Defence

Air Force

Calling it a day...

By SQNLDR Tony Channells

After 40 years of service Group Captain (GPCAPT) Bill Malkin is calling it a day. He has come a long way from apprentice to GPCAPT, yet this progression is a natural consequence of his passion and enthusiasm for the defence of Australia and his burning desire to make a difference.

CAF AIRMSHL Geoffrey Shepherd congratulates GPCAPT Bill Malkin for his 40 years Air Force service, which also earned him the Federation Star. Alongside him is his wife Gitta and son SGT Jason Malkin, a CISCON from Russell.

He joined as a radio apprentice 1966, graduated as a Radio Technician Air, and then worked on the Phantom aircraft (which preceded the F111) and then F111. Approaching the fifteen year point in his career he saw that the Air Force offered many advantages and decided to stay. Commissioning provided the best career path and this happened for GPCAPT Malkin in 1981. He then did tours as Officer In Charge of Hornet Avionics Workshops in both Williamtown and Tindal and, after promotion to Squadron Leader in 1989, he was posted to the Hornet Avionics Liaison Officer position in San Diego, United States of America.

"This gave me first hand knowledge of the processes of the United States Department of Defense, in particular, those of the USN [United States Navy]. I found our respective processes very different requiring a level of interpretation to fully explain the needs of the RAAF [Royal Australian Air Force] Hornet community," GPCAPT Malkin says.

When he accepted a posting as Project Manager for the development of the Hornet Integrated Avionics Software Support Facility (IASSF) he believed that it was a simple task that lay ahead and that it would be over in 18 months. Reality quickly set in however, and he became embroiled in the nightmare of a developmental software and hardware project. However, emerging from the fires of 'Mount Doom', the experience taught him some key lessons that he later applied. The value of building relationships with key contractor identities was one such lesson, so too the importance of open and honest communication, that correct specification is key and the usefulness of Integrated Product Teams (IPTs). GPCAPT Malkin says the experience awakened a burning passion for project management within him.

"Project management tested me to the limits of my knowledge and I found myself challenged at every corner. I knew at this early stage in my project management career that project management was what I wanted to pursue."

After promotion to Wing Commander he was appointed as Commanding Officer of the then Tactical Fighter Logistics Management Squadron at a time when logistics management was devolving from Support Command to the operating bases. The operating squadrons are where the rubber meets the road and to position the logistics squadron on the very doorstep of the weapons system was an excellent move.

"I was thrilled to be a part of the change process and to command such an important squadron. Many lessons were learned along this road, which the Systems Program Offices have now adopted," he says.

A career highlight for GPCAPT Malkin was his 2000 posting to Washington DC as the F/A-18 Hornet Senior Technical Liaison Officer (STLO). This experience gave him great insight into the workings of the United States Navy, which proved to be invaluable later on. He became familiar with the structure of the US Navy and was able to develop vital contacts during his time as STLO that are still of great value to this day.

"While posted to Washington, I was also able to broaden my knowledge of the Foreign Military Sales process and to better understand the importance of other issues such as International Trade in Arms Regulations which governs the way we conduct business with the United States," GPCAPT Malkin says.

"I believe the US-Australian relationship continues to grow. The RAAF is receiving better access to information and equipment as a result of the strong relationships we have forged. I would say this is a direct result of the efforts of the RAAF Liaison officers in the US and our involvement in the War on Terrorism. It's important for us to continually nurture these relationships so that they remain so effective."

A posting back to Australia as the Project Manager for the Hornet Upgrade (HUG) 2.3, Electronic Warfare Upgrade, promised new complexities to come to terms with, new risks to understand and new challenges to tackle.

"Understanding the risks associated with the upgrade continues to be paramount to the success of the project," he reflects. "It's critical that risk assessment must be based on accurate and authoritative data to enable proper management of any project."

Never one to back away from a challenge - his last major one for his career with the RAAF - GPCAPT Malkin has spent the last two years as the Director of the Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office Project Management Unit. This posting occurred at a time when the Hornet is undergoing the most complex upgrade program of any aircraft in the world. The multi-billion dollar upgrade calls for managing concurrent projects as HUG Phase 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, weapons integration projects whilst endeavouring to maintain current aircraft availability. It's a fine line to tread, but one that GPCAPT Malkin has managed to balance admirably.

"This is the cumulation of all of my project management and US Navy experience," he says. "It's the most important role of my career because it has given me a unique opportunity to feel that I am directly contributing to the defence of Australia."

Promoted substantively to the rank of GPCAPT in June 2004, GPCAPT Malkin says that without the support and dedication of his wife, Gitta - who raised their young family while he undertook additional studies leading to commissioning - none of his achievements would have been possible.

So, looking back on a career that has spanned 40 years, what would he change?

"Not a damn thing," he beams. In fact, even doing this interview took a back seat in terms of his priorities when he found out he could take a look at a HUG Phase 2 aircraft that exemplified the cumulation of over two years' work instead!

"Seeing the results makes it all worthwhile," he says.

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