AIRF

Vol. 53, No. 16, September 15, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force
RCE
LOFTY
TOFTY
Orion pilot
FLTLT Greg
Toft clocks
10,000 hours
in the air
er 15, 20 eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ooooooooooooooofffffffffffffffffffffffffffffiiiiiiiiiiiiicccccccccccccciiiiiiiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllll nnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwsssssssssssssssssspppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppper of the Ro 011 TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTThhhhhhhhhhhhhh
ARNHEM DRIFTER
SPECIAL LIFTOUT INSIDE
P2
Story
MAGIC NUMBER: After 27 years
flying an average of 370 hours
a year, 11SQN pilot FLTLT Greg
Tofty Toft has logged 10,000
hours for Air Force. He achieved
the milestone on September 1.
Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
2 September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF
Editorial team
Director
David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650
david.edlington@defencenews.gov.au
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Simone Liebelt: (02) 6265 2253
Mobile: 0400 003792
simone.liebelt@defencenews.gov.au
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John Martin: (02) 6265 7219
john.martin@defencenews.gov.au
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tdillon@defencenews.gov.au
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ons
Disc
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De De De De e De De Defe fe fe fe fe fennnnnn
Fi Fi Fii Fi Fine ne ne e ne
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RoyalAustralianAirForce
News
Jaimie Abbott and
FLTLT Philip Tracy
AN AP-3C Orion pilot has joined
an elite high-flyers club clocking
10,000 flying hours in the air while on
deployment.
11SQNs FLTLT Greg Toft was
on a mission as part of Operation
Resolute on September 1 when the
magic number was clocked. In what
was a typical seven-hour maritime
sortie for the crew, the pilot, known to
many colleagues as Tofty, achieved
an uncommon accomplishment for the
Air Force.
I felt a great sense of pride to
think Ive now spent 10,000 hours air-
borne over the course of my career,
FLTLT Toft said.
I am so lucky to have experienced
so much during my Air Force career
flying on the Orions and I definitely
wouldnt change a thing if I could do
it all over again.
FLTLT Tofts flying career began
in 1984 and he has averaged 370
hours a year since then. He has been
deployed with the Orions on exercise
and operations, including Operations
Resolute, Catalyst and Slipper.
As he landed the aircraft at RAAF
Learmonth after the milestone flight,
FLTLT Toft was warmly welcomed
home by water cannon from Base Fire
Rescue Services and later with cham-
pagne by some of his 11SQN col-
leagues who had gathered to acknowl-
edge his 27-year flying career.
Although the majority of his flying
time has been spent on the Orions,
FLTLT Tofts extensive flying experi-
ence includes time on the CT4B, the
PC-9 and the Macchi trainer.
As a Qualified Flying Instructor,
FLTLT Toft has spent time at 1 and
2 Flying Training Schools where
he held the position of Chief Flying
Instructor and 92WG.
The Commander of JTF639 Air
Component Coordination Element,
SQNLDR Brett Williams, said all
of 92WG and those deployed on
Operation Resolute were very proud
of FLTLT Tofts achievement.
Despite
his long fly-
ing career,
there are no
signs that
FLTLT Toft
is ready to
retire just yet.
The Air
Force has
kept me in
a flying job
for 27 years,
something for
which I am
very grateful,
he said.
OPERATIONALLY deployed
personnel must always be
front of mind for Defence,
according to new Secretary
Duncan Lewis.
Mr Lewis, a former Special
Forces commander, took up his
appointment as Secretary of
Defence on September 5.
He identified the support of
deployed members as a top pri-
ority. Other priorities included
maintaining Defences reform
agenda.
I know each of you do a
tremendous job keeping our
nation safe and I look forward
to working with you, he said.
I am entirely committed to
working in close partnership
with the CDF to ensure the
best outcomes for the organisa-
tion and I am determined to
take Defence forward with the
reform programs announced by
the government.
He is committed to the
Strategic Reform Program and
to implementing the Black
Review into organisational
accountability.
Defence cannot afford to
walk away from reform and I
will look for further ways of
improving the way Defence
does business, he said.
I recognise the skill, the
experience and the commitment
in every part of the department
and I will seek your support
and assistance as we deliver
a defence organisation which
is operationally effective, yet
cost conscious; an organisa-
tion which is can do, yet
accountable; and an organisa-
tion that delivers for Australia a
Department of State in support
of a Defence Force with the
best defence capabilities our
finite resources can produce.
IN BRIEF
New medals
A NEW Australian Service Medal
(ASM) with clasp Counter Terrorist
and Special Recovery (CT/SR) will
soon be presented to eligible mem-
bers. The medal was recommended
by the Defence Honours and Awards
Tribunal last year to recognise the
counter terrorism and special recovery
capability, which was first raised in
1979 within the Special Air Service
Regiment. More information on
the medal and the application form
(AD807) are available at http://www.
defence.gov.au/medals
Online release
THREE major Defence acquisitions
have been added to the updated
Public Defence Capability Plan
web page. An additional C-17A
Globemaster, HMAS Choules and
101 Bushmasters have been includ-
ed. Visit www.defence.gov.au/dmo/
id/dcp/dcp.cfm
Review extended
THE reporting deadline for the review
team assessing allegations of sexual
or other forms of abuse in Defence
has been extended until September
30. The team from law firm DLA Piper
has received more than 1000 allega-
tions. Defence Minister Stephen Smith
said the team advised that although a
lot of work had been done, due to the
volume of allegations, it required more
time to collect and test relevant infor-
mation. The terms of reference for the
review are available at www.dlapiper.
com/australia/review
Posture review
INTERESTED stakeholders have until
September 16 to make submissions
on whether the ADF is correctly
geographically positioned to meet
Australias modern and future stra-
tegic and security challenges. The
review will address the range of pre-
sent and emerging global, regional
and national strategic and security
factors which require careful con-
sideration for the future. For more
information, see www.defence.gov.
au/oscdf/adf-posture-review/
Security awards
NOMINATIONS for the Defence
Excellence in Security Awards are
open until October 17. The awards
honour outstanding achievements
in security by Defence and Defence
industry security specialists, leaders,
teams and individuals. Finalists will
be invited to an awards ceremony in
Canberra in March. To enter, log on
to intranet.defence.gov.au/securitya-
wards or visit the Defence Security
Authority site on the DSN. Further
information can also be obtained
from the Awards Secretariat by
emailing securityawards@defence.
gov.au
Oakey Fly-In
THE Roulettes will appear on the
second day of the Museum of
Australian Army Flying annual Fly-In at
Oakey on October 1-2. SQNLDR Tony
Blair, of the ADF Basic Flying Training
School, will display his Rebel 300
unlimited aerobatic aircraft and there
will be static and flying displays of
model aircraft. For more information,
email AustArmy.FlyingMuseum@
defence.gov.au or call (07) 4577 7666.
Secretary vows support for deployed personnel
PRIORITIES:
New
Secretary
Duncan Lewis
is committed
to moving
Defence
forward and
delivering an
organisation
that is
operationally
effective
and cost
conscious.
THATS IT: FLTLT
Greg Toft and FLTLT
Philip Tracy taxi their
92WG AP-3C after
completing the sortie
and reaching the
mark; left, the watery
welcome that awaited
them.
Photos: LAC Glynn Jones
10,000 hours: its
Toft at
the top

I am so lucky
to have expe-
rienced so
much during
my Air Force
career flying
on the Orions
and I definite-
ly wouldnt
change a
thing if I
could do it all
over again.
FLTLT Greg Toft
fts achievement.
r

c
o
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Andrew Stackpool
DEPUTY Chief of Air Force AVM
Neil Hart has congratulated 32SQN
on achieving the milestone of 34,000
flying hours from its fleet of eight
King Air 350 aircraft.
The King Air is an effective and
willing work horse, providing the Air
Force with a multi-role trainer and
transport aircraft, AVM Hart said.
We are proud that it continues to
be a reliable, safe and effective air-
craft, which continues to demonstrate
its versatility in all manner of roles.
AVM Hart made his remarks at
a special ceremony at RAAF Base
East Sale on August 29, which com-
prised a barbecue and cake-cutting.
Under the command of Air
Training Wing, the squadron oper-
ates the aircraft primarily to sup-
port the training of air combat offic-
ers for the Air Force and aviation
warfare officers for the Navy at the
School of Air Warfare.
It also has a role in developing
junior pilots for progression to other
aircraft types as well as light trans-
port support to the ADF.
CO 32SQN WGCDR Peter
Donaldson said well-trained crews
and modern high-performance glass
cockpit aircraft provided the ideal
learning environment for the chal-
lenges facing todays combat avia-
tors.
32SQN remains adaptable
and committed to providing the
best level of support possible in
providing effective air power for
Australias defence, he said.
While the squadrons primary
mission is training support, it also
provides VIP and other air logistics
support to the ADF.
In 2011, squadron King Airs
were called out for search and
rescue missions, finding a drift-
ing vessel in Bass Strait, and
deployed to support relief activi-
t i es duri ng t he Vi ct ori an and
Queensland floods.
FLTLT Seamus ODonoghue
fl ew a Ki ng Ai r i n sout hern
Queensland on flood relief duties
and said it was a clear demonstra-
tion of the versatility of the aircraft.
I am in my first posting into
an Air Force squadron after finish-
ing pilot training, so it was dou-
bly rewarding to be out there as
an aircraft captain, managing the
mission and doing something to
help our fellow Aussies, FLTLT
ODonoghue said.
WGCDR Donaldson also paid
tribute to the support the squadron
received from Hawker Pacific (HP)
and the Training Aircraft Support
Office (TASPO).
HP is responsible for the main-
tenance support and management of
the King Air fleet and TASPO man-
ages the contract on behalf of the
Air Force, he said.
Both organisations have pro-
vided 32SQN with tremendous
support over the years and their
contribution to the success of the
King Air within the ADF cannot be
underestimated.
Unlike 38SQN, all the 32SQN
aircraft were obtained directly by
Air Force and are not former Army
aircraft. It received its first of type
in December 2004.
In February next year, 32SQN
celebrates another milestone when
it turns 70.
Marking
a Kingsize
milestone
REASON TO CELEBRATE: Above, three 32SQN King Airs fly in formation down
the coast from Sale to Geelong. Top inset, Defence members and civilians share
a barbecue lunch in the Hawker Pacific hangar. Right, to celebrate the historic
milestone, a commemorative cake was cut by, from left, Senior Vice President of
Hawker Pacific Doug Park, CO 32SQN WGCDR Peter Donaldson, DCAF AVM
Neil Hart and PLTOFF Nicholas Evans. Photos: AC Oliver Carter, WOFF Ray Bennell
EIGHT 77SQN Hornets and 126
personnel gained further experi-
ence in interoperability with
the Royal Thai Air Force when
they deployed to Korat Airbase
in Thailand for the bi-lateral
Exercise Thai Boomerang 2011
(TB11).
The exercise is held every
two years. It started on August
22 and ended on September 2.
Following TB11, 77SQN then
travelled to Bali to participate
in Exercise Elang Ausindo 2011
with the Indonesian Air Force.
The air combat exercise,
involving RAAF Hornets and
Indonesian F-16s, ended on
September 9.
Both exercises were
designed to enhance the inter-
operability and tactical relation-
ships of the participating air
forces in conducting combined
field training, while exposing
77SQN to air combat training.
Full coverage of both exercises
will feature in the next edition.
Working in
tandem with
two forces
THUMBS UP: SQNLDR
Grant Taylor gives the all
clear signal before a sortie
at Korat Air Base.
Photo: LAC Craig Barrett
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4 September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF News
A NEW program for families to comple-
ment the BattleSMART psychological
resilience program for military person-
nel was announced on August 23.
FamilySMART will provide a suite
of five face-to-face programs available
to the ADF member and their partner,
delivered in small groups.
The program is designed to
empower Defence families to build
on their wellbeing and psychological
health.
The new program will complement
the existing BattleSMART program to
strengthen the ability of serving ADF
members to cope with and manage
stressful situations.
Defence Science and Personnel
Minister Warren Snowdon said
FamilySMART was developed to fos-
ter resilience among Defence families.
We know Defence families face
many difficult circumstances as a
result of their loved ones committing
to the ADF, he said.
Deployment, postings and long
absences from home combine to dis-
rupt partners careers and childrens
education.
The programs have been devel-
oped by the Defence Community
Organisation (DCO) in consultation
with Defences Mental Health Branch.
They will be delivered by 26
Defence soci al workers across
Australia.
The first stage of the scheme will
start in October and involve programs
in Darwin, Townsville, Cairns and
Brisbane. It will be expanded to other
locations in early 2012.
The one-hour FamilySMART:
Reintegration presentation will begin
at Robertson Barracks in Darwin
during the week of October 10 and
is intended for members recently
returned from deployment and their
partners.
People can register with DCO
Darwin for one of the three presenta-
tions, including a daytime presenta-
tion in the week of October 10 and
evening presentations in the weeks of
October 17 and 24.
The programs are part of a wider
Defence strategy to support the men-
tal and physical wellbeing of ADF
members and their families through
prevention-based training.
Earlier this month the Government
announced more support for Defence
families with a $3 million boost to the
Partner Education and Employment
Program (PEEP).
PEEP allows the partners of junior
ADF members to access $3000 grants
for vocational training and other edu-
cation opportunities to help them
become job-ready.
For further information or to register
your interest, contact your local DCO
office or visit www.defence.gov.au/dco
Airfield access review submissions sought
Helping
families
to cope
with
stress
Photo: AB Jo
Dilorenzo
SUBMISSIONS are being called for a
review into civil aviation access to Air
Force airfields.
The review was released for public
consultation in July and submissions are
open until October 31.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith said
the government was committed to allowing
civil access to military airfields where this
could be balanced with Defences need for
security, operations and training.
The civil aviation industry is encour-
aged to consider the review, and provide
comments for government to consider,
he said.
It is one of two reviews announced by
Mr Smith into public access to military
bases.
The other, announced on June 1,
is about the future use of the Navys
Garden Island facility by visiting cruise
ships.
Submissions to the Garden Island
review are also open until October 31.
The review will assess whether there
is scope to enhance cruise-ship access to
Garden Island without adversely affect-
ing its priority role of supporting Navy
operations. It will focus on opportunities
for greater civil-military cooperation for
finite berthing resources for very large
vessels in Sydney.
JOIN IN: Have your say on civil
aviation access to Air Force
airfields. Photo: LAC Terry Hartin
Contacts and more information
The Air Force airfields review
report and further information on
submissions is at www.airforce.
gov.au/aboutus/welcometopublic-
consultation.aspx
Submissions can be sent to
RaafCivil.Review@defence.gov.au
or to Deputy Director Civil Military
Aviation Coordination, Air Force
Headquarters, R1-06-C110, Russell
Offices, Canberra BC, ACT 2610.
Information on the Garden
Island review, terms of refer-
ence and advice on preparing
submissions, is available at
www.defence.gov.au/oscdf/
CruiseShipAccessReview
Submissions for the Garden
Island review should be forwarded
to by email to CruiseShipAccess.
Review@defence.gov.au or
by mail to Cruise Ship Access
Review Secretariat, R1-4-B163,
Russell Offices, Department of
Defence, PO Box 7901, Canberra
BC, ACT 2610.
5 News September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
Neils over
the moon
Graham McBean
IT WAS one small trip for the Wagga-
based Air Force officer but WGCDR
Neil Armstrong is over the moon about
meeting his famous namesake in Sydney.
It was a huge experience; one I will
treasure for the rest of my life, said the
aeronautical engineer and CO of the
RAAF School of Technical Training.
He achieved his dream on August
24 when the first man to walk on the
moon made his seventh landing here in
Australia.
WGCDR Armstrong was born on
the fifth anniversary of the July 20,
1969, moon landing and has had a life-
long ambition to meet astronaut Neil
Armstrong since he was five years old.
My parents sat me down on my fifth
birthday and explained the significance
of my name and showed me some foot-
age of the moon landing, WGCDR
Armstrong said.
Ever since then I have always wanted
to meet him in person and have been
inspired by his achievements.
Air Force Neil read in a newspaper
that CPA Australia was hosting astro-
naut Neil in Australia to deliver a talk
on leadership and the challenges of new
frontiers.
It cost WGCDR Armstrong $550 for
the Audience with Neil Armstrong
ticket and the opportunity of meeting the
great man himself.
I would have been prepared to have
taken a holiday to the States if I knew
I would be able to meet him. So it was
a very small price to pay to meet your
idol.
Unit administration officer FSGT
Rachael Wilkins approached CPA
Australia on the COs behalf and the
rest was history with WGCDR Armstrong
one of just a few people to meet the
famous Neil after his address.
During that address, Mr Armstrong
spoke on leadership challenges of the
Apollo missions
but also talked at
length on modern
challenges facing
humanity, such as
the environment.
While the two
Neils spent only
a few minutes in
each others com-
pany, WGCDR
Armstrong said
meeting his famous namesake was very
much a privilege.
He is 81 years old, yet he still has an
incredibly sharp mind; his address that
evening was compelling, he said.
I said to him that we share more than
just a name and that I, too, was an aero-
nautical engineer like him and we were
both leaders in our own right he just
replied you seem like a fine fellow.
And those famous words uttered on
the steps of the Apollo lunar module?
Mr Armstrong said in his address that
while most of the Apollo mission was
heavily structured, the one small step for
man, one giant leap for mankind com-
ment was up to his final decision.
He said that he did discuss it with the
crew but ultimately it was his decision to
make and a decision he only made as he
descended to the lunar surface.
WGCDR Armstrong said his fasci-
nation with the moon also inspired his
wife, Danielle, to purchase an acre on the
moon as a gift.
He proudly displays the framed title
on his office desk now just how to get
there...

It was a huge
experience;
one I will treas-
ure for the rest
of my life.
Armstrong meets his famous namesake
NEIL, MEET NEIL: WGCDR Armstrong was all smiles after becoming one of the privileged few to
meet 81-year-old Neil Armstrong in Sydney. WGCDR Armstrong was born on the fifth anniversary of
the first moon landing and followed in the footsteps of the famous astronaut to become an Air Force
aeronautical engineer. Photo: Peter Aylward
IF ONLY: While his
famous namesake
got to look down on
Earth from the lunar
surface, this is the
best WGCDR Neil
Armstrong could do
from the comfort of
his office at Wagga.
Photo courtesy of the Leader
Newspaper, Wagga Wagga
Just name
your price
WGCDR
Armstrongs name
not only helped
him meet the great
man himself at the
Audience with Neil
Armstrong event,
but led to the below
photo being taken
by a fellow attendee,
who agreed to take
the snap in return
for the exclusive
use of WGCDR
Armstrongs name
badge on the night.
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6 September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF AFI News
CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown has
made innovation and improvement
one of his main priorities and is calling
on personnel at all levels to improve
processes, increase productivity and
improve efficiency in the way they
perform their jobs.
Improving capability and opera-
tional performance is vital to our
ongoing success as an Air Force,
AIRMSHL Brown said.
We must take advantage of every
opportunity to improve our processes
and increase our productivity.
We all need to bring a critical eye
into the workplace and look for the
opportunities to improve.
We must pursue innovative and
efficient ways to do our jobs, come
together as a team to solve problems,
exploit those improvement opportuni-
ties and maximise efficiencies.
If we all do this, we will build a
better, stronger and more efficient Air
Force for future generations.
He said that everywhere he visited
he saw people improving their work-
places, valuing peoples time, saving
money and improving productivity.
An example of an area where inno-
vation and leadership came together
to better deliver capability was pro-
vided by 77SQN.
THE Ai r Mobi l i t y Improvement
Program has achieved significant
improvements in C-130 propulsion
support and further improvements are
being planned.
The cornerstone of this success
has been the creation of an integrat-
ed Tiger Team, which was formed in
2009 with members from the Air Lift
Systems Program Office (ALSPO), Air
Lift Group, 37SQN, Standard Aero and
Rolls Royce.
The Ti ger Team successful l y
resolved critical AE2100 engine ser-
viceability issues which were signifi-
cantly impacting C-130J operations.
Building on that success, the Tiger
Team has implemented a number of
initiatives to further increase reliabil-
ity and reduce support costs for C-130J
propulsions.
Standard Aero, the AE2100 support
contractor, has been achieving repair
efficiencies and reliability improve-
ments which are contributing signifi-
cant reductions to AE2100 support
costs, OC ALSPO GPCAPT Andrew
Doyle said.
The introduction of an AE2100
Engine Health Monitoring System
(EHMS) and a Rolls Royce Deployed
Service Representative have been suc-
cessful in reducing the frequency and
cost of C-130J engine overhauls and
online support.
With the use of EHMS and the
Deployed Service Representative,
ALSPO and 37SQN are able to monitor
critical engine performance parameters
more accurately and initiate online pre-
ventative maintenance to extend the life
of the engines, FLTLT Phil Mackie,
of the ALSPO Propulsions Integrated
Product Team, said.
Prior to the employment of EHMS,
many engines were being inducted for
repair with major unserviceabilities that
could have been avoided.
The employment of EHMS for
RAAF C-130Js has been recognised
by the OEM Rolls Royce as interna-
tional best practice, with many of the
techniques pioneered for RAAF C-130J
health monitoring now being employed
for other AE2100 users.
For more information on the program,
contact Mike Wilde, Program Director
AMIP, at email michael.wilde@defence.
gov.au or FLTLT Miles Le Ray, OIC Air Force
Improvement, at RAAF Base Richmond at
email miles.leray@defence.gov.au
BEST WAY
FORWARD:
From
left, Keith
Wardle, SGT
Brendan
Church,
SGT Andrew
Wade and
FLGOFF
David
Bywater
discuss the
performance
of a C-130
engine. Photo:
LAC Chris Hall
Air mobility success
The squadr ons Oper at i ons
Ma i n t e n a n c e P r o g r a mmi n g
Improvement identified that program-
ming flying without considering its
impact on maintenance was creating
inefficiency in the squadron.
By understanding the impact on
maintenance work and overtime, the
squadron was able to specify landing
times to avoid shift changeover.
This reduced the time that main-
tenance teams were off tools, doing
handovers or securing aircraft after
flying, which meant they had more
time to do their real jobs.
Ive seen similar success in 2
Operational Conversion Unit where
process changes have seen leave in
lieu bills drop substantially while
completing Fighter Combat Instructor
course requirements, AIRMSHL
Brown said.
To operate successfully today
and into the future, we need to be
able to deliver more capability with
the same resources.
Valuing peoples time and improv-
ing processes to maximise that time
will help us to achieve this by improv-
ing the productivity and morale of
every member of the Air Force.
To better communicate the inno-
vation, motivation and enthusiasm
of our people in addressing our pro-
cess inefficiencies and improving
their workplace, there will be a page
in future editions of Air Force News
dedicated to improvement.
I look forward to sharing these
stories with you, he said.
Building for a
bright future
LEADING BY EXAMPLE: 77SQNs CPL Nicholas Blomley gives the all
clear to a pilot before take-off. CAF says the squadron is a fine example
of using innovation to better deliver capability. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett
VISION: CAF AIRMSHL Geoff
Brown who has made innovation
and improvement one of his main
priorities. Photo: FSGT John Carroll
7 AFI News September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
We think life
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lodged before 30 September 2011. ^Authorised under NSW permit number LTPM/11/00215 and ACT permit number TP 11/01082.1. Australian Defence Credit Union Limited ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL/ACL No. 237 988.
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Eamon Hamilton
THE biggest maintenance workforce
in the Air Force continues to evolve at
37SQN.
The 505-strong workforce is
responsible for supporting a mixed
fleet of 20 C-130H and C-130J
Hercules, which deliver air mobility
within Australia and around the world.
As 37SQN Maintenance Flight
supports these aircraft, the Air
Mobility Improvement Program
(AMIP) is continuing to support the
workforces natural evolution.
In June 2010, all technicians were
divided into eight separate teams
each with about 20 avionics and 20
aircraft technicians.
Since then, the team construct has
allowed 37SQN to manage its main-
tainers more effectively whether it
be for Middle East deployments, con-
ducting exercises, or supporting main-
tenance at RAAF Base Richmond.
An improvement initiative has cre-
ated Team Health display boards in
the 37SQN hangar.
Graphs display statistics for indi-
vidual readiness, currencies, and job
progression, and also allows each
team to build its own identity and
morale.
Mo r e r e c e n t l y, 3 7 S QN
Maintenance Flight developed a
formal Maintenance Management
Improvement Project under the AMIP
structure to manage, prioritise and
implement improvement initiatives.
FLGOFF Aaron Thompson, a
37SQN engineering officer and the
current project manager, said initial
improvements centred on workforce
communication and standing instruc-
tions.
This included improving commu-
nication at all levels of the workforce
regarding aircraft serviceability and
shift handover procedures.
A new five-week rostering cycle
was created to better mitigate the
fatigue risk from highly variable shift
timings, while suiting the needs of the
individual.
We revisited the nightly require-
ment to chain down aircraft, determin-
ing that current procedures were over-
ly cautious for no reason, FLGOFF
Thompson said.
This netted two extra parking
positions and approximately 150
working hours per year.
Better infrastructure at RAAF
Base Richmond will deliver further
improvements, including aircraft
washes.
We are working on a permanent
installation of aircraft wash sup-
port equipment on the flightline at
Richmond, FLGOFF Thompson said.
A permanent facility will save
12 working hours per wash, and with
approximately 100 washes per year,
we save 1200 working hours.
Similarly, permanent tarmac light-
ing which is absent from some of
the base will be installed to greatly
increase 37SQNs maintenance capa-
bility at night.
Half the workforce on Friday night
shifts has been moved to Sunday
afternoons, providing a maintenance
capability for aircraft returning from
tasks over the weekend.
Other plans include better man-
agement of spares kits and fly away
kits, a flightline communications sys-
tem, hangar power upgrades and a
Maintenance Planning Cell.
The cell will optimise the way
in which scheduled maintenance is
performed through the structured
selection of people, date of servicing,
and preparation of spares and support
equipment, FLGOFF Thompson said.
The same concepts will also be
used to plan the execution of unsched-
uled maintenance.
For more information on the Air Mobility
Improvement Program, contact Mike
Wilde or FLTLT Miles Le Ray.
Mighty maintenance
BRIGHT IDEA: As part of the Air Mobilility Improvement
Program, permanent tarmac lighting will be installed on the
flightline at RAAF Base Richmond so 37SQN technicians
can conduct C-130 maintenance at night. Photo: CPL Col Dadd
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE PROPOSED ADF PAY OFFER
The initial Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA) pay offer for members of the ADF is 3% increase per annum for
each of the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and will soon be considered by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT).
DFWAs evaluation of the offer suggests that it would deliver an effective reduction in pay because it:

would not maintain the current purchasing power of your pay as it falls short of forecast cost of living increases;
includes no recognition of increases in MQ rent, rations & quarters charges, utilities (gas, water, electricity) and new taxes; and
does not recognize or recompense for the productivity improvements required from ADF members through the Strategic Reform Program.
The Association acts on your behalf as an intervener to the DFRT and wishes to hear what you have to say about the WRA
offer. Your comments can be sent by email to wra@dfwa.org.au
Matters such as this highlight the need for more effective, independent representation for
members of the ADF and their families on a range of Conditions of Service matters
. thats just what the DFWA does for you .
Learn more about the WRA and how the Association works hard for you at
www.dfwa.org.au
Follow us on TWITTER FACEBOOK and YouTube
at defencewelfare
DEFENCE FORCE WELFARE ASSOCIATION
A member of the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations
8
September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF News
Jaimie Abbott
THE Air Forces Wedgetail aircraft
continues to set world standards and
can now deploy north, with a new
high-tech Forward Operating Base
(FOB).
The Airborne Early Warning and
Control aircraft can now be housed
at RAAF Base Tindal, with a new
facility which can accommodate up
to three of the modified Boeing 737
at a time.
The FOB was used for the first time
this year during Exercise Talisman
Sabre 2011, where 2SQN, including
aircrew, operations and maintenance
personnel, worked out of purpose-built
bunkers positioned next to the tarmac.
The squadron liaison officer for the
project, SQNLDR David Johnstone,
said the facility was a home away from
home with its own tooling and spares
and communications equipment.
There is office space, in-ground
power and refuelling facilities, all
designed to specifically support the
Wedgetail, he said.
The FOB includes three parking
positions for the aircraft an indoor
hangar, an open shelter and an open
position on the tarmac. The open
shelter features a Nose In Guidance
System, which means the Wedgetail
can be guided in with an automatic
lighting system on its own, without
ground staff assistance.
The Wedgetails surveillance sur-
face area is 400,000 square kilome-
tres at any one time, which is more
than five times the size of Tasmania.
Over a 10-hour mission its systems
and advanced radar can cover four
million square kilometres in surveil-
lance, with its primary task being to
detect air threats and coordinate air
defence. The Wedgetail can detect air-
craft or ships beyond the range of the
human eye.
OC 42WG GPCAPT Tracey
Home away
from home
Friend said the new FOB would allow
the Wedgetail crews to conduct mis-
sions from northern Australia.
We are currently focused on
building our operational capability
into the future and the Wedgetail will
boost the nations defence capabili-
ties, she said.
Up to 100 personnel can operate
from the FOB at any time and there
are plans to use the facility for future
exercises such as Pitch Black 2012.
NORTHERN
ENCLOSURE: A
2SQN Wedgetail
Early Warning
and Control
aircraft parked in
the new Forward
Operating Base
hardstand at
RAAF Base
Tindal; below, the
hardstand and
hangars.
Photos: LAC Terry
Hartin
F i d id th FOB ld ll b t th ti d f bili
9 News September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
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4133
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MONTH/YEAR MONTH/YEAR
VALID
FROM
Andrew Stackpool
AUSTRALIAs decision to join the
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in
2002 is paying significant dividends,
both for Australia and the US.
One of the many benefits was
early and very privileged access
to F-35 information, according to
GPCAPT Ian Farnsworth, the senior
Australian officer in the Joint Strike
Fighter Program Office (JPO), based
in Virginia, USA.
The opportunity to influence the
design and capability of an advanced
fighter aircraft is unprecedented,
GPCAPT Farnsworth said.
Australia is in a global partner-
ship, which plans to deliver more
than 3000 F-35s of three different
variants.
The JPO is staffed by about 400
personnel from all
nine F-35 partner
nations.
Starting with a single
representative in 2002,
Australia now has 11
people in the JPO.
GPCAPT
Farnsworth said that
Australias representa-
tion in the JPO was
mutually beneficial.
We are helping the US to deliver
the promised F-35 capability and also
ensuring Australias interests are ade-
quately considered, he said. While
we play a key role in assisting with
the Australian Governments decision-
making on F-35, we wear two hats.
Under arrangements agreed in
2002, my team and I work for VADM
David Venlet (USN), the American
head of the F-35 program.
With a background in the fast jet/
aerospace environment, we contribute a
range of RAAF and Defence Scientific
and Technology Organisation expertise,
including the concept of operations
development, technical risk analysis,
airworthiness certification, structural
integrity management, maintenance
planning and project management.
Its both challenging and
extremely rewarding. We work
with the US and the other partner
representatives in the JPO to deal
with those challenges. We have lead
experts in some disciplines, and as a
group, its often commented that we
punch above our weight.
In addition to providing Australias
F-35 project with critical F-35 infor-
mation on a round-the-clock basis,
seven days a week, the team coordi-
nates the many Australian visits to
the JPO and Lockheed Martins F-35
plant at Fort Worth.
The importance of that role was
reinforced by Defence Minister
Stephen Smith when he met the team
during his visit to the JPO in July to
discuss progress on the F-35 program
with VADM Venlet.
CDF GEN David Hurley, former
Secretary of Defence Ian Watt and
Chief of the Capability Development
Group AIRMSHL John Harvey
accompanied him.
While all F-35 partner nations are
represented in the JPO, Australia is
one of only a few partners who have
an embedded national representative
with Lockheed Martin.
SQNLDR Bronwen Harrigan,
Logistics Coordinator from the New
Air Combat Capability project office,
works to ensure Lockheed has a good
understanding of Australias F-35 sus-
tainment requirements and introduc-
tion into service plans.
Reaping the benefits
VISIT TO VIRGINIA:
Some of New Air Combat
Capabilitys JPO team
during a recent visit From
left, back: SQNLDR Paul
Albrecht, SQNLDR Scott
McPherson, Graham Bell
(DSTO), SQNLDR David
Mackay, WGCDR Ted
Schnieder and Joanna
Kappas (DSTO). Front:
GPCAPT Ian Farnsworth,
Defence Minister Stephen
Smith, Ambassador
Kim Beazley and former
Defence Secretary Ian Watt.
JSF
update
er
deliver more
f three different
ed by about 400
gle
quately considered, he sai
we play a key role in as
the Australi
up
10
September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF Special Report
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Graham McBean
AS THE tempo of operations continues,
there has been an increasing focus on
making sure that health care intervention
is getting to the people who need it when
they need it.
More than 34,000 Australian military
personnel have deployed to the MEAO
alone many on multiple occasions
since 2003.
The release in 2009 of the Dunt
Review into mental health in the ADF had
led to reforms that reforms will provide
the ADF with one of the largest work-
place mental health support systems in
Australia.
Mental health issues are life-changing
events. However, members worries about
their job and the stigma of mental health
conditions are the primary obstacles to
seeking help, according to Commander
Joint Health Services MAJGEN Paul
Alexander.
The biggest challenge is still to ensure
that people understand we will look after
them, MAJGEN Alexander said.
Even as recent as 12 or 18 months
ago, if someone had a complex mental
health problem the policy was that if they
were not fit for operational service or to
deploy within 12 months then theoretical-
ly they were unfit to continue in service.
Now that policy has been completely
changed.
We understand and recognise the
complexity of mental health recovery and
the fact that it may take many years, and
the fact that we have a responsibility and
a duty of care, and that the best place to
have people recover is inside our organi-
sation.
He said the priority was to ensure
recommendations from the Dunt Review
into mental health care in the ADF contin-
ued to be translated into service delivery,
policy research, education and training.
The Dunt Review was a major turn-
ing point in ADF mental health treat-
ment. Then CDF ACM Angus Houston
immediately committed the ADF to 49 of
Professor David Dunts 52 recommenda-
tions.
Now halfway through an $82 million
four-year program, many of those recom-
mendations are either in place or planned
for completion by December 2013.
Help with mental health issues is just a
chat away. ADF members can access
mental health care by talking with their
CO or supervisor, presenting to the health
facility on their base, contacting their local
Mental Health and Psychology Section or
by calling the All Hours Support Line on
1800 628 036, which offers 24/7 access
to crisis counselling and referral for treat-
ment and support.
SUPPORT IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY
Get help: Dont
be afraid to pick
up the phone.

We understand
and recognise
the complexity
of mental health
recovery and the
fact that it may
take many years,
and the fact
that we have a
responsibility and
a duty of care,
and that the best
place to have
people recover is
inside our organi-
sation.
MAJGEN Paul
Alexander
Eight Regional Mental
Health Teams have been
established. They are mul-
ti-disciplinary centres and
the teams usually include
a chaplain, social worker,
psychologist medical
officer and psychiatrist.
The teams are located at:
Western Australia:
Leeuwin Clinic, Building
18; Leeuwin Barracks,
(08) 9311 2763.
Northern Territory:
Building 260, Defence
Establishment
Berrimah, Winnelli, (08)
8935 4256.
South Australia:
Building 308, RAAF
Base Edinburgh, (08)
7339 3695.
Northern NSW: Level
17, 270 Pitt Street,
Sydney, (02) 9393
2995.
North Queensland:
Lavarack Health Centre,
Building 675, Lavarack
Barracks Townsville,
(07) 4411 2120.
South Queensland:
Room G20, 1st Floor,
Building G16, Lloyd
Street, Gallipoli
Barracks, Enoggera,
(07) 3332 2466.
Southern NSW:
Duntroon Health Centre,
RMC, Morshead Drive,
Duntroon, ACT, (02)
6265 9754.
Victoria/Tasmania: Level
1, M Block, 256-310 St
Kilda Road, Melbourne,
(03) 9282 4844.
Throwing light on
mental health
While Professor Dunt compared
the ADF commitment to mental health
favourably to other countries, too much
depended on the enthusiasm and com-
mitment of ADF regional mental health
providers.
In response, the ADF mental health
workforce has been increased by more
than 50 per cent. Another 24 positions
will be added over the next 18 months.
These new positions will staff eight
new Regional Mental Health Teams
(RMHT) comprising a coordinator and
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs coor-
dinator. Clinical psychologists have also
been recruited for three of the RMHTs.
On a local level, psychology support
sections have been integrated with other
local mental health professionals to form
multi-disciplinary mental health and psy-
chology sections.
This includes assessment and treat-
ment for conditions such as depression,
anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship prob-
lems, grief and loss, work conflicts and
career counselling.
In addition, the creation of the ADF
Centre for Mental Health will provide
Defence with a facility to research
best-practice mental health intervention
programs and to support and train ADF
health providers.
By the end of 2013, MAJGEN
Alexander wants the initiatives estab-
lished from Dunt to be embedded as
business as usual.
Making sure this happens is the job
of David Morton, appointed in February
2010 to lead reform as Director General
of the ADFs newly created Mental
Health, Psychology and Rehabilitation
branch.
Mr Morton said the next milestone
would be the critical analysis of the
recently completed Military Health
Outcomes Program (Milhop) survey,
which is expected in the next four to six
weeks.
The ADF has engaged an advisory
panel of leading experts on mental
health from around the country and
external to Defence to analyse the data
and look at the suitability of the ADF
programs.
Mr Morton said the information
would give the ADF a thorough under-
standing of the rates of mental health
issues and the major problems people
are experiencing.
Importantly, the data will also help
the ADF understand the barriers to
accessing health care and how treat-
ment can be improved.
We are very conscious that as we
get mental health providers out there,
we integrate the mental health and other
health services into a more comprehen-
sive health service and make it easier
for people to access those services, Mr
Morton said.
With this final piece of the jigsaw,
the ADF will be able to augment exist-
ing programs with best-practice out-
comes designed to reshape ADF mental
health care.
Mr Morton said an evidence-based
program that includes awareness,
resilience and treatment interventions
would meet the complete needs of the
ADF.
Add on to that the rehabilitation
and recovery and what you have got is a
continuity of services, he said.
Together that provides a compre-
hensive program that we are strengthen-
ing and that is what Dunt was really all
about.
t
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11 News September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
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FLTLT Melody Earl
FLIGHT sergeant Gary Browning ex-
perienced the ride of his life when he
rode his motorcycle from Adelaide to
the Red Centre to raise awareness and
money to fight depression.
About 250 motorcyclists from
around the nation joined him for the
Black Dog Ride in late August.
The four-day trip stopped at Port
Augusta, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs
and Glen Helens in central Australia.
At last count, FSGT Browning, of
RAAF Base Edinburgh, had raised
$2789 with $2369 of that being
donated from Edinburgh.
The funding will support the Black
Dog Institute which provides educa-
tion and research on depression.
The PTI from 24SQN, who is
recovering from depression, hopes to
show people they are not alone and
support is available if they are willing
to talk.
He said telling his executive offic-
er he had depression was one of the
best things he had done.
I am relieved that I can be so
open about my journey through
depression and share the effects
it has in every aspect of my life,
FSGT Browning said.
Once Id spoken out, I felt like the
world had lifted off my shoulders.
FSGT Browni ng j oi ned t he
Air Force in 1983 and he first had
depression in the late 1990s before it
returned 18 months ago.
After reaching out to his chain
of command about six months ago,
he was assigned a case worker, who
facilitated his medical support.
His work schedule has changed to
support half days and he has received
great support from a number of peo-
ple at Edinburgh and beyond.
It was suggested by his support
network on base that he pursue activi-
ties that inspired and engaged him. His
1800cc Suzuki Boulevard motorcycle
is a great passion, after his partner and
children.
Getting out on the motorbike is
one of the biggest things I enjoy, he
said.
To coincide that with raising
awareness and money for depression
is a plus. Luckily Ive never gone
down the road of feeling suicidal
but if I can help somebody come
back from that stage then anything
Ive gone through is worthwhile.
XO 24SQN SQNLDR Matt Grant
said the rehabilitation program had
been a team effort between FSGT
Browning, the unit and Defence medi-
cal staff.
FSGT Brownings message is
clear.
The quicker you get a hold of
depression the easier it is to treat, like
anything else.
Wheels
turn for
Black
Dog
EASY RIDER:
FSGT Gary
Browning, who
is recovering
from
depression,
enjoys getting
out on his
motorbike
so he was in
his element
riding to raise
awareness
and money
to fight the
illness. Photo:
CPL Glen
McCarthy
The Super Hornet provides Australia with an immediate next-generation air combat capability ideally
suited to RAAF requirements. Already delivering on budget and ahead of schedule, Boeing and its
industry partners are committed to ensuring superior program performance in the air and on the ground.
13 News September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
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FLGOFF Cath Friend
THE sun had just started to peek over
the homemaker centre at Baulkham
Hills, NSW, and already the Air Force
support team was at work, directing
traffic to the official start line of the
Variety the Childrens Charity NSW
Bash 2011.
Directing traffic does not seem so
unusual until you see the cars enter
the start area. The first car through, a
1970 Ford Fairlane, driven by team
The Hippies, arrived with its loud-
speakers blaring the Mamas & The
Papas. Smoke poured out its windows
as an arm emerged from the drivers
side, giving the Air Force member a
peace sign. A voice asks, Hey man,
want a cookie?
Another 118 cars filed through the
start area, ranging from a Navy subma-
rine to the Flintstones.
Teams displayed just as much crea-
tivity in their costumes as they did with
their vehicles.
This years Bash, which started
on August 6, covered more than
5400km over 11 days through some
of Australias most remote regions,
en route to Australias most westerly
point at Buccaneer Rock, Broome.
While there are few rules, blatant
cheating and bribery are not only
allowed, but are actively encouraged.
For the past 20 years Air Force has
supported the Variety NSW Bash by
supplying medics and mechanics.
This year Air Force provided
medical, logistical and mechanical
support.
Most of the team were first-time
Bashers, with no idea what they had
signed up for, except the knowledge
that they would be helping Australias
leading childrens charity, doing the
miles for the smiles.
Air Force mechanics LAC Phillip
Webb and CPL Aaron Bray had the
mammoth task of patching up cars
that often looked like they were
beyond repair. LAC Webb said there
were days they did not get into camp
until 11pm.
The Variety teams would always
have a hot feed and a cold beer ready.
They were so thankful for our help,
yet we were the ones pinching our-
selves being on such an amazing trip,
LAC Webb said.
LACW Mylie White had only just
returned from an exercise at Timber
Creek in the Northern Territory when
Doing miles for smiles
she learned she would be heading back
through there as a medic with the Bash.
Her main job was to support the
two NSW paramedics and the Bash
doctor who was travelling in the Bash
helicopter.
Air Force team leader WOFF
Kevin Leahy said the medical crews
support was vital for the Bash entrants
and the event would not go ahead
without the assurance that medical
help was only minutes away.
In one incident, a vehicle acci-
dent, it was all hands working to get
the occupants stabilised and on their
way to the nearest hospital. It was
over three hours by road, so there was
a lot of teamwork to get them safely
there, WOFF Leahy said.
He provided logistics support to
the Bash, and this year received a
Certificate of Appreciation for 20 years
support to the fundraising event.
WOFF Leahys big day was on the
Gibb River Road when a road train
was stuck on a creek crossing, block-
ing Bash vehicles.
Paramedics had been able to winch
the truck out of the creek, but not up
the hill, when he came to the rescue.
Connecting his Air Force Toyota
Landcruiser to the road train with a
snatch strap, WOFF Leahy went to
work.
Bashers roared cheers of encourage-
ment as he successfully pulled the road
train up the dirt track and into a safe
area.
The annual Variety NSW Bash is
Australias most successful charity
motoring event, and the focal point of
fundraising efforts by many hundreds
of supporters of Variety.
This year the Bash raised $1.8 mil-
lion, which goes to help children who
are sick, disadvantaged or who have
special needs.
Variety runs Bashes in most states. If
you are interested in getting a team
together and taking part, visit www.
variety.org.au
HELPERS: WOFF
Kevin Leahy with
the other Air Force
members who
assisted in the
Variety Bash in
the background:
LACW Mylie White,
LAC Phillip Webb,
CPL Aaron Bray
and FLGOFF Cath
Friend. Photo: LACW
Casey Gaul
POSTCARDS FROM THE ROAD: Above, WOFF Kevin Leahys big day was on the
Gibb River Road when a road train was stuck on a creek crossing; inset, a line-up of
Variety Bash vehicles. Photos courtesy FLGOFF Cath Friend
HELPERS: WOFF
Kevin Leahy with K
t
m
a
V
t
L
L
C
a
FF Kevin Leahys big day was on tthhe
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14
September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF News
SEVENTEEN Air Force members and their families
will be forever grateful to the Ambassador Apartments
on Chevron Island on the Gold Coast.
After the Queensland floods, the management of
the apartments offered two rooms free of charge for
eight weeks a kind offer that provided welcome res-
pite for the displaced families.
RAAF Base Amberley chaplains Tim Hodgson
and Craig Boettcher added the roles of booking
agents to their ever-diversifying job list.
Both men hit the ground running at Amberley after
the floods and since January have been working with
airmen and their families affected by the deluge.
Aside from providing chaplaincy care and coun-
selling, they have provided access to RAAF Welfare
Trust Fund (RWTF) grants, state government grants
and respite weekends to RAAF Welfare Recreation
Company (RWRC) holiday houses.
CHAP Boettcher said about 42 members had reg-
istered for the RWTF flood relief grants and loans.
The RWRC provided respite support for members
and their families free of charge.
CHAP Boettcher said members were still suf-
fering; some have lost property from $10,000 to
$340,000 and many were still awaiting compensation.
Now, the Ambassador Apartments will have some-
thing to remember Amberley by.
On behalf of the members, CHAP Hodgson pre-
sented Andrew Wilkinson, one of the managers of the
Ambassador Apartments, with a framed image of a
1SQN aircraft on August 10.
SQNLDR David Scherr is one of two
HQ 1 Division staff members recognised
for their work coordinating the ADF re-
sponse to the Queensland floods in De-
cember and January.
SQNLDR Scherr and CAPT Rupert
Hindle were awarded bronze commen-
dations on August 5 for their leadership
of land and air elements at HQ Joint
Task Force 637 during the floods.
SQNLDR Scherrs commendation
acknowledges his tireless and consist-
ently sound advice on the optimal use
of the Air Forces critical air assets as a
significant contribution to the ADF sup-
port to the people of Queensland.
As t he J TF Ai r Component
Coordi nat i on El ement , SQNLDR
Scherr was granted unprecedented
direct tasking authority over the Air
Force commitment of three C-17As
and four C-130s.
That authority gave the JTF the
ability to respond to incredibly dynamic
circumstances, SQNLDR Scherr said.
We could rapidly task the aircraft
and deliver the relief effort where and
when it was most needed.
Air Force aircraft moved almost
1 million pounds of cargo and about
450 people across Queensland over two
weeks, according to SQNLDR Scherr.
It totally vindicated the concept of
permanently embedding a senior Air
Force officer in this divisional headquar-
ters, he said. I knew the divisions peo-
ple, their processes and the command
structure well, and we didnt skip a beat as
the JTF HQ stood up.
CAPT Hindle was the senior watch-
keeper at the HQ 1 Div Joint Operations
Room after being recalled to work on
December 30.
He planned the composition and
deployment of JTF force elements
across central and northern Queensland.
After
the
floods
come
the
thanks
GRATEFUL: CHAP Tim Hodgson who presented
Andrew Wilkinson, one of the managers of the
Ambassador Apartments, with a framed image of
a 1SQN aircraft. Photo: CPL Peter Borys
Providing a few
happy memories
LCPL Mark Doran
BLOOD Angels, Imperial Guardsmen and Space
Marines will be infiltrating and conducting deep-
strikes during the ADF Wargaming Championships
in Townsville on December 10-11.
As part of the Soldiers Opportunities for
Recreation and Development initiative started by
3 Brigade, Defence personnel will represent their
units by competing in tabletop war games and fun-
draising for Legacy Australia.
The Warhammer 40, 000 t ournament at
Lavarack Barracks will include the application of
tactics and celebrate the skills of exceptional hob-
byists, rewarding players who embody good sport-
ing behaviour and gaming etiquette.
The game systems being run for the tournament
are Warhammer 40,000, which is a science fiction-
based game, and Warmachine, which is inspired by
fantasy steampunk.
Current ADF and APS members are eligible to
enter the event with entries for this year closing on
December 1.
Tournament organiser CPL Tyron Casey,
of 1RAR, said one of the ADF Wargaming
Associations (ADFWGA) aims was to promote
tabletop wargaming as an alternative recreational
activity within Defence.
The principle of the hobby is about having two
opposing armies on a battlefield fighting to a sce-
nario or mission to win the conflict, he said.
For more information on the ADFWGA, contact CPL
Tyron Casey at tyron.casey@defence.gov.au
ADF wargaming
champs coming
COMMENDED: SQNLDR David Scherr
and the devastation in Rockhampton
captured on January 3.

We could rapidly
task the aircraft and
deliver the relief
effort where and
when it was most
needed.
SQNLDR David Scherr
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A TEAM of tradespeople from 1 Airfield Opera-
tional Support Squadrons Airfield Engineering
Flight has constructed a new Forward Operating
Base (FOB) for the Combat Survival Training
School.
The new facility replaces two previously used
training areas which were damaged by Cyclone
Yasi earlier this year.
A team of up to 20 electricians, carpenters,
plumbers and plant operators spent several
months in the Townsville Field Training Area
establishing water storage, field power generation,
concreting, a classroom, several offices, improve-
ment of the roads and a large carport.
The FOB was handed over last month.
CPL Melanie Schinkel
T
he Air Forces Combat Survival
Training School (CSTS) has
made significant changes to
ADF aircrew survival courses
over the past 18 months to incorporate
the latest techniques and procedures.
CSTS, based at RAAF Base
Townsville, offers four survival cours-
es: Aircrew Environmental Survival,
Aircrew Combat Survival, Cold
Weather Survival and Unit Combat
Survival Officers Course.
The school also supplements unit-
specific Force Preparation Training.
All of these courses are available
to ADF personnel but two of them are
mandatory training for ADF aircrew.
CO CSTS SQNLDR Davin
Augustine said ADF aircrew typically
completed both the mandatory aircrew
environmental and combat survival
courses back-to-back in three weeks.
The environmental survival
course prepares the students to ditch
anywhere in a peacetime environment.
It teaches them how to survive in sea,
arid and jungle environments, both
as part of a team and individually,
SQNLDR Augustine said.
Realistically, after a crash, given
that Australia is so big and its popula-
tion density is so low, there is a chance
aircrew could spend hours or days wait-
ing for a rescue party. The environmen-
tal course teaches them how to take care
of themselves at the crash site while
they are awaiting rescue.
This is a fairly arduous and chal-
lenging course, and the students typi-
cally operate outside of their comfort
zones. At the end of it they feel more
confident about surviving in isolated
and austere environments.
Once the students complete the
two-week Aircrew Environmental
Survival Course they move on to the
week-long Aircrew Combat Survival
Course, which requires them to apply
their learned skills in a simulated non-
permissive environment.
The Aircrew Combat Survival
Course introduces an enemy pres-
ence and teaches the students how to
survive in a hostile setting, SQNLDR
Augustine said.
This course isnt about putting a
dagger in your teeth and engaging the
enemy its about learning how to
evade the enemy and repatriate with
friendly forces. We continue to incor-
porate contemporary methods that are
being used in operational theatres from
around the globe into this course.
He said crash site defence training was
a recent addition to the combat survival
course.
CSTS has never offered training
on defending a crash site before; now
PTI SGT Darren Pay, who has
worked as an instructor at CSTS for
the past two years, sees his job as
helping students to acclimatise to
the hot and humid conditions found
in Townsville.
We conduct PT regularly
throughout the course, SGT Pay
said.
I dont make the students par-
ticipate. They need to develop their
own tenacity and recognise that they
can push themselves beyond their
perceived limits because one day
they may need to quickly shift into
that gear to survive.
The body is capable of more
than what the brain thinks it is. The
last thing you want is the rescue
party finding you dead because you
gave up too easily. These courses
teach our personnel how to endure
when they think they cant go on.
But remember, theres a big
difference between perceived and
real risk. Student safety is always
our number one priority in train-
ing.
New FOB after Yasi
MONTHS
OF WORK:
The new
Forward
Operating
Base.
it is one of the many training oppor-
tunities in the combat survival course.
We recognise that its an important
task that some aviators or their pas-
sengers may be forced to do.
Once aircrew students complete
both the environmental and combat
survival courses, they are deemed
ready to deploy on operations,
although they are encouraged to also
complete the Cold Weather Survival
Course at Mt Hotham in Victoria.
The final two courses CSTS
offers are the Unit Combat Survival
Officers Course, designed to train
unit-specific survival trainers, and
Force Preparation Training for units
preparing for operations overseas.
For more information, visit the CSTS
website on the DRN at http://intranet.
defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/CSTS/
ComWeb.asp?page=438
Feature
RCE AIRFF September 15, 2011 15
Aircrew
survival
refocus
CSTS incorporates latest techniques and procedures into courses
Finding that little bit extra in the heat
ATTRACTING ATTENTION: Creating coloured smoke with a fire to attract
a rescue party during the Aircrew Environmental Survival Course.
Photo: PO Andrew Watson
PULLING TOGETHER: Course No. 21 conducts an arduous physical
training activity during the Combat Survival Training Schools Aircrew
Environmental Survival Course at RAAF Base Townsville.
Photo: PO Andrew Watson
16
September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF News
Further information: securityawards@defence.gov.au DRN: intranet.defence.gov.au/securityawards DSN: visit DSA site DOSD: https://osd.defence.gov.au
FLTLT Skye Smith
MEMBERS of 82WG reflected on the
traditions and history of some of Air
Forces oldest and most distinguished
bomber squadrons during the wings
annual Associations Day.
OC 82WG GPCAPT St eve
Roberton said the day maintained and
strengthened the bonds between pre-
vious, current and future generations.
The commitment of the associa-
tion members provides a critical link
in retaining 82WGs prestigious his-
tory, especially as the roles and capa-
bilities of 1 and 6SQNs evolve over
the years, he said.
82WG now also encompasses
expanded air combat roles through
the tactical ISR of 5 Flight, as well as
the joint terminal attack control and
combat controller roles within 4SQN.
The day started with a memori-
al service and the laying of wreaths
at the front gate to RAAF Base
Amberley, followed by trophy presen-
tations to 82WG members.
1SQN pilot FLTLT Mark Mohr-
Bell was awarded the Pathfinder
Force Trophy as the most outstanding
aircrew member in his first operation-
al tour at an 82WG squadron.
The award commemorates the ded-
ication and sacrifices of the members
of the elite Pathfinder Force during
WWII.
1SQN Clerk CPL Geoffrey Rogers
was the recipient on the Beaufighter
and Boston Trophy.
This award is presented to a non-
commissioned officer or airman who
is employed in non-technical combat
support duties, which are in support of
82WG activities.
The RAAF Beaufort Trophy was
awarded to 6SQN pilot SQNLDR
Bryce Solomon and 1SQN Weapons
Systems Officer FLTLT Tim Nelson.
This trophy is presented to an air-
82WGs
day of
tributes
crew member from both 1 and 6SQNs
whose efforts during the year have
contributed most significantly to
squadron flying operations.
Both SQNLDR Solomon and
FLTLT Nelson were among some of
the first aircrew to train in the US
and then instruct on the inaugural
Australian Super Hornet operational
conversion course.
6SQN avionics technician SGT
Ben Longrigg was awarded the
467/463 Squadrons Trophy.
This award is presented to a tech-
nical member under the age of 30 who
works in a unit whose defined role is
strike-related activities.
About 120 members from the
Pathfinder Force Association, RAAF
Beaufort Squadrons Association
(Qld), 463/467 Squadrons (Qld)
Associ at i on, Beaufi ght er and
Boston Association of Queensland,
the Aircrew Association, RAAF
Association (Gold Coast and District
Branch), and RAFA (Qld Branch)
attended the event at Amberley.
All of these associations were
formed post-WWII.
REMEMBERING: From left,
AIRCDRE Stewart Cameron,
retired FLGOFF Robert Chester-
Master and WGCDR Clive Wells.
TOGETHER: Association members, guests and
serving members gather to pay their respects.
RHINO
PIONEERS: Above,
SQNLDR Bryce
Solomon, left, and
FLTLT Timothy
Nelson with the
RAAF Beaufort
Trophy. Photos: LACW
Kylie Gibson
TOGETHER: Association members guests and
,
EYE-OPENER: Alex Hawke MP gets some real-time training experience with Surveillance and Control Training
Unit member FLTLT Christopher Webb. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett
17 News September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
Tell us about the
other hats you wear
All Reservists (Active and Specialist) should recently
have received mail asking about your civil skills (formal,
self-claimed, experience) for the Civil Skills Data e-survey.
It is very important that you complete this survey as it
helps the Australian Defence Force better identify people
with specic skills that can be drawn upon for emergencies,
exercises and deployments.
You will receive a half day pay for preparing and completing
the survey and it will also help your Reserve career.
Its time to complete the Civil Skills Data e-survey
Theres still time for you to complete the survey. Make sure
you have all your paperwork ready licences, degrees and
other qualications before you start.
If you have any questions about the survey, or any of the
information collected, please email your query and PMKeyS
number to ADO.CivilSkillsData@defence.gov.au
You can complete the survey on your own or a Defence
computer, but you should complete it as soon as you can.

Visit www.civilskillsdata.com today
CIVIL
SKILLS
DATA
Skills in Reserve
Jaimie Abbott
SURVEILLANCE and Response
Group (SRG) has given two federal
politicians a taste of what its like to
serve in the Air Force.
The Australian Defence Force
Parliamentary Program (ADFPP)
brought Senator David Bushby,
Liberal Senator for Tasmania, and
Alex Hawke, Federal Member for
Mitchell, to RAAF Base Williamtown
from August 8 to 12.
In a whirlwind tour of Headquarters
41WG and its units, they were able to
observe a Mission Readiness Exercise
for the air battle managers in
Afghanistan and conduct surveillance
and air battle management from the
Eastern Region Operations Centre.
They also observed a live mission
at 3 Control and Reporting Unit, where
they had a morning tea with unit per-
sonnel afterwards.
I was amazed by some of the
stories and experiences the 41WG
personnel shared with me, after their
deployments to the Control and
Reporting Unit in Kandahar, Mr
Hawke said. Afghanistans airspace is
one of the busiest operational environ-
ments in the world and these personnel
played such an important role in man-
aging that airspace.
More than 100 politicians have
participated in the ADFPP since it was
introduced in 2001, allowing people
from all sides of politics to gain a
strong appreciation for the work of the
men and women within the ADF.
At Air Combat Group, Senator
Bushby and Mr Hawke were able
to see how Australia develops and
maintains the expertise to competently
operate world-class fighter aircraft.
They learned of the important capa-
bilities of combat controllers and joint
terminal attack controllers.
From the Air Traffic Control Tower
on the base the pair was able to see just
how busy the Joint Battlefield Airspace
Controllers are regularly managing civil-
ian and military aircraft.
453SQN Williamtown Flight
Commander SQNLDR Shaun Nelson
said: Like many people, they didnt
realise the diversity of our battlefield
airspace management skills in addition
to core air traffic control competen-
cies.
The pair also became honorary
members of Combat Support Group
during their stay. They got to experi-
ence the training of military working
dogs, were involved in a mock airfield
firefighting rescue, toured Mechanical
Equipment Operational Maintenance
Squadron workshops and the gymna-
sium, and assisted in the preparation of
a meal in the Airmens Mess.
I wont be giving up my day job
just yet, I need much more practice in
the kitchen, Mr Hawke said.
Taste
of our
world
Parliamentary
program
comes to
Williamtown
WORKING UP A HUNGER: Senator
David Bushby helps prepare lunch in
the Airmens Mess for more than 200
RAAF Base Williamtown personnel.
Photo: LAC Mark Friend
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18 September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF Flightline
HARD HATS: Above, 82WG F-111 disposal team
members SGTs Andrew Shegog, left, and Chris Walker
during reconstruction work on A8-132.
LETS SHAKE ON IT: Above, Commander AOSG AIRCDRE
Noel Derwort accepts the reconstructed F-111 from F-111
Disposal Project Manager WGCDR David Abraham at RAAF
Base Edinburgh. A8-132, known as Casper, arrived by road on
August 12 after a five-day journey from RAAF Base Amberley. Left,
82WGs CPL Michael Finn in one of the afterburners of A8-132 in
the 92WG hangar. Photos: CPL Glen McCarthy
Caspers home at Edinburgh
PIG POSE:
82WGs CPL
James Potter in
front of A8-132.
19 Flightline September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
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Specialisations are available in the following areas: electronic warfare, networking, space
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Compulsory courses: (all four)
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Elective courses: (two)
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ZEIT8136 Software Project Management
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ZEIT8412 Simulation
ZEIT8410 Soft Systems Methodologies
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CRICOS Provider Number: 00100G
HIGHWEAR: Above, SGT Geoffrey Gillard with
the CAF Commendation he received for his
role as the Air Force Clothing Liaison SNCO
within the Clothing Systems Program Office.
Photo: FSGT John Carroll
JOINING FORCES: Local NSW police officers helped raise
$762 for NSW Police Legacy during a dining-in night with Air
Force members at RAAF Base Wagga. Posing with the novelty
cheque is, from left, SGT Aaron Ritchie (Sergeants Mess
Committee), NSW Police officers SGT Stuart Forbes, Senior
Constable Craig Prestage and SGT Peter McLay, and Mess
CMC WOFF Andy Godwin. Photo courtesy SQNLDR Alison Owens
ALL PACKED: Left,
loadmaster WOFF Scott
Willacott, of AMTDU,
assesses a load of
equipment for flight at RAAF
Base Richmond.
Photo: LACW Casey Gaul
FLIGHT READY: Right, PC-9
pilot FLTLT Steve English,
of CFS, on the flightline at
RAAF Base East Sale.
Photo: AC Oliver Carter
TAKING STOCK: Below,
ACW Kaila Barker, of
92WG Logistics Operations,
undertakes a monthly
stocktake while deployed on
Operation Resolute at RAAF
Learmonth.
Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman
ENGINEERED TO
SUCCEED: Right,
Hugh Johnson, an
avionic engineer in the
Aerospace Systems
Engineering Squadron
of AOSG at RAAF
Base Edinburgh,
with the DCAF Silver
Commendation he was
awarded for his service
in the development
and support of flight
test instrumentation
systems with the
squadron.
Photo: LAC David Cotton
www.dha.gov.au
139 DHA
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21 Awards September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
COMPLETE YOUR
AFR ONLINE!
Help us raise vital funds for Legacy
www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence
From 1 July, Toll
Transitions will donate
$1 to Legacy for each
Application For Relocation
(AFR) entered online via
Toll Transitions website.
Our aim is to raise more
than $10,000 in the coming
peak posting period.
In addition to helping
Legacy, you will also go
into a monthly draw
*
for
a Valet Unpack Service.
**
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** Valet Unpack Service includes: Furniture arranged in
each room, beds made, goods unpacked and put away in
cupboards, bench tops wiped down, cartons fully
emptied and collapsed ready for collection by removalist.
Enter your AFR online
today to help us
increase our donation
to Legacy and for
your chance to win.
Its easy as
Application for Relocation online
www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence
Toll Transitions upgrades its website to enable access and improved performance via multiple internet browsers.
Following feedback received from Members regarding
issues with accessing Toll Transitions website
www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence via some
internet browsers, Toll Transitions has upgraded its website.
This upgrade now means that Defence Members are ensured
improved performance and compatibility with most internet
browsers on PC, Apple Mac and Apple iPad hardware.
Toll Transitions is committed to making it as easy as possible
for Members to access and use its website to manage their
relocation online.
If you encounter any issues with the Toll Transitions website,
please contact us on 1800 819 167 for assistance.
oved performance
$4,000
COMMENDATIONS
CAF Commendation (Gold)
GPCAPT Graham Bond, GPCAPT Christine Doherty,
GPCAPT Michael Rowntree, WGCDR Maxine Dahl
For their performance as leading members of the
Directorate of Coordination-Air Force Protocol
Australian International Airshow Team.
WGCDR Barbara Courtney
For performance as Combat Support Commander
Combined Task Unit 640.4.4 for both the Australian
International Airshow 2009 and the Air Forces 90th
anniversary celebrations as part of the Australian
International Airshow 2011.
SQNLDR Len Bowen
For performance as the Transport and Movements
Officer of the Directorate of Coordination-Air Force
Protocol Australian International Airshow Team.
SQNLDR Peter Callow
For performance in undertaking a highly complex DCAF
Inquiry while continuing to carry out primary duties
at both Defence Support Group and 382 Expeditonary
Combat Support Squadron.
FSGT Michael Gawalski
For performance as the Finance and Governance
member of the Directorate of Coordination-Air Force
Protocol Australian International Airshow Team.
Ms Michele McGee
For performance as the caretaker and manager of the
Air Force Brand at Air Force Headquarters.
WGCDR Ben Stewart
For dedicated service over many years to the Australian
Air Force cadets and the Air Force.
DCAF Commendation (Silver)
FSGT Steven Sedgman
For performance as a Personnel Manager within the
Directorate of Personnel-Air Force.
S
)
ristin
A FEW years ago, a young man
named Deng Alier decided that
he wanted to thank Australia for
giving him the opportunity for
a new life, so he joined the Air
Force.
Most of my childhood was
spent around men in uniform,
my father being one of them. I
was so influenced by the quali-
ties they displayed, such as disci-
pline, respect, leadership and so
many others, he said.
He was accepted into the Air
Force, and earlier this year at the
St Kilda town hall, 21SQNs AC
Deng Alier received an award
for Most Outstanding Airman
from the Hellenic Sub-branch of
the Returned Services League of
Australia.
For any young serviceman
the award would represent a sin-
gular achievement; for AC Alier
it is particularly so. He arrived
in Australia on September 26,
2003, as a refugee from a camp
in Kenya.
I lived in a refugee camp for
10 years before our application
was accepted, he said.
Initially, he wanted to go to
the US but his application was
refused. His mother then applied
for an Australian refugee human-
itarian visa and they were accept-
ed after two years.
He said receiving the award
was a privilege.
I' m honoured to receive
Dengs honour
PROUD
AUSSIE: AC
Deng Alier,
above, and
far left on his
drivers course in
Melbourne with
other members
of 21SQN. AC
Alier received
the Most
Outstanding
Airman award
from the Hellenic
Sub-branch of
the RSL. Photo
courtesy 21SQN

The Air Force accepts you for who you are,

not what you have or where you come from.
this award, which is one of the
most historic in Australian-Greek
relations. Also, Im thankful to
my unit for giving me this great
opportunity in life.
He said that his career has had
many highlights, but he singles
out one aspect which all ADF
personnel could relate to. The
most important thing, that I have
found to be the highlight for me,
is that the Air Force accepts you
for who you are, not what you
have, or where you came from.
His Air Force training had
also provided him many benefits.
It was excellent, very well
conducted throughout by expe-
rienced and well-qualified train-
ers, he said.
Out of the training, I gained
confidence, discipline, knowl-
edge and the best that you can
see in me.
E
O
I
Expression of Interest for officers
Respecialisation to ACO, INTEL, JBAC or ELECTR
Closing date: September 30, 2011
Log on to People Central for more information.
We do our job,
so that you can do yours.
Proud to be a proven supplier to Defence.
Sometimes you
can judge
a book
by its
cover.
by its
22
September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF History
Air Force assets on show
Air Force
Roulettes
September 18:
Battle of Britain,
Melbourne.
September 18: RAAF
Museum, Point Cook.
September 30: Deniliquin
Ute Muster, NSW.
Air Force
Band
September
14: Air Power
Brass will
give a concert at Carey
Grammar School, Kew, at
11am.
September 15: The
Ceremonial Band will
support the 223 and 224
Pilots Course gradua-
tion parade at RAAF Base
Pearce from 10.45am.
September 15: Air
Power Brass will sup-
port the annual Battle of
Britain Commemorative
Ceremony at the Australian
War Memorial at 10.30am
in the western courtyard.
September 16:
The Air Force
Jazz Ensemble
will perform at
the Australian
Teenage Expo as
part of the Defence Youth
Engagement program at
the Moonee Valley Race
Club.
September 16: The
Ceremonial Band will
support the SATC
graduation parade at
RAAF Base East Sale
at 12pm.
September 17: Air
Power Brass will
give a live broad-
cast on 3MBS
radio, Melbourne, at
10am.
September 18:
The Ceremonial
Band will support
the annual Battle of
Britain service at the
Melbourne Shrine of
Remembrance from
2.30pm.
September 20: The Air
Force Wind Quintet will
support the RSL national
conference at the Sofitel
Hotel, Melbourne.
September 23: The
Ceremonial Band will sup-
port the 2, 3 and 4SQN
95th anniversary parade
at RAAF Base Williamtown
from 10am.
September 26 and 27:
Force 10 will give a free
one hour performance at
the Royal Melbourne Show
from 2.30pm.
To confirm dates and
timings, call (03) 9256
2514.
Air Force
Museum
September 18:
Battle of Britain,
Melbourne.
Air Force
Balloon
September
16: Australian
Teenage Expo,
Melbourne.
September 18: 315SQN
AAFC, Canberra.
Bob Piper
THE chance discovery of a wartime
aircraft clock in an antique shop
sometimes leaves more questions
than answers as to its source and
history.
They were collectors items in
WWII and still are today. The mag-
nificent eight-day aircraft clocks
came into vogue even before the war.
These usually well-made and
accurate timepieces were easily
identified by their larger than normal
winders, necessary for gloved pilots
to be able to wind them in flight.
They were also an essential part of
navigation.
It is said that when an aircraft
crashed or crash landed in WWII the
first thing that disappeared or was
souvenired was the eight-day clock,
often before the pilot was retrieved
or wreckage removed.
Many of these clocks are still
in very good condition despite the
fact that they are now more than 65
years old. The American, German
and Japanese models are a perfect
example of the watchmakers art with
tolerances, when properly serviced
and adjusted, of less than a minute
gained or lost in a day. Thats an
unbelievable .06 percent error margin
for a clockwork timepiece.
I purchased one recently at
an antique shop in the Southern
Highlands of New South Wales. I just
couldnt resist it, especially because
of my aviation enthusiasm and back-
ground.
A little research and a small tag
on the back showed that it was made
by the Pioneer Instrument Company
in Brooklyn (New York), a sub-
sidiary company, but is probably an
American Elgin or Waltham. This
particular model was apparently pro-
duced for the RAAF to be installed in
the Catalina flying boat, Wirraway or
Boomerang fighter. Further research
showed there is even an Air Force file
in the National Archives in Canberra
that records how they should be
maintained and repaired.
Cleaning and re-oiling of these
small clocks by competent watch-
makers is generally around the $100
to $150 mark. Sometimes markings
on the back of the case or inside pro-
vide dates and initials of instrument
fitters and watchmakers who repaired
or retimed it in the past. Mine has
one with CEC 122 neatly scratched
on the back plate.
So if you discover one, consider
its history and perhaps make a pur-
chase. Mine ticks away now like a
regular little heart beat on my office
table and it only has to be wound
every eight days. Its good company.
I wonder what stories of pilots,
planes and flights it could tell.
But then thats part of its intrigue
and mystery.
Bob Piper, of Military Aviation Research
Services, was a former RAAF historian.
Timely find of
a rare kind
Former top apprentice dies at 79
STILL TICKING: The little eight-day
wartime aircraft clock found in an
antique shop more than 60 years
after it was produced for the RAAF.
This model was designed to be
installed in a Catalina, Boomerang
or Wirraway. Photo courtesy Bob Piper
A PART of Air Force history passed on
recently when former RAAF Appren-
tice Wallace Henry Bowles died on Au-
gust 22 after a long illness.
He was just short of his 80th birth-
day.
Mr Bowles enlisted in the RAAF
on February 2, 1948, and was one of
the first 53 apprentices accepted into
the service.
The scheme was introduced in 1945
by GPCAPT Heffernan and WGCDR
Cameron who perceived it to be the
best way to provide up to 60 per cent
of the RAAFs technical manpower
needs.
The course comprised three years
of academic and technical training at
RAAF Base Wagga. Mr Bowles gradu-
ated as the top graduate of the course
in December 1950.
The t hen Mi ni st er for Ai r,
GPCAPT Jimmy White, and Chief of
Air Staff AIRMSHL Sir George Jones
presented him with his prizes.
23 Health September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
TIPS TO QUIT
Quitters who plan are more suc-
cessful.
Set a quit date.
Learn about your smoking.
Decide how you will quit.
Halve your usual caffeine intake
when quitting smoking.
Remove all reminders of smoking,
like ashtrays and lighters.
Consider making your home and
car free of smoke.
Plan replacements.
Plan rewards for yourself.
Call the Quitline on 13 78 48 or visit
www.quitnow.gov.au
BUTTING OUT: Patience
and persistence are two
of the keys to successfully
quit smoking.
Photo: LAC Bill Solomou
Bill blogs on ... joys
of spring cleaning
J
O
I
N

B
I
L
L








C
A
M
P
A
I
G
N
I
L
LL
C
A
THIS year it was spring
cleaning with a difference
for me.
Not only did I dust
the shelves, I also went
through the wardrobe and
I am pleased to say that
I have passed on to the
Salvos six shirts and four
pairs of shorts.
I did wash them first, of
course.
Some followers of my Join Bill
Campaign have been asking me for an
update, and I am pleased to announce
that, in total, I have now lost 4.5kg since
starting in late May.
There is, however, a long way to go
in the six-month fitness campaign. But I
am happy to be feeling as fit as a fiddle
at this stage.
As the weather starts to warm up,
and I have only a few months left in the
challenge, its time to ramp up the exer-
cise. In fact, its time to push myself that
extra mile.
Ive had a fair past month. There
have been days when I
have found my motiva-
tion lacking, and there
have been days when I
have gone all out.
Things have evened
out, which hasnt really
been a bad thing.
Its just that now I feel
I need to move ahead.
I have been doing a
lot of running lately in
preparation for the fun run season.
Two months ago I couldnt run to
save my life but recently I have been
running about 20km a week.
Thank you for the ongoing support
from personnel.
I want to encourage those members
who joined campaign or who are tack-
ling their own fitness challenges, to get
back to me and let me know how they
are going.
The journey continues.
Email LAC Bill Solomou at vasilis.
solomou@defencenews.gov.au
Success in quitting rarely comes with ease, but a combination of behavioural support
and nicotine replacement therapies will help. LCPL Mark Doran reports.
Kicking the habit
T
OBACCO use is a major threat
to our nations health and eco-
nomic prosperity.
Smoking is the single largest
cause of preventable deaths in Australia
and causes more illness and death than any
other drug; it accounts for about 15,500
deaths every year.
The Non Smokers Movement of
Australia (NSMA) states that of 1000
young Australian males who smoke, 250
are expected to die prematurely due to
tobacco use.
Smoking is becoming less tolerated in
todays society partly because of the com-
munitys reactions to the statistics, health
studies and the risks involved with passive
smoking.
Recent surveys show that 80 per cent
of smokers want to quit and almost three
million Australian smokers have done so,
according to NSMA.
The ADF assistant director of Alcohol,
Tobacco and other Drugs (ATOD), Jennifer
Harland, said opting for a combination of
therapies was more successful than one, and
combining behavioural support and nico-
tine replacement therapy increased success
rates.
The ADF also relies heavily on the
different QUIT programs around Australia
because there are a lot of resources avail-
able for people who wish to quit which are
easily accessible, Ms Harland said.
Nicotine replacement therapy can
include patches, nicotine gum and lozenges
and can be prescribed to ADF members at
no cost.
Non-nicotine medication, such as Zyban
and Champix, is a more recent therapy used
by Defence and prescribed after failure or
intolerance to nicotine replacement therapy.
Ms Harland said part of the process for
starting non-nicotine medication was to
receive medical support, so members were
encouraged to see their unit medical officer.
It must be highlighted that these
medications are not suitable for everyone
and must be prescribed by a doctor, Ms
Harland said.
She said new non-nicotine electronic
cigarettes were among the many options
available.
From the evidence Ive looked at there
wasnt anything to suggest the electronic
cigarettes were any better than the other
products available.
The process of quitting smoking is dif-
ferent for every individual and the motiva-
tion to quit is most important.
For people who are trying to quit, it
can take numerous attempts to get it right.
But be patient, persist and be prepared to
explore why you smoke.
Quitting at any age can result in major
and immediate health benefits, some of
which will be noticed within hours or days.
Nicotine-dependant ADF personnel are
encouraged to seek support from Defence
via counselling, nicotine replacement and
non-nicotine medication therapies.
ADF members can also be referred
through their doctor to see an ATOD co-
ordinator, psychologist or, in Navy, an alco-
hol and drug program coordinator.
MAKING PROGRESS: LAC Bill Solomou gets some advice from PTI SGT
Shane Duncan at the Russell Offices gymnasium in Canberra.
NEW ADF INTERACTIVE
BUDGET PLANNER
NOW DEPLOYED!
www.adfconsumer.gov.au
Easy, accurate planning
Battleground graphics & details
Targeted at ADF personal & family nances
Super-fast calculations
Who said nances are boring? This whole exercise will help all
ADF members and their families manage income and expenses,
create personal balance sheets, and understand progress towards
nancial independence. Check it out now at:
onsumer.gov.au
d un undd
ouu out t no now w at at::
24 September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF Finance
E
XCHANGE Traded Funds (ETFs)
have become popular with inves-
tors and they are often promoted
as an easy way to diversify your
investments, usually with lower fees than
traditional managed funds.
Be warned though: some ETFs are com-
plex and risky investments.
As ADF members know, higher poten-
tial returns usually come with higher risks.
You need to understand the risks and keep
within a level you are comfortable with.
What are ETFs?
ETFs are promoted as a low-cost way to
get investment returns similar to a share index
or another underlying asset.
They are a type of managed investment
that can be bought and sold like shares,
through your stockbroker or online trading
account.
The ETF usually tries to match changes
in the value of an equities index, but ETFs
are also available that offer exposure to
assets such as international shares, foreign
currencies and even precious metals.
Two types of ETFs
Most ETFs buy the shares and other
investments that they are trying to match
they are known as standard or physical ETFs.
While you will not personally own the
shares the ETF buys, you will usually own
units or shares in the ETF.
Your main investment risk is the perfor-
mance of the ETFs underlying shares and
other assets.
Another type of ETF, known as a syn-
Weigh up the risks on Exchange
Traded Funds, says Australian
Securities and Investment
Commission chairman Greg
Medcraft.
ETFs explained
Email ASIC at ADFcolumn@
asic.gov.au with topics that
interest you
thetic ETF, may or may not directly own the
underlying shares or other assets and uses
complex products called derivatives and
swap agreements to track their performance,
before fees.
In Australia, only a handful of synthetic
ETFs are available. They are required to
include the word synthetic in their title, so
you can easily identify them, and other rules
have been introduced to reduce some of
their risks.
Risks to consider
These are some of the complex features,
which can apply to physical ETFs, synthetic
ETFs and sometimes both.
TRACKING ERRORS: Physical ETF
prices will not exactly follow the price
of the index or investments they are
designed to track. This tracking error
may be caused by fees, taxes, and other
factors. The extent of any tracking error
with a synthetic ETF depends on its spe-
cific features.
PRICING ERRORS ('gapping'): ASIC
has found examples of ETF prices quoted
by online stockbrokers that are signifi-
cantly above or below the value of the
assets that the ETF holds. The risk is that
you might pay far more than the ETFs
assets are worth, or sell ETFs at a price
far below the value of their assets.
OVERSEAS INVESTING: If the ETF
tracks international shares or other
investments, there may be currency, tax
and pricing risks.
COSTS: While ETFs have become
known for low costs, management fees
vary and there are other costs to consider.
For example, some ETFs management
fees may be higher than the fees for an
equivalent (unlisted) index fund.
COUNTERPARTY RISKS: Synthetic
ETFs enter into contracts with third par-
ties, or counterparties. Your returns are
dependent on the counterparty being able
to honour its commitment to the ETF.
SECURITIES LENDING: Physical and
synthetic ETFs may use securities lend-
ing, transferring some of their assets
(such as shares) to other companies for
a fee. The risk is the borrower will not
return the securities as promised.
Finally, whenever you invest, remember
the importance of diversification, or spread-
ing your investments to control your risks.
For a more detailed list of risks to consider
before investing, go to www.moneysmart.gov.
au and search for ETFs.
Photo: CPL Aaron
Curran
What you need to know
before investing there
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service
A service founded by Vietnam veterans
Supporting Australias veterans, peacekeepers
and their families
VVCS provides counselling and support services to Australian veterans, peacekeepers, eligible members
of the Defence Force community and their families, and F-111 Fuel Tank Maintenance workers and their
partners and immediate family members. VVCS is a specialised, free and condential Australia-wide
service.
VVCS can provide you with:
Individual, couple and family counselling including case management services
After-hours crisis telephone counselling via Veterans Line
Group programs including Anger Management, Depression, Anxiety, Lifestyle Management and Heart
Health
Support on transition from military to civilian life, including The Stepping Out Program
Information, self-help resources and referrals to other services.
We can help you work through issues such as stress, relationship, family problems and other lifestyle
issues as well as emotional or psychological issues associated with your military service.
If you need support or would like more information
about us please give us a call or visit our website.
1800 011 046*
www.dva.gov.au/vvcs
* Free local call. Calls from mobile
and pay phones may incur charges.
AG45761
25 September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF
Sp rt
IT APPEARS that our F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project office
is not quite as stealthy as the aircraft it is introducing.
In the first of a series of friendlies, the F-35 NACCers,
from New Air Combat Capability, were given a softball
lesson by the US Embassy at ADFA recently.
This was despite the NACCers calling on their secret
weapon, SGT Tracey Mosley, a dual Australian Olympian
and four-time world championship player over a 20-year
international career.
We looked great warming up and I could see the
opposition was troubled, NACC team manager SQNLDR
Tony Goad said.
I interpreted a shake of Traceys head as a sign of
confidence; the opposition was definitely in for a surprise.
With the allure of the smoking barbecue and World
Series-like musical accompaniment, the modest (in fact,
very modest) crowd was in for a thriller. The scene was set.
But alas, despite some personal bests, the NACCers were
jumped from the start and never recovered.
I cant tell you the final score, because, like the F-35, its
classified, SQNLDR Goad said.
But, as AVM Kym Osley explained in offering his
congratulations to the Embassy team after the game,
softball was the winner.
COL Christopher Stockton, of the US Embassy,
responded: My team looks forward to next year when
I understand the Yanks will learn a thing or two about
cricket the hard way.
The game was part of an ongoing series of NACC-
coordinated events, the proceeds from which go to the
Cancer Council of Australia.
SECRET WEAPON: Former
international softball player
Tracey Mosley batters up for
the NACCers.
WATCH THE BALL:
Right, SQNLDR
James Waddington
looking like he knows
what hes doing.
Its back to the
drawing board for
F-35 NACCers
DESPITE the disappointment of their nine-year winning
streak coming to an end at the Australian Defence squash
titles, Air Force players still had cause for celebration at
RAAF Base Williamtown from August 7 to 12.
WOFF Brett Parker, of Air Force Headquarters,
claimed the masters title and WGCDR Scott Parry, of
RAAF Base Williamtown, won the B grade competi-
tion.
Silver lining as our
squash reign ends
Army won the overall inter-ser-
vice competition in a heartbreaking
finish.
The Air Force team of CPL Craig
Baldwin, LAC Steve Gailer, WOFF
Parker and FLTLT Stuart McLean was
beaten on a points countback after the
matches were tied at two all.
The masters competition was a
knock-out format and WOFF Parker
said it was great to get over the line
and win some matches.
The highlight of the nationals
for me was seeing the improvement
of the junior players during the com-
petition, going from dangerous peo-
ple with rackets and fur going eve-
rywhere to being competent players
using the basic tactics of the game,
WOFF Parker said. The open semi-final between CPL
Baldwin and OCDT Matthew Brunker was another
highlight and was the closest match of the tournament
which either player could have won.
OCDT Brunker won in five sets 15-6, 12-15, 8-15,
15-13, 15-5.
CPL Baldwin agreed with WOFF Parker about
the good young players coming through. That will
most certainly be an huge advantage for any upcoming
tours, he said.
For more information, visit http://intranet.defence.gov.au/
pspg/sites/Squash or contact Australian Defence Squash
Racquets Association president LCDR Nick Barker, (02)
9359 4077, nicholas.barker3@defence.gov.au or secretary
SGT Melanie Boyd, (02) 6937 5820, melinda.boyd@
defence.gov.au
WGCDR
Scott Parry.
WOFF Brett
Parker.
Bring on
the cricket
PITCHER PERFECT: FLTLT
Mark Rinnie.
Have you thought about
your future workforce?
Have you considered offering
placements through the Defence Work
Experience Program?
This Program provides opportunities to
students to experience the ADF or
Defence APS as an employer of choice.

Send enquiries to:
Defence.WorkExperienceProgram@defence.gov.au
Or Visit:
www.defence.gov.au/workexperience
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsg/sites/workexperience
BE YOUR OWN BOSS
26 September 15, 2011 RCE AIRF Sp rt
Saturday, October 1
Gala Game Day 1 at Viking Park,
Canberra
Noon: Tonga Defence Services v China Peoples
Liberation Army
2pm: Royal Navy v Australian Federal Police
4pm: Royal Air Force v Papua New Guinea Defence
Force
6pm: British Army v Samoa Police
Wednesday, October 5
Gala Game Day 2 at T.G. Millner Field,
Eastwood
11am: Royal Navy v Republic of South Africa
1pm: Tonga Defence Services v Australian Defence
Force
3pm: Royal Air Force v New Zealand Defence Force
5pm: French Armed Forces v British Army
Sunday, October 9
Gala Game Day 3 at Viking Park,
Canberra
Noon: Australian Defence Force v China Peoples
Liberation Army
2pm: Australian Federal Police v Republic of South
Africa
4pm: New Zealand Defence Force v Papua New
Guinea Defence Force
6pm: Samoa Police v French Armed Forces
Thursday, October 13
Quarter finals at T.G.Millner Field,
Eastwood
9.30am: Winner Pool D v runner up Pool B
11.30am: Winner Pool C v runner up Pool A
1.30pm: Winner Pool B v runner up Pool D
3.30pm Winner Pool A v runner up Pool C
Pool Plate semi-finals at Victoria Barracks, Sydney
1pm: 3rd place Pool A v 3rd place Pool C
3pm: 3rd place Pool B v 3rd place Pool D
Sunday, October 16
Pool Plate finals at Viking Park, Canberra
1pm: (bronze) Runner up semi final 1 v runner up
semi-final 2
3pm: Winner semi-final 1 v winner semi-final 2
Tuesday, October 18
Semi finals at North Shore RFC, Auckland
1pm: Winner quarter final 1 v winner quarter final 2
3pm: Winner quarter final 3 v winner quarter final 4
Saturday, October 22
Finals at Auckland University, Auckland
1pm: (Bronze) runner up semi final 1 v runner up
semi-final 2
3pm: Winner semi-final 1 v winner semi-final 2
POOL A
Tonga Defence
Services (TDS)
China - Peoples
Liberation Army
(PLA)
Australian Defence
Force (ASRU)
POOL B
Royal Navy (RN)
Republic of South
Africa (SANDF)
Australian Federal
Police (AFP)
POOL C
Royal Air Force
(RAF)
New Zealand
Defence Force
(NZDF)
Papua New Guinea
Defence Force
(PNGDF)
POOL D
French Armed
Forces (FAF)
British Army (BA)
Samoa Police (SP)
Working out the
Chinese puzzle
COMPETITION
POOLS
THE DRAW
SERIOUS BUSINESS: The Chinese players in a photo which was sent to IDRC organisers in July.
THE Peoples Liberation Army
(PLA, aka China) team will not
be a complete mystery for oppo-
nents in the International Defence
Rugby Competition (IDRC) in
Australia and New Zealand in Oc-
tober.
PLA is paired with Australian
Services Rugby Union (ASRU) and
Tonga Defence Services (TDS) in
Pool A of the competition and as
such will play both.
ASRU coach CAPT D. J.
Cahill has had the difficult job of
getting some advance informa-
tion.
The Chinese were last sight-
ed in 2005, CAPT D.J. Cahill
said. A number of their squad
recently played in the Asian
championships and feedback
from those in the know suggests
that their backline is quick and
technically proficient.
Their five-eight plays profes-
sionally in Hong Kong.
Still, there is a lot of mystique
around the team which is not one
of the powerhouses in international
rugby.
They are an unknown quan-
tity, IDRC Competition Director
Glenn Crosland said. We expect
them to be physically strong and
fit.
The growth of the sport has
been massive in China. In 1991,
there were 30 registered play-
ers in China. By 1996 there were
more than a thousand instructors.
China became affiliated to
the International Rugby Board in
1997 and is now ranked 40th in
the world, ahead of Madagascar
and just behind Sweden.
ASRU plays Tonga in its first
game in Sydney on October 5.
It then plays the Chinese at
Viking Park in Canberra on
October 9.

They are an unknown quan-

tity. We expect them to be
physically strong and fit.
Competition Director Glenn Crosland
DMO
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exciting opportunities Australia wide!
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27 September 15, 2011 RCE AIRFF Sp rt
LCPL Mark Doran
THE ADFA fencing team will contin-
ue a 10-year rivalry when the annual
ADFA fencing tournament is held in
Canberra on October 15.
As a sidelight to the tournament,
ADFA and the Australian National
University (ANU) have a grudge match
going to see which is the best team.
ANU has held the perpetual tro-
phy for the past three years but the
ADFA team, which includes four Air
Force members as well as nine Navy
and seven Army, is hoping to turn that
around.
Leader of the ADFA Fencing Club
OFFCDT James Shelton said even
IF ALL goes to plan, LAC Stephen
Wadwell and his friends hope to organ-
ise the Defence inter-service paintball
championships in Sydney or Canberra
next year.
We are about to submit all our
paperwork to the Australian Defence
Sports Council, he said.
More than 50 people in Air Force,
Army, Navy and APS had already
responded positively to a paintball
page on the Defence intranet so hes
confident there is a groundswell of
support.
Paintball tournaments involve
teams of three, five, seven or even 10
players.
Players, armed with devices called
paintball markers, aim to eliminate
opponents by tagging them with
paint-filled capsules made from food
colouring and gelatin.
The game is played on a small
symmetrical field filled with artificial
terrain (such as inflatable bunkers)
and lasts several minutes.
Players wear brightly coloured jer-
seys and pants to indicate their team.
LAC Wadwell, who works at
HQJOC in Canberra, is one of about
30 ADF players who play in a civil-
ian-based competition, the Super 7
series, which is held in Sydney four
times a year.
Thats where the idea for an ADF
championship was hatched late last
year.
If you want more information, contact
LAC Wadwell, stephen.wadwell@
defence.gov.au or LAC Rob Sutterby,
robert.sutterby@defence.gov.au
ON TARGET: LAC Stephen
Wadwell at training.
Photo: Sonja Newcombe
Paintballers hope
to spread wings
The three weapons used in fencing:
Foil: A light and exible
weapon that relies on outsmarting
your opponent and establishing the
precedent of attack. Hits are scored
with the tip of the weapon and the
target area is the chest and back.
Epee: A slightly rmer blade
making for more aggressive
bouts. Hits are scored with the tip,
although the entire body (including
the face) is considered target area.
Sabre: A cutting weapon that
relies on high speed attacks and
lightning quick defence. Hits are
scored with either the blade or tip
with everything above the waist
considered a target.
though people thought of fencing as
an individual sport there was actually
a lot of teamwork involved.
You have to rely on your friends
to pick you up on your failing tech-
niques in practice so when you face
other opponents, who arent going
to be so nice to you, you know how
to counter and improve your attack,
OFFCDT Shelton said.
The self-discipline from my
military training definitely applies
to fencing by being able to repeat
techniques and become a master of
the basics.
Sword fighting as sport has exist-
ed since ancient Egypt and jousting
and tournament combat was a popular
sport in the European Middle Ages.
By the mid-19th century, duelling
was in decline as a means of settling
disputes, partially because victory
could lead to a jail term.
Emphasis shifted to beating the
opponent without necessarily kill-
ing him, and less fatal duelling forms
evolved using the duelling sword, or
epee de terrain, an un-edged variant of
the small sword.
Later duels often ended with crip-
pling thrusts to the arms or legs, and
fewer legal difficulties for the partici-
pants. This is the basis of modern epee
fencing.
Duelling faded mostly away after
WWI, though duelling still occurs with
some frequency among university fra-
ternities in Germany.
OFFCDT Shelton said fencing
gave the ability to react quickly, ana-
lyse a situation and develop a plan.
When your opponent attacks, you
can parry, step back, and when you
step back you can see what they are
going to do and react accordingly to
come out on top, he said.
The grudge match will include
our novice fencers and will give them
an opportunity to represent the acad-
emy with a chance of winning their
bouts without facing the expert fenc-
ers from ANU.
For more information, the ADFA Fencing
Club representative can be contacted at
adfa.delegate@actfa.org.au
University challenge for ADFA fencers
TO EPEE OR NOT EPEE
AS AIR Forces lawn bowlers prepare
to defend the Defence title they won
last year, they can draw great confi-
dence from the NSW inter-service
titles in Newcastle on August 2 and 3.
The Australia Services Bowls
Association (ASBA) national cham-
pionships will be held in Brisbane
from September 19 to 23.
NSW is perhaps the state with the
greatest depth of players in Defence,
so Air Forces winning performance
in Newcastle carries some weight.
Air Force beat Army 98-76 and
Navy 93-52, and seven Air Force
players were chosen to represent
NSW at the national championships.
They are CPL Rob Fitzgerald,
AC Zach Gabrielsen, SGT Gerry
Harkins, SGT Rob Hunt, SGT
Michael Petersen, SGT Tony Tapper
and FSGT Shaun Keitel.
Unfortunately, AC Gabrielsen, of
37SQN, looks likely to miss the titles
owing to work commitments but at age
23 (22 at the time of the NSW titles) he
is surely one of the faces of the future
for Air Force.
AC Gabrielsen skipped a team
at Newcastle that lost against Army
19-22 after trailing 8-21 and beat
Navy by four shots. Both opposition
skips have represented Defence in
external tournaments.
AC Gabrielsen started play-
ing bowls at 13 at the Gerringong
Bowling Club, going on to win the
club singles and play in the NSW
champion of club champion singles.
He later played number-one pen-
nants for both Bomaderry Bowling
Club and Dapto Citizens Bowling
Club and now plays for Windang
Bowling Club.
One of t he pl ayers on AC
Gabrielsens rink in Newcastle,
SQNLDR Paul Auberson, of 22SQN,
was full of praise for his young skip.
Why not learn and play while
you have 20/20 vision, a strong sup-
ple back and your original, undam-
aged knees and hips, SQNLDR
Auberson said.
Air Force beat Army by half a
point to win last years national title.
First games in this years title will
be for the state-versus-state titles.
After the state competition,
Defence selectors will select 16 play-
ers each for the service-versus-service
title. Each service plays each other over
two days.
After the tournament, a squad of
30 (16 players and 14 reserves) will
be selected for a tour of South Africa
in April next year.
For more on Defence Lawn Bowls, visit
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/lawnbowls
Bowlers return
Back with good form to the scene of last years triumph
NSW REP: FSGT Shaun Keitel.
CHANGE OF TACTICS: LACW Alana Dickson takes on her opponent during the series against
the New Zealand Defence Force. Photo: CPL Christopher Dickson
Winning rebound
for ADF women
CFN Max Bree
AIR Force players joined with the best of ADF
womens hockey to beat the New Zealand Defence
Force in an Anzac test series at the Sydney Olympic
Park Hockey Centre from August 22 to 26.
After losing the first of four games, the ADF won
the last three to win 3-1.
LACW Alana Dickson, of 34SQN, said the ADF
team developed new tactics for the last three games.
We really came together after the first game,
she said. We played a different system that worked
really well for us and we managed to keep control of
the centre of the field.
LACW Dickson came away from the tournament
impressed with her Kiwi opponents.
Theyre lovely girls, she said. They had some
really strong players; they were a hard team to beat.
We just managed to get it over them in the end.
In the mens, an under-strength ADF side suffered
a 4-0 whitewash at the hands of the New Zealand
Defence Force team.
CPL Chris Arney, of JEWOSU, said the Kiwis
were very fast.
SP
September 15, 2011
RT
EXPECT THE
UNEXPECTED
THE FULL DRAW PAGE 26
P
L
U
S
September 15, 2011
Faces
behind
the
mask
Photo: LCPL Mark Doran
EN GUARDE: OFFCDT
Blaise Walker in
action and unmasked,
left of inset photo,
swashbuckling it up
with the other members
of the ADFA fencing
team, OFFCDT Kyna
Vandenbeld and OFFCDT
James Shelton.
THE GLOVES will be on when the annual ADFA fencing
tournament is held in Canberra on October 15.
And masks and other protective clothing as well
as ADFA continues its rivalry with the Australian
National University (ANU).
Four Air Force fencers are part of the ADFA team
of 20 which will contest the tournament.
The university rivalry is just one side of the tour-
nament, but its a serious grudge match as far as the
ADFA fencers are concerned.
ANU has won the perpetual trophy for the past
three years so the ADFA team hopes to rectify that.
OFFCDT Blaise Walker sharpened up at the ACT
national fencing tournament from August 12 to 14
where he placed 33rd out of the 60 competitors in
the open mens foil.
OFFCDT Walker, who has been fencing for eight
years, said the highlight of the ACT tournament was
competing against former Australian champion and
Olympic team member Frank Bartolillo.
I lost, but it was a good bout quite educa-
tional, he said.
Story, Page 27
ADFAs university
challenge
Lifting
their
spirits
ARNHEM DRIFTER
SPECIAL LIFTOUT September 15, 2011
RCE
AIR F
Air Force
Balloon
brings joy
to outback
Aussies
HAPPY, SMILING FACES:
Students from the Gapuwiyak
Community School cant contain
their excitement at riding in the
Air Force Balloon during its visit.
Photos: LAC Glynn Jones
PEEKABOO: Yuendumu School student
Stephen looks through the balloon basket.
2
ARNHEM DRIFTER SPECIAL LIFTOUT
3 2
RCE AIRF F
September 15, 2011
A
FTER 14,000km, hundreds
of smiling faces and a lot
of hot air, the Air Force
Balloon and its crew have
returned home from exer-
cise Arnhem Drifter.
The exercise was designed to
bring aviation to young Australians
in remote communities, providing
them with the opportunity to experi-
ence Air Force and the magic of
flight.
Over the five-week exercise,
the balloon travelled to remote
Australian locations, including
Arnhem Land and the Kimberley
Ranges before returning to
Canberra via the Tanami Track,
down through the Alice, central
South Australia and central New
South Wales.
As the crew brushed off the red
dust and refilled the gas bottles,
they reflected on their journey.
Balloon Flight Commander
SQNLDR Phil ODonnell said two
things stood out as the most memo-
rable for him.
The reaction of the kids as they
played with the basket and burners
was fantastic, he said.
To see the excitement on their
faces was just great.
Second was the spectacular
scenery.
We were out at Balgo Hills,
which I thought was flat country,
until one of the locals took us out
to see the view from the lookout.
It was the most spectacular view I
have seen, he said.
Also among the balloon crew
were two Army personnel.
They were SGT Terrence Dingo
Bligh and CPL Chris Causby, who
are both career counsellors posted
to Defence Force Recruiting.
They went along to assist with
balloon crew duties and to be avail-
able to talk to the kids.
SGT Bligh, a third generation
indigenous soldier originally from
Brisbane, enjoyed the chance to
interact with the children in the
communities.
I speak four different dialects,
so engaging with the elders and the
kids was great, SGT Bligh said.
It was a great chance to pro-
vide information to the students
[on careers in the armed forces],
to engage with them and to pres-
ent myself to them as a proud third
generation soldier.
This was a once in a lifetime
trip; it was absolutely spectacular.
SQNLDR ODonnell said
Arnhem Drifter was primarily aimed
at school-age children and remote
indigenous communities.
Kids at that age love the spec-
tacle, he said.
The smile on their faces was
a highlight and we handed out a
lot of the [Air Force souvenir] wrist
bands.
The public were able to follow
Arnhem Drifter on Twitter, Facebook
and through traditional media.
Also, the crew regularly posted
photographs of their journey on to
the Defence Image gallery as well
as the balloons own Facebook
page. These proved very popular,
The biggest radio interview was
in Alice Springs, we talked with
G-Man, who has more than 1.5
million listeners around Australia,
SQNLDR ODonnell said.
We gave regular updates
through Macca in the Morning
(Sunday ABC Radio) with many
people saying the came to see us
after they had listened to the pro-
gram.
With plenty of regional media
coverage (and front page news
in some papers), Arnhem Drifter
was talked about by many all over
Australia.
However, the exercise wasnt
without its down side. Unfortunately
due to weather conditions, the
balloon was only on full display at
eight of the 21 venues visited.
We could not get the balloon up
all the time, so we had to think on
our feet and come up with different
methods of engaging with the com-
munity, SQNLDR ODonnell said.
The burners were a great way
to interact; the kids and adults alike
loved them.
LAC Glynn Jones, one of the
photographers on the exercise,
said: My favourite part of the trip
was meeting all the different char-
acters along the way.
Spending five days with the
Indigenous NORFORCE guys was
definitely a significant highlight.
One of the guys showed me
how to properly play the didgeridoo,
which was great.
As with the inaugural Arnhem
Drifter 2009, this years exercise
was a huge success, taking the
love of flight to the bush.
For a job well done, SQNLDR
ODonnell thanked the two Army
members with a balloon flight over
Canberra.
Both were very appreciative and
in awe of the spectacular views.
This has been an incredible trip
for Chris and me, SGT Bligh said.
I would love to do it again.
I would recommend it [joining
the balloon flight] to anyone who
wants adventure and a sense of
achieving something special.
Asked if he would also do it
again, SQNLDR ODonnell didnt
hesitate in responding.
Of course we would; however
how about we go southwest rather
than northwest next time, he said.
Balloon Flight is going to be on the
lookout soon for Canberra-based junior
airmen reservists to perform ground
crew duties. Personnel interested
in finding out more should contact
SQNLDR Phil ODonnell on (02) 6127
6809.
The Air Force Balloon proved a huge hit with the kids, writes LAC Bill Solomou.
July 28 - Bourke
July 29 - Charleville
July 30 - Longreach
August 1 - Tennant Creek
August 2 - Katherine
August 5-9 - Nhulunbuy
August 10 - Gapuwiyak
August 12 - Tindal
August 13 - Darwin
August 15 - Darwin
August 17 - Kunnunurra
August 18 - Wamun
August 19 - Fitzroy Creek
August 20 - Halls Creek
August 21 - Balgo
August 22 - Yuendumu
August 26 - Marla
August 27 - Coober Pedy
August 28 - Woomera
August 29 - Peterborough
August 30 - Wentworth
August 31 - Goolgowi
ITINERARY
ALL AGLOW: Some of the children attending the Garma Festival rejoice as they are lit up by the balloons burners during an evening
demonstration as part of Arnhem Drifter. Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
BOARDING SOON: Above, residents at Nhulunbuy
watch the balloon crew get ready for flight.
Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
HIGH SPIRITS: Right, young Catherine Mosquito
was all smiles after her flight. Photo: FSGT Glen McCarthy
FOLLOWME: Above, SQNLDR Phil ODonnell entertains
children from Goolgowi Public School during the visit.
Photo: SGT Murray Staff
BIG NOISE: Right, students from the Gapuwiyak Community
School enjoy a tethered ride in the balloon.
Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
LIGHT MY FIRE: Below right, students from MacFarlane
Primary School in Katherine watch and feel the heat as the
burners fire up. Photo: LAC Glynn Jones
BASKETFUL: Children at Yendumu are briefed by crew members
SQNLDR Phil ODonnell (left), WOFF Brett Baker (centre back) and Army
SGT Terrence Dingo Bligh (right). Photo: FSGT Glen McCarthy
ARNHEM DRIFTER
4
RCE AIRF
September 15, 2011
FLTLT Trevor Grant
BEING separated from his wife and
children during Arnhem Drifter was
no teddy bears picnic for balloon pilot
SQNLDR Phil ODonnell, but luckily
he had a few friends to help him stay
connected with home.
Joining him on the journey across
the outback were three little teddy
bears to represent his three daugh-
ters, Emma, 13, Kate, 11 and Lisa, 9.
Deploying regularly means
SQNLDR ODonnell is away from
home for more than 60 days a year.
So to help his children understand
that even though they are apart, he is
still thinking of them, he came up with
a cute idea to keep in touch.
He takes the teddy bears every-
where he deploys, capturing photos
of them along the way to send back to
his daughters so they can see where
he is, and in a small way, feel like they
are with him.
When I first gave them to the
girls, we developed a tradition that
when I go away, I take the bears away
with me to represent each of them,
SQNLDR ODonnell said.
I sit the bears on the dash and
take photos at different locations and
then email them back to the girls.
They then feel as if they are part
of the trip; that I havent left them and
they havent left me.
The children love the idea of the
bears, and having them with me and
photographing them everywhere I go
makes it easier for them to understand
that I am thinking of them all the time.
Its like a holiday with them, an
adventure that keeps us close.
Three bungles of joy
www.facebook.com/RAAF.Balloon
More than 220 followers, 150 posts and
13,300 views of the pages during August.
FACEBOOK COMMENTS
CANT BEAR TO BE AWAY FROM YOU: While travelling near the Bungle Bungles, above, and
remote community Warmun, left, in Western Australia during Arnhem Drifter, SQNLDR Phil
ODonnell captures a photo of the three teddy bears representing his daughters, Emma, Kate and
Lisa, to send home to the girls. Photos: FSGT Glen McCarthy
Dear Air Force,
Thanks for coming to Halls Creek and fly the Air
Force and it was fun with the flames and flying
the big air balloons and it was good to have you
here. Lots of thanks, Mcphee Stretch
Congratulations on an awesome
adventure around the top end! Looks
like an amazing tour and some great
events. Love the photos and the
Facebook coverage!
Michael Bannerman (former Air
Force Balloon pilot)
This was an awesome experience,
thank you to all the team that made it
happen.
Donna Thomson
Good to see kids having fun :-)
Bob Ingle
Great to see smiles on the kids faces.
Well done. U go guys; workin yet
havin an adventure, good luck and
stay safe.
Susan Feary
Well done and thanks again for com-
ing to Longreach.
Sue Smith
Well done Air Force Balloon Crew,
keep up the good work.
Brett Baker
Thanks you for coming to
Halls Creek to show us the
air balloon. It was so fun
because we all had a ride in
the hot air balloon. And we
saw Red Hill and I was so
scared and it was so hot.
From Zenneth Jessell
This is for the Air Force.
Thanks to coming at Halls Creek
because all the kids liked the bal-
loon and you guys. From Kiemahl
Thanks for coming... and
sharing
online
CHILDRENS LETTERS
MCPHEE: Halls Creek District High School
student McPhee Stretch with SGT Terrance Bligh.
Photo: FSGT Glen McCarthy
KIEMAHL AND ZENNETH: Halls Creek children
Kiemahl, above, and Zeneth Jessell, above centre,
operate the balloons burners.
Photo:
FSGT Glen
McCarthy