Behind the desk
Focusing on maintenance

By Warrant Officer of the Air Force WOFF Ray Woolnough
Volume 48, No. 5, April 6, 2006

WOFF-AF Ray Woolnough

Greetings, Airmen and Airwomen of the Air Force. Once again I have been kept busy, with travel, meetings and talking to many of our members.

Workplace safety (RAAFSAFE) is an issue that is brought up from time to time, so with that in mind the following is an important message about a project that is also in progress – the Aircraft Maintenance Improvement Project (AMIP).

2006 is the year of AMIP. The project has been charged with reviewing aviation maintenance processes and procedures across the ADF.

If you think AMIP is only applicable to aviation maintainers, think again.

Our maintenance technicians may directly contribute to safely maintaining our aircraft but every airman and airwoman who works in a support role, from the clerk in the orderly room to the supplier at the end of the spares pipeline, plays a part.

So AMIP is about all of us. AMIP pulls everyone together, everyone working towards the same goal. AMIP is about an improved way of doing business.

AMIP is what the ADF aircraft maintenance world will be living and breathing throughout the year and everyone within Air Force has a role in supporting that.

This project has my full support and it should also have yours.

As far as meetings and travel are concerned, I attended my first RAAF Welfare Trust Fund and RAAF Welfare Recreational Company meetings on Friday 24 February and Friday 3 March respectively. Those two meetings were definitely an ‘eye opener’.

I visited and spoke to several courses at Amberley, Richmond and Wagga and a number of interesting issues were raised by the members.

The issues with regard to CETECHs (communications and electronics technicians) and AVTECHs (avionics technicians) have been passed onto the Directorate of Personnel Air Force.

Thank you to the facilitators at both Amberley and Richmond for their efforts to date. Their job in teaching leadership and ensuring that the new Corporals know that they are valued, and what is expected of them as junior leaders, is nothing but outstanding.

My heartfelt thanks go to – (Amberley) WOFF Mark Jones, SGT Shawn Anderson, SGT Darren Andrew, SGT Linda Brown, SGT Kerry Georgeson and SGT David Rover, (Richmond) FSGT Matt Vernon, SGT Mick Calleja, SGT Belinda Finnie, SGT Michelle Hamilton, SGT Geoff Jarrett, SGT Geoff Lord and SGT James Smart.

At RAAF Base Wagga I had the honour of presenting a good number of the Warrant Officer Course with their Warrants. Thank you also for the pleasant evening at the Senior Sailors Mess at HMAS Harman.

I attended the Initial Officer Course Graduation late last month and witnessed my predecessor’s graduation. To SQNLDR Peter Hall – Sir, thank you for your time as the Warrant Officer of the Air Force, and on behalf of the Airmen and Airwomen, congratulations.

Finally, there is one issue that continues to be brought up by all ranks – the new tarmac dress. AIR FORCE News, Volume 48, No. 2, February 23, 2006 issue, clearly states what ensemble is permitted to be worn.

I quote – “A new tarmac dress combination consisting of dark blue shorts, khaki t-shirt or approved squadron t-shirt, green socks, safety footwear and dark blue utility cap or approved squadron cap can be worn in replacement of the existing tarmac dress ensemble.”

I have highlighted two areas – squadron t-shirt and squadron cap. Reason – far too many people are using the guise of ‘colour co-ordination’ with regards to the khaki t-shirt being the basis of their argument against the change.

Being fixated on the khaki t-shirt is the issue, and once the squadron cap and t-shirt is brought into the equation, the colour co-ordination support is no longer there.

Remember that the new safety boot will be similar to the current ‘terra’ type. This is a working uniform, not for public scrutiny, and, when away, is easily packed, worn and washed.

On that note, the decision has been made, and I urge you all to accept it and let it rest.
Till next time, keep on smiling.

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