LCDR Haigh.

When the RAN retires its pair of HS748 aircraft in June LCDR Tony Haigh will go with them.

LCDR Haigh, 46, is the flight commander of 723 Squadron's 748 flight.

He has held the job since June 1998 when as a Reserve, but still well qualified to fly the aircraft, he was hired to return to fulltime service.

His return was a clear indication of how the RAN values the services of its skilled Reserve members.

LCDR Haigh, father of two and a resident of Merimbula, joined the RAN as a midshipman in 1975. He gained his observer wings and went on to be qualified to fly Sea King, Iriquois, Kiowa, Squirrel and HS 748 aircraft.

He did a deployment to The Gulf.

"In 1996 I completed service in the RAN and helped my wife Catherine set up a wedding dress business in Merimbula," he said.

"After a time I decided to try to get some Reserve work back in the Navy.

"I got some time including in ADELAIDE when she was in dock.

"In June 1998 I successfully applied for the flight commander's job with the 748 flight.

"I have been there since, commuting to Merimbula at weekends."

As well as maintaining his own flying skills he has been training other observers and is the only QOI with an A1 instructor's qualification.

When he returned in 1998 LCDR Haigh had 3,350 flying hours to his credit.

"Now I have 4000 hours," he said.

Apart from his stint to The Gulf he has flown aircraft to Norfolk Island, New Zealand Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

"When the 748s finish up in June so do I. I don't know what I will be doing yet."