Welcome
to Eagle Eye, our new column that will take a look at the
lighter side of life and happenings in the Air Force and the
wider ADF. We hope you enjoy what is designed to be an easy,
breezy feature. And we hope you will contribute your amusing,
lively and interesting anecdotes to ensure Eagle Eye occupies
an eyrie in Air Force News for some time to come.
Just
bee-autiful
Letter of note
Fuel for thought
Just
bee-autiful
 |
|
The
swarm of bees that found a home with a Hornet at RAAF Base
Williamtown.
|
IF
anyone needed proof that RAAF Base Williamtown is a hive of activity
– here it is.
Corporal
Troy Simpson, who submitted this photo, takes up the story:
“On the morning of October 14, shortly after the completion
of the before-flight servicing, maintenance personnel were to
witness one of nature’s marvels.
As the picture shows, one of our Hornets had become a surrogate
mother to, ironically, a swarm of bees. The aircraft, A21-116,
is one of 2OCU’s dual seat F/A-18s. Onlookers estimate several
thousand bees were involved in the transformation of the Hornet’s
exhaust into a makeshift hive.
“Environmental Health Section was advised of the situation.
The aircraft was towed elsewhere to ensure personnel safety and
Environmental Health proceeded to smoke the swarm, encouraging
the bees to leave.”
Naturally, Troy finishes his account with a groan-inducing pun
that shows he has a promising career as a newspaper reporter:
“One thing is for sure, this is testament that 2OCU’s
Hornets have a mighty sting in their tail!”
Letter of note
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|
Debt
repaid ... the money and handwritten note posted to RAAF
Base Edinburgh.
|
THE
public relations officer at RAAF Base Edinburgh was surprised
to receive a letter earlier this year containing two $50 bills
and a handwritten note.
The letter was addressed simply to “RAAF Base Edinburgh”
and there were no clues as to the identity of the sender, who
wrote:
“When
I served in the RAAF in 1946, working in a stores depot and vehicle
park in Brisbane, I took some tools and clothing that did not
belong to me, and now after all these years I wish to make compensation
by giving you $100 which should cover it. Call it conscience money.
Could you please pass it on to the right department.”
They say clearing the conscience is good for the soul, so the
former member can rest assured the money has been paid into consolidated
revenue and the debt is clear.
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Fuel for thought
THE
risks of taking mobile phone calls while filling up at the petrol
bowser are well signposted at service stations, so imagine taking
a call while refuelling a Hornet in mid-air.
A formation of Hornets on their way to participate in Exercise
Red Flag in the US were contacted over the Pacific Ocean north
of Papua New Guinea by an announcer from ABC Radio in Newcastle.
Wing Commander Gavin Turnbull, CO No. 77 Squadron, handed the
call over to another pilot because he had to get fuel “and
it is not good form to transmit on a 400 watt HF transceiver while
plugged into a refuelling aircraft”.
The base had arranged the connection after the announcer asked
if a live cross to a jet in transit would be possible.
The 12-minute broadcast apparently made for great listening and
gave Newcastle residents an insight into the Air Force at work.
TOP
