AIRF RCEVol. 56, No. 12, July 3, 2014 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

UP IN THE AIR

The Air Force Balloon tours

regional Queensland

CENTREPIECE

RAAF Balloon Flight Commander SQNLDR Damian Gilchrist and OFFCDT Tim Lehane during the first balloon flight of the Capricornia 2014 tour. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

Air Force’s largest restructure sees squadrons prepared and ready PP 4-5

Combat Support Group 40 for 40CPL Andrew Summers marches to raise awareness of PTSD P 7

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DirectorDavid Edlington: (02) 6265 4650

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DISCLAIMERAir Force News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under contract by Horton Media Australia Ltd. The mate-rial published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Air Force News. Every adver-tisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News approval and the Directorate of Defence News may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertise-ment. The Directorate accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence News. The fact that an advertisement is accepted for publication does not mean that the product or service is endorsed by the Department of Defence or Air Force News.

RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORKLiving the Air Force Values:

2 July 3, 2014RCEAIR FNews

Darryl Johnston

The ADF is taking a leading role in engaging women in peace and security operations, according to outgoing CDF GeN David hurley.

“For many years, women have been identified as a vulnerable group in con-flict and our role in ‘protection’ has been clear,” he said.

“The women, peace and security agenda calls on us to recognise their role as agents of change, not as victims of conflict, and embedding this into our operations will be critical to opera-tional effectiveness going forward.”

GeN hurley was addressing the annual CDF conference on this year’s theme, Defence Women in Peace and Security.

he formally launched the Women, Peace and Security Introductory Manual at the conference, which was held in Canberra from June 16-17.

The manual is an initiative of the Australian Civil Military Centre and the United Nations Women Australia National Committee.

“This training manual will be shared widely within the ADF and will help raise awareness about the importance of the women, peace and security agenda, ensuring women play

an important role in all aspects of the peace and security process,” GeN hurley said.

Also speaking at the conference, MAJGeN Joseph Osterman, of the US Marines, told delegates women in the ranks helped open doors and break down barriers as demonstrated during his recent tour of Afghanistan.

“They allowed us to better under-stand the needs of women and children within Afghan society so we could then work effectively with non-govern-ment organisations to meet their needs and bring about stability,” he said.

In closing the conference GeN hurley told delegates he was proud of the men and women of the ADF, how-ever, he recognised that despite mak-ing up more than half the population, women still made up just over 14 per cent of the permanent workforce and 16 per cent of reservists.

“By 2017, it is my hope that the ADF is made up of at least 25 per cent of women and reflects the age, cultural and ethnic diversity of Australia,” he said.

For more information, see the National Action Plan website at www.defence.gov.au/VCDF/NAP

Agents of change

Sharing her experiencesSGT Tricia Reynolds spoke about her ADF career at the Defence Women in Peace and Security Conference.

She was the first female SGT military working dog handler to command a dog section and spoke about the challenges of working in a male-dominated environment.

“There were some very strong personalities and I had to prove myself initially mentally and physi-cally, however, I was treated with respect,” she said.

“When I was posted to Amber-ley, I was the only female in the section.

“At that stage, there were very few female dog handlers across the country.”

While posted to Townsville, SGT Reynolds was selected to partici-pate in Exercise Anzac Exchange 2007, where she spent four months in New Zealand training the Royal New Zealand Air Force dog handlers.

SGT Reynolds was the first ADF member to implement the exchange of her military working dog, Duke, to accompany her on the exchange.

In 2008 she deployed to Timor-Leste where she was the second female in ADF history to deploy with their dog on operations.

SGT Reynolds deployed to the MEAO in 2010 and worked with the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul. The following year

SGT Tricia Reynolds gives her address. Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

“ReSPeCT each other, look after each other and make sure everyone has the best possible opportunity to develop and enjoy a rewarding career.”

That is the final message to ADF members from GeN David hurley, who handed over the reins as CDF to ACM Mark Binskin at Russell Offices in Canberra on June 30.

A man clearly born to lead, GeN hurley has valued the leadership oppor-tunities afforded him during his 42 years’ military service.

“Responsibility motivates you,” he said. “Understanding that responsibility and trying to do your best – that’s at all levels of command.”

GeN hurley faced up to the chal-lenges of command brought about by widespread cultural reform throughout the ADF during his tenure at the top.

“We’ve made some significant strides over the past two years, but we still need to address issues associated with gender equality in the organisa-tion,” he said.

he advised personnel to “have faith in themselves and their abilities, but remember the message we’ve been talk-ing about in recent times”.

“The changes we are making are about strengthening our combat capa-bility. each of the big ideas we are try-ing to push, such as opening all ADF roles to women, are about strengthening the organisation, not taking away from it,” he said.

GeN hurley’s four decades of ser-vice leave him with memories that are

a source of both pride and pathos. They include leading a battalion on opera-tions, commanding a brigade in Darwin and taking the families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan to Tarin Kot in November last year.

“Some of the most difficult personal moments have been when we’ve lost soldiers in Afghanistan,” he said.

“It is very emotional engaging with the families and parents of fallen sol-diers – they were always extremely dif-ficult moments.”

Meeting people who suffered abuse while serving in the ADF also proved confronting, but there is quiet pride that he could apologise to them on behalf of the organisation.

“It makes it very personal when you have to look at a person across the table and listen to what happened to them and how it might have been better man-aged,” he said.

“You become very determined that you don’t want to see anyone experi-ence that, and you do everything you can to prevent it happening again.”

GeN hurley witnessed dramatic changes during his service “in terms of overall capability, quality of our people and quality of training”.

“The fact we have been on opera-tions nearly continuously for the last 20 years or so has really sharpened our skills and made us a high-quality organ-isation,” he said.

he is positive about the future shape of the ADF.

“A lot of new capabilities are com-

ing on-line over the next decade, which will significantly change the capability of the ADF,” he said.

In tandem with new capabilities, GeN hurley said increasing the ADF’s recruiting base would be critical.

“We need to reach out to a wider part of the Australian community to ensure the ADF accurately reflects the community in which it serves and has the right people to ensure the new capa-bilities are appropriately implemented,” he said.

he said he would genuinely miss engaging with the people across the organisation.

“I’ll miss all those friendly faces you see when serving,” he said.

“I’ve been very privileged to have had a great 42 years in the ADF. I’ve treasured every moment of it – the ups and downs. It’s what life is all about. As long as you grow from those experienc-es you’re going in the right direction.

“So if you want a clichéd answer, I’d do it all again.”

GeN hurley encouraged airmen, soldiers and sailors to make the most of their ADF careers.

“Build the team, support the team and look after the team – because they’ll look after you. Seize the oppor-tunities that come along and don’t be timid about it,” he said.

GeN hurley is looking forward to yet another leadership role as NSW Governor, a position he takes up in October.

she became the first female dog handler in ADF to reach the rank of sergeant. She is now a careers promotion team leader with DFR.

“I am always asked what it’s like being a female in the ADF, but I tell them we get the same opportuni-ties as the men,” she said.

In 2012 she participated in Exercise Longlook Exchange where she spent time in the UK and Cy-prus working a police dog and also a drug dog.

“I never dreamed I could achieve all that I have,” she said.

“The next step for me is to ob-tain my commission and see where that takes me.”

‘I’d do it all again’

SGT Dave Morley speaks to GEN David Hurley on the eve of the end of his tenure as CDF.

Photo: SGT Murray Staff

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3July 3, 2014RCEAIR F News

Air Force Headquarters has a new Chief of Staff (COS-AFHQ) Branch, which came into effect on June 30.

Tasked with rationalis-ing the responsibilities of the Directorate of Coordination – Air Force (DCOOrD-AF), the new branch will focus on coordina-tion, reputation management, reform, information and knowl-edge management, and com-munication responsibilities for AFHQ.

“The functions and respon-sibilities that resided within the DCOOrD-AF have been redistributed to redress what was becoming an untenable workload for one person,” COS-AFHQ AirCDrE Al Wright said.

“DCOOrD has now been disbanded and the workload redistributed across two directo-

rates: Directorate of Corporate and Community relations – Air Force, and Deputy Chief of Staff.

“The Directorate of Air Force improvement has been retained under the COS-AFHQ construct to enable ongoing centralised coordination of Air Force’s con-tinuous improvement journey.”

The creation of the COS-AFHQ Branch was an ini-tiative of the Headquarters Transformation Program, which followed a review in 2013 of AFHQ and Headquarters Air Command.

Further information on the struc-ture and functional responsibilities, including contact details, of the directorates as well as the over-all Headquarters Transformation Program is available on the COS-AFHQ Branch intranet site.

Directorate of Corporate and Community Relations – Air Force No. 28 Squadron Incident management, Air Force brand

management, and online engagement Events Management Ministerial Liaison Office – Air Force Strategic Communication and Public Affairs

Deputy Chief of Staff – AFHQ No. 29 Squadron Committee Secretariat F111 Deseal Reseal Governance Heritage HQ Transformation Program Legal SOPERS-AFHQ, including OCAF Registry Uniforms, Entitlements and Scaling

Directorate Air Force Improvement (AFI) AFI Operations, including the AFI Teams AFI Program Governance Reform Communication

Core functions

New branch and structure at AFHQ

CPL Aaron Curran

PErSONNEL from No. 1 Squadron had the rare chance to release a large number of cutting-edge guided weapons in May.

Held at Woomera Test range, Exercise Stoneage was the setting for long-range strike missions by 1SQN’s F/A-18F Super Hornets.

The aircrew dropped a mixture of ordnance, comprising the AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) GBU-10s, GBU-24s, and GBU-31s.

The GBU-10 and GBU-24 are 2000lb Paveway series laser-guided weapons, and the GBU-31 is a 2000lb Joint Direct Attack Munition – a GPS-aided inertial navigation system guided weapon.

1SQN armament officer FLTLT Gerard Markham said the exercise was conducted as a series of long-range strike missions

to support raise Train Sustain (rTS) employment of the AGM-154 JSOW, and performance validation for the remaining guided weapons.

“Aircraft were launched from rAAF Base Amberley and transited to Woomera Test range with No. 33 Squadron KC-30A air-to-air refuelling support,” he said.

“The weapons were released at the test range with a small recovery team from 1SQN in place.”

FLTLT Markham said the Hornet’s aircrew had a four-and-a-half-hour flight time, which was substantially longer than sorties at a typical bombing camp.

“Exercise Stoneage also differed from a typical bombing camp in that the exercise involved a large collection of guided weapons, and a large number of 2000lb weapons, in the one camp,” he said.

A further unique aspect to the exercise was that it employed the JSOW.

“The JSOW is a high-tech weapon which has limited rTS releases, and this exercise saw the testing of the JSOW capability from end-to-end; from mission planning through to weapon employment and analysis of weapon effects,” FLTLT Markham said.

He said the successful completion of mission objectives and the ability for 1SQN to enact long-range strike through integrated KC-30A air-to-air refuelling support were highlights of the exercise.

A further highlight was the exposure to the number of guided weapon types used in the exercise.

“This is particularly important for the 1SQN armament technicians who were involved with weapon preparation and load activities, enabling them to refine their specialist armament skills,” FLTLT Markham said.

Squadron’s strike mission

No. 1 Squadron Armament Technicians (L-R) SGT Matthew Hall, LAC Daniel Popic and AC Jordan Harris load a GBU-24, main, and a Joint Standoff Weapon, inset, onto an F/A-18F Super Hornet during Exercise Stoneage. Photos: CPL Shannon McCarthy and CPL Peter Borys

A 1SQN F/A-18F Super Hornet loaded with a Joint Standoff Weapon takes off from RAAF Base Amberley as part of Exercise Stoneage. Photo: CPL Peter Borys

4 July 3, 2014RCEAIR FCombat Support Group 5July 3, 2014RCEAIR F Combat Support Group

FLTLT Victoria Lewis

THE Combat Support Coordination Centre (CSCC) has the key responsi-bility of coordinating the liabilities of the Operational Manning Document (OMD) that enables a CSG Contingency Response Squadron (CRS) to have the critical personnel to meet their online capability requirement.

Under the CSG CRS model, the CRS cadre staff of about 35 personnel must be augmented for their online period.

About five months before an online period, CSCC undertakes an initial analysis of the OMD to identify the skillsets needed for the squadron to meet its requirements.

Deputy Director CSCC WGCDR Catie Williams said after the review phase was complete the centre would rely heavily on No. 95 Wing, No. 96 Wing and Health Services Wing to nominate suitably qualified and trained personnel for the OMD.

“Unit personnel individual readiness and ability to meet all administrative, readiness, welfare and personal require-ments for the duration of their CRS obli-gation are critical aspects to completing the OMD,” WGCDR Williams said.

Personnel placed on the OMD may be required to deploy for very-short notice-to-move (VSNTM) tasks, as was the case for No. 382 Squadron earlier this year when it was required to activate bare base RAAF Learmonth to enable air operations in support of Operation Southern Indian Ocean.

Once complete and approved, the OMD is passed to the CO of the next online CRS to start Force Concentration Training (FCT) in preparation for the online period.

The CSCC ensures the training peri-od does not conflict with other exercise or operational activities and personnel can be released for workup training,

SQNLDR Belinda Johnson

COMING after the Air Force’s largest restructure, No. 95 Wing’s inaugural dining-in-night on June 12 was fittingly themed “Transition”.

The dining-in-night, which coincided with the OC Conference, drew strong attendance from personnel of all ranks and all nine units across Australia.

OC 95WG GPCAPT Peter Davis said the strong attendance showed the unity of 95WG personnel.

“Such unity is not new to the members of 95WG,” GPCAPT Davis said. “Over the years, warlike operations in the Middle East to humanitarian disaster relief in South-East Asia have forged strong relationships and a common understanding of the need for a strong team that can adapt rapidly to the multitude of situations required to deliver expeditionary operations.”

Guest speaker Janice Johnston, Director of Psychology for Mates4Mates, spoke about the importance of mateship during periods of change.

LACW Courtney Alexis, attending her very first dining-in-night, said it was great to take part in the tradition as part of 95WG.

“I especially enjoyed seeing the senior officers relaxed in a different setting and laughing, I’m really looking forward to the next dining-in-night,” LACW Alexis said.

The laughs were aplenty, making for a memorable evening, and fines flowed that helped raise $1567 for Mates4Mates and assist members who are ill, injured or wounded as a result of their service.

FLTLT Christopher Luttrell

NO. 382 Squadron, a Combat S u p p o r t G r o u p ( C S G ) Contingency Response Squadron (CRS), provided uninterrupted support to Operation Southern Indian Ocean from RAAF Base Learmonth.

The activation of the bare base to support the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 was 382SQN’s first real-time opportunity to test the new CRS construct in an operational set-ting.

Under the CSG reorganisa-tion, 382SQN was the first CSG CRS to start its six-month very-short notice-to-move (VSNTM) period, after Force Preparation a n d Fo r c e C o n c e n t r a t i o n Training (FCT) at RAAF Base Amberley in October last year.

CO 382SQN WGCDR Brett Nansen said the effective run-ning of an airbase was rehearsed at Amberley’s newly construct-

ed Air Point of Disembarkation training facility. The train-ing brought together 130 CSG personnel on the Operational Manning Document (OMD). The personnel came from all over CSG to augment the 35 cadre staff.

“The training undertaken, particularly the mission planning exercises, meant that when the CRS received the warning order to activate Learmonth under Op Southern Indian Ocean it had the skills and experience necessary,” WGCDR Nansen said.

Once orders were received for 382SQN to activate the base, the permanent 382SQN staff started planning for the VSNTM deploy-ment, which required 80 of the 130 personnel on the OMD from across the full range of airbase operation employment groups.

The planning by 382SQN focused on the 10 Enabling Functions of Airbase Operations, with each function carefully con-

sidered as a part of the apprecia-tion process.

“The activation of Learmonth went through the full planning, execution, sustainment and rede-ployment process, including the initial force concentration, deployment via service air, acti-vation and sustainment of sup-port to air operations and lastly the deactivation and demounting of personnel from the operation,” WGCDR Nansen said.

“The professional mastery demonstrated by all personnel in planning and execution resulted in the first operational test of a CRS being declared a resounding success by Commander CSG.”

The success paves the way for 381CRS – which assumed VSNTM from June 1 – and par-tially validates the CRS Concept of Operations as CSG continues to improve its delivery of Airbase Operations, a critical enabler to the generation and sustainment of Air Power.

COMbAT Support Group’s (CSG) new training and standards squad-ron, NO. 295 Squadron, has hit the ground running.

Established early this year, 295SQN is responsible for the opera-tional conversion of CSG personnel and the collective training of CSG force elements.

It will ensure CSG is prepared to respond to tasks as required by CSG’s airpower role.

295SQN provides CSG with the ability to centrally manage pro-cesses and procedures to ensure standardisation across all CSG units and for collective training to be evaluated by an independent unit.

295SQN will further unify the professionalism and skills of per-sonnel across the group.

The squadron was expected to reach initial operating capability by July 1 and reach full operational capability by July 1 next year.

One of its primary responsibilities is to evaluate the Contingency Response Squadrons’ (CRS) readiness for their online period where they may be required to undertake very-short notice-to-move task-ing.

This involves the delivery of Force Concentration Training for the CRS and the evaluation of this training through an Operational Readiness Exercise.

CO 295SQN WGCDR James Simpson said they had been extremely busy establishing the squadron delivering mission-specif-ic training to CSU rotation 11, Kandahar Airfield Flightline security force and Force Concentration Training for No. 381 Squadron.

“The concurrent development of squadron policies and proce-dures while delivering critical operational training has challenged the entire squadron but despite this we are committed to meeting the CSG milestone capability dates,” WGCDR Simpson said.

Additionally, the Training Development Flight has been develop-ing internal processes and procedures aimed toward the develop-ment of a number of airbase operation training courses to be deliv-ered later this year.

295SQN delivered a pilot Operational Readiness Exercise for 381SQN at RAAF base Amberley from May 23-29.

The exercise provided an environment that simulated a potential operational deployment in which 295SQN could evaluate the pre-paredness of the CRS as personnel were subjected to a series of scenarios that had been drawn from recent operational theatres.

FLTLT Kim Elliott

AFTER a series of activities over three weeks in May, No. 381 Squadron is now online and prepared to go anywhere at any time.

As one of three Combat Support Group (CSG) Contingency Response Squadrons (CRS), 381SQN was put through its paces at RAAF Bases Williamtown and Amberley.

CO 381SQN WGCDR Richard Ensor said the Force Concentration Training conducted by No. 295 Squadron (Training and Standards) was designed to prepare individuals and the squadron for very-short notice-to-move (VSNTM) deploy-ments to an expeditionary environment to provide airbase or non-airbase operations either within Australia or overseas.

“As the majority of personnel assigned to the CRS for the VSNTM period are not posted to 381SQN it creates a unique situa-tion,” he said.

The training was split into three key activities: executive week, Force Concentration Training (FCT) and Operational Readiness Exercise. The executive week allowed the CO and XO to develop a rapport with the junior offic-ers and WOD attached to 381SQN for the online period.

“The executive week was essential for delivering my intent and enabling an environment where the officers can press-to-test and ask questions before larger col-lective activities commenced, and to begin building effective working relationships,” WGCDR Ensor said.

The home locations for personnel form-ing 381SQN for the online period included RAAF Bases Pearce, Edinburgh, Tindal, East Sale and Townsville. Regardless of rank, the primary focus of the FCT, from May 11-22, needed to be teamwork and accountability.

“The likelihood of a member deploying with someone they don’t know is very high, therefore it was particularly important to break down barriers and develop relation-ships quickly,” WGCDR Ensor said.

XO 381SQN SQNLDR Ben Graves said a strong emphasis was placed on cor-porals and above to ensure their roles and responsibilities were understood and an environment was created were they felt the confidence to provide leadership in a vari-ety of situations.

“The Operational Readiness Exercise tested a range of abilities of individuals, including military and trade skills, resil-ience to sleep deprivation, ability to work long hours, which was at times physically demanding, and ability to cope without communication with family or friends, all likely challenges on a VSNTM deploy-ment,” he said.

Personnel said they had grown both professionally and personally as a result of the challenges faced during the training, according to WGCDR Ensor.

“The constant positive approach adopt-ed by personnel and subsequent perfor-mance reassures me that 381SQN is ready to deploy to any location at anytime, as directed, to achieve the required mission,” he said.

“My team welcomes the next chal-lenge.”

381SQN are the online current CRS.

Squadron ready to go any time,anywhere

295SQN gets up and running

381SQN Air Load team personnel practise unloading a pallet from the C-17 Cargo Compartment Trainer. Photo: CPL Peter Borys

Airfield Defence Guard LAC Franciscus Nicart, of No. 1 Security Forces Squadron, during the Operational Readiness Exercise. Photo: CPL Jessica de Rouw

Military working dog handler CPL Richard Borg with Chaos on patrol during the Operational Readiness Exercise. Photo: CPL Jessica de Rouw

Above, WOFF Kent Scott, of 295SQN, speaks to 381SQN personnel involved in the Operational Readiness Exercise; far right, CO 381SQN WGCDR Richard Ensor; right, SQNLDR Bronwen Harrigan, Logistics Officer at No. 381 Squadron, on the Operational Readiness Exercise. Photos: CPL Jessica de Rouw

LAC Keiran Allen, a Communications and Information System Controller, tensions the guy ropes on a general purpose mast for a very high frequency antenna at RAAF Base Learmonth, Photo: CPL Colin Dadd

Finding the right people for the job

CPL Derek Lambert updates the status board in the RAAF Base Learmonth Operation Cell during his deployment with No. 382 Squadron on Op Southern Indian Ocean. CPL Lambert is normally employed as a Fire Fighter with No. 23 Squadron. Photo: CPL Colin Dadd

Real-time testing

Taking the time to unwind after restructureOC 95WG GPCAPT Peter Davis and LACW Rachael Duncum, of 2SECFOR, cut the inaugural dining-in-night cake.

as well as making sure the necessary mounting base support is available to conduct the FCT.

“After FCT, personnel resume their normal unit duties, but are now also available to conduct VSNTM tasks during their online period,” WGCDR Williams said.

“For this purpose during the online

period, CRS members are placed under operational control of the CRS CO.”

CSG has three CRSs (381, 382 and 383SQNs) that rotate every six months through a VSNTM online cycle.

These new squadrons replace previ-ous Expeditionary Combat Support squadrons.

Above, FLGOFF Katilyn O’Brien (left), of No. 295 Squadron, speaks with LACW Jasmine Jarvis and SGT Steven Horner, of No. 382 Squadron, at RAAF Base Learmonth; right, CO 382SQN WGCDR Brett Nansen during Op Southern Indian Ocean. Photos: CPL Colin Dadd

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6 July 3, 2014RCEAIR FNews

AUSTRALIA Post has released its first stamp issue in a five-year series designed to tell the chronological story of our nation’s involvement in World War I.

Between 2014 and 2018 Australia will commemorate 100 years since WWI.

“During the next five years of commemoration we hope to join all Australians in honouring the contribu-tion made by Anzacs and hope that these stamps serve as a symbol of our apprecia-tion to those who made the ultimate sac-rifice,” Manager Philatelic Australia Post Michael Zsolt said.

Each of the five stamp issues has been developed in conjunction with the Australian War Memorial to encompass key events, battles and individuals relevant to each year of the centenary.

AWM Director Brendan Nelson said the centenary stamp issue complemented the memorial’s planned centenary activity.

“These stamps are a brilliant visual representation of Australia’s involvement in WWI, but more importantly, each tells a significant story that we can learn from and be proud of,” Dr Nelson said.

Stamped in the history booksChance to win

Defence news has 20 packs to give away, featuring a stamp set, maxi-cards and first day cover per pack. for your chance to win a pack, tell us which Australian was awarded the first Vc in World War I. Send your entry to competitions@defencenews.gov.au

The 2014 stamp issue marks Australia’s involvement in the first months of war, with five domestic base-rate (70c) stamps.

The WWI centenary stamp issue com-prises a minisheet, stamp pack, first day cover, maxicards, medallion cover, book-let of 10 x 70c self-adhesive stamps and two postal and numismatic covers.

The stamps are available from participating Australia Post retail outlets or via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps while stocks last.

THE Air Force Social Networking Guide has been released in a new interactive format suitable for tablets and smart-phones.

The guide was released earlier this year to provide guidance to Air Force personnel, their families and command-ers on using social networking sites safely.

Staff Officer Community Engagement SQNLDR Glenda Preston said the new interactive guide was a first for Defence.

“It’s an exciting collaboration with the Defence Publishing Service,” SQNLDR Preston said.

“This is the first Defence publication using Adobe’s new DPS software which allows a high degree of user interactivity with the swipe of a finger.

“It’s the way of the future and we’re pleased to be pioneering the technology.”

The interactive guide is now available for Apple and Android and can be down-loaded from iTunes or Google Apps.

Interactive guidance

An interactive PDF version is available at www.airforce.gov.au and general guidance is available on the Air Force intranet.

RANK AC to SQNLDR WGCDR to GPCAPT

Current Reserve Allowance

$13.15 a day (or part day)

Equivalent to 37 per cent service allowance

Not eligible

The equivalent of 100 per cent service allowance ($35.41) is rolled into salary

Reserve Service Allowance from June 26

$26.56 a day (or part day)

Increase equivalent to 75 per cent service allowance

No change

Current Attendance Allowance

Payable on attending at a specified place in Australia to carry out reserve service at a rate of:

You do not receive the allowance if Defence provides travel

Attendance Allowance from June 26 Discontinued

Separation Allowance from June 26

Reservist eligibility for the new annual rate of separation allowance has been aligned with permanent members. Qualification is based around performing duty away from the location where dependents live for a continuous period of more than 60 days.

Distance travelled Amount

25.5km or less $4.55

25.5km to 60.5km $10.80

60.5km to 120km $21.65

More than 120km $27.05

Changes better reflect serviceRukshan Abeyaratne

REMUNERATION that better reflects reservist’s service obliga-tions and contribution to capability came into effect on June 26.

Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert said the reserve allow-ance reforms would not only benefit reservists, but would also cut red tape.

“The changes to reserve remu-neration reflect the increasing integration of the reserve workforce into a total ADF workforce model,” Mr Robert said.

“Defence is modernising the way in which reservists are remu-nerated for their service and in doing so has removed administra-tive burdens to both the reservist and unit clerical staff.

“The change to reserve allow-ance reflects the fact that reservists are becoming increasingly integrat-ed into the total ADF workforce and experience many of the same chal-lenges as permanent ADF members on the days they serve.”

Reserve allowance has been simplified and streamlined into the overarching Salary Related Allowance Group to facilitate equi-table and efficient remuneration of ADF members.

The new rate of reserve allow-ance also contains a small rolled-in component of separation allow-ance for short-term absences. The changes include:

Increasing the rate of reserve allowance to 75 per cent of service allowance, or $26.56 a day. The old rate was only $13.15 a day, or 37 per cent of the service allow-ance;

Aligning reserve eligibility for separation allowance with per-manent ADF members, including allowing eligible reservists to access separation allowance for separations from dependants for a period of more than 60 days; and,

Removing attendance allowance.

“These changes have been achieved through a fair and trans-parent process that ensures remu-neration reflects an ADF member’s service obligation and contribution,” Mr Robert said.

The reduction in remuneration through the removal of attendance allowance has been offset by the increase in reserve allowance for the 92 per cent of reservists at the rank of squadron leader or below and who are currently eligible for the two lower rates of the allowance.

The remaining 8 per cent will incur a loss to some degree.

Reservists below the rank of wing commander on the two highest rates of the allowance will receive either $8.24 or $13.64 less for each day of attendance, and

All wing commanders and group captains will experience a mone-tary loss equivalent to the full rate of the allowance (between $4.55 and $27.05 for each day of attend-ance). There is no offset effect for members at these ranks because they effectively already receive 100 per cent of service allowance in their daily rate of salary.

Defence compensates permanent and reserve members for a range of disabilities that are universally experienced through service and reserve allowance.

In amending the calculation method for reserve allowance to a fixed percentage of the daily rate of service allowance, any other change to the service allowance rate, the relativity will be automatically flowed on to reserve allowance.

This meets Defence’s principle of increasing efficiencies, and will assist simplify the administration of reservists.

7July 3, 2014RCEAIR F News

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SGT Dave Morley

AFTER 12 months of training, an avi-onics corporal marched 40km up and down Manly beach on June 7 to raise awareness of PTSD.

Also raising money for Soldier On, CPL Andrew Summers carried 40kg in his pack during the 12-hour march in honour of the 40 soldiers that have been killed in Afghanistan.

CPL Summers, of No. 81 Wing, suffered his own five-year battle with PTSD and said his 40 for 40 Challenge was a way to help others.

“I took this opportunity as a serv-ing member of the ADF to stand up and encourage others in the ADF and the broader community to fight for freedom from the illness and to not let PTSD have a hold on their life,” he said.

CPL Summers said 30 ADF mem-bers volunteered their time to support him on the day.

“That day the public saw 40 indi-vidual pictures of the soldiers we’ve lost in Afghanistan and 96 Australian flags placed in the sand in memory of the personnel we’ve lost to suicide from 2000 to present day,” he said.

“That made the situation real to the public, opened their eyes and gave them more understanding about PTSD and depression.

“Then I’m out there pack marching – I received so much support from the public, as this was a walk to speak of hope, that PTSD is not just limited to the frontline.”

CPL Summers set himself a target to raise $5000 for Soldier On.

For hope and awareness

“So far the amount raised is $25,596 and still climbing,” CPL Summers said.

“Afterwards, my legs and shoulders were pretty sore and it took three days before I was able to stand up without assistance.

“But it was absolutely worth it, to

raise awareness about PTSD and to break the stigma was my main objec-tive.

“If going through some physical and mental pain, and sharing what I’ve been through, brings hope to others and encourages someone else to get help, then it’s so worth it.”

He said no one should have to suf-fer PTSD alone.

“It takes so much courage to put your hand up and say, ‘I need help’, and it takes courage to face the demons that haunt your mind,” CPL Summers said.

“No one should allow PTSD or any

form of depression to define who they are. Everyone in Australia has some-thing to offer their country, something to offer their community, and some-thing to offer their family – no-one is worthless.

“I just want to encourage others to seek help and not give up.”

CPL Andrew Summers trains at Stockton Beach before the event. Inset, CPL Summers is joined by friends during his march at Manly beach. (L-R) CPL Jed Wallace, CPL Gavin Gargosky, CPL Phillip Webb, CPL Sean Conliffe, CPL Summers and CPL Leigh Mills. Photos: CPL Melina Young and Terry Baker

If you need helpMembers can seek help for PTSD by calling the Defence All-hours Support Line on 1800 628 036, or contacting their local ADF Health Centre, Mental Health Professional, Chaplain or Duty Officer/Officer of the Day for immediate assistance.

LS Jayson Tufrey and OCDT Lewis Mikulic

COMMANDANT ADFA AIRCDRE Alan Clements, Commander Australian Defence College MAJGEN Simone Wilkie and UNSW Professor Michael Frater braved the cold with heads of business at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout in Canberra.

The sleepout, which was held at the National Film and Sound Archive in Acton on June 19, raised funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society.

In a show of solidarity, ADFA cadets held their own sleepout at the Academy which was attended by more than 140 cadets, midshipmen and staff, who later donated their blankets to Vinnies.

One of the event’s organisers, OFFCDT Leslie Coulson, volunteered to help run the ADFA Sleepout to support the Commandant and as a means to donate much-needed blankets to Vinnies.

“I also wanted to get the ADFA

A COMPREHENSIVE study of RAAF Base Williamtown’s airspace is to be undertaken by Air Force and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) this year.

For the first time, CASA and Air Force will join forces to review the traffic, airspace and safety elements of Williamtown.

The study will be coordinated and produced by a team of seven people with backgrounds in military aviation, civil operations, air traffic control and combat control.

AIRCDRE Dave Steele has been tasked with providing leadership, super-vision and guidance to the military members of the team.

The study is expected to be finalised and made public around November.

The ADF CASA liaison manager, WGCDR Matt West, said that since 1986 the airspace for air traffic control around Williamtown had shrunk, but the numbers of passengers and aircraft sizes had grown.

“Changes in aircraft technology has made the airspace more complex to manage,” he said.

“There have also been changes in Air Combat Group’s (ACG) aircraft, the addition of the E-7A Wedgetails, the KC-30A and we need to consider the future acquisition of the F-35A Lighting II.”

With those factors in mind, Air Force then approached CASA to inform them that a study would be undertaken.

“CASA routinely conduct their own reviews of airfields and Williamtown was on the list so they brought theirs forward to join ours,” WGCDR West said.

He said the study would look at the interaction of military and civil air traf-fic.

“We have to find the balance of sup-porting the region’s air transportation needs, our operational needs and mak-ing sure it’s as safe as possible for eve-ryone,” WGCDR West said.

CASA airspace safety special-ist John Hodder said the study had to

Sleepy heads do bit for VinniesMAJGEN Simone Wilkie and AIRCDRE Alan Clements settle in for a night in the cold.

Photo: John Carroll

keep in mind the “small guy” – the one who flies his private aircraft through Williamtown’s airspace plus business jets and aeromedical flights.

“A study of this nature has never been conducted at Williamtown,” Mr Hodder said.

“The location of Williamtown is a challenge because of its proximity to Sydney, so anything arriving in or heading north of Sydney comes down to the west of Williamtown’s airspace and some of the departures actually go through it.”

He said Williamtown’s airspace needed to be incorporated into the air-space of the surrounding regions.

“Apart from air routes, there are air-space training areas which may have to be increased in size.”

WGCDR West said the study would be important for future operations at Williamtown and would help shape the airspace environment for Defence, Newcastle and the wider community for the next 10 years.

“We want to come up with a unified plan,” he said.

“Williamtown is bound by some of the busiest air routes in the world so stakeholders must take these things into consideration when making future plans.”

WGCDR West said ACG, Air Mobility Group, Surveillance and Response Group and the Defence Materiel Organisation (through the JSF project) all had an interest in the study.

“Added to that, Newcastle Airport, Airservices Australia, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, emergen-cy services, general aviation and the

Regional Airspaces and Procedures Advisory Committee all need to be con-sulted as well,” he said.

“The study will go out to 45 nautical miles but what happens inside 20 nauti-cal miles is what we are really inter-ested in and the safety issues within that range.”

Mr Hodder agreed that those issues are an important component of the study.

“One of the things we look at with these studies is the safety issue,” he said.

Williamtown study

Joint study delves into one of the world’s busiest airspaces, CPL Aaron Curran reports

An F/A-18 Hornet from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit taxis while a civilian aircraft takes off at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett

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community involved in a fun and new event that illustrates the positive contribution ADFA and its members makes to the community,” OFFCDT Coulson said.

AIRCDRE Alan Clements said he was approached to participate by OFFCDTs Nicholas Batic and Coulson,

“I made sure I had a good sleeping bag and beanie,” AIRCDRE Clements said.

“While it was cold, I got through the night just fine, and

even managed to get some sleep. Doing this was easy compared to what homeless Australians have to live with every night.

“I received tremendous sup-port from the undergraduates and staff at ADFA. By the night of the sleepout they had raised more than $6000 and so far that has grown to nearly $8000.”

Donations can be made until July 19 at www.ceosleepout.org.au/donate

OFFCDTs Leslie Coulson and Nicholas Batic donate more than 140 blankets to Vinnies.

8 July 3, 2014RCEAIR FNews

APPLICATIONS are now open for mem-bers from corporal to squadron leader to attend the next Air Force Leadership Exchange programs.

The programs will be held in Canberra from September 22-26 and November 17-21. Equivalent reserve and APS per-sonnel are also encouraged to apply.

The Leadership Exchange is a profes-sional development forum designed to enhance leadership effectiveness in the key areas of self-awareness and self-development, assertiveness, leading teams and communication. It allows members of a variety of musterings and specialisations to share ideas and experiences with others from different ranks and occupations.

Adaptive Culture is particularly inter-ested in attracting participants who are self-motivated and solutions-focused who want to enhance their capability and lead-ership to make a difference to Air Force.

All costs are met by the Adaptive Culture Program. Applications close for the September course on August 18 and for the November course on October 8.

To nominate, submit a nomination form through your chain of command to afhq.afac@defence.gov.au

For more information, contact WOFF Penelope Baker on (02) 6144 7298 or visit the Adaptive Culture Program’s intranet site.

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GPCAPT Warren Bishop

WGCDR Alison MacCarthy was presented with the US Air Force Meritorious Service Medal at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton Ohio on June 3.

She received the award for her distinguished performance as C-17 Engineering and Airworthiness Manager while serving in the C-17 Logistics Management Unit (LMU) at the Heavy Airlift SPO.

The unit was embedded within the US Air Force’s C-17 Division, Mobility Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre, Air Force Materiel Command at Wright Patterson AFB.

The award was presented by USAF COL Andrew Ingram and acknowledged WGCDR MacCarthy’s outstanding effort in support of air-worthiness certification for the RAAF C-17 fleet, which delivered considerable benefit to the RAAF, USAF and the global C-17 Virtual Fleet partners.

In particular, WGCDR MacCarthy played an instrumental role in the resolution of systematic component failures on the C-17 electronic war-fare self-protection system.

Her solutions were incorporated across the fleet, improving system performance and enhancing trouble-shooting procedures.

WGCDR MacCarthy said she was proud to receive the award.

“It was completely unexpect-

ed and a very great honour to have been recognised by the USAF at this level,” she said.

“In accepting this award, it must be noted this also recognises the many contributions made by C-17 LMU, No. 86 Wing and No. 36 Squadron to the USAF and the C-17 Virtual Fleet.”

WGCDR MacCarthy directly con-tributed to the development of robust accident response procedures that have been implemented for all C-17 users.

She coordinated the RAAF’s 36SQN’s recovery of three US Air Force C-17 aircraft, which were returned to service four days ahead of schedule, saving the USAF $990,000.

“Even though we are a relative-ly small part of the global fleet of C-17s, this shows the value USAF places on Australia’s professionalism, technical skills and expertise at all levels,” WGCDR MacCarthy said.

“It demonstrates we can make a significant improvement to the ongo-ing development and support of the C-17 weapon system for the benefit of all operators.”

WGCDR MacCarthy is now employed as the Resident Project Team Lead for the C-27J Spartan Project Office at Wright Patterson AFB.

She will be posted to the Project Engineering Manager and Design Acceptance Representative position within the C-27J Project Office in Canberra in January 2015.

Performance rewarded

Commander US Air Force C-17 Division, Mobility Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre, COL Andrew Ingram, presents WGCDR Alison MacCarthy with her citation and Meritorious Service Medal.

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11July 3, 2014RCEAIR F News

LS Jayson Tufrey

THREE Air Force Police mem-bers were among five graduates awarded their Diplomas of Policing Investigations at a ceremony at Goulburn Police Academy on June 10.

FSGT Sean Heinze and CPLs Adam Creek and Matthew Good are posted to the ADF Investigative Service (ADFIS), the body responsible for complex and major investigations involving the ADF.

Head of Mi l i ta ry S t ra teg ic Commitments RADM Trevor Jones presented the graduates with their diplomas and congratulated them on the culmination of their hard work.

“It’s a demonstration of commit-ment to your professional skillset that I would ask that you impart to those who now will look up to you as professional ADFIS investigators,” RADM Jones said.

The diploma, which took about 18 months to complete on a part-time basis, developed the skills,

WGCDR Mark Larter

AS PART of its airfield emergency plan, RAAF Base Tindal conducted a major aircraft crash exercise, Whistling Kite, on May 30.

Exercise Whistling Kite was a full-scale emergency exercise conducted as part of a biennial requirement to test the airfield emergency response capability.

The scenario simulated a No. 75 Squadron F/A-18 crashing on the Tindal estate with a pilot ejecting near the crash site.

Tindal Base Aviation Safety Officer FLTLT Kelly Wagstaff said the aircraft crash site was simulated by an air-

craft training frame on the Tindal Fire Training Ground, while a member from 75SQN played the role of the ejected pilot.

“A lot of effort went into planning the exercise to ensure a suitable and realistic scenario was chosen to pro-vide training benefit for all RAAF Base Tindal personnel,” she said.

Exercise control staff provided general locations for the simulated crash and ejection site to air traffic controllers from No. 452 Squadron.

Controllers were then required to take the appropriate action in order to activate the airfield emergency plan.

As part of the response, fire, medical and Security Forces personnel

located the emergency sites, treated injuries and the fire, and secured the sites.

The Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) was activated and personnel coordinated the necessary response and notification procedures.

“The exercise was a great success and provided a significant opportunity to test the airfield emergency plan, the Tindal emergency response and EOC personnel,” FLTLT Wagstaff said.

Media role-players also tested the base’s media response plan, while exercise control staff were at the emergency scenes and within the EOC to observe and oversee response efforts.

knowledge and attitude of ADF investigators by combining voca-tional instruction in investigations with academic studies in justice and policing.

CPL Creek welcomed the opportu-nity the course provided to broaden his knowledge and skills.

“For me this course is about being able to utilise the knowledge that’s gained outside a Defence environment and then apply that within Defence,” he said.

“Part of this course has given me the experience in an investigations management role, which will definite-

ly hold me in good stead for my pro-motion next year.

“Completing these sorts of courses gives you more credibility when you are dealing with external agencies, and helps to establish a good rapport.”

CPL Good, who has been with ADFIS since 2009, said it was a great

course which provided him with a bet-ter understanding of policing within both a service environment and the broader civilian community.

“This course is a step in the right direction to us getting an accreditation that is mirrored within civilian polic-ing,” he said.

FSGT Heinze said it felt good to be graduating.

“This course has given me further confidence in interpreting relevant legislation, and comfort that we have similar training to our civilian counter-parts,” he said.

“They’re useful skillsets to carry out in our job. It provides us civil accreditation that in turn gives the pub-lic confidence that we are doing our job correctly.”

FSGT Heinze and CPL Good are planning on completing their bachelor degrees in policing in the near future, and CPL Creek is returning to single service policing to head a minor inves-tigation section after promotion next year.

Graduates cop it sweetLecturer Amber McKinley, with Diploma of Policing Investigations graduates, from left, CPL Matthew Good, SGT Sean Heinze and CPL Adam Creek at Goulburn Police Academy, NSW. Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

Whistling Kite tests emergency response

Fire fighters and No. 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron Medical Staff treat a casualty.

RAAF firefighters simulate extinguishing an aircraft fire on a mock FA-18/A Hornet aircraft during Exercise Whistling Kite at RAAF Base Tindal. Photos: CPL Terry Hartin

12 13RCEAIR F July 3, 2014Centrepiece

By the time I joined the crew of the Air Force Balloon in Gladstone for the Capricornia tour, they had already con-

ducted flights over Maryborough and Gladstone, and taken the bal-loon to two country schools.

It was 17 years since an Air Force Balloon had visited the Capricornia region of South and Central Queensland, and the Central Flying School’s Balloon Flight Commander and pilot, SQNLDR Damian Gilchrist, couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome.

“I think the effort of getting up to the region was made very worth-while by the welcome we received,” he said.

“We managed to visit a lot of schools, everybody enjoyed hav-ing us and the weather was largely perfect.”

From June 2-12, the balloon visited six regional centres and nine schools, delivering an educational program aimed at inspiring the next generation and developing children’s understanding of aviation.

“Schools are representative of the community, they’re a receptive audi-ence and they appreciate, I think, the experience of seeing such an unusual form of aviation, an aircraft that is typically not very often in the area,” SQNLDR Gilchrist said.

A visit to a school at Rosella Park in Gladstone proved to be the tour highlight for both SGt Chris Bradley

and CPL Dave Bremner, members of the reserve-staffed ground crew, based in Canberra, as well as trainee pilot OFFCDt tim Lehane.

“When the kids came out I didn’t know what to expect,” SGt Bradley said.

“But it was absolutely fantastic, and some of the questions the older kids asked were just unbelievable.”

It was interesting watching how the balloon crew interacted with school children with a finely tuned presentation.

Veteran crew member WOFF Peter Smith, who has been associ-ated with the balloon since 1994, has developed a routine to explain how hot air ballooning came into being with the Montgolfier Brothers some 200 years ago.

Forests of hands were raised in response to questions such as who, or what, were the test pilots on the first tethered flight. For those who haven’t heard Pete’s story, the answer is a duck, a chicken and a sheep.

the children used a two-way radio to ask SQNLDR Gilchrist ques-tions while he was in the basket get-ting ready to demonstrate the burners – a huge highlight of every visit.

the students also assisted in launching a helium-filled pi-ball – a small balloon used by the crew to track wind direction and speed.

the grand finale of each school visit was the opportunity for some pupils, selected by teachers, to actually light up the burners, to the delight of all the children.

the school visits are also a high-light for SQNLDR Gilchrist.

“I just can’t go past the look on all of the kids’ faces and the feedback they give you for just a tiny invest-ment of our time,” he said.

While flights are a terrific way to show off the balloon to a large part of a community, and an opportunity for members of the media to share with their readers and listeners their first-hand experience of Air Force and the hot air balloon, tethered flights enable the public to get close to the balloon and to experience a short but exciting ride.

Like all balloon operations, they’re weather dependant but the weather spirits smiled on us while we were at Rockhampton, just across the road from the showgrounds and the annual show.

two nights of mainly quiet but occasionally gusty breezes saw scores of people take a glowing ascent up to a height of around 25m.

Many of those were filled with trepidation, some had not even been in an aeroplane, but most floated over the ground after the flight to tell their friends just how good it had been.

While interaction with the com-munity was a priority on the tour, the unspoken golden rule was safety.

In fact I couldn’t help with the balloon until I had gloves, which now occupy a treasured place in my top drawer, just in case there’s a call for me to go on tour again with the Air Force Balloon.

UP AND AWAYSQNLDR Paul Lineham shares his experience on tour with the Air Force Balloon.

Photos: CPL Nicci FreemanWOFF Peter Smith discusses crew communications with students of Bundaberg South State Primary School.

An Albert State School student participates in question time with Flight Commander SQNLDR Damian Gilchrist.

(L-R) SQNLDR Paul Lineham, OFFCDT Tim Lehane and SGT Justin Pozzebon help assemble the Air Force Balloon at the Sea Front Park in Hervey Bay.

(L-R) OFFCDT Tim Lehane, SGT Chris Bradley, CPL Dave Bremner, SQNLDR Damian Gilchrist and WOFF Peter Smith, with Mungar State School school captains Jessica and Courtney.

Rosella Park School students Anne (left) and Ayden release a helium balloon under the guidance of SGT Chris Bradley at the Gladstone school.

Girls Flight Camp members Chantel (left), Juliette (middle) and Victoria at RAAF Base Amberley.

SQNLDR Damian Gilchrist guides Albert State School student Liam on how to activate the burners.

OFFCDT Tim Lehane assists with the inflation of the RAAF Balloon during a night tether at RAAF Base Amberley.

The Air Force Balloon on a morning flight over Rockhampton.

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15July 3, 2014RCEAIR F Flightline

SGT Dave Morley

A TOUR of RAAF Bases Tindal and Darwin was an important part for delegates at this year’s Air Senior National Representative Meeting (ASNR) in Darwin.

ASNR, which is the pre-eminent bilateral forum for the RAAF and the USAF to plan, task and expedite activities aimed at enhancing coalition and combined

interoperability, was held from May 11-14. Director General Strategy and Planning – Air Force

AIRCDRE Andrew Dowse said the tours of the bases set the scene for the talks and future cooperation.

ASNR 2014 was co-chaired by DCAF AVM Leo Davies and the USAF Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of International Affairs, MAJGEN Rich Johnston.

Left, No.1 Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler AC Dan Johnson, in full protective suit, demonstrates attack work with military working dog Xan at the No. 4 Squadron family open day at RAAF Base Williamtown; and above, ACW Zoe Giles demonstrates attack work with military working dog Uma.

Photos: CPL Melina Young

Taking a look at Territory bases

LACW Yasmin Mackay uses a forklift to relocate equipment inside the No. 383 Squadron warehouse at RAAF Base Townsville. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy

MAJGEN Rich Johnston, left, and DCAF AVM Leo Davies depart RAAF Base Tindal. Photo: CPL Terry Hartin

Operations staff officer SQNLDR Stefan Plazier, right, was one of a number of Air Force members who got into the spirit of Red Nose Day at Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) at Bungendore on June 27. Red Nose Day supports SIDS and Kids in its bid to eliminate sud-den and unexpected deaths among infants and children. SQNLDR Plazier was the driving force behind HQJOC’s fundraising effort. “A friend of mine at university lost one of her twins to SIDS,” he said. “I want to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen to other families.” Photo: MAJ Cameron Jamieson

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Feature RCEAIR F July 3, 201416

FSGT Stanley Black, an Australian airman on board an RAF Lancaster during World War II, is still known

in Graignes as the Australian who fell from the sky.

Graignes in Normandy was the scene of a desperate Allied defen-sive action in the days that followed the D-Day landings in France on June 6, 1944.

After bailing out of his stricken bomber, FSGT Black linked up with a combined unit of American paratroops from the 101st and 82nd Airborne as well as British Pathfinders.

In a church occupying the only high ground in the area, the Airborne troops and FSGT Black held out for two days against a German counter attack.

It is estimated the Airborne troops were outnumbered 10-1, which led to the decision for those still capable, to withdraw under the cover of darkness with the wounded to remain behind.

The RAAF airman was dis-covered in a fighting position, his

weapon by his side. That bravery and sacrifice is remembered to this day and was honoured on June 7 with the unveiling of a plaque, which bears his name, in the remains of the church were the Allies fought and died.

Three RAAF members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) were asked to take part in the ser-vice, which was also attended by a relative of FSGT Black, Elissa Liggins, whose grandmother was the airman’s sister. She laid a wreath in his honour.

“I’m still so emotional,” Ms Liggins said.

“It will be hard to relay to my family back in Australia just what this meant and what it was like to be here, but for my dad especially, I’ll do my best.”

CPL Michael Lace, of AFG, said being at the ceremony was an unex-pected honour.

“To be asked to be part of this ceremony and to see how important it is to the people of Graignes has made this a highlight of my trip to France,” he said.

LACW Sarah Love was by Ms Liggins’ side during the service.

“I arrived expecting some little event, so I was not prepared for the B-52 flyover, the American 3-star General [Commanding General US Forces in Europe, LTGEN Donald Campbell] and all the US and German troops who formed an honour guard,” LACW Love said.

“I was also overwhelmed to see what it meant to Elissa.”

The historical significance was not lost on AFG Contingent Commander FLTLT Mark Schmidt.

“We were the first Australians [military] to participate in the cer-emony, and I believe our involve-ment meant a lot to the villagers and especially FSGT Black’s family,” he said.

“To ensure he was recognised in this manner is extremely impor-tant, and the fact that Australia’s Federation Guard helped in some small way to unearth an untold story of an Australian servicemen who paid the ultimate price during the D-Day campaign, is a real honour.”

Australian who fell out of the sky

A RAAF member killed in ground combat during World War II has been honoured during an emotional ceremony in France, CAPT Chris Rickey reports.

Elissa Liggins, FSGT Stanley Black’s great niece, lays a wreath alongside FLTLT Mark Schmidt in France; inset, FSGT Black’s burial place. Main photos: CPL Michael Lace. Inset photo: Office of Air Force History

The plaque bearing the name of FSGT Stanley Black at Graignes.

17July 3, 2014RCEAIR F History

A long-cherished tradi-tion of military forces has been the creation of sym-bols and icons intended to engender a sense of

identity and esprit de corps among members.

Examples of iconolatry date to earliest examples of organised military activity when such symbols were used to differentiate opposing forces and provide a rally point for troops in the heat of battle.

Since its formation, the Air Force has evolved its own symbols and icons which have come to identify our organisation.

our unique uniforms, badges and unit banners are examples of the Air Force’s pride in being one of the finest air forces in the world.

Allowing change and evolution in such icons is no small matter. The feelings of ownership and pride in the symbols of service usually result in a reluctance to change to new designs to which there is no traditional or emo-tional attachment.

It is significant then that July marks the anniversary of not one, but two important milestones in the development of the RAAF’s unique identity.

on July 13, 1948, the Chief of the Air Staff, AIRMSHl george Jones, and the Air Board decided that the Royal Air Force ensign that had been used by the RAAF since 1922 would be replaced by a new design that reflected the RAAF’s own identity.

This decision was prompted by a submission from the Chester Herald in Britain indicating that the RAAF had never had its ensign approved.

The design of the new ensign reflected the same Union Jack, Federation Star and Southern Cross constellation as featured on the Australian flag, but also included the RAAF Roundel in the lower right hand corner, all set against a light blue background.

As all Air Force aircraft carried the same roundel, the new ensign associated the physical expression of air power and the Air Force with the Australian national identity.

This new design was approved by King george VI in January 1949 and remained the RAAF Ensign until

Continuing our series about landmark events in history in the 100th year of military aviation in Australia, RAAF Historian Martin James recounts the stories behind two Air Force icons which mark anniversaries this month. On July 13, 1948, the first RAAF-specific ensign was approved and on July 2, 1956, the flying kangaroo roun-del was approved for use on all RAAF aircraft.

Journey of two icons

replaced by a new design which intro-duced the flying kangaroo roundel.

That the flying kangaroo roundel was only introduced on to the RAAF Ensign in 1981 is surprising, because this roundel was introduced into RAAF use on July 2, 1956. Before this, the RAAF had used two different roundels.

The first was the RAF roundel of red, white and blue, and featured prominently on many Air Force air-craft up to July 31, 1942 when the red centre of the roundel was ordered removed.

The reason for the change was the red centre could be confused with the red markings of Japanese aircraft.

In fact, just one month before the orders were issued, an Air Force Catalina was attacked by a US Wildcat fighter whose pilot had mistook the Australian national marking for that of the enemy.

Fortunately no one was killed or injured in the attack. Within months no RAAF aircraft in the south-west Pacific theatre sported a red centre in the roundel.

After hostilities, the red centre was

reinstituted to the roundel, until July 1956 when it was replaced perma-nently by the flying kangaroo.

However, the tradition of sporting kangaroos on Australian aircraft was in fact long established.

one of the first Australian airmen to serve in France during World War I, oswald ‘Toby’ Watt, initially as part of the French Aviation Militaire, sport-ed a kangaroo motif on his Farman bi-plane, nicknamed ‘Advance Australia’ in 1915.

In World War II, the Mosquitoes of the RAAF’s no. 456 Squadron were adorned with a flying kangaroo roun-del, almost identical to that adopted in 1956.

That roundel is still seen on our aircraft all over the world.

The Air Force will continue to evolve and change as circumstance and need arise. It should be expected that the icons and symbols of our ser-vice will also continue to evolve.

How such change reflects our her-itage and traditions as well as how we embrace such change in part reflects our pride in the Air Force and our pro-fessionalism as airmen.

Oswald Watts’ kangaroo motif on his biplane, nicknamed Advanced Australia, in World War I; right, 463SQN’s nose art in World War II. Photos: Office of Air Force History

The Air Force ensign, used from 1922 to 1948.

456SQN roundel in World War II, which included the record of aircraft, vehicles, trains and vessels destroyed by the Mosquito crew.

Changes that reflect our proud heritage and traditions

The Air Force ensign, used from 1948 to 1981. The Air Force ensign, used from 1981 to present.

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18 July 3, 2014RCEAIR FNew Horizon

Romi Rutovitz

SINCE the launch of New Horizon in September 2012, the revitalised Air Force Values have become an essen-tial guide for our organisation.

Our values are respect, excel-lence, agility, dedication, integrity and teamwork.

Recent Your Say survey results show that members have seen signifi-cant increases in recognising the Air Force Values as well as actions that promote values-based behaviour.

The Air Force Values serve three purposes:

  To provide guidelines for accept-able and unacceptable behaviour

  To help the Air Force become an organisation acclaimed for its culture as well as its effectiveness, and

  To provide a framework within which decisions and actions can be evaluated, so that we consistently do the right things.

Reinforcing the New Horizon message through various initiatives and command-driven actions has helped get people thinking and talk-

ing about values and whether or not they are being upheld.

Director Organisational Development and Culture Tony Hewson said a good question to ask when making a decision, consider-ing an action or observing a situation was: does this show us at our best in terms of living up to our values?

“An organisation’s workplace values state what is important to the organisation and set the tone for the internal culture,” Mr Hewson said.

“Whole-of-system change begins with a shift at the individual level: how the people that make up the organisation think and act.”

For Air Force’s values to be a living part of the organisation, Mr Hewson said Air Force people need-ed to think about the values, and base their actions upon them.

“Without this, they would be just words and have little impact,” he said.

“Ultimately, Air Force Values must underpin and be reflected in the individual behaviours of the leaders, managers and staff at all levels in our organisation.”

WOFF-AF Mark Pentreath said

there were many chances every day for the values to be highlighted.

“If you make a point of talking about the values in your workplace, then you will invariably start to think about them in the normal course of your work,” WOFF Pentreath said.

“Individuals and teams that are in the habit of thinking about the values are more likely to regulate their actions accordingly. Actions and decisions that don’t match the values start to stand out very clearly.

“If the values become an effort-less part of everyday workplace con-versations there is then little need to treat the values as a special or sepa-rate activity from normal business.”

Deputy Director Air Force Adaptive Culture WGCDR Paul Webb said values were representative of who we are and what we do as an Air Force.

“They need to be a part of the way we act, the way we think, and the way we talk about our work,” he said.

“Values can only come to life when people make them a real and tangible part of their everyday expe-rience.”

Applying values at all levels

GPCAPT Chis Wheaton and Romi Rutovitz discuss Air Force Values. The aim is for Air Force Values to be reflected in the individual behaviours of the leaders, managers and staff at all levels in our organisation.

19July 3, 2014RCEAIR F Air Force Improvement

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SGT Daniel Poynter

ArmAment technicians from no. 3 Squadron and no. 75 Squadron employed a new system at exercise Arnhem thunder at rAAF Base tindal to capture workforce activity data.

the aim was to use the data to bet-ter understand their workload during a high-tempo weapons program.

Held in may, exercise Arnhem thunder was a three-week intensive air-to-ground weapons employment exercise that demanded long work-

ing hours for the crews involved. Significant overheads were placed on the workforce at rAAF Base tindal because of the dispersed operations for aircraft arming during this exercise.

this made Arnhem thunder the perfect environment to capture activ-ity data for high-intensity maintenance, and provided an important contrast to normal home-base operations.

the system used to capture this data was the Workforce Productivity management and reporting System.

Deve loped by A i r C o mb a t

Group (ACG) as an activity under CAF’s maintenance Productivity Improvement Program (mPIP), the system gathers workforce activity data to enable post-job analysis of methods of conducting tasks. the data captured helps improve the way those tasks are conducted.

During the exercise, daily activ-ity sheets were filled out, which placed activities into LeAn categories, such as those that add value and those that appear wasteful.

examples of wasteful tasks include

wait time, administrative overheads and excessive travel required to com-plete an activity.

the data captured by these activity sheets was then used to identify con-straints and other areas which hindered maintenance efficiency – however, the same method and data could be applied to other fields of work such as admin-istration, operations or other support roles.

LAC Andrew Johnston, of 3SQn Armament Section, used the new sys-tem during the exercise.

“It takes some time to get familiar with the work codes but you do see the benefits of it,” he said.

Activity data collected will assist in better understanding armament techni-cian tasking within ACG.

the information will be used to identify opportunities to use the techni-cal workforce in better and more effi-cient ways.

this will ensure that ACG’s mainte-nance capability is sustainable once the mPIP is complete and for ACG’s ongo-ing operations into the future.

Brad Mills-Punshon

memBerS of Surveillance and response Group (SrG) recently toured the CSIrO energy Centre in newcastle to gain an appre-ciation of the centre’s renewable energy research capability.

the CSIrO energy Centre is a state-of-the-art research facil-ity specialising in renewable ener-gy and low-emission fossil fuel research.

the centre plays a pivotal role in Australia’s energy research landscape as a centre for excel-lence in energy modelling, large-scale solar and carbon-capture technologies, renewable energy integration and energy efficiency.

SrG provides the bulk of Air Force’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability and has a far-reaching presence across Australia, being located in all mainland Australian states.

SrG, through no. 41 Wing’s 1 radar Survei l lance Uni t

(1rSU), also operates the Jindalee Operational radar network, which includes three separate, remote over-the-horizon-radars.

Commander SrG AIrCDre Chris Westwood said the meeting was to understand the capability of the CSIrO research team in assist-ing SrG to understand the possi-bilities for energy generation.

“SrG and 1rSU in particular, has a long history of being on the forefront of scientific research,” he said.

“HQSrG and the CSIrO energy Centre are located close to each other and this meeting was the first step in developing a clear line of discussion so that SrG can use advances in future energy capability.”

the tour inspected the on-site renewable energy genera-tion systems, which include the renewable energy Integration Facility (reIF) and two concen-trating solar thermal tower arrays, capable of 500 kilowatts and

one megawatt of thermal output respectively.

the reIF replicates the way electrical load for an entire com-plex changes during the course of the day, drawing on various on-site renewable generators to help build an understanding of how energy networks will operate in the future.

CSIrO energy researchers are focused on creating techniques which will allow greater pen-etration of renewable energy into Australia’s energy networks.

“SrG may be in a position to assist CSIrO by providing unique power problems for their research,” AIrCDre Westwood said.

“the partnership might ulti-mately lead to a reduction in Defence’s fuel expense, but just as importantly it might allow for a deeper understanding of renewable energy and its greater application into the general community.”

Collection of data aims to better understand workload

SRG inspects energy centre

Commander Surveillance and Response Group AIRCDRE Chris Westwood and CSIRO representative James McGregor at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

20 July 3, 2014RCEAIR FPersonnel

Departure Lounge

NameGPCAPT Malcolm SelkirkGPCAPT Chris CrowleyGPCAPT Matthew DudleyGPCAPT Brett BishelGPCAPT Tony Checker

Must/SpecTSOAEROINTELGLISTARMO

Last day July 1Feb 27July 1April 30March 19

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Who’s leaving after 20+ years’ service

Officerrestricted court MartialOne charge of altering a service document – DFDA s 55(1)(c)One charge of using a forged document – DFDA s 61(3) and Criminal Code 1995 s 145.1(1)The member was accused of altering a document, and subsequently using the forged document to receive service items. The member pleaded guilty to both charges and was found guilty of both charges. The member was reduced in rank, fined $2000 and severely reprimanded.

NcODefence force MagistrateOne charge of using a forged document – DFDA s 61(3) and Criminal Code Act 1995 s 145.1(1)One charge of prejudicial conduct – DFDA s 60(1) (alternative charge)The member was accused of using a forged document to claim service status that the member had not met. The member pleaded not guilty to both charges. The member was found guilty of the alternative charge. The member was reduced in rank.

Other raNkSrestricted court Martial One charge of act of indecency without consent – DFDA s 61(3) and Crimes Act 1900 (ACT) s 60(1)One charge of assault on service land – DFDA s 33(a) (alternative charge)One charge of failing to comply with a lawful order – DFDA s 29(1)The member was accused of entering the room of, and inappropriately touching, another member. The member pleaded not guilty to the first two charges and guilty to the remaining charge. The member was found not guilty of the first two charges and guilty of the remaining charge, that of failure to comply with a lawful order. The member was fined $2336.35.

Defence force Magistrate One charge of disobeying a lawful command – DFDA s 27(1)The member was accused of disobeying a lawful command from a superior relating to the movement of a service item. The member pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty. The member was convicted without punishment, conditional on good behaviour for 12 months.

MEAL orders will no longer be taken at the table as part of changes to steward service in officers and senior non-commis-sioned officer (SNCO) dining rooms, which came into effect on July 1.

Deputy Director Reform A F H Q W G C D R R i c h a r d Launder said the changes were part of a reform program to move towards a more affordable and uniform hospitality and catering model.

“The change to steward ser-vice means that in officers’ and sergeants’ messes stewards are no longer taking meal orders or delivering plated meals to mess

patrons at dining room tables dur-ing scheduled meal sittings,” he said.

“The service now consists of table set, clear and reset, where meals are selected by the mem-ber through buffet-style serving arrangements, with no orders taken at the table.”

Stewards will continue to set tables before, and clear them on completion of, the meal.

WGCDR Launder said there were not any changes to airmen’s mess standards.

The changes to the standard of service for officers and ser-geants messes have also resulted in a change to the costs for indi-

vidual meals and fortnightly meal charges.

Officers and SNCOs will now be charged at a rate consistent with those applied at the airmen’s mess.

The revised casual meal charges for all ranks and APS staff are: breakfast $4, lunch $6 and dinner $6.

For members paying the fort-nightly meal charge the revised rate is $148.90 a fortnight.

WGCDR Launder said if the change to members’ living-in meal deductions was not pro-cessed by the implementation date, the change would be back-dated to July 1 when applied.

CAPT Matthew Way

AFTER 15 years in B block at HMAS Cerberus, the ADF School of Catering relo-cated to A block and reopened on June 12 after renovations.

The move is part of a series of upgrades and changes Training Authority – Maritime Logistics and Health (TA-ML&H) after a review into training and an overhaul of the Maritime Logistics branch under Project Demeter and the internal training review.

The ADF School of Catering (ADFSC) is responsible for providing triservice initial employment and post-graduate cook and stew-ard/operator catering training and ran more than 750 courses from its previous location.

Director TA-ML&H CMDR Rachel Thompson said moving the school meant more classrooms and upgraded equipment, and signalled one of many changes to the TA, including the forging of a closer relationship between the ADFSC and the RAN Maritime Logistics School (RANMLS).

“Maritime Logistics and Health has been in need of reform for some time, as was real-ised in the recent training needs analysis report delivered in March,” she said.

“With an increase in numbers for initial entry training, the need for more classrooms and improved facilities, and closer relation-ships between the schools was identified and A block provided the solution.

“Moving the ADF School of Catering to its

new premises is a positive step towards deliv-ering training excellence to our future cooks, stewards and catering personnel across the three services.”

The move included the careful coordina-tion of transferring equipment and resources while courses were under way,

Cook instructor SGT Helene Jones said the new facilities and co-location with RANMLS would improve course coordination, training delivery and enable better use of resources.

“After many years detached from our par-ent location, TA-ML&H, it is a great feeling to be under the same roof,” SGT Jones said.

“We now have a wide selection of training resources that will benefit catering training into the future.”

Steward service changes

New kids on the block – A block

SGT Helene Jones, front, with colleagues, from left, WO2 Rick Griffiths and POs Bateman and Andrew Smith helping with the ADF School of Catering move to A block. Photo: ABIS Cassie McBride

The officers mess at RAAF Base Darwin is one of many to come under the new rules.

All Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate trial results are subject to command review and appeal. The results indicated

are of trials across the ADF.

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21July 3, 2014RCEAIR F Finance

FROM August 1, PINs will become the main form of card payment authorisation in Australia.

From this date you will not be allowed to sign for credit and debit card purchases when you are buying a product at a point of sale.

You will be able to still sign, however, when using chip-less cards with a magnetic strip at the back. In other limited circum-stances, such as when using a card issued from a bank overseas, a signature will still be a valid form of verification.

No PIN neededThe change won’t impact online shop-

ping, telephone purchases or contactless card transactions (such as Visa’s payWave and MasterCard’s PayPass) where you wave your card or ‘tap and go’ to authorise pur-chases under $100.

Why a PIN is safer Your PIN transaction is encrypted and

sent in real-time to your card issuer to be authorised. Using a PIN can help protect against fraud if your card is lost or stolen because the fraudster would need to have both your card and your PIN.

What you need to do Different card issuers have different pro-

cesses for organising a PIN, so if you don’t have a PIN or have forgotten it, contact your card issuer to organise one before August 1.

You will still need to sign the back of your card as the signature will continue to be used for verification in certain situations, such as travelling overseas or where a mer-chant has not upgraded to a PIN-enabled terminal.

If you have problems remembering a PIN or have a disability that makes using a PIN difficult, contact your card issuer to discuss your options.

Choosing a PINChoose a PIN that is easy for you to

remember but hard for anyone else to guess. Don’t use numbers associated with any pub-licly searchable information such as your birthday, driver’s licence or address. PINs can usually be from four to six digits long.

Most card issuers will let you use the same PIN for cash withdrawals at ATMs as well as point-of-sale purchases, if your card can be used for both kinds of transactions.

If you suspect someone other than you knows your PIN, you should immediately contact your card issuer to change your PIN.

Overseas useBe aware that your PIN might not

work when you use your card overseas. Depending on the overseas merchant, you may still need to use a signature to author-ise purchases.

If you are travelling overseas, you should always contact your card issuer before you travel so they know to expect transactions processed from overseas.

ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft looks at the change from a signature to a PIN for credit cards.

Visit ASIC’s MoneySmart website at moneysmart.gov.au for more information about choosing and using credit and debit cards.

Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

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22 July 3, 2014RCEAIR FHealth

Biting into feel-good fare

Those so-called comfort foods might actually leave you feeling depressed and guilty. Photos: LS Jayson Tufrey

DSTO nutritionist Kate Flinders looks at the influence food has on mood

EATING good food promotes overall health and well-being, but diet can also effect how people feel.

Research also suggests mood might influence the foods people choose to eat.

Enjoying a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, wholegrain cereals, legumes, low-fat dairy, lean meat and oily fish, for instance, is associated with reductions in mood swings, depression and anxiety.

The opposite effect can result from a diet based on foods high in refined sugar (such as lollies), one that combines high levels of sugar and fat (such as cakes and pastries), or involves high intakes of caf-feine or alcohol.

The nutrients found in healthy foods appear to work together to cause the brain to produce the feel-good hormone sero-tonin, which is associated with improved mood and relaxation.

Eating foods that maintain a steady blood-sugar level within the appropriate range, such as wholegrain cereals, help to stabilise mood.

Results of research on the connection between food selection and poor mood are reasonably consistent − people in a negative frame of mind are more likely to choose sugary, fatty or salty foods rather than nutritious ones.

Indulgence foods may boost energy and improve mood in the short term, but these positive effects are usually fleet-ing. For some people, such effects can be followed by guilt (because they know those foods aren’t good for them) and a consequent drop in mood. This can trigger worse eating habits, setting up a vicious circle.

Better ways of overcoming negative thoughts include exercising, which has been shown to improve mood by reduc-ing anxiety and stress, or doing fun things such as watching a film, listening to music or visiting friends.

Such activities not only enhance mood,

but also assist in controlling comfort food intake.

The connection between food selection and positive mood (if there is one) is still unclear.

Research suggests people in a good mood are more likely to prefer nutritious foods and focus on the long-term benefits of a healthy diet. But other studies point to the potential for people in a good mood to consume comfort foods or overeat.

There’s also evidence suggesting some people in a positive mood are more likely to choose healthy foods if they feel their good mood is going to last. If not, they may to choose indulgence foods in the belief they will help to sustain positive feelings.

Other research indicates that regardless of mood, long-term, future-focused think-ing can lead to healthier food choices.

There’s evidence for gender differenc-es in the effects of mood on consumption of comfort foods. One study found that women are more likely to eat indulgence foods when they’re feeling depressed, lonely or guilty, while men are more likely to turn to soups, pasta and steaks as a reward when they’re feeling upbeat.

Studies also show that a meal can have an impact on mood days later. This association is stronger for negative moods, so consumption of excessive energy (kilo-joules), saturated fat and sodium is associ-ated with a worse mood two days after.

The association between eating fruits and vegetables one day and being in a positive mood the next day is stronger for men, but both men and women experience a mood lift after eating vegetables.

What, then, can we conclude from the current evidence about the relationship between food and mood?

Well, research has highlighted some interesting and complex relationships that we’re only now starting to tease out. What we can say is that eating a well-balanced diet may confer not only physical health benefits, but also better mental health through improved mood.

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23July 3, 2014RCEAIR F Sp rt

HE GOT pipped in the final of the Masters but, all in all, LAC Daniel Soderman was happy with his form at the ADF tenpin championships at Point Cook from June 1-6.

This flamboyant bowler was one of nine Air Force members named after the tournament in a 20-player ADF team to compete in the national championship in Sydney in October. He was also one of three Air Force players who qualified for the Rachuig tournament which will be played during the championships.

“The level of competition this year was far greater than the previous few years that I have been involved in Defence,” LAC Soderman, of No. 22 Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, said.

“In saying that, I still bowled well.”

Thirty-seven bowlers from five states converged on Victoria for the championships – 12 of them RAAFies.

More than 1000 games were played during the tournament.

Some incredibly high-scoring games were played, with four mem-bers tying for the highest game of the tournament.

They each scored 279, which means from a possible 12 strikes and perfect 300 game they only missed one.

Ten members finish with an aver-age, over 20 games, of 200+ a game, the top four finishing 220+.

Navy won the interservice title. Air Force was second, and Army was third.

NSW won the state challenge ahead of Queensland and ACT.

LS Derek Adams beat LAC Soderman in the Masters.

And SGT Keiran Wyllie beat LS Adams for the singles championship.

The ADF team was selected based on the results.

The team will now compete against the best bowlers from Australia and New Zealand at the Australian Adult National Championships in Sydney from October 2-25.

The Air Force players in the team are SGT Wyllie, LAC Soderman, FSGT Brett Byers, CPL Jason Lindsay, CPL Dave Hogan, FSGT Adrian Bennett, WOFF Paul Logan and SGT Gordon Evans. FSGT Byers, SGT Wyllie and LAC Soderman were named in the Rachuig team.

No holding back for strike force

LAC Daniel Soderman winds up.

Photo: CPL Gay Arnell

Going back as a No. 5John Martin

CPL Brooke Saunders can breathe again and start brushing up on her French.

She is one of four ADF women picked in a Wallaroos squad of 26 to represent Australia at the women’s rugby union World Cup in August.

The others are Army players CAPT Caroline Vakalahi, CAPT Alisha Hewett and CPL Mollie Gray who were also in a Wallaroos team that played in a tri-nations series in New Zealand in June.

“It’s really exciting, and is a mas-sive achievement for Australian Services Women’s Rugby,” CPL Saunders said after finding out she had made the team, ending more than a week of anxiety.

During the tournament in New Zealand, the squad members were told three of their number might be culled to make way for three experienced players from the Australian sevens squad.

CPL Saunders’ sentiment was prob-ably the same as everyone else’s.

“I thought I was going to miss out. The first couple of days were terrible,” she said.

But she managed to put anxiety at the back of her mind, concentrating on training and playing with her club team in Brisbane, University of Brisbane, and playing as a No. 8 in a win against an old rival, Norths, which came as a nice distraction.

CPL Saunders, of No. 1 Squadron, is captain of the Air Force women’s rugby team.

At 180cm and 76kg, she was one of six Australian Services Rugby Union Women players selected for the Wallaroos 15s training squad for the World Cup in October. She will play as a No. 5.

Prop CAPT Vakalahi is the most experienced of the quartet who made the cut.

She and LT Kate Porter, since retired, both played in the last World Cup in England in 2010. Australia finished third.

CPL Saunders will continue with the program set for her by the team’s strength and conditioning coach which takes up to two hours five or six times a week.

The Wallaroos will assemble at the Sydney Academy of Sport in Narrabeen on July 21 for a seven-day camp to final-ise their preparations for the World Cup before they fly to Paris.

The team has been drawn in Pool C alongside Wales, South Africa and host nation France.

CPL Saunders was in Paris for a week about this time last year on holidays.

She loved the culture, the art and the history one of the world’s grandest cities has to offer.

But this time will be different.“I just want to play rugby,” she said.

FLY-HALF FLTLT Robbie Harlow was judged the Australian Services Rugby Union’s best player in the first of two representative games against NSW teams after the ADF championships in May.

He was one of only two Air Force players named in a 26-man ASRU squad that went to a week-long camp at HMAS Penguin.

Ten of these players were ASRU debutants.

The team played two games, los-ing to NSW Suburban Rugby Union in Mosman and then NSW Country at Singleton.

ASRU’s next match is against the Northern Territory Rugby Union Mosquitoes in Darwin on August 23.

FLTLT named best player

CAPT Alisha Hewett, CPL Mollie Gray, CPL Brooke Saunders and CAPT Caroline Vakalahi with their Wallaroos jumpers.

CPL Brooke Saunders will be playing in the World Cup in Paris. Photo: CPL Melina Young

SP RTJuly 3, 2014

Strike force in motion

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PARIS, HERE I COMECPL Brooke Saunders has been selected in the Wallaroos squad representing Australia at the women’s rugby union World Cup

Photo: CPL Melina Young

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