In Brief

New plan

THE latest edition of the Air Force Plan has been issued. Deputy Director of Corporate Planning Wing Commander Brian Anderson said the new Air Force Plan would impact on both individuals and the wider Air Force organisation. From an organisational perspective, WGCDR Anderson said elements of the Air Force Plan would be reflected in the general planning that occurred across the service. From an individual perspective, he said there would be opportunities to adopt this approach to planning in all that Air Force did. The plan is available on the Air Force intranet home page at http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/raafweb/sites/_Pubs/

Explosive role

Air Force personnel made a major contribution to a massive explosives trial aimed at ensuring ammunition storage facilities are safe and buffer zones around them are appropriate. Seven photographers from No. 92 Wing Photographic Section and one photographer from No. 24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron supported the trials, which involved the detonation of 27 tonnes of explosives at the Australian Defence Force’s Woomera Prohibited Area. A specially constructed warehouse was purposely destroyed by 1619 Dutch howitzer shells housed within it. Effects of the blast were recorded on nearby structures. Thirty cameras in protective housings recorded the explosion. They were positioned by the photographic team of Sergeant Tanya Baldwin, Sergeant Ian Gosper, Corporal Greg Walls, Corporal Peter Borys, Leading Aircraftman Jeremy Patten, Warrant Officer Trevor Grant, Corporal Craig Eager and LAC Rob Hack.

Easier access

A central point has been established for all e-Learning programs. The e-Learning Gateway, as it is known, contains: information about the e-Learning strategy and the implementation of the strategy by the Defence Flexible Learning Solutions team; links to training information; online training documentation, eg programs, calendars, and registration forms; and a subscription service for regular e-mail updates. The e-Learning Gateway is at http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpe/eLearning/

School supplies

A CONTAINER has been located at RAAF Base Wagga to collect educational supplies to support the schooling of refugee children in Afghanistan. The CSIG community in the Riverina Murray Valley region is mounting the campaign with UNICEF Australia. The appeal, named Containers for Kids, aims to fill as many sea containers as possible with educational supplies. Many refugee children in Afghanistan have never had the opportunity to attend school. Coordinated by staff from CSI–RMV, sea containers will be rotated through the Defence bases in the region to collect donations from local communities and schools. Inquiries to Regina Lillywhite on (02) 6933 8277.

Family support

ONE hundred and four Defence family and community support organisations across Australia will benefit from almost $1.1 million in Defence Family Support Funding Program (FSFP) grants approved by Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale. The grants will enable Defence families and community organisations to undertake projects to overcome some of the effects of the mobile Defence lifestyle. In addition to the annual round of grants, the FSFP might be able to provide a seeding grant to new groups or projects that have not received funding in the past two years. Eligibility requirements for FSFP can be obtained from DCO offices on 1800 020 031 or www.dco.dod.gov.au.

 

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