Testimonial - Scott Parker

During my appointment in 2015 and 2016 as the Commanding Officer of the CargoHelicopter Management Unit (CHMU), and Project Manager for the CH-47F acquisition, Iwas fortunate to have had Scott Parker employed as a contractor to execute a number ofdiscrete tasks. These tasks included the CH-47D Chinook helicopter major disposal, the CH-47D/FLHD First of Class Flight Trials (FOCFT) and CH-47F Chinook helicopter acquisition, acceptance,introduction into service, and transition as part of Project AIR9000 Phase 5C.

Scott injected himself into these tasks with vigour and I could consistently rely on him to notonly collect facts and properly analyse a task, but also to develop and propose options forresolution or decision. In this regard, I found working with him truly effortless and the resultsof the tasks he was involved in speak for themselves.

Firstly, CH-47D disposal was a complex activity that required a graceful fleet withdrawalfrom service and the execution of a disposal process internal to Defence. This task requiredfrequent interaction and coordination with the Australian Military Sales Office and numerousother receiving parties and supporting contractors. Scott cooperated closely with the CHMUlogistics section and used his significant experience and background in logistics to greateffect. The result, all six CH-47D have been moved to their disposal locations acrossAustralia and the final purging of CH-47D spares from the ADF logistic system is underway.This activity was resounding success for a Defence disposal that also resulted inapproximately $35 million in common spares being re-inducted for CH-47F use into thefuture.

The FOCFT required numerous agencies and capabilities to be prepared and coordinated tosucceed. Scott was allocated a key CHMU coordination role to synchronise the at timesfrenetic efforts that were underway internally to finalise test equipment to support the trial. Inthe end, the activity was conducted on schedule and met or exceeded all the required testpoints to clear the CH-47F to operate on the LHD. Scott played a significant role in ensuringthat critical resources were aligned and not wasted, and that effort was applied in time to meetkey milestones.

Often concurrent with the above tasks, Scott also supported acquisition activity for ProjectAIR9000 Phase 5C, the delivery of seven (then 10) CH-47F and supporting systems. Inexecuting his duties here, he again provided an important internal coordination role inensuring that tasks and responsibilities were clear, and that key activities were executed to therequired standard on time. If there were divergences, he immediately analysed the issue,developed options and presented them for decision. His proactivity was, for me, the qualitythat I most valued. He developed early insight into issues to get ahead of problems bywargaming to ensure he maintains a picture of what is required and thus divergences aredetected early, before results are profound or irreversible.

Overall, a very pleasing result that saw Scott function well as part of an integrated team.Given the opportunity and requirement, I would fight to get him involved in like activities inthe future.

D yncCommanding OfficerCargo Helicopter Management Unit