Promoted, posted and
expectant in one day

By Squadron Leader Paul Lineham

AN AIR Force officer posted to HQ Joint Task Force 633 in Iraq received an unexpected trifecta of good news in one day recently.

Flying Officer Mark French, Staff Officer to Commander JTF633 Commodore Geoff Ledger, was promoted to flight lieutenant at a barbeque to farewell members of the headquarters who were returning to Australia at the end of their six-month deployment.

“I had no idea it was going to happen, and it was the icing on the cake of a perfect day,” he said.

Earlier, Flight Lieutenant French had been told that he had received his preferred posting for next year at RAAF Base Amberley, and had phoned his wife, Faye, to tell her the news.

Mrs French had news too – the couple’s son, Jack, would have a new brother or sister next year.

“It was the three Ps – posting, promotion and pregnancy, all in one day. Just perfect,” Flight Lieutenant French said.

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