The Balloon went to Gapuwiyak, an Indigenous community 230km south-west of Nhulunbuy, for three days to show the balloon and give people from the community and others around it, the opportunity to get up close to it and go for a tethered ride.
The Air Force Hot Air Balloon, operated by a Canberra-based detachment of the Air Force Central Flying School (CFS), is travelling through Arnhem Land as part of Exercise Arnhem Drifter from August 24 to September 4.
It is bringing the Air Force and all of its career possibilities to Indigenous and other Australians in Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala and Gapuwiyak.
Since 1990, the Air Force Balloon has provided opportunities for the Air Force to connect with local communities. Travelling throughout Australia with a focus on regional areas, the Air Force Balloon contributes to local community events, regional shows, charitable organisations, visits to primary and secondary schools and other major events.
The school children of Arnhem Land in particular were left speechless by the sight of this rarely seen object floating above them and for most it is their first experience of seeing one up-close and personal.
The Balloon's pilot, Squadron Leader Michael Bannerman, is a PAF member serving with CFS.
Balloon ground crew members are from the Air Force Active Reserves drawn from CFS and No.
28 Squadron.
There are four balloon crew members taking part in Exercise Arnhem Drifter, with another four in support – an Air Force medic, an Air Force member in an Indigenous Affairs Liaison role and two Defence Public Affairs personnel.
Weather permitting; the Balloon will conduct free tethered flights for children and teachers during its visit.
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Setting up the balloon in the early morning haze are crew members Sergeant Paul Thorpe (left) and Corporal Vivienne Rixon.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Helping set up the balloon in the early morning haze is crew member, Corporal Vivienne Rixon.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Helping set up the balloon in the early morning haze is crew member, Corporal Vivienne Rixon.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Balloon pilot, Squadron Leader Michael Bannerman, above Gapuwiyak.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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The balloon over Gapuwiak's oval.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Balloon pilot, Squadron Leader Michael Bannerman, about to take school children up for a ride.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Indigenous Affairs Liaison, Leading Aircraftwoman Deborah Booker, with Gapuwiyak School children (left to right) Lucas Bukulatjpi, 16, Philamena Wunungmurra, 14, Irene Guyula, 16 and Dyson Mununggurr, 16.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Gapuwiyak residents watching the balloon over the community's oval.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Balloon pilot, Squadron Leader Michael Bannerman and Gapuwiyak school children wave from the balloon.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Gapuwiyak residents watching the balloon over the community's oval.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Gapuwiyak School students Somerville Guyula, 9 (left) and Imelda Dhamarrandji, 10, in the balloon above Gapuwiyak.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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The balloon's shadow over people from Gapuwiyak.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Gapuwiyak School student Somerville Guyula, 9 under the balloon's envelope.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Indigenous Affairs Liaison, Leading Aircraftwoman Deborah Booker, walks with children on the community's oval.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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The balloon's pilot, Squadron Leader Michael Bannerman and Indigenous Affairs Liaison, Leading Aircraftwoman Deborah Booker, give a talk to Gapuwiyak School students.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Ground crew member Corporal Vivienne Rixon, gives Brian Wanambi, 3, from the Rymangirr Homelands, a t-shirt and a bag containing a hat, poster and sticker.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Ground crew member Corporal Vivienne Rixon, gives Josiah Wunungmurra, 12, from the Rymangirr Homelands, a t-shirt and a bag containing a hat, poster and sticker.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Ground crew members Corporal Vivienne Rixon (kneeling) and Warrant Officer Steve Mountstephen with children from the Rymangirr Homelands, who recieved a t-shirt and a bag containing a hat, poster and sticker.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Jason Gumbula, 29, from Gapuwiyak, holds a spear in front of the Air Force Balloon while it is lit up over the community oval.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Jason Gumbula, 29, from Gapuwiyak, holds a spear in front of the Air Force Balloon while it is lit up over the community oval.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Jason Gumbula, 29, from Gapuwiyak, holds a spear and a woomera in front of the Air Force Balloon while it is lit up over the community oval.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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Jason Gumbula, 29, from Gapuwiyak, holds a spear and a woomera in front of the Air Force Balloon while it is lit up over the community oval.
(Date taken: 01 September 2009)
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