Grand opening
Edinburgh event attracts 50,000

Defence Minister Robert Hill and No. 36 Squadron Commanding Officer Wing Commander Sam Samulski observe a minute’s silence for Bali bomb blast victims. The observance provided a poignant moment at RAAF Base Edinburgh’s Open Day.

Airfield Defence Guards provide protection as a C-130 comes in to land during a simulated exercise.

Which way is up? The Roulettes perform a manoeuvre to thrill the crowd during the well-attended open day at Edinburgh.

An F-111 makes an imposing sight on the flight line.

Leading Aircraftman Brett Perkins, of Ground Defence Reserves, watches as Angus Lumsden, 3, gets revved up about the Edinburgh open day.

THE Adelaide community has clearly displayed its support and interest in the Australian Defence Force with more than 50,000 people crowding RAAF Base Edinburgh for its first open day in six years.

The event, which aimed to bring Defence and the community closer together, went off without a hitch when it was held on October 20.

The weather was perfect – a dappled blue sky the ideal backdrop for a fantastic air show which showcased the capabilities of both aircrew and aircraft.

Crowds packed the viewing area to see their favourite military assets, especially the stars of the day, the Aircraft Research and Development Unit’s F/A-18 Hornet flown by test pilot Squadron Leader Phil Arms and the F-111 crewed by pilot Flight Lieutenant Paul Pedri and navigator Flight Lieutenant Scott Stewart.

While SQNLDR Arms displayed his skill performing a “vertical pull-up” which involved his jet soaring more than 7500m in three seconds, another F-111 and its crew of pilot Flying Officer Jamie Piszczuk and navigator Flight Lieutenant Shannon Kennedy conducted the popular “dump and burn”.

In addition, two Hawk Lead-in Fighters and a P-3C Orion were shown off during dramatic handling displays and flypasts.

At the end of the flying program, these aircraft, as well as Airfield Defence Guards and 9th Brigade soldiers, armoured personnel carriers and artillery guns, were involved in a spectacular simulated attack, synchronised with pyrotechnics from Explosive Entertainment.

The Roulettes aerobatic team was also impressive, ending their show with a missing man formation as a mark of respect to those people who were injured or killed in the Bali terrorist attack.

As further acknowledgment of the tragic loss of life in Bali, Air Force padre Wing Commander Russ Simmons gave a short condolence message to mark the National Day of Mourning.

Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill was present for the minute’s silence and national anthem that followed WGCDR Simmons’ address.

A No. 36 Squadron C-130 Hercules, similar to those used in the medical evacuation of injured victims from Bali, was especially popular with visitors, as were the vintage aircraft on display.

However, the day wasn’t all about aircraft. Thousands visited different informative displays from Defence Science and Technology Organisation, local squadrons, units and aviation enthusiasts in the flight line hangars.

The public also took time out to listen to the Air Force and Navy bands. In addition, Maritime Patrol Group raffled a P3 Orion simulator ride and raised $2200 for a Battle of the Atlantic memorial, which will be erected in London’s Westminster Abbey in the near future.

The 10 air traffic controllers did an excellent job coordinating the day’s flying activities.

• By Deanna Nott
  Photos by ACW Sonja Inderwisch, Glenn Alderton and SGT Ian Gosper

   

The Air Force ensign is prominently displayed by a parachutist.	An F-111 does a dump and burn, much to the crowd’s delight.
Spectacular pyrotechnics erupt during a mock bombing demonstration.	A halo of vapour surrounds an F/A-18 Hornet as it scorches through the skies.
A Black Hawk flies the flag above a throng of spectators.

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