LEUT Angus Hawes

LEUT Angus Hawes (RAN) and FLTLT Toni Greening (RAAF) were placed in the enviable position of a posting to the United Kingdom earlier this year to undertake the AEW & C conversion course at RAF Base WADDINGTON located near the cathedral city of Lincoln.

The course is part of a combined RAF and NATO initiative aimed to qualify personnel ready to join the AEW&C (or 'Sentry') community.

Both officers were experienced fighter controllers within the ADF and recently graduated AEW&C FCs having completed the surveillance course over the past six months. Throughout the course the students were exposed to a wide array of practical and theoretical training in NATO air defence procedures and assets.

Despite the brevity of the tour, the duo enjoyed the opportunity to deploy to Geilenkerchen in Germany and are looking forward to an upcoming deployment planned for Aviano in Northern Italy. Besides operating in UK airspace, the pair have flown sorties over much of mainland Europe including the former Soviet Union, France, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Norway and Austria working closely with other NATO air force and naval assets.

As a Seaman Officer, for LEUT Hawes it has been a challenging transition becoming an integral part of an airborne component. Unusual too, particularly when on task to support maritime operations from the air.

"It certainly is a rare opportunity both personally and professionally," said LEUT Hawes. "Depending on the future of Wedgetail, for many, AEW&C could represent a viable and rewarding alternative to a career as a seagoing PWO, and potentially the two could and should become complementary fields."

LEUT Hawes will remain in the UK for consolidation employment with the NATO AEW E3D Squadron for the next three years.