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Army King Air handover to Air Force

23 November 2009

Army's fleet of three Hawker Pacific King Air light transports have been handed over to Air Force's No. 38 Squadron. The aircraft will serve as a interim replacement for the venerable Caribou, and the handover ends more than 40 years of consecutive Army fixed-wing aviation.

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Arnhem Drifter a winner

By LAC Aaron Curran

FOR nearly two weeks, the quiet and peaceful time that is dawn in Arnhem Land was broken by the deep-throated roar of two gas burners at full power signalling it was time to fly.

Those burners belonged to the Air Force Balloon, which was on deployment as part of Exercise Arnhem Drifter 2009 (AD09).


AD09 was part of the ADF’s Indigenous Employment Program, aimed at building community awareness and understanding of the range of career prospects the ADF has to offer to remote communities. It was the first time a deployment was conducted under this program’s banner and, according to balloon pilot SQNLDR Michael Bannerman, it was a successful one. The balloon is a fantastic way to get the ADF’s message out there, he said. “We really felt like we had reached out to the people in those communities.

The balloon started in schools in Nhulunbuy (Gove) and Yirrkala and then all the way to Gapuwiyak, an indigenous community 230km southwest of Nhulunbuy. I think Gapuwiyak summed up the real reason we were there, SQNLDR Bannerman said. “We planned to go to various homelands, but they wrote to us and said it is easier if they came to us. That was a big effort; these guys were driving up to five hours on dirt and rutted roads to see us.


Morning and night displays with tethered flights were conducted for people who waited patiently for hours in line for their turn. “In all the schools we visited, the children, teachers and Aboriginal elders reported to us that it was a most magical experience.


Read the full story (page 2, Air Force news)

Welcome Home Operation CATALYST Parade - Canberra 21st November

More than 300 current and former ADF Veterans and Defence civilians will take part in a parade at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on Saturday 21st Novemner, marking the end of Operation Catalyst.

Starting at 2:00pm, the parade will feature Australia’s Federation Guard, the Band of the Royal Military College of Australia and the Royal Australian Navy Band. They will be followed by Navy, Army and Air Force contingents, Defence civilians and ex-ADF members in a march-past.

There will also be an F/A-18 flypast and equipment displays including a Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat, a Seahawk helicopter, armoured vehicles, and an Army communications suite.

Guests will include senior government figures as well as ambassadors of countries involved in the Iraq conflict.

Operation Catalyst was the ADF’s contribution to the US-led Multinational Force effort to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs.

World War II RAAF Officer and Z Special Unit hero Jack Sue remembered

November 17, 2009
© Herald Sun

JACK Sue, a member of the elite Z force in WWII, has been remembered as a hero and a wonderful father after his death yesterday.

The 84-year-old died yesterday morning in Perth.

Mr Sue was an RAAF officer who was seconded to Z Special Unit, an allied intelligence and commando unit which operated behind enemy lines in South-East Asia during World War II.

The special forces reconnaissance unit was the predecessor of the current Special Air Service Regiment, based in Perth's western suburbs.

Among Mr Sue's most valued attributes as a member of the covert group were his Asian appearance and fluency in Malay and Chinese.

He spent months behind enemy lines in Borneo and claimed in his book that Z force commandos in that country killed 1700 Japanese, while training 6000 guerillas.

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Jet-style life for technician

Monday, November 16, 2009
© The Cairns Post

WHEN Ben Rhatigan is not working on aircraft he is in the classroom learning about jet turbines.

The former Trinity Bay State High School student is training at the Royal Australian Air Force School of Technical Training at RAAF Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.

From aircraft systems theory of operation to diagnostics, craftsman skills, aircraft handling, servicing tasks and removal and installation of components, Mr Rhatigan is getting a five-star flying education.

When his training is complete in May next year, Aircraftman Rhatigan will become a qualified technician.

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Op Slipper Australian C-17 Globemaster in MEAO

11 November 2009

An Australian C-17 Globemaster returns from Afghanistan with Australian soldiers.

Support staff from the Middle East Area of Operations facilities are on hand to complete arrival and post flight taskings.

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Air Force Fire-fighters join the fight

Fire-fighters provide an important capability within any deployed force. When combined with other coalition personnel and assests, they form a formidable team that is critical for the safe operation of any airfield.

Operation SLIPPER is Australia's military contribution to international campaigns against terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security. Under this operation our forces contribute to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, which seeks to bring security, stability and prosperity to the country and aims at preventing Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists, and the United States-led International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) efforts in the broader Middle East.

Operation photos (DOD website)
Panther photos (Air Force Multimedia)

Air Force Awards

The Royal Australian Air Force Proficiency and Leadership Awards not only celebrate the achievements of those Airmen and units who excel and inspire, but also the unique local solutions which make what we do possible. They also reward new ideas and innovative approaches that enhance the delivery of air power for Australia. The Awards are presented each year for performance and achievement in the previous year. The awards operate in two categories – individual and unit. The awards are the Chief of Air Force’s medium to recognise, reward and promote all those personnel and units who challenge us to enhance our own contribution towards creating a better Air Force. The awards are also an important component of Air Force’s partnership with industry. The Award winners are announced each year on the Air Force Birthday – 31st March. Awards are formally presented at a gala dinner held in May each year. Vist the page

Exercise Bersama Lima 2009

 

The exercise will be held from 5 October until 23 October 2009 in various locations on the Malaysian Peninsula and in the South China Sea.

Eight F/A-18 Hornets from RAAF Williamtown’s No. 3 Squadron will practice air combat tactics under the Five Power Defence Arrangements with participating nations.
Chief of Air Force air Marshal Mark Binskin said, “The Five Power Defence Arrangements represent more than 30 years of co-operation and continues to show it’s relevance for the regional strategic environment”.

“Australia maintains a close relationship with Singapore and Malaysia, both bilaterally and through participation in the Five Power Defence Arrangements”.
“Exercise Bersama Lima also promotes a shared understanding of procedures for maritime operations, the protection of the marine environment and disaster relief management,” he said.

Maritime Surveillance Patrol for the exercise will be provided by an AP-3C Orion from No.10 Squadron based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, whilst C-130J Hercules from RAAF Richmond and a C-17A Globemaster from RAAF Amberley will provide strategic lift and logistic support to deployed forces.

Training in exercises such as Bersama Lima 2009 is important for Air Force personnel to obtain key skills, work as a combined force and build relationships with participating nations.
Exercise Bersama Lima is the second in the series of Bersama multi-lateral activities involving the forces of the Five Power Defence Arrangements this year, with the first exercise being Bersama shield held in May.

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The 2009 Nikon Super GP

The Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes put on an acrobatic air display at the 2009 Nikon Super GP, held at the Gold Coast, Queensland.

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Visit the roulettes website

C-17A Globemasters having the right equipment, in the right place at the right time

An Australian C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft is loaded and prepared for a long journey back to Australia. The C-17s are a great asset in helping to transport large cargo loads for the Australian forces deployed overseas.

Operation SLIPPER is Australia's military contribution to international campaigns against terrorism, countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and maritime security. Under this operation our forces contribute to the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, which seeks to bring security, stability and prosperity to the country and aims at preventing Afghanistan again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists, and the United States-led International Coalition Against Terrorism (ICAT) efforts in the broader Middle East.

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Defence Technical Scholarship visit to Defence establishments

08 October 2009

Students awarded the Defence Technical Scholarship were given a tour of Royal Australian Air Force Base Edinburgh by 92 Wing Defence members as part of the scholarship program.

The Defence Technical Scholarship is a Government initiative designed to address the shortfalls in technical trades within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It provides a financial incentive for year 11 and 12 students to remain at school and undertake subjects appropriate to ADF Technical Trade entry. The program aims to develop knowledge of the ADF and training opportunities through the conduct of Defence Experience tours on Navy, Army and Air Force bases across Australia.

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Operation Padang Assist

09 October 2009

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air Load Team personnel based at Padang’s Minangkabau International Airport as part of the ADF Joint Task Force have worked day and night to unload over 250 tonnes of supplies and equipment from over 120 Australian and multinational aircraft in the first week of operation Padang Assist. The operation is part of the Australian government’s humanitarian relief effort to the earthquake affected areas of Sumatra in Indonesia.

Operation Padang Assist commenced on 02 Oct 09 after the Indonesian Government accepted an offer of emergency assistance from Australia following two large earthquakes near the Indonesian Island of Sumatra. The ADF Joint Task Force 629 (JTF629) was established, and is working closely with Indonesian authorities, the Department of Foreign Affairs, AusAID and other agencies, to ensure the emergency relief support is delivered to where it is needed most.

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