AIR FVol. 52, No. 17, September 16, 2010 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

RCERCESUPER FIRST:Rhino bomb camp

2010 The

IN PAKISTAN::Our medics are on the scene P3

P5

Routine flight turns into rescue mission for two PC-9 crews

HIGH DRAMAHIGH DRAMAStoryP2

ON THE DOUBLE: During a routine training flight near Renmark in South Australia, two PC-9 crews answered a distress call from a civilian pilot experiencing engine difficulty. The two ARDU crews located the downed aircraft and then coordinated a successful search and rescue operation from the air. The crew members were, from left, SQNLDR Steve Howe, FLTLT Rich Ling, FLTLT Peter Nugent and PLTOFF Joal McCutcheon. Photo: LAC Scott Woodward

2 September 16, 2010RCEAIR FNews

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FLTLT Melody Earl

A ROUTINE PC-9 training sortie became a search and rescue mis-sion for four Air Force personnel when they received a civilian pi-lot’s distress transmission on Au-gust 31.

The crew members of PC-9s Delta 1 and Delta 2, SQNLDR Steve Howe, PLTOFF Joal McCutcheon and FLTLTs Peter Nugent and Rich Ling, from the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU), were conducting a low-level formation, navigation training sortie eight miles from Renmark, South Australia, when they received a distress call from a pilot experiencing engine trouble with his Jabiru aircraft.

On-board Delta 1, FLTLT Nugent said the Jabiru pilot’s voice was “composed but task-saturated”.

The Jabiru pilot said he wasn’t going to make it to Renmark Airfield and was identifying a road south to conduct an emergency landing. Together, Delta 1 and Delta 2 tracked to the last-known location of the distressed aircraft – Delta 1 climbed to 2500 feet and Delta 2 descended to 500 feet to search.

FLTLT Nugent spotted the aircraft about 30m adjacent to a road in dense scrub, three nautical miles south of Renmark Airfield.

Delta 1 guided Delta 2 toward the Jabiru’s crash site, where Delta 2 descended to 250 feet for visual verification.

FLTLT Ling said Delta 1 took on the role of scene of action com-mander and relayed information to an operator at Renmark Airfield, while Delta 2 flew over the site at low level to assure the Jabiru’s pilot help was on its way.

“It rapidly became apparent that the Jabiru was extensively damaged with collapsed nose and port landing gear struts,” FLTLT Ling said.

“We saw one person walking beside the aircraft waving, but were unsure if there were other passengers.”

Renmark Airfield’s operator informed the PC-9 crews that the local ambulance had inadvertent-ly been dispatched to the airfield instead of the crash site, and that it would have difficulty locating a light aircraft, 6km away from the airfield and next to an unnamed dirt road.

SQNLDR Howe said Delta 2 located the ambulance and con-ducted low-altitude passes over-head, rocking its wings to indi-cate ‘follow me’, while Delta 1 gave turning instructions to the Renmark Airfield operator, who relayed them to an operator in the ambulance on a mobile phone.

“We had the ambulance at the site within minutes,” SQNLDR Howe said.

“Given the ambulance couldn’t see the aircraft, they could have been searching for hours without our assistance.”

During the course of the rescue mission, the PC-9s’ fuel supplies became a concern, so the crews had to regularly calculate how

IN BRIEF

much fuel was required to return to RAAF Base Edinburgh safely.

FLTLT Nugent said that as the ambulance reached the Jabiru’s

location, the PC-9s had just enough fuel to return to base.

“It was difficult leaving the site, but we knew the Jabiru’s pilot

was in safe hands,” FLTLT Nugent said.

“We were relieved to learn that no passengers were on board.”

PLTOFF McCutcheon said the experience had validated his Air Force training because there was no time for hesitation.

“It resulted in a great crew resource management exercise,” PLTOFF McCutcheon said. “To lead two aircraft into a search and rescue scenario, just 18 months off course, was an amazing experience.”

‘DELTA FORCE: Above, one of the two ARDU PC-9 aircraft involved in the search and rescue mission near Renmark. Right, the crew of the Delta 1 and 2 PC-9s involved, from left, PLTOFF Joal McCutcheon, FLTLT Peter Nugent, FLTLT Rich Ling and SQNLDR Steve Howe. Photos: LAC Scott Woodward

Given the ambulance couldn’t see the aircraft, they could have been searching for hours without our assistance. – SQNLDR Steve Howe

Routine Routine sortie sortie becomes becomes a rescuea rescue

i f h d ” FLTLT N t

Four Party dialogue CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin has played host to his counterparts from the US, Britain and Canada for a series of key strategic meetings in Australia. The Air Force Four Party dialogue covered issues of shared strategic interest including Afghanistan operations, current and emerging aircraft and space capabilities, and opportunities for future training cooperation and engagement. US Air Force Chief of Staff GEN Norton A. Schwartz, Royal Air Force Chief of Air Staff ACM Sir Stephen Dalton, and Canadian Air Force Chief of Air Staff LTGEN Andre Deschamps attended the dialogue.

Peacekeeping service A COMMEMORATIVE service honouring Australia’s involvement in peacekeeping missions was to be held at the Australian Peacekeeping Memorial site on Anzac Parade in Canberra on September 14 (at the time of going to print). The national memorial honours the sacrifice of Australian peacekeepers in the service of international peace and security, and recognises the courage and professionalism of peacekeepers in the face of the particular challenges of their operations. The memorial also focuses on recognising the continuing significant contribution by Australians to international peacekeeping. For more information on the memorial, call 0406 168 655.

Tindal helps the MarinesPERSONNEL from RAAF Base Tindal are providing logistics support to the United States Marine Corps (USMC), including aircraft refuelling services, meals, working and living accommodation for their person-nel, during Exercise Southern Frontier. The annual exercise, which finishes on September 23, involves USMC Super Hornet multiple deep-air support and close-air support training missions over Northern Territory airspace, including the Delamere Air Weapons Range Facility.

Air focus on pay TVPAST and present Air Force aircraft are getting their screen time on pay television channel Discovery Turbo Max. FlightPath TV is an aviation-based series which has been shot in Australia and around the world over the past three years. Among the Air Force aircraft being featured on the series are C-17As and Roulettes, as well as the Caribous before their retire-ment. The series also features a fly-in to Temora Aviation Museum and the Australian International Air Show at Avalon. Red Bull Air Race competitor and former Hornet pilot Matt Hall also presents a series of segments called ‘In the Loop’, demonstrating some extreme aerobatics. The series airs at 8pm on Saturdays and is repeated throughout the week.

Weapons made saferTHE development of a new innovative device to be fitted to F88, M4 and F89 weapons on exercises will prevent injuries to soldiers, sailors and airmen. The bullet-trap blank-firing attachment (BTBFA) developed by Thales Australia Ltd is designed to catch a live round fired from a weapon during a blank-firing exer-cise, if live ammunition was mistakenly mixed with blank. The device is made of steel and only allows blank rounds to be fired. The internal baffles and outer casing will stop live rounds from exiting the barrel, preventing injury or death to the weapon firer or bystanders. More than 35,000 F88 BTBFAs will be delivered, with the remaining F89 and M4 variants to be delivered by November 2012.

Frontline online surveyAIR FORCE personnel are being encouraged to take a 10-minute online survey addressing the quality of Frontline, and subsidiary Australian Commercial Catering, products and services in return for the chance to win a $100 Coles Myers Gift Card. The sur-vey will provide vital information to help the company shape the products and services offered at local out-lets. Running until the end of December, the survey can be found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FDS or by emailing information@frontlineds.com.au

3 September 16, 2010RCEAIR FF

LEUT Brooke Olds

ADF medical specialists are working with AusAID as part of the Australian Medical Task Force (AMTF) to provide basic healthcare to the flood-affected population of Kot Addu in central Paki-stan.

Within a few days of being made fully operational, the temporary Camp Cockatoo Health Centre had seen about 1000 patients – an effort that was applauded by its OIC, SQNLDR Andrew Pearson.

“What’s exciting is that we’re treat-ing a lot of people who may otherwise not have been treated and we’re giving them a good standard of care,” he said.

“We’re seeing a lot of malaria and diarrhoeal cases. We’re seeing heat stress, tuberculosis and severe dehy-dration. We’re seeing cases here on a daily basis that you may never see in an entire medical career in Australia.”

SQNLDR Pearson said the medi-cal specialists were working in hot and humid conditions to treat some very sick people, including children.

“The sheer volume of patients is exceptionally high but we continue to reassess and streamline our practices to ensure we get through a large number more quickly without compromising on quality of service.”

The AMTF investigates the symp-toms of patients, conducts blood tests for malaria and provides worming treat-ment as a standard measure. Specialised treatment and medication are then afforded as appropriate.

“There is an excellent working rela-tionship between AusAID and the ADF staff. I have been impressed with just how well we work together in the health cen-tre. The civilian medical specialists bring a lot of experience and knowledge to the table, while the military personnel are exceptionally adaptable and resourceful,” SQNLDR Pearson said. “We’re learning a lot from each other.”

WGCDR Ross Wadsworth, com-mander of the ADF troops assigned to Operation Pakistan Assist II, also praised the efforts.

“There is a great deal of moving pieces that make an operation like this come together,” WGCDR Wadsworth said.

“The RAAF C-17As have con-

Answering the call

ducted regular sustainment flights into Multan. From there our Air Load Team based in Multan is doing a superb job at ensuring those goods are transferred from Multan to Kot Addu.

“Once the supplies arrive in Kot Addu, the engineers, logistics, electri-cians and communications experts in Camp Cockatoo are all working around the clock to make sure the Medical Task Force have the support and facilities up and running to focus on their role in the health centre.

“I’m proud of the efforts I see here every day and Australians should be proud of the work that the AMTF, and all our support elements, are doing to support the Pakistani Government and help the Pakistanis affected by the floods.”

TAKING A BREAK: SQNLDR Simon McLaughlin takes a short break to rehydrate.

HEAVY DEMAND: Above, Australian Medical Task Force personnel clean the inflatable Camp Cockatoo Health Centre in Kot Addu; right, Pakistani women and children line up to be treated. Photos: CPL Chris Moore

MEDICAL ATTENTION: FLTLT Rupert Templeman assesses a Pakistani patient for breathing difficulties at Kot Addu.

IN TOUCH: Commander Joint Task Force 636 WGCDR Ross Wadsworth with AusAID workers.

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4 September 16, 2010RCEAIR FNews

ABCIS Melanie Schinkel

THE LARGEST reunion of national servicemen, ‘Nashos’, in Australia marched down Anzac Parade and congregated for the dedication of the National Servicemen’s Memorial at the Australian War Memorial on September 8.

For more than 2500 Nashos who attended, the cere-mony acknowledged the service of young Australian men who accepted the call for duty between 1950 and 1972.

2500 2500 Nashos Nashos march march againagain

During the Vietnam War this involved selection for service by birthday ballot.

The president of the National Servicemen’s Association’s Tasmanian Branch, ex-airman Mr Royce Close, was called up during the first national service scheme from 1951 to 1959.

He said he completed 176 days of national ser-vice in RAAF Base Point Cook’s pay office in 1952.

“This memorial means a lot to me because my comrades were killed in Vietnam,” Mr Royce said.

“Afterwards, what really hurt me was the way the Vietnam veterans were treated when they finally came home – they were just ignored.

“They should have been thanked and looked after, so that’s what we’re all doing here today.”

Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce dedicated the $600,000 memorial fountain which was built to commemorate about 290,000 former Nashos who served in the ADF, including 212 who died on active service in the Borneo and Vietnam con-flicts.

Under the National Service Act 1951, all young men turning 18 on or after November 1, 1950 were required to undertake 176 days standard

recruit training in the Air Force, Navy and Army, fol-lowed by five years in their respective reserves.

The first call-up notices were issued on April 12, 1951 and the first Nashos, for the RAAF, marched-in during July.

During this period, about 23,500 Nashos undertook their training in national service training units and were allocated to flights, corresponding to platoons, at the major air bases and depots throughout Australia.

SPECTACLE: The Roulettes added to the sense of occasion when they flew in formation over the Australian War Memorial at the memorial service on September 8 in Canberra; inset, members of Australia’s Federation Guard at the ceremony. Photos: ABCIS Melanie Schinkel

PROUD MOMENT: Just some of the former national servicemen who marched up Anzac Parade.

5NewsSeptember 16, 2010RCEAIR FF

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FLTLT Skye Smith

AUSTRALIA’S new Super Hor-nets are testing their deployment ca-pabilities as 1SQN conducts its first live weapon trials at the Woomera Test Range, north of Adelaide.

Five F/A-18F Super Hornets and about 100 aircrew, maintenance and support personnel from 1SQN are operating from RAAF Base Edinburgh during the squadron’s first major deployment away from its main oper-ating base of RAAF Base Amberley.

T h e d e p l oy m e n t t o S o u t h Australia will include the trial of the Super Hornet’s air-to-ground weap-ons techniques, tactics and proce-dures for the first time since being accepted into service in March this year.

The weapons being trialled on the Super Hornet include the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW), Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs), Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the M61A2 gun.

The JSOW is an air-to-ground glide weapon with range of up to 70 nautical miles or 130kms providing a stand-off precision strike capability against hardened targets.

CO 1SQN WGCDR Glen Braz praised the excellent facilities at both Edinburgh and the Woomera Test Range.

“The weapon trials and deploy-ment to Adelaide will assist 1SQN

Rhinos are on target

in achieving Initial Operational Capability by December,” he said.

This will result in Australia’s first operational air combat capable Super Hornet squadron with a complement of 12 aircraft, associated trained per-sonnel, weapons and logistics support.

Through extensive training in Australia, the 24 Super Hornet air-

craft, personnel and logistics support will mature to realise the final opera-tional capability of the squadron by 2012.

The Super Hornet weapons trials, that started on August 30, are due to end on September 15.

See the next edition for more coverage. ‘HERE COMES THE SUN: Above, a 1SQN F/A-18F Super Hornet flies over the Woomera Test Range as CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin (right) and other spectators watch on from below. Photos: LAC Glynn Jones

ON SHOW: Below, CO 1SQN WGCDR Glen Braz talks to the Adelaide media about the arrival of the Super Hornets to RAAF Base Edinburgh. Photo: LACW Shannon McCarthy

The weapon trials and deployment to Adelaide will assist 1SQN in achieving Initial Operational Capability by December. – CO 1SQN WGCDR Glen Braz

6 September 16, 2010RCEAIR FNews

THE TASK of making a ‘trip across the ditch’ has been made easier for Army.

Last month, Air Lift Group C-17As and C-130s were able to facili-tate Exercise Anzac Rotor, an activ-ity involving the Holsworthy Barracks-based 171 Aviation Squadron operating in New Zealand’s South Island.

The 2100km trip from Sydney to Christchurch for four Black Hawks was made possible after they were con-figured and loaded in the back of two 36SQN C-17As.

C-130s from 37SQN likewise pro-vided support for personnel and cargo.

Once in country, Black Hawk crews were able to practise high-density alti-

tude and cold weather flying. MAJ Paul Lewis of 6th Aviation Regiment said: “Crews renewed trade skills and new pilots gained experience in mountain flying and cold weather operations.”

Such experience is useful for Army Black Hawk crews and support per-sonnel. While Australia lacks such high mountainous terrain, Army Black Hawks have in recent years been called away on operations in the mountains of Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.

A 36SQN C-17A transported three Black Hawks from RAAF Base Richmond to Port Moresby in August last year.

Getting them over to NZ

NEW ZEALAND TOUCHDOWN: Unloading one of the Black Hawks from a C-17A at Christchurch Airport. Photo: SGT Jeremy Brown

Eamon Hamilton

AUSTRALIAN airdrops don’t often come much bigger than this.

In the dawn hours of September 6, about 200 paratroopers and their equip-ment parachuted into Charters Towers in northern Queensland as part of Exercise CATA.

Making the delivery was a pair of 37SQN C-130Hs and another pair of 36SQN C-17As.

The troops, from Army’s 3rd Brigade, were loaded at RAAF Base Townsville for their drop into Charters Towers.

Rolling in first were the C-17As – one aircraft delivering a platform con-taining a Landrover and trailer, and the other delivering a series of Cargo Delivery Systems (CDSs).

The platform load was the first of its kind to be dropped by C-17A in Australia.

The C-130Hs followed in as a for-mation to drop the first chalk of para-troops.

Both the C-130 and C-17A have their individual strengths in the tacti-

cal delivery of soldiers to a combat zone, whether onto an airstrip or by an airdrop.

Captaining one of the C-17As, SQNLDR Dean Bolton said the Army commanders were happy with the result.

“The Army commanders were happy customers on the day – the vehi-cle drop was only 15 metres off the target, and the CDSs were only two metres off, which is a good result.”

As for the C-17A: “We can carry platforms or CDSs along the centreline, and still have room for up to 50 para-troops on the side wall seating.”

The airborne capability gives Army commanders significant flexibility in planning operations, particularly entry operations where a rapid response over long distances is important.

Another airborne activity will take place during Exercise Hamel with Army’s Force Command next month, when Air Lift Group and 3 Brigade will continue to develop an airborne capability using both C-130 and C-17A aircraft.

Baling out Baling out the Armythe Army

THIS IS OUR STOP: The mass airdrop over Charters Towers. Photos: LCPL Mark Doran

$27 million warehouse opensA NEW ADF warehouse capable of storing up to 19,000 pallets of combat and non-combat cloth-ing and field equipment was opened at Joint Logistics Unit Victoria (JLU (V)), Wadsworth Barracks in Bandiana on August 27.

The new $27 million facility replaces eight World War II-era ware-houses and is fitted with

modern equipment and technology, streamlining the storage and distribu-tion of ADF clothing and equipment.

Commander Joint Logistics AVM Margaret Staib, who opened the warehouse, said its capabilities will sup-port all ADF personnel including those who are deploying or are currently deployed on

operations. “From early next year Australia’s deployed servicemen and women will all be supplied with combat clothing and other essential equipment from this new facility,” AVM Staib said.

The warehouse con-struction phase began in June 2009 and was handed over to JLU (V) in July this year.

7NewsSeptember 16, 2010RCEAIR FF

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LEUT Emily Kennedy

AIR FORCE and the Navy used this year’s multinational maritime exercise, Kakadu 2010, to test their interoper-ability.

For the first time, Air Task Unit Headquarters (Air TUHQ), which planned and coordinated the air sup-port, was co-located with the Navy’s exercise control staff, who planned and executed the maritime serials.

Kakadu, held off the coast of Darwin between August 16 and September 3, was a busy time for the Air Force and Navy staff as they coordinated 11 ships, two submarines, three helicopters and 16 fixed-wing aircraft from four nations.

Air Force contributed one AP-3C from 11SQN, four Hawk-127 fighters from 79SQN and three F-111s from 6SQN.

Adding to the Air Task Unit capa-bility was a P-3K from the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 5SQN and a VP3 detachment from Japan comprising two P-3Cs. It was the first time Japan had sent a VP3 air detachment to an Australian exercise.

The maritime patrol aircraft were employed to hunt the two sub-marines, HMA Ships Collins and Dechaineux. An AP-3C also prac-tised a stores drop to one of the submarines during the course of the exercise, as well as compiling an accurate surface picture to share with ships and strike aircraft.

The four Hawk and F-111 jets were essential to Navy ships to achieve their training objectives in anti-air warfare, where the aircraft either simulated firing attacks on the ships.

Apart from the attacking and defending roles undertaken in high-threat scenarios at sea, the Navy and Air Force came together to learn more about how each operates in their

respective maritime and air environ-ments.

CO 6SQN and Air Task Unit Commander WGCDR Micka Gray gave the Navy staff a detailed brief of its roles and perfor-mance, and also shared some of his highlights flying the F-111.

He said it was beneficial to go on board one of the ships that his aircraft

so often tried to simulate striking. “As the CO of an F-111 squadron it is always good to understand the train-ing and preparation that happens on a ship, particularly in the operations room, bridge and damage control sta-tions, when the ship is getting ready

for simulated attacks by our aircraft,” WGCDR Gray said.

“For the young aircrew, it is very interesting for them to see what their opposite numbers do in the ship to simulate shooting them down.”

Following Kakadu, the F-111s supported Exercise Singaroo in what was the F-111s’ last appearance in the Top End before being retired from service in December.

Kakadu connectionLOOK AT THAT: HMAS Collins submariners ABMTs Yaan Kelly-Flanders and Alex Melville watch a Hawk-127 fighter taxi before take-off on Exercise Kakadu; inset, Chief of Staff Exercise Kakadu CMDR Allison Norris sits in the cockpit of an F-111 as Deputy Air Task Unit Headquarters Commander SQNLDR Glen Ferguson explains the controls.Photos: LSIS Helen Frank

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8 September 16, 2010RCEAIR F

SINCE 2005, RAAF officers have been contributing their aviation experience and expertise to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

SQNLDR Greg Jervis and FLTLT Tiaan Wolzak, currently deployed to Sudan under Operation Azure, are continuing to build on the excellent reputation established by their predecessors.

SQNLDR Jervis is responsible for providing advice and recommendations on aviation safety mat-ters to the mission. This work involves regular interac-tion with the mission staff, civilian aviation contrac-tors, airfield staff, Sudanese officials and military avia-tion assets provided by various contributing nations.

“I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to work alongside very dedicated aviation safety offic-ers here in Khartoum,” he said. “Safety remains our number-one priority, giving the 600 people who travel on UNMIS aircraft every day the confidence that their journey will be safe, secure and convenient.”

An average day might include inspections of new contracted aircraft arriving in the mission, inspections of some of the approximately 20 airfields and provid-ing planning and safety advice to senior UNMIS staff.

“The biggest challenge we face in the mission is overcoming a poor reporting culture among our air-crew,” SQNLDR Jervis said.

“Many aircrews have joined the mission after work-ing for many years in a punitive aviation safety culture and hence are reluctant to report incidents for fear of punishment.

“Our very successful aviation safety education campaign is slowly changing this culture to a just one that will, when fully implemented, ultimately benefit the wider UNMIS aviation community.”

FLTLT Wolzak contributes to the UNMIS mission as an Air Operations Staff Officer and is responsible for managing and controlling the air operations teams dis-persed across Sudan on a daily basis. This entails manag-ing about 40 aircraft, rotary and fixed wing, of more than 12 different types, operating on more than 20 airfields, helicopter landing sites and often in remote locations.

FLTLT Wolzak has planned, coordinated and exe-cuted almost two dozen casualty and medical evacua-tions from sites across Sudan.

“In some ways it’s more dynamic than military aviation operations, because UNMIS not only con-ducts military flights, it also has to juggle those tasks with regular civilian-style operations; moving a vast amount of cargo and passengers around the country using a combination of civilian and military crews.

“Crews are also operating in an environment where airfields and air traffic control services are more rudi-mentary than what they would otherwise be used to,” FLTLT Wolzak said.

“It certainly is a challenge. The key is that the avia-tion team is flexible and focused.”

Keeping the focus on safety

FLTLT Tiaan Wolzak

THE Australian Ambassador to Egypt, Ms Stephanie Shwabsky, visited ADF Operation Azure staff working in Khartoum recently.

Ms Shwabsky was in Khartoum conducting business with the Sudanese Government and the United Nations, and visited Australia House where the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) Australian Staff Officers are living.

During the visit, Ms Shwabsky presented the Staff Officers with their Australian Service Medals (ASMs)and Sudan clasps.

LTCOL Tim Rudd, the Commander of Australian Contingent 11 to UNMIS, thanked the Ambassador for making time in her busy schedule for the small group of ADF staff. “It’s an honour to have the Ambassador visit us here at Australia House, present our ASMs and share her views on the political build-up to the referenda in Sudan early next year. Clearly, Sudan plays an important part in her broader responsibilities in Africa,” he said.

Aside from being the Australian Ambassador to Egypt, Ms Shwabsky also holds non-resident accreditation to Sudan, Syria and Tunisia.

Dropping in on Sudan

CHALLENGE: A common sight on Sudanese airfields, an Antonov 26 that has seen better days, at El Obeid UN Logistics base.

Photo: courtesy FLTLT Tiaan Wolzak

AIR FORCE CONTINGENT: Australian Ambassador to Egypt Ms Stephanie Shwabsky with, from left, FLTLT Tiaan Wolzak, CPL Emma Campbell, FSGT Brendan Dalton and SQNLDR Greg Jervis.

Photo: Federal Agent Darren McClelland,

Australian Federal Police

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9NewsSeptember 16, 2010RCEAIR FF

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MORE than 250 ADF personnel spent a week in Papua New Guinea (PNG) early this month as part of the humani-tarian assistance mission Pacific Part-nership 2010 (PP10).

They worked side-by-side with personnel from the PNG Defence Force to provide medical, dental, engineering and community service assistance.

The US-sponsored PP10 is a mis-sion intent on improving the capaci-ties of nations and organisations to respond to disasters such as the 2004 Asian tsunami.

PP10’s shift to PNG closely fol-lows the mission’s presence in Indonesia and East Timor.

One of the team was SQNLDR David Cooksley, a reservist medical officer from Townsville who treated patients at medical clinics ashore and participated in many exchanges with medical professionals of both coun-tries during his six-week deployment.

“I undertook two extended dura-tion ‘Remain Overnight’ (RON) mis-sions, the first for six days at Sofifi, a small coastal village in Indonesia,” SQNLDR Cooksley said.

“We used an Australian Navy

Focus shifts to PNGFocus shifts to PNG

ONE OUT OF THE BOX: Above, LACW Terri-Anne Dehncke from RAAF Base Tindal passes supplies to US Navy Commander Laura McFarland on the tank deck of HMAS Tobruk in Darwin in preparation for the PNG mission during Pacific Partnership 2010; left, FLTLT Stephen Walker counts pain relief medication for dispatch at medical clinics. Photos: ABIS Andrew Dakin

HOLD STILL: SQNLDR David Cooksley conducts an eye check.

heavy landing craft as our base and camped at night on its tank deck then went ashore each day.”

His other RON was in the moun-tains of East Timor at a small village called Same with a local population of 500 people. “We saw just shy of 2000 patients during the three work-ing days we spent there.”

There were challenges.He learnt of one woman who

came back to the clinic because the antibiotic dispensed didn’t seem to be working.

“It had been prescribed to be taken on an empty stomach – and rubbing it on to her empty stom-ach was exactly what she was doing.”

Overall, though, his experience was positive, productive and one he won’t quickly forget.

Toll Transistions now manage all your relocation requirements including:

Processing relocation allowances and entitlements.

Arranging travel and temporary accommodation.

Arranging removal and storage services.

Notifying DHA of a Member’s relocation so that they can assist with Housing.

Handy hints for your upcoming relocation

Do’s

The sooner you lodge your Pre-AFR and AFR the sooner you will be able to get the house you want.

Lodge your Pre-AFR and AFR online www.tolltransitions.com.au/defence

Read the Defence Relocation Guide before you complete your AFR. The guide contains hard copy forms to be completed if you can’t lodge online.

Once your AFR is approved you will be given a Case Manager.

Your Case Manager is there to assist you. Call them if you need advice.

Advise your Case Manager of any special requirements that may affect your relocation.

Provide Toll Transitions with current and alternate contact details throughout the relocation.

For general assistance or after hours assistance call our Customer Service Centre on 1800 819 167.

Don’t

Wait till the last minute to lodge your Pre-AFR or AFR.

Get stressed if you are lodging online. Call us if you need assistance.

Forget to call your Case Managers if you need advice.

Lodge your AFR in hard copy unless you can’t lodge online. Remember online lodgement is Defence’s preferred lodgement method.

Remember

Your Case Manager is able to assist with any questions about the relocation process or contact our Customer Service Centre on 1800 819 167 or visit www.tolltranstions.com.au

Are yourelocating over the

coming months?Some things have changed since you last moved.

Australian Capital TerritoryGround Floor, 18-20 Brindabella CircuitBrindabella Business Park ACT 2609

New South Wales, Wagga WaggaSuite B Morrow Court, 12-14 Morrow St Wagga Wagga 2650

New South Wales, Hunter ValleyUnit 7, 1 Jacaranda Avenue Raymond Terrace NSW, 2324

New South Wales, NowraSuite 12, 55-57 Berry St Nowra NSW 2541

New South Wales, ParramattaJessie St Centre, 2-12 Macquarie St Parramatta NSW 2150

New South Wales, SydneyLevel 12, 32 Walker StNorth Sydney NSW 2060

Northern Territory, DarwinLot 1, 450 Winnellie RoadWinnellie NT 0820

Northern Territory, KatherineBuilding 255, Newham circ. RAAF Base Tindal

Queensland, BrisbaneLevel 6, 369 Ann St Brisbane QLD 4000

Queensland, CairnsNQX Building, 74 Lyons St Portsmith QLD 4870

Queensland, IpswichUnit 3, Level 1, 8 Gordon St Ipswich QLD 4305

Queensland, ToowoombaNQX, Tenancy 6, 1st Floor, 462 Ruthven St Toowoomba QLD 4350

Queensland, TownsvilleUnit 3, 24 Ross River Road Mundingburra QLD 4812

South AustraliaUnit 3, 3 Parkway, Technology Park Mawson Lakes SA 5095

Tasmania41 Evans St Hobart TAS 7000

Victoria, MelbourneLevel 8, 380 St Kilda RoadMelbourne VIC 3004

Victoria, Cerberus Building 192, Phillip Road HMAS Cerberus VIC 3920

Victoria, RiverinaLevel 2, Trotman Building, 111-113 Hume St Wodonga VIC 3690

Western Australia, FremantleLevel 1, Suite 15, 39 Adelaide St Fremantle WA 6160

Your key relocation contacts

Toll Transitions: Freecall 1800 819 167

11NewsSeptember 16, 2010RCEAIR FF

Hit the beach.

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For more information visit www.adcu.com.au, call 1300 13 23 28 or visit your local ADCU branch.

Schedule of Fees & Charges and Terms and Conditions may be obtained by calling 1300 13 23 28 or calling into any ADCU Branch. The terms and conditions should be considered in deciding whether to acquire the product. To receive this product, you must become a member of ADCU. Lending Criteria applies. ABN 48 087 649 741 AFSL No. 237988.

Eamon Hamilton

HOW MANY police officers does it take to pull a Hercules?

The answer is about 20, as police and state emergency personnel found out at RAAF Base Richmond on September 4.

More than 500 people turned out on the base to watch teams pull the Hercules over 10 metres in the quick-est time possible.

A rope was connected to the nose wheel of the 47-tonne workhorse, with each team of 20 people taking the strain to tow the aircraft.

Ordinarily, the C-130J has four 4000-horsepower turboprops to power itself through the air.

The police’s Public Order and Riot

Muscling Muscling in on ain on a

HEAVE-HO: Senior Constable Claire Hawthorn, from the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), hauls a C-130J with her colleagues at RAAF Base Richmond. The team went on to win the competition. Right, Incremental Sergeant Nugent from PORS is presented with the Law Enforcement Torch Run Plane Pull Champions trophy by Commander Air Lift Group AIRCDRE John Oddie. Photos: LAC Michael Green

Squad beat some tight competition from other teams to record a time of 13.99 seconds and take the winner’s trophy.

The Plane Pull, coordinated between Richmond and the Police charity Law Enforcement Torch Run, raised about $20,000 by competing teams.

A cheque for $150,000, which included funds raised by the Plane Pull, was presented to the Special Olympics by the Commissioner of NSW Police, Commissioner Andrew Scipione, at Richmond.

HercHerc

EXTREME EXTREME LENGTHSLENGTHSTrudging through snow takes 1AFDS out of comfort zone

12 September 16, 2010 13Centrepiece SSSSRCEAIR FF

IN A FIRST for 1 Airfield Defence Squadron (1AFDS), 122 members were taken out of their

comfort zone into the snowy peaks of Australia’s alpine country last month.

Exercise Alpine Rodeo (AR10) was a patrol and sur-veillance exercise, which air-field defence guards (ADGs), both reserve and perma-nent, deployed from a Main Operating Base established at Dutson Air Weapons Range near East Sale, to a high-alti-

tude Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Dinner Plain in the Alpine National Park, Victoria.

CO 1AFDS WGCDR Robert Peterson said the objective of the deployment to the FOB was to exercise the squadron command post while ADGs in the rifle flights conducted screening opera-tions to support notional air operations at Dutson.

“An airfield defence squadron conducts screen-ing operations around the key approaches to an airfield to deny the enemy recon-

naissance and access to direct-fire positions and the ability to employ indirect-fire support weapon systems or conduct raiding operations,” he said.

“The physical challenge of actually patrolling through snow that is knee-high with equipment weighing up to 40kg tested the patience and stamina of all personnel.”

At the FOB, squadron personnel were taken into a remote location where they faced snow, rain and temper-atures below minus six.

“Despite these conditions and following extreme cold weather training, the ADGs quickly gained an appre-ciation for the terrain and the unique challenges of operat-ing in a high-altitude environ-ment,” WGCDR Peterson said.

“Historically, airfield defence squadrons operate in warmer northern conditions but it is important for the squadron to be able to operate in all envi-ronments by day and night.”

The ADGs were pushed even harder by having to stay

out in the elements while manning an observation post on an ‘enemy’ resupply cache overnight.

“The men performed well and were ably supported by 30SQN, 4 Expeditionary Health Squadron and the 5/6 Royal Victorian Regiment,” WGCDR Peterson said.

After the exercise, 1AFDS will begin preparing for further capability assessment as part of its role within the Enhanced Land Force program when it deploys to South Australia for Exercise Gathering Storm.

EVER ALERT: AC James Croydon scans his surroundings during a short halt while on patrol in the Alpine National Park.

WHITE WAY: Above, a 1AFDS section patrol heads out from the Forward Operation Base.SNOW FALL: Left, AC Alex Borman experiences the challenges of patrolling in the snow.

Photos: CPL Steve Duncan

PLANNING: Above, FLTLT Grant Harvey provides a situation report to FLTLT Paul O’Shea in the squadron command post.SNOW GOING: Left, lead scout AC Kenneth Brand leads a patrol on its way to establish an observation post on an identified enemy resupply cache.

CAVE SKILLS: Above and left, 1AFDS Squadron Warrant Officer, WOFF Lawrie Best, provides a brief on the design and construction of a snow cave.

Your back-up

War Zone Cover Injury & Accident Insurance

This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) in deciding whether to acquire Injury & Accident Insurance. You may wish to seek independent advice. Defence Health Injury & Accident Insurance is underwritten by American Home Assurance Company ABN 67 007 483 267 AFSL 230903 incorporated with limited liability in the USA, trading in Australia as Chartis. Defence Health receives remuneration of 13% of premiums you pay to Chartis. The Financial Services Guide and PDS may be obtained by calling the Defence Health Member Service Centre on 1800 335 425 or downloaded from www.defencehealth.com.au

Accidents do happen. To make an injury less painful, take out Defence Health Injury & Accident Insurance.

You’ll be covered 24/7 wherever you are – including on deployment. It’s handy financial back-up until military compensation arrives.

You can also extend the cover to include accidental death. But you must take out this option 12 months before being deployed for cover in a war zone.

Try getting protection like that elsewhere! It’s easy to apply online for guaranteed and immediate cover. Visit www.defencehealth.com.au or call 1800 102 994.

14 September 16, 2010RCEAIR FFNews

� Your commander or manager must give authorisation for you to remove classifi ed information from Defence or Defence industry premises.

� The Defence Safehand Service provides a secure method for the carriage of highly classifi ed material between bases and installations.

� SCEC-approved briefcases, satchels, seals, pouches or transit bags, or special enveloping procedures must be used for classifi ed information outside Defence premises.

� Classifi ed electronic media, including laptops and other portable electronic devices, must be protected to the same degree as paper-based classifi ed information.

� If you need to take classifi ed information home you must have the correct protective security arrangements at your residence as per the Defence Security Manual.

� There are several options available for transferring classifi ed information overseas including the DFAT courier service and the Defence Safehand Service. It is important that you talk to your DSA regional offi ce, who will help tailor a workable solution for your specifi c needs.

Brooke Audsley

DEFENCE Chief Security Officer Frank Roberts has warned people against dropping their security guard when using modern technology for the transfer and car-riage of classified information.

Mr Roberts said that while many Defence members were most likely aware of their security responsibilities

when handling and storing documents, they might not apply the same vigilance to technological devices.

“There is a real risk if we believe that the techno gadgets we use every day are designed to protect the information we place on them,” Mr Roberts said.

In reality, these gadgets provide very little pro-tection, as shown by numerous incidents worldwide involving the loss or compromise of information, including information stored on portable electronic devices.

Inappropriate use of electronic devices such as USB thumb drives also heightens the risk of serious viruses being introduced into Defence’s ICT net-work which can compromise the security of classified information.

“The implications resulting from lost information can be severe,” Mr Roberts said.

“It can place at risk the lives of our colleagues and the success of Defence operations.

“Insecure transfer of sensitive information could also mean severe repercussions for the individual responsible.”

While there are still risks involved in the trans-fer of classified information in Australia, it can be exposed to far greater risk when it is transferred out-side Australia, which means that increased protective measures are required.

“Any Defence member travelling overseas must receive a briefing from their security officer before they go, which includes advice and arrangements for the safe transfer or carriage of information during business travel,” Mr Roberts said.

“The risk that foreign intelligence services may be able to acquire information that could be used against us militarily, financially, strategically (for example, in government-to-government negotiations), or to gain an advantage over individuals within Defence is very serious.”

Remember, border protection authorities in most countries have the right to inspect the contents of electronic media carried across their borders. Using an encrypted laptop, CD, DVD or thumb drive, even where DSD-approved encryption technologies are used, will not prevent such inspections from occur-ring.

If you need to transfer classified information – whether in hard copy or electronic form – overseas, you must first talk to your security officer or DSA regional office, who will be able to assist you to undertake the correct procedures and fulfil all requirements. For more information, refer to the Defence Security Manual at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/dsa/dsm

Don’t get stuck in techno trap

THINK TWICE: “There is a real risk if we believe that the techno gadgets we use every day are designed to protect the information we place on them,” says Defence’s Chief Security Officer, Frank Roberts. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran

�� Your comma dnder or manager must give

SECURITY POINTERS

15FlightlineSeptember 16, 2010RCEAIR FF

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Whether you are selecting the next precious blade to add to your collection, looking for a masterpiece to start one, or perhaps selecting a unique Christmas gift that will be treasured forever, all Air Force Shop swords provide you with unrivalled quality and value for money.

Air Force Shop offers all our discerning clients a 100% money back guarantee on the quality of each sword, scabbard, and boxes and stands for our miniatures.

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ADF, NAVY, ARMY & AIR FORCE Hundreds of other military branded products available.VOLUME DISCOUNTS The more you buy, the less they cost.

ME AND MY JEEP: Military working dog handler ACW Lauren Marshall from RAAF Base Richmond and her dog Jeep take a break after performing at the ADFA Open Day in Canberra. Photo: Leonie Gall

THAT’S A WRAP: Above, medical assistant CPL Brendan Shea from RAAF Base Wagga attends to a patient stationed at the Timber Creek Detachment near RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Pitch Black 2010. Photo: LACW Jessica Smith

TOP END TUCKER: Right, LAC Benjamin Stanbridge from 13SQN catering section collects food to prepare in-flight meals during Pitch Black at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo: CPL Melina Mancuso

EYES ON THE HERON SKIES: Photographer LAC Mark Friend of RAAF Base Williamtown analyses mission footage from the Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) during his tour providing imagery intelligence support in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Photo: CPL Raymond Vance

NSW Branch (02) 9682 1788 vvfagran@bigpond.net.au

Newcastle (02) 4951 2666 nclvets@bigpond.net.au

QLD Nerang (07) 5578 2233 bestag33@netspace.net.au

Townsville (07) 4722 4655 vethelp@bigpond.com

ACT Branch (02) 6255 1599 vvfact@vvfact.org.au

VIC Branch (03) 5248 0996 bestav17@bigpond.com

SA Branch (08) 8296 2411 vvfsa@tpg.com.au

WA Branch (08) 94096682 vvppwabranch @iprimus.com.au

Tasmania (03) 6376 2804 petermackie@intas.net.au

CONTACT

16 September 16, 2010RCEAIR FPersonnel

Departure LoungeWho’s leaving after 20+ years’ service�

NameAIRCDRE Richard OwenSGT John PowerFSGT Warren DaveyWGCDR David BlacklockFLTLT Shane NolanSQNLDR Philip PloughmanSGT Lance Salter

Must/SpecACOASURFINCESYSTECHAEROATCACOAVTECH

Last day August 16August 1August 16August 8August 1August 15August 15

Years33272727272721

HELPING reservists maintain a good working rela-tionship with their civilian employers is the focus of a new 34-page handbook.

The Reservist Handbook has been produced by the Cadet, Reserve and Employer Support Division (CRESD) and aims to provide reservists with infor-mation about their rights and responsibilities.

“Reservists are increasingly providing their skills and expertise to maintain the ADF’s capabili-ty,” Head of CRESD, MAJGEN Greg Melick, said.

“Naturally, this places additional pressures on their civilian employers. To help reservists main-tain a productive relationship with their civilian employers, CRESD has developed the Reservist Handbook.

“The handbook covers a range of topics, includ-ing sections about the Employer Support Payment Scheme, Office of Reserve Service Protection, tips on how to liaise with your employer to arrange Defence leave and also information about the opportunities for your employer to personally expe-rience life as a reservist through employer engage-ment activities.”

Reservists can obtain a copy of the handbook by calling their local Defence Reserves Support Office on 1800 803 485.

New handbook for reservists

AIR FORCE BANDSeptember 16: The band will support the Australian Industry and Defence Network NSW dinner at the Westin Hotel in Sydney at 6.30pm.September 17: The Ceremonial Band will support the Air Force Gap Year gradua-tion parade at Point Cook.September 18-19: The Ceremonial Band will per-form at the 2010 Defence Force Air Show at RAAF Base Williamtown.

September 18: FORCE10 will provide musical support to the annual spring ball at RAAF Base East Sale.September 22: The Ceremonial Band will support the 1RTU graduation parade at RAAF Base Wagga from 11am.September 24: The Ceremonial Band will provide musical support to the 8ACO graduation parade at RAAF Base East Sale from 11am.September 26-27: FORCE10 will give two performances at

the annual Royal Melbourne Show from 12.30pm.

WILLIAM ANGLISS ANNIVERSARYAs part of the 70th anniversary of the William Angliss Institute, an oral history project is being conducted to record interviews with former staff and students of the college over the past seven decades.

The institute, formerly known as the William Angliss Food

and Trades School, opened in Melbourne on September 19, 1940. Most of its earliest students, trained to be cooks for the service, came from the RAAF and WAAF.

If you would like to be part of this project and are happy to have your recollections of your time training at William Angliss included in our archive, or if you would like more informa-tion about the project, contact Jill Adams on (03) 9606 2401, mobile 04310 38810 or email: jilla@angliss.edu.au

BULLETIN BOARD

BOLD START: WOFF-AF JJ Millar and CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin with delegates at the 2010 Warrant Officers’ Conference group at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo: AC Christopher Hall

WARRANT Officers of the world united for the 2010 WOFFs con-ference at RAAF Base Richmond on August 9.

The conference was attended by 120 RAAF warrant officers who workshopped ideas with representatives from the US, Singapore, Malaysia and New Zealand.

CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin set his intent at the annual con-ference’s opening – a common approach to leading, mentoring and managing change to meet the Workforce 2030 plan.

The Air Force’s Senior Leadership Team’s insight on the approach to the Strategic Reform Program (SRP) was also on the agenda.

Discussion on a common approach to leading, mentoring and managing change to meet the Workforce 2030 plan was the main topic for debate, with the Air Force’s Senior Leadership Team’s insight on the approach to the Strategic Reform Program (SRP) also on the agenda.

The Air Force Senior Enlisted Leaders (SELs) also provided a forum to discuss and workshop significant challenges that will impact the Air Force’s ability to proactively manage the workforce and capability in the immediate future.

WOFF-AF JJ Millar said this year’s conference also saw invi-tations extended to the warrant officers for Army and Navy.

“Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army WO Stephen Ward and Warrant Officer of the Navy WO Mark Tandy both attended,” WOFF-AF Millar said.

“The service WOFFs, along with our international guests, all

delivered service and country briefs to the conference, out-lining the challenges they are experiencing and highlighting the similarities to the ones being faced by the RAAF.

“They have all shared their experiences with us and their input and involvement was invaluable and greatly received by syndicate members.

“One of the first things we looked at was the effect of the Defence SRP including the development of a comprehensive schedule, structure, role and a clear understanding the impact SRP will have across our organi-sation, particularly in relation to our airmen.”

The warrant officers all agreed on a format for improving lines of communication, with a roadmap to be developed to enable communi-cation with the right people in the right places.

“The tools we require to ensure we are able to lead our people through the changes include a repository for infor-mation. The organisation requires a greater understand-ing as to whether the Air Force website is effective or not; is information actually useable at all levels,” WOFF-AF Millar said.

“Another topic that was dis-cussed strongly was the WOFF structure. It appears that both

Navy and Army are being more pro-active on this subject.

“We’d like to see the role of the WOFF to come up with solu-tions, provide stewardship and plan the action. We need to set up the right systems. By this we mean career progression.

“We see Army going with con-tracts and offers for extra years. If they can deliver a benefit back to the organisation, maybe Air Force can look at something similar.

“Singapore has been bold in its career progression, so perhaps we need to start to think outside of the British rank structure sys-tem,” WOFF-AF Millar said.

The conference’s final ses-sion was dedicated to deliver-ing outcomes and findings to ACAUST, where the need for a plan for WOFFs to get informa-tion to their COs was idenitified.

“The WOFFs asked ACAUST and the chain of command to rein-force to our junior officers about the importance of the position of WOFFs and the importance CAF, DCAF and ACAUST put on the WOFF fraternity,” WOFF-AF Millar said.

“Both groups need to work much closer in order to achieve the requirements the future Air Force will demand of us.

“To have CAF, DCAF and ACAUST, along with other key presenters like DGSP AIRCDRE Bennett, DGAFI AIRCDRE Brown and DP-AF GPCAPT Harland take time out of their busy schedules shows the impor-tance that is put on to the WOFF fraternity to help our command-ers steer the workforce through the challenges ahead.”

Warrant officersswap ideas

17HistorySeptember 16, 2010RCEAIR FF

defcredit.com.au

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Banking that’s builton the serviceFor over 35 years Defcredit has provided a full range of tailored financial services to the Defence Force and greater community.

As a credit union our aim is to constantly offer competitive products designed to suit any member of the community including Defence personnel on deployment.

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We are Defcredit. Built on the service in more ways than one.

Call 1800 033 139 or visit your local Defcredit branch.

Andrew Stackpool

A SIGNIFICANT but little-known mile-stone turned over recently when the Air Force’s ‘Angels of Mercy’, as they were once known, turned 70.

Director-General Garrison Health Operations AIRCDRE Tracy Smart said the 70th anniversary of the RAAF Nursing Service (RAAFNS) on July 26 was a moment to reflect on the proud service of nursing officers over a signifi-cant period of the Air Force’s history.

“These women, and later men, were initially employed to care for patients in hospitals but soon became a fundamen-tal component of our operational health capability,” she said.

“It should be remembered, too, that nursing officers have given their lives in the service of our country.

“Today, they are an integral and cru-cial component of the Air Force health services, and hold many of our key lead-ership positions.”

Recognising the need for enhanced medical services as WWII progressed and the service rapidly expanded, in July 1940, the RAAF established the RAAFNS.

Margaret Irene Lang, a matron from the Victorian Hospitals Service, was called in to form and then run the ser-vice as its Matron-in-Chief – a GPCAPT equivalent.

The RAAF service started with just 45 members in December that year, increasing to 616 by the end of the war.

Initially, they were attached to Air Force bases around Australia; however, as the fighting to the north intensified, they were posted to Papua New Guinea and a number of the Pacific islands.

As the war neared its end, in February 1944, the Medical Air Evacuation Transport Unit (MAETU) was established and was manned almost exclusively by nurses.

The unit played a vital role in the medical evacuation of former prisoners-of-war after the liberation of Singapore and other areas.

It would become the basis for the Air Force’s modern aero-medical evacuation (AME) organisation.

The RAAFNS disbanded at the end of the war.

In 1948, a new nursing service was established. It was intended for peace-time service but was soon serv-ing in Korea. From then, its members have served alongside their medical colleagues in places such as Malaya, Vie tnam, Rwanda , Eas t Timor, Bougainville and the MEAO, often under direct and indirect fire.

It has taken its share of casualties, the last being FLTLT Lynne Rowbottom who tragically died in the crash of the

Navy Sea King helicopter on Nias Island, Indonesia, in 2005.

Wherever the Ai r Force i s deployed, its nurses are to be found. As the birthday came around, they were in the MEAO, deployed with Pacific Partnership, a joint combined health deployment in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and the Far East aboard USNS Mercy.

Others have served on Navy patrol boats and other warships, on AMEs and on exercises, as well as looking after the health and welfare of Air Force personnel in Australia.

70 years of nursing

ANGELS OF MERCY: Since World War II, nurses from the RAAF Nursing Service have been tending the injured – in many parts of the world, including, insets above, Vietnam War soldiers returning home. Photos: courtesy RAAF Museum

DIRECTOR-GENERAL Garrison Health Operations AIRCDRE Smart says that although the training and focus of the nurse has remained by and large unchanged, their functions have changed.

“No longer is their focus limited to clinical roles and man-aging other nurses; today they have become true leaders in the field of Air Force health. They hold or have held most of the CO positions in Health Services

Wing and we have three full-time GPCAPT nursing officers for the first time; one is the OC of the wing,” she says.

“Nurses are a vital element in the Air Force health services team and the leadership of the Air Force’s health services.

“We are all now very much one Air Force health team, but I think it’s important that we recognise the significance of this distin-guished group.”

Still with an important job to do

PROUD HERITAGE: Above, a RAAF nursing officer from 6RAAF Hospital on the tarmac at RAAF Base Williams, Laverton, in front of a Hercules in 1967; above inset, nursing officer FLTLT Lynne Rowbottom who was killed in the Navy Sea King helicopter crash in Indonesia in 2005.

18 September 16, 2010RCEAIR FTax feature

REMEMBER that even if you use a tax agent to lodge your tax return, you are respon-sible for the deductions you claim. Below lists some of the

common work-related deductions and whether you may be eligible to claim for them.

Home office expensesIf you work at home you may incur

running expenses for services such as lighting, heating and cooling, cleaning costs and the cost of repairs to furniture in the home office. You can also claim the work-related part of the decline in value (depreciation) of your office furni-ture and fittings.

You can claim a deduction for all the running costs for the home office if that area is used exclusively (100 per cent) for work-related activities.

If you work in an area of the home not used exclusively (100 per cent) for work-related activities, you can claim a deduction for part of the total running costs if you work there when others aren’t present or you use a separate room.

You can either keep a diary of the details of your actual costs and your work-related use of that area of the house, or use a fixed rate of 26 cents per hour for use of the facilities in that area of the house.Example:

FLTLT Williams works in his lounge room where the rest of the family can watch television, so the costs of lighting and heating/cooling are private and not deductible.

If he uses the room when others aren’t present, or goes into a separate room, he can claim a deduction for addi-tional running costs associated with the work activities. This applies even though the room is not set aside solely as a home office.

Work-related self-education expenses

If you are doing an educational course that results in a formal qualifica-

tion, you can claim a deduction for self-education expenses at item D4 on your tax return if:� the course maintains or improves the

specific skills or knowledge you need in your current role, or

� the course results in, or is likely to result in, an increase in your income from your current role.Self-education expenses can include

textbooks, stationery, student union fees, course fees, certain travel expenses and the decline in value (depreciation) of equipment to the extent it is used for self-education purposes.

If you incur costs for attending seminars, conferences, workshops or training courses connected to your work activities, you should claim them as other work-related expenses (item D5 on your tax return).

You cannot claim any costs paid or reimbursed by your employer.Example:

LACW Mitchell is a technician and is studying for an advanced system techni-cian diploma. Because the course relates to her current job and will improve her chance of promotion, she can claim a deduction for its cost.

If she was studying to become a medical officer, she could not claim a deduction because it would be unrelated to her current role.

Transporting bulky equip-ment between home and work

The cost of travel to and from work is usually not an allowable deduction. However, you can claim a deduction for the cost of transporting bulky tools and equipment between home and work only if the following apply:� you are required to use them at work,

and� there is no secure area for storing

them at your workplace.Example:

FSGT Brown keeps his kitbag at home because there is no secure place to

keep it at work. His unit was placed on a 24 hour high readiness notice which required him to bring his kitbag into work. The cost of transporting the kitbag into work is an allowable deduction.

He had a field activity that required the use of his kitbag. He can claim the cost of transporting his kitbag between home and work for the field activity.

Gym memberships and fit-ness-related deductions

Most Air Force members must main-tain a high level of physical fitness, but some in special units must maintain fitness levels well above the general Air Force standard. Examples of these include physical training instructors and those in special combat squads.

You can only claim a deduction for costs for attending a fitness course or gym membership fees if you can dem-onstrate that: you’re required to maintain a level of fitness well above the general Air Force standard, and physical activ-ity is an essential and regular element of your job. Example:

SQNLDR Johnson is paid extra remuneration to maintain a very high level of fitness. To maintain this level, he does extra training three times a week at a city gym. His gym fees are an allow-able deduction.

SGT Brown undertakes fitness train-ing three times per week while on duty. She also attends her local gym in her own time. Because she is not required to maintain an above standard level of fitness, she cannot claim a deduction for her gym fees.

Physical training clothing As part of your physical training you

are required to wear suitable sports attire. Whether you can claim a deduction for the cost of this attire depends on the type of clothing worn. The types are:

Conventional physical training cloth-ing, non-compulsory physical training clothing and compulsory physical train-ing clothing.

Conventional clothing such as track-suits, shorts, t-shirts, socks and sports shoes are not allowable deductions.

Although certain Air Force units have designed their own physical train-ing clothing with the logo or emblem of their particular unit, this clothing is non-compulsory and is not part of the traditional Air Force uniform, and cannot be claimed as a deduction.

Where physical training clothing forms part of a compulsory uniform, you may claim a deduction for costs incurred.

Examples of compulsory physical training clothing include official mono-grammed shirts, shorts and tracksuits that clearly identify to the public that you are a member of the ADF, such as a shirt with an official monogram of a squadron patch.

Expenses for sporting activi-ties

To maintain physical fitness, many members of the Air Force choose to par-ticipate in a sporting activity.

A deduction is allowable for expenses incurred when taking part in a sporting activity if you are considered to be on duty while participating in the activity and:

� you are participating as an official Air Force representative at inter-service or combined service competitions; or

� you’re required to take part in the activity as part of your normal income earning activities.

Example:FLGOFF Douglas is a pilot and is

required to play rugby union on his weekly sports afternoon, when he is con-sidered to be on duty.

He also plays with the same Air Force team in the local civilian competi-tion on weekends.

He can claim a deduction for expens-es incurred for his sports afternoon, but not for his weekend sport.

� Some Air Force members have used unregistered tax agents in the past, so it is important that you seek a reputable and registered tax practitioner. To check if your tax agent is registered, visit www.tabd.gov.au

� Further information regarding com-mon deductions specific to ADF mem-bers is available at www.ato.gov.au/individuals and select: Your situation – Employment – Work-related expenses – Occupational guides to help you com-plete your tax return.

The level of work-related deductions made by some Air Force members in their income tax returns has been noted as unusually high by the Australian Taxation Office. Here is some advice on what you may be eligible to claim for next time you lodge your tax return.

Is your returnrn fit to lodge?

THE BALL’S IN YOUR COURT: You may be eligible to claim for fitness-related deducations in your tax return if you can demonstrate that it is an essential and regular element of your job. Photo: LAC Aaron Curran

19HealthSeptember 16, 2010RCEAIR FF

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PACK load-carriage activities can be conducted as part of your military vocation or on a hiking vacation.

Either way, heavy load carriage – just like lifting heavy weights or run-ning – can lead to injury if you have not taken the time to prepare your body for the demands you will place on it.

Poor preparation for load carriage can lead to blisters (which, believe it or not, can be fatal), stress fractures, spinal injury, nervous system inju-ries to the arm and thighs as well as common muscle strains and ligament sprains.

To prepare for load-carriage activi-ties and minimise the risk of injuries, the structures of the body need con-ditioning, as does the ability of the body to supply energy to the working systems.

Further, to condition the body cor-rectly you need to appreciate that load carriage is more than just load weight: speed of march, distance or duration of march, and the terrain (grade and com-position) all bear consideration.

When designing conditioning pro-grams, the most commonly used fit-ness industry approach is the frequen-cy of training, intensity of training, time or duration of session and type of training (or FITT).

Following this approach the rec-ommended conditioning dose for load carriage improvement would be as fol-lows:

FrequencyResearch suggests that the optimal

training regime for load carriage is at least two sessions per month and as often as once a week, depending on session intensity and length.

IntensityGradually increase load carriage

context (load weight, speed, terrain) to meet your requirements. If you have no specific requirements then adopt a maintenance training program with sufficient intensity to elicit a training response similar to that recommended by Fitness Australia for maintaining cardio respiratory health.

TimeAs with intensity, the duration of

your session should again gradually increase to meet your requirements. For maintenance, a minimum of 30 minutes is recommended. It is impor-tant that you avoid increasing your training duration at the same time as increasing your training intensity (load weight, speed, etc).

Type of trainingLoad-carriage training is undoubt-

edly the best way of improving load-

carriage performance. With this in mind, however, it does place strain on the body, and separate training is recommended to increase performance and resilience.

Activities that train the aerobic system, like running, swimming and cycling, can help make your energy systems more efficient. Likewise, weight training, conditioning the legs, trunk and upper body, can strengthen the muscles and tendons, increasing joint protection and increasing muscle efficiency when carrying load.

Finally it is important that your load-carriage training progresses to meet your environmental conditions. Consider the temperatures and humid-ity you will be carrying the loads in, as well as the type of clothing you will be wearing.

Just like playing sport, running a race or lifting weights, to minimise your chance of injury you must gradu-ally and progressively condition your body to withstand the stresses that will be placed on it.

LOAD MASTERED: Training for heavy load carriage, as well as doing complementary strength and cardio training, will improve your performance and reduce your risk of injury in the field. Photo: CPL David Gibbs

Pack carrying has its fitness advantages but needs careful planning, LT Rob Orr reports.

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21September 16, 2010RCEAIR F Sp rt

DESPITE SGT Tim Muehlberg’s 22 points in the final, Air Force relinquished its stranglehold on the South Australian Defence Basketball (SADB) men’s inter-service t i t le at RAAF Base Edinburgh on August 19.

It was a cliffhanger though, with Air Force losing to Army, 44-40.

Four teams contested the men’s competition – Air Force, which had won the title for the previous four years; Techos, from 10SQN and 11SQN, who were competing for the second year and had pre-pared well, having earlier compet-ed at the South Australian Police and Emergency Services Games; Army and APS.

The men’s teams proved to be extremely well matched and the two finalists were not decided until the final match.

After the round-robin competi-tion, Army was top, with Air Force Men second, the Techos third and APS fourth.

The Techos narrowly missed out on making their first grand final appearance after a 31-40 loss to Air Force in their last game.

The grand final pitted Air Force against Army for the second year running.

Army took the honours during the round-robin competition, how-ever Air Force attempted to alter its game play going into the final.

The tactics of Air Force seemed to be paying off at half-time when it led 20-15 after an excel-lent second quarter in which SGT Muehlberg racked up 14 points.

Army clawed back early in the third quarter but Air Force led

WHEN we mention the City to Surf in the eastern states, we usually think about Sydney and Heartbreak Hill.

But over in the west, it’s a dif-ferent story and one that Air Force played a part in this year.

On a sunny morning on Sunday, August 29 more than 40,000 people donned their running shoes for the City to Surf in Perth – and 43 of those were Air Force personnel.

The driving forces behind the teams were FLGOFF Linda Figgins and reservist CPL Andrew Robinson who both competed last year.

They both signed up again this year but decided to drum up some col-leagues from RAAF Base Pearce, too.

Attacking Perth’s City to Surf in numbers“We received a go-ahead from the

Pearce Senior ADF Officer, WGCDR Russell Page, and sent out an email to all Pearce staff,” FLGOFF Figgins said.

“What followed was a total sur-prise.

“We were going to be happy with half a dozen people.”

But personnel came out of the woodwork – both PAF and reserve members from 25SQN, 2 Flying Training School, 79SQN, 44WG Detachment, as well as APS, BAE and Airflite personnel. A couple of part-ners of members also signed on.

A bunch of running shirts were printed with the Air Force Logo.

Unfortunately, the plan for them to start as a group in the race came unstuck.

FLGOFF Figgins found it hard to find them in the throng of people,

although 20 did manage to meet up. “Do you know how many of those 40,000 people wore the same grey running shirts?”

The good news is that they were

all there, running their own races so to speak.

The other good news is that the Air Force Sports Council has reim-bursed the $2400 the team spent on entry fees and running shirts and this is being donated to the Prostate Cancer Research.

Air Force’s leading competitors –Half-marathon: Darren Allbeury, 1hr 35mins (Airflite), OFFCDT Will Carabott, 1hr 49mins; OFFCDT Aaron Fitch, 1hr 52mins.12km run: AC Michael Vukotich, 54mins; reservist CPL John Burn, 55mins.4km run: OFFCDT Terry Manenti, 23mins; OFFCDT Kyle Hornberg, 23mins.

RUNNING MACHINES: 2FTS OFFCDTs Will Carabott, Aaron Fitch, Kyle Hornberg and Terry Manenti.

Cliffhanger loss

33-27 going into the final quarter.Unfortunately, Army racked up

17 points, while forcing Air Force into foul trouble, to win 44-40.

Aside from SGT Muehlberg, Air Force was well served by Garry Browning, who provided point guard leadership and spec-tacular passing; CPL Dave Thomas and AC Jacob Walsh who were

ferocious all day with the rebound-ing at both ends of the floor; LAC Joel Geddes and FLTLT Laine Pearce who were versatile key men with their inside and outside shoot-ing game; and LAC Scott Benyon who scored a crucial three-point play in the dying minute of the final, that gave Air Force one last chance to retain the trophy.

SADB is about to start training for the Australian Defence Basketball combined services competition at RAAF Base Williamtown from November 27 to December 4.

For more information, contact SGT Tim Muehlberg on (08) 738 94095, timothy.muehlberg@defence.gov.au. For all latest SADB news, visit www.sadb.basketball.net.au

Muehlberg’s 22 points not enough

TALL TIMBER: AC Jacob Walsh takes a shot at goal.

Photo: LACW Shannon McCarthy

LACW Michelle Hiesley won the Sheralee Gormley Trophy for the most valuable women’s player at the South Australian Defence Basketball inter-service championships.

LACW Hiesley was part of the ADF Red team that lost to the ADF Club in the grand final. They were the only two teams in the women’s section and each was drawn from all the services.

WOMEN’S WINNER

GOTCHA: SGT Jon Durrant with his great big snapper.Photo: CPL Scott Muhling

See, a dapper snapperWE’VE all heard the story about the big fish that got away. Well, this story is about one that didn’t.

When SGT Jon Durrant weighed in with a report from South Australia, he said eight members from 10SQN and 292SQN at RAAF Base Edinburgh contested the angling section of the South Australian Police Emergency Services games on the Yorke Peninsula.

“The catch tally for the day was low, however CPL David Lawson was the best performer,” he said.

“He totalled 10 fish for the day including a metre-long snook. CPL Evan McGillvray also took a few large squid that we thought may take out a prize, however the firefighters took a massive squid that pipped ours to take out the points.”

What SGT Durrant didn’t tell us – and something that one of his teammates did – was that he actually caught the biggest fish in the team, a snapper that came a close sixth overall in size.

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22 September 16, 2010RCEAIR FSp rt

IF YOU want any tips on snow-boarding, you’d be hard pressed to look past FLTLT Amanda Gosling.

FLTLT Gosling even showed the men how at the RAAF Alpine Sports Association championships at Mt Hotham from July 26 to August 1.

She won the women’s giant sla-lom in a faster time than the men recorded in the same event.

She also won the women’s snowboarder cross and was award-ed the title for the overall women’s champion.

FLTLT Gosling was select-ed to represent Air Force at the Australian Defence Alpine Sports Association Championships at Mt Hotham from August 2 to 6 – where her sparkling form contin-ued.

She won the Defence giant sla-lom against six Army snowboard-ers, two from Navy and two other Air Force competitors.

“It was a pretty tight competi-tion,” she said.

She led narrowly after the first of two runs, so she was pretty chuffed to hang on.

As if that wasn’t enough, she also combined with FLTLT Rachael Webb and ACW Katrina Black to beat Army and Navy in

the inaugural snowboard women’s team competition.

Army won the competition overall, but Air Force had some other high achievers.

FLTLT Ewan Reid and FLTLT Justin Carstairs were second and third respectively in the over-all men’s combined ski individual, posting very competitive times in the slalom and giant slalom races.

At the earlier Air Force titles, FLTLT Reid held off FLTLT Carstairs to win the advanced male championship.

Skiers and snowboarders came from all over for the Air Force titles, with teams from RAAF Bases Richmond, Williams, East Sale, Williamtown, Edinburgh and Amberley as well as competitors from Canberra, Townsville and Perth.

The advanced snowboarder cross men’s race was tightly con-tested.

The top three qualifying times were all within one second with SQNLDR Des Meacham qualify-ing first.

But CPL Timothy Burrows sur-vived all the knockout rounds to finish first, his pace in the bottom half of the course making for some

exciting finishes as he repeatedly overtook riders on the last turns.

The Canberra 2 team of SQNLDR Greg Mathams, SGT Peter Hohn, GPCAPT Karon Millet and Ms Peta-Anne Garrett won the advanced ski team championship.

LAC Rhyan Bassett had an excellent performance in the giant slalom and snowboarder cross to take out the overall male champion.

Combining with LAC Benjamin Sharpe and CPL James Banks, he also led the Williamtown 1 team to victory in the advanced snowboard team competition.

The Air Force Snowsports championship is held annually at Mt Hotham. The competition caters for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. At a cost of about $1200 including lift pass, meals, accommodation, transport, lessons and racing, it is a great week. If you are interested in coming along next year or would like more information, check out the RAAF Alpine Sports Association website on the Intranet: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/RASA/comweb.asp?page=Home or for more information, contact PLTOFF Katarina Babic at: katarina.babic@defence.gov.au

Here’s how Here’s how it’s done, it’s done, guys ...guys ...

NIMBLE AND QUICK: FLTLT Amanda Gosling who recorded a better time than the men.

ACHIEVERS: FLTLT Ewan Reid, above, who was second in the overall men’s combined ski individual at the ADF titles and, right, CPL Timothy Burrows whose pace in the bottom half of the course helped him to victory in the Air Force advanced snowboarder cross men’s race.

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23September 16, 2010RCEAIR F Sp rt

LACW Karen de Weerdt is quite sure her banana muffins are what got her over the line as cook for the Air Force cross-country skiing and biathlon team.

The skiers who dined out on her cooking for two weeks at Mt Hotham last month might disagree though.

For them, the beef hotpots, grilled steak with mushrooms, chicken breast stuffed with cheese and fresh basil or spaghetti bolognese might have won their hearts as well as their stomachs.

Whatever the case, LACW de Weerdt is now a devotee and can’t wait for her next chance to go to the ski fields.

Usually she works as a cook in the Sergeants’ Mess at RAAF Base Williamtown, where the weather is somewhat warmer and where there is definitely no snow.

FLTLTs Tina Willmett and Jane Ked-die were the toast of the Air Force cross-country skiing and biathlon team after jointly winning the ADF’s women’s sprint biathlon championship at Mt Hotham in Victoria last month.

It brought to an end nearly two weeks of exciting competition in a sport that combines cross-country ski-ing and military-skills target shooting.

During the first week in August, skiers undertook skills training, rifle handling drills and fitness routines in order to compete against Navy and Army, and to determine the overall Air Force champions. The second week’s intense rivalry between the services brought out the best of all members in the team, and demon-strated once again that Air Force can mix it with the best.

For the week of Air Force champi-onships, 12 service and APS competi-tors braved the daily snowfalls to bat-tle for the top Air Force awards.

The team’s long-term mentor, WOFF Hans Foehn, was narrowly beaten to the championship trophy with a late surge by SGT Carl Trindorfer, who took out the men’s classic track and biathlon trophies.

Rising star FLTLT Keddie won the women’s classic track award, and FLTLT Willmett won the women’s biathlon trophy.

The novice skier award went to FLTLT Rod Orrock and the team encouragement award to SQNLDR Andrew Scholten.

The Air Force titles were fol-lowed by the inter-service com-petition week, held in conjunc-tion with the Australian Biathlon Championships – a national-level civilian race where Australia’s best up-and-coming biathletes, including Olympic representatives, compete.

The Navy took out the ADF cham-pionships with Army second and Air Force third.

But the Air Force did not go home empty handed as FLTLTs Willmett

Our biathlon champs

The cook and the shooters: food for wintersport

GATHERING OF THE GUNS: Right, WOFF Hans Foehn and FLTLT Tina Willmett. Below, SGT Carl Trindorfer takes a shot.

INGREDIENTS: 3 cups self raising flour, 1 cup caster sugar, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 cup of milk, 1 banana, ½ cup chocolate bits.METHOD: Mix all ingredients together and spoon into a muffin tin and bake in the oven for 15-20mins at 180 degrees.

OVER THE LINE BANANA MUFFINS

Her brief was to provide an extra 1000 calories a day for the athletes to help keep up their energy levels.

That meant three meals a day, starting with porridge and fresh fruit for breakfast and lunch of hearty soup with fresh bread from the bread maker

and Keddie shared the ADF’s wom-en’s biathlon championship with an Army woman.

Next year’s competition is already in planning. For details, contact SQNLDR Andrew Scholten (02) 6265 3369 or Garry Boxsell (02) 6265 4526. Images and results from the 2010 competition, and more information about the sport is available at the Air Force Nordic & Biathlon Association website: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/AFNBA/comweb.asp?page=48303

followed by a pasta dish, platter of cold meats and garden salad.

For dinner, the skiers could relax in front of the open fire with a view over the valley and have their choice of two types of meat, potatoes and vegetables.

For race times there were those yummy banana muffins and toasted sandwiches for mornos on the biath-lon range and in the afternoons chick-en noodle soup to warm the skiers up and keep them hydrated and loaded with carbs.

“And of course they loved their desserts – usually hot apple crumble or chocolate cake.”

It wasn’t all work and no play, though.

LACW de Weerdt contested the cook’s race which is the last event

of the season after the inter-service relays in the Mt Hotham Village.

“My cross-country skiing experi-ence is limited to one lesson a week before the race from WOFF Hans Foehn who has over 20 years experi-ence,” she said.

There were only two other cooks in the race – both from Navy (the Army cook didn’t make it).

“The track was all of about 400m, with three corners. Corners are tricky when you’re starting out. There was a hill coming up to the finish line followed by a cor-ner where I made my move to get in front of the Navy cook where I gracefully slipped and fell, and came last – laughing in front of an audience of about 60 Air Force, Navy, Army and civilian spectators.”

UNTIL he participated in the ADF Paralympic Sports Program winter camp in the Snowy Mountains last month, FSGT Tony Benfer hadn’t been on skis for about 15 years.

After losing his lower right leg in a hit and run traf-fic accident more than three years ago he didn’t expect to either.

FSGT Benfer, a PTI at RAAF Base Wagga, had fond memories of taking a group to the Snowy Mountains in the 1990s for some cross-country skiing.

So he was delighted to be invited to the winter camp.

“It was fantastic getting back on skis,” he said. “Really good.”

FSGT Benfer was part of a

group that also included three Army personnel and one from Navy.

They stayed at Jindabyne and travelled each day up to Smiggins, where they had ski lessons with specialist ski instructors.

Other activities included:� Rehabilitation programs

designed by Army PTIs in consultation with physios.

� Programs and recovery sessions in a swimming pool conducted by Chris Nunn from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

� Sessions conducted by physios and PTIs at the Jindabyne gymnasium.

� Talent search by the AIS for any potential future winter paralympians.

He never thought he’d be back on the slopes

THE ICEMAN RETURNS: FSGT Tony Benfer happy to be back on skis; above, that’s him skiing at Smiggins.

THE ICEMAN RETURNS: FSGT Tony

SP RTRTSeptember 16, 2010

HIGH HIGH DININGDINING

THEY say an Army marches on its stomach – and you can apply the same principle to the Air Force cross-country skiing and biathlon team which spent two weeks at Mt Hotham in Victoria last month.

Mt Hotham village sits 1750 metres above sea level, making it the second-highest resort village in Australia.

The Air Force team went well prepared, taking with them a cook from the Sergeants’ Mess at RAAF

Base Williamtown, LACW Karen de Weerdt, who had a brief to provide the athletes with an extra 1000 calories a day.

We can’t say how the Army and Navy ate, but our people had fare such as piping hot soup, pasta, chocolate cake and banana muffins.

It must have helped, too,

COOK’S TOUR: Team cook LACW Karen de Weerdt gets out of the kitchen to rattle those skis for herself.

Photo: SQNLDR Andrew Scholten

TOP SHOT: FLTLT Tina Willmett.

Photo: CPL Mick Kearnes

Snowboarder shows the men how

Paralympian back on the snow

Shhh, no one must know Karen’s Over The Line banana muffin recipe

Page(except us Air Force

people)

because Air Force had its share of success.

FLTLT Tina Willmett, also from Williamtown, and FLTLT Jane Keddie, from RAAF Base East Sale, were members of the women’s champion sprint biathon team.

Full story, Page 23

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Thriller in SA

basketball

Page 21

RAAF BASE PEARCE’S BIG FUN RUN RESPONSE – PAGE 21