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Doors open in MEAO

By LT Madeline Denholm

A SIGNIFICANT enhancement to the supporting capability for Australia’s operations in the Middle East has come online at the ADF’s forward support base in the Gulf. Constructed at a cost of almost $8 million, the new aircraft maintenance hangar was officially opened by former Commander Joint Task Force 633 MAJGEN Mark Kelly on December 5. “This is a significant day in the history of the ADF in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO),” MAJGEN Kelly said.

MAJGEN Kelly said the facility was long overdue, particularly for the ADF’s aircraft maintenance and ground crews. “We’ve got a great facility now to allow you guys to conduct your important task in maintaining our aircraft, to keep them in a position to maintain and support the rest of the task groups across the MEAO and, in particular, Afghanistan,” he said.

The hangar is large enough to allow the entry and maintenance of one airframe, either an AP-3C or C-130, while the taxi-way and apron facilities are of sufficient strength to cater for a C-17.

More on Air Force news page 5

3 Feb 2010 01:04:01 GMT

Air traffic specialists to help control disaster zone

By FLTLT Jaimie Abbott THEY’RE among the most sought-after in the world, and now a team of RAAF air traffic control officers (ATCOs) have been hand-picked to assist relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Five personnel have deployed to Haiti where they will be embedded with a US Air Force team to provide specialist air traffic control duties including tower and approach control in the disaster zone.

FLGOFF Laura Vize and FLTLTs Aaron Doherty, John Woodhouse, Joel Adelstein and Matthew Ferguson- Mclellan were on a short-notice stand-by when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made the announcement on January 23. They have been drawn from air traffic control detachments across Australia that belong to Surveillance and Response Group’s 44WG. “Our ability to quickly mobilise this team of highly specialised air traffic controllers at relatively short notice reflects our tactical flexibility and builds on the experience gained from running air traffic control operations in the Middle East at Baghdad Airport and Balad,” CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin said.

With so many aid flights attempting to get into Haiti there have been delays at the main airport, from where US forces are operating. The ATCOs chosen for this mission will work to improve the safety and air traffic flow from airports where aid flights are now being sent, to ensure emergency assistance is received and moved quickly through the Caribbean nation.

More on Air Force news page 2

2 Feb 2010 06:03:49 GMT

Australia Day Flyovers!

Get ready Australia - the Air Force is incredibly proud to be able to thank the Australian people for their ongoing and loyal support by providing the following flyovers on Australia Day*

Charge your camera batteries and look for the excitement in the eyes of those around you!!

Sydney
3 x F/A-18 Hornet - E to W over Harbour Bridge
1 x C-130 Hercules - Heads - Fort Dennison - Bridge - Parramatta
1 x F-111 - Heads - Fort Dennison - Bridge - Parramatta

Nelson Bay
1 x F/A-18 Hornet - 540 degree orbit over water in front of Fly Point

Adelaide
1 x F/A-18 Hornet or PC-9 - S to N over CBD

Brisbane
1 x F-111 - S to N along W bank of Southbank

Darwin
3 x F/A-18 Hornet - slow and low single pass

Katherine
3 x F/A-18 Hornet - slow and low single pass

Canberra
3 x F/A-18 Hornet - SE to NW over Lake Burley Griffin, bomb burst over Canadian Flagpole

Gosford, Erina, Tea Gardens
3 x F/A-18 Hornet - S to N over Gosford, W to E over Erina, NE to SW over Tea Gardens

Melbourne, Hampton Park, Dandenong Park, Kings Domain Park, Flemington Park
The Roulettes

Melbourne
1 x F/A-18 Hornet - two slow and low passes of Town Hall, Shrine, orbit of PPB, and docklands

Perth, Bull Creek, Mitchell Reserve, Langley Park, Perth Water
4 x PC-9

No timings will be confirmed for the above mentioned flyovers.

* Subject to change without notice. The Air Force will do everything in its power to make these flyovers happen. However, if operational commitments surface then our number one priority will be to provide air and space power for Australia's security and that may mean that the aircraft may have to be redirected or re-tasked at no notice.

21 Jan 2010 22:41:20 GMT

Stephen Domagalski - From Racing Cars to the speed of sound

Parafield Gardens man Stephen Domagalski, 20, didn’t realise he would set a trend when he left CMI Toyota to join the Air Force in 2008.

But soon three more specialist Toyota techos had joined him in Latchford Barracks, and his sister had decided to join the Army.

“I wanted to get more out of life, so I stepped out of the box,” said Stephen. “Then my sister realised she could do anything too.”

Former Tyndale Christian School student Stephen had already completed his automotive vehicle apprenticeship and was working for Toyota’s Racing Development Branch in Portside. It was valuable specialist knowledge that the Defence Force soon picked up on.

For 14 months Aircraftman Stephen was working on the Defence Force’s own event vehicle called ‘Army-geddon’, and travelled with it to Clipsail 500, Hidden Valley in Darwin, and the Summernats in Canberra.

More...

20 Jan 2010 22:59:48 GMT

New Wedgetail agreement

A new five-year, $800 million contract has been signed to support the Air Force’s new fleet of Wedgetail aircraft.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet said the contract with Boeing would create more than 100 jobs in the Newcastle area.

“It will also provide continued and new employment for more than 100 personnel at Amberley over the next 12 months, which will have positive flow-on effects for local businesses,” Mr Combet said.

Mr Combet said Boeing would also receive maintenance, engineering and training support from Boeing Defence Australia.

“…the industry team will deliver services including logistics, training, spares management, aircraft deeper maintenance, engineering and supply chain management,” Mr Combet said.
When fully operational, Wedgetail aircraft will enhance surveillance, air defence, fleet support and coordination operations.

Defence will eventually acquire six Wedgetail aircraft at a cost of more than $4 billion Australian dollars.

Wedgetail fan page

19 Jan 2010 23:01:56 GMT

NT Air Force pilot is our top gun

ANNIE SANSON - NTnews.com.au

A YOUNG Territorian received a special Christmas present when he was recently awarded dux of the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.

John-Paul Thorbjornsen, 20, of Weddell near Berry Springs, said the award was the result of hard work.

Mr Thorbjornsen achieved the highest score for academic studies and was named best leader and best military cadet.

"My nine siblings and I were homeschooled and our parents gave us a hard working attitude on the way,'' he said.

"In a big family I learned a lot of skills, how to work with people and treat them, how to look after my mates - that all helped me during my time at the academy.

Read more...

14 Jan 2010 02:43:04 GMT

COMMAND AND CONTROL IN THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE HANDBOOK

Command and Control (C2) is a critical enabler for all military organisations. In particular, C2 of air power has unique characteristics that reflect the way that professional airmen direct and control air operations. It is therefore vital that all members of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) understand the Air Force's C2 system. It is also important that members of the wider Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Department of Defence have an appreciation of Air Force C2.

The Air Power Development Centre (APDC) has recently published Australian Air Publication 1001.1 -- Command and Control in the Royal Australian Air Force. The book is a handbook that enunciates C2 in the Air Force.

The handbook defines command, control, leadership and governance and describes the nature of C2 in the Air Force. It stresses the key and enduring air power tenet of centralised control and decentralised execution. It also provides valuable examples demonstrating where C2 in the Air Force has previously succeeded or failed. The handbook identifies Chief of Air Forces (CAF) responsibilities to the Government and the Chief of the Defence Force and the processes used to discharge those responsibilities. It also identifies the processes CAFs principal executives, the Deputy Chief of Air Force and the Air Commander Australia, use to command and control the Air Force on his behalf.

The handbook has value to the ADF and wider Defence community, it will enhance the understanding of Air Force and the way professional airmen direct and control air campaigns.

The handbook is available from the APDC website.

If you have any further questions or comments on the handbook, please contact APDC (email: airpower@defence.gov.au).

16 Dec 2009 01:09:55 GMT

Caribou to be displayed at Amberley

Item by australianaviation.com.au on December 10, 2009 10:07 am

The ADF has announced a RAAF Caribou is to go on static display at RAAF Base Amberley following the type’s retirement on November 26 .

The aircraft will be preserved for display at the base, hopefully in better condition than the current Canberra bomber gate guard which has deteriorated badly in recent years.

Other Caribou will be displayed at the RAAF Museum at Point Cook and eventually, at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and it is hoped at least one and possibly two will be kept in airworthy condition with flying museums.

Caribou were based at Amberley with 38SQN between 1992 and 2007.

16 Dec 2009 00:57:43 GMT

First RAAF Heron UAV to be delivered

Item by australianaviation.com.au

The first Israeli Aerospace Industries Heron Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV is scheduled to be delivered to the RAAF on December 10 under Project Nankeen.

The aircraft will wear the A45-262 designation, and will be the first of an unspecified number of Herons operated on a lease arrangement from Canadian firm MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates alongside Canadian Herons in support of Australian and coalition security and reconstruction forces in Afghanistan.

The RAAF has had a detachment of personnel embedded with the Canadian military operating the Heron since July, and will commence operations with its own aircraft in early 2010.

16 Dec 2009 00:51:06 GMT

Super Hornet environment report submitted

Item by australianaviation.com.au

The ADF has submitted its final public report on F/A-18F Super Hornet flying operations at RAAF Base Amberley to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for assessment.

The report was compiled with community consultation in the Ipswich and surrounding areas and sets out the rules for operation of the Super Hornets in and around the Amberley area after the aircraft start arriving in late March so as to keep noise disruption to a minimum.

“In response to concerns about aircraft noise, Defence will increase the height that Super Hornets will transit to and from training areas off the coast of Brisbane to reduce the impacts over the western suburbs,” Defence Science and Personnel Minister, Greg Combet said in a statement. “To lessen the impact of night-time activities on the suburbs surrounding RAAF Base Amberley, Defence has placed further planning restrictions on night operations. Night flying will be planned to end by 11pm, with no continuous circuits after 10pm.”

The findings of the report will be reviewed in late 2012 once all Super Hornets have been delivered and a full operational capability (FOC) has been achieved.

A full copy of the final report is available at http://www.superhornet.com.au

16 Dec 2009 00:07:30 GMT

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.

View gallery

27 Oct 2009 23:18:08 GMT

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.

Visit the gallery

Visit the roulettes website

27 Oct 2009 23:04:14 GMT

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.

View gallery

27 Oct 2009 03:20:47 GMT

Defence Technical Scholarship visit to Defence establishments

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.

Visit the gallery

12 Oct 2009 09:15:51 GMT

Operation Padang Assist

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.

Visit the gallery

12 Oct 2009 08:59:23 GMT

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)

21 Sep 2009 09:55:32 GMT

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)

15 Sep 2009 09:36:30 GMT

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