AIRF RCEVol. 61, No. 10, June 13, 2019 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

PERFECT STORM

An F/A-18A Hornet taxies at last light ready for take-off on a night sortie out of RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Diamond Storm. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

Special lift-out

Exercise Diamond Storm a success

EDITORIALDirectorDavid EdlingtonManaging EditorMyles Morgan

Acting EditorJessica Deotto: (02) 6266 7612Deputy EditorMichelle Fretwell

ReportersSGT Max BreeSGT Dave MorleyCPL Sebastian BeurichCPL Veronica O’HaraLS Jake Badior

raafnews@defencenews.gov.auThe Editor, Air Force News, R1-GF-C037, PO Box 7909, Department of Defence, ACT 2600

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DISCLAIMERAir Force News is published fortnightly by the Directorate of Defence News. It is printed under contract by Spotpress Pty Ltd. The material published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not neces-sarily those of Defence or Air Force News. Every advertisement is subject to Directorate of Defence News approval and the Directorate of Defence News 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. Defence does not endorse the products or services published in advertisements.

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LEUT Tanalee Smith

THE Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE19) Joint Task Force returned to Australia in May after nearly three months visiting seven countries and travelling 12,500 nautical miles in South- and South-East Asia.

AIRCDRE Richard Owen couldn’t help but smile as he reviewed the highlights of commanding IPE19.

“The countries we have visited and the people-to-people engagement has been first class,” he said.

“I have an immediate success measure of how many people were smiling – from what I’ve seen, there have been lots of smiles.”

IPE19 departed Fremantle on March 11 and travelled with up to 1200 person-nel, four ships, eight helicopters, a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and a Collins-class sub-marine.

“IPE is one of the most important annual activities of the ADF,” AIRCDRE Owen said.

“It is a major contribution to regional security and stability, and deepens Australia’s engagement and partnerships with regional security forces.”

The deployment included disaster assistance planning, community outreach, Defence industry exhibitions and receptions for regional VIPs and communities on board HMAS Canberra as the task group vis-ited Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.

The flagship Canberra was joined by HMA Ships Success, Newcastle and Parramatta.

2RAR and 3RAR, the Army Band, RAAF personnel and APS members also formed part of the JTF.

AIRCDRE Owen reiterated that this was how the ADF now operated.

“The joint nature of this … is a message from Australia to the region that this is how we will conduct ourselves in the future. The jobs we do in the military are too big for one service to do alone and IPE19 is a manifestation of that,” he said.

AIRCDRE Owen said the third itera-tion of the engagement was another way Australia helped to ensure the region was secure and prosperous.

“I think each IPE improves on the last as we get used to each other, build closer rela-tionships and focus more on the finer details of what we can achieve together,” he said.

“The real success of IPE19 may not be known until countries in our region, includ-ing Australia, need help from each other.

“That could be next year or it could be seven years down the track. If we build that trust and those capability knowledge bases, we will know who to call.”

AIRCDRE Owen said each country had its highlights.

“Commemorating Anzac Day in Malaysia, experiencing the wonderful cul-tural shows on arrival into each new port and witnessing the JTF members make lasting memories with people from all over the Indo-Pacific Region – all of these have made this deployment a fantastic time for many of the members involved,” he said.

His own personal highlight was dancing with the embarked Army Band on Canberra and in ports from Malaysia to Vietnam.

“We’ve been able to engage all sorts of different young communities using music, song and dance, so having the Army Band and projecting a more human perspective on what we do was important. They have done a great job,” he said.

Indo-Pacific Endeavour RCEAIR F June 13, 20192

FLTLT Linda Johnson

I have met some amazing people with shared experiences, forging bonds of friend-ship into the future.

‘‘WHAT THEY SAID

LACW Pia Sadler-Eriksson

It was amazing to experience so many different cultures in a short amount of time. And I’ve also gained a lot of personal growth from working in a joint task force.

‘‘

FLGOFF Phil Wright

I really enjoyed interacting with and engaging in other military cultures. Through that, I realised that we are all very similar.

‘‘

Smiles the key to a successful IPE

Commander JTF661 AIRCDRE Richard Owen is presented with his surfboard signed by HMAS Canberra ship’s company and embarked forces at completion of Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Photo: LS Kylie Jagiello

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Indo-Pacific EndeavourRCEAIR F June 13, 2019 3

IPE 2019Developing Relationships in the Indo-Pacific Region

INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR

1200JTF staff

290 hoursflown

12 refuellings 13 port visits

543 IPE events121 leadershipengagements

5123ship’s visitors

3255 hours of communityengagement

200k meals prepared

4647 medical consults

16,011 nmtravelled

256.78 ltr$ 4000.00

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HMAS Success

HMAS Parramatta

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‘[IPE] is a major contribution to regional security and stability, and deepens

Australia’s engagement and partnerships with regional security forces.

– AIRCDRE Richard Owen, Commander JTF661

WHAT THEY SAID

FLGOFF Sarah Cousins

The amount of countries we got to visit in such a short time was amazing, my favourite by far was Malaysia as I’d never been there before.

‘‘

SQNLDR Janet Thompson

This was my first time working in the joint environment and I’ve really enjoyed it.

‘‘

Photos: LS Jake Badior

See footage at: video.defence.gov.au/play/6207#

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Indigenous Engagement RCEAIR F June 13, 20194

PRIORITISING Indigenous engagement, Air Force visited Horn and Thursday Islands from May 28 to 30

to build stronger working relation-ships and greater cultural awareness for Air Force members.

While attending a ceremony and the unveiling of a war memo-rial, Air Force leaders met with Elders, the Horn Island mayor and

veterans. CO 35SQN WGCDR Ben Poxon said the islands were used as a forward operating base providing anti-aircraft coverage and a staging point for 32SQN until 1942 – the local Torres Strait Islander com-munities have significant links to WWII.

“Horn Island was the second-most attacked location after Darwin and accommodated about 5000

troops over the course of the war,” WGCDR Poxon said.

“Still today, crews from 35SQN regularly land at the airfield. We are championing the ‘Our Place, Our Skies’ initiative and are passionate about encouraging Indigenous par-ticipation in the ADF.”

For this visit, two C-27J Spartans deployed from RAAF Base Amberley with ACAUST

Air Force builds stronger relationships and cultural awareness in the Torres Strait, writes FLGOFF Clarice Hurren.

‘Air Force’s relationships with the

communities on Horn and Thursday Islands are invaluable and the local traditions are

recognised with the highest respect.– FLTLT Kristal House,

Indigenous Liaison Officer

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Indigenous EngagementRCEAIR F June 13, 2019 5

HORN Island in the Torres Strait was the furthest advanced operational base in Australian waters, with 156 Defence personnel and 84 civilians losing their lives in enemy raids.

Local historian Vanessa Seeke said the base provided a vital link for allied aircraft flying to and from New Guinea, and a maritime link between southern bases and Darwin.

“Back then, there were limited facil-itates and the humidity was up to 95 per cent in the wet season,” Mrs Seeke said.

Gordon Cameron left Horn Island in 1944, after serving with the 34th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery during WWII.

Mr Cameron is passionate about

his time serving as a volunteer with the 11-man gun crew, working with Mrs Seeke and her husband Liberty Seeke for 10 years to realise their dream of seeing a 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun returned to its original emplacement on the island.

“The gun is one of only three across Australia that have returned to the site where it was first used during the war,” Mr Cameron said.

“It was an isolated and remote island, but we served together with the Indigenous community.

“After 77 years, the camaraderie has survived to this day.”

Army’s 51st Battalion, Far North

Queensland Regiment assisted with the excavation of the gun pits in 2010 and 8th/12th Artillery Regiment from Robertson Barracks coordinated the efforts to return the 10-tonne gun via road and ferry transport.

CPL Andrew Kennedy, of 8th/12th Regiment, said the gun is now home where it belongs.

“This milestone has provided significant closure for our parents and grandparents who served,” CPL Kennedy said.

“It has been an honour to be involved in this restoration project and to attend the ceremony with our Air Force and Navy friends.”

Home after 77 years

AVM Steven Roberton, OC 84WG GPCAPT Nicholas Hogan and sup-port and maintenance staff.

Indigenous Liaison Officer FLTLT Kristal House said the Torres Strait Islanders had a close connec-tion with Army’s 51st Far North Queensland Regiment and Navy’s HMAS Cairns, and it’s important for Air Force to build on this.

“Air Force’s relationships with

the communities on Horn and Thursday Islands are invaluable and the local traditions are recognised with the highest respect,” FLTLT House said.

“The ADF is proud of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have contrib-uted to the defence of Australia in times of peace and war.”

PARTICIPATING in a tradi-tional dance to thank the four winds (seasons), LAC Pryce Mareko, a Torres Strait local and Airfield Defence Guard at 2SECFOR, said it was a privilege to have Air Force members, and in particular 35SQN, visit his birthplace.

“It has been a fantastic opportunity to pass on my culture to my workmates and teach them about the island

lifestyle,” LAC Mareko said.“I am growing with my new

Air Force family and it is so special to understand where I’ve come from, to get to where I am today.”

Before the chanting and singing began at the cer-emony, LAC Mareko received a bird’s-eye view of his home-land from the window of a C-27J Spartan.

Patrick Mau, a Torres Strait

lyrical storyteller, said his people are connected by the environment, food, dance and song.

“These dances symbolise the passing of responsibility from one warrior to the next,” Mr Mau said.

“We are appreciative of the time spent by Air Force mem-bers with us to learn more about our way of life.”

Passing responsibility from one warrior to the next

LAC Pryce Mareko partakes in a ceremonial dance with Torres Strait locals Joey, Jarrod and Samaka Laifoo on Thursday Island. Photos: CPL Jesse Kane

ACAUST AVM Steven Roberton watches on as the local Torres Strait Islanders on Thursday Island perform a traditional dance.

Gordon Cameron shares his experiences on Horn Island during his service in WWII, at the memorial service marking the return of the 3.7-inch gun to its original emplacement.

PTE Linda Jawai, of 51st Battalion, Far North

Queensland Regiment, on guard during a memorial service with the returned

3.7-inch gun.

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7June 13, 2019RCEAIR F News

A NEW batch of recruits from RAAFSFS’s Military Working Dog Training and Supply Flight – now 11

weeks old – are about to graduate ‘primary school’.

Taking puppies out to social events is an important part of their development, according to breeding manager Sarah Fyffe.

“We’ve been focused on socialis-ing, along with starting to do some basic shaping training and going out on community engagements and starting their weekend home stays,” Ms Fyffe said.

“The social visits and home stays give the puppies more opportunities and life experience than we’re able to give them on a day-to-day basis.

“They go to shopping centres and sporting events, as well as spend time with a family, to have that ‘puppy life’ as well as their military training.

“Our homestay families are handy because they help us to continue with their training. If we identify any

issues the pups need to work on, they can go home and do ‘homework’, which is really important for their development.”

First time carer FLGOFF Janet Mulder said fostering a puppy was a good way to have a dog without committing to owning one.

“Initially I was only going to get Jasper for a weekend, but now we’re at three weekends; I’m considering a three-month home stay, which is kind of crazy. I’m kind of attached to him now,” FLGOFF Mulder said.

“The second weekend I had him, we took him out to a reserve and let him run around for a bit, then we went to the Eat Street markets and took him for a walk around the local lake as well, to expose him to differ-ent environments.

“We did spend a lot of time in the backyard playing with toys though. Jasper loves crushed pump bottles because they make a lot of noise, but he also loves his Kong and tug toys too.”

School’s out for new recruits

HOT TIPSRAAFSFS breeding man-ager Sarah Fyffe has some tips for people who want to be puppy carers.

“We need people who aren’t going to be leaving the pups home alone; peo-ple that can take the pups with them to places,” Ms Fyffe said.

“Having children is fine, but the pups are very spir-ited, so they’re going to dig and do naughty things.

“The best kinds of carers are those who somewhat indulge the pups and are able to deal with the rambunctiousness.”

If you live in the Amberley or Brisbane area and would like to apply to be a puppy foster carer, email sarah.fyffe@defence.gov.au

New recruits get out and about with foster carers during next stage of military working dog training, writes CPL Sebastian Beurich.

FLGOFF Janet Mulder, of 452SQN Amberley Flight,

meets Air Force-bred foster puppy Jasper prior

to taking him home for weekend care.

Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

Eamon Hamilton

THE Secretary-General of the United Nations, and other dignitaries, toured the South-West Pacific with the assistance of Air Force.

António Guterres visited Fiji, Tuvalu and Vanuatu from May 14-18. His visits included attendance at the Pacific Islands Forum and bilateral talks with regional leaders.

Flown between the islands by 35SQN’s ‘Wallaby Airlines’ C-27J Spartan, he saw firsthand the impacts of climate change on the region.

The SQN’s support also allowed the Secretary-General to speak directly with senior government leaders from across the South-West Pacific.

It was a high-profile ‘no fail’ task and FLTLT Luke Georgeson said everything went as planned for the VIP party of 21 passengers.

“We moved the Secretary-General through Fiji, including Nadi and Suva, and then Tuvalu and finally Vanuatu,” FLTLT Georgeson said.

“Passengers included the UN Secretary-General, the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister, Fiji and New Zealand High Commissioners for the region, along with media and other staff.”

The Spartan proved well-suited for supporting the task, especially as it toured through Tuvalu.

“The airport at Tuvalu had low pave-ment strength, a small apron, and we needed to deliver a relatively large group,” FLTLT Georgeson said.

“This meant the C-27J was the only RAAF aircraft able to adequately service this task.”

While in Tuvalu, the crew was able to open the aircraft’s ramp in-flight.

With the UN Secretary-General safe-ly attached by a harness, he received a breathtaking view of the Pacific islands.

“His feedback was that it was the ‘best experience of my life’,” FLTLT Georgeson said.

Mr Guterres said the picturesque view of the South-West Pacific contrasted with the sobering reality faced by many due to rising waters, natural disasters and even climate-related diseases.

Speaking after his visit to Tuvalu, Mr Guterres described it as “an entire coun-try fighting to preserve its very exist-ence”, and called climate change “an existential threat”.

“Climate change cannot be stopped by the small island countries alone, it has to be stopped by the rest of the world,” Mr Guterres said.

“[This requires] transformational pol-icies in energy, mobility, industry and agriculture.

“To save the Pacific is to save the whole planet.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres views islands of the South-West Pacific nation of Tuvalu from the ramp of a 35SQN C-27J Spartan.

Bird’s eye view

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8 June 13, 2019RCEAIR FNews

Network Tindal community support coordinator Joyce

Small with her husband SQNLDR Michael Small and family at RAAF Base Tindal.

FAMILY is an important part of life in the RAAF and Joyce Small knows the importance of community in supporting the

ADF lifestyle. Mrs Small has enjoyed a varied

life in RAAF, full- and part-time, and is currently the community support coordinator for Network Tindal, an organisation that provides support to the RAAF Base Tindal community.

She joined Air Force as an air com-bat officer in 2000, pursuing a career that had both challenge and stability.

Mrs Small’s most memorable time was the 2004 RIMPAC exercise fol-lowed by a back-to-back deployment to the Middle East.

Seeing Mrs Small’s challenging but rewarding career prompted her husband, SQNLDR Michael Small, to join Air Force as an air traffic control-ler in 2005.

When they made the decision to start a family, Mrs Small was well supported by her chain of command at the then School of Air Warfare. She worked part-time, which provided the flexibility she needed for a young family.

With three young boys, Mrs Small became a stay-at-home mum and

LIFE IN THE RAAF

A former Air Force member has taken on a new challenge with a strong focus on community, writes FLGOFF Kat Trimble.

Community of support

learnt how integral a community net-work was in supporting the military way of life.

In 2018, the Small family were posted to RAAF Base Tindal. SQNLDR Small was posted to 452SQN and Mrs Small decided to focus her energy on the community by becoming part of Network Tindal.

“Anyone who has been posted to Tindal knows the importance of

Network Tindal. We provide support to the Tindal and Katherine network through facilitating recreation, hobby and social activities,” Mrs Small said.

“Tindal is in a remote part of the Northern Territory, so people need a

support network to help them navigate the ups and downs.

“Network Tindal plays an impor-tant bridging role in creating opportu-nities for base personnel, families and spouses to make meaningful commu-nity connections.

“As the community support coor-dinator, I plan and execute events that bring the community together.

“These are fun activities; one of my favourite so far was the Network Tindal 5km base colour run.

“I’m really proud of the work Network Tindal does and my family love being part of the RAAF Base Tindal community.”

Mrs Small is about to start the next facet of her RAAF career and has applied to return as a reservist.

‘I’m really proud of the work Network Tindal does and my family love

being part of the RAAF Base Tindal

community.– Joyce Small, Network Tindal

Community support coordinator

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9June 13, 2019RCEAIR F News

FLTLT Brian Erskine

A SEARCH and rescue exercise (SAREX) was completed by 11SQN in the Spencer Gulf, South Australia, earlier this year.

The scenario involved four P-8A Poseidon aircraft and an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Challenger aircraft deployed to locate up to four survivors from a fishing ves-sel that had capsized.

Search and rescue (SAR) is a core role for 92WG. Aircrew and mainte-nance personnel from 11SQN used the SAREX to test all aspects of the

P-8A’s capability, planning and coordi-nation, logistics and reporting.

The squadron launched the Poseidons from RAAF Base Edinburgh over two days.

Each aircraft found a simulated survivor and deployed a life raft and stores to them.

CO 11SQN WGCDR Simon van der Wijngaart said the squadron was highly proficient in SAR.

“This activity provided a realistic opportunity for all personnel to plan, coordinate and employ SAR proce-dures, and culminated in a live SAR store deployment to determine the

accuracy of our life-raft delivery tech-nique,” WGCDR van der Wijngaart said.

This was also the first opportu-nity for 11SQN to conduct a coordi-nated SAREX with Cobham Aviation Services – Special Mission, which has the AMSA contract for aerial SAR in the Australian search-and-rescue region.

Operating the CL604 Challenger, Cobham has three aircraft available to provide a rapid response. Its air-craft launched and recovered from Essendon Airport, Melbourne.

Cobham’s Glenn Chapman said the

SAREX was an excellent opportunity to apply AMSA’s capabilities with Air Force.

“These joint activities ensure we are well placed to work together if needed in the future,” Mr Chapman said.

As part of the rescue effort, Air and Space Operations Centre – Joint Personnel Recovery (AOC-JPR) per-sonnel based in Canberra received regular updates via chat from the P-8A and relayed the information to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC).

The Challenger was also in direct

voice and chat communications with the JRCC when it was airborne.

FLTLT Jayson Nichols, of AOC-JPR, said the ability to reach the P-8A in real time greatly enhanced coordi-nation and the relay of time-sensitive information with other SAR agencies.

The South Australia Police water operations unit also launched its vessel, Investigator II, in the early morning to deploy a training aid that marked the survivor in the water and to recover stores dropped from the P-8A and CL604.

Stop, drop and search

Personnel participate in a P-8A Poseidon UNIPAC II drop training exercise over Gulf St Vincent, South Australia. Photo: CPL Brenton Kwaterski

10 June 13, 2019RCEAIR FReconciliation Week

FLTLT Jessica Aldred

THIS year’s theme ‘Grounded in truth, walk together in courage’ took centre stage at events to mark Reconciliation Week at RAAF bases around the country, from May 27 to June 3.

Deputy Director Diversi ty and Inclusion WGCDR Debbie Newman said our bases held some unique and special events to honour our Indigenous history and celebrate our future together.

“RAAF Base Edinburgh unveiled a P-3 Orion propeller with its blades paint-ed by Indigenous artist Samantha Gollan, with a second propeller blade painted by Indigenous artist Shane Cook to be unveiled for NAIDOC Week,” WGCDR Newman said.

“About 48 Defence members from Edinburgh, across all ranks and servic-es, attended the Adelaide Reconciliation breakfast on May 27, with about 2000 people coming together.”

Defence establishments in Victoria came together through morning teas at RAAF Base Williams (Laverton and Point Cook) and Victoria Barracks, with Indigenous Elders and current serving Indigenous members speaking about their experiences.

In Melbourne, Air Force members also attended the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Day Service and in Sale, the base came together to learn about their local culture.

“RAAF Base East Sale celebrated their local Gunaikurnai culture and their history with the base, including a discus-sion about the Victorian Treaty,” WGCDR Newman said.

“They also hosted five Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Academy students who worked alongside qualified chefs to prepare an Indigenous-style morning tea on May 30.”

Defence members in Canberra were treated to a guided tour of Reconciliation

Place, followed by an afternoon tea show-casing Aboriginal traditional foods on May 15.

“SQNLDR Gary Oakley spoke to tour groups about the rich history of Indigenous military service and the sig-nificance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members in serving their coun-try,” WGCDR Newman said.

At the RAAF Base Richmond morning tea, Indigenous Liaison Officer FLTLT Tjapukai Shaw gave a moving speech about his upbringing and the challenges faced by many Indigenous families.

The Abor ig ina l communi ty of Gilgandra, NSW, also got a chance to engage with Air Force members and the C-130J Hercules.

“The community engagement flight to Gilgandra was quite significant as we were given an official welcome, smoking cere-mony and dance by Uncle Ralph Naden to welcome us, the RAAF and our Hercules, to Wiradjuri country,” FLTLT Shaw said.

FLTLT Aimee McCartney

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward.

‘‘WHAT THEY SAID

FLTLT Grace Casey-Maughan

We understand that to foster positive relations, our relationship must be grounded in a foundation of truth.

‘‘

FLTLT Tjapukai Shaw

Reconciliation Week allows us to reflect on where we have come from as a country and remind us why it’s important for us to move in the direction we are heading for reconciliation.

‘‘

Grounded in truth

FLTLT Dion Isaacson

THE ADF’s first Indigenous Liaison Officer (ILO) for the Middle East Region, WOFF Stephen Weaver, is a proud Wiradjuri man from Central NSW with more than three decades of service in Air Force.

WOFF Weaver likens his Aboriginal culture to military culture where everyone looks out for each other and contributes to the family group. “I consider everyone in the mili-tary to be my brother or my sister, just as everyone in my Indigenous culture is my brother, sister, auntie, uncle or cousin,” he said.

He and other ADF personnel deployed in the Middle East com-memorated Reconciliation Week with a variety of events, including produc-ing a large dot painting.

“We are a long way ahead of where we used to be in terms of reconciliation, but we need to keep having honest conversations,” WOFF Weaver said.

His grandad, Joseph Wignall, was an Army veteran of WWII. On one occasion, he and a young Aboriginal man he served with were walking along a Sydney street when an RSL

WOFF Stephen Weaver holds a photo of his grandfather, PTE Joseph Wignall, while deployed at the main operating base in the Middle East Region. Photo: CPL Dan Pinhorn

Walking together with courage

representative approached and asked if Mr Wignall would like to become a member.

When the Aboriginal man expressed interest as well, he was told he could not join as he was not an Australian citizen – at that time Aboriginal people did not share the same legal standing in Australian society.

As a result, WOFF Weaver’s grandfather also refused to join the RSL and in the years to follow did not march on Anzac Day.

“That Aboriginal man made the same sacrifices as my grandfather.

He was willing to lay down his life for his country, yet he was not treated equally,” WOFF Weaver said.

WOFF Weaver said this story reminds him to walk with courage and conviction.

He said that now was a spe-cial time in his long military career because senior leaders in Defence had a high appreciation of Indigenous cultures.

“Every Air Force base now has an ILO. They are women and men who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders and are deeply rooted in their local cultures,” he said.

Uncle Ralph Naden performs a welcome dance for Air Force members during their community

engagement visit to Gilgandra, NSW.Photo: CPL Casey Forster

Indigenous artist Samantha Gollan and WOFF Stewart Rawlinson, of RAAF Base Edinburgh, with her artwork, a painted AP-3C Orion propeller blade, for Reconciliation Week. Photo: CPL Bill Solomou

See footage at: video.airforce.gov.au/play/6220#

EYE OF THE

STORM

THE US Boeing B-52 Stratofor-tress cast a familiar sight in Top End skies as Australian and US aircraft participated in Exercise

Diamond Storm from April 26 to May 29.The Top End was home to a number

of RAAF and US Air Force aircraft last month for the Air Warfare Instructor Course at RAAF bases Darwin and Tindal.

Operated by the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Anderson Air Force Base Guam, the B-52 was in Darwin to participate in combined train-ing under the Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) program.

The EAC program was designed to

develop our advanced joint warfighting capabilities, fifth-generation integration and provide an opportunity for person-nel to extend technical skills and refine logistics processes in the joint and com-bined environment.

USAF Assistant Director of Operations 23EBS MAJ Bryson Ayers said the B-52 was in Darwin to integrate with RAAF through the provision of close air support for specific Diamond Storm scenarios.

“There are multiple levels why it is important for USAF to support exercises like Diamond Storm, the major one being interoperability between the US and Australia,” MAJ Ayers said.

“We train together because it gives us a better understanding of the people we are likely to work with in the future.

“We are learning about how life is different in the two countries and yet essentially the same. It has been an enriching couple of weeks for the crew on the ground.”

Combined training of this type is integral to ensuring Air Force is ready to provide a rapid response to a wide range of challenges, including humani-tarian crises and disaster relief, as well as promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

CO 13SQN WGCDR Steven Parsons said B-52 deployments to Darwin had

been occurring regularly since 2017.“EAC activities involve regular visits

by the B-52s to Australian shores to par-ticipate in combined air exercises and training opportunities,” WGCDR Parsons said.

“The ongoing training initiatives rein-force the enduring partnership between our two countries and enhance our abil-ity to work together.

“This is a unique aircraft and these activities not only enhance our ability to work together in the air, but more importantly give our personnel on base the skills and confidence for a range of logistic and operational support require-ments for this aircraft.”

Imagery Specialist SGT Chris Dickson captures the take-off of a USAF B-52 Stratofortress from RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Diamond Storm. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

Combined training at Exercise Diamond Storm ensures Air Force is ready to provide rapid response, writes FLTLT Alyssa Vickridge.

EXERCISE DIAMOND STORM Four-page lift-out

FLGOFF Kat Trimble

PERFORMING as one team is essential for mission success, and during Exercise Diamond Storm, No. 75 and No. 77 F/A-18A/B Hornet Squadrons showcased their ability to work together seamlessly.

About 130 personnel and 12 F/A-18A Hornets from 77SQN travelled from RAAF Base Williamtown to RAAF Base Tindal to train in offensive counter air scenarios.

Flying together in the Northern Ter-ritory is different and so is the integrated working environment for 77SQN and 75SQN personnel. Not only are 75SQN and 77SQN pilots flying missions together, but the aeronautical life support (ALS) fitters are also working as one team to get jets in the air.

“During exercise periods we are busy getting the combat survival vests and helmets ready for up to 35 flights each day,” ALS Fitter CPL Jack Tucker, of 75SQN, said.

“Normally we would have about 25 pilots to support, but with both squadrons combined we are supporting up to 50. “Working as a joint team has reinforced that we all work from the same stand-ards. Once we taught the 77SQN fitters some of the NT intricacies it really was effortless.”

The airspace and environment in the Top End was vastly different to what 77SQN Hornet pilot FLTLT Jess was used to in Williamtown.

Exercise Diamond Storm was her second time flying in the NT. She enjoyed training in the largest airspace

in Australia and being able to conduct scenarios with high explosives on the NT weapons ranges.

“One of the most noticeable differ-ences about flying up here is that you have to carry a pistol when conducting missions,” FLTLT Jess said.

“This is not something we do in Williamtown but it is necessary up here because, in the unlikely event that a pilot would have to eject from the cockpit, the remote wilderness and wildlife of the NT means we could be faced with a danger-ous situation.

“I have enjoyed working together, mission briefing and planning with 75SQN personnel. It’s a small Air Force and always great to catch up with mates and enjoy an extended summer.”

FLGOFF Kat Trimble

THE Royal Air Force travelled more than 14,500km to work with RAAF and provide realistic train-ing to the Air Warfare Instructor Course during Exercise Diamond Storm.

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster transported RAF’s Skyguard radar and inflatable weapons system from the UK to form part of the simulated targets setup at the Bradshaw Field Training Area in the Northern Territory.

RAF Aerospace Systems Man-ager SGT Nick said that when the Skyguard radar and inflatable weapons system were paired together, they created a layered defence.

“The Skyguard radar can track aircraft up to 16km away and has twin 35mm cannons with a range of 4km. In a real-world scenario it would be used to protect high-value assets like a hospital or base headquarters,” SGT Nick said.

“Here in the outback, Sk-yguard sends out an electronic signal to the aircraft, giving it a realistic target on the ground. From the air, a pilot will see an inflatable tank and react to the threat from the Skyguard.

“Our equipment is simulat-ing an adversary force that the AWIC candidates have to identify, engage or manoeuvre around. The role of our adversary ground force is essential to the exercise.”

During Diamond Storm,

both RAF and RAAF inflatable weapons systems were set-up on the range and in public locations, such as near the Victoria River Highway.

OIC of inflatable weapons sys-tems PLTOFF Jacqueline Smith worked closely with RAF and said that continually re-positioning added realism of the scenario.

“We can move the inflatables daily to differing locations during the course of the exercise. This represents the relocation that oc-curs in real-life events,” PLTOFF Smith said.

The RAF Skyguard radar and inflatable weapons systems will continue their Australian deploy-ment and be further utilised dur-ing Exercise Talisman Sabre.

FLTLT Alyssa Vickridge

AS EXERCISE Diamond Storm drew to a close, 2OCU flew its last Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC) mission oper-ating the F/A-18A/B Hornet.

Developed from Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI) Course, AWIC was rede-veloped in 2017 as an innovative course aimed at preparing personnel to oper-ate fifth-generation platforms in a joint, integrated combat environment.

Although this was the final AWIC for 2OCU operating the Hornet, AWIC 2021 will still include the F/A-18A/B Hornets being flown by 75SQN.

CO 2OCU WGCDR Scott Woodland said over the past 35 years the Hornet has served the unit well and the final flight was a bittersweet moment.

“Having worked in Air Combat Group [ACG] for a large part of my career, I have seen the evolution from where we started with the Hornet to where we have ended up, and the progression has been remarkable,” WGCDR Woodland said.

“It’s not just about the capability of the jet, but also the development of the whole team from aircrew to support crew; we have become an effective and efficient force that is set up well for the future.

“It is sad to see the Hornet retire but it’s also an exciting time as we transition to the F-35A and beyond, evolving into that next generation fighting force.”

A REAL THREAT

FLGOFF Kat Trimble

DEFENCE contractors supported the ad-versary forces during Exercise Diamond Storm, creating the challenging threat environment required to push the Air Warfare Instructor Course candidates to their limit.

The assets included the Raytheon Electronic Warfare Training Systems (EWTS) Learjet 35A, Air Affairs Australia Alpha Jets and the Raytheon Mobile Threat Training Emitter System (MTTES).

The Raytheon EWTS Learjet 35A enabled personnel to train in a contested

electromagnetic environment. EWTS inclusion in the adversary forces order of battle introduced radar jamming, commu-nications denial and deception through accurate threat simulation.

The Alpha Jets from Air Affairs Aus-tralia added to the complex environment by simulating an agile attack aircraft.

F/A-18A Hornet pilot FLGOFF Paul said the Alpha Jets and Learjet en-hanced the contested air picture and provided a real asset in the air to fight against.

“When we experienced jamming from the Learjet it made it more difficult for us

to be able to target that aircraft,” FLGOFF Paul said.

“We had to use our radars in a more deliberate manner to achieve an effect. It increased the complexity of the task and was a fantastic simulation of what would happen in the real world,” he said.

It’s not just the adversary forces in the air that personnel had to train against, but also a combination of air defence as-sets on the ground.

A new training capability, the Ray-theon MTTES, provided an operationally representative threat. Its effects coordi-nated with other air and ground elements

to create a layered defence posture that required advanced integrated planning and execution to overcome.

The threat emitter was mobile and could operate from remote locations. This meant scenario planners could move the threats around, creating tactical uncertainty.

“The threat emitters gave us another layer of targeting complexity when we were focused on delivering weapons on our adversary’s doorstep.

“We had to defend against surface-to-air threat systems that could pop-up without notice anywhere in the area of

operations,” FLGOFF Paul said.“It’s been great to see our aircraft

threat warning indicators react in real time to surface-to-air threats. It really makes a difference when you see an indicator light up as opposed to having to pretend.

“If we didn’t have the extra assets such as Learjets, Alpha Jets and threat emitters out there, we would have less complexity, making our jobs easier. We want to train hard so we can fight easy. They bring a great capability to the fight and help good fighter pilots become even better.”

FLGOFF Clarice Hurren

OVER the course of five weeks, 12 personnel from No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit pro-vided deployed radar and radios, which fed back to the Mobile Control and Reporting Centre (MCRC) at RAAF Base Darwin in support of Exercise Diamond Storm.

Personnel deployed to the field included communications electronic technicians, ground support equipment technicians, a cook, a medic and an air battle manager to setup, operate and maintain the Tactical Air Defence Radar System.

Detachment Flight Command-er FLGOFF Angus Ozimec said they had no mobile reception and were using satellite links for all communication connections.

“We can communicate with aircraft up to 250 nautical miles away,” FLGOFF Ozimec said.

“From here, we can reach the whole exercise airspace.”

Surveillance Director FSGT Gary-Jon Darrigo, of 114MCRU, said the unit was celebrating its 76th year of support to operations during Diamond Storm.

“Diamond Storm unites weapons and surveillance spe-cialists from across Australia to undertake complex missions and scenarios,” FSGT Darrigo said.

“114MCRU consolidates and contextualises the sensor cover-age of the battlefield for com-manders, managers and tactical operators, enabling expedited decision-making during the fight.”

COMMUNICATION SUPPORT

A final farewell to Hornet

The canopy closes on a 2OCU F/A-18B Hornet before a sortie out of RAAF Base Darwin.Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

Air Force trains with RAF’s Skyguard at Bradshaw

Left: Air Force’s AC Hayden Robertson, left, and ACW Jasmine Walker, with RAF’s FSGT Cameron Fraser and SGT Nick Ward, and Landmarc Support Services’ Stu Cruickshank, involved in the inflation of a ‘Roland’ inflatable weapons system simulator.

The power of one

A 77SQN F/A-18A Hornet takes off on a sortie.

An Air Affairs Australia Alpha Jet takes off for a sortie as a Red Air adversary training capability during Exercise Diamond Storm. Photos: CPL Colin Dadd

Aircraft Life Support Fitter CPL Jack Tucker fits a loaded pistol magazine into a 77SQN low-profile survival vest.

12 13RCEAIR FExercise Diamond Storm June 13, 2019

See footage at: video.airforce.gov.au/play/6214#

See footage at: video.airforce.gov.au/play/6213#

See footage at: video.airforce.gov.au/play/6211#

FLGOFF Kat Trimble

SURVEYING the skies over the Northern Territory, No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit supported Exercise Diamond Storm from the highest hill in Timber Creek.

A crew of technical and main-tenance personnel carefully trans-ported their tactical long-range sur-veillance radar over 4000km from RAAF Base Williamtown.

Communicat ion Elec t ronic Technician CPL Steve Maley said the terrain on Yellow Drum Hill was rocky, with red dust and swarms of flies. “We are trained to deploy our radar capability to the most remote

locations. We have to drive a large number of pins into the ground to secure the radar and this time we had to drill through a lot of solid rock,” CPL Maley said.

“The location on Yellow Drum Hill is austere but crucial. We always set up our radars and antenna farm in the highest locations we can find.

“Our Tactical Air Defence Radar System [TADRS] has a range of up to 250 nautical miles and our role here is to help provide a three-dimensional air picture in exercise scenarios.

“The TADRS on Yellow Drum Hill transmitted information to our

air battle managers in Williamtown, NSW, and our antenna farm allowed these controllers to communicate with the aircraft.”

3CRU emulated an enemy force during Diamond Storm, playing the ‘baddies’ to pro-vide complex training for the Air Warfare Instructor Course candidates.

“My team was up on the hill for a seven-week deployment. We had to keep the radar spinning to keep the exercise going. If a jet broke it could potentially sit out of a mission, but if our radar went down, there is a cru-cial missing link,” CPL Maley said.

A view from the top

FLGOFF Clarice Hurren

C-130J Hercules crews rehearsed forward arming and refuelling point (FARP) mis-sions during Exercise Diamond Storm.

At RAAF Base Darwin, the Hercules was able to offload fuel to US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey and UH-1Y Venom, and Army’s own ARH Tiger.

While it’s not the first time Hercules crews have conduct-ed FARP with either service, regular practice ensures Air Force is prepared to provide this capability on operations.

The opportunity to practise FARP also enabled the train-ing of ground personnel from Army’s 1st Aviation Regiment.

FLTLT Alex White, 37SQN Detachment Commander, said FARP was important because

it allowed the C-130J to land and become a fuel station in a place that would otherwise be difficult to get fuel stocks.

“This can be because it’s too dangerous or too soon [after a disaster] to get the fuel there by road, or there’s geographic boundaries, like mountains, flood waters, or an ocean, prohibiting the tradition-al road delivery of fuel,” FLTLT White said.

“Using helicopters in the Asia Pacific can be limited by the range/speed needed to deploy them, but FARP can increase its range.”

ARH Tiger pilot CAPT Rhys Davies confirmed FARP extended combat range considerably.

“Being able to refuel from anywhere a C-130J can land allows the ARH to stay in the fight longer and get back to

supporting the soldier on the ground sooner,” CAPT Davies said.

Echoing this, WO2 Nathan Winnacott, of 6th Aviation Regiment, said FARP provided a force multiplying effect for the ADF’s helicopter capability.

“C-130J FARP allows us to project into austere environ-ments in support of Defence-directed missions,” WO2 Winnacott said.

FLGOFF Kat Trimble

A MAJOR facilities upgrade ena-bled Exercise Diamond Storm to be the first exercise to benefit from the Delamere Air Weapons Range (DELAWR) enhanced capability.

Air Force operated DELAWR is located in a remote part of the Northern Territory and is one of Australia’s premier weapons rang-es for practice gunnery and both inert and high-explosive bombing.

The restricted airspace in the Northern Territory is vast, provid-ing a large amount of tactical freedom – the perfect place to test the warfighting skills of the Air Warfare Instructor Course candi-dates.

New living and working facili-ties were established in March this year.

These are positioned further outside the blast impact zone, which allowed the target areas to expand and increase the training capability of the range.

New upgrades provide high-quality support

Fuel for lifeA 37SQN C-130J Hercules awaits incoming aircraft at the forward air refuelling point during Exercise Diamond Storm. Photo: CPL Craig Barrett

3CRU Communications Electronic Technician AC Nicolas Bishop checks the functioning of the satellite terminal assembly at Yellow Drum Hill. Photos: CPL Colin Dadd

The new facilities at Delamere Air Weapons Range used for Exercise Diamond Storm.

Exercise Diamond Storm RCEAIR F June 13, 201914

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

PERSONNEL from 87SQN 81 Tactical Intelligence Flight visited their unit’s birthplace at the WWII airfield in Coomalie Creek on May 11.

They met with Richard Luxton, owner of the land that includes the airstrip, former taxiways and hang-ars. Mr Luxton has been preserv-ing 87SQN’s history at Coomalie Creek through research, collection of artefacts and restoration of some facilities.

He told 81TIF airmen stories of missions that included long-range reconnaissance and attacks using deceptive flight routes.

During WWII, 87SQN oper-ated P-38 Lightning, de Havilland Mosquito and Bristol Beaufighters from the airfield, 92km south of Darwin.

81TIF personnel were in the Northern Territory to provide intel-ligence support for the Air Warfare Instructors Course during Exercise Diamond Storm.

OIC DELAWR Range Operations WGCDR Lynette Horne said the enhanced accom-modation, recreation and messing facilities benefited the morale of the team.

“The permanent staff at

DELAWR now have an ensuite, and landline phone in their living accommodation allowing them to remain in contact with their fami-lies,” WGCDR Horne said.

“The buildings have been designed to make the harshness

of the outback more comfortable.“The new facilities have

enhanced our ability to provide a high-quality support base for operations in the field. All the per-manent staff here look forward to the future growth of the range.”

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AIR Force gunships played a significant, but often overlooked, role in one of Australia’s most com-

prehensive victories in Vietnam, according to former Iroquois pilot, FLGOFF (later AVM) Bob Treloar.

A light fire team (LFT), com-pr is ing two 9SQN Iroquois Bushranger gunships, was des-patched after D Coy, 5RAR came under intensive fire when attempt-ing to enter the village of Binh Ba.

FLGOFF Treloar was co-pilot of c/s Bushranger 71, tasked to sup-press fire coming from a row of houses occupied by 33 NVA Regt.

“While calling for a third gun-ship to join us, we proceeded to rocket the southern house line, which was also being fired on by Centurion tanks in close proxim-ity,” he said.

“The intent was to destroy the house line and eliminate enemy fire.

“Our firing passes were from

east to west, breaking left over friendly troops to avoid enemy ground fire.”

FLGOFF Treloar said on one firing pass they had a rocket hang up, burning in the tube with insuf-ficient power to fly out.

“Whenever possible, we broke off the firing pass and turned over the friendly force,” he said.

“This allowed the door gunners to put down suppressive fire on the enemy position and it reduced our vulnerability after the firing pass.

“Our dilemma on that fir-ing pass was that if the rocket did launch while we were pointed at friendly forces, it could hit our own troops.

“We continued the dive hoping for a successful rocket launch.”

This occurred at low altitude resulting in a lone roofing tile from a house blasting into the air and into their flight path.

“I felt the chopper twitch left and right and then the roof tile hit

PROMPT action by two 9SQN Bushranger gunships during the Battle of Binh Ba on June 6, 1969, saved the lives of a Centurion crew when their tank, c/s 22B, was disa-bled by an RPG-7.

National serviceman TPR David Hay said the tank took minor damage from the first hit, and when a second RPG-7 struck and penetrated 22B’s turret, it left him temporarily blinded by shrapnel.

“The tank was immediately silenced – the electrical connections to internal turret guns were severed, the turret crew all wounded by shrap-nel and, apart from the crew com-mander’s .30 calibre machine gun, the tank was undefended,” he said.

“If ever an element of luck was needed, this was the time, but luck did come and it came from above.

“Two Iroquois Bushranger gun-ships from 9SQN RAAF, with not a second to spare, brought their miniguns to bear and eliminated the threat.

“The plight of c/s 21 and 22B would have been catastrophic had it not been for the strike by the RAAF Bushranger helicopter light fire team [LFT] immediately after the Centurion was disabled.”

Bushranger 71 and 72 worked as a pair in the LFT and provided the bulk of the fire support.

LAC (later FSGT) Dave Moles, a crewman on board Bushranger 71, takes up the story.

When they first arrived over Binh Ba, FLGOFF Alan Adamson asked the ground controller if all locals were evacuated from the buildings and was told “yes”.

“Al said he was going to do a dry pass down the village and have a look in the windows, which we did,” LAC Moles said.

“I could see the enemy running out

of the buildings and ducking under the tanks’ guns.

“Our next pass was live – mini-guns, rockets and four M60 machine guns – and Bushranger 72 did the same.

“We saw the disabled tank and the VC who were about to fire on it, but after a quick burst from us, they didn’t.”

After the start of the battle, c/s Bushranger 73 was called forward to work with Bushranger 71 and 72 as a heavy fire team (HFT).

LAC Moles said Bushranger 71 got a message from the FAC, who told them a VC had fired an RPG-7 at them and it missed by just yards.

“We continued to do firing passes, and on our last pass before we went back to the Dat to rearm and refuel, I noticed we were lower than the previ-ous passes,” he said.

“As our last rocket was fired, a peace of roof tile flew up and went through the front window of Bushranger 71, between the two driv-ers, hitting the transmission wall.

“I retrieved it and showed the driv-ers; co-pilot FLGOFF Treloar was not impressed, nor was I.”

LAC Moles believed without air support the battle would have been very different, with more KIAs instead of only one.

“From memory, the HFT fired a full load, that is, each aircraft 10,000 7.62 minigun rounds, 4000 door gun M60 7.62 rounds, 14 2.75 HE rockets, as well as what we fired after refuelling and rearming,” he said.

“A few days later when we were at the rearm point at the Dat, a couple of diggers came up and presented me and Al Lamb, the gunner on Bushranger 71, with an AK-47, which we though was great.

“We hung it in the airmen’s boozer.”

Help from above

A fiery victory

BUSHRANGER CREWS

C/s Bushranger 71 (A2-773), the flight lead, crewed by FLGOFF Alan Adamson (captain), FLGOFF Bob Treloar (co-pilot), LAC Dave Moles (crewman) and ADG LAC Allan Lamb (gunner).

C/s Bushranger 72 (A2-383), crewed by FLGOFF Mike Tardent (captain), FLGOFF John Peterson RNZAF (co-pilot), LAC Peter Amos (crewman) and LAC Wayne Hay (gunner).

C/s Bushranger 73 (A2-377) was crewed by FLTLT John Hazelwood (captain), FLGOFF Mal Walker (co-pilot), ADG LAC Rowland Ferry (crewman) and ADG AC Ray Rennie (gunner).

History RCEAIR F June 13, 201916

Fifty years on, the Battle of Binh Ba is still one of Australia’s most comprehensive victories in Vietnam, writes SGT Dave Morley.

Former Iroquois pilot, FLGOFF Bob Treloar.

LAC Dave Moles beside his Iroquois gunship

c/s Bushranger 71.

LAC Dave Moles, front, with LAC Allan Lamb and the AK-47 given to him by diggers involved in the Battle of Binh Ba.

From the 15th of April 2019 it became easier for Defence Reservists to access information and advice about reserve service protection, employer support payments and

employer engagement activities.

The following Defence Reserves Support numbers will be transitioned to 1800DEFENCE providing our Reservists with

greater access to information and advice,including after hours and on weekends.

Defence Reserves Support 1800 803 485

Office of Reserve Service Protection 1800 671 998

Employer Support Payment Scheme 1800 001 696

This merge will undergo a transitional period where the current three 1800 numbers will be

forwarded to 1800DEFENCE.

Further information can be sought through 1800DEFENCE.

DPS:APR017-19

BINH BA NOT PILOT’S MOST INTENSE BATTLE

DESPITE the intensity of the Battle of Binh Ba, it was not the fiercest action FLGOFF Treloar took part in – the fiercest was six weeks later when he was involved in the dust-off of wounded diggers from A Coy, 5RAR, who’d been caught in a bunker com-plex ambush.

“We were called to winch out sev-eral wounded soldiers so A Coy could withdraw,” he said.

“It was in the middle of a heavy fire fight at close quarters and one of the wounded soldiers lying in the back of the chopper was hit again.

“My gunner was wounded with shrapnel from the floor, when we were hit by ground fire and the aircraft was holed 19 times, with both gunner and soldier subsequently evacuated to Australia.”

us – it blew a hole in the windscreen and embedded itself in the rear wall of the cabin,” FLGOFF Treloar said.

“I later asked the pilot, FLGOFF Alan Adamson, why the chopper had twitched and he said he was try-ing to work out which way to move to ensure that the tile didn’t enter his side of the cockpit.

“I used to fly with my sleeves rolled up, but fragments of the tile made me think I’d been hit, so after that I always flew with my sleeves down.”

FLGOFF Treloar said the tanks continued to close on the village and at one stage enemy soldiers approached one without its infantry support.

“The tank was close to the south-ern line of houses, so it wasn’t far for the enemy to move to attack the tank, which was disabled,” he said.

“We were called on to provide suppressive fire to clear the enemy from around the tank.

“We made a firing pass on the

tank, clearing it from enemy sol-diers and rattling it with minigun rounds.

“I was told by one of the occu-pants many years later that it sound-ed just like heavy rain on the turret.”

FLGOFF Treloar was concerned about damaging the tank as its upper surfaces were vulnerable.

“We could see enemy soldiers running towards it with an obvious intent to destroy it and were called upon to lay down suppressive fire on the tank,” he said.

“It’s a rewarding feeling to know how much our efforts were appreci-ated by the tanks, as in most histo-ries of the Battle of Binh Ba, the Air Force support is barely acknowl-edged.

“I believe the fire support pro-vided by the LFT reduced the threat of casualties to the troops on the tree line who would have had to cross open ground under heavy enemy fire.

“This action has been missed by

many, while I don’t wish to reduce the dangers our troops were exposed to and the extremely high risks they faced when clearing the houses and cellars of a determined and well-trained enemy.”

On the second day of the bat-tle, June 7, Bushranger callsigns were tasked with harassing retreat-ing enemy forces and stopping rein-forcements for the NVA regiment as they made their way northwards through Duc Trung and out of the province.

Later as Commander Australian Theatre 1999-2001, along with more than 30 other operations, AVM Treloar was responsible for planning and supporting ADF operations in East Timor and the Sydney Olympic Games.

He retired from the permanent Air Force in 2001 and then served in the Air Force Reserves on the ADF Air Worthiness Board for 17 years, retiring in December 2018 after 53 years of service.

A fiery victoryHistoryRCEAIR F June 13, 2019 17

HOW THE BATTLE BEGAN

A CENTURION tank and an armoured recovery vehicle were mak-ing their way along Route 2 past the village of Binh Ba early on the morn-ing of June 6, 1969.

The route was classified as ‘amber’ and considered one where enemy contact was possible, but unlikely.

The unlikely happened when an

RPG from a nearby house struck the Centurion’s turret, wounding the operator and inviting retaliatory machine-gun fire from both vehicles before they left the scene.

This provocative shot heralded a battle that raged for two days and left much of Binh Ba in ruins.

‘It’s a rewarding feeling to know how much our efforts were appreciated

by the tanks ... I believe the fire support provided by the LFT

reduced the threat of casualties to the troops on the tree line who

would have had to cross open ground under heavy enemy fire.

– FLGOFF (later AVM) Bob Treloar, C/s Bushranger 71 (A2-773) Co-pilot

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Total Workforce SystemRCEAIR F June 13, 2019 19

Delivering capability

FLTLT Leonard Hwang is balancing family, business and his military career thanks to the Total Workforce System.

‘Members using the TWS love working for Defence because of the flexibility it provides. They are looking for more out of life and we should help them

achieve this.– LTCOL Keirin Joyce, supervisor

FLGOFF Jasmine Kelsey

FLTLT Leonard Hwang is doing it all – balancing the demand of managing successful fitness franchises, continu-ing to serve and raising a young fam-ily. Options available under the Total Workforce System (TWS) meant he could be an entrepreneur and continue his military career.

FLTLT Hwang graduated from ADFA in 2007 as an electrical engineer. In 2014 he was working full time in the Air Force, running three businesses and rais-ing a growing family.

FLTLT Hwang has served on multiple exercises and operations and received a Meritorious Unit Citation – 36SQN and 37SQN – for Operations Falconer, Catalyst and Slipper. He made the dif-ficult choice to leave the permanent Air Force (SERCAT 7) and transfer to casual work (SERCAT 3) in 2015.

“I had an opportunity to join the Army Aviation Branch at Victoria Barracks as a SERCAT 3,” FLTLT Hwang said.

“In this role I test and evaluate unmanned aircraft systems and their impact on Army and land commanders. I am at the cutting edge of new technology and innovation.”

Working casually as a SERCAT 3 has enabled FLTLT Hwang to continue as part of the team and enhance capability.

“The Army Aviation Branch are accepting of me as an Air Force engi-neer; the experience gained from my posting in Air Mobility Training and Development Unit adds value in inter-preting technical regulations and how they impact Army aviation,” he said.

FLTLT Hwang values his work-life balance, the opportunity to continue to work in the ADF, the proximity of Victoria Barracks to his businesses and the meaningful capability that he con-tributes to.

FLTLT Hwang said he never realised how valuable members could be through serving in different ways.

“As a SERCAT 3 I am really appre-

CAREER PROFILE OF FLIGHT LIEUTENANT LEONARD HWANG

SERCAT 7

SERCAT 3 SERCAT 3

J O I N E D A I R

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S O N B O R N

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L E O S TA R T S H I S T H I R D F I T N E S S F R A N C H I S E

ciated; I have been given the oppor-tunity to do high-value, interesting work and I am included in the team,” he said.

“If something doesn’t work out in business, by remaining professionally current in engineering, I can request to transition back to SERCAT 7 as a permanent member in Air Force.”

FLTLT Hwang’s supervisor LTCOL Keirin Joyce understood that

he made a decision to be an entre-preneur, not for lack of motivation to serve, but to pursue another love in life and was successfully balancing both.

“As supervisors we should encour-age members to work in arrangements that meet the needs of the organisa-tion, team and individual,” LTCOL Joyce said.

“Members using the TWS love

working for Defence because of the flexibility it provides. They are look-ing for more out of life and we should help them achieve this.”

LTCOL Joyce believes using SERCAT 3-5 members makes sense – the paperwork has been reduced significantly, it is a low overhead and it provides an opportunity to tap into amazing people who can offer addi-tional capability.

“I encourage people to use the TWS and know that it provides an effective and dynamic approach to workforce management. It has pro-vided me with additional capabil-ity to diversify my team, with the added experience of FLTLT Hwang,” LTCOL Joyce said.

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20 June 13, 2019RCEAIR FPersonnel

SGT Max Bree

IT BEGAN as a strange lump on LAC Scott Grant’s neck in 2013 and will only end with a change of bone marrow.

He was on an avionics technician course at RAAF Base Wagga when med-ics took a biopsy to figure out the mys-tery lump’s contents.

“I felt absolutely fine; I was skiing a week before the diagnosis,” he said.

“They told me it was lymphoma. I didn’t know what that was until the doc-tor started talking about chemotherapy.”

LAC Grant was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – a blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system. He received six rounds of chemo over four months, with five days of treatment fol-lowed by about three weeks off before going back for more.

“I got really sick from that, but it did the job for a few years,” he said.

Nearly five years later, LAC Grant went to medical at RAAF Base Williamstown. “I was having pains in my chest and they thought it was a chest infection, but because of my history, I went for a chest scan,” he said.

“They found a 7cm tumour on my sternum; more tests showed it was the same lymphoma from before.

“That diagnosis hit me hardest; five years in remission, I didn’t think it was going to come back.”

Three rounds of chemo briefly sent the cancer back into remission, until it reappeared about three months later.

Because LAC Grant’s immune sys-tem can’t stop the cancer, he now needs a replacement in the form of a bone mar-row transplant.

“Once the cancer is in remission

again, they do five days of chemo that will wipe out my bone marrow, then they insert stem cells from the donor bone marrow,” he said.

“That will effectively replace my immune system with theirs. That should prevent the cancer from returning.”

With a transplant, he has a 60 per cent chance of living to 45, but there is a 20 per cent chance he won’t survive the transplant. With the search for Australian donors unsuccessful, doctors have been examining international registers.

“You have to be an exact match with the same build-up of bone marrow and from the same ethnic background,” LAC Grant said.

“The doctor told me that if you have an Aboriginal background there’s only about a five per cent chance they’ll find a compatible donor.

“Your background is the main thing that determines a donor.”

About 30 per cent will find a donor in their family, while two-in-three find a registry donor.

Anyone donating blood with the Red Cross can ask to be on the bone marrow register and be contacted if there are any matches; only about one in 1500 on the register are asked to donate each year.

“If you’re not a match for me, you could be a match for someone else; it’s an easy way to save a life,” LAC Grant said.

“That person would literally be sav-ing my life. I’ll never know who it was, but I’ll have a debt to that person I’ll never be able to pay back.”

More information can be found on the bone marrow registry website: abmdr.org.au

BEING a parent, partner or child of an ADF member presents many opportuni-ties and challenges.

This June, ADF families have the opportunity to provide Defence with feedback about their experiences and views on military life through the ADF Families Survey.

CDF GEN Angus Campbell said Defence recognised the significant con-tribution made by ADF families.

“Defence values the essential role families play in supporting our serving members and the contribution they make to the ADF,” GEN Campbell said.

“The ADF Families Survey is an opportunity to have your say and share your views on the services and support available to you and your family.

“To ensure we make the right com-

mitments and deliver on those commit-ments, Defence wants to understand the needs of ADF families and their expe-riences with the current programs and services on offer.”

This year’s survey will focus on the services and support available for Defence families.

“I encourage all ADF personnel and their families to take advantage of this opportunity to have their say,” GEN Campbell said.

“By letting us know what is impor-tant to you and your family, we can focus services and support in the right areas.”

The ADF Families Survey will close June 21 and can be accessed at defence.gov.au/dco or dfa.org.au. The results are expected to be available in late 2019

Defence families have their say

Positive in hard times

LAC Scott Grant receiving chemotherapy as he waits for a compatible bone marrow donor.

A long ride around USAWGCDR Paul Connor

FOUR RAAF colleagues located in the United States organised a Long Ride USA to link in with the 300 motorcyclists taking part in the Long Ride Australia.

WGCDRs Paul Connor and Stuart Briese, and SQNLDRs Patrick Wall and Rupert Walker took part in the inaugural Long Ride USA during May.

The team started from Colorado Springs and travelled via Idaho Springs, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, Sundance and Mount Rushmore, riding into Lusk for the end-of-ride dinner before returning to Colorado Springs.

In eight days, they covered five US states and about 4000km, cross-ing four mountain passes more than 10,000ft high. WGCDR Connor

said they had to adjust their route some days due to weather.

“Late spring snow storms caused some road closures along our planned route,” he said.

“This wasn’t all bad though, for example we ended up rerouting through the Flaming Gorge in Utah on our way up to Jackson and the views were incredible.

“We also had some close experi-ences with a black bear, bison, elk, deer and a few big eagles.”

WGCDR Connor said being posted to the US meant they were unable to participate in the official Australian event, so it was proposed to run a parallel event, which pro-vided the opportunity for US-based personnel to contribute.

The route chosen enabled par-ticipants to reach out to many rural communities at the various land-marks visited.

Riding through remote places with the Long Ride flags flying on their bikes – and Aussie accents – WGCDR Connor said they were often approached by people.

“One gentleman in Vernal, UT, approached us and while chatting we discovered he was suffering from prostate cancer and was a Vietnam veteran still suffering side effects,” he said.

“He was very gracious for our efforts and it reinforced why we were out doing the ride.”

WGCDR Briese said he couldn’t think of a better way to help raise awareness about prostate cancer and funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

“We got together for the Long Ride because we all share a passion for riding and making a difference in our communities,” WGCDR Briese said.

From left, SQNLDR Patrick Wall, WGCDRs Paul Connor and Stuart Briese, and SQNLDR Rupert Walker stop in Gardiner, Montana, during the inaugural Long Ride USA.

21June 13, 2019RCEAIR F Flightline

Below: Claudia, left, and Leah enjoy the view from the flight deck of a 37SQN C-130J Hercules during a community engagement visit to Gilgandra. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

Left: Defence Attaché – Beijing GPCAPT Paul Deighton and Assistant Defence Attaché SQNLDR Kimberley Wilson on board China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy ship Qi Jiguang (Hull 083) during the recent International Fleet Review held in Qingdao, China.

Above: SGTs Rachel Sullivan, left, and Sara Morgan, of 37SQN, assist in raising funds for the Biggest Morning Tea at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo: CPL Casey Forster

Ipswich State High School Indigenous Dance Group perform at the National Reconciliation Week ceremony, held in the RAAF Base Amberley Astra Complex. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

WOFF Stephen Weaver, left, with AVM Joe Iervasi, WGCDR Mark Wilkins and WOFF Matthew Hurley, after placing palm prints on the Indigenous artwork made for Reconciliation Day, Middle East Region. Photo: CPL Dan Pinhorn

See footage at: video.defence.gov.au/play/6218#

Name Years

FSGT William Hurdle 40

WGCDR Michael Cawley 37

WGCDR Bruce Doerfling 36

WGCDR David Zemel 34

SQNLDR Dean Dillon 34

WGCDR Glenn Lawton 33

SQNLDR Helen Webb 33

FSGT Barry Williams 33

FSGT Andrew Martin 30

FSGT Paul Hollander 22

SQNLDR Benjamin Miedecke 20

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22 June 13, 2019RCEAIR FSp rt

MAJ Holly Mainwaring and CPL Veronica O’Hara

A HALF-distance (113km) triathlon at the Ironman Australia event in Port Macquarie was just a warm-up for FLTLT Dave Carroll a week before competing in a 515km Ultraman event.

FLTLT Carroll was among 17 ADF Triathlon Club members who compet-ed in the Ironman Australia event on May 5. Nine completed the full-length (226km) race and the rest did the half-length Ironman (70.3km).

It was FLTLT Carroll’s fourth half-Ironman this year and he finished it in 7hr 38.56min.

“My Ironman performance was what I wanted it to be – just to take it nice and slowly because of Ultraman a week later,” he said.

“However, I really pushed myself at the hill [on the bike]. There was one person walking with other riders, slow-ly overtaking them. I was the fourth rider doing the overtaking.

“I knew if I sat behind these peo-ple, who were going too slow, I’d have to get off and walk, so I pushed hard to keep the momentum going and get up before I ran out of power.”

FLTLT Carroll said it was socia-ble while out running, swimming and cycling.

“Ironman is a really good atmos-phere. Spectators are always support-ive and you get to know a lot of other people around the course,” he said.

“I get a lot of satisfaction from doing something positive with a few hundred other people doing the same thing, all getting out there and pushing themselves to the limit.”

FLTLT Carroll used the Ironman 70.3 as a taper for his Ultraman – a three-day, 515km endurance race at Noosa, Qld, from May 11-13, which he finished in 34hr 23.37min.

“Ultraman is like two-and-a-half Ironmans,” he said.

“About 50 people do it each year. Only two of us have done it every year for the five years it’s been in running in Australia.”

Among the other Air Force com-petitors in Port Macquarie, CPL Lance Purdon finished the full Ironman in 14.54:34, and FLTLT Kendall Dransfield (5.07:02) and FLTLT Bianca May (5.58:23) finished the Ironman 70.3km.

To find out more about the ADF Triathlon Club or to connect with club members, contact club president, MAJ Cameron Stephenson at cameron.stephenson@defence.gov.au or treasurer FLTLT Dave Carroll at david.carroll4@defence.gov.au

LS Jayson Tufrey

A TEAM of 24 current and former serving soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen has been named to take on veterans from five other nations in Florida.

US Special Operations Command will host the 2019 Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games from June 21-30 in Tampa Bay.

The ADF and Veteran Sport Australia (VSA) will support a com-bined team of competitors, comprising 12 former and 12 serving military per-sonnel, to attend the Games.

Competing in indoor rowing, sit-ting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, track and powerlifting, CPL Caitlin Orchard, from RAAF Base Tindal, said it was an honour to be selected to represent the ADF at the Warrior Games.

“I am proud and thankful for this opportunity and still quite nervous, but that should pass,” she said.

“My highlight will definitely be competing alongside so many veterans

and current serving members from all the other countries.

“It takes courage, ambition and perseverance to make a comeback from injury. I cannot wait to stand among all the competitors who share these attributes and show everybody what we have to offer.”

The competition will bring together competitors from the ADF, United Kingdom Armed Forces, Canadian Armed Forces, Armed Forces of the Netherlands, the Danish Armed Forces and the United States.

The US competitors will repre-sent the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command.

CPL Orchard said her preparation for the Games had been a challenge she was seeking.

“I have always enjoyed training but training for Warrior has given me new purpose and drive. I have man-aged to accomplish a lot with modified exercises and have the full support of my workplace, 17SQN and the ADF Adaptive Sports Team,” she said.

Approximately 300 wounded, injured and ill serving and former mili-tary members will participate in the competition.

CPL Orchard said there was a great need to offer these people challenges.

“ADF Adaptive Sports allows par-ticipants the opportunity to get the ball rolling through a network of support within its programs,” she said.

“Defence support for Adaptive Sports is immeasurable. The oppor-tunity to showcase the resilience of its current and ex-serving members is extremely important in the recovery and rehabilitation process.”

CPL Orchard will be competing alongside Air Force teammates FLTLT Amanda Scott, FSGT Ben Morgan and CPL Daniel Cochrane.

Competitors will participate in 14 sports, including, archery, cycling, time-trial cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, field, wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing, powerlifting, golf, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair rugby.

An ultra challenge to the end

Warrior show of skills

AUSSIE INVOLVEMENTAUSTRALIA’S involve-ment in the Warrior Games is part of a broad-er adaptive sports pro-gram in which current and former serving wounded, injured and ill military

personnel participate in a variety of competitions in the United States and Canada, as well as the Invictus Games, which will be held in May 2020 in The Hague, Netherlands.

CPL Caitlin Orchard trains at the Warrior Games 2019 selection camp at the Sydney Academy of Sports and Recreation, Narrabeen. Photo: LS Jayson Tufrey

FLTLT Dave Carroll competes in a 113km triathlon at the Ironman Australia event, Port Macquarie, NSW.

23June 13, 2019RCEAIR F Sp rt

ADF HOCKEY teams took a big stick to their trans-Tasman rivals, with the men’s and women’s sides defeating the New Zealand Defence Force to win the Anzac series in Auckland from April 18-26.

Competing over a three-test series, both sides won their series 2-1.

The ADF men and women played their final games as curtain-raisers before the Australian Hockeyroos (women) and Kookaburras (men) took on the New Zealand Blacksticks.

Army player SGT Shayne Buenaobra said marching on with the Hockeyroos was “an honour and the highlight of our tour”.

Going into the Anzac Day curtain-raiser with the series tied at one a piece, ADF men’s coach AIRCDRE

Leon Phillips made changes to the line-up that saw them take out the series with a 4-0 win in the final game.

“We were surprised in the first game by how structured our New Zealand counterparts were and how effectively they counterattacked,” AIRCDRE Phillips said.

“We nullified that in the second two games with a more patient, con-trolled backline and by spot-marking their key playmaker. In game three, our players were near faultless.”

The women lost the final game, 1-2, having already wrapped up their series with 1-0 and 3-0 wins, but coach PO Daniel Knapp praised his side for its final effort. “The debutantes and experienced heads gelled nicely and our structure was effective,” he said.

ADF teams went down fighting at the Australian Country Water Polo Championships on the Gold Coast, from May 15-18, as they faced off against seven state and territory-based sides.

The men finished sixth, while the women, hampered by the lack of a dedicated goalie, finished eighth.

The men’s result was helped in large part by star goalie AC Bailey Sheather, who was named the tournament’s most valuable goalkeeper.

The former Australian jun-ior representative had played in national-level water polo before joining Air Force.

“It was good to take the rust

off. I hadn’t played in a while, so it was great to get out there,” he said.

AC Sheather came face-to-face with some familiar oppo-nents in the pool.

“I’ve played with those boys from the NSW team before, so I knew what I was in for. I knew it was going to be hard,” he said.

“They have plenty of players who are Olympians or will be Olympians. There are some very strong players, particularly in the NSW and Queensland teams.

“It was very difficult to get up against them. There were a lot of tough teams out there but we did well for what we had.”

Hard to go past a star

Finishing with a big-game bang

The ADF women’s and men’s hockey teams both won their series against the New Zealand Defence Force, 2-1.

ADF goalkeeper AC Bailey Sheather defends a penalty throw during a game at the Australian

Country Water Polo Championships at the Miami Aquatic Centre on the Gold Coast.

Photo: SGT Peter Borys

MORE INFORMATIONMembers interested in water polo can attend the ADF Water Polo Championships at Randwick Barracks, Sydney, December 2-6. Contact LT Bianca Kilborn on (07) 3332 5280 or defencewaterpolo.admin@defence.gov.au

SP RTJune 13, 2019

ADF triathlon members

compete for IronmanPage 22

FLTLT Dave Carroll crosses the finish line on day 2 of the bike leg in Ultraman.Photo: Dave Gleeson / Surfshots Noosa Photography

ULTRA FINISH