afghanistan and Iraq, maritime patrols of the Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea and more recently, counter-piracy missions in the vicinity of Somalia, working closely with the US-led Combined Maritime Force and other internation-al task forces.

“When we flew our first operation-al sortie in the Gulf of Oman back in 2003 it was certainly an exciting time for the men and women of 92WG who had trained very hard for precise-ly that day,” SQNLDR Laroche said.

“As capable as we were then, the truly remarkable achievement has been the continual advancement and adaptation of the AP-3C and aircrew to a constantly changing regional environment.

“By the end of 2003 the upgraded AP-3C was regularly flying a brand new role over land, directly support-ing coalition ground forces in the sta-bilisation of Iraq.

“In 2012 our commitment now ranges from Afghanistan, in sup-port of the International Security Assistance Force, to the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa in support of maritime security and counter-piracy operations.”

The Orion detachment includes up to 100 people and two aircraft at any one time. In August 2011 the Orion achieved another remarkable feat, flying 20,000 hours of opera-tional missions in the Middle East. This equates to 833 days of 24-hour operations or two-and-a-quarter years of continuous flying.

Jaimie Abbott

AN AP-3C crew provided support to Papua New Guinean efforts to locate and rescue survivors fol-lowing the sinking of the ferry MV Rabaul Queen in Papua New Guinea on February 2.

The aircraft was tasked to sup-port the search and rescue efforts following a request from the Australian Maritime Authority. The crew located two survivors clinging to debris and directed vessels involved in the search for them.

The Commander of Joint Task Force 639 Air Component Coordination Element, SQNLDR Brett Williams, said the crew did a fantastic job.

“They should all be extremely

proud of their efforts,” SQNLDR Williams said.

The MV Rabaul Queen sank about 16km off Finschhafen while on a voyage from Kimbe to Lae.

There were believed to have been 350 people on board, of whom more than 200 were res-cued.

Chief of Joint Operations LTGEN Ash Power also praised the Orion crews for their efforts.

“This task highlights the capacity of our Defence Force to react quickly to requests for assistance and to work in coopera-tion with, and in support of, other agencies on potential life-saving missions,” he said.

OC 92WG GPCAPT Craig Heap said while not its primary role, the AP-3C was on permanent stand-by for search and rescue

missions. “We’ve been involved in many successful rescues, from local incidents to major national and international emergencies,” GPCAPT Heap said.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Senator David Feeney said the ADF would always be ready to assist Australia’s regional neighbours in times of emergency.

“Papua New Guinea is one of our closest friends in our region and I’m very pleased that the RAAF was able to respond so promptly to this situation,” Mr Feeney said.

“The Australian Government greatly regrets the loss of life fol-lowing the sinking of the MV Rabaul Queen and will offer any assistance we can to Papua New Guinea.”

Finding PNG ferry survivors

JOB WELL DONE: Members of Crew 1, 10SQN, who were involved in the search and rescue task in PNG.

Photo: LAC David Cotton

REASON TO SMILE: Original detachment members WOFF Richard Engel and pilot FLGOFF Nathan Bunt in front of an Orion at Al Minhad Air Base; Inset, from left, SQNLDR Jesse Laroche, the AP-3C detachment’s youngest member, LACW Taryn Ovenden, and Air Component Commander WGCDR Warren McDonald cut the cake to celebrate nine years of AP-3C operations in the Middle East.

Photos: SGT Mick Davis

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THE Jet Fuels Exposure Syndrome (JFES) Study is calling for new volunteers in 2012.

The Assistant Director Occupational Medicine for the Defence Centre for Occupational Health, Rachelle Warner, said they would like to further study the effects of the exposure to jet fuel on workers to identify any related health impacts.

“Volunteers for this study may assist us in ensuring the future working environment for mem-bers exposed to fuel is as safe as possible,” she said.

The JFES study requires 350 volunteers to par-ticipate in the research. It needs:➤ 200 current or retired RAAF personnel who par-

ticipated in one of the four formal F-111 deseal/reseal programs;

➤ 100 current or retired RAAF personnel who were not involved in a F-111 deseal/reseal projects and have not had direct exposure to F-111 jet fuel; and

➤ 50 first-degree relatives (parent, sibling, child) of someone who participated in one of the F-111 deseal/reseal programs.The JFES Study was launched in December

2010 to conduct research into the health effects of jet fuel exposure following the conclusion of the Study into Health Outcomes of Aircraft Maintenance Personnel.

To volunteer, call the Defence Service Centre, Cooma on 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362).

Jaimie Abbott

AIR Force’s newest capabilities are in Guam for their first overseas ex-ercise together.

Six Super Hornets from 1SQN and a Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft from 2SQN, along with 300 RAAF per-sonnel, have joined the US Air Force (USAF) and Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) for tri-lateral air defence exercise Cope North Guam 2012.

The exercise began on February 13 and will run until February 24.

It is the first time the RAAF has participated in Cope North Guam, which originated in 1978 as a bi-annual exercise between the USAF and JASDF.

It is the first overseas deploy-ment with the JASDF for the Rhinos and Wedgetail and the sec-ond overseas deployment for both aircraft since they were delivered to Air Force.

Other aircraft involved include the USAF’s F-16s, B-52s, F-15Cs, F-16CJs and KC-135; and JASDF’s F-15Js, F2s and E2Cs.

T h e c o m m a n d e r o f t h e Australian contingent, GPCAPT Geoffrey Harland, said the exercise would provide excellent opportuni-ties for RAAF personnel to inte-grate with a joint task force to learn how other countries operate.

“The training will be invaluable and there will be many important lessons learnt from our participa-tion in this exercise,” GPCAPT Harland said.

“Cope North will allow the air-crew to develop an appreciation of the capabilities and strengths of the different aircraft types, which is valuable training for Air Combat and Surveillance and Response Group personnel who may be required to operate in a coalition environment in the future.”

Fifty-six members of 2SQN have deployed for the exercise, including pilots, air combat offic-ers, airborne electronic analysts, maintenance personnel, administra-tion and intelligence officers.

CO 2SQN WGCDR Paul Carpenter said Cope North would help personnel achieve Wedgetail initial operational capability.

Combat Support Group and Air

Lift Group also have important roles in the exercise.

Units from 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing and Health Services Wing will be involved in a humanitarian assistance and disas-ter relief scenario embedded within Cope North 12.

This is also a tri-lateral activ-ity with Japanese observers present in North West Field with Combat Support specialists.

The scenario involves a five-day field exercise involving both US and Australian aircraft each day.

A 37SQN C-130 is also set to participate in humanitarian relief activities during the exercise.

CO 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron WGCDR Lee de Winton said it was valuable train-ing for support personnel.

“Due to the continual demand for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support in the Pacific region, these joint exercises are increasingly important in under-standing our complementary capa-bilities.”

Full coverage in coming editions.

Joining US and Joining US and Japan in GuamJapan in Guam

F-111 fuel link study

We’re on board with sea power, says CAFMichael Brooke

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown told more than 1000 delegates from 35 countries at the Navy Sea Power con-ference that Air Force was on board to support the introduction of the Navy’s new Canberra-Class amphibious as-sault ships (LHDs).

The conference was held at Darling Harbour in Sydney from January 31 to February 2.

CN VADM Ray Griggs, CAF and CA LTGEN David Morrison delivered the keynote address.

CN said the three services were very focused on ensuring that the tran-sition to the new amphibious capabil-ity was a smooth one.

“Maritime power projection is a critical capability for the ADF and all three services play vital roles,” VADM Griggs said.

CAF said Air Force had long sup-ported Australia’s maritime strategy through air power, in the form of mar-itime strike, anti-submarine warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

“The last RAN warship attacked by an enemy aircraft was HMAS

Australia in the Philippines Sea in 1945, which shows how the Air Force’s control of the air has protect-ed naval task groups over the ensuing decades,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

CAF said Air Force was ready for the challenge of ensuring a smooth integration to new sea power technol-ogies, including the LHD, and fully committed to supporting the maritime strategy.

The Air Force will have six embarked joint tactical air controllers and joint battle airspace controllers on board each LHD.

“The Air Force’s full range of air

denial capabilities including the Super Hornet and the Joint Strike Fighter will be used to protect the LHDs when they are dispatched to contested areas,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“While the Air Force presence in the LHDs will be physically small, our presence in the battle space in support of joint operations will be large.”

CN said the introduction of the air warfare destroyers would also bring with it significant challenges as the ADF moved back into the area of air defence.

“The interaction with Air Force’s Airborne Early Warning and Control

aircraft and eventually F-35 capabili-ties will be critical if we are to opti-mise the joint effect that is available for us,” VADM Griggs said.

The Sea Power Conference, enti-tled ‘The Navy Contribution to National Security and Prosperity’, fea-tured presentations by more than 25 maritime strategists and academics.

Now in its 12th year, the confer-ence addressed the importance of sea power to safeguard trade routes and economic prosperity amid the uncer-tainty and instability created by the global economic downturn.

READY TO ROLL: A pilot gathers his kit on the way to his Super Hornet.Photo: LAC Benjamin Evans

5 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF News

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Jaimie Abbott

BEYOND the world of fast-jets, the Wedgetail aircraft has won the title of being the first large RAAF aircraft to successfully complete air-to-air refuel-ling (AAR).

The first in-service AAR opera-tions were successfully completed late last year between the Wedgetail and the Royal Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) KC-135, which was tempo-

rarily operating out of RAAF Base Amberley.

The Wedgetail spent more than two hours behind the tanker with six pilots on board, who were conduct-ing training that included getting into the pre-contact and contact positions, boom connection and fuel transfer.

AAR Instructor pilot SQNLDR James Pearson said it was exciting.

“It means we will have the ability to travel to Malaysia in a day by refu-elling on the way there,” SQNLDR

Pearson said. “All the pilots on board discovered if you used the right tech-nique, it actually wasn’t that difficult to conduct AAR.”

C O 2 S Q N W G C D R L u k e Stoodley was pleased with how the Wedgetail performed.

“No problems were encountered with the AAR system,” WGCDR Stoodley said.

“We only took on 3500kg of fuel but we will take on more over the next few sorties with the RSAF.

“It was also pleasing to see that the Operational Flight Trainer is a very good training tool for AAR and will be a significant asset in training and keeping pilots AAR qualified/current.

“It was a good Wedgetail day and a definite advancement in our capabil-ity.”

There are plans for more AAR operat ions this year, with the Wedgetail currently practising in Guam with the US and Japanese air forces in Exercise Cope North 2012.

The Wedgetail will also practise AAR when it participates for the first time in Exercise Red Flag in Alaska in June.

OC 42WG GPCAPT Tracey Friend said AAR was something the Air Force had never been able to do before.

“With the support of our coalition partners, this means we will potential-ly be able to fly straight to anywhere in the world,” she said.

LeadingLeadingedgeedgeWedgetailWedgetail

FULFILLING: The Wedgetail spent more than two hours behind the Royal Singapore Air Force tanker in a first for the RAAF.

Photo: FLGOFF Harry Hayes

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FLTLT Dave Woods

THERE was a change at the top at Combat Support Group (CSG) on Janu-ary 30 when former Commander CSG AIRCDRE Noddy Sawade handed over command to AIRCDRE Tim Innes at RAAF Base Amberley

AIRCDRE Sawade had been the commander for more than three years.

Addressing the parade, he said he was leaving with mixed feelings.

“I am leaving a great team that has extended exceptional support to me. However, I am aware change can rein-vigorate CSG to take it on the next por-tion of its journey,” AIRCDRE Sawade said.

His pennant was then lowered, fol-lowed by the raising of AIRCDRE Innes’s pennant.

AIRCDRE Innes then addressed

the parade during which he thanked AIRCDRE Sawade for his leadership and inspiration.

“I am extremely proud and honoured to be taking command of CSG which, thanks to the leadership and inspiration of my predecessor, is on the cusp of transformation and rebirth,” AIRCDRE Innes said.

“In my view CSG is the heart and soul of the deployable Air Force and enables the limbs to operate – I intend to continue the momentum and further enhance that tradition.”

A pilot with more than 30 years in the Air Force, AIRCDRE Innes has flown C-130 and PC-9 aircraft, and has also commanded 2SQN, 37SQN, 84WG and the C-130 and air traffic control detachments in the MEAO.

AIRCDRE Sawade will assume the duties of Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633 in April.

I’m excited, says Hupfeld

A PROGRESS report for the ADF force posture review was released on January 30.

The review is addressing the range of present and emerging global, regional and national stra-tegic and security factors.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said it was essential the ADF was appropriately positioned for the future.

“The progress report offers a range of thoughts and options on how the ADF could be better geo-graphically positioned to respond in a timely way to Australia’s strategic and security demands,” he said.

As part of the review, the panel of Dr Allan Hawke and Ric Smith examined possible basing options in the north and north-west of Australia, and the possibility of arrangements that enhance access to commercial ports.

They are also considering the potential for Air Force to upgrade some of its bases to optimise the operational capability of new aircraft.

More broadly, the review is examining logistics support requirements, training areas for large-scale and joint training exer-cises, demographic and economic

factors, public communications strategies, and engagement with industry, particularly the minerals and petroleum resources indus-tries in Australia’s north and west.

Many of these options, includ-ing development of any new bases, involve substantial addi-tional investment and will be con-sidered as part of the 2014 White Paper process.

The final report will be submit-ted to Government at the end of March.

To view the full update, visit www.defence.gov.au/oscdf/adf-posture-review/

New CSG commander inspired by Noddy

LAC Bill Solomou

AVM Mel Hupfeld is Air Force’s new Air Commander Australia (ACAUST).

The former Commander Air Combat Group assumed his new role from AVM Mark Skidmore at an official ceremony at RAAF Base Glenbrook on February 3.

More than 60 people attend-ed the ceremony, including CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown, which was marked by a three-ship Hornet fly-past by 3SQN.

AVM Hupfeld said he was “truly honoured” to be appointed to the position. He acknowledged outgo-ing ACAUST AVM Mark Skidmore for his dedication and contribution to the job.

“I am daunted yet excited at the task ahead,” AVM Hupfeld said.

He said he was looking forward to Air Command continuing to do what it does best – “delivering air power to provide CAF the capa-bilities so he can meet the govern-ment’s requirement for the defence of our nation”.

ACAUST’s key priorities for Air Command are to conduct effective operations, force generation, capa-

Force posture progress report released

bility transition and sustainment, continuous improvement and a cul-ture of empowerment and trust.

“Not only the culture within Air Force, but the culture across all other agencies and services,” AVM Hupfeld said.

AVM Mark Skidmore reflected on his time as ACAUST, highlight-ing the accomplishments of Air Command personnel.

“They have deployed to multiple

operations, including the Solomon Islands, the Sudan and the MEAO, and they have supported the govern-ment in border protection,” AVM Skidmore said.

“ E v e r y m e m b e r o f A i r Command has played an essential role in ensuring we have capability for Air Operations.”

At the end of the ceremony, AVM Skidmore continued the tradi-tion for all outgoing air command-ers by planting a tree in the Air Command grounds. He chose the Moreton Bay Fig.

AVM Hupfeld will talk further about his plans for Air Command in a coming edition.

TOP BRASS CHANGEOVER: From left, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown with incoming ACAUST AVM Mel Hupfeld and outgoing ACAUST AVM Mark Skidmore at the change of command ceremony at RAAF Base Glenbrook. Photo: LAC David Said

FINAL DUTY: AVM Skidmore plants a Moreton Bay Fig at Glenbrook as outgoing ACAUST. Photo: SGT Brett Sherriff

TRIPLE TREAT: Three F/A-18s fly over the ceremony. Photo: SGT Brett Sherriff

SIGN ME UP: Incoming Commander Combat Support Group AIRCDRE Tim Innes, left, and his predecessor AIRCDRE Noddy Sawade sign the change of command certificate at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith

7 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF News

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SGT Ben van den Akker

THE new CO of the Air Force Band and Air Force Director of Music, SQNLDR Mathew Shelley, has some fresh ideas.

SQNLDR Shelley took over in December from SQNLDR Steve Wright, who had been the band’s musical director since 1997.

SQNLDR Shelley praised his pre-decessor for his significant contribution and achievements.

While recognising the band’s tradi-tion of providing quality music support to Air Force, SQNLDR Shelley said he was excited to announce a new direc-tion for it.

“The Air Force Band has entered an exciting time in its lifecycle,” SQNDLR Shelley said.

“Air Force Improvement and the Strategic Reform Program have chal-lenged all Air Force units to become more creative, innovative and efficient in the way they achieve organisational outcomes.

“In accordance with these princi-pals, from this year onwards, the band will implement a range of initiatives that will ensure it is both relevant and a vital element to Force 2030.”

Changing Changing the tunethe tune

As a start, SQNLDR Shelley has effectively dissolved all roles within the band’s organisation.

“I am committed to creating a music capability which enriches Air Force culture, and uses the evocative and transformative power of music to shape people’s attitude and commit-ment to Air Force values,” he said.

To this end, the band will be pro-active in seeking out performance opportunities that are strategically relevant to the Air Force, and will

form partnerships with other ADF units which complement the band’s initiatives.

SQNLDR Shelley holds a Master of Business Administration, majoring in strategic human resource plan-ning, and is a graduate of the Defence Force School of Music’s Band Officer Course.

He has had previous postings to the Central Band and Air Command Band.

SQNLDR Wright led the band

through a period of significant change when both former Air Force bands amalgamated. He was instrumental in setting its high standards of perfor-mance excellence.

His last performance was conduct-ing at a concert at the Victorian Arts Centre on December 19.

Other career highlights included being the first Air Force piper to play the lament at the 2006 Anzac Day ser-vices at Gallipoli and Lone Pine.

He was also conductor of the

massed pipes and drums at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performances in Sydney on February 2010.

SQNLDR Wright has posted to Headquarters Air Force Training Group at RAAF Base Williams, Laverton, as a tutor at the School of Postgraduate Studies.

NEW DIRECTION: SQNLDR Mathew Shelley with musicians CPL Lee Webb (bass drummer) and CPL Brenton Burley (trumpet/bugle).

Photo: CPL Cameron Scott

SQNLDR Steve Wright.

Watch the video here.

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9February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF News

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LS Paul Berry

THE appointment of the first non-Army CO of the Defence Police Training Centre (DPTC), WGCDR Andrew Roberts, late last year represented a significant step in reforms reshaping the service police or-ganisation.

Outgoing CO LTCOL Gary Vale said there had been a number of major changes to the DPTC during his three-year command.

The establishment of the DPTC reform agenda, known as Plan Phoenix, has been the pillar of his command, touching every aspect of unit life and focusing on professionalism and ethical standards.

“We have invested a great deal of time and effort in ensuring our training is oper-ationally focused – that is the principle reason why service police exist,” LTCOL Vale said.

“I refer to the last three years as the unfreezing of our organisation – it is very exciting, but it’s perfect timing to hand over to an Air Force WGCDR, the first non-Army commander here at any stage of our history, in order to provide a fresh approach.”

WGCDR Roberts said his appoint-ment was a privilege and an opportunity.

“The significance of Chief of Army entrusting command of one of his units to a non-Army officer is not lost on me and I will honour that trust to the best of my ability,” WGCDR Roberts said.

“The 2005 Senate Inquiry into mili-tary justice was a principal driver toward reforming the service police capability, with the intent of raising our standard of policing to that expected by the general community from the state and federal police.

“I’ve got a very clear direction that we need to continue building on the good work done by LTCOL Vale in terms of training reform.”

Breaking Breaking new groundnew ground

SERVICE POLICE UNITED: The new CO of the Defence Police Training Centre, WGCDR Andrew Roberts, centre, with outgoing CO LTCOL Gary Vale, right, and Executive Officer LCDR Robert Dokter.

Photo: LS Paul Berry

IN BRIEF

Security awardsFLTLT Peter Simpfendorfer is one of nine finalists from within Defence for the first annual Defence Excellence in Security Awards. More than 50 nomi-nations were submitted from all areas of the Defence organisation includ-ing the ADF and APS and Defence Industry Security Program compa-nies for the awards which recognise contributions to workplace security. Winners will be announced at the Australian War Memorial on March 27. FLTLT Simpfendorfer is a finalist in the outstanding contribution to security by an individual category.

Defence BankDEFCREDIT formally became Defence Bank on February 1. The move follows recent changes by the Australian Government that aim to create a more competitive banking system within Australia. Defence Bank issued a statement saying that said although no longer a credit union, the bank remained committed to Defcredit’s original principles as a member-owned organisation rather than being owned and driven by profit for shareholders.

Pollies to join ADFMEMBERS of Parliament will shortly get to experience life in the ADF following the launch on February 9 of the 2012 Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program. Parliamentarians will be attached to selected ADF activities for periods of five to 10 days. Nineteen attach-ments are on offer, including deploy-ments to the MEAO and RAAF Base Amberley. Since the program began in 2001, a total of 122 parliamentar-ians have participated.

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10 February 16, 2012RCEAIR Fperations

BEING part of a small team at Kandahar Airfield loading and unloading Australian C-130 aircraft as they move personnel and cargo around the Middle East is an eye-opener for air movements specialist LACW Lauren Beech.

“I’ve only really been out of training for 18 months and I’m already deployed

to Afghanistan. I can’t quite believe it,” LACW Beech said.

“The pace here is relent-less and every skill I’ve gained through training in the Air Force, and even before I joined up, I have improved in every way.

“Kandahar is incredibly big. It’s the busiest single-runway airport in the world, so we see

so many different types of air-craft coming and going.

“The facilities are phe-nomenal, too: gyms, shops, restaurants and even a KFC. It’s so surreal.

“There are people from eve-rywhere here and there aren’t a lot of us (from RAAF) but the community spirit among the Australians is fantastic.”

HAVING a father who was an Air Force photogra-pher was a major factor in geospatial imagery intelligence analyst LAC Jacob Gossage joining the service.

“I grew up around the Air Force and I realised I knew quite a bit about it when it came time to find a job,” LAC Gossage said.

He is deployed with the Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft team at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.

“I previously deployed to the Middle East with the Orions in 2010,” he said.

“[On] this trip I feel as if I am making a direct contribution to the troops on the ground.

“You only realise how important our role is when the troops finish a mission and they tell you where they’ve gone, what they’ve done and how much the intelligence that we’ve provided them has helped.

“We’re a close-knit team at the Heron detach-ment, so it’s a lot of fun to come into work each day.”

Doing Doing our our partpart

Photos: CPL Hamish Paterson and LS Andrew Dakin

11February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF Air Force Improvement

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Eamon Hamilton

FOUR members at 37SQN were award-ed Air Force Improvement Gold Coins by CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown when he visited RAAF Base Richmond in De-cember.

SGT Greg Van Esveld and CPL Vikram Nayak were recognised for their outstanding work in the research, assessment and implementation of improvements to the planning and pro-duction management procedures for C-130J Phased Servicings.

And LACWs Elise Burbidge and Amanda Gray were recognised for efforts to improve the processes in 37SQN Equipment Section (see below).

Reliably completing the C-130J Phased Servicings on time has improved a long-term problem for 37SQN.

SGT Van Esveld said: “By formal-ising our planning regime, improving our processes and using a visual man-agement system to manage our work, we’ve been able to reduce the number of aircraft in Phased Servicing from an average of three to two, making an addi-tional C-130J available for operations.”

Phased Servicings are a routine maintenance and inspection required throughout the life of the C-130J.

A backlog of Phased Servicings was impacting the number of Hercules avail-able for tasks. Factors which affected this were a combination of a continuous-ly changing aircraft modification (MOD) and Special Technical Inspection (STI) status, and a lack of management and planning tools for servicings.

Software tools are now used by the cell to forecast the needs of future Phased Servicings and track information on each aircraft.

CPL Vikram Nayak said: “We’re now using Microsoft Project to chart the pro-gress of each aircraft so we can see where we are in the stages of a servicing.

“This means we can quickly pull up an easy to read servicing plan that includes the current MOD and STI configuration, carried forward unserviceabilities, and other work required to be carried out dur-ing a particular servicing.

“Having this information ahead of time means we can now make a list for the spares that we will need for each upcoming servicing, so we have them ready to go. This has given us more ‘time on tools’ as we don’t have to wait for the spares to be delivered during the servicing.”

Eamon Hamilton

WHEN LACWs Elise Burbidge and Amanda Gray were given the opportu-nity to improve the processes in 37SQN Equipment Section, they jumped at the chance.

The section was experiencing issues with the timely completion and quality of stocktakes and discrepancy investi-gations, which meant that they did not have a clear picture of the total items owned by the unit.

Working with the Air Force Improvement team at Richmond, LACWs Burbidge and Gray engaged their colleagues as well as senior offic-ers and airmen in designing and imple-menting the improved processes.

“We mapped our current state, and went ahead and identified the waste within our stocktaking processes,” LACW Gray said.

“There used to be 170 SCAs (Supply Customer Accounts) to manage, so bringing them together was a huge effort.

“The new processes we have imple-mented have meant we now have a

As a result of the improvement project, maintenance teams are now able to complete servicings quicker, with a greater scope for the work they do. This means reducing the need for more scheduled maintenance in the future, as it has been completed during the phased servicing.

37SQN’s achievers

➤ The Air Force Improvement Challenge Coins recognise the work of individuals whose performance has led to significant improve-ments in either their workplace or the wider Air Force.

➤ The Gold Challenge Coin can be awarded by CAF and the Silver Coin can be awarded by DCAF, Air Commander Australia, Head of Aerospace Systems Division and Director General Air Force Improvement.

➤ Awarding of the Challenge Coins occurs at the instiga-tion of the officer awarding the Coin.

GOLDEN GOLDEN MOMENTSMOMENTS

PROUD RECIPIENTS: From left, SGT Greg Van Esveld, LACWs Elise Burbidge and Amanda Gray and CPL Vikram Nayak display their CAF Gold Coin and certificate.

Photo: LAC Chris Hall

Equipped for cutting waste

much more accurate picture about items owned by the squadron and their current state.”

3 7 S Q N C O W G C D R M a r k McCallum praised the LACWs for their work. “The professionalism and eager-ness to contribute to improving their workplace has been really impressive,” he said.

“To have two of our most junior members leading the way in improving our Air Force is fantastic.”

Phases 1 and 2 of the project have been completed and have resulted in significant improvements in logistics processes, the team’s work life bal-ance, and morale within the Equipment Section.

SETTING AN EXAMPLE: LACW Elise Burbidge. Photo: LACW Casey Gaul

12 13RCEAIR FFPictorial Centrepiece February 16, 2012

Snow, ice and storms weren’t going to stop Air Force’s workhorses delivering people and supplies into Afghanistan

last month, as these images show.

DARK AND STORMY: Air Force air movements personnel from 1AOSS

load cargo on to a 37SQN C-130 while a storm closes in on Kandahar

Airfield in southern Afghanistan. Photo: LS Andrew Dakin

BUSY LAUREN: Below, LACW Lauren Beech signals to C-130 pilot FLTLT Ben Hansen to cut the power after arriving at Kandahar Airfield, and left inset, LACW Beech gives the thumbs up while loading stores on to the aircraft. Photos: LS Andrew Dakin

CLEARING TO LAND: Above, Army trooper Andrew Carman brooms snow off the runway at Tarin Kot. With the airfield temporarily closed due to heavy snowfalls, it was all hands on deck from ADF members on base to clear the runway so Air Force aircraft could land. Main photo above, the C-17A coming into land after the airfield opens. Photos: CPL Raymond Vance LOAD ’EM UP: Left, loadmaster WOFF Gary Cooling (left) supervises ADF and coalition personnel as they board a 37SQN C-130 at Kandahar Airfield. Photo: LS Andrew Dakin

GREAT SCOTT, IT’S COLD: 37SQN pilot FLTLT Scott Harris in the snow of Tarin Kot as his crew wait for the all-clear to take-off. Photo: CPL Raymond Vance

RUGGED UP: 37SQN aviation technician LAC

Arsalan Mahmood Khan tries to

keep warm in the freezing conditions at Tarin Kot. Photo:

CPL Raymond Vance

MOVE IT ALONG: LAC Corey O’Shannessy, of 1AOSS, moves a cargo pallet on to the ramp of a C-130 at Kandahar Airfield. Photo: LS Andrew Dakin

Read Lauren’s story on Page 10

�

14 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FNews

Andrew Stackpool

FLTLT Ashley McAlpine, of 452SQN at RAAF Base Amberley, is the recipient of the inaugural Dave Gunn Memorial Avia-tion Safety Award.

Former ACAUST AVM Mark Skidmore and SQNLDR Dave Gunn’s widow Kerry presented FLTLT McAlpine with the award at the Senior Aviation Safety conference at HQ Air Command on January 24.

At the time of his award, FLTLT McAlpine was posted as the Base Aviation Safety Officer (BASO) with 23SQN.

AVM Skidmore also presented him with an ACAUST Commendation.

The award is a new HQAC safety award, which recognises the HQAC safe-ty officer who has made the greatest con-tribution to aviation safety over the previ-ous 12 months.

SQNLDR Gunn was the Command Safety Officer from September 2007 until January 2010. He died in 2010 from cancer.

AVM Skidmore said that one of SQNLDR Gunn’s wishes was that his memory be perpetuated with the Dave Gunn Memorial Safety Award.

“Ashley McAlpine has contributed enormously to aviation safety as BASO over the time he has spent in the role and has been a safety champion and mentor for the BASOs,” AVM Skidmore said.

“He did great work while deployed as the BASO at Al Minhad and during the

Queensland flood emergencies early last year.

“He has been instrumental in setting up the bird and animal hazard program at Amberley – a program which Defence is now adopting nationally for all the Air Force’s flying bases.”

FLTLT McAlpine said it was an important step forward for the aviation safety community.

“While there have been many awards for work health and safety/OHS for many years, this is the first specific aviation safety award for someone employed in a dedicated position,” FLTLT McAlpine said.

“Other than personal drive, there is often little motivation for many to leave their core roles to pursue a position with the aviation safety officer realm, but as small as this may seem, it is a significant step toward attracting and retaining moti-vated people in the safety sphere.

“Receiving the award was a very hum-bling experience and an honour. It is very nice to receive recognition for the work all the BASOs in Australia do on our air bases.”

FLTLT McAlpine said it was quite emotional receiving the award.

“I could feel the pain and pride in Mrs Gunn’s voice. I was able to tell her that it was ‘Gunny’s’ words of support in 2008 that kept my motivation strong in the first few months when so many issues were mounting and had to be dealt with.

“It was a privilege knowing him.”

Memory in safe hands

PRIVILEGE: Former ACAUST AVM Mark Skidmore and Kerry Gunn who presented FLTLT Ashley McAlpine with the Dave Gunn Memorial Safety Award.

Photo: LAC David Said

MORE than 100 members of 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) at RAAF base Amberley were put through a challenging day of competition and physical endur-ance when they competed in the squadron’s annual Crossfit Chal-lenge late last year.

The Crossfit Challenge is a strength and conditioning com-petition that combines a range of strenuous activities under the concept that a healthy, fit person requires proficiency in each of 10 general physical skills: cardio-vascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, agility, balance, coordina-tion and accuracy.

It is widely used by military and police forces as well as by elite athletes.

Challenge organiser LAC Tim Christian said the aim of the day was to determine which rifle flight had the highest fitness level.

“They had to perform a vari-ety of workouts which tested strength, muscular endurance, stamina, agility and cardiovascular fitness,” LAC Christian said.

“They use Crossfit as a train-ing tool at the squadron so it was an ideal opportunity to consolidate their skills.”

Run as a team event (and won by the reconnaissance flight), the event required members to lift weights (Olympic weightlifting), heavy tyres and kettleballs, and use wall balls as well as perform dead-lifts, heaves, box jumps, push-ups and rowing with a rowing machine.

It ain’t heavy,just tyre-ing

TAKE IT AS TREAD: LAC Rohan Wotherspoon flips a tyre. Photos: LACW Jessica Smith

WEIGHT ON HIS MIND: AC Darren Bruce performs a deadlift.

BLAZING PADDLES: Above, LAC Timothy Wright rows 1000 metres.

NEARLY THERE: Right, LAC

Christopher Hanson performs a clean

and jerk.

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ADF member contributions for ser-vice housing will increase from March 29 under changes to the Group Rent Scheme (GRS).

The increase will complete the Defence rent subsidy transition across the ranks, bringing all rent groups to the now standard 50 per cent in accordance with Defence policy.

Ass is tant Direc tor Service Conditions and Housing Policy Bruce Jackson said in the past the level of subsidy provided by Defence had increased due to great-er than expected fluctuations in the Australian housing market.

“It’s a long-standing policy that Defence subsidises 50 per cent of the overall national cost of housing for ADF members and their families,” Mr Jackson said.

“The 2012 update will see the contributions for CPL(E) and below in rent band one adjusted to meet the Defence policy requirement.”

Contributions for the remaining rent bands were adjusted in 2010-2011 to achieve the 50 per cent subsidy level.

The increases range from 8.40 per cent in rent band four down to 0.37 per cent in rent band three.

In recognition of the lower

standards, contributions for mem-bers occupying group 1A and group A residences will be adjusted by the underlying market rent increase at the rent band one rate of 2.81 per cent.

These lower-standard residenc-es are being upgraded to meet the improved standards introduced in 2007 or are being transitioned out of service, this is due to be completed by the end of 2017.

For more information, follow the links on intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac

GRS fortnightly contribu� ons eff ec� ve from March 29, 2012

Classification of housing

Rank group CURRENT3 bedroomRate per fortnight

NEW3 bedroomRate per fortnightRent band Group

- 1A SQNLDR or lower $320.44 $329.44

- A CPL or lower $365.93 $376.22

1 B1 CPL or lower $410.42 $451.94

1 B1 FLGOFF, PLTOFF, SGT $439.58 $451.94

2 B2 FLTLT, WOFF, FSGT $517.44 $558.17

3 C WGCDR, SQNLDR $609.62 $611.85

4 D AIRCDRE, GPCAPT $734.10 $795.75

5 E AVM and above $1125.95 $1203.66

Rents now aligned

16 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FPersonnel

G'day. I'm a Dutchman on deployment in Kabul and there happens to be some Australian Army fellows here as well. Nice guys, even for Army lads, but they sort of have their thoughts on Air Force people. Surprisingly they provide me with the RAAF newspaper; of course after read-ing it first, to which they won't admit.

So I'm a "RAAFie" and by that a different species to them. I believe it would be good to display some common sense to them and all Army people to show that we "RAAFies" don't hold any grudge towards any Army people at all. We know we're good and where would they go without our air transport?

Surprisingly, they wanted a picture taken with this Air Force guy, so I reckon they actually do like us and have common sense after all. They just find it difficult to express it openly...

Being Air Force I honoured their request and the picture (above) was taken.

I would be very pleased if you could find room to print this pic-ture in your newspaper, maybe with some of my text in order to surprise my Army mates.

Happy and safe 2012 to all my RAAF colleagues! MAJ Wouter StronkhorstRoyal Netherlands Air ForceNATO Training Mission, Afghanistan

Friendly dig from a Dutchman

Letter to the editor�

Air Force events

Air Force RoulettesFebruary 4-24: Singapore Air Show. February 26: Air Pageant, Point Cook.March 1-4: Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar race, Adelaide.

Air Force MuseumFebruary 20: Darwin Defenders, Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. February 24-26: Air Pageant, Point Cook.

Air Force BandFebruary 17: 34SQN 70th anniversary welcome function, Hellenic Club, Phillip, from 7pm.February 18: 34SQN 70th Anniversary Gala Dinner, the Great Hall, Parliament House, from 7.30pm.February 19: 34SQN memorial service at 34SQN, Defence Establishment Fairbairn, from 10.30am.

ce

EDUCATION officers (EDOs) have been given a new name to better reflect their important role in Air Force.

They are now known as Training Systems Officers (TSOs), after CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown approved the name change.

The initiative better reflects the cur-rent and future roles of the training and education specialisation.

In announcing the changes , Director-General Personnel-Air Force AIRCDRE Bob Rodgers said that the role of the EDO had changed markedly since the 1990s.

Then they ran libraries and provided career and study advice to members, but today, the TSOs are a profession-al employment group who contribute strongly to personnel and collective training inputs to capability.

They work closely with the train-ing authorities in their respective Force Element Groups and other key training

stakeholders such as sponsors, strategic workforce designers and project office staff.

DGPERS-AF said the decision was the final step in implementing an over-arching reform strategy for refocus-ing the EDO specialisation on training capability issues.

The TSO workforce is more close-ly engaged with strategic and opera-tional training issues, Strategic Reform Program (SRP) education and training initiatives, and the training aspects of the development of the Air Force work-force and aerospace capability.

In the SRP environment, TSOs will contribute to Air Force’s goals by iden-tifying and helping to address training issues, developing a culture of continu-ous improvement in training, and pro-viding a better understanding of the cost of training to enable all members to be more cost conscious and accountable.

New chapter for educators

ME AND MY MATES: From left, WO1 David Lehr, WO1 Brett Armstrong, MAJ Wouter Stronkhorst and WO1 Trevor Logan in Kabul.

NEW LEAF: Education officers are now called training systems officers to better reflect their contribution to collective training inputs into capability. Photo: LAC Bill Solomou

17 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF ps Flightline

COMBINING SKILLS: Above, SQNLDR Peter Nelson, of Combined Maritime Force, at a US Naval Fleet Base in the Middle East as part of Operation Slipper. Photo: SGT Mick DavisDILI DOG HANDLING: Below, military working dog handler CPL Melissa Reibel, of 13SQN, with dog Zephir on deployment in East Timor. Photo: CPL Janine Fabre

LOVE ACROSS THE MILES: SGT Adam Makeham, of 13SQN, lets his wife Michelle know how much he’s thinking of her on Valentines Day while deployed to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. Photo: SGT Mick Davis

SNOWED IN: CPL Timothy Stokes, CPL Robin Perkins and FSGT Tony Haimes enjoy the snowfall at Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan while deployed to Joint Task Force 633. Photo: SGT Mick Davis

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AUSSIE FEAST: Below, Air Force personnel deployed to Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan enjoy their Australia Day lunch in the mess at Camp Holland. From left is FSGT Troy Javelin, CPL Tiarn Bowes, WOFF Scott Chenery, FLGOFF Anthony White and FSGT Mandy Appleton. Photo: CPL Raymond Vance

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18 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FFlightline

TOWNSVILLE TIMES: Above, 38SQN avionics technician CPL Mark Priestley with drill in hand ready to work on a King Air in the squadron hangar at RAAF Base Townsville; above left, LAC David Job, an avionics technician with 2OCU, takes a break from maintaining an F/A-18 during a recent exercise at Townsville; and left, clerk SGT Tess Howlett is all smiles in the 38SQN Orderly Room on base. Photos: CPL David Gibbs

HONOURED AT EDINBURGH: Above, SGT Mick Bohdal and WOFF Sandy Nicholson, of 24SQN, with their Australia Day Medallions and Certificates. SGT Bohdal’s award was for his work in the Edinburgh Ground Defence Section and WOFF Nicholson’s recognised her efforts at 1RSU. Below, SGT Andrea Hateley, left, was recognised for her performance as the 11SQN Orderly Room Sergeant, and Alison Poole for her dedication to the 92WG Logistics Operations Administrative Flight. Photos: LACW Nicci Freeman

BOUND TO IMPRESS: Representatives of the Raymond Terrace Uniting Church and Lions Club present donated books to RAAF Base Williamtown members to be sent to deployed troops in Afghanistan. Pictured from left: Teal Arneson of the Raymond Terrace Lions Club, Anne Knott and Stephen De Plater of the Raymond Terrace Uniting Church, and 26SQN members AC Michael Potter, CPL Lisa Davidson and WOFF Shane Armstrong.

19 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF History

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Sara Tennant

VETERANS from the original Bomb-er Command gathered to witness the handover of a bronze wreath sculpted by Adelaide artist and former Bomber Command member Dr Colin Dudley to the Air Force at the Torrens Parade Ground on February 3.

The event, organised by the president of Bomber Command Association in Australia, Dr Ron Houghton, was the culmination of

months of liaison with the artist and RAAF and RAF elements to ensure the wreath was safely delivered to the Bomber Command memorial being built in London.

In a moving speech, Dr Houghton spoke of Bomber Command’s place in history and of its brave young men, barely out of school when they left Australia’s shores.

“Today the symbol of this wreath is reflected in the annals of Bomber Command with its bitter struggle with the Luftwaffe. To claim the night

skies over Nazi Europe was a bruis-ing, pulverising encounter, which car-ried a very heavy burden and equally heavy price.”

Bomber Command lost 55,573 aircrew, including 3751 Australians, which accounted for nearly 20 per cent of all Australian combat deaths during WWII.

Meeting for the first time at the handover ceremony, Dr Dudley and Dr Houghton discovered they served just a few miles from each other in the 1940s.

Dr Houghton said the wreath con-structed by Dr Dudley was a beautiful emblem.

Dr Dudley said he hoped the wreath would “carry all the feelings associated with it and those emotions will be conveyed to those who visit the memorial in the years to come”.

Accepting the wreath on behalf of the RAAF, GPCAPT Jake Campbell said it was humbling to be in the midst of such experience and paid tribute to their courage and good humour.

“I cannot overstate the contribu-tion that was made and continues to be made by WWII aircrew,” he said.

The RAAF will transport the wreath from Australia to the Middle East, following in the footsteps of some of Bomber Command’s mem-bers of yesteryear, before it is hand-ed over to the RAF for transport to London.

The memorial, in Green Park, is due to be unveiled by the Queen in June.

FLTLT Nick O’Connor

THE Hobart suburb of Lindisfarne was the site of a moving dedication service for a new RAAF memorial on a rainy December 4.

The memorial is primarily dedi-cated to Tasmanians who served in 35 and 38SQNs, but it also aims at perpetuating the memory of all who have served in the RAAF and Australian Flying Corps (AFC).

The memorial, which is located in the memorial precinct in Anzac Park, includes a propeller from a former Caribou tactical transport

aircraft mounted on a solid metal stand.

It also comprises three brass-framed black marble plaques, with embossed brass inscriptions and mounted on plinths.

Former Commander Combat S u p p o r t G r o u p A I R C D R E Noddy Sawade and the Mayor of Clarence, retired AIRCDRE Doug Chipman, dedicated the memorial as well as unveiling the plaques.

Both men are former Caribou pilots.

AIRCDRE Sawade and other dignitaries laid wreaths and the Last Post was played.

AIRCDRE Sawade said the memorial dedication represented a very important day for the Air Force.

“It is important that we take time out to pause, reflect and pay tribute to all those personnel who have served in the RAAF,” AIRCDRE Sawade said.

“This new memorial will ensure the efforts of our airmen and airwomen stay forever etched in our memories.”

AIRCDRE Sawade was sup-ported by members of 29SQN who also mounted the ceremonial cata-falque party.

Tribute fromTribute fromthe heartthe heart

AN HONOUR: Above, GPCAPT Andrew Campbell shakes the hand of artist and former Bomber Command airman Dr Colin Dudley who handed over responsibility of the bronze wreath he sculptured to Air Force. Above left, veterans from Bomber Command stand with the memorial wreath before it is packed away and sent to London. Photos: CPL Rodney Welch

Bronze wreath destined for Bomber Command memorial

MOVING SERVICE: AIRCDRE Noddy Sawade, above left, addresses the gathering at the dedication of the memorial which includes a propeller from a former Caribou tactical transport aircraft mounted on a solid metal stand. Photo: LACW Sandra Midson

Hobart’s new memorial

Fringe Benefits

Tax

Understanding VOLUME SEVEN

ggg

VOLUME SEVEN

Fringe Benefits

Tax

Understanding Find out why. Watch this.Watch the video or order the DVD on the websitewww.adfconsumer.gov.au

ADF Financial Services Consumer CouncilADF Financial Services Consumer Council

(more so if you’re in the ADF )

FBTnot as easy as

ABC

Email ASIC at ADFcolumn@asic.gov.au with topics that interest you

Investors need to understand the risks involved with hybrid securities and notes, says Australian Securities and Investment Commission chairman Greg Medcraft.

YOU may be attracted to hybrid securities and notes offered by household-name companies and trusted brands – but be

aware that hybrids are very different from normal corporate bonds.

Make sure you understand the con-ditions and risks before committing your money.

Some hybrid securities ask you to take on ‘equity-like’ risks but only give you at best ‘bond-like’ returns.

Some also have terms and condi-tions that allow the issuer to exit the deal or suspend interest payments when they choose.

Hybrid securities may not suit you if you need steady returns or capital security.

➤ What are hybrid securities?: Hybrid securities are one way companies that borrow money from investors, while paying interest. They are offered by well-known companies and are generally traded on a secondary market such as the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

➤ The risks: Hybrid securities have higher risks than most types of cor-porate bonds. While the conditions, time frame, risks and interest rates of each hybrid offers differ, some have particularly complex features and risks.

➤ Market price volatility: Like company shares, the market price of listed hybrid securities may fall below the price you originally paid,

especially if the company suspends or defers interest payments, or if performance declines.

➤ Subordinated ranking: Hybrid securities are generally unsecured,

meaning repayment is not secured by a security over any asset. If the company you bought them from becomes insolvent, you will gener-ally rank behind other bondholders.

➤ Deferral of interest payments: Some offers allow the company to suspend interest payments for a number of years. While the inter-

Questions to ask before you investYou can get these from your financial adviser or by thor-oughly reading the prospectus.

➤ What are the risks of investing now and in the future?

➤ Will the returns offered adequately compensate for the investment risks?

➤ How does the interest rate compare with other invest-ments on a ‘risk adjusted’ basis? Can other less com-plex, risky or long-term investments provide a similar return?

➤ When is the issuer allowed to exit the deal or suspend inter-est payments?

➤ What are the maturity dates?

➤ Will this product help achieve your personal goals and objectives, and does it suit your personal investment time frame and risk profile?

➤ Can you exit this investment if your circumstances change?

est owing may be cumulative, this could leave you temporarily out of pocket.

➤ Early termination: Some hybrid offers allow the company to termi-nate or buy back the investment early, but don’t give you that same right.

➤ Extremely long timeframes: Some hybrids have terms lasting

decades. With a 60-year term, a 40-year-old investing today needs to live to 100 to see their invest-ment mature. You may be able to sell the security on a secondary market such as the ASX, but only if there is a demand for that security.

For more information about investing, visit MoneySmart.gov.au

20 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FFFinance

Investing in hybrids

21 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF Health

The A/Deputy Secretary Intelligence &

Security, Mr Ian McKenzie, has announced

the 12 finalists for the 1st Annual Defence

Excellence in Security Awards.

Outstanding performance by a security specialist

DepSec I&S award for outstanding leadership in security

Outstanding contribution to security by a team

Outstanding contribution to security by an individual

Defence Excellence in Security Awards

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FINALISTS

ExcellenceSecurityin

Join the resistance

RESISTANCE training, com-monly known as weight train-ing or strength training, should form the cornerstone of any

solid exercise program, especially for members over 25.

It is a well-established fact that resistance training is a highly effective method for enhancing an individual’s physical capabilities.

When conducted in a well-structured format, some benefits include, but are not limited to:➤ Increased fat-free mass. ➤ Increased strength. ➤ Increased bone density.➤ Increased function through all of the

body’s movement patterns. ➤ Decreased levels of body fat. ➤ Injury prevention. ➤ Improved physical performance in

daily life and sporting activities.These benefits are important

because, as we age, these attributes begin a steady downhill spiral, until we reach a point where we are confined to the Zimmer frame and/or nursing home.

Testosterone and growth hormone also begin to decline as we age. These two hormones are important for both sexes, particularly in regards to tis-

sue and cell growth and regeneration. Their levels correlate highly with bone strength, libido and the development of lean muscle tissue. Research has provided an inextricable link between resistance training and its adaptations, and an increase in these hormone levels, particularly if you are already over-weight.

There is a common misconception that resistance training can turn women into bulky, hulk-like creatures. This is simply not true. Compared to their male counterparts, females have significantly lower levels of testosterone, and com-paratively higher levels of oestrogen, meaning that resistance training can facilitate the accumulation of lean mus-cle tissue, which in turn can result in a decrease in fat mass.

The last point, particularly hot on the list of topics your GP would like to talk with you about, is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis in Australia is now affect-ing both men and women significantly due to our increasingly sedentary life-styles. There is significant evidence showing that resistance training is effec-tive in increasing osteoblast activity (bone forming cells) and preventing the onset of early osteoporosis.

PTI CPL Julian Suitor talks about weight training and explains why resistance training is the most easily accessible fountain of youth.

STRONG START: PTI SGT Emma Hender demonstrates the deadlift. Photo: LAC Bill Solomou

START HERERESISTANCE training takes on many forms and is accessible and beneficial to everyone from the couch potato to the elite athlete.

Resistance exercises are actions performed against resistance, commonly external resist-ance or using one’s own body weight. This can range from body weight circuit training, performed three times per week, through to complex, perio-dised 12-month training programs.

In its infancy, your own resistance training can begin with simple body-weight exercises conducted in a struc-tured circuit format. For many, entry into this mode of training is as easy as turning up to unit PT.

Resistance training can remain social at PT or move to an individual, structured training program completed in own time with a training partner.

There are countless exercises for every level of fitness, so seek the right advice from a PTI.

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22 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FFSp rt

HER teammates could be forgiven for hoping that CPL Rebekah Allen brings large dollops of success with her

this year when she pulls on an Air Force women’s Australian football team guernsey.

Last year CPL Allen played a com-pletely different code – rugby.

And what a year it was. Air Force, which had not been able to muster enough players to field a team in 2011, not only fielded a 10s team that beat Navy, it then combined with Navy to form a team that beat Army at the Defence championships.

So why then, having reached these heights, is CPL Allen, a self-confessed rugby diehard, quitting the code?

Um, well she’s not.Get this: she hopes to play both

codes this year.“The dates clash slightly, but not

enough to impact game days,” she said.

The Defence rugby championships will be held in Sydney from April 7-15 and the Australian football in Melbourne from April 10-22.

The Air Force Australian football team will be based at RAAF Base Williams at Laverton and will spend its first week training.

CPL Allen will miss some of that, but will join the team in time for the games on April 19 and 21.

She will be a welcome addition.Last year the Air Force was

soundly thrashed in both of its games but you can put that down fairly and squarely to a chronic lack of numbers.

In a game where 22 players is the full complement, Air Force went in against both Army and Navy with 15 players (and lost one of those to injury early in one of those games). Further, two of the Air Force players were public servants who had never played the game before.

That’s not to suggest CPL Allen will be only there to make up the numbers.

She is a classy midfielder.True, she chalked up 12 seasons of

rugby before first playing Australian football in 2006 but she made an instant impact. She was coaxed into the Air Force AFL team in 2006 simply to help make up the numbers – and was selected in the ADF team on the strength of her performances.

She played in the Australian football team again in 2007, 2008 and 2009. In 2009 she played for the ACT team at the Australian national championships and was selected in the All-Australian squad. Civvie, not just military.

Alas, work commitments kept her from playing for the Air Force Australian football team the past two years.

That’s probably one of the reasons she’s looking forward to this year’s competition. In fact, so enthused is

John Martin

WHEN LACW Grace MacPherson breaks the water of Lake Taupo to start the New Zealand Ironman on March 3, she can take comfort in the thought that she has already achieved her sport-ing goal for 2012.

That goal was to do well enough in New Zealand to qualify for the world-renowned Hawaii Ironman in October.

It was never going to be easy. Every year tens of thousands of triathletes from around the world try to get one of the coveted spots to swim 3.8km, ride a bike 180km and run 42km – but only 1800 succeed.

LACW MacPherson, a reservist with 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, is no stranger to Defence triathlon.

Last year she won the Australian Defence Sports Triathlon Association (ADSTA) women’s long-course title and the year before she won the ADSTA women’s ironman title.

In December she was part of an ADSTA team that competed in the Asian Pacific 70.3 half-ironman championship in Phuket, Thailand.

She only found out three weeks before the event that it carried qualification for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, aka the Hawaii Ironman.

Even then, though, she didn’t give it much thought. Hawaii was certainly on her mind for 2012 – this being her fourth year of university and the uncertainty of commitments to come – but LACW MacPherson was counting on a big performance in New Zealand to get her there.

Wrong. She snatched the qualification in Phuket by winning in the 20-24 female category with a time of 5hr 39min 9sec.

“I was really stoked,” she said. “It was a sur-prise.”

The course in Phuket covered a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run in very tropical condi-tions. The swim was a magic start in the ocean with calm conditions around a 1.3km circuit before a short beach run into a fresh water lake to finish the last 600m. The ride course took com-petitors over an amazing course snaking through the Phuket countryside, cutting through villages, plantations, tropical rainforest, along beachside resorts and up some very impressive climbs, two of which were more than 18 per cent incline on wet roads.

Army’s SGT Pip Holland won the 40-44 female age championship, covering the course in a siz-zling 5:03:26 and also winning automatic entry into the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

It will be the usual busy year ahead for ADSTA.

The Defence sprint and long-course champi-onships will be held at Huskisson on February 18 and 19.

On April 15, ADSTA will hold the Defence National Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships as part of Dextro Olympic Distance Race in Sydney.

Then will come the Defence National Half Ironman Distance Championships and the Defence National Ironman Distance Championships, which will both be held at the Challenge Cairns Festival, Queensland, on June 3.

If all goes to plan and she does the full New Zealand Ironman on March 3, LACW Grace MacPherson will only do the half-ironman in Cairns. She needs to save her energy for the big one in Hawaii.

For more information about the ADSTA, contact adsta.admin@defence.gov.au or visit www.adsta.asn.au

Aloha, Hawaii: realising her dream early

REIGNING CHAMP: LACW Grace MacPherson on her way to winning the ADSTA long-course title last year.

Photo: LS Kelvin Hockey

she that she plans to take annual leave and pay her own way to Melbourne.

“Swapping between codes was not as difficult as I first thought it would be,” CPL Allen said, explaining her dual career (her nickname is ‘Bits’. No surprise there).

“I play openside flanker in rugby and I’m a midfielder in AFL, so both positions are extremely physical, which makes the transitioning back and forth between the two codes quite easy in that respect.

“The physical contact in both games is what I love the most. I do, however, still kick an AFL ball like a rugby ball. I am not as accurate as I would like to be, but as long as I can get that ball out of the middle to the forwards to work their magic and kick goals, I’m happy.”

She said the hardest thing to over-come when she first started playing AFL was adjusting her tackling style.

“At 157cm tall (and usually the shortest on the field), I still had the highest count of high tackles against me during my first few AFL games,”

she said. “Additionally, any contact directly into the back of an AFL opponent is also a free kick to the opposition, but in rugby you can go your hardest.”

Now the tough bit for Aussie foot-ball fans:

“As for which sport I love best, rugby just beats out AFL,” CPL Allen said.“I am a Queenslander through and through so it’s what I grew up with and played from my late teens. The hits are certainly harder in rugby than AFL. That being said, you can be hit from any direction in AFL with little or no time to prepare for impact so you need to be constantly aware and always ready to cop a bump or tack-le and react rapidly to the ball and players around you.”

If you are interested in playing for the Air Force women’s team this year, contact SQNLDR Mina Roberts on (02) 6265 5246 or mina.roberts@defence.gov.au

The word ‘footy’ means different codes to different people. But this PTI has versatility at her feet, reports John Martin.

On the On the double double for footyfor footy

TWO GUISES: CPL Rebekah Allen playing Australian football in 2007, above, and playing rugby union against Army last year, below.

Photos: LS Yuri Ramsey and CPL

Mark Doran

CPL Jimmy Galbraith will return to his old stamping ground in the Williamtown White Pointers rugby sevens tournament at RAAF Base Williamtown on February 25.

CPL Galbraith, of 81WG, is a rugby convert who played league last year. In fact, he was man of the match in a game against the South Australian rugby league team in October.

But he has not played club rugby since 2008 so this will be somewhat of a homecoming.

It is hoped up to eight teams will contest the tournament, which is open to tri-service entry.

So far only Air Force – three teams from Williamtown and teams from Wagga, Richmond and Amberley – and two from the Army base at Singleton have entered but organisers are hopeful more will lay down the $55 entry fee.

Games will start around 8am and continue until mid-afternoon.

“This is the first Defence sevens

competition to be held,” CPL Alan Spence said.

“The aim is to attract more people to the sport through a fun day, and also provide a competi-tive environment for selection into the Air Force rugby union team, which is hosting its devel-opment camp on that weekend.”

For more information, contact CPL Spence, alan.spence@defence.gov.au (02) 4034 8774.

Williamtown prepares for sevens heaven

23 February 16, 2012RCEAIR FF Sp rt

LACW Megan MacAuslan returned from the Oceania Pacific Cup in Fiji with a gold medal but minus her hock-ey stick.

“I gave my hockey stick to one of the Fijian kids who helped us throughout the tournament,” she said.

“He brought us ice for our recov-ery baths every day and helped the girls with anything he could.”

She said the 15-year-old boy was surprised and appreciative.

LACW MacAuslan, of RAAF Base Amberley, was part of the Australian Country under-21s team which went to the championships in December.

She played striker and scored against Samoa.

The team beat Fiji in the grand final.

“The crowd was excellent. The Fijians love to cheer and gave equal support to the Aussie girls as the Fijians.

“It was a special experience, and I’m honoured, grateful and very proud to have represented Australia,” LACW MacAuslan said.

“My teammates are now lifelong mates.

“Seeing the way the locals live in Suva makes you realise all the things we take for granted.”

Golden memoriesFIJI THANKS: LACW Megan MacAuslan, who later gave her hockey stick to a young helper..

John Martin

HAVING ridden a mountain bike all night, mud-splat-tered CPL Jessica Robson was pleasantly surprised to come across a café in the middle of Tasmania’s wild west coast.

It served ice chocolate, too. “Yum,” she said.Now before anyone gets the wrong idea, this was

not a gourmet’s tour of Tasmania – far from it.CPL Robson, based at Russell Offices in Canberra,

was a contestant in the XPD adventure racing world championships which started on October 31.

More than 300 adventurers from around the globe, competing in teams of four, battled each other, sleep deprivation and the elements for nine days to reach a series of control points on a 700km course – paddling kayaks in salt and fresh water, mountain biking, swim-ming and trekking.

There were even a few surprise legs, including clay pigeon target shooting, of all things, and scrambling around in dark and slippery caves to find a concealed control point.

But ice chocolate drinking was not on the itiner-ary so it came as a nice reward for some hot and dirty work on day five.

CPL Robson, who was teamed with her partner, Lee Rice, and two other Canberra friends, pulled out of the race on the eighth day, but she still managed 520km of the course.

After sleeping only about 24 hours in eight days, and most of that in the discomfort of a tent and sleep-ing bag, she said she had a lot of sleep to catch up on at the end.

“But what an adventure! I’d like to go back one day and finish an XPD,” she said.

That’s going to have to wait though.CPL Robson, the reigning Defence mountain run-

ning champion, is putting her bike and paddle in recess for a while.

Last year she contested three ultra-marathon foot-races, including the Australian women’s 100km cham-pionship on the Gold Coast in June.

She finished third, in 10hr 13min.She was well behind both the winner and the

woman in second placegetter, but her aim is to return this June and go under the 10hr mark.

Hurry up, there’s iced chocolate waitingHurry up, there’s iced chocolate waiting

HIGH ADVENTURE: CPL Jessica Robson waits her turn to cross this bridge with her bike.

What an adven-ture! I’d like to go back one day and finish an XPD.

‘‘

IN BRIEFMurray Marathon412 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets team leader PLTOFF (AAFC) Andrea Snoxall was awarded the Mark Thornthwaite medallion after the Murray Marathon. The medal-lion is given to the person who best embodies the spirit of the five-day canoe race from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill. The Albury Wodonga-based 412SQN fielded six teams and 24 paddlers in the race, which started on December 27, and five of those teams registered podium finishes. For further details on joining the RAAF Kayak Racing Club, contact Stewart Nicol on stewart.nicol@defence.gov.au. For event details, contact john.schneider@aafc.org.au. For more information on the race, visit www.murraymarathon.ymca.org.au

Aiming for NZWOFF JOHN Hennig, of 11SQN, is one of nine shooters ready to take on the New Zealanders from February 27 to March 2 at the Australasian Police and Services National Trap and Skeet Championships in Christchurch. The competition incorporates emer-gency service personnel as well as those involved in government services such as customs from New Zealand and Australia, and also includes members from Fiji and Noumea. Secretary of the Australian Defence Clay Target Association (ADCTA), CPO Chris Nightingale, said it would be the second time a Defence team had competed in the competition since the sport was re-approved in 2009.

TRIBUTE: PLTOFF (AAFC) Andrea Snoxall.

Photo: Luke Plummer

Defence and APS members interested in playing hockey for Defence at a local, state or national level can contact their Australian Defence Hockey Association State Representative.South Australia: FLTLT Michael Neumann, michael.neumann@defence.gov.au, (08) 7383 3939.Victoria: LTCOL Daryl Clarke / WOFF Shaun Hull, shaun.hull@defence.gov.au, (03) 5931 5411.Western Australia: CPO Damien Crick, damien.crick@defence.gov.au, (08) 9553 2466.Queensland: Mr Rick Crowe, rick.crowe@defence.gov.au, (07) 53618571.Australian Capital Territory: LACW Alana Dickson, alana.dickson@defence.gov.au, (02) 6127 6122.NSW: WOFF Andy Eagling, andrew.eagling@defence.gov.au, (02) 4588 1848.Northern Territory: SGT George (Bill) Russell, george.russell1@defence.gov.au, (08) 8925 6473.

DMO DMO MILITARY RESERVESexciting opportunities Australia wide!

LEAD TWICE THE LIFE

Exciting opportunities are available for Military Reservists in the following trades/ specialisations: » Project Managment » Logistics » Finance » Administration » Technical Trades » Engineering (mechanical & electrical) » Aircrew

DEFENCE MATERIEL ORGANISATION | www.dmojobs.gov.au or call 1800 DMO JOBS (1800 366 562)

SP February 16, 2012

RTRTF

WHO could blame CPL Jessica Robson for taking this nap on a beach on Tasmania’s west coast?

For eight days late last year, sleep was a rare commodity for CPL Robson as she paddled, swam, rode a mountain bike and trekked 520km in the XPD adven-

ture racing world racing champi-onships.

That’s her in the photo inset above, leading the way up a mist-shrouded hill.

This is a woman who knows all about gruelling races and is not known for lying down on the job.

CPL Robson, based at Russell Offices in Canberra, is the Defence women’s mountain running champion. She won it in October on a course that tra-versed three mountain peaks.

And in June she finished third in the national women’s 100km

ultra-marathon championship in a time she hopes to better on the Gold Coast this year.

But the XPD was something else. Don’t mention the leeches to her, OK?

She estimates she had 24 hours’ sleep in eight days.

Full story, P 23Triathlete nears the pinnacle of her sport by

qualifying for the Hawaii IronmanI left my hockey stick in sand-fringed Fiji and I’m rapt

GOLDEN MEMORY

– Page 23– Page 22

ON THE DOUBLEAnswering the call from two different footy codes

– Page 22

Adventure Adventure takes a takes a spell spell