ADF insecure in security role at Olympic Games

Now that we can view the Sydney Olympics with objective hindsight, I would appreciate official advice regarding the extent of the ADF's commitment to that event.

Certainly, ADF security forces should have been involved in the Olympics, but I question the rectitude of ADF members' having been employed in non-security duties as the bulk of them were.

These members unsurprisingly acquitted themselves well and many enjoyed the experience, but that doesn't make it right. The Olympics are a wonderful spectacle and the Sydney games appear to have been a success, but those factors are irrelevant to a consideration of the ADF's non-security role.

Unlike the ongoing defence of Australia and other national imperatives such as disaster relief and aid to the civil power, holding the Olympics was not a necessity. They were not thrust upon the Federal and State governments; they eagerly sought them.

At best, the Olympics is a voluntary civilian competition; at worst they are a media-driven commercial venture.

There has been no apparent ongoing benefit to the ADF resulting from our non-security participation; it seems to have been purely a means of guaranteeing the financial viability of an enterprise which is essentially a money-making concern.

To put it another way, if we could not afford to run the Olympics without 'free' ADF labour, maybe we should not have run the Olympics at all.

One hopes that employment of ADF members in non-security tasks had a more worthwhile purpose than merely improving SOCOG's bottom line.

WOFF Lewis Winders
DMO ASD
SLO Philadelphia USA.

One suspects some healthy scepticism has rubbed off on you, as all those security checks by ADF personnel prior to and during the Olympics (not to mention their experience in such situations) made these people the right ones for the job. Surely, the ADF's role in any non-security duties such as ceremonial representation were also handled by the best people for the job - Acting Ed.

Thanks for memories

On behalf of WOFF Vas Vasiliou's family, I would like to use the letters section of Air Force News as an avenue to express our heartfelt thanks to the many RAAF personnel involved in my husband's recent funeral.

Vas passed away on 13 February and his funeral service, with full Air Force honours, took place on 21 February at Pt Cook.

Our eternal gratitude is extended to WGCDR Con Nannery and his most able team for the very moving and uplifting service. The ceremonial duties were performed with great dignity and it was a proud and fitting farewell to a devoted colleague.

A special thanks to Gary Saunders (ex RAAF), SQNLDR Jan Elvin, WOFF Stephanie Jacobs and chaplains Jim Curtain and Keith Lanyon for their valued support, professionalism and friendship during this sad time.

To WOFF John Marshall, Ms Elsie West and staff at the Laverton Sergeants' Mess - your energetic efforts were greatly appreciated by the many mourners.

Finally, to all those RAAF personnel who travelled near and far in order to part their respects, your attendance was an honourable tribute and left a profound impression.

Through adversity we reflect on this event with tremendous pride. The RAAF has certainly displayed immense compassion and unity for a fellow serviceman and we are beholden to all.

Kerrie Vasiliou,
Werribee, Victoria.