AIRF RCEVol. 55, No. 12, July 4, 2013 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force

SECFOR 2 takes over security in Afghanistan as SECFOR 1 wraps up successful 198-day mission P3

TRANSFER OF AUTHORITYDONE THEIR DUTY: LAC Reece Vieira from SECFOR 1 during the Transfer of Authority parade to SECFOR 2 at Multinational Base Tarin Kot. Photo: CPL Mark Doran

CSG RESTRUCTURE FOUR-PAGE LIFTOUT

2 July 4, 2013RCEAIR FNews

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

IN the wake of recent revelations of inappropriate behaviour involving ADF members and ADFA cadets, CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown has reminded commanders of their responsibilities to manage the welfare of the people within their commands.

“The starting point for decisions is the protection of all individuals in the workplace, including ensuring the complainant feels safe coming to work,” CAF told his commanders.

He explained that “taking temporary action to separate the complainant and the respondent in the workplace while the investigation occurs is a routine and accepted practice”.

After seeking legal advice, commanders’ options include the temporary removal of the respondent from the workplace, reassignment of duties, suspension from duty, or changes to accommodation arrangements.

These types of interim actions do not prejudice an investigation, nor do they assume any particular investigation outcome. Interim measures ensure the safety of everyone in the workplace and help maintain public confidence in Air Force as a modern, professional organisation.

“Commanders, managers and leaders at all levels have responsibilities to set the highest standards and take appropriate actions,” CAF said.

“I am absolutely committed to shaping Air Force as an organisation of people that have the courage to always do the right thing. Our Air Force is overwhelmingly made up of good people who do the right thing, but those people that display unacceptable values and behaviours are not welcome in our Air Force.”

Taking action against poor behaviour

A sad homecoming

Speaking up for cultural reform

SGT Dave Morley

AIR Force has again played its role in bringing home a fallen digger from Afghanistan.

CPL Cameron Baird, 32, was killed by small arms fire on June 22 during an engagement with insur-gents.

During the same engagement, another Special Forces soldier was seriously wounded and RAAF Joint Terminal Attack Controller suffered minor wounds.

Members of the patrol provided immediate first aid to the casual-ties, who were aeromedically evacu-ated to the Role 2 Medical Facility at Multinational Base Tarin Kot. CPL Baird was pronounced dead on arrival by medical staff at Tarin Kot.

Known as one of the regiment’s most iconic figures, CPL Baird was farewelled on June 25 by the Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) and ISAF partners in a solemn Service of Remembrance and Ramp Ceremony at Multinational Base Tarin Kot.

CO SOTG LTCOL J said CPL Baird was a professional and disci-plined soldier who exemplified all that was a commando.

“Cam, you were a soldier of the highest order, one never to shy from battle,” he said.

“Rest in peace fine soldier and rest in the knowledge that we will honour you through our pledge to continue the mission here in Afghanistan.”

Australians, Afghans, Americans, Slovaks and Defence civilian col-leagues formed an honour guard to pay final tribute to CPL Baird as he was led to a C-130 to begin his jour-ney home.

CPL Baird was taking part in a partnered operation with the Afghan Provincial Response Company –

Michael Weaver

TEN officer cadets and midshipmen from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) have been sus-pended pending the outcome of an investigation into allegations of seri-ous misconduct.

VCDF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said an investigation was being conducted by the ADF Investigative Service into an off-campus incident on the weekend of June 15-16, where it is alleged a small group of male officer cadets and midshipmen were exhibiting conduct contrary to the values and standards expected of ADF members.

“Enough is enough. People who exhibit unacceptable conduct need to understand their actions will have

consequences and we will not toler-ate what is alleged to have happened here,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“The strong, united stance you are seeing from myself, the CDF and the Service Chiefs should send a very clear message – the ADF will not accept the type of actions or conduct that contradict our Defence values.”

AIRMSHL Binskin reassured parents that ADFA has undertaken an enormous effort to implement the recommendations of the Broderick Review.

“I am confident that ADFA has the right leadership, reporting mechanisms and support structures in place to deal with incidences of unacceptable conduct,” AIRMSHL Binskin said.

“This is about instilling the right

values and standards in our men and women so that they understand what Australia expects from its Defence Force and its future leaders.”

AIRMSHL Binskin has asked Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick to examine this specific issue and provide advice on how to further reinforce the cultural improvements occurring at ADFA as part of her ongoing engagement.

This follows the strong stance taken by CA LTGEN David Morrison on allegations relating to inappropriate email and images dis-tributed from 2010 using the Defence computer network and the public internet.

Three personnel were suspended and LTGEN Morrison is consider-ing suspension of a number of other

personnel in connection with the allegations.

CDF GEN David Hurley said the strong and visible stance against unacceptable behaviour was cultural reform in action.

“We will not accept or excuse illegal, offensive or discriminatory behaviour in the ADF. Such behav-iour contradicts our Defence values and will have swift and decisive con-sequences,” GEN Hurley said.

“As individuals we must have the moral courage to act, and the ability to respond when issues arise.

“I commend the cadets who have stepped forward to raise concerns at ADFA and I encourage anyone who is aware of unacceptable behaviour to also speak up.”

Uruzgan to disrupt an insurgent net-work operating in the Khod Valley in southern Afghanistan.

This network was known to have direct influences on insurgent activity in Uruzgan province.

Disruption operations are impor-tant to support the Afghan National Security Forces as they take respon-

sibility for security, and to enable the safe extraction of ISAF personnel.

CDF GEN David Hurley said CPL Baird was on his fifth tour of Afghanistan, having previously served in Iraq in 2003 and Timor-Leste in 2001.

“In combat, and as a team com-mander, he was the man to watch and

never happier than when the situation demanded decisive action and cour-age,” he said.

“CPL Baird died how he lived – at the front, giving it his all, with-out any indecision. He will for-ever be remembered by his mates and the soldiers he served with in 2 Cdo Regt.”

Commanders, managers and leaders at all levels need to consider:➤ The protection of individuals in the

workplace.➤ The maintenance of public confidence

in the Air Force.➤ The right of the respondent to

procedural fairness.

When an incident occurs:➤ Report the incident as per standard

RAAF procedures, including undertaking a Quick Assessment.

➤ Seek legal advice.➤ Consider the appropriateness of:➤ Temporarily removing the respondent

from the workplace;➤ Temporary reassignment of duties;➤ Suspension from duty;➤ Changes to accommodation.

➤ Await the outcome of the investigation before making permanent decisions.

Managing unacceptable

conduct

SORELY MISSED: The casket of CPL Cameron Baird is escorted to the Hercules by his SOTG mates.

Photos: CPL Mark Doran and Steve Dent

3July 4, 2013RCEAIR F Operations

CPL Mark Doran

AIRFIELD Defence Guards from Security Force One (SECFOR 1) marked the end of their 198-day mis-sion in Afghanistan on June 5.

Guardianship of the base was handed over to SECFOR 2 during a Transfer of Authority parade at the Multinational Base Tarin Kot (MNB-TK).

SECFOR 1 deployed with about 70 personnel to replace the Slovak guard force in November 2012, and was responsible for providing pro-tection and safety for the 7500 per-sonnel, infrastructure and assets at MNB-TK.

The unit conducted more than 60 patrols outside the wire with combat engineers from the 7RAR Task Group and the US 883rd Engineer Company as well as other enabling teams.

SECFOR 2 will be responsible for perimeter security as the base ret-rograde continues, and will assume the security police role later in the year until the end of Combined Team Uruzgan’s (CTU) mission.

CO MNB-TK WGCDR Lee de Winton welcomed SECFOR 2 to Tarin Kot and said its challenges would be different to those encoun-tered by SECFOR 1.

“I have no doubt that when pre-sented to you, the challenges will be tackled with the professionalism, flexibility and adaptability that is synonymous with airfield defence,” she said.

“For SECFOR 1, it was a long and successful 11 months. It was made more impressive with the training and the preparation for a short notice deployment. You have done an out-standing job.”

Drawn from No. 1 and No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadrons, 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing, based at RAAF Base Amberley, SECFOR 1 was the first significant deployment of Air Force security spe-cialists since 1999.

The airfield defence guards were

SECFOR 2 takes the lead

also the first personnel to train on US search equipment and the crew remote operating weapon system for use at entry control points.

Commander 2 Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, COL Douglas Cardinale said SECFOR 1’s mission was to secure MNB-TK from air and land threats.

“Through coordination with ISAF forces, SECFOR 1 accomplished all assigned tasks at the entry-con-trol points, on quick-reaction teams and conducting ground area defence patrols,” he said.

“Your collective efforts through hard work and perseverance secured

the base and protected all personnel on it. CTU could not have been successful without your teamwork and steadfast defence.”

SECFOR 1 were constant ly exposed to activities of the Afghan National Security Forces, predomi-nately the Afghan National Army, and host nation private security company personnel at MNB-TK.

SECFOR 1 Commander FLTLT Adrian Rodgers said his men did an excellent job providing security for MNB-TK 24-hours a day, seven-days a week for seven months.

“It was a long deployment and combined with the lead-up training we

were away for 11-and-a-half months, which was a big challenge for the team,” FLTLT Rodgers said. For many of the younger guys it was their first deployment, so the separation from family and friends was probably their biggest challenge.

“SECFOR 1 also instigated the counter small-arms-fire plans at the base for the protection of aircraft on approach and take-off.

“It is part of our normal job in Australia and to be able to do it on operations was a key achievement for us.”

SECFOR 2 Commander FLTLT Ben Kurylowicz said his men were

ready for their mission and had spent the past six months in intense indi-vidual and collective training.

“We are fortunate as the previous rotation has set us up well by estab-lishing outstanding procedures and expanded the mission by increasing the security which can be provided to the base,” he said.

“The retrograde of the base is one of our biggest security chal-lenges. Security will become more challenging as we go on, but we will maintain flexibility and continually adapt and re-evaluate the situation to provide our effect until the last air-craft leaves.”

HAND OVER: SECFOR 2 is marched off by Commander FLTLT Ben Kurylowicz during the Transfer of Authority parade with SECFOR 1 at Multinational Base Tarin Kot. Photo: CPL Mark Doran

Heron 12 at the helmCAPT Sean Childs

HERON Rotation 11 officially transferred their command author-ity to Rotation 12 at Kandahar Air Field on June 10.

Heron 11 built on their pre-decessor’s achievements and CO WGCDR Adrian Maso said their work had a direct and positive impact on Australia’s Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) advisory role in Uruzgan.

“We worked closely with Combined Team Uruzgan at Tarin Kot by providing a vital train-ing and feedback tool they could use when advising the ANSF,” WGCDR Maso said.

The Heron detachment flew more than 2000 hours during their 108 days in theatre.

“It’s been a rewarding experi-ence for all of us with Rotation 11,” WGCDR Maso said.

“We’re leaving behind solid, collegiate stakeholder relation-ships. That is entirely down to the hard work and positive input by all.”

Rotation 12 CO WGCDR Steven Parsons said the ground work laid by Rotation 11 and those before makes their job just that lit-tle bit easier.

“Let’s be under no illusions, ops means long hours of concen-trated effort and tirelessly provid-ing for the needs of our supported units. So to take over from a solid

base means we’re just that little bit ahead,” WGCDR Parsons said.

The Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) is capable of providing medium altitude long endurance intelligence, surveil-lance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission support.

First deployed in January 2010, the Heron monitors the bat-tlefield, providing ISR support to Australian and other International Security Assistance Force troops.

Heron 11 included 34 ADF per-sonnel, one Defence civilian and three contractors.

TAKING REIGNS: CO Heron Rotation 11 WGCDR Adrian Maso watches CO Heron 12 WGCDR Steven Parsons sign the Transfer of Authority certificate during a ceremony at Kandahar Air Field. Photo: LS Justin Brown

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4 July 4, 2013RCEAIR FNews

Flying with the doctors

Reducing alcohol harm

Face of blood donationSQNLDR Andrew Greaves has been chosen as this year’s Air Force ambas-sador for the 2013 Defence Blood Challenge. A pilot based at RAAF Base East Sale, SQNLDR Greaves was diagnosed with Myeloma – cancer of the bone marrow – in 2007, and has required numerous platelet and red blood cell infusions and one blood transfusion as part of his treatment. As ambassador, SQNLDR Greaves said his aim was to help raise the awareness of the need for blood donors during the challenge from September 1 to November 30.

1000th G-WagonTHE 1000th Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon has been delivered. The new vehicles, along with Australian-made trailers, are being rolled out to Air Force and Army units as part of the Land 121 Project Overlander. The $7.5 billion program will deliver more than 7500 protected and unprotected vehicles to the ADF over the next decade. The new variants are used as tactical training vehicles and for a wide range of support tasks. A total of 2146 G-Wagons are being rolled out before June 2016.

Catering contractTHE ADF School of Catering, at HMAS Cerberus, signed a Hospitality Training and Support Services Contract with Holmesglen Institute of TAFE on June 7, which will run until the end of June 2018. Trainees will use web-based resource training, practical demonstra-tion/assessment plans and be issued an iPad to access resources. The new contract will deliver Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, Certificate III in Multi-skilling, gastronomy unit competencies, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points and Hospitality Lead Auditors courses at its Glen Waverley Campus.

New accommodationNEW living-in accommodation for single ADF members at HMAS Coonawarra was officially opened on June 12 at Larrakeyah Barracks. The accommodation features self-contained apartments with telephone and internet access, secure storage for personal possessions, personal bal-cony, undercover parking and recrea-tional facilities. Project Single Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct (Single LEAP) Phase 2 will deliver 3015 units across HMAS Albatross, RAAF Base Wagga, Blamey Barracks, Lavarack Barracks, Bandiana, Simpson Barracks, Duntroon, ADFA, HMAS Stirling, Campbell Barracks and RAAF Base Edinburgh.

IN BRIEF

SQNLDR Paul Lineham

ON ANY given Wednesday in the Brisbane-based Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), patients may see their normal RFDS nurse accom-panied by a flying suit-clad RAAF Flight Paramedic or Flight Nurse.

The regular flights by Health Opera t iona l Convers ion Uni t (HOCU) instructors to maintain clinical skills are the brainchild of the CO, WGCDR Michael Penman, who undertook similar training while serving in the New Zealand Defence Force.

“I used to undertake regular fly-ing duties with a civilian rescue heli-copter and fixed-wing service, and that experience complemented my military flying and kept me current,” he said.

“I thought it was appropriate we did something similar at HOCU because we’re all instructors, we sit in a classroom or fly in an airframe, teaching people using training mis-sions, so our guys don’t get to see real patients while they’re here.”

An approach to the RFDS’s Queensland Branch at Brisbane Airport changed that.

Every Wednesday one of the HOCU Instructors works alongside an RFDS Nurse, giving them insight into how the RFDS conducts its day-to-day business of retrieving patients from all over Queensland.

The patients are of varying ages and conditions, from premature babies to trauma cases to the elderly. As all of the instructors are either Registered Nurses or Endorsed Enrolled Nurses, they are able to assist the flight nurse aboard the air-craft.

“This will enable our instructors to remain current in aeromedical retrievals and intensive care in the air, and gain experience that can be transferred to the military setting,” WGCDR Penman said.

“Last week my Sergeant had a long day, hours and hours of flying with two really sick patients on venti-lators – which is about as sick as you can get.

“It was great training and he was very pleased.”

While the flying with the RFDS gives the HOCU instructors an oppor-tunity to maintain clinical currency and refresh their experience with sick patients, it also gives them an oppor-tunity to actually meet the people they may be working with should a disaster occur.

WGCDR Penman said HOCU

would present lectures on the aero-medical evacuation system on RFDS courses, and would arrange “Safety in the Air” demonstrations when the RFDS students visited RAAF Base Amberley twice a year.

“The RFDS nurses are also coming out to fly in a C-17 on our Military Critical Aero Evacuation Team course, where we train the intensive care doctors and nurses,” he said.

The association would be of great value to both the ADF and RFDS because while the airframes are very different in size, the focus is the same – the safe carriage of patients to a medical facility.

SGT Dave Morley

THE ADF was well represented at the National Drug and Alcohol Awards held at Parliament House in Canberra on June 20.

C o m m a n d e r J o i n t H e a l t h RADM Robyn Walker present-ed the Defence-sponsored Award for Excellence in Prevention and Community Education to the School Health and Alcohol Reduction (SHAHRP) Program.

SHAHRP was the first program in Australia to assess the impact of an alcohol harm-reduction approach to school-based alcohol education.

The results show a significant impact on the amount and type of alcohol consumed by young people, and on the harm in alcohol situations. The program was particularly suc-cessful with early-risk drinkers.

The sponsorship of the award was an opportunity to increase awareness

of Defence’s commitment to best practice in the field of alcohol and other drugs intervention.

RADM Walker said the ADF aspired to be a leader in the preven-tion and management of alcohol-related issues and Defence’s engage-ment with the Alcohol and Other Drug Sector continued to be a high priority.

“As an organisation, we are committed to achieving a balance between encouraging the responsi-ble use of alcohol and preventing its misuse as an ongoing element of our core business,” she said.

RADM Walker said Defence was pleased to be working closely with the Australian Drug Foundation to develop the ADF Alcohol Management Strategy.

“Our Strategy will provide a framework for improving alcohol management within the ADF, reduc-ing alcohol misuse and its harms,

enhancing organisational capacity and reducing organisational costs,” she said.

“The ADF Alcohol Behaviour Expectations Statement and the ADF Leaders Guide to Alcohol Management are complete and we will soon release and the ADF Hospitality Management Guide.”

The National Drug and Alcohol Awards is an annual event that acknowledges frontline achievements in the field of alcohol and other drug intervention. Senior Defence repre-sentatives and ADFA cadets attended the awards night, while the RMC-D Band entertained the gathering.

The Alcohol Behaviour Expectation Statement and ADF Leaders Guide to Alcohol Management can be found at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/vcdf/sites/JHC/ComWeb.asp?page=38571 (intranet) and http://www.defence.gov.au/health/ (internet).

Life of service with many twists and turnsSQNLDR Paul Lineham

THE route CO of Health Operational Conversion Unit (HOCU), WGCDR Michael Penman, took to joining the Air Force was anything but direct.

He joined the New Zealand Army in 1990 as a nursing officer after spending three years in the reserves. Nurses and dentists in the New Zealand Defence Force were triservice so he found his first posting to the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN).

WGCDR Penman’s first deployment was to the First Gulf War with the US Navy and the USN Fleet Hospital 6,

which was a 1000–man, 500-bed tent hospital.

“After two years with the RNZN I was then told I was being posted to the Army and, by the way, ‘You’re to be a paratrooper in charge of the parachute medical team’,” WGCDR Penman said.

He deployed to Bosnia in late-1995, attached to British Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, where his ambulance was an M-113 armoured personnel carrier.

After that he was posted to the New Zealand Air Force in Auckland, where he spent a lot of time on rescue missions in Iroquois helicopters and the civilian Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

WGCDR Penman said he felt he had found his niche, only to be told after four years he was due back in the Army to be posted to Waiouru, the training area in the bleak and barren centre of the North Island.

There were nearby mountains for skiing but no schools for his children.

“I said no, and the rest is history,” he said. “I’ve been in the RAAF now for 12 years and I certainly made the right choice.”

After postings to RAAF Bases Williamtown and Darwin and Canberra, WGCDR Penman is happily settled into life at RAAF Base Amberley with HOCU.

TRAINING: Nursing officer FLTLT Hayley Bettanin, of Health Operational Conversion Unit, with Royal Flying Doctor Service nurse Clayton Judd, left, and pilot captain Steve Wallace. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

5July 4, 2013RCEAIR F News

FLTLT Cath Friend

THEY may have protected identity status, but combat controllers can still hold their heads high with the issuing of the new combat controllers berets and brevets.

The men were presented with their berets and brevets – which recognises their special role in Air Force – in front of their peers, commanders and loved ones at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Commander Air Combat Group AIRCDRE Tony Grady said the beret was recognised throughout the world’s militaries as a sign of elite forces, or special mission capable units.

“Like the headdress of the Special Forces they support, the combat con-troller beret has special significance and unique heraldry associated with it,” he said.

“As a volunteer to the Combat Control Team (CCT) capability they have committed themselves to the highest standards of professional con-duct in their duty as a combat control-ler. Through selection, they have dem-onstrated physical and mental tough-ness required for service.”

The road has been long for both the members and the staff at 4SQN. It started in 2006 when Special Operations Commander Australia asked DCAF if the Air Force was capable of fielding battlefield air-men similar to US Air Force combat controllers.

As a result, in 2007 Commander Air Combat Group established the

Controllers get berets

THE beret is the colour of the Air Force aircraft grey, which signifies the constant presence of aviation in the daily duties of the combat controller.

The Sykes-Fairbain dagger represents the close link combat controllers share with the commandos they support for operational tasks and the common training they share. The shield symbolises protection, as the combat controller must always be mindful of protecting friendly forces and civilians above all other considerations.

The beret and brevet provide a symbol by which other service personnel may recognise these men as combat controllers, and the long and arduous process implicit in becoming one. Regardless of background category or mustering, these accoutrements will brand all combat controllers alike and provide motivation for new applicants to aspire towards.

Special Tactics Project Proof of Concept Trial.

The aim was to graduate Air Force personnel from Commando training, train them as joint termi-nal attack controllers and then by January 2008, deploy them outside the wire in support of Special Forces.

Between 2008 and 2009 three intakes completed initial training and four members deployed with Special Operations Task Group.

Since 2008, CCTs have devel-oped an outstanding operational reputation when deployed on com-bat operations and domestic training exercises.

The hard work finally paid off in 2012 when the combat controller mustering and air surface integra-tion officer stream was created. With this decision the airmen that were no longer under training were promoted to the rank of sergeant and the CCT

capability declared Initial Operating Capability.

As written on their certificates: “Let everyday you wear the beret and brevet remind you of the commitment you have made, the trials you have faced and prepare you for the ones to come. Today as you accept the com-bat control beret and brevet you are again challenged to renew that com-mitment and master the airmanship tasks required to defend our country.”

AWARDED: A 4SQN combat controller proudly wears his beret on parade.Photo: LAC Craig Barrett

Combat controller berets and brevet

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Aircraft noise concerns

US on secret network

7July 4, 2013RCEAIR F News

CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown has raised strong concerns about a local council’s decision to develop land adjacent to RAAF Base Williamtown.

AIRMSHL Brown and Defence Parliamentary Secretary Senator David Feeney visited Williamtown and Raymond Terrace to raise con-cerns about the development of 153 Richardson Road, Raymond Terrace.

Port Stephens Council approved an in-principle development applica-tion for the land.

AIRMSHL Brown said Williamtown was a strategic base for our national security and needed to be protected for the future.

“RAAF Base Williamtown needs to be protected against urban encroachment, so the men and women of Air Force can continue their essential duties,” he said.

“Aircraft noise will never be eliminated. However, Air Force has implemented ‘fly neighbourly’ proce-dures to reduce aircraft noise impacts for existing properties.

“Developing properties within the Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) zones will further constrain the already limited opportunities for Air Force to mitigate aircraft noise impacts, both now and in the future.”

ANEF maps are a forecast of noise impacts that will be created in the future years.

The RAAF Base Williamtown 2025 ANEF predicts aircraft noise in the year 2025 made by both civilian and military aircraft at Williamtown and the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range.

Town councils are strongly encouraged to use the ANEF and apply Australian Standard 2021-2000 when considering development appli-cations.

Senator Feeney said Defence released ANEF maps to provide the best available information for deci-sion making by councils when con-sidering developments.

“When councils disregard the

ANEF and Australian Standards it exposes people to aircraft noise that could have been avoided,” Senator Feeney said.

“RAAF Base Williamtown isn’t going

anywhere – any future devel-opment inside the ANEF exposes new people to total-ly avoidable aircraft noise.

“This decision also comes on the back of the consider-able consultation that has

gone on with both the coun-cil and community groups before the Williamtown ANEF release. The consulta-tion was to ensure the future predicted noise exposure was understood.”

URBAN ENCROACHMENT: CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Brown and Defence Parliamentary Secretary Senator David Feeney are opposed to development directly around RAAF Base Williamtown due to noise from aircraft such as the F/A-18 (inset). The noise exposure forecast map above shows affected areas. Photos: CPL Mark McConnell and LAC Craig Barrett

Michael Weaver

THE secret information exchange between Australia and its biggest allies will increase as part of a suite of improvements under the Improved Connectivity Initiative.

The current phase of the project involves providing greater connectivity between the Australian and the US secret networks. The services will be put to the test during Exercise Talisman Sabre this month.

The project was trialled during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2011, while in this year’s exercise all ICT services required at the secret level will be pro-vided by the project.

The project is scheduled to formalise all support arrangements by October to ensure continued availability. Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand are considering the progress and are planning to have similar exchanges at the five-eyes level, negating the need for multiple networks.

The Assistant Secretary Military and Security Program Delivery in CIOG, Yaso Arumugam, said Talisman Sabre would allow real-time testing of con-nectivity between the Defence Secret Network (DSN) and the US Department of Defense’s Secret network.

“In the past, specific networks have been used for exercises, and connectiv-ity to the US has been through various networks,” Ms Arumugam said.

“Connectivity between the Australian and US secret networks allows approved users to directly collaborate with their

counterparts and provides real-time access to sensitive information necessary to support exercises and operations.”

T h e S O 1 C o m m u n i c a t i o n Information Systems Plans at HQ Joint Operations Command, LTCOL Dan Küffer, said the project has required close coordination.

“We’ve been conducting operations and exercises that require high-levels of collaboration with our allies. This pro-ject solves many of the interoperability issues associated with having to share information across multiple networks,” LTCOL Küffer said.

“We’ve already reduced our need for additional hardware and the time taken in planning and execution of exercises and operations.”

An information campaign on the capability will include tours to bases, while many of the services are already in place for those on operations.

Director of Information and Data Exchange Systems John Boxall said the campaign would have a strong focus on user awareness, with information ses-sions detailing the eventual capabilities of the system, including points of con-tact.

Mr Boxall said there would be much richer information on command and con-trol services, such as a tactical data link for the exchange of situational awareness on exercises and operations.

Further information about the pro-ject is available from the ICI 4EYES Gateway page on the DSN, or contact the DSN Service Desk for assistance.

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➤ Interactive chat and persistent chat – provides an enduring instant messaging service.

➤ Collaboration at sea database portal – provides an information sharing portal for joint planning and conduct of exercises and operations.

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TRANSITION TO CIVVY STREET WITH CONFIDENCE

A strategy for safety standardsTHE ADF will establish an Australian countermeasure qualification capabil-ity under an improvement program now under way.

Ai rc ra f t S to res Compat ib i l i ty Engineering Squadron (ASCENG SQN), together with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and Munitions Branch (MunB) are working together to build a standard countermeasure certifica-tion strategy to which all of the ADF air-borne countermeasures will be subjected.

A S C E N G S Q N , w h i c h f a l l s u n d e r Aerospace Operational Support Group (AOSG), is the authority for car-riage and release of countermeasures on A D F a i r c r a f t , a n d squadron XO Andrew Dunstone is at the fore-front of the management of the integration.

“Certification and qualification standards have to constantly evolve to match the pace with material and manufacturing development, with no current standardised testing approach to identify and under-stand these potential new hazards,” he said.

“The certification program will pro-vide the ADF with confidence that all in-service countermeasures have been assessed and the hazards associated with their use are adequately understood and managed.”

Airborne countermeasures are designed to protect aircraft and crew deployed to hostile situations. The ADF has learned that the new breed of air-borne countermeasures are not as low risk as previously thought, though thank-fully with no loss of platform or life.

“The constant drive towards more effective countermeasures within the ADF, via the Australian Airborne Countermeasures Team (AACT), to

defeat evolving threats has seen the counter-measures that we are using being manufac-tured with new materials and manufacturing tech-niques,” Mr Dunstone said.

“This has introduced a range of new hazards to our aircraft that were pre-viously unthinkable for stores of this type.

“At the extreme end of the scale, these new countermeasures can pre-

sent a high risk of significant aircraft damage or even worse, should they fail to function correctly when leaving the aircraft.”

ASCENG SQN will pursue the use of the ADF certification regime as the basis for an international countermeasure certification standard, promoting greater disclosure across all suppliers and users, allowing greater use of foreign and sup-plier qualification programs while ensur-ing the safety of our people and assets.

PROTECTION: ASCENG SQN has embarked on an improvement program that will lead to the establishment of an indigenous countermeasure qualification capability for the ADF.

8 July 4, 2013RCEAIR FAir Force Improvement

‘Certification and

qualification standards have to constantly evolve to match the pace

of material and manufacturing development.

– Andrew Dunstone, XO ASCENG SQN

9July 4, 2013RCEAIR F News

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FLTLT Cath Friend

WHEN the V8s are lined up on the grid you would expect all eyes to be on the cars, but an F/A-18A Hornet turned on an awesome display of power in Darwin that wowed the crowds.

Pilot FLTLT Todd Woodford commanded the full attention of the 40,000 spectators when he conduct-ed high-speed passes, turns, and ver-tical climbs.

RAAF Base Tindal’s 75SQN provided two aerial displays over the Skycity V8 Supercar Championships, held at Hidden Valley.

Aircraft technician LAC Casey Kelty took part in the event and said it was a great experience.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for 75SQN to be involved with such

a large national event,” LAC Kelty said.

“I personally hope that 75SQN can continue to provide spectacular air displays for the V8s.”

The 75SQN members were given the opportunity to observe and speak to different V8 teams in the pits, see-ing how like-minded professionals worked in tough environments.

Aircraft technicians were invited into the Red Bull Racing area, and on both days were given an insight into the technical aspects of racing.

CPL Mitch Philpot SUP said it was fantastic to see how the V8 Supercar teams moved all their equipment from race to race, “much like the deployment of a squadron, from a logistical point of view”.

The technicians were also able to see how each team mem-ber was vital to the final outcome,

and for Red Bull it was all positive, with two team victories over the two-day event.

At the other end of the pits were the aircrew, who spent their time with the owner of the Dodo Car, Tony Warne.

He walked the team through a weekend of highs and lows – ulti-mately the car didn’t finish the race due to a massive pile-up.

Mr Warne said it was just one race and the championship series wasn’t over “until it’s all over”.

“Now it’s time for the team to rebuild and get back out there for the Townsville race – this is what we do,” he said.

The next race is in Townsville from July 5-7 and will feature a Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter, provid-ing a low-level aerobatic display.

All revved up for Supercars

Eamon Hamilton

A PAIR of Air Force technicians faced the world’s best in remote control (RC) aircraft at a competition in Florida.

Aptly named Top Gun, the competi-tion is now in its 25th year and from May 1-5 drew 108 entrants from 26 countries.

This year the entrants included CPL Peter Goff, a project technician with the Air Lift Systems Program Office, and CPL Anthony Ogle, a reservist with 37SQN.

Top Gun is an invitation-only event, where judges critique the realism of an RC aircraft – not just the detail, but also how it flies.

Both CPLs Goff and Ogle attended last year’s Top Gun as spectators, but were invited to participate in this year’s event following their success in state and national competitions.

They each drew on WWII for inspiration, with CPL Goff building a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat carrier-borne fighter, while CPL Ogle built a Republic P-47M Thunderbolt long-range fighter.

CPL Goff said construction of his Hellcat took more than two years, and was completed from scratch using a mix of balsa, plywood and fibreglass.

Building the Hellcat’s structure took just six months – the majority of effort went into recreating the finer details.

“The most time-consuming part was reproducing the thousands of rivets and all the panel lines, and also achieving a realistic weathered finish using pastels was rather difficult,” CPL Goff said.

“There are two appropriate sayings when building a scale model. The first is, ‘When the construction of the air-craft is 90 per cent complete, you usu-ally still have 90 per cent to go’.

“The other saying is, ‘You never fin-ish a scale model, you only stop work-ing on it’.”

The Hellcat weighed in at 12.7kg. Its undercarriage rotates and retracts into the wing exactly like the real aircraft, with other features including

controllable cowl and wing flaps, a sliding canopy and detailed cockpit.

During the build, a test and refine-ment process was conducted to ensure the RC replica flew correctly, a process which took extensive research, CPL Goff said.

“There were many hours research-ing old war documentaries on how that particular aircraft flew so as to replicate its flying characteristics as best as pos-sible,” he said.

CPLs Goff and Ogle were among five Australians who attended Top Gun 2013.

Packed in custom-built cases, the RC models were flown by Qantas and then transported by road with the assis-tance of two friends the corporals made at Top Gun 2012.

At Lakeland Regional Airport, east of Tampa, the 108 entrants battled it out across six categories.

Competitors make four flights with their RC aircraft to demonstrate its ability to fly like the real thing, and are also judged on a static assessment of the model, which critiques the builder’s attention to detail.

CPL Goff was awarded a trophy for best unlimited entry, which is judged based on the performance of the aircraft over the entire event, as well as placing sixth in the unlimited class, where no restrictions apply on the scale, size or builder of the model.

CPL Ogle’s P-47M Thunderbolt placed first in the Pro-Am Sportsman Class.

“It was definitely an eye opener on how to approach world-class scale com-petition,” CPL Goff said.

“Many friends were made and we now have contacts in the RC industry worldwide.”

The competition whet the corpo-rals’ appetite for a return in 2014, and CPL Goff said he intended to bring an Australian flavour.

“I’m currently finishing a 108-inch wingspan CAC Wirraway for next year that will be a replica of the current flying Wirraway at Temora Aviation Museum in southern NSW,” he said.

Remote control aircraft victory

NEED FOR SPEED: Avionics technician LAC Casey Kelty was part of a team from 75SQN on the starting grid at the V8 Supercars at Hidden Valley, Darwin. Inset, pilots FLGOFF Kris Sieczkowski and FLTLT Thomas Quin are shown the engine of the Mustang Trans Am by Tony Karanfilovski, a driver in the Touring Car Masters. Photos: LAC Dan Pinhorn

HIGH FLIERS: CPLs Anthony Ogle and Peter Goff achieved success at an invitation-only remote control aircraft competition in Florida.

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SQNLDR Paul Lineham

WHEN WOFF Maeve Tennent decid-ed to call it a day after 47 years’ ser-vice in the Air Force, CO 23SQN WGCDR Simon Nickson said the squadron was coming to the end of an era, with many previous and pend-ing retirements of long-term serving personnel. At the time of retirement, WOFF Tennent was the longest serv-ing woman in the ADF.

“Maeve technically reached com-pulsory retirement age last year but asked for an age extension to achieve a couple of goals, and this year she clocked up 47 years and also her 26th year in 23SQN,” WGCDR Nickson said.

WOFF Tennent jo ined the WRAAF at RAAF Base Amberley in 1966. She joined as a stewardess, working mainly in officers’ messes where she also attended to VIPs – with some standing out as particular favourites.

“I looked after a lot of gov-ernors and governors-general over the years, but Sir Roden Cutler VC stands out – I think his distinguished career always impressed me, and

It’s the end of an era

RETIREMENT: WOFF Maeve Tennent, of 23SQN, is given a warm round of applause from colleagues as they celebrate her retirement after 47 years of service in the Air Force. Photo: LACW Jessica Rouw

also Sir Walter Campbell – I dear-ly loved looking after him when he was the Honorary Air Commodore of 23SQN,” she said.

WOFF Tennent reached Sergeant, which was the highest rank avail-able to women at the time, in just four years.

Then, in 1977, all limitations on rank were removed.

The stewardess mustering was disbanded and the now substantive

SQNLDR Kay Ellis, who died in 2011, combined her military service with a pas-sion for photographic art and one of her digital piec-es can now be seen at St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital at Spring Hill.

The work, Conceptacle 2005, was presented by SQNLDR Ellis’ sister Leigh Park to St Andrew’s general manager Ian England and the hospi-tal’s honorary art cura-tor, Visiting Medical

Practitioner Philip Hall. It is one of several of SQNLDR Ellis’ works on display in the St Andrew’s “Pod Gallery” space on Level 1 of the hospital.

SQNLDR Ellis joined the Air Force in 1981. She was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in 2007 in recognition of her efforts to improve bereavement care for families of Defence person-nel. Her work followed her own tragic loss: her

husband FLTLT Tim Ellis, who was one of five crew killed in October 1991 when their B707 crashed off Victoria while on a training exercise. “Art is a healing presence in hospi-tals,” Dr Hall said. “It cre-ates a welcoming environ-ment for patients and their families as well as staff.

“We are honoured to accept this work from Kay’s sister Leigh as part of St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital’s grow-

ing permanent collection. We have had an enormous response to the exhibition of Kay’s works in our gal-lery space.”

Ms Park said her sister would have been delighted to have her work seen and appreciated in the Hospital. “Kay would have been very pleased with the synergy between her military service and St Andrew’s being a War Memorial Hospital,” she said.

Air Force officer’s artwork finds home at war memorial hospital

Empowering youth

WOFF Tennent had the same job opportunities as her male counterparts.

The need to care for her mother led WOFF Tennent to leave the permanent Air Force and join 23SQN, where she served with enthusiasm and dedica-tion.

There were opportunities to expe-rience new challenges, such as the International Four Day Nijmegen marches in the Netherlands.

“It was one of the great opportuni-ties in my service career, and I went on the 160km military marches in 2000, 2002, and 2004,” she said.

“It was tough, but if you did the training you didn’t have any worries.”

WOFF Tennent has had 18 COs in her reserve career, but said the only one who wasn’t born when she first joined was the current CO 23SQN, WGCDR Nickson, who paid tribute to her at her farewell morning tea.

“Maeve has been in 23SQN since 1987 and has given loyal, dedicated service her whole career; she is one of those people who give enthusiastic dedication to the service,” he said.

She will return to Amberley in civvies as a volunteer at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre.

AFTER her children encouraged her to join, the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) became a family affair for FLGOFF (AAFC) Michelle Fisher, with her husband and three daughters all at 333SQN in Port Macquarie.

“We are extremely fortunate that we all get on together and work as a team,” FLGOFF Fisher (AAFC) said. “We get on so well and tend to bounce off each other.”

It is her family-oriented approach which has contributed to her success in community work and the AAFC, with FLGOFF Fisher being recognised in the commu-nity at the Women of the Macleay Awards.

“When my husband rang to tell me I’d won an award, I thought he was joking,” FLGOFF (AAFC) Fisher said.

“The other women nominated for the awards are extremely dedi-cated and passionate people and I was honoured to be included.”

This year, FLGOFF (AAFC) Fisher is celebrating a record 25 new recruits in her new role as CO at 312SQN, Macleay Valley.

“I feel we both treat the staff and cadets at our squadron like family and that is why the squad-ron has been so successful,” she said.

“I enjoy seeing the new recruits join the ranks and watch

them grow and change over time to become self-assured and confi-dent.”

FLGOFF (AAFC) Fisher is a Partnership Broker at Mid-Coast Connect, a not-for-profit organisa-tion that links local schools and businesses on projects of mutual benefit.

The School Business Community Partnership Brokers program fosters a whole-of-community approach to supporting young people as they learn and develop – with a key goal ensuring

young Australians attain Year 12 or equivalent qualifications.

FLGOFF (AAFC) Fisher builds partnerships between schools and training organisations, business and industry, community organisa-tions and parents and families, partnerships that develop programs to aid students.

The programs, which are facilitated by FLGOFF (AAFC) Fisher, help young people attain their edu-cational and occupational aspira-tions, such as HSC completion.

RECOGNITION: FLGOFF Michelle Fisher (AAFC) has been awarded for her work with youth.

AIR FORCE ARTIST: Leigh Park and Dr Ian England with SQNLDR Kay Ellis’ (inset) artwork.

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Sad farewellONE funeral wasn’t enough to pay trib-ute to the late SQNLDR Mark “Shoes” Sadowski.

Multiple services were held at bases in Queensland, New South Wales and Darwin so colleagues far and wide could remember the well-loved friend, who died aged 49 after suffering a heart attack at home.

The funeral at Mount Hawthorne in Western Australia and memorial services at RAAF Bases Amberley, Townsville, Richmond, Williamtown and Darwin remembered SQNLDR Sadowski as an “old-school straight shooter who was extremely well respected by all”.

In a speech he delivered at the funeral, CO 1 Combat Communications Squadron (1CCS) WGCDR Nick Clarke said SQNLDR Sadowski was “a friend, an ally and a great supporter”.

“Moreover he loved the military, the Air Force and 1CCS,” he said.

“The members of 1CCS are part of a bigger family. To me, Shoes was not just a number or a name – he was a part of that family.”

In fact Shoes had three families, according to WGCDR Clarke: his bloodline, including his father John Sadowski and sister Gillian, his military family, and his family at Thuringowa Lawn Bowling Club in Townsville where SQNLDR Sadowski was awarded bowler of the year in 2012.

Born on January 30, 1964, SQNLDR Sadowski joined the Air Force on September 27, 1982 as a telecommuni-cations technician.

In December 1987, he was promoted to corporal and then three years later, to the day, he was promoted to sergeant.

Living a life of serviceA COURAGEOUS pilot who demonstrated outstanding leadership, both in combat and in instructional and command appointments later in his RAAF career, has passed away aged 92.

Herbert Plenty was born on February 2, 1921, in Port Pirie, South Australia, and was raised on a farm.

GPCAPT Plenty started pilot training at RAAF Base Point Cook in September 1939, graduating in March 1940 with his wings.

In mid-1941, GPCAPT Plenty was posted to 8SQN in Canberra and deployed to Sembawang Singapore, monitoring Japan’s naval presence.

On a coastal patrol over the South China Sea on January 24, 1942, GPCAPT Plenty’s Hudson was damaged by enemy fighters and he ditched in the sea. He managed to lead his crew on foot back to their base, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

In 1942, GPCAPT Plenty was posted to 14SQN at RAAF Base Pearce,

flying Hudsons on sea patrols. He then became a flying instructor at 1 Bomber Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) at Bairnsdale, Victoria.

In 1943, GPCAPT Plenty was posted as Flight Commander to 100SQN, flying Beaufort bombers from Milne Bay and Goodenough Island in Papua New Guinea.

For his outstanding leadership and courage flying Beauforts in PNG, GPCAPT Plenty was awarded a bar to his DFC.

GPCAPT Plenty also flew as an instructor on Beauforts at 1 Bomber OCU, and then following another promotion he was posted to command 1 Communication Unit at Essendon.

After the war he continued to serve in the Air Force for a further 30 years, retiring in January 1976.

GPCAPT Plenty passed away in Canberra on May 13. He is survived by his wife Margaret, his siblings Edwin, John, Joan and Myra, his children John, Ross, Barbara, Carolyne and David, and grandchildren.

In July 1997 he was promoted to flight sergeant, before being promoted to warrant officer in January 2004.

In November 2007 he was commis-sioned as a flight lieutenant electrical, before his final promotion in January this year to squadron leader – an event WGCDR Clarke remembered as put-ting a “big grin on Shoes’ face”.

During his service career SQNLDR Sadowski deployed on operations Catalyst and Slipper in 2007, Pakistan Assist II in 2010 and Op Yasi Assist in 2011.

During his 31 years in the Air Force, SQNLDR Sadowski received the Australian Service Medal with Clasp South-East Asia, the Australian Active Medal with Clasp Iraq 2003, the Iraq Campaign Medal and in April this year, the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal with Clasp Pakistan II.

WGCDR Clarke said SQNLDR Sadowski’s sudden passing had “creat-ed an enormous void which will never be filled”.

“He will always be in the forefront of our memories,” he said.

THE Air Lift Group commu-nity has farewelled FLTLT Ann Gollan, following her passing after a battle with cancer.

Workmates, friends and family gathered at St Monica’s Catholic Church in Richmond on May 17 for a funeral service which recalled a woman whose loss will be deeply felt – both pro-fessionally and as a good friend.

FLTLT Gollan was born on October 2, 1970, and joined the Air Force in 1989, training as an engine fitter. As one of the few females in this trade, she was a pioneer in her first posting to 38SQN to work on the Caribou.

Her work on this aircraft soon led to FLTLT Gollan receiv-ing the affectionate nickname

‘Grubbie’. Fellow 38SQN mem-bers took this as the sign of some-one willing to get the job done at all costs, and FLTLT Gollan carried this trait throughout her career.

She rose to become one of the most knowledgeable technicians in her trade, and in 1996 FLTLT Gollan remustered as a non-destructive inspection technician (NDITECH).

Working on the C-130E, C-130H and B707, FLTLT Gollan was again lauded profes-sionally for her expertise. In 1999, during a routine inspection of a C-130E Hercules, cracks and corrosion were discovered behind an engine. A fleet-wide inspection of C-130Es was initi-

ated, and by January 2000, up to six aircraft had shown similar cracks – resulting in a review of the aircraft’s retirement and an expedited introduction of the C-130J.

In 2002, FLTLT Gollan was the sole NDITECH deployed with the B707 to Kyrgyzstan, which provided air-to-air refuel-ling services for aircraft over Afghanistan.

She accepted any challenge given to her, including assist-ing a US Marine Corps F/A-18 squadron based with the B707 detachment.

After this deployment, FLTLT Gollan commenced studies for an education degree under the Civil Schooling Program, and commis-

sioned on February 2, 2004 as an education officer. She completed in-service work experience at HQ Air Lift Group before join-ing its Training System Team in January 2007.

Her experience as a tech-nician enabled her to effec-tively translate the terminology between two separate work-places.

In 2012 she was diagnosed with cancer, which she battled until her passing on May 11. FLTLT Gollan is remembered as a woman of great warmth and wit, with an innate ability to lift the spirits of those around her.

She is survived by her hus-band Micheal, and children Madison, William and Samuel.

Loss felt by many across trades

MOURNED BY MANY: SQNLDR Mark “Shoes” Sadowski has been remembered with services around Australia. Photo: CPL Glen McCarthy

SAD LOSS: FLTLT Ann “Grubbie” Gollan worked as a technician before becoming an education officer. Photo: CPL Colin Dadd

BRAVERY: GPCAPT Herb Plenty (retd), DFC and Bar, fought in WWII before continuing to serve for a further 30 years.

FLTLT David Woods

THE rank of corporal is considered one of the most challenging and reward-ing ranks, as well as the future engine room of the ADF.

Recognis ing tha t fac t , 381 Expedi t ionary Combat Support Squadron (381ECSS) has introduced an initiative called the Corporals’ Council – a forum, or fire-side chat as they like to call it, where the junior leaders of the squadron come together.

The council is a unique way for corporals to gain broader situational awareness, experience and shared pro-fessional development. They determine their information requirements and the squadron executive assists by sourcing guest presenters.

SQNLDR Sonia King, T/CO 381ECSS, implemented the council as an important development tool for Air Force.

“Developing the junior and future Air Force non-commissioned leaders is a key command responsibility and one that delivers improvements within the squadron that are sometimes not fully measurable,” SQNLDR King said.

“We have some outstanding cor-porals who are actively expanding their leadership and skills, and are also keen to explore further options avail-able to them across the Air Force. The executive team at 381ECSS is provid-ing them a foundation for growth and opportunity through the Corporals’ Council.”

Purposefully not following a formal structure so as to encourage open and

Corporals leading the way

‘Developing the

junior and future Air Force non-commissioned

leaders is a key command

responsibility and one that delivers improvements

within the squadron that are

sometimes not fully measurable.

– SQNLDR Sonia King, acting CO 381ECSS

PEER SUPPORT: 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing OC GPCAPT Peter Davis, second from left, answers questions from squadron corporals as part of the Corporals’ Council. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett

frank communication, the agenda is set by the corporals and largely driv-en by current events. The Corporals’ Council is provided with opportuni-ties to hear from key leadership and command figures, together with more structured developmental presentations on a broad range of ADF and squadron issues.

OC 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing (395ECSW) GPCAPT Peter Davis, who was answering ques-tions posed by the corporals at a recent

Council, said he endorsed the initiative. “This will be established across all

units within 395ECSW in the com-ing months. SQNLDR King has been tasked with providing a brief on the initiative to other 395ECSW command-ers at my next OC conference,” he said.

SQNLDR King said giving corpo-rals greater opportunity and respon-sibility would help them to become stronger leaders.

“Exposing our corporals directly to finer and sometime more complex

personnel and organisation topics like career planning, mentoring, reorgani-sation and leadership, to name a few, builds their knowledge, confidence and espirit de corps,” she said.

Expeditionary combat support squadrons by nature are dispersed around a base, so corporals from differ-ent sections rarely interact face-to-face, and communication is generally done via email or telephone. The Corporals’ Council enables a corporal from each section within the squadron to attend

the council to contribute to the forum and benefit from exchanges and pres-entations.

CPL Shane Blair said the Council had given him some great ideas as well as a support network.

“Listening to the experiences and challenges of other corporals and execu-tives in the squadron has really assisted me appreciate the value in networking and sharing experiences,” he said.

“You never know how your experi-ence can assist someone else.”

14 July 4, 2013RCEAIR FPersonnel

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15July 4, 2013RCEAIR F Personnel

John Marane

FULL rent allowance is now availa-ble to ADF members without depend-ants who had been eligible for only partial rent allowance before July 1.

This change is expected to benefit more than 800 members.

Assistant Director Mili tary Conditions and Housing Policy, Bruce Jackson said Defence was con-stantly reviewing and updating its policies regarding service conditions and housing policy.

“These changes will enable mem-bers who are renting to live in hous-ing that better meets their needs and expectations,” Mr Jackson said.

Before July 1, some members without dependants were provided with only partial rent allowance due to a combination of their rank and years of service.

Their contribution and rent ceiling were half the rate of a member enti-tled to full rent allowance.

Following this policy change, all eligible members without depend-ants will receive the full rate of rent allowance and make corresponding contributions.

Members who are sharing accom-modation receive the appropriate shared amount.

Unless there is a service require-ment to relocate, there is no remov-al benefit for a member seeking to relocate to a different residence as a result of the change in policy.

Eligible members do not need to take any administrative action.

Changes to the rent allowance rates occurred automatically and will appear in members’ pay on July 18.

There is a small group of mem-bers who will not immediately bene-fit from the change to full rent allow-ance.

These members would have received a lower rate of rent allow-ance after July 1 than they were receiving before that date.

To ensure no detriment to these

Air Force BandJuly 5: OTS gradu-ation, RAAF Base East Sale.

July 17: 1RTU graduation, RAAF Base Wagga.

July 19: Fromelles service at Melbourne Shrine, Melbourne.

RoulettesJuly 14: Mildura Airport opening, Mildura.

RAAF MuseumJuly 7: Reserve Forces Day at Melbourne Shrine, Melbourne.

Air Force events

Rent allowance boost

members, they have retained their pre-July 1 rent allowance amount until their situation is resolved.

Defence Housing Australia is managing the rent allowance changes including contacting members before

July 1 to explain their options to them.

If members believe they are in this group and have not been con-tacted, they should contact their local Housing Management Centre

or ring Defence Housing Australia on 139 342.

For more information see DEFGRAM 339/2013 or email Housing.PolicyInquiry@defence.gov.au

HOUSING SUPPORT: ADF members without dependants are now eligible for full rent allowance instead of the original partial amount. Photo: CPL Aaron Curran

Choose a week, not a day for your removalsALL ADF members undergoing a domestic removal will be provided with an uplift on any day within a nominated week, rather than on a specified day within that week, as part of changes to take effect from August 5.

Director of Relocations and Housing Alan McClelland said the changes do not involve an adjustment to policy or relocation entitlements.

“Currently, while Toll Transitions uses their best endeavours to achieve a member’s preferred uplift date, this is not always possible, and when it is possible, it often incurs additional costs to the services removals budget,” Mr McClelland said.

In 2012, Defence conducted a three-month trial of the whole-of-relocation cost model.

The trial showed Defence’s costs could be significantly reduced where the uplift takes place on another day within the same week as the member’s preferred uplift date. The reasons for this are:➤ Taking advantage of cost differences

in services arising from the day the service is supplied; for example mid-week hotel rates are generally less than a Friday

➤ Considering all relocation costs across each day of the requested uplift week when making the uplift decision

➤ Choosing the day of the week that

provides the most cost-effective com-bination of costs.

Since the introduction of the pre-application for relocation, members have been nominating a week in which they plan to uplift and Mr McClelland said the initiative was a simple extension of the process.

Members will submit their application for relocation in the usual manner, nomi-nating a preferred uplift date.

Toll will determine the removal cost, select the best value for money uplift date within the requested week and advise the member.

“Members will be required to accept the allocated uplift date, however their interests will be protected as commanding officers can approve the preferred uplift date where operational reasons or extenu-ating personal circumstances exist,” Mr McClelland said.

“This approval will need to be provid-ed by the member to Toll at the time they submit their application for relocation.”

There will be little if any impact to members who submit their application early.

Defence will conduct a review of these new arrangements early in 2014 follow-ing the coming peak posting period.

Further information on the new relocation model can be obtained by contacting Toll Transition’s Customer Service Centre on 1800 819 167.

John Marane

THOSE applying for a home loan subsidy through the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme will have access to an increased assistance amount this financial year.

Since July 1 the primary index used by the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme has been set at $520,271.

Director Military Conditions and Housing Policy Peter Redston said this was an increase of $36,831 from 2012-13.

“Taking account of the movement in house prices each year is one of the strengths of the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme,” Mr Redston said.

The primary index for the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme is the average house price, which covers house prices across Australia during a 12-month period.

This is used to calculate the subsi-dised loan amounts under the scheme and is derived from Australian Bureau of Statistics published data.

The three home loan subsidy values under the scheme are based on a per-centage of the average house price as follows:➤ �Tier 1 – 40 per cent of the average

house price.➤ Tier 2 – 60 per cent of the average

house price.➤ �Tier 3 – 80 per cent of the average

house price.The Department of Veterans’ Affairs

is the administrator of the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme.

If a member has a query on the scheme they should contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Information on the scheme and tier sub-sidy levels is at: www.dhoas.gov.au/www/html/852-how-subsidies-are-calculated.asp

Home loan subsidy is increased

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16 July 4, 2013RCEAIR FFlightline

IN TUNE: Top left, saxophonist CPL Ralph Whiteoak at the Tarakan 70th Anniversary Parade in Darwin. Photo: CPL Cam ScottA RECORD: Above, LACW Alex Frisby conducts local procurement and processes the demands for incoming stores for the Middle East. Photo: PO Phil CullinanSTEPPING UP: Right, SGT Morgan Campbell acts as the Air Movements Training and Development Unit quality assurance officer at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo: CPL Amanda CampbellFAMILY AFFAIR: Left, LAC Brad Evans and his father Craig Evans are currently both deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Slipper. Photo: CPL Janine Fabre

NEW FRIENDS: While on Operation Pacific Partnership, LACW Bianca Goodhill gets close to a Cuscus called Mangitungs, as it gets a veterinary check-up in Papua New Guinea. Photo: LAC David Cotton

CATCH UP: CO 77SQN WGCDR Ben Sleeman, right, catches up with colleague COL Buti Ali Saif Ali Al Neyadi during a visit by the UAE Air Force to RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo: LAC Craig Barrett

ARTISTIC: CO 2OCU WGCDR Matthew McCormack accepts a gift of artwork presented by Grant Vercoe, who previously worked at the unit as an airframe fitter and is now completing a Masters in Fine art at Newcastle University.Photo: LAC Craig Barrett

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17July 4, 2013RCEAIR F Finance

There are some important changes coming to your credit report, ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft writes.

CREDIT CRUNCH: It is worth checking your credit report each year to ensure there are no mistakes that could affect your credit record. Photo: LS Helen Frank

Extra information about how you repay your loans and credit cards is being collected now, and will be seen on your credit report from March 2014.

So if you fail to make a repayment, it can affect your ability to get credit from March 2014.

What is a credit report?If you’ve ever applied for credit or a loan, there will probably be a report about you with a credit reporting agency.

Credit providers use this to assess your capacity to repay a new loan or credit card, or if you try to increase your limit on an existing loan or credit card.

Credit reports usually contain personal information such as your address, date of birth, employment and driver’s licence num-ber.

They also set out your credit history such as credit you have applied for, unpaid debts, bankruptcies, court judgments and debt agree-ments or personal insolvency agreements in your name.

Your credit contract will usually explain when your credit provider may make a report about you to a credit reporting agency. The credit provider must let you know before lodging a report about any overdue payments.

What is changing?From early next year, credit reports will also include your repayment history, plus:➤ The date your credit payments were due➤ Whether or not you paid by the due date

(no payment or partial payment by the due date are both considered missed payments)

➤ The dates you made any missed payments (but not the amounts that were missed)If you don’t make a payment, your credit

provider may refer your debt to a debt collector and may ask a credit reporting agency to record the default on your credit report.

How long will a default be listed?

A credit default listing will generally stay on your report for five years. If you pay the debt, the listing stays, but your credit report is updated to show you have made payments.

When you apply for credit down the track, for example a home loan or business loan, you may be rejected on the basis that there is a default listed on your credit report.

Credit providers must tell you if your application has been rejected because of something in your credit report.

Check your report

It’s a good idea to check your credit report every year to make sure there are no mistakes that could affect your credit record and your ability to get credit.

You can get a copy of your credit report for free from the credit reporting agency if you can wait 10 working days. You may have to pay if you need it quicker.

Visit www.moneysmart.gov.au for more information on credit reports, including how to get a copy of your report and what to do if you don’t agree with what’s in your credit report.

Pays to watch your credit

18 July 4, 2013RCEAIR FHealth

THE alarm clock blurts out its morning wake-up call, yet the last thing you’re thinking of is springing out of bed. You have

a coffee to kick-start proceedings, yet you could literally drive a bus out of the gaping hole you are still yawning from.

Sound familiar?You may put this down to simply

being over-tired, but getting a good night’s sleep is just the start of a solu-tion to what could actually be classed as fatigue.

According to the Defence Work Health and Safety (WHS) Manual, the management of fatigue is an integral part of safety management. “Fatigue has predictable, adverse impacts on the workplace and therefore must be man-aged,” it says.

The WHS Manual explains that fatigue increases the likelihood of error through the impairment of human performance factors such as judgement, concentration, problem-solving abilities, mood, motivation, hand-eye coordination, reaction time and communication.

“Fatigue management is not just about assessing if personnel are fatigued; it is also about determining

whether they are safe at work,” the WHS Manual says.

Fatigue is more than just being tired. It is a feeling of weariness, or lack of energy that does not go away, even with rest.

There are many possible causes of fatigue, including too little or too much sleep, lifestyle or emotional con-cerns, depression, anxiety or grief, or medical causes such as the flu, glan-dular fever, anaemia, sleep disorders, hypothyroidism, heart problems, can-cer and other conditions.

The fact sheet Managing the Risks of Fatigue in Defence was created in line with federal regulations and is outlined in detail at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/whs/Guidance/Fatigue You can even calculate your fatigue likelihood score.

Defence employees and supervi-sors are encouraged to be aware of the causes, signs and symptoms of fatigue and the potential health and occupa-tional hazards that may result.

The Defence WHS Manual also says that since fatigue can be pre-dicted, individuals and managers can be held personally liable under Commonwealth WHS legislation.

Source: RAAFsafe Magazine, 03/2012FATIGUE FIGHTER: An officer cadet feels the heat as he works through the obstacle course at RMC. Photo: CPL Ricky Fuller

Symptoms of fatigue:➤ Chronic tiredness or sleepi-

ness➤ Headache➤ Dizziness➤ Sore or aching muscles➤ Slowed reflexes and responses➤ Impaired decision-making and

judgement➤ Moodiness, such as irritability➤ Poor hand-to-eye coordination➤ Appetite loss➤ Reduced immune function➤ Blurry vision➤ Short-term memory problems➤ Poor concentration➤ Hallucination➤ Reduced ability to pay atten-

tion to the situation at hand➤ Low motivation

Fighting fatigue:➤ Drink plenty of water➤ Be careful with caffeine➤ Eat breakfast➤ Don’t skip meals➤ Don’t crash diet➤ Eat a healthy diet➤ Don’t overeat➤ Eat iron-rich foods➤ Get enough sleep➤ Learn how to relax➤ Don’t smoke➤ Increase physical activity➤ Limit the time you sit down➤ Seek treatment for substance

abuse➤ Deconflict workplace issues➤ Assess your lifestyle

The Defence Work Health and Safety Manual says fatigue in Defence cannot always be avoided, but it can always be managed. Open up to what happens when we are more than just tired.

Open eyes to fatigue

‘Fatigue management is not just about

assessing if personnel are

fatigued; it is also about determining whether they are

safe at work.– Defence Work Health and

Safety Manual

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A SMALL team of ADF runners have returned from a successful visit to Papeete, French Polynesia after compet-ing in the Oceania Regional Athletics Championships held from June 3-5.

The eight-strong team representing the Australian Defence Running and Athletics Association (ADRAA) compet-ed in track events from 60m up to 10km.

Team leader FLTLT Spencer Cox, a logistics officer at RAAF Base

Glenbrook, said the team performed well despite humid conditions.

“A number of medal performances were achieved with two firsts, four sec-onds and a third,” he said.

“But the dark horse award of the com-petition went to OCDT Thomas Briggs who finished third in the open men’s 1500m, and produced a solid performance in the open men’s 5km, just an hour later, coming in seventh.”

Runners return successful

FLTLT Gavin Briggs

AIR FORCE is providing seven play-ers towards the Combined Australian Services Rugby League (CASRL) squad’s upcoming 2013 Armed Forces Rugby League World Cup tour.

The CASRL squad is made up of 23 players from across the ADF.

The squad recently gathered at Randwick Barracks, Sydney, to final-ise preparations for their attempt at winning the Armed Forces World Cup at Colchester Barracks in the United Kingdom from June 30 to July 13.

The event is being hosted by the UK’s 16 Air Assault Brigade and participating nations include current

champions Great Britain as well as Australia, New Zealand and debutant teams from Russia and Serbia.

Head coach WO2 Brian Jones put the team through its paces to fine tune aspects of set plays and strategies.

In addition to the training program, other activities were aimed at enhanc-ing the team’s overall preparedness.

LAC Daniel ‘Doc’ Halliday said highlights of the CASRL preparation week included a guided tour of the National Rugby League Museum and a scrimmage session with the Cronulla Sharks at Shark Park.

“Just having the chance to see these guys train is one thing but being able to run against guys like

Todd Carney and Wade Graham was awesome,” LAC Halliday said.

Another team highlight was being addressed by Australian Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens at a barbecue lunch that was attended by CASRL President AVM Colin Thorne.

The first round match has the CASRL team up against Serbia, fol-lowed by games against New Zealand and the UK, before finals in early July.

Air Force members selected: SGT Troy Luke, CPL Anthony Hopkin, LACs Sean Coleville, Daniel Halliday, Daniel Holt, Mitchell Knowles and Brenton Leipper.

Seven set for World Cup

READY: The Combined Australian Services Rugby League team ahead of their tour to the UK for the Armed Forces Rugby League World Cup. Photo: courtesy Sullivan Portraits

Rugby reps star for classic AnzacsPaul Lineham

PEACE reigned briefly over the bat-tlefield that was Ballymore Stadium while the Ode was recited and the Last Post played, but at the blast of the whistle, the long awaited charity Classic Rugby clash began.

The Classic Anzacs, playing in a strip which combined both Wallaby and All Black colours, met the Classic British and Irish XV, composed of for-mer international players together with members of the British Army team, the Third Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, currently touring Australia.

The Classic Anzacs were captained by CPL Ben Roberts-Smith VC and included Wallaby and All Black leg-ends such as Steven Larkham, Chris Latham, Ofisa Junior Ton’u, Matt Dunning and Greg ‘Marto’ Martin.

Three Australian Services Rugby Union (ASRU) players were on the Classic Anzacs side, including CPL Mick Wallace, an aircraft techni-cian with 37SQN at RAAF Base Richmond.

He and the other ASRU players were joined by members of the New Zealand Navy, Army and Air Force.

Playing outside back, CPL Wallace described the match as one he will simply never forget.

“It was a really amazing experience to play alongside some of the legends of the game,” he said.

The match was the result of the hard work by MAJ Garrath Williams, a former member of the Duke of

Wellington Regiment and now at HQ 1st Division at Gallipoli Barracks.

He said his service in Afghanistan with MTF-1 was a big driver for the match, but the catalyst was watch-ing the ‘Heroes’ rugby game at Twickenham in 2011 and wondering why the same support couldn’t be shown in Australia.

The RSL charity Mates4Mates, aid-ing the recovery and ongoing care of wounded Australians, supporting char-ity rugby matches was a natural fit.

From the first whistle, the 8500 supporters, many proudly clad in Wallaby, Lions and All Black colours, watched forgotten skills emerge and combine with impressive ability in a match that gave no quarter.

“It was a great win for the Anzacs, but I’ll tell you what, the Brits played pretty hard; it was a tough game,” CPL Roberts-Smith said.

“But you know the bottom line is we raised a lot of money for Mates4Mates and we raised a lot of awareness about the wounded guys coming home. All in all, I’m really happy.”

About $200,000 was raised for dis-tribution among Mates4Mates (Aus), Help for Heroes (UK) and the New Zealand Fallen Heroes Trust.

MAJ Williams said he was grateful for the support given to the match and would like to see it continue.

“Perhaps even a 20-20 cricket match,” he said.

He said the final score was the least important part of the night, but strictly for the record, the Anzacs won 29-5.

CrossFit to feature at KapookaA CROSSFIT throwdown will feature for the first time at the Kapooka Summer Series in November.

Kapooka is a registered CrossFit Affiliate and the competition will be geared around team events.

The Summer Series will also include golf and a rugby league nines competi-tion now in its fourth year.

Further details from CAPT Ian Marston on 0429 202 453 or email ARTC.Events@defence.gov.au

SP RTJuly 4, 2013

CLASSICVICTORY

Anzacs notch up win over the Brits and help raise $200,000 for charity

Full story: page 19

READY FOR WORLD CUP

Page 19

PASS OFF: CPL Mick Wallace, of 37SQN, offloads the ball at the Classic Anzac Rugby Match at Ballymore on June 21. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

Combat Support Group RCEAIR FJuly 4, 2013

LOADING BASES

Major restructure to change the face of airbase operations

SPECIAL LIFTOUT

FLTLT David Woods

COMBAT Support Group (CSG) is in the midst of a major restruc-ture that will substantially improve operations at the 12 airbases across the country.

It is CSG personnel who enable Air Force’s air power, everyone from cooks to clerks, armourers to airfield defence guards, mechanics to military police and engineers to explosive technicians.

Some of the changes that will take effect in the restructure include redefining existing squadrons, relo-cating headquarter elements, renam-ing units, transferring units to Air Force Training Group and Air Force Headquarters, and raising new units.

Commander CSG AIRCDRE Tim Innes said the Group was com-mitted to improving the delivery of permanent and expeditionary airbase capability for Air Force.

“To improve how we deliver air-base operations we must first fully understand the environment in which we operate,” he said.

“To a large extent we do, but

by using industry best practices to process map these critical capabili-ties, we have developed an improved workforce model.”

CSG is only part of the way through the process but has reached an important milestone, with the Chief of Air Force Advisory Committee approving the new organisational design. This has ena-bled positions for the new CSG units to be included in the posting cycle for January next year.

With CSG dispersed across 12 airbases around Australia (and one overseas), more than 5500 permanent and reserve personnel and 58 trade groups, the reorganisation is going to take a huge team effort.

AIRCDRE Innes said CSG per-sonnel were up to the task, and were already demonstrating great flex-ibility in their everyday work and embracing new horizons.

“I am extremely proud of the work that has been completed so far but we still have a long way to go to finish the job,” he said.

Continued page 2

SUPPORT TO CHANGE: Cargo specialists load a C-130J Hercules.Photo: CPL David Gibbs

2 3Combat Support GroupSPECIAL LIFTOUT RCEAIR F July 4, 2013

Combat Support Group➤ Co-locate HQ 395ECSW

and HQ 396ECSW with HQ HSW and HQ CSG in the HQ CSG building at RAAF Base Amberley

395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing➤ Rename 395ECSW to

95WG with a focus on Force Generation and Contingency Response

➤ Relocate HQ 95WG from current Amberley location to HQ CSG building

➤ Reorganise 381ECSS and 382ECSS as Contingency Response Squadrons

➤ Rename 381ECSS to 381SQN➤ Rename 382ECSS to 382SQN➤ Reorganise 1AOSS as a

Contingency Response Squadron

➤ Rename 1AOSS to 383SQN, with AFENG to remain in 383SQN

➤ Form 295SQN as centre for training, standards, and evaluation in CSG

➤ Form 1, 2 and 3 Security Force Squadrons from 1 and 2 Airfield Defence Squadrons to be located at Williamtown, Amberley and Edinburgh respectively.

➤ Transfer 23SQN and 26SQN to 96WG

396 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing➤ Rename 396ECSW to 96WG

with focus on permanent airbase operations

➤ Relocate HQ 96WG to Amberley

➤ Transfer ALTs to local City Squadrons

➤ Transfer training and standards roles to 295SQN

➤ Rename 322ECSS to 17SQN➤ Rename 324CSS to 19SQN➤ Transfer 29SQN to AFHQ➤ Transfer 31SQN Wagga

Wagga to AFTG

Changing names and

places

CPL Max Bree

WHEN an expedition-ary airbase needs to be activated or disaster strikes, a Contingency

Response Squadron (CRS) from the new 95WG will be first on the ground with the necessary airbase operations functions to help.

The major restructure of Combat Support Group (CSG) will create 95WG, part of a raft of changes that will start to take effect from July.

The wing’s three CRSs – recon-stituted from 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron (ECSS), 382ECSS and 1 Airfield Operations Support Squadron (AOSS) to 381, 382 and 383SQNs respectively – will include a small nucleus of staff trained in expeditionary airbase operations.

They will be boosted by additional personnel as required and will be the first respondents, and ready to deploy at short notice.

GPCAPT Peter Davis, the cur-rent OC of No. 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing (ECSW) and future OC of 95WG, said the CRS training would leave the rest of CSG

to focus on their work enabling per-manent airbases.

“We were trying to train every-body for expeditionary airbase opera-tions, but we could never train every-body,” he said.

“It took a lot of time and it was inefficient.”

About 30 to 40 permanent staff will be posted to a response squadron boosted by an estimated 60 personnel during the unit’s training and six-month online cycle.

“The people posted to a CRS will be trained to 100 per cent,” GPCAPT Davis said.

“Previously everybody in CSG was kitted out with E2. Now only people in 95WG will be kitted out, ready for field environments.”

At any given time, one CRS will be online, one will be preparing to go online and the third will be resting, GPCAPT Davis said.

The wing’s new 295SQN – a new training and standards squadron – will oversee training of CRSs and will deliver specialised airbase opera-tions training across the group.

Personnel posted to a CRS will be fully kitted with body armor, packs and webbing.

“Rumours have emerged that if you’re in a city squadron you will

The first response when help is needed on the ground

Delivering airbase capabilityCPL Max Bree

ONE of the outcomes of the Combat Support Group (CSG) restructure will be the renaming of 396 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing to 96WG from January next year.

WGCDR Mark Paterson, the Current XO of 396ECSW and future 96WG, said 96WG would strive to standardise ser-vices across all bases.

“Currently each airbase has a unique way of delivering the same outcomes,” he said.

“For example, the way you receive catering services is different, the way you get fuel is different, the construct of the Air Base Command Posts (ABCP) is different.

“An airbase is an airbase is an air-base; whether Townsville, Edinburgh or Tindal; the mechanisms and arrange-ments by which support is provided to airbases should not differ from one to another and therefore standardisation is a key objective.

“We deliver capability in support of other Force Elements and therefore it makes sense that those elements which we support have a clear understanding of what each base can provide and how it functions, as well as a clear under-standing of the limitations of each base.”

The newly named 96WG will lose

29SQN and 31SQN, which will transition to Director Coordination – Air Force and Air Force Training Group respectively.

The wing will inherit 26SQN and 23SQN as well as the air movements personnel – taking 96WG personnel strength from about 700 to nearly 1400.

ABCP structures are also being reviewed as part of the standardisation of airbase support, according to WGCDR Paterson, who said standardisation would also work well for people transfer-ring between bases.

“We’ll be able to take a clerk out of the Amberley ABCP and put them into the Darwin ABCP and say, ‘There’s a desk, there’s a phone,’ and in half an hour they would be up and running and relatively comfortable with how it all works,” he said.

The reorganisation would see HQ 96WG relocate to Amberley at the start of next year to co-locate with HQ CSG. The co-location of HQ CSG, HQ 95WG, 96WG and HQ Health Services Wing would deliver extensive benefits in terms of command, control and optimisa-tion of resource management, WGCDR Paterson said.

He said day-to-day life wouldn’t necessarily change within the wing as a result of CSG’s reorganisation.

“It will be business as usual but people will have a much clearer under-

CPL Max Bree

IF YOU need help from Combat Sup-port Group (CSG), contact the Combat Support Coordination Centre (CSCC) with the outcome you are after and they will work out the details.

SQNLDR Iain Gillon, Senior Plan-ning Officer in CSCC, doesn’t want to receive wish-lists of trucks and equip-ment from units.

“You tell us what you are trying to do, for example, ‘We’re flying fast jets at this location for this amount of time’, then we can facilitate what resources you need to make that happen,” he said.

The CSCC handles 20 to 30 combat support requests at a time – about 300 a year – for people and equipment.

“It’s everything from accommoda-

tion requests to requests for support for big field exercises like Talisman Sabre,” SQNLDR Gillon said.

But it’s not always a matter of just assigning people or gear to tasks, with SQNLDR Gillon sometimes having to deal with activity overlaps in planning.

“Airbase operations resources are finite,” he said.

“We provide the coordination and de-confliction of those resources on the ground, because everyone wants and needs a piece of these resources to achieve their mission.”

Requests for support are made through an Electronic Combat Sup-port Request form or, for short-notice tasking. CSCC have a 24-hour duty member who can be contacted on (07) 5361 6888 or 0448 315 468.

Coordination is the key

From page 1In the first round of changes, from

July 4, airfield defence guards, military working dog handlers and security police will be integrated into three new security force squadrons.

Two current wings, 395ECSW and 396ECSW, will be retitled 95WG and 96WG respectively – 96WG will con-trol all permanent airbase operations, and 95WG will focus on expeditionary airfield operations from January next year.

This means CSG can refine perma-nent and expeditionary airbase opera-tions within individual wings, accord-ing to AIRCDRE Innes.

“With expeditionary airbase opera-tions under one wing, the establishment of integrated security force squadrons and improved preparedness training we are able to focus on improving the delivery of expeditionary airbase functions like security and air terminal services,” he said.

“Similarly with permanent airbase

operations under one dedicated wing we are able to standardise the delivery of airbase services across all bases.”

The names of some squadrons within CSG will change in January next year, with 381 and 382 dropping “ECSS” from their title, while 1AOSS will be renamed to 383SQN, adopting a contingency response squadron focus, and 1CCS will remain unchanged.

“It just gives people a familiar way to recognise where a particular unit stands in the organisation,” AIRCDRE Innes said.

AIRCDRE Innes said part of an improved CSG is acknowledging its core business is airbase operations and aviation health.

“As a group we are known as CSG but by and large airbase operations is a much more easily identifiable and understood term for our capability,” he said. “When airbase operations work effectively it’s easy not to see an obvi-ous CSG presence – we take a certain pride in that.”

The new face of CSG under the restructure

standing of their responsibilities,” WGCDR Paterson said.

“Personnel from 396ECSW are doing an outstanding job in delivering the support necessary to operate a per-manent airbase in an often constrained

environment, and they have a right to be proud.

“Through 96WG we will continue to build on their efforts to improve the delivery of permanent airbase operations support.”

SUPPORT: Standardising service across all bases.Photo: LAC David Said

Changes to 396ECSW

➤ 396 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing will be titled 96WG as of January 2014

➤ 96WG will focus on permanent airbase operations

➤ 96WG will use a consistent capability model to deliver permanent airbase operations

Life under a new 95WG

➤ 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing will become 95WG as of January 2014

➤ 95WG will focus on Contingency Response

➤ A new squadron titled 295SQN will be raised in 95WG to focus on training and standardisation within CSG

never deploy and your primary focus will be in fixed airbase operations,” GPCAPT Davis said.

“But CSG will be structured to enable personnel to be brought into a CRS during its training and online time, or they could be deployed after a CRS has already deployed. They just won’t have to be at high readi-ness all the time.”

In another CSG restructure initia-tive being promoted, military work-ing dog handlers, airfield defence guards (ADG) and Security Police (SECPOL) will come together under 95WG in three Security Force (SECFOR) squadrons at RAAF Bases Amberley, Williamtown and

Edinburgh. The SECPOL mustering will be disbanded and the Air Force Security (AFSEC) and Air Force Police (AFPOL) musterings will be formed.

New members of the soon to be created AFSEC and ADG musterings will undertake common training. All security force personnel (AFSEC, AFPOL, ADG, Air Base Protection, explosive ordnance disposal techni-cians, Ground Defence and SECPOL) have been approved to wear the Air Force blue beret.

GPCAPT Davis was quick to point out ADGs were not always the sole custodians of the Air Force beret.

“If you turn back the clock, I wore a beret on recruit training but that disappeared from the general airman clothing issue back in the 1980s,” he said.

“Patches for the new SECFOR squadrons will simply reflect the squadrons’ names in the first instance, and as they become more mature they will come up with some-thing arty to promote their squadron and role and no doubt seek approval for a unique patch.

“Ultimately in the future Air Force if you’ve got a beret and you’ve got a SECFOR squadron patch, you are a security force member.”

READY TO ROLL: The new 95WG will be the first on the ground with support wherever and whenever needed.Photos: LAC Mark Friend, LACW Shannon McCarthy, CPL Mark Doran and CPL Amanda Campbell

HERE TO HELP: Receiving equipment will be easier under the new Combat Support Coordination Centre. Photo: LAC Dan Pinhorn

YOUR ROLE: Military working dog handlers and air

load team members will come under one of the Contingency

Response Squadrons.Photos: LACW Shannon McCarthy

and CPL Amanda Campbell

CHANGING THE POWER BASE

4 Combat Support Group SPECIAL LIFTOUT

RCEAIR FJuly 4, 2013

CPL Max Bree

ALTHOUGH not affected by the COMBAT Support Group (CSG) restructure, Health Services Wing (HSW) plays an important role in CSG’s mission.

HSW is responsible for the flex-ible aviation health component of the CSG mission and all operational aspects of the raise, train and sus-tain functions for Air Force health personnel and equipment.

Although small – about 295 permanent and 250 reserve person-nel, HSW provides health support to exercises, operations and aero-medical evacuation activities both in Australia and overseas. HSW also ensures the training support systems for Air Force health personnel are suitable to achieve its mission.

The Wing is comprised of health

personnel representing all health specialisations and musterings in Air Force across three squadrons and one training unit, including 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (3AMES), 1 and 2 Expeditionary Health Squadrons, and Health Operational Conversion Unit, according to HOCU XO SQNLDR Brendan Casey.

“Aviation medicine support is an essential part of HSW’s contri-bution to CSG capability but with deployable surgical teams, highly specialised reservists and many other medical staff augmenting on-base health facilities and supporting exercises it is not the only element”, SQNLDR Casey said.

Before an Air Force medical officer commences duty at their squadron they will undertake spe-cific training through the Wing’s

HOCU at RAAF Base Amberley.At HOCU, health professionals

learn about medicine and health support in the field as well as in the air during operational health sup-port and aeromedical evacuation (AME) courses.

“HOCU trains a number of health categories and musterings including medical officers who want a career beyond the normal medical and allied health profes-sion,” SQNLDR Casey said.

“Health support in the Air Force appeals to the medical officers especially, because it provides chal-lenges beyond their original job as a doctor.

“The Air Force offers them a means to gain clinical knowledge and experiences in many different environments that, if still employed within the civilian system, they may

not get the opportunity to try and support during.”

Health personnel across HSW are often called on to deploy rapidly around Australia and internationally.

“Due to this short notice require-ment we have AME teams on 24-hours notice to move, which can be reduced quickly if the medi-cal support is urgently required,” SQNLDR Casey said.

“An example of this was when civilians were evacuated out of Bundaberg during the flooding ear-lier this year.

“We’re a small Wing but we do a considerable amount of work within the expeditionary space and the AME system.

“It’s not just the CSG environ-ment we operate in; we are actively working across the Air Command and ADF organisation as well.”

Keeping the team flyingON BOARD: Personnel from 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron perform medical training in a C-17. Photo: LACW Kylie Gibson

SPECIALISTS: Health

Services Wing Radiographer

FLGOFF Elsha Jewel scans an image detector

to assess an X-ray on a

Mobile Digital Imaging System.

Photo: LACW Shannon McCarthy

CHECK-UP: Nursing Officer FLGOFF Elizabeth Gill, of 1 Expeditionary Health Squadron Wagga, checks the blood pressure of a patient in the outpatients ward at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo: LAC Dan Pinhorn

‘The Air Force offers them a means to gain

clinical knowledge and experiences in many different

environments.– SQNLDR Brendan Casey,

HOCU XO