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Breathe easy
In a world-first, the Royal Australian Air Force's
Institute of Aviation Medicine (AVMED) has introduced a revolutionary
technique to eliminate the risk of decompression illness for aircrew
under instruction in the facility's hypobaric chamber. The technique,
which involves aircrew breathing air containing a reduced level
of oxygen to simulate being at an altitude 25,000 feet, allows for
effective hypoxia training in a safe environment.
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Australia bids 707 crews farewell
The Royal Australian Air Force's Boeing 707 crews,
which left Australian shores recently to join the international
coalition against terrorism, were officially farewelled at a ceremony
at RAAF Base Richmond on 15 March.
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Bonsey's back
Corporal Sean Bonsey knows a challenge when he
sees one - and it was the challenge which drew him back to a sport
that tests mental and physical rigour. And if his return after a
four-year absence wasn't enough, Sean mastered the hit-out in Malaysia.
The tropical conditions proved tough; however, the airman achieved
his race goal with a finish.
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Diving duo heads for 'pole' position
For Leading Aircraftman Marcus Fillinger and
dive partner, New Zealander Tony Hall, getting to their next frozen
diving destination will be half the adventure. The pair, both experienced
ice-divers, depart in late April to explore the depths in the Arctic
Circle and hopefully become the first Aussie and Kiwi to dive the
Magnetic and Geographic North Poles.
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MESSOPs Disbanded
Firstly, I wish to personally thank all members
of the Air Force MESSOP mustering for the outstanding contribution
they have made to both their profession and to Air Force. The decision
to disband the MESSOP mustering has not been an easy one.
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Firies' civic triumph
No. 28 Squadron, along with representatives of
other ACT firefighting branches, was honoured in Canberra's civic
centre recently with a plaque presented by the ACT Chief Minister
Jon Stanhope. The Air Force received recognition for members' outstanding
efforts fighting fires in and around the ACT during the Christmas
break.
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Memories of months at Mawson Bay
Retired Royal Australian Air Force pilot Douglas
Johnston has crammed more adventure into his life than most of us
ever will. In the 1950s, Mr Johnston spent a freezing 15 months
at Mawson Bay, Antarctica, discovering a penguin rookery and having
a mountain and fjord named after him. A decade later, Mr Johnston
made front-page news when the Mirage jet he was piloting crashed
near Canberra, ACT, forcing him to eject to safety.
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RAAFies back in the saddle
People call them the 'Space Cowboys'. They're
silver-haired, the other side of 40 and are looking to recruit new
members into their 'exclusive fraternity' within the Royal Australian
Air Force. It all began last year when Squadron Leader Greg Cashmere
and Wing Commander Terry Morgan were reappointed to the Air Force
after years away from the Services.
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Maintainers meet challenge
Members of No. 34 Squadron were spread across
three States as part of the Royal Australian Air Force's support
to the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and
visit by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. When your normal business
is receiving and dispatching VIPs out of RAAF Base Fairbairn and
travelling is a trip as the lone technician on an away-base task,
members of 34SQN's Maintenance Flight aren't used to 'normal' deployments.
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Crowning a Corporal
With the school staffed by a small band of instructors
and support personnel, CPL Johnson worked as a one-person show,
mending life rafts, repairing flotation vests and doing other jobs
such as manning radios and driving boats to ensure the training
was world-class. His Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Dave Bishop,
said he could not think of a more deserving recipient of the award.
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