Volume 49, No. 12, July 13, 2006
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FAMILY TIES: LS Greg Rose shows Cassie and Mitchell the Tiger 73. Their stepbrother SMNATA Shaun Diachkoff is training as an aviation technician in Wagga. |
“This is your own little bit of the defence force,” is how CMDR Simon Bateman described the multi-million dollar Seahawk helicopter and the 50 fully trained RAN personnel arrayed before 500 residents of the City of Caloundra last month.
CMDR Bateman, the commanding officer of Nowra-based 816 Squadron, made his remarks during a speech thanking the people of Caloundra for their hospitality at the Freedom of Entry ceremony on September 16.
Sixty members of the squadron spent up to six days away from base.
Two Seahawks, Tigers 73 and 77, with their flight crews, flew north while the remaining squadron members travelled the 1400km by coach.
Local businesses, the RSL and Caloundra Council arranged an extensive program of activities for the personnel.
816 Squadron was first linked with City of Caloundra 10 years ago and the strong bonds remain.
The two Seahawks arrived first, making the Caloundra Airfield their base of operations, and the following day visited the Caloundra State High School and the Caloundra Christian College.
The helicopter was soon surrounded by students eager to find out more about the RAN and the aircraft.
That night, members of 816 were welcomed at a reception at the RSL Club.
On the Saturday, the Tiger 73 alighted in Kings Beach Park to form a static display – a queue to look over the aircraft of young and not so young onlookers soon formed.
A nearby carpark became a carnival scene as other organisations set up stands to promote their activities or to sell food and to support the visiting sailors.
Australian Navy Cadets from training ships Onslow and Centaur were present along with Air Force cadets from 223 Squadron.
The Volunteer Coast Guard attended with a rescue launch and static display, and the commanding officer of the RAN’s Aviation FEG, CDRE Tim Barrett was also there.
At 1pm, led by the Brisbane detachment of the RAN Band, 816 marched off to claim entry to the City of Caloundra with swords drawn, drums beating and flags flying.
The squadron’s colour party held not only the White Ensign high but also its own yellow coloured “tiger” standard.
The sword held forward by the XO, LCDR Tim Kerridge, glinted in the spring sunshine, as the marchers swept towards the reviewing stand.
Here waited CDRE Barrett, the Mayor of Caloundra, CR Don Aldous, Police Inspector Keith Schultz and CMDR Bateman.
Commands of “eyes right” from bandmaster CPO Mike Vaughan and LCDR Kerridge, resulted in a snappy salute in response from CDRE Barrett.
By this time more than 500 people had gathered in the park.
After circling the block and entering the park, the squadron’s progress was blocked by Inspector Schultz.
“Who goes here?” he demanded of the sailors.
PO Kristian Becker stepped forward taking the freedom of entry scroll (first presented to the squadron 10 years ago) from a red cushion. He handed it to CMDR Bateman.
Inspector Schultz read the scroll, was satisfied with its authenticity, and declared that 816 Squadron could proceed.
A few minutes later the Navy and Air Force cadets marched on and raised the Australian National Flag as the National Anthem was played and Tiger 77 did a flyover.
A concert by the band followed but not before 200 people watched Tiger 77 hover above a Volunteer Coast Guard launch positioned off Kings Beach and lower CPO Steve Cheeseman by winch into its well deck.
The helicopter crewed by LEUT Mike Kirby, LEUT Matt Cooke and LS Nathan Minett, then returned to winch CPO Cheeseman back aboard.
The afternoon ended with a social function nearby.
The Sunday was taken up with activities provided by local groups.
