AIRF RCEVol. 59, No. 8, May 18, 2017 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Page 3

C-17A’s historic mission in the Middle East

An Australian C-17 Globemaster on the tarmac for the first time at Taji Military Complex, Iraq.Photos: CPL Kyle Genner

Change of command

Our new Chief of Joint Capabilities, DCAF and ACAUST

put people first

Page 2

Outgoing ACAUST AVM Gavin Turnbull (left) transfers command to AVM Steve Roberton at RAAF Base Glenbrook. Photo: SGT Amanda Campbell

DirectorDavid Edlington: (02) 6265 4650

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

2 May 18, 2017RCEAIR FNews

CPL Mark Doran

AIR Force’s senior leadership has under-gone changes but one thing remains the same – the focus on people as a key ele-ment to becoming a fifth-generation Air Force.

Former DCAF AVM Warren McDonald is the first to take up the Chief of Joint Capabilities position within the new ADF Headquarters.

The senior two-star position arose out of First Principles Review initiatives to better support the joint capabilities priori-tised in the Defence White Paper.

AVM McDonald, who has led AFHQ for two years, said he was excited to be moving into a role supporting the CDF.

“It’s been a privilege to serve in AFHQ as DCAF and be a part of the excitement of the organisation’s future,” he said.

“The highlight of my time as DCAF was working with Air Force’s people. The capability highlight was in March, when I watched the F-35A Lightning II, EA-18G Growler and the P-8A Poseidon arrive at Avalon. Air Force has a bright future and bright people to take it forward.”

AVM Gavin Turnbull posted into his new role as DCAF on May 1.

After more than two years as the Air Commander, AVM Turnbull said he was looking forward to the challenge of lead-ing AFHQ.

“To move from a large command role

to an AFHQ governance role and having a say in the future of Air Force in conjunc-tion with CAF is exciting,” he said.

“Without a doubt the highlights of my time as ACAUST were interacting with the people and watching Air Command raise, train and sustain in a professional manner.

“As an organisation, they take every-thing into their stride. It was memorable to visit our air bases 19 times and last year I visited every base except the two bare bases. The toys are great, the new toys are exciting, but the people are what make Air Force a capability.”

AVM Steven Roberton is the new ACAUST after posting into the role on May 8.

He recently completed the Capstone General and Flag Officer Course and said it was amazing to tour the US and be briefed on key allied nation issues.

“We probably face a more dynamic security situation than we’ve had in my memory,” he said.

“At the same time, I’ve never had more optimism or faith in the quality of people we have in Air Force to meet those secu-rity challenges. It’s incredible what our people are doing and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.”

Incoming Commander ACG AIRCDRE Michael Kitcher is currently on deployment.

People first for our new leaders

AVM Gavin Turnbull is the new DCAF after more than two years as ACAUST. Photo: CPL Nicci Freeman

New ACAUST AVM Steven Roberton receives his rank slides from his wife Libby and CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies at Russell Offices in Canberra.Photo: CPL Mark Doran

AIRMSHL Leo Davies congratulates AVM Warren McDonald on his appointment as the inaugural Chief of Joint Capabilities.

AIRF RCEVol. 59, No. 8, May 18, 2017 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Page 3

C-17A’s historic mission in the Middle East

An Australian C-17 Globemaster on the tarmac for the first time at Taji Military Complex, Iraq.Photos: CPL Kyle Genner

Change of command

Our new Chief of Joint Capabilities, DCAF and ACAUST

put people first

Page 2

Outgoing ACAUST AVM Gavin Turnbull (left) transfers command to AVM Steve Roberton at RAAF Base Glenbrook. Photo: SGT Amanda Campbell

Applications for payment under theEmployer Support Payment Scheme(ESPS) can now be lodged online.

The ESPS provides financial assistanceto eligible employers of Reservists andself-employed Reservists when theReservist is absent on Defence service.

The online claims system replacesWebforms AD138-1 to AD138-4.

For further information please visit:http://www.defencereservessupport.gov.au/

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3May 18, 2017RCEAIR F News

CAPT Sharon Mascall-Dare

THE expansion of Task Group Taji 4’s (TGT-4) Building Partner Capacity mission in Iraq has led to a shift in the role of the Air Force’s air liaison offic-er (ALO) during the past six months.

The fourth iteration of the task group has performed an advise-and-assist role at Northern Baghdad Operations Command while continu-ing to deliver training to Iraqi Security Forces.

TGT-4 ALO SQNLDR Nathan Thompson said his role shared simi-larities with a brigade air liaison officer (BALO).

“My job is to identify the air effects the task group needs and con-duct the liaison to ensure they occur efficiently within the available resourc-es,” SQNLDR Thompson said.

“As we have moved into an advise-and-assist role with the Northern Baghdad Operations Command, this

has increasingly meant working with the Iraqi forces to identify where air effects can be a force multiplier.”

SQNLDR Thompson said he is using the lessons learned from his time as the 1st Brigade BALO during Army’s force-readying cycle to sup-port the TGT-4 mission in Iraq.

“The Iraqi forces have similar chal-lenges to our Australian forces back home,” he said.

“Traditionally ground forces feel the air assets aren’t available when they need them, while the aircrew say plans change too late to allow optimum support. I have been struck by how similar the problem set is here in terms of how you translate a ground scheme of manoeuvre into a plan that can be supported by air assets, in a timeframe that allows the air to support.”

In addition to advising the Iraqis on air-land integration, SQNLDR Thompson liaises frequently with

other coalition elements to ensure the safety of operations at the Taji Military Complex.

“It is a small team based here in Taji. I have been impressed with the willingness for all coalition personnel to work together to achieve safe air-field operations,” he said.

There are also two RAAF Air Load Team members based at Taji to support the unloading, loading, and safe ground movements of all coalition aircraft. They work closely with the USAF aerial porters.

For WOFF Gary Cooling, with 40 years’ service and seven deployments under his belt, deploying with TGT-4 has been similar to being part of a big family.

“We’ve formed a strong bond with the USAF and Army personnel. We work together and share all the duties. It’s been a pleasure working with them,” he said.

LCDR Peter Croce

THE capability of Air Force’s Globemaster and personnel has been demonstrated in the first landing of an Australian C-17A at Taji Military Complex, Iraq.

The landing was completed on April 23 during the visit by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and CDF ACM Mark Binskin to the Australian mission in Iraq for Operation Okra.

Commander of the Air Mobility Task Group from Joint Task Force 633, WGCDR Grant Kelly, said the landing at Taji was a challenging flight that No. 36 Squadron pilots had prepared for, but had not been scheduled to complete on this day.

“We had not planned to use the C-17A for the Taji legs on that day but we had a maintenance issue with a Hercules that had transported the official party and we could not afford to delay them,” he said.

“It just goes to show how well Air Force train for these contingencies and can deliver when required.

“It was very late in the afternoon, there was a dust storm predicted and the crew simply got the call in Baghdad, flew the aircraft to Taji in fading light, landed on a challenging airstrip they have never seen before and completed an important mission.

“In the end, the Prime Minister and CDF were able to make the trip for a follow-on meetings with the Afghan president and key senior leadership the following day.”

The minor technical issue with the Hercules was resolved later in the even-ing and it flew back the next day.

It was the second landing of a C-17A into Taji since major runway upgrades, after a United States Air Force Globemaster conducted the first flight into the Iraqi Army training establish-ment on March 22.

Globemaster’s Taji debut

Shift in role for liaison officers

The Air Force C-17A Globemaster on the tarmac at Taji Military Complex, Iraq.Photos: CPL Kyle Genner

SQNLDR Nathan Thompson, of Task Group Taji 4, discusses flightline operations with an Iraqi air traffic controller.

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Coordinating success in AfghanistanAn Air Force officer is working to train the Afghan Air Force’s future tactical air coordinators, CAPT Megan McDermott reports

‘The course has had some fantastic results, recently graduating an AAF instructor who just finished instructing his first ATAC course as primary instructor.

FLTLT David Jobson

ON HUNTER range, 36km south of Kabul, three Afghan Air Force (AAF) officers prepare their calculations to call in an MD-530 attack helicopter – the

final test before they become qualified Afghan Tactical Air Coordinators (ATACs), or known in the Afghan Dari language as “Hamahangee Tacticy Hawayee”.

Observing is RAAF officer FLTLT David Jobson, who has helped over the past month to develop their skills through his role as the Air-to-Ground Integration (AGI) Adviser to NATO’s 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, Train Advise Assist – Air (TAAC-Air) team.

The TAAC-Air ATAC course was established in 2016, largely enabled by the work of FLTLT Jobson’s predecessors, FLTLTs Michael Keene and Thomas Murdock.

“My predecessors played a key role in set-

ting up the course and putting the policy in place to conduct live-fire training at Hunter Range,” FLTLT Jobson said.

“Before then, the Afghan ATACs did not have a proper training curriculum and in some units, the role of an ATAC was considered a secondary duty.”

The AAF previously did not have enough dedicated qualified ATACs to integrate aerial fires with ground forces, now referred to as Air-Ground Integration, in support of ground troops fighting the enemy.

Now the coalition TAAC-Air team have graduated six courses including 26 AAF officers and 28 Afghan National Army officers. The growth in the Afghan ATAC capability comes at a time when new Afghan counter-insurgency aircraft are entering service, and FLTLT Jobson said the five newly graduated ATACs will be

deployed to conduct close air attack strikes in support of Afghan National Defence and Security Forces operations – ultimately strengthening the overall AAF offensive capability.

However, more ATACs are needed and FLTLT Jobson must now focus on improving the ATAC and instructor curriculum.

“The course itself is challenging and the Afghan students are already at a disadvantage due to their lack of education,” FLTLT Jobson said.

“Currently the ATAC course has about a 60 per cent pass rate. The students are often senior officers who have been in for a long time but have had no prior ATAC training.”

In just three weeks, they must learn how to calculate enemy position coordinates and how to communicate that information over radio telecom-munications to the aircraft conducting the strike.

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4 May 18, 2017RCEAIR FNews

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An Afghan National Army officer calls in

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CAPT Megan McDermott

development, FLTLT Jobson will be looking at ways to graduate more ATACs. “Here I’m using my instructional and training develop-ment background to enhance their training program and to develop an appropriate train-ing curriculum for the ATAC course,” he said.

“From my observations and talking with students (through an interpreter), they would like to see more visual aids, either pictures or demonstrations, to overcome language barriers.”

Even with improvements made to the training material, the quality of the material is only as good as the quality of the instructor.

For this reason, FLTLT Jobson said “teaching the teacher” is a key part of his role.

“At TAAC-Air, we also conduct the instructors’ course to teach ATACs instruc-

tional techniques,” he said. “This is important and advantageous as the course material can be instructed in the Dari language with-out losing the intent and misinterpretation through an interpreter.”

FLTLT Jobson was particularly impressed with one graduate.

“The course has had some fantastic results, recently graduating an AAF instructor who just finished instructing his first ATAC course as primary instructor,” he said.

“This AAF instructor is a positive and encouraging success story of the TAAC-Air AGI ATAC program having graduated from both the ATAC and instructors’ courses.

“He is one of the most effective and competent ATAC operators and instructors in the AAF and is soon to be promoted to major due to his abilities.”

5May 18, 2017RCEAIR F News

Train Advise Assist Command – Air adviser FLTLT David Jobson confirms target locations with his coalition partner.

An Afghan Air Force MD-530 attack helicopter conducts an air strike during range practice in Kabul.

FLTLT David Jobson (centre) provides advice to students on the Afghan Tactical Air Coordinators’ course.

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6 May 18, 2017RCEAIR FNews

CPL Mark Doran

FUNDING Australia’s commitment to major operations will continue as out-lined in the 2017-18 Budget released on May 9.

Defence will receive $34.6b in 2017-18 and $150.6b over the forward estimates.

The government has agreed to addi-tional operations funding of $851m in 2017-18.

Australia has about 2300 Defence personnel deployed around the world including on operations across the Middle East and Afghanistan.

The Budget funding for operations includes: $218.9m allocated for Middle East

sustainment on Operation Accordion $430m to support the 700 personnel

deployed on Operation Okra $72.8m allocated for the con-

tinuation of Operation Highroad in Afghanistan

$42.7m for Middle East maritime security on Operation Manitou

$52.8m allocated to securing Australia’s maritime borders as part of Operation Resolute

$34.2m for security support of the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Queen’s Baton Relay.The 2017 Budget maintains the

Government‘s commitment to provide Defence with a stable and sustainable funding growth path.

The Defence budget will grow to 2 per cent of GDP by 2020-21.

More than $300m in savings will be achieved in the next four years with

reductions in consultants and contractors used in Defence.

The ADF has been below its approved allocations since 2011-12, but is forecast to achieve an average funded strength of 59,194 in 2017-18 of which 14,399 will be permanent Air Force personnel.

The forecast for the total Active and High Readiness Reserves in 2017-18 is 1,014,000 days of service performed by an estimated 19,700 members across the ADF.

The government will expand the

range of mental health conditions that current and former ADF members can seek treatment for, on a non-liability basis as part of the 2017/18 Budget.

This year’s Budget also represents a significant increase in funding with $350m in support of veterans: $166.6m to implement the first stage

of Veteran Centric Reform to mod-ernise DVA

$33.5m expansion of the non-liabili-ty health care program

$18m as part of the Energy for the Future Package

$8.5m to expand eligibility for VVCS

$9.1m for better access to rehabilita-tion services and incapacity pay-ments

$9.8m to pilot new approaches to suicide prevention and improve care and support

$2.7m for the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program

$1.2m to continue income sup-port bonus for DVA clients with an Education Allowance

Commitment to operationsThe Federal Budget confirmed funding beyond the 2017-18, including:

$500m investment in Australia’s Electronic Warfare Support Operations

$239m new pilot training system

$12.6m to support the expanded functions of the Defence Force Ombudsman

$2.4b for Air Force sustainment

$1.15b for new air combat capability – F-35A Lightning II

$1.6b for new air combat capability – industry support program

$294m for maritime patrol and response aircraft system

$226m for AEW&C interoperability compliance upgrade

$225m for airborne electronic attack capability on the EA-18G Growler

$132m for two additional KC-30A multi-role tanker transports

FORWARD ESTIMATES

The Federal Budget includes a commitment to the F-35A Lightning II aircraft.Photo: SGT Shane Gidall

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Eamon Hamilton

AN ORIGINAL member of No. 36 Squadron has reunited with the unit for its 75th anniversary.

George Batts joined 36SQN as a wireless radio operator when it formed at RAAF Base Laverton in March 1942.

Since then, thousands have fol-lowed Mr Batts through 36SQN as it has supported Defence operations around the globe.

“I think I’m the only original who’s alive,” Mr Batts said.

“I’ve kept in touch with the squadron right through.

“When they were at Richmond, we used to go down and have a day with the squadron to visit them, and when they moved to Amberley I continued with that until the last couple of years.”

Because Mr Batts was unable to make the trip to see 36SQN at Amberley, the crew of a C-17A vis-ited him in Rockhampton on April 21 while on a training flight.

“I got a beautiful plaque from the commanding officer and the mem-bers of 36SQN commemorating 75 years. It made my day,” he said.

Shortly after the visit, 36SQN was back over Rockhampton to con-duct a fly-past of the city’s Anzac Day ceremonies.

“The fly-over was marvellous. It had a very good reception from Rockhampton,” Mr Batts said.

The g ian t C-17As f lown by 36SQN are a far cry from the twin-engine Douglas DC-2s that equipped the unit when it formed during WWII 75 years ago.

Transport units such as 36SQN were a critical logistics link, over-coming great distances in Australia and otherwise impassable terrain in New Guinea.

The DC-2s flown by 36SQN were modified from airliners into cargo planes and thrown into a mad effort to transport personnel and engines to stem enemy forces’ advance south.

“We didn’t have any fighter escorts on any of our jobs. We did our jobs unarmed,” Mr Batts said.

“I dropped supplies to a fel-low stationed on the northern tip of Bougainville Island and just across the straits was an island with a Japanese naval and air base.”

“A Zero (Japanese fighter jet)could have gotten across to us in three minutes and shot us down.”

On July 28, 1942, Mr Batts was the wireless operator on DC-2 A30-13, which took off from Wards Airfield in Port Moresby at 7.35am for the first operational airdrop by a RAAF transport.

It resupplied troops on the Kokoda Track, delivering 40 bags of supplies – rice, sugar, boots, blan-kets and potatoes. Such missions could be fatal, as transport crews flying at low level risked crashing into treetops or rising terrain.

The introduction of Douglas Dakota transports allowed 36SQN to carry more cargo, and for a few months in 1944, it also acquired its own LB-30 Liberator – a transport version of the famed B-24 bomber.

“We carried quite a lot of extra freight with it,” Mr Batts said.

“The C-47 only carried about

3000 pounds (of cargo), whereas this thing carried about 10,000 pounds.”

This particular LB-30, nick-named Belle, had been abandoned by the Americans at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane. Thanks to a little 36SQN ingenuity, the aircraft flew at least eight missions before the Americans took Belle back.

Mr Batts spent the last months of the war with No. 38 Squadron before discharging from the Air Force in November 1945 and return-ing to work on the railways.

Seven decades on, he continues to connect with current members of 36SQN, including SQNLDR Sam Freebairn, who flew the C-17A to Rockhampton on April 21.

“It was a truly inspiring visit and a great honour to meet an origi-nal member of 36SQN,” SQNLDR Freebairn said.

“What I found incredible was how clearly and accurately George could still recall the missions he was involved with, the aircraft he flew and the people he served with.”

During WWII, 36SQN worked under the Directorate of Air Transport, which governed US and Australian airlift squadrons in the south-west Pacific.

SQNLDR Freebairn said Mr Batts told the story of a US Pacific commander who needed assistance from 36SQN but could not remem-ber its number, instead referring to it as the “hydraulics squadron”.

“When asked what he meant by that, the response was, ‘You know, the squadron that can lift anything.’ That still is the case today.”

Unarmed and in danger

7May 18, 2017RCEAIR F News

36SQN members SGT Dianne Hall (left) and SQNLDR Samantha Freebairn share stories with original squadron member George Batts.Photo: CPL Brenton Kwaterski

Mr Batts was treated to a tour of a C-17A in

Rockhampton.

8 May 18, 2017RCEAIR FNews

CPL Mark Doran

CAF AIRMSHL Leo Davies reinforced the significance of Air Force’s transformation to a fifth-generation air force while speaking at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, on May 11.

He said Australia’s fifth-generation Air Force was a game-changer for the ADF, and by extension, Australia’s regional partners – particularly the United States.

“Australia wants to work with the USA in force-design to generate the advanced and complex systems which can be scaled for all levels of security,” he said.

“In attempting to change the game, we want to work to a single line of effort with all US services to shape our region in ways that reflect our global preferences.”

With the goal of being the first fully fifth-generation force, Air Force will possess no legacy platforms by 2025. The oldest aircraft will be the C-130J Hercules.

AIRMSHL Davies said such transforma-tion provided tremendous opportunities and a few challenges.

“Our most immediate challenge concerns integration within the ADF and in particular our earlier-generation systems,” he said.

“Equally, we must examine how Air Force will operate with our principal ally, the US. Finally, we need to understand how we will function at a force-level with regional partners still developing their force-struc-ture who do not possess the capabilities of Australian or American forces.”

In terms of opportunities, the RAAF’s fighting elements will largely comprise sys-tems common to the US Navy and USAF.

The F-35A Lightning II will be in service with the USAF and presents options for col-laboration. The remainder of Air Force’s combat force – the Poseidons, Tritons, Super Hornets and Growlers – will match the capa-bility set of the USN.

AIRMSHL Davies said Air Force sat in

a compelling position, straddling different force elements of Australia’s greatest ally and strategic partner.

“Our modern Air Force offers the poten-tial to explore how we can operate together in a maritime environment supported by sea and land-based air capabilities,” he said.

In Australia, the imminent arrival of the F-35A crystallised a developing debate between the three services. AIRMSHL Davies said it forced the ADF to think about networked capabilities which will integrate Army, Navy and Air Force from design through to operational delivery.

“The aircraft has re-defined the term joint and also means we are more than just friends and allies with the US,” he said

“We are technology partners whose capability brings us shared futures.”

Parts and weapons of the F-35A can be shared as readily as data and as quickly as technicians can fit them. Software and hard-ware combine to make this team one of the most lethal and versatile air combat capabili-ties available to allied and coalition forces.

AIRMSHL Davies said the F-35A allowed the ADF to envisage the interoper-ability, not only of Australian and US forces, but other regional and allied operators.

“This ability to be an integrator is why the F-35A is a catalyst for fifth-generation combat,” he said.

“We have started to explore what this means in Australia at a whole-of-force level.

“Our aim is that our forces, and others, can operate seamlessly alongside the US.”

AIRMSHL Davies said space and cyber were critical to the air domain.

“They will be contested and congested, and we – in the US, Australia and partners – will have to maintain superiority in those areas to prevail,” he said

View the full speech at: airpower.airforce.gov.au/Contents/RESEARCH/Research/168/Office-of-the-Chief-of-Air-Force.aspx

Fifth-generation Air Force ‘game changer’ for US alliance: CAF

CPL Sebastian Beurich

THE 16th and final Combat Support Unit (CSU) has completed a transition of authority to the first rotation of the new Expeditionary Airbase Operations Unit (EAOU).

The change in name better reflects the services the unit provides to the task group elements at Australia’s main operating base, including health support, maintenance and repair, aircraft refuelling and base security at Camp Baird for Operation Accordion.

EAOU continues the mission of CSU, which has been supporting air operations of RAAF aircraft deployed to the Middle East region since 2003. CO CSU-16 WGCDR Phillip Pender said as Australia’s mission to the region evolved, the requirements of CSU changed.

“We became more focused on airbase support operations, and integrated with HQJTF633 in Jan 2015,” WGCDR Phillip Pender said.

“As CSU evolved, our focus shifted from combat support operations to be more

focused on providing expeditionary airbase operations, which meant the name didn’t suit our role anymore.

“As a result of CSU’s longstanding efforts supporting operations in the Middle East, we were one of the longest serving Air Force units in the region.”

EAOU-1 is commanded by WGCDR Louise Burstow who looks forward to con-tinuing the work of her predecessors.

“Despite the name change, we’re car-rying on the important work of all of the CSUs as a key enabler in sustaining air operations in the region,” she said.

“While we may be forming as EAOU for the first time, we definitely have a lot of history behind us, and we look forward to continuing that history.”

CSU isn’t the only history which EAOU draws from – their name is the same as the plane which won the Great Trans-Planet Air Race, held in 1919, which challenged a crew to fly from England to Australia in 30 days or fewer.

“Only six teams competed in the race, one of whom flew a Vickers Vimy with the

civil registration of G-EAOU,” WGCDR Burstow said.

“Of the teams which entered, only G-EAOU made the approximately 17,700km journey within the time-frame, landing in Australia with two days to spare, and was then officially handed over from Vickers to the RAAF. The aircraft was affection-ately known by the crew as “God ‘Elp All Of Us”, and was the first aircraft to fly from England to Australia.

“In 1922, the aircraft was officially transferred off the RAAF’s aircraft register. In 1958, the restored G-EAOU was installed in a purpose-built, shelter located adjacent to the Adelaide Airport passenger terminal, where it still resides today.

“G-EAOU made history as the first aircraft to fly from England to Australia, just as EAOU-1 will make history as the first EAOU to deploy on operations in the Middle East region.”

New name with a new role

CSU has been supporting air opera-tions from Australia’s main operating base in the region, which is now known as Camp Baird, since 2003, when it was part of Task Element 633.2.2.

From its roots supporting AP-3C Orion air operations in 2003, it became part of Air Component Com-mand in 2009, where it supported AP-3Cs, C-130 Hercules, Heron Detachments and 114MCRU.

After the Middle East operational redesign in 2015, CSU focused more on airbase operational support and the unit became a greater part of HQJTF633.

Before handing over to EAOU, CSU provided logistical support to all of the aircraft which are force assigned to operations in the Middle East region, including F/A-18 Hornet and E-7A Wedgetail aircraft deployed as part of Air Task Group and the C-130 Hercules’ deployed as part of the Air Movements Task Group.

They also provided health sup-port, maintenance and repair, aircraft refuelling and base security at Camp Baird and Camp Phantom, among other services.

Following the transition, EAOU-1 will continue to provide the same essential airbase services.

HISTORY OF CSU

The new Expeditionary Airbase Operations Unit draws its name

from G-EAOU, the winning aircraft from the Trans-Planet Air

Race held in 1919.

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9May 18, 2017RCEAIR F Exercise Bersama Shield

CAPT Jesse Robilliard

WHILE many her age are taking temporary jobs, ACW Laura Sevil has cho-sen to take a dream tem-porary three-month posting to RMAF Butterworth in Penang, Malaysia.

Working in supply and in support of Exercise Bersama Shield, the 19-year-old has been learning on the job in an ideal location.

She has taken on a three-month hand-over, take-over role to enable her to get up to speed

with her new job at Headquarters 96 Wing.

Usually based at RAAF Base Amberley, ACW Sevil had no hesitation when the offer for the posting to Butterworth came up.

“People wait years to get a permanent three-year posting, so I was very lucky to come here for three months,” she said.

ACW Sevil deals with receiving, stock-taking and sending goods back to Australia on Air Force air-craft. It is not all desk work, however, as she also oper-ates a forklift.

PLTOFF Gemma Dorn (pictured at a preflight briefing and at the controls of a King Air), of No. 38 Squadron, flew the KA350 King Air as part of her first deployment to Exercise Bersama Shield.

Thrill of the sub chase

Short but sharp stint in supply

CAPT Jesse Robilliard

AIR FORCE platforms and crew from Nos. 10 and 38 Squadrons relished the opportunity to hunt submarines and behave like enemy aircraft as part of Exercise Bersama Shield 17.

Bersama Shield is a major annual training exercise, involv-ing nations from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

Air and naval assets from Aust ra l ia , Malays ia , New Zealand, Singapore and the UK were put through their paces in international waters off the coast of Malaysia from April 26 to May 9.

Commander Aus t r a l i an Contingent WGCDR Paul Webb said FPDA exercises such as Bersama Shield demonstrate Australia’s key defence relation-ships in the region.

“We’ve certainly seen inter-operab i l i ty enhanced and improved professional relation-ships, which are very important in the region,” he said.

A KA350 King Air and its crew from 38SQN in Townsville wa s d e p l oy e d t o R M A F Butterworth as part of this year’s exercise.

FLTLT Michael Bannerman said the King Air, despite nor-mally being a light transport air-craft, played the role of asym-metric threat during the exercise.

This meant harassing the combined FPDA naval surface fleet under a number of different guises.

“Our job was basically to ignore all the threats from the fleet to go away, and just to buzz around and see what their response to that was: How did they respond to the threat? Did they follow their orders?” FLTLT Bannerman said.

The 38SQN KA350 was also intercepted by Hornets from the Royal Malaysian Air Force as part of its role-playing.

The inclusion of Navy sub-marine HMAS Farncomb pro-vided an ideal training oppor-tunity for an AP-C3 Orion and its crew from 10SQN at RAAF Edinburgh.

FLGOFF Larissa Stephens said the AP-C3 deployed passive sonar buoys and radar-flooded the exercise area in an attempt to catch the sub during the war exercise phase.

“It was a great experience being able to explore our abil-ity at anti-submarine warfare and hunting HMAS Farncomb about the ocean,” she said.

“It was fantastic for us to go out and actually hunt a real sub in that it honed our abil-ity and also developed HMAS Farncomb’s ability to evade us.”

10SQN crew members made the most of using the Orion on exercise, knowing the aircraft is soon to be replaced by the P-8A Poseidon.

“It’s fantastic fun to fly, it’s a real pilot’s aircraft and I’ll miss it when it retires,” FLGOFF Stephens said. Two Malaysian FA-18 Hornets escort an Australian

KA350 King Air from a restricted area near the Malaysian coast during Exercise Bersama Shield.Above: An AP-3C Orion takes off from Butterworth.Photos: CPL Steve Duncan

An online resource for ADF members and their families to fi nd information on their posting location.

www.defencecommunityhub.org.auA joint initiative of Defence Community Organisation, Defence Families of Australia and Defence Housing Australia.

10 May 18, 2017RCEAIR FNews

FLGOFF Adam Primmer

FOLLOWING the unveiling of the John Jackson memorial in Papua New Guinea, commemorative activities were held closer to home at RAAF Base Tindal on April 28, with No. 75 Squadron marking the 75th anniversary of its formation.

Hosted by CO 75SQN WGCDR Mick Grant, veterans far and wide visited RAAF Base Tindal, sharing stories of their experi-ences while serving within 75SQN.

Veterans engaged in a number of squad-ron-wide activities that encompassed a variety of memorial, social and Air Force familiarisation activities to help them gain an understanding of contemporary aspects of a modern day Air Force.

In true Territorian style, commemo-rative activities ended with a “Dining-In Night” hosted by CO 75SQN, and attend-ed by current and former serving 75SQN members. The dining-in night integrated Air Force and squadron traditions, both new and old, and paid homage to the sac-rifices of those who had served within 75SQN over the past 75 years.

SENGO 75SQN SQNLDR Aleisha Broadhead said she was delighted with the enthusiasm and genuine interest squadron members took when engaging with 75SQN veterans, adding that these events ensured that the heritage and history of 75SQN, and

of Air Force operations, is preserved well into the future.

Also attending the event was historical author and keen supporter of 75SQN’s his-tory – Michael Veitch. Author of 44 Days: 75 Squadron and the Fight for Australia, Mr Veitch said speaking about 75SQN his-tory to current serving members within 75SQN had been one of his most intimidat-ing audiences to date.

Mr Veitch prepared and presented a rousing speech to a captivated squadron

audience, recounting the trials and hard-ships encountered during the 44 days of 75SQN’s air defence of Port Moresby and New Guinea, and other ongoing operational achievements made by 75SQN.

WGCDR Grant said these commemora-tive events were important in ensuring the squadron’s history was passed onto the next generation of Air Force members.

“These commemorative events have left a lasting impression which will be remem-bered for years to come,” he said.

Unit’s 75 reasons to celebrate

War heritageMORE than $150,000 will be provided to community projects around the country that commemorate Australia’s wartime heritage. Defence Personnel Minister Dan Tehan said the latest round of funding under the Saluting their Service grants program would allow local communities to honour their military history. “As a nation we honour the men and women who serve in our armed forces and these projects will help record and promote different ele-ments of our shared experience,” he said. “The Saluting their Service program is designed to preserve our wartime heritage and to involve people throughout the nation in a wide range of activities and projects.” Applications for the next round of funding will open on July 1. Contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Commemorative Grants team on 1800 026 185 or email commemorativegrants@dva.gov.au

National Families WeekEVERY year, Defence supports National Families Week in recognition of the important role ADF families play in supporting members and the work they do. This year’s theme is ‘Stronger families, stronger communities’, and encourages people to spend time with their families, make contact with extended family and take part in activities in the wider community. Throughout this month, the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) will host family events around the country with a range of activities designed to bring Defence families together to celebrate. Families will have the opportunity to take time out to catch up with other Defence families, have fun together and celebrate. They will also get the chance to meet the area’s local DCO support team, who provide programs and services to help Defence families manage the military way of life. Visit www.defence.gov.au/dco for information on family activities in your area or call the all-hours Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 for information about DCO and its range of support services.

Patricia and Arthur Jackson, right, donate the medals of their late father (SQNLDR John Jackson) to representatives of the Commemorative Display at the Port Moresby Jackson International Airport. Photo: CPL Ben Dempster

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RAAF Base Williamtown opened up its doors on April 30 to take part in what was dubbed the “World’s Largest Open House”.

The base hosted the NSW Kids in Need charity event, with the base precinct opened to the public, showcasing a static display of current Air Force aircraft operated by Williamtown squadrons.

Aircraft on display included an F/A-18 Hornet, E-7A Wedgetail, PC-9/A and Hawk 127 aircraft. Additional attractions included the Air Force’s Panther airfield fire truck, a Bushmaster vehicle troop carrier as well as camouflage face-painting – which proved to be popular activities for all ages.

AIRCDRE Craig Heap, said the event raised funds for the six charities that support the NSW Kids In Need Foundation.

“We are proud to join with organisations such as the Royal Australian Navy and New South

Wales Fire and Rescue to support NSW Kids in Need,” he said.

AIRCDRE Heap said the charity event at Williamtown was another opportunity for local personnel to serve the community.

“We are honoured to contribute to the signifi-cant work these charities undertake for the NSW community,” he said.

“It is a privilege to host children and families who access these incredible charities – as well as the wider community – and provide them with a behind-the-scenes look at some of our assets while raising money to support the NSW Kids In Need Foundation.”

The Williamtown event was part of a state-wide “World’s Largest Open House” fundraising activity involving military and emergency ser-vice establishments and locations of interest with restricted public access.

Helping kids in need

LACW Louise Chamberlain paints Dylan’s face with camouflage cream while dad Matthew watches.

Melinda Phillips with daughter Ava and LAC

Joshua Wynder at the 4SQN

PC-9/A static display.

11May 18, 2017RCEAIR F News

Five-year-old Lincoln and dad Matthew visit the Hawk 127 static display.

AIRCDRE Craig Heap, with members of the Ryan family,

Joshua, centre, and from left, his mum Belinda, aunt Drou, uncle Joe and brother Issaac

at the NSW Kids In Need charity event.

Photos: CPL Nicci Freeman

12 13RCEAIR FCentrepiece May 18, 2017

IT WAS a feast for the eyes of plane spotters on the weekend with the largest Defence presence yet at the Wings Over Illawarra Airshow. The bookends of day one was what

had lens caps dropping. The Red Berets welcomed the crowd

to Wings over Illawarra with a display jump from the A4 DHC-4 Caribou and the F/A 18A Hornets stole the show with an epic “Wall of Fire” display as the

curtain closer. For SQNLDR Paul Simmons, the

display

at Illawarra Regional Airport (south of Wollongong) was an important exercise for Defence.

“It is about helping to ignite a fire in the belly of the kids in the crowd, and showing them that with hard work and persistence your dreams are possible,” he said.

The airshow, the largest in NSW and the closest to Sydney, is popular with flying fans.

About 30,000 spectators were treated to more than eight hours of aerial dis-plays over two days. The flying display included a Wolf Pitts and an Extra 300

but event organiser Mark Bright said Defence aircraft

were the

major drawcard. “The show wouldn’t be what it is without Defence,” he said.

The Roulettes demonstrated the aerobatic prowess of the Air Force and all eyes were on No. 36 Squadron’s C-17A Globemaster when it took to the air.

Among the spectators was Jason Francis who said he was a fan of the faster aircraft.

“The Hornets are where it is at, I will never get sick of their rumbling sound,” he said.

Defence has been proudly participating in the Wings over Illawarra Airshow’s for 11 years. It provides an opportunity to showcase Defence capabilities and highly-

skilled people to the Illawarra and surrounding

communities.

WINGING IT OVER ILLAWARRA

Air Force had the crowds gasping in awe as its aircraft rumbled over the skies of Wollongong, FLGOFF Alice Mason reports

The crowd watches while the Roulettes begin their aerobatic display.

A C-130J Hercules transport aircraft from 37SQN arrives at the air show.

An aerobatic display gets into full swing while Defence Force personnel are accompanied to an F/A-18A Hornet by its pilot. Photos: CPL Oliver Carter

The Roulettes perform an aerobatic display.

Members of the public watch an F/A-18A Hornet as it arrives after performing a capability demonstration.

An F/A-18A Hornet performs an aerobatic display over the skies of Illawarra.

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FeatureRCEAIR F May 18, 2017 15

Flying into the futureA squadron leader is conducting PhD research on alternative aviation fuels with solid prospects of reducing reliance on fossil fuels, Barrie Bardoe reports

SQNLDR Ulas Yildirim, of the Defence Aviation Safety Authority, can lay claim to something quite unusual for an

Air Force officer – an Army Combat Badge earned during a deployment to Afghanistan.

With two other Air Force deploy-ments to the Middle East under his belt, he has considerable operational experience. But it is his PhD research into alternative aviation fuels that may well contribute to delivering capability.

In 2012, he was promoted to SQNLDR and was posted to the Joint Fuels and Lubricants Agency as the Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants Engineer for aviation products. This marked the beginning of a journey that may prove to make a big contribution to changing the way the Air Force flies into the future.

“Due to various organisational changes, I was required to take on the role of Chief Engineer responsible for ADF Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants (POL),” SQNLDR Yildirim said.

“This is where I felt undercooked, noting I had limited experience in this area.

“To fill the knowledge gaps in my new role, I decided to study in my own time through the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Initially I under-took a Masters degree and that turned into a PhD in aerospace engineering.

“I am now five years into my studies which delve into applied chemistry and gas turbine technology, investigating the effects of modern alternative fuels on aircraft gas turbine performance.”

It may seem hard to credit, but

there is a lot about aviation fuels which remains unknown. “World jet fuel speci-fications are based on decades of accu-mulated experience developed through trial and error,” SQNLDR Yildirim said.

“Due to jet fuel’s complex nature,

rather than define its composition, jet fuel specifications have evolved primar-ily as performance specifications relying on accumulated experience.

“Criteria such as flash point, freeze point, volatility and so forth are mandat-

ed by engine and airframe manufacturers to ensure that the final product behaves as expected when in use.”

However it is not known what role many molecules in jet fuels actually play, if any, in achieving these criteria. This has opened up the possibility that fuels derived from alternatives to fossil fuels with fewer molecules may in fact do the job just as well.

“New generation fuels are produced using different feedstock such as algae, alcohol, and fermented sugars, to name a few,” SQNLDR Yildirim said.

“This creates a situation where the new fuels have much fewer hydrocarbon molecules as part of their make-up.

“However, the impact of these nar-row distillation profile fuels within gas turbines is not well known.”

One possible issue is increased wear and tear on jet engines, and issues with fuel seals leading to potential leaks.

Normally testing this would require extremely large quantities of fuel, mak-ing it quite prohibitive, but SQNLDR Yildirim is using a small gas turbine engine to replicate the use patterns of the real thing.

“The quest for alternative aviation fuels is becoming a high priority with fossil fuels being a finite resource, and demand increasing,” he said.

SQNLDR Ulas Yildirim’s PhD research into alternative aviation

fuels may contribute to delivering capability into the future.

Photo: Robert Palmer

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AFTER travelling more than 200,000km during its 20 month tenure, the Spirit of Anzac Centenary

Experience (SACE) closed in Sydney on April 27.

A n i n t e r a c t i v e e x h i b i -tion, SACE brought the story of Australia’s involvement in WWI to more than 350,000 visitors in 23 cities and regional centres across the country using a mix of visual effects, artefacts, audio and film.

To mark the final leg of the tour, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosted dignitaries, vol-unteers and sponsors to celebrate SACE’s success.

“The Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience is the flagship of our centenary commemorations of the Great War,” the Prime Minister said.

“You’ve brought our most treas-ured stories out of the museums, out of the history books. You've given them life, and you've brought them into the lives of Australians today, a century on.

“You've honoured the sacrifice of those Anzacs and you've hon-

oured the values for which they fought.”

ACAUST AVM Gavin Turnbull (now DCAF) attended the recep-tion with other senior ADF person-nel, including VCDF VADM Ray Griggs.

VADM Griggs referred to the logistical support Defence provid-ed SACE in order to transport and store artefacts, and recognised the 1157 ADF members who guided visitors through the exhibition.

“It has been a remarkable feat and one that Defence has been sup-porting right from the very start,” VADM Griggs said.

“The ADF members involved with SACE didn’t just help convey the Anzac history to visitors, they served as living examples of those values, behaviours and traditions of the original Anzacs, and how they continue to be embodied in the contemporary ADF.”

In a first for SACE, visitors to the Sydney exhibition had the opportunity to attend a special Last Post ceremony each day. The ceremonies replicated the format of the Last Post ceremony held at

the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, which pays tribute to one Australian named on the Roll of Honour each day.

At each ceremony, an ADF member told the story of a soldier from Sydney who fought and died on the Western Front in 1917. To conclude the ceremony, descend-ants of some of the soldiers whose stories were told laid wreaths at a wooden cross that once marked the grave of an unknown soldier on the battlefields of WWI.

VA D M G r i g g s s a i d t h a t Defence was proud to support SACE as part of the ongoing cen-tenary of Anzac commemorations.

“SACE has brought the sto-ries of our original Anzacs to the Australian towns where they lived and worked, where they signed up to serve and where they said their goodbyes to family and friends,” VADM Griggs said.

“Today, the spirit of Anzac is exemplified in the outstanding efforts of our people on operations, at home and when they support important community activities such as this exhibition.”

A fitting close for exhibition

Dignitaries converge in Sydney to praise the flagship of the centenary commemorations of the Great War

CPL Anosa Emmanuel salutes during the Last Post

ceremony at the Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience.

Photo: ABIS Bonny Gassner

Feature RCEAIR F May 18, 201716

‘Look forward

N O. 2 SQUADRON com-memorated the 50th anniversary of the start of the Canberra Bomber

operations in the Vietnam War, during combat operations over Iraq and Syria.

The E-7A task element, com-prising current 2SQN person-nel, has a member serving with a family link to the 2SQN Vietnam deployment 50 years ago.

FLTLT James Shelton, current-ly deployed as part of Operation Okra in the Middle East region (MER) as an Air Battle Manager with the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Ear ly Warn ing and Cont ro l Aircraft, reflected on the history of the squadron as well as his own family history during the 50th anniversary of 2SQN’s involve-ment in the Vietnam War.

John Raymond Shearer, FLTLT Shelton’s grandfather, was post-ed to 2SQN as an engine fitter on the Canberra Bomber which was deployed to Vietnam in 1967. As an LAC he deployed and left behind a wife and five daugh-ters, the youngest was FLTLT Shelton’s mother, just two months old.

“He arrived in Vietnam on April 19 in 1967, and stayed until March 22 the following year,” FLTLT Shelton said.

During LAC Shearer’s time in Vietnam, he was known as “Ray” or “Grandad” as he was more than 40 years old and a LAC.

He completed a total of 339 days in theatre which is much longer than deployments today.

“My grandad had previously left the Air Force to begin work as a farmer and to start a fam-ily. When he received news of the conflict in Vietnam, he re-enlist-ed and was posted to 2SQN in Amberley, Queensland,” FLTLT Shelton said.

“His deployment to Vietnam was very different to today’s oper-ations, they flew more aircraft and sorties during the strike bombing days than we do now.”

The squadron deployed to an operational USAF base at Phan Rang, however they had to build their own amenities including pathways, bunkers and a mess.

“There was a constant fear of attack and squadron person-nel were required to contribute manpower to airfield defence as well as their primary role,” FLTLT Shelton said.

“I have heard stories of mem-bers of his squadron frantically loading magazines inside the hangars, rocket attacks, catch-ing saboteurs attempting to enter through the fences and minor skir-mishes.

“The most significant event

As No. 2 Squadron commemorates a significantanniversary, FLTLT James Shelton reflects on his grandfather’s service, FLTLT Natalie Giles writes

FeatureRCEAIR F May 18, 2017 17

It was 2SQN’s efforts during the Vietnam War that make it the most decorated squadron in the Air Force today.

FLTLT James SheltonAir Battle Manager

Family ties: Vietnam to Middle East

during his deployment was the Tet Offensive.

FLTLT Shelton described it as an honour to be serving on operations in the same squad-ron 50 years on.

“It was 2SQN’s efforts dur-ing the Vietnam War that made it the most decorated squadron in the Air Force today, award-ed the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and the United States Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V Device,” he said.

“While they worked hard, they were still given the oppor-tunity to unwind on the beach during respite.

“The social club provided boats and fishing rods, and the bar was always a favourite.”

The 50th anniversary of 2SQN was commemorated on April 23 with a wreath lay-ing ceremony at the Australian War Memorial and a Last Post ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier. There was also a formal dinner with the 2SQN Association.

The Air Task Group (ATG) of Operation Okra, is operat-ing at the request of the Iraqi Government within a US-led international coalition, assem-bled to disrupt and degrade Daesh in the MER.

The ATG comprises seven Air Force F/A-18A Hornet fighter aircraft, an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Command and Control aircraft, and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

In addition, the ATG has per-sonnel working in the Combined Ai r and Space Opera t ions Centre, and an embedded US tactical Command and Control Unit.

Above right: FLTLT James Shelton, who is currently deployed with No. 2 Squadron as part of Operation Okra, reflects on his grandfather LAC John Shearer’s service to the same squadron 50 years ago (above left). Photo: CPL Sebastian Beurich

One human resource management and payroll system for One DefenceDefence OneDefence One R1a, the new pay system for members, will enablepersonnel to submit requests through the Defence RestrictedNetwork (DRN) or Home Portal Employee Self Service and allowthe supervisor or manager to action the request themselves, orrefer to the appropriate approver using Manager Self Service.

This will allow absences, allowances and deductions to beprocessed sooner!

A supervisor will be notified of a new request via a systemgenerated email which can be actioned through Manager SelfService.

By default, the system will ensure requests go to the followingminimum rank in the member’s chain of command:

» Absences: CPO / WO2 / FSGT / APS4

» Allowances: LCDR / MAJ / SQNLDR / APS6

The member will have the ability to select an alternate approverwho must be of the appropriate ranks detailed above. Deductionrequests do not require approval.

As a Commanding Officer, Manager and Supervisor, one ofthe most important things you do each day is make decisions onpersonnel matters, including whether or not to approve absenceor allowance requests.

1. Check you are the right person to action the Approval

Assessing whether or not you are the right person to approve arequest should be made in conjunction with legislation and policyguidance contained in PACMAN. PACMAN gives access todeterminations and authorisations which sets out the approvingauthority or decision-makers Approving an absence or allowancerequest through Self Service is the same as signing a legaldocument. Individual Services may have discrete administrativebusiness processes for the approval of requests which will beadvised through each of the Services.

Remember! Just because an Absence Request defaults to aWO2(E), does not mean this rank should approve all requests

The Pay system is changing...Supervising Members in Defence One– for example, Long Service Leave requests require a MAJ(E)approval.

2. Check the request is complete

Complete -> If a request is Complete, and you are the correctApprover, you can choose to Approve or Deny the request.

Incomplete -> As a ‘manager’ in Self Service, you will be able to‘push back’ requests to the member via Self Service to requestadditional information. The member can modify the request andresubmit via Self Service or cancel the request entirely.

3. Action the request as soon as possible

To avoid unnecessary delays, it is important you action therequest promptly upon receipt of the email advising you a requesthas been raised.

If requests remain un-actioned:

» 7 days after submission, you will be sent a reminder

» 14 days after submission, a second reminder will be sent toyou, and your ‘Reports to’ manager, and

» 21 days after submission, all un-actioned requests will beescalated to your ‘Reports to’ manager for action with adviceto the member.

FAQsWhat if I am not going to be available to action arequest?

If you will not be available to approve absence and/or allowancerequests, you will be able to assign another authorised person,a proxy, to action requests on your behalf. This individual mustmeet the minimum rank to perform the approvals and complywith any other applicable policy requirements. The assignedperson will receive all absence or allowance requests whichwould normally be submitted to you. You will not see therequests submitted during your absence as they will go directlyto the assigned person.

What Training and Support is available?

You are accountable for the decisions you make in Defence Oneto approve or deny an absence or allowance request. To assistyou there will be:

» A Campus eLearning course to reinforce the ‘decisionmaking’ process and ensure requests submitted via SelfService are actioned according to policy. This course will beavailable on the 1st June 2017.

» Each Self Service page includes short instructional textgenerally at the bottom of the page.

» User Guides on the Self Service Portal home page will beaccessible by clicking the ‘Help’ link in the top right handcorner of any Self Service page.

» Further information on the policy around decision makingis available in ADFP 06.1.3, Executive Series Guide toAdministrative Decision Making and in the Decision Maker’sHandbook, published by Personnel Policy and EmploymentConditions Branch.

What do I need to do before the new pay system goeslive in August 2017?

1. Supervisors and managers must ensure all leave, allowancesand other requests for personnel in their Chain of Command,either submitted via Self Service or paper forms, areapproved or denied before Defence One go live. Furthercommunication on this activity will provide a detailed list ofinstructions closer to go live.

2. Ensure the your staff have logged into PMKeyS Self Serviceand ensured their details are correct, including Rank, Contactdetails, Categorisation, Position Details and Location,Allowances and Leave Data. Incorrect information may leadto a delay or an under or overpayment for your members.

For Further information visit: Defence Home > Groups > CIOG > For CIOG Staff > CIOG Initiatives > Defence One

DPS:APR028-17

18 May 18, 2017RCEAIR FPersonnel

Streamlining the pay system

Tammy Meacham

WHEN the new pay system launches in August, Defence One Self Service will deliver standardised processes for applying for and actioning the major-ity of absence and some allowance and deduction applications across Defence.

Where members previously submitted a paper application or SmartForm, Defence One R1a will enable personnel to submit requests through Employee Self Service acces-sible via the DRN or home portal. This will allow the approving authority or decision maker to action the request themselves, or refer to the appropri-ate approver through Manager Self Service.

Director-General Personnel – Army BRIG Leigh Wilton said the new ‘one step’ manager approval process within Defence One would improve the speed of processing of members’ leave and allowances.

“At the same time, it will reduce current re-keying data errors that affect members’ pay,” BRIG Wilton said.

“In addition to the Self Service Approver eLearning, there are detailed manager quick reference guides for allowances and leave transactions. These will be available on the eMPA

website prior to ‘go live’ [on August 7].”

Requests for absences and allow-ances will be notified via a system-generated email that can be actioned through Manager Self Service.

By default, requests will be submitted to the following mini-mum rank: �WO2 / CPO / FSGT /

APS4 supervisors of ADF members will receive absence (i.e. leave) applications; and

MAJ / LCDR / SQNLDR / APS6 supervisors of ADF members will receive allowance applications.

The member will have the ability to select an alter-nate approver who also must be of the appropriate rank. Deduction requests do not require approval.

See the advertisement below for further information.

DO YOU have a passion for motorcycles and want to contribute to raising money and awareness to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation?

Air Force motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country are encouraged to register for this year’s The Long Ride, a well-renowned event that will tour Tasmania with a full counter-clockwise lap of the island.

Riders will meet in Melbourne on October 13 and take the Spirit of Tasmania to Devonport. The first night of the tour will be spent in Burnie on October 14, finishing up in Launceston on October 20. The tour will go through towns large and small, including Strahan, Hobart and St Helens.

Every rider should aim to raise at least $1000 which goes towards research and community-based support programs. The last ride saw motorcyclists roll into Margaret River and raised $380,000.

The event, long supported by members of the Air Force, has been running since 2007 and has previ-ously toured Darwin, Perth, Cairns and Uluru.

Former participant and advocate of The Long Ride, WGCDR Paul Connor, said interested riders need a minimum of a current provisional motorcycle licence, with riders of all makes and models of road-worthy motorcycles welcomed.

“The smallest motorcycle to participate in The Long Ride was a Vespa 125cc and the rider rode in a suit and tie,” WGCDR Connor said.

“This event gives you a good perspective of your-self and how you can change your life for the better.

“If you want a challenge and want to make a con-tribution to the community, then join the Long Ride. You’ll visit places you’ve never been, make new friends and above all, you’ll make a difference.”

Registrations close on July 31, but early registration is encouraged to ensure space on the Spirit of Tasmania. For further information contact WGCDR Paul Connor at long.ride@defence.gov.au

Motorcyclists wanted

NCORestricted Court Martial4 x Signing a False Service Document – DFDA s 55(1)(a)2 x Ordering Commission of a Service Offence – DFDA s 62(1)The member was accused of signing a service document which was false in material particulars, in connection with a training assessment of another member. The member was also accused of ordering the commission of service offences, by ordering subordinate members to complete a training assessment of another member, knowing that the other member had not completed the training. The member pleaded not guilty to the charges but was found guilty of the charges. The member was reduced in rank by one rank (having also forfeited seniority in their previous rank), fined $13,972.95 (with $9972.95 suspended, and the balance to be paid in instalments), and severely reprimanded.

ORDefence Force Magistrate1 x Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm – DFDA s 33AThe member was accused of assaulting another member, causing physical injury to the member. The member pleaded guilty to the charge and was found guilty of the charge. The member was sentenced to 49 days of detention (with 14 days of it suspended).

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

APRIL TRIAL RESULTS

19May 18, 2017RCEAIR F Personnel

Changing how units request service airEamon Hamilton

A NEW Online Air Mobility Request and Booking System from June 2017 will change how Defence units can request service air to reach their destination.

The Air Mobility Control Centre (AMCC) at RAAF Base Richmond is transitioning to the Air Mobility Tasking and Control System (AMTACS) mid-year.

The AMCC is responsible for the planning, coordination and control of Air Force’s air mobility fleet, including the King Air 350, C-130J, C-27J , C-17A and KC-30A aircraft.

AMCC processes approximately 300 air mobility requests each month and con-trols up to 20 air mobility missions each day.

Since its formation in 2005, the AMCC has largely processed all of these air mobility requests using Excel forms, spreadsheets and email.

CO AMCC WGCDR James Hogg said the introduction of AMTACS would integrate all of these disparate tools and result in a more streamlined process.

“From the customer perspective, the AMTACS will replace the Air Mobility Request (AMR) and the Movement Decision (MOVDEC) that are currently used,” WGCDR Hogg said.

“It will be a fully integrated booking,

planning and tasking system accessed through the web browser on the Defence Protected Network (DPN).”

The AMTACS site on the Intranet will allow users to log in, submit their request, and manage any changes.

“Once fully operational, it will improve the overall customer experi-ence from raising their booking, right through to when they depart on the flight,” WGCDR Hogg said.

“AMTACS will allow the customer to track their request, and view whether it has been approved and allocated a mission.”

To manage the transition period, cus-tomers will be advised by planning staff at AMCC when to stop using the current practice with AMRs and MOVDECs, and move over to AMTACS.

“Customer are encouraged to sub-mit AMRs at four weeks and up to

eight weeks in advance of their task-ing request,” WGCDR Hogg said. “Customers should hold off submitting AMRs for tasks planned after August 1, as these requests can be submitted through AMTACS once it goes live in July.”

Further information will be provided to all ADF customers about the AMTACS, in the near future via DEFGRAMS and the ADF Intranet home page.

SGT Jessica Johnson (left) and FLGOFF Annemarie Peacock discuss an upcoming mission in the Air Mobility Control Centre.Photo: CPL Oliver Carter

‘

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20 May 18, 2017RCEAIR FPersonnel

Rising to the challenge

They empower their people through training and development to take on responsibilities you would never get so early in another career.

FLGOFF David KennedyOIC Aircraft, 33SQN

ADFA graduate FLGOFF David

Kennedy always planned to join the

Air Force. Photo: CPL David Cotton

FLTLT Natalie Giles

GROWING up in Queensland’s far north, FLGOFF David Kennedy had his sights set on serving in the Air Force at a young age.

Joining straight out of St Augustine’s College in Cairns, David was commissioned into the Air Force as an aeronautical engineering officer through ADFA.

At just 23, FLGOFF Kennedy is responsible for leading a team of maintenance personnel to maintain the technical airworthiness of the KC-30A, refuelling aircraft deployed to Operation Okra to support coalition air strike operations.

“It’s my job to ensure that the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance is done safely and sustainably,” FLGOFF Kennedy said.

“It’s my job to make sure the aircraft can safely fly within accept-able safety margins.

“I received four years of leader-ship and management training while I completed my engineering degree

and this training enables me to make these kinds of decisions.”

FLGOFF Kennedy said it was a lot of responsibility for someone his age, but that was one of the great things about being trained by the Air Force.

“We empower our people through training and development to

take on responsibilities you would never get so early in another career,” FLGOFF Kennedy said.

“Every time the KC-30A com-pletes its mission, I feel pride know-

ing that my efforts have paid off, that our team has worked together well, and that we have contributed positively to the Iraqi people to ena-ble them to take their country back from Daesh.”

FLGOFF Kennedy said he joined the Air Force immediately after fin-ishing Year 12 because of the oppor-

tunity to work with some of the most advanced technology in the world and to give back to his country.

“I always wanted to join the ADF because I share its values like teamwork and camaraderie,” he said.

After completing his degree at ADFA, FLGOFF Kennedy commenced an addi-tional year of training with a KC-30A squadron to prepare for deployment.

“This deployment on Operation Okra is the pin-nacle of my career so far,” he

said.“Being able to apply my skills

to contribute to coalition efforts to make the world a better place is a great opportunity I am enjoying.”

21May 18, 2017RCEAIR F Flightline

Who’s leaving after 20+ yearsName Must/Spec Last day Years

SQNLDR Paul Richardson ELECTR Apr 1 42

FSGT Paul Bakker ARMTECH Apr 8 41

WOFF Colin Park AVSYSTECH Apr 11 38

WOFF Anthony Keogh FLTENG Apr 3 37

WGCDR Ian Greer NURS Apr 2 32

WOFF Michael Papa SUP Apr 27 31

FSGT David Shellshear AIA Apr 26 29

SQNLDR Haydn Cohen NURS Apr 28 28

CPL Russell Connors CISCON Apr 20 28

WOFF Paul Gebran MOV Apr 24 27

CPL Eileen Dudman MOV Apr 17 27

FLTLT Trevor Amos JBAC/T Apr 10 25

SGT Jason Martin GSEFITT Apr 30 21

WGCDR Tania Jones PCO Apr 2 21

SGT Brent Kinleyside ATECH Apr 2 20

SQNLDR Simon Ozanne PLT Apr 17 20

DEPARTURE LOUNGE

Lisa Mcllvaney, from the airman’s mess, tries on the heavy explosive ordnance disposal suit, assisted by husband SGT Phillip Mcllvaney.Photo: CPL David Gibbs

CPL Carolynne Poida, deployed to the main air operating base in the Middle East region, displays the two military teddies designed for her nephew Jack and niece Amelia in Australia.Photo: CPL Brenton Kwaterski

LAC Rod Pola and wife LACW Leanne Pola with Connie in the arts and crafts tent at Camp Crystal. Photo: CPL Brenton Kwaterski

ACW Amy Moran (right) with a Star Wars Imperial stormtrooper TK 10118 on the 37SQN flightline at RAAF Base Richmond for Star Wars Day on May 4.Photo: SGT Guy Young

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IF YOU gave the six-week fitness pro-gram from this year’s first edition a shot, you might be wondering what to do next to increase and maintain your

fitness. The fitness world is a complex beast

and everyone wants you to join their team or spend your hard-earned dollars with them. The trick is to find something that seems to suit you and do your best to stick with it – at least long enough to reap the physical and mental benefits.

Here are just a few of the fitness options available to you.

Turn up the HIIT HIIT stands for high-intensity interval

training, which involves short bouts of intense exercise, usually for less than four minutes at a time.

Typically, it consists of bodyweight and light-weight exercises that focus on working your entire body.

If you are starting out, you should be closely supervised when using weights or movements you are unfamiliar with.

Most Defence gyms should offer this type of training.

Join the circuitCircuit training is similar to HIIT,

except it is usually conducted over a longer time with short rest periods. It tends to target different energy systems in your body.

Circuit training is usually good for all fitness levels and can be tailored to suit most people.

Defence gyms frequently offer some sort of circuit training.

Be strongStrength programs are a great way to

build muscle mass by lifting weights or doing bodyweight exercises.

The programs can be personalised

and any PTI should be able to give you one to suit your needs.

These programs don’t necessarily require supervision and you can do them whenever and wherever you like.

Bend with the bestDon’t be fooled by perceptions of

yoga as easy and relaxing. There are certain types of yoga that

will have you sweating like crazy and folding into asanas (poses) you didn’t know were possible.

Yoga, or mobility-based training, enhances your strength and flexibility while training you physically and mentally.

Call your gym to see if this is avail-able in your area or a find yoga centre near you.

Be a team playerA lot of team-based sports are played

at this time of year and there is usually a sport for everyone.

They allow individuals to train with a like-minded group in which all the mem-bers share a common goal.

Another option is to train with a club for sports such as running, swimming, cycling, triathlon and rowing. As a mem-ber of a club, you can train with others but compete as an individual.

Most Defence gyms should be able to help you find a team or club.

It’s important to find something you like and make a commitment for at least six to eight weeks. Many people start a fitness activity and give it away before they have had a chance to reap the rewards.

Get down to your local base gym and chat with PTIs, who are a great wealth of knowledge. If they can’t help you they will know who can – and it’s free.

The best way to build your fitness is to find an activity that suits you and make a commitment to it, CPL Brett Suttor writes

Take your pick and stick to it

22 May 18, 2017RCEAIR FHealth & Fitness

PTIs have a wealth of knowledge to share on the best way for you to get fit.Photo: CPL Ben Dempster

23May 18, 2017RCEAIR F Sp rt

FLTLT Tanya Carter

NO-ONE cou ld doubt FLTLT Char les Tomlinson’s dedication to the sport of shooting.

For every hour he spends practising on the range every week, he spends another hour making his own ammunition to keep his costs down.

Those hours have paid off, having improved his skills from a professional perspective and in the competitive arena.

FLTLT Tomlinson led the ADF’s team to the 2017 International Practical Shooting Confederation Australian National Handgun Championships at the Pine Valley Pistol Club in Perth over Easter.

He and WOFF Mike Krcevinac, along with 13 members from Army and the APS, travelled across the Nullarbor to compete in the five-day match alongside close to 400 national and international world-class shooters.

FLTLT Tomlinson said the weather in the west delivered perfect conditions for the match, albeit a little warm.

“I improved on my placing from last year and have already started planning for the 2018 match

to be held at home in Victoria, at the Practical Pistol League of Australia,” he said.

“I spend three or four hours a week on the range, which includes practice as well as taking part in the local weekly match at the Sale Pistol Club.

“I save a fortune by making my own ammuni-tion. But this takes time, adding another three to four hours of preparatory work each week. My wife also enjoys the sport and we go through 300 to 400 rounds per week. It can be quite cathartic.”

FLTLT Tomlinson is posted to Officers’ Training School at RAAF Base East Sale, respon-sible on a daily basis for shaping future leaders.

FLTLT Tomlinson said he would encourage serving members to consider getting into sport shooting.

“It’s a professionally useful skill, an enjoyable hobby and a great way to meet members of the local region with similar interests and represent the Australian Defence Organisation,” he said.

For information on sport shooting in the ADF, visit your local range or the Army Sport Pistol Association at http://drnet/Army/AASPA/Pages/Home.aspx

LEUT Kiz Welling-Burtenshaw

TWO women and six men from Air Force were selected in the ADF Rugby Union squads after the ADFRU Championships at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane from April 30 to May 6.

These selections were the silver lin-ings on a winless campaign against the other services.

ADFA recrui ts OFFCDT Izzy Atkinson-Smith and OFFCDT Skye

McKissock impressed the selectors in their games against Navy and Army to gain a spot in the ADFRU squad.

The six men to make the ADFRU squad were LAC Peatrie Birney, FLGOFF Daniel Thomson, CPL Z a c h a r y S t u d d e r s , L AC L i a m Krautz, LAC Nathan Lalliard and AC Emerson Burgess.

The men kept their Navy opponents on their toes, crossing the line twice before losing 31-14. The scorers were

wingers AC Lloyd Price and LAC Brady Cochrane, who converted both tries.

Air Force outside centre AC Isaac Kneipp scored after a strong build-up play against Army.

The unconverted try was the team’s only score in the game, with Army win-ning 60-5.

On the other side of the game, highly regarded referee SQNLDR James Hagan was selected to officiate over the men’s final at the championships.

SQNLDR Hagan took command of what he said was a highly competitive and physical match.

“I thoroughly enjoyed refereeing at the ADFRU championships because of the enthusiasm and camaraderie dis-played during each game,” he said.

“By refereeing ADF rugby I get to stay involved and also give back to the sport that I love.”

Lack of tries not for lack of trying

No ordinary ordnance

FLTLT Charles Tomlinson is aiming

for next year’s National Handgun

Championships after leading this year’s

ADF team to Perth.Photo: PTE Aaron Turner

FLGOFF Daniel Thomson takes on Army’s CPL Simione Corfe at the ADFRU Championships in Brisbane.Photo: Joel Honig

SP RTMay 18, 2017

© Image courtesy of Department of Defence

Assisting serving and ex-servingADF members and their familiesin times of injury, illnessand crisis.

rsldefencecare.org.au

ON THE CHARGE

We do the hard yards on the rugby pitch

Page 23OFFCDT Katherine Handley

searches for a gap in the Navy defensive line at the ADFRU National

Championships in Brisbane.Photo: Joel Honig