Behind the desk
GREETINGS, Airmen and Airwomen of the Royal Australian Air Force. By using this media, it is my intention to keep you informed on what I have recently been up to and what expectations I have with regards to events and issues that need mentioning. It is my intention to have an entry in the Air Force News at least once a month.

Big line up for Oz awards
AIR Force members featured strongly in the 2006 Australia Day Awards, with recipients across all levels including the Member of the Order of Australia in the military division.

Reshaping our Air Force
A STRENGTHENING of the division between the ADF’s warfighting operations and “raise, train and sustain” functions will result in major changes for Air Force command and business processes.

Maternity leave reforms
NEW mothers in the ADF will be able to spend more time caring for their young children.

Newest aviators put wings to the test
THE latest military aviators of the Air Force and Navy graduated from the Advanced Pilots Course at No. 2 Flying Training School, RAAF Base Pearce, late last year.

Wedgetail has landed
A NEW chapter in Air Force history and capability opened on January 16 when the first of six Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft on order for Air Force touched down at RAAF Base Amberley.

Awesome school day
STUDENTS at Townsville’s Cranbrook State School got up close and personal with Military Working Dog (MWD) Sam and local Air Force members with an action packed visit by 323 Combat Support Squadron (323CSS).

Female CO for 3CRU
WING Commander Krista Thompson has become the first female Commanding Officer of an operational Air Defence Unit within the Air Force.

Security course goes online
DEFENCE personnel have a new way to refresh their security awareness and fulfil their annual security briefing requirements.

Crafty flying saves divers
ANOTHER Air Force aircrew has shown outstanding airmanship during a recent search and rescue (SAR) emergency.

Edinburgh’s top airman
CORPORAL Clayton Goodwin, from No. 11 Squadron, was crowned RAAF Base Edinburgh Airman of the Year for 2005.

Funding big bucks
ONE hundred and twenty million dollars is a lot of cash in anyone’s books.

ADF single life set to leap ahead
SINGLE Defence members posted to major bases around Australia will benefit from the construction of 1300 new rooms, built as part of a national rolling program to improve Defence accommodation standards.

Briefs
44WG Certified; 186km charity bike challenge; New air lift capability?; Spin the new turntable