AIRF RCEVol. 55, No. 4, March 14, 2013 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

2013 AVALON AIRSHOW EDITION

AIR POWER

Four-page special liftout inside

TAKING TO THE SKIES

March 14, 2013 RCEAIR F

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE LIFTOUT

2013 AVALON AIRSHOW

Thousands flocked to Avalon

to take in the breathtaking

stunts, inspect military

history and catch up on

all the latest advances in

aviation at the Australian

International Airshow

Photos: CPL Guy Young

and LAC David Cotton

THRILLING DISPLAY: The F/A-18F Super Hornet was one of the major attractions at the 2013 Australian International Airshow

at Avalon from March 1-3. Pictured is a 1SQN Super Hornet undertaking a “safe

escape manoeuvre”, designed to miss the explosion of bombs and the ground, during a mock airfield attack display.

Photo: CPL Glen McCarthyUP CLOSE: Bottom of page, crowds

swarm around historical aircraft lined along the taxiway during the airshow. Photo: CPL Guy Young

2 March 14, 2013RCEAIR FNews

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RESPECT – EXCELLENCE – AGILITY – DEDICATION – INTEGRITY – TEAMWORKLiving the Air Force Values:

Harley Dennett

AIRMEN and women, sailors and sol-diers participated in Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in uniform for the first time on March 2.

A crowd of more than 100,000 onlookers braved the threat of storms to cheer on the 120-strong volunteer con-tingent, comprised of ADF members and two New Zealand Defence Force mem-bers, who marched in the “A1” first float position, following the recognition of the First Australians.

Headed by AIRCDRE Tracy Smart, with GPCAPT Dee Gibbon leading the RAAF division of 30 personnel, the three formed bodies in Service order were greeted with thunderous applause for over the 2.5km parade route from Hyde Park to Anzac Parade.

Two New Zealand Defence Force members also marched with the ADF.

AIRCDRE Smart said as exciting as it was for them as participants, it was also exciting for Australia.

“It was great to hear the cheers from the crowds, thanking us and supporting us for the work we do and what this uni-form represents,” she said.

GPCAPT Gibbon said it was a feel-ing of not only acceptance, but encour-agement and overwhelming support.

“The crowds literally stood and cheered when we marched past but the best part [of the ADF’s involvement in the Mardi Gras] was hearing just how much the decision meant to the men and women who marched in the parade – many of whom still face a lack of accept-ance from their own families,” GPCAPT Gibbon said.

“I felt incredibly proud of the ADF and how far we've come.”

As has become a tradition for Mardi Gras floats, the ADF contingent included both homosexual and heterosexual sup-porters. Additionally, space was offered to allow non-uniformed supporters, espe-cially partners and family, to follow the Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service (DEFGLIS) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) Information Service float.

Both CDF GEN David Hurley and Defence Parliamentary Secretary Senator David Feeney acknowledged that not

all ADF members had agreed with this activity. Senator Feeney said it was the right decision and a “rewarding moment when our ADF members can be who they were born to be and proud of it”.

SQNLDR Vince Chong, of DEFGLIS, was overwhelmed by the positive feedback about the impact of the event, particularly from those who said they still didn’t feel comfortable being open about themselves in their unit or bringing their partner to work functions.

“The most rewarding thing about this year's Mardi Gras was hearing a num-ber of participants telling me that they gained a greater sense of self-confidence by just being around other LGBTI per-sonnel and straight allies who support them,” he said.

“A father of two and member of the Air Force who watched the parade expressed his pride at being able to show his children that he was part of the ADF – an inclusive employer that strongly supported diversity.

“I want to acknowledge the young officer cadets and midshipmen – some straight, some gay – who participated in this event. Their participation means that the future leaders of the Defence Force will be capable of the transformational leadership necessary to generate and maintain inclusive culture right from the onset of their careers.”

The participants said they felt that they were strongly supported by Defence leadership, and were proud to be able to represent the ADF at this important cul-tural event to show that the ADF is open to all Australians.

“Generating an inclusive culture throughout all of Defence will take continual effort,” SQNLDR Chong said. “And the decision to allow LGBTI per-sonnel and diversity supporters to repre-sent the ADF at the Sydney Mardi Gras is a significant step forward towards that goal.”

Participating personnel, who funded their own travel to and from Sydney for the event, did not have an opportunity to relax or engage with the crowd after the march, as logistics of such a large event necessitated moving them back to HMAS Kuttabul where they celebrated at the mess.

A show of prideIn an historic first, Air Force members march in the Sydney Mardi Gras as part of a uniformed ADF contingent

MAKING HISTORY TOGETHER: Above, the Air Force division marches down Oxford Street as part of the ADF contingent in the 2013 Sydney Mardi Gras parade. More than 120 ADF uniformed personnel, including two New Zealand Defence Force members, marched in the parade, along with ex-Defence, public servants, families and friends. Left, some of the Air Force members who participated. Photos: AB Dove Smithett

Harley Dennett

MARCHING for the second time in the Mardi Gras, this year was par-ticularly special for joint battlefield airfield controller FLTLT Leigh Angus, as he could stand with his fellow ADF members in uniform.

“It’s definitely pride in the uniform, you think about everyone else who has worn the uniform or serving overseas, and even if you don’t get to serve overseas you’re helping look after a bigger group of people who look after and defend Australia,” FLTLT Angus said.

Making the long trip from RAAF Base Pearce for the event, FLTLT Angus marched last year with the Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service (DEFGLIS).

He had only met one or two gay people in Defence before his first Mardi Gras last year. To find

himself surrounded by so many gay people for this event and have so many straight supporters was amazing, he said.

“It’s great to see more peo-ple happy about being out in Defence,” FLTLT Angus said. “I’ve been pretty open about it, even though I might not outwardly dis-play signs of being gay, but when I’ve brought a partner, or people have found out I’m gay, nobody has had anything bad to say. I’ve been very accepted.”

He said he was proud to be in the Air Force, fine with being gay, and wanted to show how fine the Air Force is with him being gay.

“Anybody who thinks poorly of other sexual orientations, races or religions should be encouraged to understand that that’s an old viewpoint,” he said. “Air Force is inclusive. That’s the way of the future.”

March extra special for Leigh

SO PROUD: FLTLT Leigh Angus, who marched as part of the ADF contingent. Photo: AB Dove Smithett

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Avalon newsMarch 14, 2013 3RCEAIR F

Eamon Hamilton

A DRAMATIC increase of Air Force’s global reach has occurred with the KC-30A tanker fleet achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC).

Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Dr Mike Kelly announced IOC for the KC-30A on February 26 – the opening day of the 2013 Australian International Airshow at Avalon.

Operated by 33SQN from RAAF Base Amberley, the KC-30As are now cleared to commence opera-tional air-to-air refuelling tasks with their hose-and-drogue refuelling systems with F/A-18A/B Hornets.

They are also able to conduct strategic transport duties.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown spoke about the importance of the KC-30A to Australia.

“For Air Force this is an incred-ibly important event because it gives our Air Force some global reach,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

“It has got an amazing capability not only from air-to-air refuelling

but also from its cargo carrying capacity as well.

“The aircraft recently took a detachment of RAAF personnel [supporting seven F/A-18s] over to Guam to participate in Exercise Cope North, which was with the US Air Force and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force.”

Each aircraft has capacity for 270 passengers and has an under-floor freight capacity of 36 tonnes on eight military pallets.

Four KC-30As have been deliv-ered to 33SQN at Amberley, the lat-est arriving in December.

A fifth aircraft remains in Europe to conduct further test and evaluation of the aircraft’s Aerial Refuelling Boom System.

Air Force is currently undergo-ing a test program to refuel F/A-18F Super Hornets.

Training of 33SQN aircrew, which includes pilots, aerial refu-elling operators and crew attend-ants, is now being conducted from Amberley.

Eamon Hamilton

HIGH over Gippsland on February 27, keen eyes watched a KC-30A ply its trade with a pair of 77SQN Hornets.

In an Australian first, media at the Australian International Airshow watched the KC-30A MRTT conduct air-to-air refuelling, joined by the man who helped make it a reality.

Ewan Ward, Project Director for the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Air-To-Air Refuelling (AAR) Project, was also experiencing his first refuel-ling flight.

Conducted a day after Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was formally declared, the refuelling flight allowed Mr Ward to witness nearly a decade’s work play out in reality.

Since 2004, Mr Ward has directed AIR 5402, the program to acquire and introduce the KC-30A

Tanker ready for ops

KC-30A impresses during Hornet refuel

IOC for KC-30A announced at Avalon

NEW ERA AT AVALON: 33SQN members with a KC-30A at the Australian International Airshow, from left, CO WGCDR Geoff Fox, CPL Kelli Schneider, FLGOFF Simone Batchler and air refuelling officer WOFF David Bull. Right, the tanker landing on the Avalon runway during the show. Photos: LAC David Cotton

REFUELLING FIRST: An F-A/18 being refuelled by the KC-30A on a special media flight during the Avalon airshow. Right inset, CO 33SQN WGCDR Geoff Fox and the Project Director of the Air-to-Air Refuelling Project, Ewan Ward, who joined media on the flight. Photos: LAC David Cotton

to Air Force service. At that time, EADS CASA (now known as Airbus Military) had been announced as the successful tenderer to replace Air Force’s ageing fleet of B707 tanker transports.

But it wasn’t until mid-2011 that the first two aircraft were delivered to Air Force.

Mr Ward said it was awesome to see first-hand the refuelling taking

place over Gippsland. “There was nothing out of the ordinary about the flight as it’s been done many times before, but for me to see it, it’s the realisation of a lot of work by the project team,” Mr Ward said.

“There have certainly been a few challenges on this project, as we’re the lead customer on a complex, developmental and highly integrated military platform.

“But there has also been a lot of achievements as well, evidenced by our bringing the KC-30A to IOC.”

Now, the KC-30A is delivering in excess of the capability delivered by Air Force’s Boeing 707s which were retired in mid-2008, and there’s still more to come.

“We’ve now got our sights set on the boom – we’re looking forward to it being put into RAAF service, as a key outcome towards a final opera-tional capability,” Mr Ward said.

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AS A PRELUDE to the 2013 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition at Avalon, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown held the biennial Chief of Air Force Symposium in Melbourne on February 25.

The symposium included two guest speakers, the Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Major General Ng Chee Meng, and the Commander Pacific Air Forces in US Air Force, General Herbert Carlisle.

AIRMSHL Brown said his aim of

the symposium was simple: “To get a group of airmen from around the world, members of our national and regional security communities, and industry representatives together to discuss air power issues that affect us all”.

In choosing the theme, Air Power in a National Maritime Strategy, CAF said it was an area he was keen to advance for a number of reasons.

“At its core, Australia’s maritime strategy is inherently joint. But joint is a synergetic effect, not a war-fighting

capability,” AIRMSHL Brown said. “The single services and the individual warfighting capabilities underpin our Joint Maritime Strategy. Air power is therefore an essential element of our national security strategy and therefore our maritime strategy.

“What a nation does to prepare for its security and prosperity takes place quite obviously within the con-text of what is going on around it. For Australia and our neighbours the changes in security circumstance these past few years and potentially into the

future are especially challenging, and they demand a re-evaluation of how we think about national security.”

He said geography mattered, and for Air Force it mattered fundamen-tally.

“This has been a key theme I have been exploring for about the last 12 months and it’s one that I think reso-nates both within our national security community, and importantly, among our neighbours and friends in the region also,” he said.

From the symposium, CAF hoped

the participants would arrive at a clearer understanding of the opportuni-ties and challenges the Asian century might hold for all.

“In so doing we might be able to say some sensible things about where Air Force is heading in the com-ing years, and importantly, provide industry and all interested facets of government with a clearer understand-ing of the integral role of industry in Australian air power development over the coming decades,” AIRMSHL Brown said.

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PLAYING THE BLUES: The Air Force Big Band was the star of a different show when it supported the Defence and Industry dinner following the Chief of Air Force Symposium in Melbourne on February 25. Photo: CPL Cam Scott

Avalon news March 14, 20134 RCEAIR F

PROJECTING AIR POWER: CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown delivers his opening address at the biennial Chief of Air Force Symposium in Melbourne. Photo: CPL Guy Young

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WAY before the 2013 Australian International Airshow took off at Avalon from February 26-March 3, a hard-working RAAF logistics team had to get everything ready behind the scenes.

Then they had to keep it all running smoothly throughout the event.

More than 100 personnel, mainly from 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron (381ECSS) at RAAF Base Williamtown, were on the ground at Avalon from mid-February, setting up infrastructure and all the supporting elements to make the bien-nial airshow one to remember.

In a deliberate strategy to conduct the Avalon deployment as an exercise in operating and activating a domestic bare base, Combat Support Group was tasked to activate its expeditionary capability.

Leading the push was 381ECSS XO SQNLDR Benjamin Graves, whose job it was to bring together all the elements of the deployment into one team.

“We established all the background services to support the ADF’s flying and static ground displays,” SQNLDR Graves said.

“We did everything from com-munications, logistics, operations,

Behind the airshow sceneSupporting up to 700 personnel at Avalon was no mean feat for this logistics team

medical and food, to ear plugs and tow motors.”

On November 14 last year, SQNLDR Graves was given the detailed requirements to support Avalon at the main planning confer-ence.

“Taking out Christmas leave, we basically had six weeks to plan the deployment,” he said.

“It was an intense period.”SGT Andrew Mould, of 381ECCS,

was first in place at Avalon to organise basic infrastructure, with the remain-der of the team arriving by road on February 17.

“Within 36 hours we had estab-lished our infrastructure,” SQNLDR Graves said.

“One of biggest challenges was the size of the activity. We normally sup-port up to 300 people with what we have got but we actually supported up to 700 at Avalon.”

He said the 25 Air Force catering staff, that included reservist support, did two shifts a day over a 15-hour period.

“With these numbers we normally feed up to 500 people.

“We fed up to 700 at any one time, so the pressure was on.”

Integration with the organisers, Airshows Down Under, went smoothly and efficiently for the logistics team.

“The organisers were absolutely fantastic,” SQNLDR Graves said.

He said once everyone was in place, their average day started at 4am and ended anywhere up to 10pm.

“I calculated we all did around 100 hours a week,” he said. “Morale was excellent with everyone smiling and

laughing. I can’t fault what the team here did and it made me emotional thinking about it.

“I was so proud of them all and they deserved every accolade.”

Full coverage of the Avalon airshow in the special liftout.

NON-STOP: Above, SGT Robert Lackner, left, organises the next meal within the temporary mess erected by 381 and 382ECSS members during the Avalon airshow. Right, SQNLDR Benjamin Graves, who led the logistics team. Photos: CPLs Glen McCarthy and Aaron Curran

Avalon newsMarch 14, 2013 5RCEAIR F

6 March 14, 2013RCEAIR FNews

CPL Aaron Curran

NO EXCUSES. You can do this. Never give in. Never take the easy road. Don’t let it get you down.

Air Force has a living example of these never-say-die phrases and attitudes – ACW Yasmin Watson.

Her inspirational courage and determination to beat the odds to stay in the Air Force has been perpetuated in a new trophy at 1 Recruit Training Unit (1RTU).

The trophy is awarded to a recruit who best embodies Air Force Values within the Recruit Physical Training environment.

The idea for the trophy came from 1RTU PTI CPL Rebekah Allen, who trained, rehabilitated and mentored ACW Watson while she was at 1RTU alongside fellow PTI SGT Jason Akarana.

ACW Watson’s story and that of the trophy is one that has touched and inspired CPL Allen and others at 1RTU.

“On day one of her recruit course she failed her Initial Fitness Assessment,” CPL Allen said.

“She was then re-tested two days later, failed that and went straight to the Rehabilitation and Mentoring Section (RMS) where I was respon-sible for looking after recruits.”

She said ACW Watson worked hard under her guidance, never complained, questioned anything, or accepted she wasn’t good enough. “The word ‘can’t’ never left her mouth,” CPL Allen said.

“Every session she would have to stop because she felt sick but to her credit she never used that as an excuse to get out of PT. Everything I threw at her she took in her stride and went above and beyond what was expected of her – she just kept soldiering on.”

During the eight weeks ACW Watson was at RMS she attained a level of fitness above most recruits that come into 1RTU.

And then tragedy struck.

Yasmin’s lasting legacyINSPIRING JOURNEY: ACW Yasmin Watson with the trophy named after her, the Yasmin Watson PT Excellence Award. Also pictured is PTI CPL Rebekah Allen who trained, rehabilitated and mentored ACW Watson during her time at 1RTU. Photos: CPL Aaron Curran

‘We thought ‘this is someone we want to keep in the Air Force’ because she wouldn’t give in, she never had an excuse and she accepted her

shortcomings and then built on them. – PTI CPL Rebekah Allen talking about ACW Yasmin Watson

“Unfortunately, through no fault of her own, she got injured and required surgery,” CPL Allen said.

“As a result we had to go back to square one and were then told it looked like a medical discharge could be the result. I was upset because I had seen first-hand every-thing she had put in and done.”

ACW Watson said the hardest part of her time at 1RTU was not knowing what was going to happen.

“Every time I saw the doctor he said it was looking like a medical discharge,” ACW Watson said.

“I thought ‘what can I do’? I felt at times I could not get there, but my Dad and CPL Allen gave me the extra push I needed.”

CPL Allen said the staff at 1RTU fought hard to keep her.

“It was because we saw some-one who displays every single one of the Air Force values – Respect, Excellence, Agility, Dedication, Integrity and Teamwork,”she said.

“We thought ‘this is someone who we want to keep in the Air Force’ because she wouldn’t give in, she never had an excuse and she accepted her shortcomings and then built on them.”

CO 1RTU WGCDR Billy Merkx had to issue ACW Watson a Termination Decision (discharge authority) based on the recovery time her injury was likely to require.

“I was subsequently approached by a number of instructional staff to have the Termination Decision with-drawn as she was considered to be

a recruit worth keeping and worth fighting for,” WGCDR Merkx said.

“Ultimately I had to trust the judgement of my instructional staff and withdrew the Termination Decision.

“It turned out to be a decision, and one of those recruits stories, that I will relish telling for many years.”

CPL Allen said with the help of the physios and supervisors at RMS, they helped ACW Watson regain her fitness to eventually make it onto another recruit course.

“In addition to all the effort she was putting into her physical train-ing she was one of the best RMS members we had for morale in the section,” CPL Allen said.

“We have to prepare recruits physically for going back on course, but also mentally, so to have some-one of Yasmin’s character in that group was very good for those around her.

“I loved to go to work and see the progress she made. I had days where I was tired and couldn’t look at training; then I saw Yasmin and went ‘well, it could be worse and I’ve got no excuse’. She inspired me.”

When ACW Watson’s graduation day finally arrived, it was an emo-tional time for everyone involved in her recovery.

“Yasmin’s was one graduation I wanted to be at, to watch her march on the parade ground,” CPL Allen said. “I’m proud of all my recruits who graduate, but I was particularly proud of Yasmin. Giving up was not an option for her and that really impressed us.”

It was also a proud day for ACW Watson. “When you really want something and you know it’s going to be taken away from you, you fight hard, persevere and think tomorrow is just another day and you start again, ” she said.

She is currently working at 1RTU awaiting the start of her air-craft life support fitter course.

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7March 14, 2013RCEAIR F News

Jaimie Abbott

GROUND-BASED air combat officers are now ‘controlling the fight’ after the Vigilare Command and Control System achieved Final Operational Capability for Air Force.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Mike Kelly made the joint announcement on February 26.

Mr Smith said the Vigilare system would significantly enhance the effec-tiveness of Australia’s existing air sur-veillance and battle management capa-bilities, and “help Australia maintain an advanced technical capability”.

Vigilare has already changed the way Surveillance and Response Group operates with air battle management. It allows the exchange of information from the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, civil and military microwave radars, fighter and maritime patrol aircraft, Navy air warfare-capable ships and various intel-ligence sources.

It is designed to produce a com-prehensive picture of air activity over Australia and throughout the near region. Operators are then able to pass surveillance information and instruc-tions to aircraft operating across Australia.

OC 41WG GPCAPT Pizzuto said Vigilare allowed the wing to remotely access a range of fixed and deployed

Vigilare gets green lightcommunications and data link assets dispersed around Australia.

“The system delivers unprecedented flexibility and reach,” he said. “It draws in incredible amounts of data and infor-mation – from more than 240 sources – which is then correlated to produce a comprehensive picture of the skies above and around Australia. Vigilare is very much the eyes of the Air Force.”

The achievement of final opera-tional capability marked the end of a long and challenging period for prime contractor Boeing Defence Australia as it moved to deliver the biggest ever command, control and communication system for the ADF.

Vigilare will support national sur-veillance and air battle management tasks throughout Australia. It is oper-ated by 3 Control and Reporting Unit from the two Region Operations Centres – the Northern Region Operations Centre (NORTHROC) at RAAF Base Tindal and the Eastern Region Operations Centre (EASTROC) at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Vigilare was added to the Project of Concern list in 2008 due to sched-ule delays but Boeing, the Defence Materiel Organisation and Air Force worked closely together to address the issues and got the project back on track. In June 2011 the Government announced that Vigilare had been taken off the list.

It was first put through its paces

during Exercise Pitch Black in 2010, with air combat officers in NORTHROC controlling the fighters via voice and Link-16.

The system was instal led at

NORTHROC first, and operations were then conducted from there for nine months while the system was installed at EASTROC.

During this transition, Williamtown-

based pe r sonne l dep loyed on month-long rotations in support of NORTHROC.

Operations transitioned back to EASTROC in April 2011.

LINK TO VIGILARE: LACs Joao Silva, left, of SACTU, and Valdi Chain, of 3CRU, provide critical liaison for the Tactical Data Link operation between Navy and Air Force at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo: LAC Mark Friend

System achieves Final Operational Capability

8 March 14, 2013RCEAIR FNews

FLTLT Cath Friend

THE sun may have set on Exercise Cope North Guam for another year, but the experiences and successes achieved during the two-week exercise at Andersen Air Force Base last month will be long-lasting for many of those involved.

Being deployed to a tropical island surrounded by palm trees, white sand and colourful coral reefs may have sounded like a hol-iday, but well behind the beautiful island surrounds of Guam were more than 1900 RAAF, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and US Air Force personnel sweating it out in two separate but concurrently running exercises.

The first was about providing

humanitarian assistance and dis-aster relief to the fictitious island of Guamstralia, while the other involved more than 130 fighter, strike, refuelling and C2 aircraft battling it out against each other.

Australia, Japan and the US share a number of common inter-ests, including in areas such as humanitarian assistance and dis-aster relief. Trilateral cooperation aims to promote regional stability and further strengthen defence cooperation between all counties in the region and a central com-ponent of this cooperation is tri-lateral exercising of capabilities.

Cope North was full of train-ing opportunities at all levels to safely and effectively deploy, sup-ply and re-deploy exercise forces in a tri-lateral environment.

The 132 aircraft from 17 squadrons flew more than 136 sorties, which did not come with-out challenges, such as overcom-ing language barriers.

Exercise Director for the RAAF, GPCAPT Robert Chipman, said although the coun-tries spoke different languages, there were ways that they could communicate and work effectively together.

“The most important thing that we can accomplish is to understand where those challeng-es lie and how we work together to overcome them, and to build the friendships between our forc-es,” he said. “I think you will find that those language differences ended up being a small problem for us to overcome.”

At the closing ceremony, ACAUST AVM Mel Hupfeld said as a tri-lateral exercise, Cope North demonstrated the strong relationships and successes that could be achieved between the participating nations.

“Our ability to plan, prepare for and execute missions together has been exercised here and every one of you – from admin-istration, logistics, engineering, maintenance and aircrew – can be justly proud of the way you have conducted this exercise,” AVM Hupfeld said.

“I want each and every one of you to remember the friendships you have made here. It is these enduring relationships that will ensure the future success of our capability and interoperability.”

Exercise Cope North Guam provided a unique learning environment for personnel

IN CONTROL: Air combat officer SQNLDR Tim Main, of 2SQN, runs through final pre-flight checks on board the Wedgetail before a sortie.

TOGETHER: Australian, US and Japanese fighter aircraft join a USAF B52 Bomber in formation during Exercise Cope North. Photos: LAC Craig Barrett

COMMUNICATION: A 2SQN ground crew member communicates with the pilots of the Wedgetail before a sortie. Inset left, WOFF Tom Watson, of 33SQN, controls the refuelling arms on the KC-30A tanker. Photos: LAC Craig Barrett

FLTLT Cath Friend

THE job of the E-7A Wedgetail crew from 2SQN was to bring the next-generation Command and Control capability to the fight, providing highly accurate situational awareness to fight-ers, strikers and high-value assets.

This was achieved through a combi-nation of voice control, electronic sup-port measures and datalink provided by air combat officers, Navy fighter controllers and airborne electronic analysts.

Detachment commander SQNLDR Simon Wildermuth said the Wedgetail crew provided mission commanders with the information they required to safely execute their game plan.

“This involved frequently provid-ing the tactical direction necessary to modify the plan,” he said.

After attending the mass briefing in the morning of the mission, the Wedgetail crew prepared the aircraft

and proceeded to take-off well in advance of the friendly forces in order to build a comprehensive surveillance picture and to marshal forces before the start of the fight.

“During the fight, the crew devel-oped and distributed the tactical picture to all players, providing information and/or direction where required to keep our forces safe, aware and effective,” SQNLDR Wildermuth said.

The crew then safely recovered friendly forces and returned to base for debriefing.

“The flying time for Cope North missions was about four hours, but there was plenty of ground time required beforehand to prepare, and afterwards to ensure that we identified areas to improve before the next flight,” SQNLDR Wildermuth said.

The exercise gave 2SQN vital Large Force Employment training essential for the development of crews before deploying on operations.

“Cope North offered a great oppor-tunity to train with platforms which are different in Australia,” SQNLDR Wildermuth said.

This year the crew continued to validate their tactics, techniques and procedures based on knowledge gained by working with their JASDF and USAF partners at Cope North in complex training scenarios.

“The increase in capacity, synergy and crew resource management among the crews and the professional relation-ships developed with our tri-lateral partners were other highlights that are very difficult to achieve outside of Large Force Employment environ-ments,” SQNLDR Wildermuth said.

The presence of the E-7A Wedgetail was always welcomed by mission commanders, exercise planners and package commanders for the reliable, high-quality battlespace management it provided.”

High praise for 2SQN crew

Skills learnt and friends made

ON THE JOB: Above, armament technician LAC Peter Joannou, of 3SQN, assists the pilot during pre-flight checks. Left, 3SQN pilot FLTLT Edwin Borrman runs through his pre-flight checks before taking to the skies.

9March 14, 2013RCEAIR F News

Sue Caddaye

DEFENCE and Veterans’ Affairs have over the past few years quietly been implementing changes to better support wounded, injured or ill ADF personnel.

Working under the name Support for Wounded, Injured or Ill Program (SWIIP), a better coordinated approach has been achieved to make the existing support mechanisms even better for those that need them.

For FLTLT Steven Andrews, this support and coordinated approach from both departments has proven vital in his recovery from an aircraft crash.

On May 18, 2011, FLTLT Andrews was flying in a PC-9 undertaking his flying instructor’s course with qualified flying instruc-tor SQNLDR Bruce Collenette when catastrophic engine failure forced them both to eject near RAAF Base East Sale.

Soon after take-off, the aircraft lost power and was turned back towards the base. The pilots were unable to restart the engine and immediately followed the engine shutdown procedures checklist.

They ejected safely at an altitude of below 1000 feet.

Following a rapid search and rescue response by base emergency personnel, they were treated at the scene, assessed by medics as being in a stable condition and were then transferred to hospital for treatment.

FLTLT Andrews said it was a lucky escape as ejecting from an aircraft provided an uncertain chance of survival.

“For me, the combination of the force of the ejection, the parachute opening and the landing left me with six spinal compression injuries and a broken neck,” he said.

“But I was lucky; I am now back walking and in the air flying again.”

Back in the pilot’s seat

Sue Caddaye

ADF personnel and veterans are set to gain better care and support ser-vices under a new Memorandum of Understanding.

The new MOU has been devel-oped to better coordinate the deliv-ery of care and support services between Defence and Veterans’ Affairs.

Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon said Veterans’ Affairs and Defence were both strongly committed to deliv-ering the best possible outcomes to all ADF members, past and pre-sent, and their eligible dependants.

“While both departments have a long history of providing quality care and support, this MOU for-mally recognises that the provision of quality care and support to ADF

members, and their dependants, is a shared responsibility and com-mits both Departments to a closer and more integrated working rela-tionship,” Mr Snowdon said.

The MOU sets out the key prin-ciples which will govern the coop-erative delivery of care and support and establishes effective govern-ance arrangements designed to ensure that the support arrange-ments remain effective.

This MOU also introduces the concept of the ‘Support Continuum’, the structure of sys-tems that extends across both Defence and Veterans’ Affairs to deliver the seamless care and sup-port our servicemen and women, and their dependants, deserve.

“Having the various systems and processes that support and care for ADF members, and their

dependants, as a single continuum, Veterans’ Affairs and Defence are able to ensure that the delivery of care and support remains effective and adapts to individuals changing needs,” Mr Snowdon said.

A copy of the MOU can be found at: http://www.defence.gov.au/header/documents/SWIIP_MOU.pdf

A copy of the Framework of Roles and Responsibilities within the Support Continuum can be found at: http://www.defence.gov.au/header/documents/Schedule16SWIIPRolesand Responsibilities.pdf

A copy of the Summary of Key Principles that underpin the Memorandum of Understanding is included as an insert to this edition of Air Force News.

Defence and Veterans’ Affairs forge closer ties

PC-9 pilot FLTLT Steven Andrews has a new lease on life after the ADF and DVA helped get him flying again

still came away with a lot of posi-tive experiences.

“The support I received from all the people who have helped me and continue to help me during my recovery has taught me what is really important in life, and for that I am very grateful,” he said.

For more information on SWIIP, visit http://www.defence.gov.au/header/docu-ments/SWIIP_MOU.pdf

Spending months in a neck and back brace, followed by many more months in rehabilitation, FLTLT Andrews said it made him realise what was really important.

“I learnt a lot about myself very quickly during those first two to three months following the acci-dent,” he said.

“There was a lot of soul search-ing and I grew up a lot.

“I’ve really come to appreciate what I have and what really matters.”

Too much paperwork and red tape have been complaints heard for a long time regarding the processing of claims for ADF personnel, but for FLTLT Andrews, the process was a lot easier than expected.

“The process is nowhere near as hard as we have all heard and Veterans’ Affairs are there to help you with your claim,” FLTLT Andrews said.

“Compared to what I had heard in the past, and therefore had expect-ed, the experience I’ve had with Veterans’ Affairs has been really good. They didn’t hinder me at all and were really helpful – letting me know whenever there was a problem with the paperwork and helping to get it fixed as soon as possible.

“The people I’ve seen with major issues tend to be those that leave putting in a claim years after the ini-tial incident has happened and then they find that they can’t get doctors’ reports, or people they need to verify parts have left Defence.

“I would really recommend put-ting in your paperwork early.”

Support for FLTLT Andrews dur-ing his recovery after the accident came from many areas – family, friends, the Air Force and Veterans’ Affairs.

“The support I received from the Air Force to me appeared seamless, although later I learnt there was a lot of running around behind the scenes,

not least because I was due to be posted a week after the accident,” he said.

“Support from within Air Force started quite early on when two peo-ple came and spoke with me after I had been moved into the rehabilita-tion facility and they let me know what could be done and laid out the process for me.

“The Air Force people assisted me with all the paperwork for Veterans’ Affairs; they helped make sure I had all the documentation I needed and ensured the process went smoothly for me.”

While some of FLTLT Andrews plans for the future are different from before the accident, he said he

LUCKY ESCAPE: The dramatic scene at RAAF Base East Sale on May 18, 2011, where a CFS PC-9 crashed about 1km short of the runway shortly after take-off. Instructor trainee FLTLT Steven Andrews, pictured right, and his instructor SQNLDR Bruce Collenette safely ejected from the aircraft. Photo: LAC Oliver Carter

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10 March 14, 2013RCEAIR FAir Force Improvement

Reducing paperwork leads to man-hour savings for Air ForceDGTA-ADF UPDATE

After TAD 1/2013 Cartoon: FLTLT Baz Bardoe

Before TAD 1/2013 Cartoon: FLTLT Baz Bardoe

FLTLT Baz Bardoe

REFORM is not just about reduc-ing expenditure. The single most important aspect of any reform program is ensuring things are done more efficiently, with an emphasis on always improving outcomes.

In a simple but effective exam-ple of how the reform process can deliver increased efficiency and cost savings, the Directorate of Technical Airworthiness – ADF has reduced the requirement for annual re-authorisation of tech-nical personnel at Authorised Maintenance Organisations (AMOs).

The Director General Technical Airworthiness – ADF, AIRCDRE Terry Saunder, has issued a Technical Air Worthiness Directive (TAD) to remove the regulatory requirement for the annual re-authorisation of techni-cal personnel, which may well save over 3700 ‘man-hours’ a year, or two ‘man-years’ across Air Command.

Previously, a range of mus-

terings were required to be re-authorised each year. This was estimated to have taken up at least one hour per person a year. In the vast majority of cases the process was redundant as rel-evant personnel retain all neces-sary competencies.

TAD 1/13 states that the appro-priate delegate must monitor the competency of personnel and ensure that task authorisations are always valid.

The change gives AMOs flex-ibility in how they approach re-authorisations, and allows them to forego the process if there is no need for it.

WOFF Al Kulij from the Directorate of Regulatory Reform said feedback from AMOs on the benefits of the new TAD had been positive.

“An initial assessment by various AMOs and Headquarters Air Command predicts consider-able man-hour savings across Defence,” WOFF Kulij said.

DGTA-ADF is continuing to explore multiple areas where regulatory reform, and clarifica-tion, can yield strong reform out-comes.

WORKING TOGETHER: DGAFI AIRCDRE Adam Brown (second row, fourth from left) with the AFI consultants during the recent AFI Operations Exchange Program. Photo: AB Sarah Ebsworth

Boost to AFI capability

Who to contactFor additional information on engaging the services of AFI team members, contact the following team leaders:➤ SQNLDR Mia Clapton, OIC

AFI Canberra, mia.clapton@defence.gov.au, (02) 6265 3786.

➤ FLTLT Todd Byron, OIC AFI Amberley, todd.byron@defence.gov.au (07) 5361 2722.

➤ FLTLT Scott Schultz ,OIC AFI Edinburgh, scott.schultz@defence.gov.au (08) 7383 2120.

➤ Mr Brett Morrison, OIC AFI Williams/Wagga, brett.morri-son@defence.gov.au (03) 9256 2191.

➤ FLTLT Kylie Roempke, OIC AFI Williamtown, kylie.roempke@defence.gov.au (02) 4034 7643.

➤ FLTLT Shaun Toussaint, OIC AFI Richmond, shaun.toussaint@defence.gov.au, (02) 4587 2155.

EIGHT new Air Force Improve-ment (AFI) team members have graduated from an intensive four-week training program to become AFI consultants.

They successfully completed three weeks of training at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), undertaking the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt program.

The training focused on provid-ing the consultants with the skills and methodologies associated with the use of Lean, in identifying and removing waste within any organisation’s processes, reducing variability of activities along with associated improvements, as well as business process re-engineering.

The UTS training was fol-lowed by an Air Force delivered consolidation phase at RAAF Base Glenbrook, which provided the context for engagement with Force Element Group executives.

The new AFI members encom-pass the ranks of corporal to flight lieutenant, over a range of catego-ries and musterings.

Deputy Director AFI WGCDR David Honeyman said the 2013 cohort would strengthen AFI’s abil-

ity to support improvements in Air Force.

“The new consultants will also strengthen the breadth and depth within the AFI teams and offer us real flexibility,” he said.

“They join a team which has made real gains for Air Force, and its people, over the past few years.”

He said the gains included significant improvements in main-tenance practices, support and standardisation of administration services, supply chain enhancement and business planning.

“Where units and headquar-ters have engaged with AFI, both unit capacity and resilience have improved, however, there is still more work to be done,” he said.

The AFI teams support head-quarters, units and sections throughout Air Force with plan-ning, scoping and conducting improvement activities.

AFI teams can also assist units with mentoring, education and resources to implement improve-ments which will result in an ongo-ing, sustainable culture of innova-tion and continuous improvement.

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11March 14, 2013RCEAIR F News

Pearce helps control fireCPL Aaron Curran

RAAF Base Pearce was a critical hub during efforts to extinguish a major bushfire near the base.

When fire threatened homes and lives in Bullsbrook on February 28, RAAF Base Pearce opened its doors – and water tanks – to Western Australia’s emergency services which fought to control the massive blaze.

With more than 150 firefight-ers and their vehicles attempting to control the fire in the Shady Hills area near Bullsbrook, airborne assets became vital, and with the base less than 5km away, it was a perfect place for those aircraft to refuel and fill up with water.

WOFF Michelle Smith, of the Airbase Operations Support Centre, said fire-bombing air-craft used the base’s water to fill up before travelling the short distance to the fires.

“We rendered assistance to the WA Department of Environment Conservation water bombers and they used our air-field and airfield parking areas to replenish water in their aircraft, and refuel their aircraft includ-ing air cranes from their portable refuellers,” she said.

“In addition to that, our air traffic control members assisted with airspace coordination.”

The base’s contractors, Transfield Firefighters, assisted the water bombers on base with water replenishment until the WA Department of Environment Conversation ground crew arrived.

“Then approval was sought to release Transfield’s Firefighting assets to local fire controllers in Bullsbrook,” WOFF Smith said.

“Two fire tenders were then sent out to the fires to assist.”

Although the base was not directly under threat, all major roads around it were closed and flights cancelled due to the absence of the fire tenders.

CO 25SQN WGCDR David Turner said at any time the fire tenders were available for recall.

“Although my direction was that the local civilian popula-tion’s safety was a priority over aviation support duties,” he said.

“I must underline the out-standing efforts of the base com-mand post and operations team during that period with their responses and coordination of fire-bombing assets. They were a credit to Defence.”

TOO CLOSE: Smoke from a major bushfire at Bullsbrook looking south from the 79SQN flightline at RAAF Base Pearce. Base personnel provided vital assistance to local emergency services in efforts to control the blaze. Photo: FLTLT Brendon Mulloy

THE Council of the Australian War Memorial has agreed to recognise all members of the ADF who have died on operational service, including non-war-like operations, on the Roll of Honour.

The names of Defence personnel currently recorded in the Remembrance Book will be added to new bronze panels to be installed on the Roll of Honour wall in the Memorial’s Commemorative Area. The current Remembrance Book will be preserved in the Memorial’s National Collection.

The council has resolved to reor-ganise the panels in the eastern cloister. The Roll of Honour panels for post-1945 conflicts will be relocated to a position adjacent to the end of the WWII panel.

The panel for Afghanistan will then be placed adjacent to it on the same wall. The panels to recognise the sacrifices of those killed in operations of a non-warlike nature will be placed on the end wall of the cloister.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon applauded the decision.

“I am pleased the council has announced these changes,” he said. “The council’s decision reflects the views and expectations of many in the community on this important issue.

“This will ensure that those who have served our nation with distinction are properly recognised and I know that this decision will be of special significance for the families involved.”

Peacekeepers to go on AWM Honour Roll

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13March 14, 2013RCEAIR F Justice

CAPT Scott Ritchie Director, Military Discipline Law

THE punishments that courts martial or Defence Force Magistrates (DFM) can impose on members convicted of a service offence are set out in the Defence Force Discipline Act.

Punishments vary depending on the authority impos-ing the conviction, and range from reprimands through to detention for periods up to two years at the Defence Force Corrective Establishment at Holsworthy, and even terms of imprisonment in civilian jails.

In determining the appropriate punishment to impose, courts martial and DFMs are required to con-sider both the general principles of sentencing applied by civilian courts and the need to maintain discipline in the ADF.

This may mean that more severe punishments are imposed on ADF members than on civilians who com-mit similar criminal offences.

When determining an appropriate punishment, courts martial and DFMs are also required to consider mitigat-ing factors, such as whether the convicted person admit-ted guilt or cooperated with the prosecution.

The weight given to each factor to be considered by a court martial or DFM is a matter for judgement in each individual case. Therefore, even though the particulars of a case may appear similar, it is possible that the decision and punishments imposed may be different.

For example, recent courts martial and DFM results of matters where members have obtained an allowance that they were not entitled to receive demonstrate that a range of different punishments can be, and often are, imposed.

Picking the punishment

Other rankDefence Force MagistrateTwo charges of obtaining a financial advantage – DFDA s. 61(3) and Criminal Code Act 1995 s. 135.2(1)

The member was accused of knowingly obtaining a rental allow-ance that the member was not entitled to receive by failing to advise of a change of circumstances.

The member plead-ed not guilty to both charges and was found guilty of both.

The member was sentenced to 45 and seven days’ detention to be served concur-rently, of which 15 days were suspended.

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JUDGEMENT: Punishment options vary depending on the nature of the offence and the authority imposing the conviction. Photo: LS Paul Berry

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14 March 14, 2013RCEAIR FHistory

RAAF MuseumMarch 23: Altona Beach Festival, Melbourne.March 24: Weerama Festival, Werribee.March 24: AAFC 4WG parade, Point Cook.

Air Force BalloonMarch 10-17: Canberra Balloon Spectacular.March 16: Charnwood Community Carnival, Canberra.March 24: Government House Open Day for The Smith Family, Canberra.

RoulettesMarch 21: Australian Light Aircraft Championships, Sale.March 23: Sydney International Rowing Regatta, Penrith.March 24: Government House Open Day for The Smith Family, Canberra.

Air Force BandMarch 21: 2FTS graduation parade, RAAF Base Pearce.March 23: 92WG home-coming parade, Adelaide.March 27: 1RTU graduation parade, RAAF Base Wagga.

Air Force events

LEUT Andrew Ragless

JUST as they did 71 years ago, the air raid sirens sounded over at 9.58am – but this year the result of seeing fighter aircraft in the sky was very different.

Instead of Japanese fighters, bombers and dive bombers flying overhead, Darwin residents were in awe of four F/A-18 Hornets from 75SQN, RAAF Base Tindal.

Moments later, four 105mm M2A2 Howitzers positioned at the Cenotaph roared to life, paying tribute to the men and women who defended Darwin against the first and largest attack mounted by a foreign power against Australia.

Participating in the 71st anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin commemorations, the jets flew in close diamond formation before performing a ‘bomb burst’ manoeuvre over Darwin Harbour.

The lead aircraft, flown by SQNLDR Dave Temme, then repositioned to run parallel to the esplanade before performing a maximum afterburner climb in front of a crowd of 3000 veterans,

dignitaries and the general public including 800 school children.

SQNLDR Temme said the flying display was his first over Darwin, despite living in the Territory three times.

“Although the Japanese air raid on Darwin was the first and largest attack, it was just the beginning of nearly two years of sustained bombing across northern Australia,” SQNLDR Temme said.

“My grandfather was posted to Snake Creek, just north of Adelaide River during that period.

“It was an honour to fly in memory of him and the courage and self sacrifice of the men and women who died defending our country.”

The air attacks on Darwin continued until November 1943, by which time the Japanese had bombed Darwin 64 times, the last raid occurring on November 12, 1943.

During the war, other towns in northern Australia were also the target of Japanese air attack, with bombs being dropped on Townsville, Katherine, Wyndham, Derby, Broome and Port Hedland.

Fifty years of intelligence

Memorial wall opensThe day before the 71st anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin commemorations, a new memorial wall was opened at the Darwin Military Museum. The memorial lists the names of 1672 people who lost their lives defending northern Australia during WWII. Pictured is Chief of Staff at Headquarters Northern Command, GPCAPT Bill Kourelakos, talking to WWII veteran Stewart Campbell at the unveiling.

Marking 71 years

REMEMBERING THE BOMBING:

Four F/A-18s from 75SQN perform

a low-level flypast over Darwin CBD and the Cenotaph

during the 71st Anniversary of

the Bombing of Darwin.

Photo: CPL David Gibbs

IN THEIR HONOUR: Above, invited guests to the Bombing of Darwin commemorative service lay wreaths at the Cenotaph. Photo: LS Jo Dilorenzo

Bombing of Darwin commemorated

THIS year marks the 50th anniversary of the RAAF Intelligence Category. In recognition, events are being planned in Adelaide and Canberra. In Adelaide, a symposium will be held for serving members at 87SQN on September 20, with a dinner planned for that evening. In Canberra, a dinner is planned for serv-ing and retired members on October 5 and a brunch for serving members on October 6. More details will be published as they become available. For more information, contact WGCDR David Glerean at david.glerean@defence.gov.au

Photo: LS Jo Dilorenzo

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15March 14, 2013RCEAIR F Flightline

ON THE JOB: Psychologist FLTLT Emma Prime explains an attitude flowchart at the Duntroon Health Centre. Photo: CPL Guy Young

HERE TO HELP: Right, from left, LACW Emma Broadbent and CPL Jennifer Sichter, both of 322ECSS, receive information from MAJ John McGrogan, ADF Regional Mental Health Team Northern Territory, during a DCO Community Expo and Family Day at RAAF Base Tindal. Photo: LAC Terry Hartin

3SQN AT COPE NORTH: Above, 3SQN’s CPL Matthew McDougall, left, and Tech Sergeant James Wallace from the 18th Aggressor Squadron help to plant trees in the Dededo veterans’ park in Guam during Exercise Cope North Guam, while left, LAC Matthew Holt adds a bit of colour to the local San Jose Homeless Shelter. Right, 3SQN life support fitter LAC James Cox, right, compares notes with counterpart Staff Sergeant Kevin Smith from the USAF. Photos: LAC Craig Barrett

MOUNTAIN OF WORK: Clerk LACW Kina Noble, of 1CCS, on top of a pile of files during her recent deployment to Dili, Timor-Leste. She was part of a small team packing up all the ADF’s files and equipment for return to Australia early this year. Photo: AB Lee-Anne Mack

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Rank Sharing withContribution to living-in accommodation each fortnight ($)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

SQNLDR or higher 108.92 122.31 170.45 187.62 245.75

FLTLT or lower officer rank

(other than trainee)

no-one 108.92 122.31 170.45 187.62 204.80

one other person 54.46 61.15 85.23 93.81 102.40

two others 36.30 40.77 56.82 62.54 68.27

three others 27.23 30.58 42.61 46.91 51.20

four or more Nil

SGT or higher non-

commissioned rank, WOFF

no-one 96.92 109.45 154.12 179.46 204.80

one other person 48.46 54.72 77.06 89.73 102.40

two others 32.31 36.48 51.38 59.82 68.27

three others 24.23 27.36 38.53 44.87 51.20

four or more Nil

CPL or lower

no-one 85.64 91.79 139.74 167.46 195.18

one other person 42.82 45.90 69.87 84.28 97.59

two others 28.55 30.60 46.58 55.82 65.06

three others 21.41 22.95 34.93 41.87 48.80

four or more Nil

Trainee Exception:

Normal entry recruit during basic recruit

training

no-one 85.64

one other person 42.82

two others 28.55

three others 21.41

four or more Nil

Normal entry recruit during basic recruit

training

any Nil

Fortnightly living-in accommodation contributions to members with effect March 14

Handover success for ADF Health Services Contract

CARING ROLE: FLGOFF Alex Hardingham, left, and LACW Bonnie Rath from 2EHS attend to a patient. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy

A 3.02 per cent contribution increase for living-in accommodation will come into effect from March 14.

The new rates will be reflected in members’ pay from March 28.

The Head People Policy and Culture in Defence People Group, Richard Oliver, said Defence each year reviewed the cost of the accom-modation it provided for its members within Australia.

“Defence is working hard to ensure that these payments remain fair,” Mr Oliver said.

“The living-in accommodation rates cover three areas, accommo-dation, meals and utilities, and all have been examined and changed as needed.

“To do this we looked at the pricing index from the Australian Valuation Office for market rentals, following a survey of equivalent pri-

vate sector accommodation conduct-ed in 2012, and the Consumer Price Index.”

Members occupying Level 3 to 5 living-in accommodation pay 50 per cent of the nationally assessed aver-age market rent.

Members in Level 1 and 2 pay 40 per cent recognising the age and lower quality of this accommodation.

This includes the accommodation provided to those members who are either required to live-in or choose to live-in but it does not include seago-ing vessels.

There are two meal rates, the fort-nightly meal charge and the casual meal rate.

The 2013 fortnightly meal charge is reduced by 1.1 per cent which reflects the decrease in the food component of the CPI during the 12-month period. The casual meal

rate, which is expressed in whole dol-lars, remains unchanged for 2013.

The utility charge covers water, electricity, gas, garbage and sewage disposal.

Because of significant increases in electricity costs during the 12-month period, the utilities sub-component of the CPI reflects a 14.9 per cent increase with the weekly utility con-tribution rate for 2013 increasing from $17.78 to $20.43.

A member who is deployed on a warlike or non-warlike operation does not pay a living-in accommoda-tion contribution, or meal and utility charges.

The new rates are in the accompa-nying table.

Further information is available at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac/

New living-in rate changes

Sue Caddaye

ADF members will have greater flex-ibility when accessing paid parental leave from February 28.

CDF GEN David Hurley said paid parental leave, previously only avail-able at full-pay, would now also be available at half pay or a combination of half and full pay.

“These changes allow us to support our people and their families when

they need it most and will help in pro-vide greater flexibility to balance their family and work commitments,” GEN Hurley said.

“These changes are consistent with the cultural reform strategies outlined in Pathway to Change and reinforce our commitment to being an employer of choice across the three Services.”

Full details are available at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/

Parents gain more flexibility

THE handover of Defence healthcare services to Medibank Health Solutions under the new ADF Health Services Contract was officially completed on February 12.

Under the four-year contract Medibank Health Solutions is deliv-ering a range of health services to Defence including: The on-base contracted health care

professional workforce. Pathology, imaging and radiology

services to ADF members. A 24-hour 1800 IMSICK service

hotline for ADF members. Access for ADF members to off-

base specialist, allied and diagnostic health services delivered in the local community.As the contract moves to busi-

ness as usual, Director General Army Health Services Brig Georgeina Whelan will head the delivery of gar-rison health services.

Brig Whelan said the contract was designed to continue to provide “high quality, timely and consistent health care services across the country”.

“We continue to work hard with Medibank Health Solutions to ensure successful transition of services and, for most services and treatments, ADF members should see no change,” she said.

“I am proud of what the team has

achieved so far in a short transition timeframe. However, no reform pro-cess of this size is ever perfect.”

As expec ted , Jo in t Hea l th Command has identified some areas for particular focus and improvement.

Over the past four weeks, Brig Whelan has engaged actively with the services on the issues.

Her focus now is on embedding and refining systems and processes, and addressing priority areas.

To achieve this, it is critical the garrison health workforce remains engaged with the chain of command to stay well informed.

The vast majority (80 per cent) of ADF personnel requiring surgery or specialist treatment are being referred to health practitioners within the Medibank Health Solutions network.

In geographic areas where Medibank Health Solutions may not have a preferred service provid-er, ADF members continue to have access to other specialists.

This is being closely monitored by regional health directors to ensure any gaps are identified and addressed.

Brig Whelan encouraged any ADF members who experienced health care they were not happy with to contact their local health facility and use the health care complaints system to resolve the issue.

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17March 14, 2013RCEAIR F Finance

Australian Securities and Investments Commission chairman Greg Medcraft outlines the risks of debentures

Delving into debentures

If you have a suggested topic for this column, email ASIC at ADFcolumn@asic.gov.auNEED TO KNOW

Unlisted debentures are fixed interest invest-ments that carry higher risks than bank deposits.

Debentures are used to raise funds from investors. In return, the issuer promises to make regular interest payments and return the money lent at a future date.

If tangible property is offered as security for repayment of the loan, the notes can be called debentures.

Although a debenture issuer may seem like a bank, they are not a bank, so the government guaran-tee for deposits of up to $250,000 does not apply. You could easily lose all your investment if the com-pany or project fails.

Understand riskHow will the company use your

money? The riskier the activity, the more careful you should be.

Read the prospectus and seek professional advice before you invest.

It is important that you: understand the return being offered and whether it will com-pensate for the risks; compare the risks with other investments paying interest; and have spread your investments across other interest-paying prod-ucts.

If the debenture is offered ‘at call’ the company must repay your money on demand.

But if you’ve invested for a set period you usually cannot ask for your money back before that period expires.

Unlisted debentures can’t be traded on a public market such as the ASX, so it is difficult to sell them if you change your mind.

Check the securityThe prospectus should tell you

what security, if any, is offered for your loan.

For example, a company may take your money, lend it to others and then take a mortgage over their property.

Check whether the other person is repaying the company as prom-ised.

Unpaid or late repayments add to the risk of the investment.

You can assess the value of the security by comparing the value of the loan with the value of the other person’s property.

To be safe, assume a company’s valuations are optimistic.

RolloversIf the initial term of the invest-

ment can be extended, you will be asked if you’d like to extend it.

If you do nothing, the company will automatically roll over the debenture for the same set term as the original investment and you won’t be able to access your money until the end of that period.

Before you reinvest, check the company’s website for its financial report for the year, or other infor-mation that could affect the value of your investment.

Check benchmarksASIC has developed bench-

marks to help you assess the risks of debentures.

See our investor guide, Investing in Unlisted Debentures and Unsecured Notes?

ASIC is also considering pos-sible ways to strengthen regulation of the debenture sector, including how to ensure debenture issuers are more financially resilient, and investors better understand the products.

Remember, debentures are higher risk than bank deposits and you could lose your investment if the company or project fails.

For more information see ASIC’s MoneySmart website www.moneysmart.gov.au

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18 March 14, 2013RCEAIR FHealth

Keep your mates safe

HELP AT HAND: There are a wide range of fact sheets and information resources available to ADF personnel who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Photo: LS Paul Berry

Resources available: Further mental health support and treatment,

is available from the local Defence Health Facility or by calling 1800 IMSICK after hours (1800 467 425).

Mental Health All Hours Support Line (1800 628 036) is a confidential crisis telephone service for all ADF members and their families and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

THE importance of early inter-vention for those at risk of sui-cide or mental health disorders is being stressed under the

ADF’s Suicide Prevention Strategy.The Commander of Joint Health,

RADM Robyn Walker, said at Senate Estimates that Defence was aware of the association between suicide risk and mental health disorders, particu-larly depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, “and for this reason ensures effective treatment interven-tion is available to ADF personnel as early as possible”.

“I encourage any ADF personnel experiencing suicidal thoughts to reach out to their family, mates, chaplains, commanders or health professional and seek the help and support that is available,” RADM Walker said.

The ADF has recently undergone a review of its Suicide Prevention Strategy.

“Our in-depth evaluation of the ADF’s suicide prevention program indicates that we have hit the mark and it’s reassuring to know that our programs include all the key features established by our US and Canadian

Early intervention is the key to keeping mental health issues at bay, Michael Weaver reports

allies,” RADM Walker said. “We have eight regional mental health teams, including staff to promote mental health care, which has significantly enhanced our ability to roll out suicide prevention initiatives.”

The ADF rate of suicide is less than that within the wider Australian com-munity when compared by age and gender.

A high rate of ADF person-nel report that they have suicidal thoughts, compared to the rest of the Australian community, but the num-ber of reported attempts at suicide is similar.

This was discovered by the 2010 ADF Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Study which surveyed 24,500 personnel.

The study also suggests that the comprehensive initiatives provided as part of the ADF Mental Health Strategy, such as mental health literacy and the various aspects of the Suicide Prevention Program are having a posi-tive impact.

“When an ADF member is identi-fied as being at risk of suicide, mental health professionals and specialists

provide responsive psychological and medical interventions,” RADM Walker said.

Annual suicide prevention aware-ness is mandatory for ADF members.

A two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program is available to upskill key

Defence personnel in leadership roles.Suicide risk assessment training for

mental health professionals was rolled out in 2012.

To date, 131 mental health profes-sionals have attended the training. Of these 61 have been further upskilled to deliver this training regionally.

RADM Walker said the important message is to keep you and your mates safe.

“All ADF personnel need to step forward to improve their awareness of issues such as suicide prevention and be willing to seek help or encourage others to do so as early as possible.”

19March 14, 2013RCEAIR F Sp rt

Paralympic Trials haul

Edinburgh event a runway successMichael Weaver

WHEN RAAF Base Edinburgh opened its runway to a field of fun-runners and walkers on February 22, organisers were left to rethink their strategy of inviting a group of sol-diers who ran away with the spoils on the day.

The inaugural RAAF Base Edinburgh Runway Fun Run/Walk, hosted by 453SQN, attracted more than 400 participants in a 4.6km run.

The course started with a straight stretch of 2.4km along the runway, which most people would never have seen up close.

453SQN Edinburgh F l igh t Commander SQNLDR Trevor Langford said there was an impres-sive turnout.

“In fact, the turnout was so large that the 45-seat coach organised to take participants to the start line on the runway was insufficient, so a light 1.2km ‘warm up’ was included

for those eager enough,” SQNLDR Langford said.

“The 2.4km straight proved to be daunting for some, and for others a little misleading, as they took off like rabbits for the finish line only to real-ise shortly after that the line did not appear to be as close as it looked.”

The healthy Army presence included a 30-man team from 102 Coral Battery, which completed the run together as a troop wearing DPCUs and in patrol order.

The base PTIs were on hand to help out, and assisted the runners and walkers from the comfort of their pushbikes, giving encouragement to all.

Entrants were also provided with their 2.4km time to help with their PFT training, as well as the final time for 4.6km.

Spr Jack Armstrong, of 9 Fd Sqn, recorded the fastest 2.4km time of 8min 36sec by. He also managed second overall for the 4.6km.

Pte Ben McIntyre, of 7RAR, was the overall winner in 17min 08sec.

The fastest Air Force member for the 2.4km was FLTLT Thomas Colborne, of 92WG, with 8min 39sec.

FLGOFF Jack Marshall , of 24SQN, was quickest for Air Force in the 4.6km run with 18min 26sec.

Entrants enjoyed a barbecue breakfast on completion of the event – at least those who were able to eat after the gruelling challenge.

SQNLDR Langford said that fol-lowing the interest in the inaugural fun run/walk, another was being planned, and may even include a bet-ter prize for winning.

“Although receiving a ‘high five’ from the PTIs was still a proud moment for the winners,” he said.

“Clearly Air Force will have to lift its game, or neglect to invite the Army if we intend to win next time.”

Michael Brooke

AIR Force athlete FSGT Tony Benfer has added more gold medals to his impressive tally at the US Marine Corps’ Paralympic Trials at Camp Pendleton in the US.

At the time of going to print, FSGT Benfer had won four gold medals in the trials – which began on February 20 – in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke and wheel-chair basketball.

He was competing alongside fel-low RAAF athletes FLTLT Bruce Lowth, of 27SQN, and FSGT Steve Hayes, of 5 Aviation Regiment, who made their debut in the trials this year.

FLTLT Lowth and FSGT Hayes performed strongly in a range of events including cycling, swimming, volleyball, pistol shooting and the Warrior Pentathlon.

Eight Army soldiers also com-peted in the ADF team, which is part of the Exercise Wounded Warrior Program, run by the ADF Paralympic Sports Program (ADFPSP).

The team included amputees and a double amputee, as well as several members who had experienced trau-matic brain injury and other service-related wounds.

FSGT Benfer won six gold med-als in the past two Paralympic Trials.

“I just love winning gold medals and showing the Yanks how good we Aussies are,” FSGT Benfer said.

Last year, he overcame scores of international competitors to win gold in the 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m backstroke, while snaring silver in the 4x50m open freestyle relay.

In 2011, he won three gold med-als in the 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m backstroke, as well as silver in wheelchair basketball.

He said he never thought he would compete in sport again, “let alone win gold medals at the US Marine Corps’ Paralympic Trials” after losing a limb in a hit and run accident in Townsville in 2007.

But the seemingly impossi-ble became possible through the ADFPSP, which is instrumental to the well-being of wounded and injured ADF personnel.

A PTI at RAAF Base Wagga, FSGT Benfer said sport had been critical to his recovery since the accident.

“The competition is fantastic and highlights how important sport is to rehabilitation and recovery,” he said.

Full coverage of the Paralympic Trials will be published in the next edition of Air Force News.

ON THEIR GAME: FSGT Tony Benfer brings the ball up court on a fast break during the final night of the open tournament of the 2013 Marine Corps Trials basketball competition. His team went on to win gold in the event. Photo: Pat Cubel, US Marine Corps

ON OUR WAY: Military Working Dog Handler SGT Robert Cox, of 24SQN, runs with Zeus. Photo: LACW Nicci Freeman

CLEAR FOR TAKE-OFF: Above, entrants set off on the inaugural RAAF Base Edinburgh Runway Fun Run/Walk on February 22. Photos: CPL Colin Dadd

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SP RTMarch 14, 2013

Fun on the runway

Page 19

FSGT Tony Benfer scoops the medal pool again at the US Marine Corps’ Paralympic Trials

FULL STORY PAGE 19

SWIMMING IN GOLD

UNSTOPPABLE: FSGT Tony Benfer, of RAAF Base Wagga, has won four gold medals at the US Marine Corps’ Paralympic Trials – in the 50m and 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke and wheelchair basketball. File photo: Zenith King

TAKING TO THE SKIES

March 14, 2013 RCEAIR F

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE LIFTOUT

2013 AVALON AIRSHOW

Thousands flocked to Avalon to take in the breathtaking

stunts, inspect military history and catch up on

all the latest advances in aviation at the Australian

International Airshow

Photos: CPL Guy Young and LAC David Cotton

3

AVALON airfield in Victoria was flood-ed with thousands of people wanting to get up close to

the latest military aircraft and be wowed by flying displays by everything from old bi-planes to cutting-edge jet fighters from March 1-3.

Officially dubbed the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition, the event celebrated aviation of the past, present and future and show-cased the “Power of Flight” to more than 180,000 visitors.

Before the gates opened to the public, an aviation, aero-space and defence showcase for Defence industry was held from February 26-March 1 with more than 600 exhibitors from around the world.

RAAF representation included the latest aircraft, the F/A-18F Super Hornet, C-17A Globemaster and – in its first appearance at Avalon – the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport. Also on show was the E-7A Wedgetail, the C-130J Hercules, the AP-3C Orion, the Hawk 127 and the Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft.

The famed Air Force Roulettes also amazed the crowds, drawing love-hearts and swirls on the clear sky-blue canvas above the show.

The C-17A pilots reminded everyone that the giant trans-port aircraft could pull some agile moves and the F/A-18A/B Hornets carried out a simulated bombing mission with the jets sweeping low as fiery explosions lit up the runway.

The F/A-18F Super Hornets performed a four-ship display, pulling off aerobatics

Avalon was another roaring success, reports FLTLT Baz Bardoe and CPL Max Bree.

DAZZLING DISPLAY

SPECIAL LIFTOUTMarch 14, 20132013 AVALON AIRSHOW RCEAIR F2

in a tight, diamond-shaped formation.

While Air Force personnel chatted to members of the public on the ground, old fash-ioned bi-planes flew at strange angles trailing smoke along the runway.

Fighters from another age, like the World War II Kittyhawk and 50s era Sabre, took to the skies above Avalon, taking crowds back to an era before stealth technology and com-puterised controls.

Another first for Avalon was the aerial bravery of the Breitling Wingwalkers, a team from the US who performed gymnastic movements and stunts on the wings of Boeing Stearman biplanes – repris-ing the golden days of 1920s aviation acrobatics.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the US Air Force showed its agility, but was outdone by the USAF’s hi-tech F-22 Raptor, which flew at Avalon for the first time this year.

The crowd stood amazed as the Raptor went from hori-zontal to vertical flight with a sharp 90 degree nose-up slid-ing movement before floating motionless with its nose to the sky.

The pilot showed off the F-22’s internal missile bays before making a near impos-

sibly slow pass along the runway.

COL Stephen Kornitzer, US Air Force Mission Commander, said America was keen to show its commit-ment to peace and stability in the Pacific region by demon-strating some of their cutting edge capabilities.

“We consider it more of an engagement with Australia,” he said. “It was also a great opportunity for military lead-ership engagement with all different leaders from different countries.”

AIRCDRE David Pietsch, the ADF’s lead planner for the show, said he was glad to see how the event came together and credited his team with making it happen.

“I was extremely happy to see how the planning came to fruition,” AIRCDRE Pietsch said. “Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

“It was a privilege to be leading a team of enthusiastic and very capable people who put in an enormous effort to make this a huge success.

“It was a credit to the pro-fessionalism of all concerned that such a large logistical challenge was met so suc-cessfully. It is a fantastic air-show and we were all proud to be a part of it.”

WARBIRD: A Kittyhawk rolls past the crowd at Avalon airfield. Photo: CPL Guy Young

COUNTERPARTS: Aircrew from 36SQN and the USAF’s 535 Air Lift Squadron in front of a 36SQN C-17A. Photo: LAC David Cotton

FIRED UP: A 1SQN Super Hornet performs a simulated ground strike attack at Avalon. Photo: LAC David Cotton

BUOY, THIS IS FUN: Left, 10SQN members, from left, SGT Scott Brandon, FLGOFF John Logan and WOFF Mick Taylor, with some of the tools of their trade at the AP-3C Orion display. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy

ASK AWAY: Left, 2SQN aircraft technician LAC Lee Childs fields questions from members of the public about the Wedgetail aircraft during the Avalon airshow. He said he got some interesting questions like “where are the missiles?”, “where’s the bomb bay?” and “where are the guns mounted?” Photo: CPL Max Bree

WELL FORMED: Four 1SQN F/A-18F Super Hornets fly in formation at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon. Photo: LAC David Cotton

OUCH: Below, wearing a bite suit, LAC Richard Borg, of 381ECSS, is attacked by military working dog Roarshack during a dog-handling display at the show. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy

Photo strip above: CPL Glen McCarthy, CPL Guy Young and LAC David Cotton

YOU COULD BE A PILOT TOO: Trainee pilots OFFCDTs Ben King, left, and Max Watterson with Caydence, Tazmin, Seth and Pattison at the 2FTS PC-9 aircraft static display at Avalon. Photo: LAC David Cotton

2013 AVALON AIRSHOW March 14, 20134

More from Avalon in the next edition of Air Force News

Insight into the future

RCEAIR F

A hands-on look at the latest in fighter pilot helmetsCPL Aaron Curran

PERSONNEL took a keen interest in one of the most excit-ing displays at the Australian International Airshow’s Aerospace and Defence Exposition, the F-35 Distributed Aperture System (DAS) helmet.

The DAS helmet offered visi-tors hands-on experience with the world’s most advanced fighter pilot helmet.

SQNLDR Martin Van Der Merwe, XO at the School of Air Traffic Control, RAAF Base East Sale, said from an air traffic perspective it was an insight into what they could expect to work with in the future.

“It gave great situational awareness to the pilot second-to-none,” he said. “Once I was ‘locked on’ I could see 360 degrees all around me and it seemed I was looking through the floor,” he said.

Marty Gunther, marketing manager for the F-35 program at Rockwell Collins, said the DAS greatly improved spatial aware-ness and increased safety.

“The DAS provides full spherical coverage outside the aircraft through the use of six cameras,” he said. “The primary reason for DAS is for missile and ground threat warning. Everyone that saw it was thrilled.”

SQNLDR Van Der Merwe said for joint battlefield airspace controllers it increased the pilot’s perspective by being able to keep track of multiple aircraft.

He said if the aircraft could separate each other, it would be an ideal situation.

“They can get really close safely if they have to,” SQNLDR Van Der Merwe said.

“With just us separating them,

CPL Aaron Curran

STANDING at an airshow display and talking to passers-by can be a daunting task for many. But some people look forward to the contact with the public and relish the opportunity.

The job of representing the RAAF at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon belonged to ded-icated and enthusiastic volunteers at the Air Force static displays.

FLGOFF Alex Hardingham, of 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown, was one of those who volunteered her time to work for the duration of the show.

“I was employed as the aviation nursing officer as part of the Avia-tion Medicine support element,” she said.

“But the best part was doing shifts on the Air Force stand in the exhibition hall talking to hundreds

Taking a stand for our Air Force

of different people.”FLGOFF Hardingham was part of a

two-person team who operated the stand at any one time, answering questions about the RAAF, its people and aircraft.

“I enjoyed talking to people, listening to their stories and seeing new faces,”

FLGOFF Hardingham said. “I hope to work in recruiting one day

so talking to people who want to join the Air Force was excellent.”

The RAAF stand was part of the Aerospace and Defence Exposition that encompassed three large pavilions with

displays from leading aviation compa-nies from around the world, foreign mili-taries and governments, scientific and technology stands and other Defence-related trade.

“All the exhibits were big and impres-sive,” FLGOFF Hardingham said. “I had

never been to Avalon before and at times I got lost.”

FLGOFF Harding had missed out on being part of the airshow in 2011 but she was determined not to miss this one.

“I really liked it and it was something different to what I am used to doing each day at work,” she said.

“Seeing all the foreign aircraft, being part of the atmosphere and doing long days never bothered me. I totally recommend it and I’ll be doing it again.”

PROMOTION: FLGOFF Alex Hardingham volunteered her time to work at the Air Force stand at the Avalon Airshow. Photo: CPL Aaron Curran

CPL Max Bree

UNTIL the start of last year FLTLT Tristan Re-incke was flying Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighters out of RAAF Base Williamtown, but now he’s firmly behind the controls of the Air Force’s new Super Hornet.

“It’s a big step up but they do teach it so it’s an easy transition,” he said. “And it’s relatively easy to fly but hard to employ tactically.”

Seven Super Hornets from 1SQN were deployed to Avalon from RAAF Base Amberley, one of which went on a static dis-play. FLTLT Reincke had the chance to share his experiences in the cockpit with the crowd.

The Super Hornet proved a major attraction at the show, with visitors crowding around the dis-play aircraft to have a look and ask questions of the pilots and maintainers.

“It’s new, it’s shiny and there’s been a lot of press about [the F/A-18F Super Hornet] recently so people were interested in having a look,” FLTLT Reincke said.

“You work so hard for so long doing training for the Super Hornet so when people come up and give you a little bit of recognition of what you’ve achieved it is nice.”

With the new Growler system coming for the Super Hornet, FLTLT Re-incke believes it’s exciting times ahead for Air Force.

“Growler is an exciting capability that’s coming and that’s hopefully going to enhance the Air Force,” he said.

“It’s off-the-shelf tech-nology and we’ve got the support of the American Navy behind us and that’s a big, big help.”

After 1SQN flew against Russian-designed Flankers during Exercise Pitch Black last year, FLTLT Reincke had full confidence in the Super Hornet’s abilities and was glad to be able to share that with interested airshow visitors.

“We fought (the Flank-ers) up on Pitch Black and we held our own, so I’m not concerned with [the Super Hornet’s] capability in the region,” he said.

A super exhibit

our parameters are much bigger but if they can see each other [with the DAS] it allows them to reduce that separation.”

He said all members should have a look at the DAS capability.

“I’ve done backseat flights but nothing like this. I think the F-35 is an excellent move. It uses all the technology we have these days and we will certainly be talking about it after seeing first-hand what the pilot can see.”

Mr Gunther said there were issues with the helmet, but nothing that could not be overcome.

“We know exactly what [the issues] are and we are improving things to make the helmet better,” Mr Gunther said.

“It has night capability, negating the need for night-vision goggles. It feels lighter, but it is better balanced, especially when pulling Gs.”

ALL EYES: SQNLDR Martin Van Der Merwe, XO SATC at RAAF Base East Sale, tests out the F-35 DAS (Distributed Aperture System) helmet at the Aerospace and Defence Exposition. Photo: CPL Aaron Curran

Photo: CPL Max Bree