SEEING RED: RAAF Police from 321 CSS, RAAF Base Darwin get into the spirit of Red Nose Day 'look silly feel great'. (Photograph by WO2 Geoff Fox.)	WHIRLWIND VISIT: Meeting airmen and airwomen was the aim of Chief of Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie's visit to RAAF Amberley in June. The CDF enjoyed an action-packed afternoon in Queensland, with a tour of the RAAF base, an inspection of the deseal/reseal process, and visits to 1 Squadron and 38 Squadron. A number of 1SQN personnel had the opportunity to chat with Admiral Barrie over afternoon tea.
TAKING THE PLUNGE: Personnel from the Australian and New Zealand Air Force, Army and Navy took a 51-metre plunge recently, abseiling into the Rocks from Sydney Harbour Bridge's south-west pylon. Some 28 anxious abseilers braved the morning's early cold and fog to trade their office desks, chairs and telephones for ropes, harnesses and the satisfaction of meeting a challenge. The activity, run by a Randwick Barracks-based Australian Army Unit, provided some of Sydney's Defence headquarters staff with the adventure training they needed to give them 'the edge'. GPCAPT Ian Scott from HQAST with SQNLDR Rob McKenzie RNAF were about to take their turn. (Photograph by SGT Bob O'Donahoo.)
FAMILY FUN: Loadmaster NCOCDT Col Lubbock straps in one of the lucky passengers on the scenic flight during 36 Squadron's Family day. 36 Squadron personnel's family and friends were invited to attend the day designed to give them an opportunity to see the Squadron at work. A highlight of the day for most was the chance to fly in A C130H over Sydney Harbour and the Northern Beaches, complete with open cargo ramp, allowing for a better view. The day also included a tactical flying sequence by FLTLT 'Rocky' Phillips and crew, simulator demonstrations, static displays of Squadron equipment and a barbecue. (By FLTLT Mark Sedgwick, photograph by ACW Huf.)
A FIRST: SQNLDR Justin Paines has become the first RAF pilot to evaluate the vertical takeoff, hover and vertical landing performance of the supersonic Lockheed Martin Strike Fighter X-35B. SQNLDR Paines, a Harrier pilot who was selected to test the X-35 demonstrator aircraft for the United Kingdom, roared into the air with a series of three hovers for a total of eight-and-a-half minutes at the Lockheed Martin plant in Palmdale, California on 30 June. 'It was awesome,' he said. 'The aircraft performed flawlessly. The system produces an incredible amount of thrust - 15 or 20 tons of thrust - even here in the high desert in summer, and yet we can control that thrust with the precision required to manoeuvre the aircraft in the hover.'
FOCUS ON HEALTH: The Health Promotion Unit at 3 RAAF Hospital, Richmond staged a Health Information Day at the base cinema in June. Based around the theme 'FEEL ALIVE! STAY ALIVE!' the aim of the day was to increase health awareness, and expose personnel to the resources available to them at Richmond. FLTLT Hymer, FLGOFF Dunn and LACW Arrowsmith organised the event, which was attended by 180 people. The day was also the ideal opportunity to educate members on new policies such as the Zyban policy and new PFT policy. Personnel had the chance to take BMI, blood pressure and blood sugar checks and medical staff were around to discuss any issues. (By FLTLT Hymer.)
TOUCH DOWN IN DARWIN: Territory Administrator John Anictomatis accompanies President Wahid, on his return to Darwin on 28 June, past the ranks of the assembled honour guard at RAAF Base Darwin. Australia was the first nation to recognize Indonesia as an independant nation after World War 2. (Photograph by WO2 Geoff Fox.)		LONE AIRMAN: The old adage of blue and green should never be seen appears to be completely unfounded when bright orange is added to the colour mix. For the past two months a single Air Force loadmaster has operated alongside several Army aviation aircrew ensuring the PMG's fleet of Hueys maintain their 100 per cent safety record. Warrant Officer Trevor Thompson, 24 Squadron, has put more than 17 years experience on the ADF's rotary wing aircraft to good use while deployed on Operation Bel Isi.
BABY BOY: Air Force nursing officer, SQNLDR Jacky Hardy holds a healthy baby boy, born in East Timorese airspace about half way between Oecussi and Dili on 18 June. The baby's head appeared five minutes into the aero-medical evacuation of his East Timorese mother who was having difficulties with childbirth. The PKF has conducted 580 aero-medical evacuations within Timor and 250 back to Darwin since February 2000.		MCHAPPY DAY: 3 RAAF Hospital RAAF Richmond's Flight Lieutenant Stephanie Hymer, Aircraftwoman Christina Matthewson and Aircraftwoman Courtney Nottle, pictured with dual Olympic gold medallist Julie Higgins, were among the VIPs lending a hand on McHappy Day. McHappy Time raised $1.3 million to help seriously ill and special children across Australia and the support from RAAF Richmond was greatly appreciated.
ACTION ABOUNDS: A recent Activities Information Night at RAAF Base Wagga was designed to inform Base trainees about sports, hobbies and recreational facilities available in the local area. A wide range of sports and hobbies were on display including rock-climbing, flying, dancing and aero-modelling. Traditional sports such as rugby, soccer and hockey were exhibited as well as popular emerging sports like motocross. The night was deemed a success by both participating groups and trainees. Trainees made heaps of inquiries and made links with the various groups.