Page 9 SILENT SALUTE TO OUR PAST...Vol. 58, No. 21, November 17, 2016 The official newspaper of the...

Rajawali Ausindo – CentreSquadrons’ centenary parade – Pages 2-3

AIRF RCEVol. 58, No. 21, November 17, 2016 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force personnel around the nation, and on operations, paused

on November 11 to remember

SILENT SALUTE TO OUR

PAST

Page 9

AC John Dwyer rests on arms during the Remembrance Day ceremony at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo: CPL David Cotton

2 November 17, 2016RCEAIR FNews

DirectorDavid Edlington: (02) 6265 4650

EditorLawrence Dutrieux: (02) 6266 7612

ReportersWO2 Andrew Hetherington: (02) 6266 7614SGT Dave Morley: (02) 6266 7613CPL Bill Solomou: CPL Max Bree: (02) 6266 7608 CPL Mark Doran: (02) 6265 1304LS Jayson Tufrey: (02) 6266 7606CPL Sebastian Beurich: (02) 6265 4140

CONTACT [email protected] Editor, Air Force News, R8-LG-047, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnewsFax: (02) 6265 6690

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DISCLAIMERAir Force News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia. It is printed under contract by Horton Media Australia Ltd. The material published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Air Force News. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia approval and the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement. The Directorate accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence News and Multimedia. Defence does not endorse the products or services published in advertisements.

RCEAIR F

26SQN firefighter CPL Jeremy Larcombe (rear), shows SQNLDR Martin Parker, wife Chantelle and daughter Charlotte through a fire truck during the centenary celebrations. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

A century of pride on parade

SOAKING rain failed to spoil the parade as Air Force marked the centenary of Australia’s first flying squadrons, Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4, at RAAF Base Williamtown on October 28.

The program opened with a full Colours Parade, reviewed by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, as Commander-in-Chief.

“The pride so evident in this parade demonstrates to me that you truly uphold the high standards of those who have gone before you in these most esteemed squadrons,” the Governor-General said.

“This is your chance to show that as a group, and individually as squadrons, you are the pride of the Air Force.

“You have very appropriately and eagerly grasped the tradi-tions, you’ve kept the names alive and you’ve performed with enormous distinction in the memory of those airmen of 100 years ago.”

OIC of the Centenary Planning Committee GPCAPT Terry van Haren said it was a significant milestone in ADF history.

“Centenary commemorations have been simple yet elegant acknowledgments of the contri-butions and achievements of Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 Squadrons through-out the last 100 years,” he said.

“Building on Air Force’s ear-liest beginnings, with the for-mation of the Australian Flying

Corps, Air Force has transitioned into the modern integrated force that we know today.”

GPCAPT van Haren said that while the day showcased the innovation and evolution of “air power”, commemorations cen-tred on serving members, veter-ans and families.

“Importantly, centenary events have brought into focus the dedication, commitment, sacrifice and exemplary service of Army and Air Force per-sonnel, past and present. They highlight the enduring spirit of mateship, with the opportunity to come together as one in com-memoration of a proud history that continues with ongoing operations,” he said.

“Today’s commemorations have also provided the oppor-tunity to thank Defence fam-ily members for their service, acknowledging the important contributions of parents, grand-parents, spouses and children, and the support they have pro-vided and continue to provide serving personnel.”

RAAF Base Williamtown personnel, staff, veterans and families attended the event, along with 1SQN personnel from RAAF Base Amberley.

The parade flypasts featured modern Air Force aircraft as well as historic warbirds. Guests enjoyed static displays and a flying program showcasing the squadrons’ rich history in flying combat.

There’s no dampening the mood as first flying squadrons mark 100 years

Living the Air Force Values: RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORK

THE final Customer Service Survey of the year is out and People Services is urging ADF members to complete the survey and help provide feedback to improve services across the whole of Defence. Feedback this year has result-ed in more streamlined security vetting processes, a new self service tool on the DRN which brings all your accounts together, and the introduction of a sin-gle contact number and email address for People Services. To help improve the services you think need refining, fill out the survey at https://www.orima.com.au/defence/css before November 30.

Customer survey

3November 17, 2016RCEAIR F News

A historic Wirraway flies over Newcastle on its way to RAAF Base Williamtown in preparation for the centenary parade. Photo: SGT Shane Gidall

Left: An F/A-18 Hornet performs a fly-over for the Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 Squadron centenary parade at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo: CPL Melina Young

Below: Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove inspects the parade. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

For more images of the parade and celebrations check out the Defence Image Gallery at http://images.defence.gov.au or watch the video at http://video.defence.gov.au/play/4920#

AUSTRALIA’S Super Hornets have undergone their first major upgrade.

The job was finished on budget and two weeks ahead of schedule by the Electronic Attack Enterprise team, consisting of Air Force, Defence’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Boeing Defence Australia and Raytheon Australia.

The work was the first stage of the Super Hornet Spiral Upgrade Program under which the fleet will receive incre-mental capability upgrades.

The program is being conducted in parallel with the US Navy F/A-18F upgrade program to ensure the technol-ogy remains in line with the world’s largest and only other Super Hornet operator.

The 12-month Increment 1 program delivered updates to the aircraft train-ing system, as well as to software and hardware.

These included the installation of Navigation Warfare to provide GPS navigation protection, a Distributed Targeting System to enable precision targeting, and an upgraded Solid State Recorder for the cockpit.

Five separate structural modifica-tions to improve fatigue life and elimi-nate hazards were incorporated with the hardware upgrades.

OC Air Combat and Electronic

Attack System Program Office GPCAPT Jason Agius said the pro-gram’s success demonstrated a mature and integrated support capability.

“The completion of Increment 1 was essentially a coming-of-age for the Super Hornet support system,” he said.

“It was the first time we brought together every element of the support system, from program management, logistics and engineering through to training and deeper maintenance.

“The project’s completion on budget and ahead of schedule is a testament to how well it worked.

“As prime contractor, Boeing Defence Australia exhibited ingenu-ity and innovation in foreseeing and addressing challenges.

“They used their knowledge to add value and insight at every stage and worked in close partnership with both Air Force and training system services provider Raytheon to guarantee the pro-gram’s success.

“The project’s completion ahead of schedule is a strategically important achievement for Air Force and one of which all involved should be proud.”

Boeing Defence Australia’s Super Hornet Program Manager, Chris Gray said the program demonstrated the value of Air Force and industry working as one team.”

First step in Super Hornet upgrade

GPCAPT Jason Agius (left) cuts the Increment 1 cake with Program Manager Super Hornet Chris Gray and WGCDR Greg Mathams, as the upgrade team looks on. Photo: CPL Casey Gaul

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FLGOFF Tracey Li

FLYING displays by F/A-18A Classic Hornets and the Roulette display team thrilled racing fans at this year’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix 2016 (MotoGP) on October 21-23.

Rain failed to keep thousands of national and international motorcycle fans away from Phillip Island, Victoria.

Air Force has enjoyed a long asso-ciation with motoring events across Australia but this was the Hornets’ first appearance at the MotoGP.

SQNLDR Phil, a 2 Operational Conversion Unit pilot, said partici-pating at the MotoGP provided an

opportunity to draw parallels between the high-tech capabilities, teamwork and training discipline of MotoGP rac-ing teams and those of the Air Force.

“The passion, determination and skill of our Roulette and Hornet pilots can be compared to the same quali-ties possessed by a MotoGP rider,” he said.

“The RAAF maintainers are inte-gral to ensuring Air Force aircraft can complete missions successfully and safely, in the same way that pit crews on MotoGP racing teams maintain motorcycles.”

MotoGP CEO Andrew Westacott said the flying displays added to the

experience for high-adrenalin fans.“And, like the fans, I enjoy the fly-

ing displays performed by Air Force’s highly skilled pilots as they showcase high-precision manoeuvres such as loops and barrel rolls as the F/A-18A Classic Hornets fly across the stun-ning Phillip Island coastal backdrop,” Mr Westacott said.

For the first time at a MotoGP event, footage from the Hornet and Roulette flying displays was broad-cast to audiences around the world, providing international and Australian fans with a pilot’s perspective from the cockpit.

FLGOFF Brooke Marshall

HE TRAVELS at speeds exceeding 280km/h but V8 Super Black Racing Supercar driver Chris Pither spends his spare time on another track – building awareness around post-mil i tary struggles.

Two Air Force Super Hornet crew members toured Pither’s garage at the Gold Coast 600 Supercar event in late October, and heard about his role as an ambassador for the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation and his racing ambitions.

Between race circuit events, Pither has been advocating for better support of military and first responders.

The founda t i on , s im i l a r t o Australia’s Mates4Mates Foundation, was popularised in the Hollywood movie American Sniper, which depicted the life and death of US Marine Chris Kyle.

“I take advocating post-military ser-vice and the effect it has on its person-nel as seriously as driving,” Pither said.

“My father worked at Ohakea Air Force Base and, having spent time there from a young age, I always had an interest in the military. I would have looked at joining as a career path if I had not followed my motorsport dream.

“We really need to give back to our service people and I grabbed the opportunity to be an ambassador for the foundation.

“I wanted to give back to the first responders and their families who have served for us. Doing so has meant I’ve

worked with the Soldier On foundation in Australia while also advocating in the US.

“Being involved is just as rewarding as race driving.”

Super Hornet weapons system officer SQNLDR Stadey, of No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, said the opportunity to meet Pither and go behind the scenes with a high-tempo V8 team was outstanding.

“The racing teams closely resemble the operations at our own RAAF F/A-18 squadrons, with many hands pitch-ing in to get the car on the road for the drivers, who are entrusted to operate it to the edge of its limits,” he said.

“The ways of doing business are much like a fighter squadron.”

SQNLDR Stadey said Pither’s dedication to the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation was exceptional.

“He displays the foundation logo on his racing helmet and our discussions with him on the details of his involve-ment were a highlight for us as service-men,” he said.

The foundation works on strength-ening military and first-responder mar-riages and families. It provides time and space for couples and families to reconnect after deployment without the distractions of everyday life.

During the Gold Coast event an F/A-18F Super Hornet conducted fly-pasts and a display. On the ground, the pilots mingled with spectators and race drivers.

Star power behind causePilots inspired by race driver’s devotion to problems of post-military life

Adding to the adrenaline An Air Force F/A-18A soars above Phillip

Island during the MotoGP.

Photo: SGT Murray Staff

An Air Force Super Hornet flies over the Gold Coast 600 track. Inset: FLTLT Jimmy

(left) and SQNLDR Stadey chat with Supercar driver Chris Pither in pit lane.

Photos: SGT Guy Young

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CPL Sebastian Beurich

THOUSANDS of people gathered at the Australian War Memorial (AWM), and at services around the country and on operations overseas, to commemorate the signing of the Armistice to end WWI.

The solemn national ceremony in Canberra on November 11, was held in front of the AWM and was attended by members of all three services, as well as members of the federal government.

CDF ACM Mark Binskin said the ceremony was important as it allowed people to remember both current and past serving members.

“As we remember the fallen, we also recognise the 2300 ser-vicemen and women who are deployed on operations and peacekeeping around the world,” he said.

“Like those before them, they are making an important contribu-tion to our safety and security.

“Each of them has family wait-ing anxiously for them at home

– just as Australian families did more than 100 years ago.”

During the minute of silence at 11am, it was almost as if the entire city of Canberra had stopped.

Not a sound was heard in the 60-second break between the bugler playing The Last Post and Reveille, while attendees reflected on the ser-vice offered in the past and present.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said Remembrance Day gave us all a chance to ponder on the past.

“Everyone should pause and reflect in silence on Remembrance Day, and think about the single lives cut short and the hole left in the lives of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, families, friends, communi-ties and our nation,” he said.

“In doing so, we seek to under-stand the price we have paid for our freedoms and values, and we honour those who are prepared to serve in defence of our nation.

“We must never forget those who gave their lives so we can live ours.”

LAC Phillip Eustance, of

Australia’s Federation Guard, was part of the catafalque party at the Canberra service.

“Being a part of a catafalque party is an honour in itself, but on Remembrance Day it is an even bigger honour, especially at the Australian War Memorial,” he said.

“Remembrance Day is important to me, as it’s a day when we remem-ber those who fought overseas and who died fighting for the Australian way of life.”

At the end of the ceremony, 102 children from schools across Australia laid poppies at the Stone of Remembrance as part of the com-memorative crosses project.

The project is run by the AWM and delivers small wooden crosses, with messages of hope and thanks written on them by schoolchildren who visit the memorial, to the graves of Australian WWI soldiers overseas.

Each child who placed a poppy represented 1000 of the 102,000 sol-diers killed during WWI. More than 2000 crosses have been delivered since the project started in 2010.

Silent salute to our fallen

Left: A catafalque party performs a general salute during the Remembrance Day ceremony at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo: CPL David Cotton

Right: WOFF-AF Robert Swanwick, RSM-A WO David Spinks, and WO-N Gary Wight salute during the playing of the National Anthem at the Australian War Memorial. Photo: Lauren Larking

Photo: CPL Oliver Carter

Below: LAC Phillip Eustance, of Australia’s

Federation Guard, during the service at the Australian War Memorial.

Photo: SGT Janine Fabre

This edition of AIR FORCE printed on Remembrance Day. Be sure to check out the next edition for more photos of services around the country and across the world, or visit the Defence Image Gallery at https://images.defence.gov.au

Below: CPL Samuel Scully at attention during the RAAF Base Amberley Remembrance Day ceremony. Photo: CPL Casey Gaul

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Busy tanker on a roll

THE Air Force KC-30A multi-role tanker transport has reached more milestones, rack-ing up a remarkable 20,000 flying hours last month and making its first contact with a Singaporean F-16D+ Falcon.

The tanker clicked over the 20,000-hour mark while on a mission from Yokota Air Base in Japan to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

CO No. 33 Squadron WGCDR Rob Williams said it was a memorable achieve-ment.

“Each person involved with the KC-30A, from the transition into service to our achieve-ment of 20,000 flying hours, should be proud of being a part of the KC-30A story,” he said.

“The milestone was reached on an inter-national flight between supporting two completely different missions, which I think

demonstrates the value of the aircraft to the Air Force.”

The KC-30A also added an air refuelling first to its list of achievements after it made contact with a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16D+ in early October.

The tanker deployed to Singapore for a week-long series of trials, making 49 contacts and transferring more than 35,000 litres of fuel.

During the trials, personnel from 33SQN and Air Force’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit worked closely with the RSAF Flight Test Agency.

SQNLDR Michael List, of 33SQN, was the aircraft captain during the testing and said it was a great result for the combined RAAF and RSAF test team.

“The F-16D+ was refuelled from the KC-30A’s advanced refuelling boom system, which is controlled by the air refuelling opera-tor. Each contact was made with differing con-figurations of height, speed and aircraft weight as part of the program,” he said.

The trials demonstrated the close work-ing relationship between the Australian and Singapore air forces.

“This program has further increased the variety of aircraft able to be refuelled from the KC-30A, and enhanced the ability of the tank-er to contribute to regional security outcomes,” SQNLDR List said.

Air Force flew its first KC-30A in September 2011 and now has five of the air-craft, operated by 33SQN from RAAF Base Amberley.

Hard-working KC-30A flies past milestones as it proves its worth

An Air Force KC-30A refuels an F-16D+ Falcon in Singapore.

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THE goal of eliminating fuel spills and accidents was the focus as par-ticipants from Air Force HQ, Air Command and Combat Support Group gathered at ADFA on October 25-26 for the Defence Fuel Symposium.

Commander Joint Logistics MAJGEN David Mulhall and Director General Fuel Services CDRE Mark Sackley led the profes-sional development and education.

The theme th i s year was Continuing Evolution of the Defence Fuel Supply Chain, reinforcing the importance of safety, fuel spill reporting and development of the ADF fuel system.

The symposium reinforced Fuel Services’ vision of “0:1:100”: zero spills, incidents or physical inju-ries; one safe, integrated, efficient Defence fuel supply chain; and 100 per cent delivery in full, on time, to the correct specification.

Director General Air and Space Operations AIRCDRE Joe Iervasi said he couldn’t emphasise enough the strategic importance of fuel.

“The world around us has changed, and we need to change with it if we are to maintain a capability edge into the future” he said.

“Air power demands a fuel sup-ply chain that is agile, resilient and flexible.

“It must be linked in to provide continuous knowledge of supply chain status, reducing single points of failure and rapidly surging supply to meet demand for fuel.”

Director of Fuel Operations at Fuel Services Branch GPCAPT Tim Pedley emphasised the importance of reporting fuel spill incidents.

“Incident reporting requires immediate and accurate informa-tion,” he said.

“This ensures the immediate response is managed efficiently as subsequent actions can help reduce the impact of incidents and prevent reoccurrence.

“Current policy requires reporting to Fuel Operations within 24 hours,

Fuelling zero spills target

regardless of quantity. A fuel inci-dent report template is available on the Fuel Operations website.

“In the event of significant spills, an immediate email or phone call to Fuel Operations is also warranted.”

Air Force Fuel subject matter expert WOFF Phil Barnes said: “We need to look after ourselves and our mates when it comes to handling fuel.”

Personal protective equipment was essential and all members need-ed to use the safety data sheets.

“Anyone handling fuel must use the correct and serviceable equip-ment and store fuel in the approved and correctly labelled containers,” he said.

“Don’t take shortcuts as it could be detrimental both physically and financially to you, your workmates and your boss.”

All members are encouraged to seek fuel related information via Fuel Services Branch DRN website, consult their base Operating Agents or email: [email protected]

OPERATION Aslan Rotation 10 mem-bers have received their United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) medals from the Commander of the Australian Contingent, COL John Carey.

The Commander of the Japanese Contingent presented COL Carey his medal, reflecting the close relation-ship between the Australians and the Japanese in South Sudan.

“Rotation 10 has been a key part of South Sudan’s journey to peace, with the return of [former South Sudan vice-president and opposition leader] Riek Machar to [the capital] Juba, the implementation of the Transitional Government of National Unity that fol-lowed, and the subsequent outbreak of civil war in Juba during the July Crisis,” COL Carey said.

The July civil war within the city of Juba resulted in hundreds of South Sudanese deaths.

Two Chinese Battalion soldiers were also killed when their vehicle was hit by

indirect fire that landed inside the UN compound.

While not directly targeted, numer-ous peacekeepers were injured in the crossfire, a stark reminder that peace-keeping can be dangerous and unpre-dictable.

COL Carey said it was a testament to Rotation 10’s resilience and teamwork that they were able to continue to work through those events in such a positive manner.

The departure of Rotation 10 has coincided with another significant milestone for Operation Aslan and the contribution the ADF has made to South Sudan, with September 23 marking the fifth anniversary of involvement.

Operation ASLAN was the successor to Operation Azure, the ADF contribu-tion to the United Nations Mission in Sudan. Since then, more than 200 per-sonnel have deployed to South Sudan.

Peacekeepers’ tour of resilience

Symposium shines the spotlight on safety

Air Force personnel from Operation Aslan Rotation 10 after receiving their UNMISS Medal (from left) SGT Graham Schnaars, WOFF Gavin Willmett, FLTLTs Adam Wilson and Donna Watts-Endresz, and SQNLDR Gregory Sorensen.

CPL Troy Vanderkroft, of 38SQN, refuels a King Air with the help of a locally employed civilian during Exercise Bersama Shield in Malaysia.Photo: CPL Steve Duncan

Fuel Services’ goal is to eradicate fuel spills and accidents.


CPL Sebastian Beurich

THE recently released 2016 Defence Environmental Policy and 2016-2036 Defence Environment Strategy said it all in the vision statement: Defence will be a leader in sustainable environmental man-agement to support the ADF capability to defend Australia and its national interests.

CDF ACM Mark Binskin and Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson reaffirmed Defence’s commitment to the environment and its important role in Defence activities with the release of the new policy and strat-egy documents.

In his remarks on the documents, ACM Binskin said Defence had invested signifi-cant resources into building environmental management capability over many years, but acknowledged there was more to do.

“Defence’s bases and ranges belong to the Australian people. Australians can rightly expect Defence to balance its envi-ronmental responsibilities with the need to deliver military capability for the govern-ment,” he said.

“As custodians of our environment, it is vital we maintain the trust granted to us by the Australian community to ensure the environment we manage can sustain our activities into the future.”

In their statement supporting the Environmental Policy and Strategy, ACM Binskin and Mr Richardson pointed to five environmental strategic aims (see breakout).

“We operate in an uncertain and con-

stantly changing strategic context. Over the life of these documents, we will face a range of challenges and opportunities, some of which may require an environmental management response,” Mr Richardson said.

“Implementing the new policy and strat-egy will assist us to adapt to emerging chal-lenges, including likely impacts of climate change, and to address existing challenges.

“All Defence personnel are accountable for their actions in relation to the environ-ment and it is essential each of us makes environmental management part of our core business.”

Assistant Secretary Environment and Engineering Alison Clifton said Defence had taken numerous steps forward in envi-ronmental management across a number of areas.

“Our environmental approvals have sup-ported the delivery of Defence capability in a number of places, including the expan-sion of the Cultana Training Area in South Australia,” she said.

“Four large Defence training areas and a number of smaller properties include natural areas recognised on the World Heritage List.

“Solar generation now provides up to 55 per cent of the electricity on Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory, reducing fuel usage to 40 litres per day.

“Defence has made considerable pro-gress in achieving environmental outcomes in support of capability, compliance and sustainability, but we still have more work to do to achieve the environmental vision.”

Sustainability on agenda

SGT Dave Morley

V E T E R A N S o f t h e M a l a y a n Emergency and Borneo Confrontation commemorated the 56th anniversary of the end of the Emergency and 50th anniversary of the end of Confrontation on August 29 and September 17, respectively.

The August 29 ceremony was held at Kuching in Sarawak and the September 17 ceremony at the West Torrens War Memorial Gardens in Hilton, Adelaide.

Austral ian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) from 6 Wing continued their tradition of supporting the National Malaya-Borneo Veterans Association of Australia (SA/NT Branch) at both commemorations.

Public affairs and communica-tion officer at HQ 6WG, RAAF Base Edinburgh, PLTOFF (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig said five cadets from 6WG travelled to Sarawak at their own expense to provide the catafalque party for the commemoration service.

“In the same ceremony, a memo-rial plaque was unveiled in the Hero’s Graveyard of the Sarawak Hero’s Memorial Park in Kuching,” he said.

AAFC activity OIC FLTLT (AAFC)

Lawrence Ng said the cadets’ participa-tion in the Sarawak ceremony was a historic event for the AAFC.

“Our cadets mounting a commemo-ration catafalque party overseas was a proud moment for AAFC 6WG,” he said.

PLTOFF Rosenzweig said seven Air Force cadets from 6WG were on duty for the service in Adelaide.

“In the Adelaide ceremony, five cadets provided a catafalque party, and the banner of the National Malaya-Borneo Veterans Association of Australia (SA/NT Branch) was sup-ported by LCDT Tayla Hatcliffe of No. 604 Squadron and CFSGT Lachlan Bruce of No. 602 Squadron,” he said.

CFSGT Bruce had also taken part in the earlier catafalque party in Sarawak.

Each year the branch hosts a commemoration ceremony to mark the anniversary of the end of the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960) and the anniversary of the Cease Fire and Declaration of the End of the Indonesian Confrontation with Malaysia (1962-1966).

The Adelaide service was conduct-ed in the presence of the Governor of South Australia, Mr Hieu Van Le.

Cadets from 6WG show their support at the 50th anniversary of the end of Confrontation in Adelaide.

Cadets support vets

A GREENER FUTURETHE five strategic aims of the 2016 Defence Environmental Policy and 2016-2036 Environmental Strategy are:

1. deliver a sustainable estate across our activities and opera-tions;

2. understand and manage our environmental footprint;

3. minimise pollution and manage existing contamination risks;

4. improve efficiency of resource

consumption and strengthen resource security; and

5. recognise and manage estate heritage values.

The policy and strategy documents can be found on the DRN at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/estatemanage-ment/Governance/Policy/Environment/Default.asp or contact environmentand [email protected] for more information.

ADF policies reaffirm a commitment to the environment and its role in Defence activities. Photo: SGT Mick Bott

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SQNLDR Bruce Chalmers

AUSTRALIA’S longest serving F/A- 18A, delivered on November 25, 1985, will have its 31st birthday in theatre on Operation Okra and is holding its own alongside the more modern aircraft, such as the United States F22 Raptor.

Part of the US-led coalition pro-viding key humanitarian and military support to Iraqi Security Forces as they restore security and defeat Daesh, the Air Task Group is playing a role in supporting the operation to retake Mosul.

“It’s a bit of deja vu for me with the Classic Hornets,” aircraft structural technician CPL Stephen Barnes, of No. 75 Squadron, said.

“I was working on the F-111 when it was retired and here I am now work-ing on this iconic aircraft as it nears the end of its operational life and retires to make way for the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

“The Hornets may be getting old and they create a lot of work for us to keep them in top operational condition, but that keeps us busy and work days go faster when you are busy,” he said.

LAC Jason Dodd, of 75SQN, said the Air Force’s maintenance standards were impressive.

“The way we have kept this aircraft in such world-class condition speaks volumes about how the Air Force does its maintenance,” LAC Dodd said.

“It is a really impressive and in-depth maintenance program developed by Air Force, and we take so much pride in what we do in our work. It’s that combination that keeps our aircraft going like new,” he said.

ATG’s Strike Squadron is playing a critical role in providing air support to ISF, who need rapid, precise and effective air support provided by the coalition in congested airspace over and around Mosul.

75SQN member LAC P said train-ing in their specific trades “helps us deliver the standard required of an air frame in the operational space”.

“Our pilots are relying on us to deliver an effective aircraft so they can do their very important job. They are in that aircraft for up to 10 hours and it has to perform to its best for them and for our Task Group,” he said.

31 years young

WO2 Andrew Hetherington

TWO former ADFA classmates were reunited when they both deployed to the Middle East region (MER), from different countries, to work within the Air Mobility Task Group.

The C-130H maintenance flight commander of New Zealand’s Operation Teal, FLTLT Mike Bunting, and Australian C-130 detachment plans officer SQNLDR David Bowen-Thomas met again after eight years.

“I was in Australia between 2005 and 2008, studying engineering at ADFA,” FLTLT Bunting said.

“It was a great experience. I was overseas and being paid to study and I made a lot of friends in Australia.”

One of those friends was SQNLDR Bowen-Thomas.

“It was a surprise when I saw him here and it was hard, being so busy all the time, trying to keep in touch with

each other, but we’ve managed to be Facebook friends.”

SQNLDR Bowen-Thomas said he was also surprised to meet his New Zealand friend again.

“When I arrived at Camp Baird it was good to see Mike as I hadn’t seen him since the academy and it was great to catch up. A few things have changed for us, like he now has kids and we’ve both progressed in our careers,” he said.

“As a C-17 pilot I get to see other New Zealand Air Force personnel I know as I fly around on tasks.

“It’s great to work with the Kiwis. They are a great, flexible and accom-modating bunch of people.”

FLTLT Bunting said New Zealanders and Australians often worked together so he got to meet up with friends often.

“I might not see them again for five years. But it’s fine, they’ll end up pop-ping over to New Zealand or I’ll go over to Australia and see them again there.”

Friends reunite on MER deployment

Former ADFA classmates FLTLT Mike Bunting, of the NZDF, and SQNLDR David Bowen-Thomas were reunited when they both deployed to Camp Baird in the Middle East region. Photo: WO2 Andrew Hetherington

SGT Andrew Snell cleans up after some minor maintenance on an F/A-18A Hornet at Australia’s main operating air base in the Middle East region. Photo: CPL David Gibbs

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CPL Max Bree

DURING her time as a signals operator linguist, CPL L saw some quality intel-ligence material come through her work area.

“I’d seen some of the product HUMINT was putting out and it inter-ested me,” she said.

CPL L then passed the assessment for HUMINT and was posted to the Army’s 1 Int Bn as a source operator.

“The job is all about sitting down, talking to people and gathering informa-tion by relationship building,” she says.

This led to a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010.

“We had people we would speak to on a daily basis, form relationships with, and get some information that would be of assistance to the guys outside the wire,” she said.

She also spent a couple of weeks outside the wire during the building of a patrol base.

“It was about getting to know people in the area and finding out if there was anyone of value for us to talk to,” she said.

For CPL L there was also a lot of work involved in managing people’s dif-fering moods.

“You can never be certain what you’re going to get from somebody. Things change, people have problems but it’s all about trying to manage that,” she said.

“I enjoy sitting down and being able to get real-time information.”

Posting to 1 Int Bn meant operating in the field but the unit helped non-Army personnel transferring into HUMINT.

“I probably won’t be corps transfer-ring but it was fine going out field,” she said. “Everyone totally understood they needed to start from scratch with us.

“We do some field stuff early on in our Air Force training, but this was cer-tainly a learning curve.”

CPL L recommended HUMINT positions to anyone looking to make a difference on operations.

“Knowing that some of the informa-tion we put out actually saved Australian lives and getting real-time feedback showed the value in what we were doing,” she said.

CPL Max Bree

YOU might trawl social media, listen to enemy communications and hack the mainframe but vital information could remain elusive, until you call in Human Intelligence (HUMINT) per-sonnel who specialise in face-to-face interactions.

Army’s No. 1 Intel l igence Battalion is home to two types of specialist under the ADF HUMINT program – source operators, who seek information through relation-ships with contacts in the battles-pace, and interrogators, who legally and ethically seek intelligence from captured enemy combatants, equip-ment and materiel.

On operations ADF HUMINT operators have discovered things like where IEDs might be placed.

CO 1 Int Bn said operators may offer unique insights into the local threats, enemy leader location and population bases.

“HUMINT, done by the right sort of person, can ultimately get you inside the enemy commander’s head

and gain information that is unique for ADF commanders,” CO 1 Int Bn said.

“It provides a unique insight into the operating environment and you need to talk to people to get it. You may not get the full picture from listening to a phone conversation or looking at satellite images taken from space.”

Operators in the ADF HUMINT Program are drawn from all three services and require a natural apti-tude for building rapport and gaining people’s confidence, and a curiosity for problem solving.

“Are you inquisitive? Can you pick up on body language?” CO 1 Int Bn said.

“Can you understand how to put yourself in someone else’s shoes? Can you role-play and act? Are you self-aware?”

Despite the benefits of HUMINT, CO 1 Int Bn said he understood problems with human interaction.

“We know that humans can lie, cheat or get scared and frightened but the training we provide helps our operators make judgements on the

Seeing the big picture

individuals they deal with,” he said.“It’s often about having a per-

son on the inside of an organisation that’s trusted with specific informa-tion.

“This is very powerful for a deployed commander, and also very delicate and sensitive in nature.

“It’s one of the reasons we man-date that everyone who desires to be a source operator or interroga-tor must pass through the ADF HUMINT Suitability Assessment.”

HUMINT personnel typically serve with 1 Int Bn for three years before returning to their former job.

What you need to become an ADF HUMINT operator:• Medical class J1 or J2• Rank of AC to SGT• Good conduct record and the

ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance if not already held

• Approval from your CO and relevant career management agency to be released to un-dertake HUMINT suitability assessment and potentially post to Brisbane for up to three years

• Pass a BFA• Pass specific HUMINT

psychological aptitude tests

HOW TO JOIN

New direction has its own rewards

ADF personnel conduct a mock interview at Gallipoli Barracks as part of a wider assessment into their suitability for roles in human intelligence.Photos: CPL Max Bree

ADF personnel jump into the “bear pit” at Gallipoli Barracks during suitability testing.

Unique insight into human psyche

12 13RCEAIR FCentrepiece November 17, 2016

‘People relationships are vital. That’s really the reason we do exercises like Rajawali Ausindo. These activities assist all involved to further their understanding of how we would operate together in a real-life crisis.

GPCAPT Carl Newman OC 84WG

Exercise Rajawali Ausindo continued the tradition of Australia and Indonesia flying Hercules together, Eamon Hamilton and FLTLT Shaun Donnelly report

IN the skies above RAAF Richmond an Indonesian Air Force C-130H Hercules and crew perfected their skills in air land and airdrop missions as part of Exercise

Rajawali Ausindo. Hosted by 84 Wing in late October, the

exercise included a C-130J Hercules from No. 37 Squadron and the Indonesian C-130 detachment from No. 31 Squadron.

The exercise gave crews from both coun-tries opportunities to complete a series of training missions across the Blue Mountains and central NSW with air drops into the Londonderry drop zone.

OC 84WG GPCAPT Carl Newman said the value of the exercise was evident in the skills and personal relationships formed dur-ing the week-long activity.

“Exercise Rajawali Ausindo provided an opportunity for 31SQN of the Indonesian Air Force and 37SQN of the RAAF to bring our respective C-130 communities together to learn from each other, and to become better C-130 operators as a result,” he said.

“People relationships are vital. That’s really the reason we do exercises like Rajawali Ausindo.

“These activities assist all involved to further their understanding of how we would operate together in a real-life crisis.

“If, as we have done so many times in the past, Indonesia and Australia come together to support affected communities in a future humanitarian crisis, we will already have the established personal rela-tionships and the developed skills across both air forces necessary to coordinate and respond very effectively.”

Part of an annual bilateral engagement, Exercise Rajawali Ausindo was a chance for the two countries to observe each oth-er’s airdrop procedures and tactics, further improving the interoperability of the two squadrons.

Australia and Indonesia share a his-tory of flying the Hercules in response to humanitarian crisis.

Both nations sent Hercules to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan in 2011, along with the 2009 Padang earthquake and 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Indonesia.

As far back as 1974, Indonesia sent Hercules in response to Cyclone Tracy in Darwin.

This was the first time Exercise Rajawali Ausindo has been held at RAAF Base Richmond since 2006.

It has been held in Darwin, Malang, and Jakarta in the past 10 years.

NEIGHBOURS DROP IN

Indonesian and Australian personnel watch an Indonesian C-130H conducting air drops at Londonderry drop zone.Inset: Interpreter LAC Paul Scandura with Indonesian Hercules crew (from left) Letnan Kolonel Andi Picaulima, Letnan Kolonel Fata Patria, and Kolonel Muhamad Mujib at RAAF Base Richmond.Photos: SGT Amanda Campbell and Eamon Hamilton

Members of RAAF’s 37SQN and Army’s 176th

Air Dispatch Squadron with Indonesian Air Force

personnel who took part in Exercise Rajawali Ausindo.

Photo: CPL Veronica O’Hara

Indonesian Air Force personnel watch their Hercules conduct air drops at the Londonderry drop zone.Photo: SGT Amanda Campbell

A member of 22SQN marshals an Indonesian Air Force C-130H Hercules at RAAF Base Richmond.Photo: Eamon Hamilton

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EasyAccesstodetailsofyourrelocationitineraryToll Transitions has released a mobile phone application for Defence Members. The TollTransferee Move Plan App gives you easy access to the details of your relocation itinerary thatyou’ll need to know as you progress through your move.

The Toll Move Plan App provides you with up-to-date details about your relocation includingremoval dates, allowances, travel dates including airfare information (where applicable) andaccommodation details at both your losing and gaining locations.

The App is available for both Android and Apple iOS mobile phones. It can be downloaded fromthe Google Play Store and Apple iTunes App store by searching for Toll Move Plan.You can logon to the Toll MPL App using the same valid username and password you use toaccess Toll Transitions’ website www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

RememberToll‘sWarrantySchemechangedMarch2016Toll’s Warranty Scheme changed for removals uplifts from March 2016, and now allows for newreplacement cover to be applied to items which fall within predefined categories and agelimits. In cases where more than minor damage to an item has occurred, members will besupplied with a new replacement item if Toll Transitions determines that repair of the old item isnot economical and the item is eligible for replacement in accordance with a table of age-baseditem inclusions.

Like-for-like replacement or compensation cover will continue to apply to items which falloutside the specified age limits.

Not every item that sustains damage will be replaced with a new item or compensation paid atnew value. In the first instance damaged items will be repaired where practicable andcompensation paid for minor damage.

Read Toll’s “Your Defence Relocation Guide” and FAQs available atwww.tolltransitions.com.au/defence for full details of the Toll Warranty Scheme including thetable of age-based inclusions.

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HistoryRCEAIR F November 17, 2016 15

FEW Novocastrians would be aware that two of the Air Force Sabre fighters lost during their service came down in the sub-

urbs of their city. One of those two incidents happened

on November 12, 1963, and involved No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit instructors and members of No. 17 Sabre Conversion Course.

PLTOFF Ron Slater, then 22, said the sortie was a 4v4 intercept, Maple Player 4-ship v Maple Pixie 4-ship.

“After climbing out of Williamtown and over the ocean off Newcastle, Player formation levelled off at 35,000 feet,” he said.

“Player was soon being vectored by the ground control intercept from the Control and Reporting Unit to intercept Pixie 4-ship.”

PLTOFF Slater, call sign Player 2, was glued to the wing of his flight lead. After a series of vectors, Player forma-tion found themselves in a stern conver-sion on Pixie flight.

PLTOFF Slater said Player 1 called a scissors manoeuvre to gain the opti-mal rear-aspect firing position for their Sidewinder missiles.

“My Sabre began to experience uncommanded banking to the left and right. After regaining level flight, I had difficulty maintaining my position rela-tive to Player 1. Without warning, the Sabre commenced a snap roll to the right, coupled with a rapid nose-down pitching motion,” he said.

A Sabre in the backyardNovember 12 was the 53rd anniversary of a little-known, almost tragic, event, FLTLT Murray Ross writes

The crash site in Sunnyside Street, Mayfield, in 1963. Top inset: FLTLT Ron Slater, flying with the US Air Force in Vietnam in 1969. Bottom inset: There is little evidence of the crash at the Sunnyside Street site today. Photos: supplied by Ron Slater and Murray Ross

Entering what he thought to be a spin, PLTOFF Slater applied the Sabre’s recovery technique, expecting to regain control.

“After three revolutions and in what was becoming an increasingly more aggressive spin, I informed Player 1 of my predicament,” PLTOFF Slater said.

Player 1 instructed him to continue the recovery attempt and if he was

unsuccessful by minimum safe ejection altitude, to eject.

“I kept both hands on the violently shaking control column and rode the spinning Sabre for six more revolutions before transmitting, ‘It’s no good, she’s still spinning. I’m getting out’,” PLTOFF Slater said.

He passed through 10,000 feet and pulled his seat’s ejector handles.

PLTOFF Slater remembered the Sabre’s canopy shattering a split second before his ejection seat propelled him free of the doomed aircraft.

“I was disoriented initially as I tum-bled, but I remember being thrown out of the seat and the sharp pull of the para-chute’s canopy as it arrested my fall,” he said.

PLTOFF Slater could see his Sabre

spinning towards houses in the suburb of Mayfield, 8000 feet below.

“The Sabre, still in a flat spin, pan-caked in, in the backyard of a house in Sunnyside Street, Mayfield,” he said.

The occupant, a 65-year-old widow, had just walked in her front door when the jet hit. Her house was damaged on impact and obliterated by the resulting fire.

PLTOFF Slater said he tried to steer his parachute towards an open area of park, “now the site of the Newcastle Knights’ home ground”.

“As I came down in the suburb of Waratah, my chute tangled in electricity wires only a kilometre from the impact site of the Sabre, and I walked away from the ordeal with only a scratched knee,” he said.

PLTOFF Slater went on to complete the conversion course and served sev-eral consecutive tours flying Sabres in Butterworth, Malaysia.

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in Vietnam as a flight lieutenant with the US Air Force, and also flew with No. 76 Squadron and the airlines before retiring in 1986.

Ron Slater now lives in the quiet suburb of Wahroonga, Sydney. No doubt his neighbours are unaware, along with the residents of Newcastle (particularly Sunnyside Street, Mayfield) that they continually pass a piece of Air Force’s fighter operations history, hidden by the sands of time.

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History RCEAIR F November 17, 201616

A MK III Lancaster bomber shot down returning from a raid on Mannheim on September 23, 1943, was the first of 58 four-

engined bombers downed by Luftwaffe ace Oberleutnant Martin Becker.

Becker (pictured), a Messerschmitt Bf-110 pilot from Nachtjagdgeschwader 6 (Night Hunt Squadron 6) shot down the No. 460 Squadron Lancaster DV-174 over Speyer village resulting in the deaths of four RAAF and three RAF aircrew.

The raid was intended to destroy the northern part of Mannheim, which hadn’t been so severely hit in an earlier raid.

The attack was carried out by 633 aircraft, including 312 Lancasters, 193 Halifaxes, 115 Stirlings, eight Mosquitoes and five B-17s. Seven Halifaxes, seven Wellingtons and 18 Lancasters were lost in the operation.

DV-174 was on its 23rd mission since joining 460SQN on June 27.

German losses were heavy with 102 people killed and 418 injured in Mannheim.

Buildings destroyed in Mannheim included 927 houses, 20 industrial prem-ises, 11 schools, six public buildings and a church. More than 25,000 people were bombed out of their houses.

The I. G. Farben factory was severely damaged, and 47 people were killed and 260 injured in nearby Oppau, Frankenthal

Four RAAF crew were among many killed by one German pilot, SGT Dave Morley writes

ASSISTANT Air Force Adviser at the Australian High Commission in London WGCDR Ruth Elsley attended a solemn ceremony in Germany on October 1 to remember the crew of the No. 460 Squadron Lancaster DV-174, killed when shot down over Mannheim in 1943.

She said she was honoured to represent the Air Force at the unveiling of a memorial stone near the town of Speyer.

“A small group of dedicated people in Germany has formed the Interessengemeinschaft Heimatforschung Rheinland-Pfalz, or Historical Research Community Rhineland-Palatinate/Germany, which works in close cooperation with the archaeological services of Speyer,” she said.

“This group undertakes extensive research and archae-ological work with the aim of

finding forgotten aircraft crash sites in Germany and still-miss-ing crew members. The group also provides relatives with all information they can find and, after researching the site, they plant a memorial stone. DV-174 was their first stone.”

WGCDR Elsley said the group found the forgotten crash site of the 460SQN Lancaster in September 2015, almost 72 years to the day it was lost.

The remains of the crew, including four RAAF and three RAF members, were laid to rest in Rheinberg.

The stone and plaque were presented to the public by the Mayor of Speyer at the crash site.

WGCDR Elsley said it was a touching ceremony.

“This historical place, with the fates behind it, will not be forgot-ten any more.”

That is mainly thanks to people such as Erik Wieman (a Dutchman living in Germany) and his mate Peter Berkel, who have dedicated themselves to locating the wrecks of WWII air-craft, erecting memorial plaques to the crew and returning arte-facts to family members.

Mr Wieman has lived in Germany since 1992 and said he and Mr Berkel were con-nected to the archaeological services of the City of Speyer.

“After finding aeroplane parts from WWII and knowing there are still relatives of the crashed crews looking for information, we decided to widen our spectrum and put emphasis on this.

“We found out, through our work, we can make a difference for the relatives. It doesn’t matter what nationality, all the service-men who died were humans with families.”

Ace and his Aussie casualties

and Ludwigshafen. Another 8000 people were bombed out of their houses, 4289 of whom were foreign workers. The centre of Frankenthal was burnt out and 38 people were killed.

Oberleutnant Becker’s crowning achievement, and a Nachtjagd record, came on the night of March 14-15, 1945, when he claimed a B-17 and eight Lancasters. Three were shot down by his crewman Karl Johanssen with his rear-ward-facing MG 131.

Oberleutnant Becker died in Germany on February 8, 2006, aged 89.

Historical place no longer forgotten

Three of the four RAAF crew who died when their Lancaster was shot down over Speyer: (from left) FSGT D’Arcy Morrison, FSGT Bruce Plant, FSGT Allen Cumming. Photos: supplied by AWM

WGCDR Ruth Elsley with Peter Berkel (left) and Erik Wieman at the unveiling of the memorial stone near Speyer.Photo: Ingo Stumpf (supplied by WGCDR Ruth Elsley)

The crew of 460SQN’s DV-174, shot down in 1943.

17November 17, 2016RCEAIR F Personnel

DEPARTURE LOUNGEWho’s leaving after 20+ years’ service

Name Must/Spec Last day Years

WOFF Mark McIntyre PHOTO Sep 4 36

FSGT Peter Dacey ATECH Sep 16 32

WOFF Wayne Brechin ALSFITT Sep 17 32

WOFF Ross Warrall ATECH Sep 29 31

SQNLDR Guy Morris ELECTR Sep 25 27

FSGT Craig Hardwicke PCS Sep 5 26

FSGT Jason McLaren CETECH Sep 18 26

FLTLT Mark Spencer JBAC Sep 16 22

SGT Rhett Mccarroll AVTECH Sep 28 21

SGT Aaron Dickenson ASTFITT Sep 4 20

SQNLDR Peter Janssen ELECTR Sep 8 20

OCTOBER TRIAL RESULTSNCODefence Force Magistrate1 x obtaining a financial advantage – DFDA s 61(3) and Criminal Code (Cth) s 135.2(1) 1 x obtaining a financial advantage by deception – DFDA s 61(3) and Criminal Code (Cth) s 134.2(1) The member was accused of obtaining a financial advantage in relation to rent allow-ance, totalling $3456.30, by not notifying Defence Housing Australia of a change in the member’s circumstances.

The member was also accused of obtaining a financial advantage by decep-tion in relation to rent allowance, totalling $3018.21, by not reporting to Defence Housing Australia during a periodic review that another person was residing in the

member’s property at the time.The member pleaded guilty to the charg-

es and was found guilty of the charges. The member was reduced in rank by one rank, severely reprimanded, and ordered to pay reparation totalling $6474.51.

1 x Act of indecency – DFDA s 61(3) and Crimes Act (ACT) s 60(1)1 x assault subordinate – DFDA s 34(1)The member was accused of committing an act of indecency on a subordinate member. The member was also accused of assault-ing the subordinate member by touching the subordinate member on an intimate place while making an offensive statement to the subordinate member.

The member pleaded guilty to the charg-es and was found guilty of the charges. The member was reduced in rank by one rank, and fined $5000 (to be paid in instalments).

OTHER RANKDefence Force Magistrate

1 x assaulting a superior officer – DFDA s 25(1)1 x prejudicial conduct – DFDA s 60(1)The member was accused of assaulting a superior officer by grabbing the superior officer on an intimate place. The member was also accused of prejudicing discipline by making an offensive statement to the superior officer.

The member pleaded guilty to the charg-es and was found guilty of the charges. The member was fined $1400.

All Court Martial and Defence Force Magistrate trial results are subject to command review and appeal. The results are of trials across the ADF.

THE overwhelmingly positive user feedback on the RM Williams Craftsman boot has Air Force considering a move to a more modern style of boot for women.

Recognising one style may not suit all, Air Force is conducting a wearer trial of the RM Williams Adelaide women’s boot.

The Adelaide has the same craftsmanship as all RM Williams boots but its appearance is more feminine.

Essentially, it is considered the female ver-sion of the Craftsman, which is available for purchase by all Air Force members at a dis-counted rate.

The versatile Adelaide provides women with a lighter, more elegant alternative to the Craftsman.

Air Force’s Clothing Committee representa-tive and Service Women’s Advisor (SWA-AF), WGCDR Robyne Green, said the trial was going well.

“The wearer trial group is so far extremely happy with the style and fit of the Adelaide,” WGCDR Green said.

“The trial will conclude in November and, all going well, we expect wearer trial feedback will enable female members to have an alter-nate option to the Craftsman.

“Wearer trials and feedback are an impor-tant aspect for Air Force in modernising all clothing options, including footwear”.

Logistics officer and assistant to SWA-AF FLTLT Lisa Swanwick said the collaboration with the Clothing Systems Program Office

(CLOSPO) and Air Force was producing posi-tive results.

“This is another example where Air Force and the CLOSPO are demonstrating their ability to work together and think outside the square when it comes to tailoring fit-for-pur-pose footwear,” FLTLT Swanwick said.

“It’s great to be a part of the Air Force team involved and to ensure we continue with inno-vative approaches like the style and comfort of footwear options for its members.”

Further details on purchasing and wearing the cur-rent RM Williams Craftsman boot can be found on the Air Force Clothing Entitlements (CLOSPO) website.

AIR Force is reviewing workforce structure options for airmen aviation to meet future capability require-ments and, if necessary, develop options for restruc-turing existing musterings.

Conducted by DGPERS-AF, the review will also examine air intelligence analyst and air surveillance operator musterings where common skill sets pro-vide opportunities for employment in future ground-based aviation and airborne roles.

CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies said current air-borne electronics analyst, flight engineer, loadmas-ter and crew attendant musterings had not been comprehensively reviewed for some years.

“Our future Air Force must be responsive and flexible,” AIRMSHL Davies said.

“As we continue our evolution into a modern fifth-generation Air Force, it is vital we have the right people and the right skills for the future.

“This review will ensure that airmen aviation is structured to meet these future challenges.”

In conducting the review, DGPERS-AF person-nel will consult widely to examine future aviation capabilities and identify common skills that support flexibility, effective management, and inform future recruiting strategies and career progression oppor-tunities.

DGPERS-AF AIRCDRE Henrik Ehlers said he expected initial review recommendations would be presented mid-next year.

“I encourage members to participate in this review and support the outcomes as they emerge,” AIRCDRE Ehlers said.

“Please raise any questions you have through your chain of command, or your senior mustering adviser.

“It is essential Air Force develops a more skilled, flexible and agile team that adapts to the new tech-nologies being introduced and the changing environ-ment in which we operate.

“The goal of this review is to produce opportuni-ties in the form of exciting and rewarding career paths for airmen aviation.”

FLGOFF Courtney Jay

WOFF Kevin Patman was ac-knowledged for 40 years of service when ACAUST AVM Gavin Turnbull awarded him the Federation Star on October 19.

AVM Turnbull recognised WOFF Patman’s significant dedication in the past four decades, saying 40 years’ service was an outstanding achievement.

“WOFF Patman is now one of a small group of members to receive this accolade,” AVM Turnbull said.

Enlisting on June 25, 1975, as a security guard, WOFF Patman remustered to Air Force Police in July 1978.

WOFF Patman credited his career highlights to the outstanding people he had worked with and the opportu-

nities he had been presented with.“I feel fortunate, as the one thing

I have always enjoyed about working in Defence is you go to work and never know what may happen or what new opportunity will present itself,” WOFF Patman said.

“Also, the travel opportunities are invaluable and I have managed to see the majority of Australia and other countries.”

WOFF Patman deployed on Op-eration Cataylst/Slipper in 2005 and 2008-2009, and Operation Accor-dion in 2014-2015. He also posted to Butterworth in Malaysia in 1986 and went on exchange to Britain in 2002 as part of Exercise Longlook.He became a reservist in 2014 and is working on projects for Headquarters Air Command.

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Stepping out for trial run

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ACAUST AVM Gavin Turnbull presents the Federation Star to WOFF Kevin Patman.

Loadmaster musterings are among those under review. Photo: SGT Rob Mitchell

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Feature RCEAIR F November 17, 201618

IN CONDITIONS where a cold shower would put an Australian hot water system to shame, heat is a subject of intense interest, and Air Force is making sure our

members are working safely, effectively and efficiently.Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG)

travelled to the Middle East region (MER) in September to monitor members during their daily tasks to verify data gained during simulations in Australia last year.

DSTG Human Performance Scientist Alison Fogarty said the monitoring would ensure current procedures were adequate.

“We conducted simulations last year and developed procedures to follow and this trip was designed to ensure actual data is aligned with the simulation data gathered last year,” Ms Fogarty said.

“For instance, as a result of the modelling, we recommended that cooling vests be introduced last year to flightline personnel.

“We test the physiological effects of heat on staff while working using equipment such as harnesses, to monitor heart rate, breathing and core temperature.

“The monitoring will allow us to determine whether or not current procedures are adequate in the MER envi-ronment.”

Air Force personnel use heat tables to determine safe work durations when working in the heat. These tables take into consideration the environment, clothing and work rate when determining a safe work duration.

The report has been completed and submitted to Air Force for its consideration.

DSTG tunes up the heat in the Middle East, SQNLDR Bruce Chalmers reports

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FeatureRCEAIR F November 17, 2016 19

DEFENCE is bringing a new food processing technology, microwave-assisted thermal sterilisation (MATS), to

Australia. This technology rapidly processes

meals in sealed food trays to better preserve the tastes, textures and nutri-tion in the form of a ready meal that does not require refrigeration.

While Defence does not have an established requirement for MATS products, Defence scientist Ross Coad says the establishment of an industry base for MATS processed foods will open up opportunities for improvements to military feeding systems.

“The potential for microwave tech-nology has been known for decades,” he says.

“In the 1960s, a Swedish scientist invented and built a commercial sys-tem in which food was sterilised by a combination of microwave energy, pressurised hot water and steam.

“The microwaves in this system had a frequency of 2450 MHz, the same as that used in the common household microwave oven.

“Although capable of produc-ing sterilised foods, the technology had technical shortcomings and has ceased production.”

In response to the need to further improve the quality of military meals,

a development program on microwave food processing started at Washington State University (WSU) in 1997.

An important improvement was changing the microwave frequency to 915 MHz. In Australia, 922 MHz will be used to ensure the equipment operates in the industrial, scientific and medical bandwidth and not in the mobile phone frequencies.

The MATS technology was pat-ented in 2006 and is now licensed and manufactured by American company 915 Labs.

Director of the Centre for Food Innovation Roger Stanley says the system operates as a continuous pro-cess.

“Sealed trays of food, weighing up to 2kg, are moved on a conveyor through pressurised heating and cool-ing zones to kill all microbial contam-ination in a process that takes about 10 minutes,” Prof Stanley says.

“The 922 MHz microwave energy can penetrate about twice as far as the domestic microwave, enabling effec-tive heating of the centre of the food.

“With good packaging the meals can be designed to maintain their quality for more than two years with-out refrigeration.”

In Australia and internationally, defence organisations have a long his-tory of providing the momentum for key advancements in many fields of

endeavour. Food and nutrition is no exception.

The MATS project at WSU was supported by US Army Soldier Systems in Natick, Massachusetts, along with a consortium of food and packaging industry partners.

Defence scientist Lan Bui says the first Australian MATS plant will be on a research scale.

“It is expected to arrive at the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) site in Scottsdale, Tasmania, next year,” Dr Bui says.

“A small production-scale MATS plant will follow about 12 months later for installation at site in Launceston.

“A research program is being developed by the Centre for Food Innovation – a body com-prising DSTG, CSIRO and the University of Tasmania – to support the Australian MATS project and transition research outcomes to industry.”

Prof Stanley says successful intro-duction of the MATS technology to Australia will hinge on government funding through Defence, together with strong interest and support from industry.

He says there will be a significant

Technological advances are changing the way food is processed – with military applicability

New food innovation

learning curve, supported by research and training, to develop the knowl-edge and skills to safely exploit the improvements in meal quality MATS can deliver.

“This will include optimisation of formulation, processing, flavour, texture and validation of food safety, nutritional value and consumer acceptability,” he says.

“It has potential for a wide range of military applications, including use in ration packs, field catering and voyage extension for submarines and patrol boats.

“Defence opportunities will be investigated over the coming years as the industry production base develops and Australian products and applica-tion opportunities emerge.”

Microwave assisted thermal sterilisation (MATS) could increase longevity of food.

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20 November 17, 2016RCEAIR FTraining

A REVAMPED training course in non-destructive testing and composite technologies (NDT&CT) at RAAF Base

Amberley is hitting the mark.The introduction of new technolo-

gies and in-depth tutorials has resulted in graduates being fully qualified and confident technicians.

The new NDT initial employment course provides theory and practical instruction in NDT technician Level 2 duties to military personnel across the ADF, Defence contractors and inter-national military trainees. It uses NDT methods and equipment to perform testing of aerospace structures, compo-nents and ground support equipment.

OIC NDT&CT SQNLDR Jason Paterson said the contribution made by the members of NDT&CT had been significant in achieving this milestone.

“While the course is now 32 weeks long, which is down from the previ-

ous 69 weeks, the new course allows Air Force to produce a fully qualified and highly capable NDT technician,” SQNLDR Paterson said.

He also acknowledged the dedica-tion of the training staff, both civilian and military, in designing and develop-ing the new course.

APS instructor Chris Glew said it was great to see the results of all the hard work.

“After an exhaustive six to eight months of redeveloping the course, it is pleasing to see the trainees graduat-ing into highly skilled confident tech-nicians,” he said.

Graduates of the new course will complete intensive theory training as well as practical training covering a range of contingencies mirroring those they will be expected to perform out-side the training environment.

SGT Simon “Moose” Verhaar, who was involved with the design and

development of the 2015 trial course, said trainees could now start doing their work on day one of their new job.

“My focus in the development and delivery of the Level 2 NDT Course was to successfully graduate confi-dent, qualified and highly skilled NDT technicians ready to be productive in their new workplaces the moment they arrive,” SGT Verhaar said.

The new course negates the need for further training in the squadrons providing a more effective and effi-cient training regime.

WOFF Training WOFF Gregory Wilson said the main benefit of the course was the expertise on offer.

“Seasoned, work-hardened NDT technicians have included their wealth of knowledge and real-life experiences into this course,” WOFF Wilson said.

“Trainees would otherwise not be exposed to these experiences for many years in the workplace.

“The use of the F/A-18 Canadian Hulk has enhanced the simulated training by providing training that rep-licates current NDT inspections.”

SQNLDR Paterson said the absorp-tion of the on-the-job training phase previously conducted at the squadrons “has eliminated the initial training burden at the operational level and allowed NDT&CT to standardise the whole of the NDT technician training cycle”.

NDT&CT is now leading the way with this practical training model. Partners from the British, Canadian and New Zealand air forces under ASIC initiatives, are looking at the benefits of this NDT&CT model as being more effective and efficient than civilian training models used else-where.

“In a period of significant change within Air Force, this training struc-ture is far more responsive to meet not

only Air Force but Army and Navy’s future specialist technician require-ments,” SQNLDR Paterson said.

This course is also fostering a clos-er working relationship with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), which provides instructors during the practical phase and is working closely with NDT&CT to introduce and devel-op breakthrough technologies such as thermography.

NDT&CT has assisted in the re-establishment of the RNZAF NDT capability by training and annually re-certifying their NDT technicians.

RNZAF trainee CPL Matthew “Lips” Phillips said he felt more confi-dent after doing the course.

“I can see there has been a consid-erable effort in the development of the L2 NDT Course and I feel this has set me up to be a competent and produc-tive NDT technician upon my return to the RNZAF,” CPL Phillips said.

Revamp reaps rewardsChanges to non-destructive testing and composite technologies training has

resulted in more qualified and confident technicians

CPL Daniel Orders (left) and SGT Geoff Britton inspect an aircraft component under a microscope.

SGT Simon Verhaar (left) assesses RNZAF trainee CPL Matthew Phillips (top right) and CPL Gian Collado during a rotating eddy current test on a Canadian Hulk. Photos: CPL Brenton Kwaterski

Chris Glew (left) works with CPL Brett Whalley during an ultrasonic testing assessment.

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FLTLT Joe Mack

IN PREPARATION for the delivery of Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon, Australian aircrew and maintenance personnel training in the United States have worked together to successfully execute advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training including weapons delivery – a principal role of the P-8A.

On September 15 a multiple-aircraft, multiple-weapon training mission was launched from Naval Air Station Jacksonville (NAS JAX), Florida, against a remotely controlled underwater target at a US Navy weapons range in the Bahamas.

CO 11SQN designate WGCDR David Titheridge, a pilot on the mis-sion, said the sortie involved a com-plex mission flown at low level, close to land and in low light conditions.

“Night ASW, including weapon employment, multiple aircraft and proximity to land, is a demanding sortie profile,” WGCDR Titheridge said.

“That the crews were able to safe-ly and effectively execute a mission of this complexity, while transitioning to a new platform, speaks volumes of the calibre of our crews and the robust nature of the US Navy training system.”

To achieve the mission require-ments, Australian maintenance personnel loaded Mk 54 Exercise Torpedoes into the weapon bays of two US Navy P-8A aircraft.

From there, Australian student

21November 17, 2016RCEAIR F Training

aircrew on both aircraft launched for their ASW mission and successfully released the torpedoes against an underwater target.

FLTLT Josh Brown was a pilot on the first aircraft to drop its weapon and said it was a special training mis-sion.

“It was a pretty unique feeling when the weapon launched,” FLTLT Brown said.

“We only introduce a new weap-ons system into service once in a generation, so to be at the forefront of that introduction was exciting.”

The Australian student crews are the first cadre of aircrew conducting the six-month transition course on the P-8A at NAS JAX.

The training mission was com-pleted almost entirely under the supervision of Australian instructors

who have been posted to VP-30 since January last year.

“It speaks so much to the nature and benefit of the P-8A Cooperative Program that Australian maintenance personnel can load weapons on a US Navy aircraft, that can then be flown by Australian instructors and students to complete an advanced ASW mis-sion – ahead of our own aircraft being delivered,” WGCDR Titheridge said.

“It shows how closely our forces can cooperate and gives a tremendous boost to our own capabilities as we take delivery of the first aircraft.

“The successful execution of the advanced ASW missions – and weap-ons employment – highlights the level of progress and training of Australian P-8A personnel preparing for the air-craft’s introduction.”

Crews closer to readyAircrew and maintenance personnel training in the US on the P-8A.

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IT IS important to remember stress is not a bad thing. Call it what you will, pressure, strain or tension is experienced by everyone. Stress is natural. It’s just the

body’s way of coping with demanding situations.

Stress is often influenced by exter-nal factors, including work, relation-ships and finances. But internal factors, such as health, nutrition and sleep, can also affect how we deal with issues.

Demanding situations are normal for ADF personnel and many of us thrive when we are exposed to stress.

However, long-term exposure to stress can also negatively affect the way we think, leading to poor concentration, forgetfulness, apathy and hopelessness.

Behavioural changes under stress may include increased drinking or smoking, gambling, sleep disturbances, unhealthy eating or mood changes.

Chronic stress can affect us emotionally and, if left unresolved, can lead to issues such as anxiety or depression.

CAPT Jacqueline Levick, an Army psychologist at Duntroon Health Centre, said everyone exhibited stress differently.

“It’s important to recognise your individual signs of stress so you know when to implement adaptive coping strategies,” she said.

“Common symptoms include becoming more irritable, having more extreme reactions to small events, or having difficulty sleeping.

“While there may seem like no way to resolve situational stressors, like in a demanding workplace, there are strate-gies you can adopt to reduce the level of impact this has on your physical and mental wellbeing.”

The body deals with acute stress by releasing chemicals to tell the body it is in danger and, therefore, activates the fight-or-flight response.

This response does not have any long-term effects and often can help in dealing with immediate stressors.

Stress, in many instances, can help a person deal with demands placed on them by making them more alert, ener-gised and attuned to external cues.

However, long-term exposure to stress and the exposure of the body to high levels of hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, can lead to increased vulnerability to illnesses, such as depression, obesity and heart disease.

CAPT Levick said stress was expe-

rienced when there was an imbalance between demands being made and the resources available to cope with those demands.

“The level and extent of stress a person may feel depends a great deal on their attitude to a particular situation,” she said.

“An event that may be extremely stressful for one person can be a mere hiccup in another person’s life.

“This, in part, can be from our pre-vious experience with stress and know-ing what coping methods work for us.”

Stress can be managed by using techniques such as monitoring and chal-lenging the way you think about events, slow breathing, and solving your prob-lems in a structured manner.

Cutting down on alcohol use and doing things you enjoy can help in cop-ing with stress.

Stress may also contribute to physical illness such as cardiovascular disease.

When stress turns into a serious ill-ness, it is important to get professional help as soon as possible.

Whatever the cause, physical dis-eases need appropriate medical man-agement before any attempt is made at stress management.

Discuss with your doctor how stress management may be used to support treatment of your physical symptoms.

Stress is often influenced by external factors including work, relationships and finances. However, internal factors such as health, nutrition and sleep can also affect how we deal with issues. Photo: CPL Mark Doran

When less stress is bestFeeling the pressure is a fact of life but it can become too much, CPL Mark Doran reports

SEEKING HELPIf you are experiencing stress, you can visit or contact:

Your doctor

Psychologist or counsellor

Veterans and veterans’ families counselling service: 1800 011 046

This Way Up – an online Coping with Stress course developed by the Clinical Research Unit of Anxiety and Depression at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney and University of NSW Faculty of Medicine. Go to: thiswayup.org.au/how-we-can-help/courses/coping-with-stress/

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Suicide Helpline: 1300 651 251

22 November 17, 2016RCEAIR FHealth & Fitness

1300 131 050www.stratton.com.au

TRANSPARENTNOVATEDLEASING

23November 17, 2016RCEAIR F Sp rt

FLGOFF Amanda Scott

NOMINATIONS are open to serving and former members of the ADF interested in representing Australia on the world stage at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada, as either an athlete or coach.

The 2017 Invictus Games will take place from September 24-30 and will bring together more than 550 athletes from 17 allied nations who have become wounded, injured or ill during as a direct consequence of their service, in a celebration of tenacity and cour-age.

The Invictus Games is an initiative of Prince Harry and is an international adaptive sport competition using the power of sport to motivate recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of the sacrifices made by the men and women who serve their country.

Athletes selected to form part of the 2017 team will have the opportunity to compete in a range of adaptive sports, including wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis, archery, athlet-ics, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road cycling, sitting volleyball, swimming and, new to the 2017 games, golf.

2016 Australian Invictus Games team cap-tain Paul Warren, who competed in the track and field, indoor rowing, swimming and wheelchair basketball and rugby events, said compet-ing in the games gave him purpose and confidence following his wound from an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in July 2009.

“Being able to compete at the Invictus Games was an amazing experience and I strongly encourage anyone eligible for selection to apply to be part of the 2017 games,” he said.

“It gave us an opportunity to show the world we are not defined by our injuries or illness, while we once again represent our countries and prove we truly are unconquered.

“At the games we also honoured everyone who played a part in our recovery, from the first respond-ers to the medical teams and mostly our families, who stuck by us and never gave up.”

Those interested in becoming a coach should pref-erably have qualifications and coaching experience in one of the respective sports, as well as experience in adaptive sports and disabled athletes.

Interested applicants should apply through their chain of command via web form AE136 and be avail-able to attend selection camps as outlined in the 2017 ADF Invictus Games selection policy. Nominations for both athletes and coaches close on December 5.

Further information, including the expression of interest application, eligibility criteria and selection policy for the 2017 Australian Invictus Games Team is available at www.defence.gov.au/events/invictusgames or by emailing [email protected]

Invictus athletes not defined by their injuries

THE Army White Water Association (AWWA) is conduct-ing Exercise Tasman Advance – a sea kayaking activity in Tasmania – from January 4-15, 2017.

The activity is aimed at novice and intermediate pad-dlers and is open to all ADF person-nel. Expressions of interest can be sent to [email protected].

More information is available at http://drnet.defence.gov.au/Army/AAWA/Pages/AWWA-Exercises.aspx

CPL Max Bree

SOLDIERS of RAAF Base Amberley were too tough for their Air Force brethren during a rugby league match-up on November 4.

A combined Amberley Army team beat the RAAF base team 36-28 in a dry and hot game played in four 20-minute quarters on the base oval.

Air Force was two tries up in the first quarter and a see-sawing cavalcade of tries and conversions followed for the next two.

Air Force team captain SGT Shaun Ward said it was difficult to keep a lid on a determined Army side.

“Army always come out firing in these things, they don’t give an inch,” he said

“They just had strong forwards and they were dominating posses-sion for 90 per cent of the game.

“When you have that much possession, you’re really going to roll over the top on any opposi-tion.”

The two battered teams played a gutsy 20 minutes of rugby league in the fourth quarter with Army sealing the win by running in three tries to Air Force’s one.

“I thought we were the better team in the first half,” SGT Ward said.

“I thought we could keep roll-

ing on but they came back and kicked into another gear and came over the top of us.”

The win was an upset for the Air Force side, which had won the previous two match-ups in 2014 and 2013.

“We’re hoping to get it back next year,” SGT Ward said.

“We just needed more num-bers at training. We had plenty of opportunities but just getting peo-ple out of work commitments was difficult.

“They boys put in a good effort but we didn’t come away with it at the end.”

In the regular event a t Amberley, both sides play for the

Barry Tessier Perpetual Shield. The late Barry Tessier was a standout supporter of rugby league in Ipswich and both of his sons played in this game.

Cheryl Tessier presented the shield to the winning team after the game.

“I wouldn’t say it’s fierce, but there’s always that rivalry between Army and Air Force no matter what sport you’re playing. They’re both trying to be the dominant one,” SGT Ward said.

This year, the game was sanc-tioned by the Queensland Rugby League, and Ipswich Rugby League referees and linespeople officiated.

EX TASMAN ADVANCE

Feeling the heat

MAJ Gary Bergman and CPL Sebastian Beurich

RMC’s rowers battled the wind on Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin to hold on in the feature event of the 46th Disher Challenge Cup Regatta.

Just six seconds separated the RMC men’s eight from those of ADFA and the Australian National University (ANU) as it took out the Disher Cup on October 22.

The 2600m event has been a tra-dition between the three institutions since 1986.

ADFA’s OFFCDT Matthew Bajramovic said the competition was of a high level.

“By the records, this was prob-ably the closest race in the history of the Disher Cup,” he said.

“I’ve raced in the cup for the last three years and the conditions on the day were the worst I’ve raced in.

“We couldn’t follow our original race plan. We had to put a lot more effort into trying to maintain balance in the boat and making sure each stroke counted.

“In the wind it’s quite easy for the boat to roll around and poten-tially even flip over, so it was a game of trying to maintain our speed while keeping our technique, as well as not letting the weather affect us too much.”

OFFCDT Harrison Baildham-Parr has a long history of rowing, but decided to sit on the sidelines and coach the ADFA team this year.

“We trained six times a week,

with four morning sessions and two afternoon sessions. The guys would wake up at 4.45am to start training in the middle of winter,” he said.

“It was pretty cold – I think the worst it got to was minus five degrees – but it showed they were a good crew who were motivated and dedicated to training.

“We’d had a taste of the ANU team a few weeks before at the Uni Games, so we knew what we were up against with them. But we had no idea about the RMC crew.”

The regatta also featured the Anne Curtis Cup for women’s eights, the L. W. Nicholls Shield for men’s fours, the COL Diane Harris Trophy for women’s fours and a single scull competition for men and women.

ADFA’s OFFCDT Lauren Finnerty was up against stern com-petition in the women’s single scull.

An opponent from ANU had won the event for the past three years.

“The single scull is much shorter event then the others. The race is only 500m, so it’s more of a sprint, which was difficult in the weather,” she said.

“When we were rowing the boats down to the racecourse, my single got filled up with a bit of water from the swell. I had to empty my water bottle and try to bail some of the water out before the race started. Definitely not the best conditions for racing, but you do what you have to.”

She finished third in the singles and was in the women’s eights that finished just behind ANU.

Personnel who are interested in learning more about rowing in the ADF should go to: http://drnet.defence.gov.au/vcdf/Sports-Rowing/pages/Welcome.aspx

Swell race on rough day

Air Force’s AC Ernesto Miranda (right) and SGT Shaun Ward try to stop CFN Sebastian Harrison in the rugby league game against the combined Army team.Photo: CPL Brenton Kwaterski

OFFCDT Lauren Finnerty in the women’s

single scull at the Disher Challenge Cup Regatta.

NEW ENEMIES FOLLOW OUR veterans HOMEMany returning veterans come home only to face new enemies – enemies they’ve never been

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SP RTNovember 17, 2016

IT’S A WRAP

Close but not close enough as

Army takes Barry Tessier shield

LAC Blake Tessier (left) and LAC Drew Crowley tackle an Army player. Photo: CPL Ben Dempster

Page 9 SILENT SALUTE TO OUR PAST...Vol. 58, No. 21, November 17, 2016 The official newspaper of the...

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