Air Force News, June 6, 2002

Welcome to Air Force News, the official newspaper of your Air Force.

Air Force News is published every fortnight except January for the information and entertainment of members of the Air Force and their families.

June 6, 2002

		Air Marshal Houston hails new Defence chief Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston has welcomed the appointment of General Peter Cosgrove as Defence Force Chief. Minister for Defence Robert Hill announced the appointment of GEN Cosgrove on May 28.

		F/A-18s back home F/A-18 ground and aircrew touched down at RAAF Base Williamtown on May 21 after a three-month deployment to Diego Garcia in support of the international coalition against terrorism.

		A full life despite crash landing John Gorton, thought he had "had it" after a second devastating crash in a fighter aircraft during World War II, according to his former CO, Wing Commander (ret'd) Dick Creswell. But events proved him wrong.

		Thumbs up for Hercs Flight Lieutenant Matt Cooper wouldn't swap the view from his office window for anything. As a Junior Captain with RAAF Base Richmond's award-winning No. 37 Squadron, FLTLT Cooper has spent many hours over the past few years in the cockpit of one of 37SQN's C-130J Hercs.

		Airmen of the year's big heart A FORMER "wild child" who helps disadvantaged youth is the Airman of the Year. Leading Aircraftman Aaron Agnew, 43, received the Air Vice-Marshal Eaton Airman of the Year Award from Air Marshal Angus Houston at the 2001 Air Force Awards at the National Museum...

		Baptism of fire Aircraft and buildings burst into flames at RAAF Base Amberley in early May, but instead of panicking Air Force personnel were celebrating. The property was deliberately set alight as part of the official opening of Amberley's world-class fire training facility on May 3.

		All smiles at dental treatment This year marks the 75th anniversary of the first Dental Officer to enlist in the Royal Australian Air Force. On June 10, 1927, Flying Officer James Rosenbrock began work at Point Cook. Since then, the Dental Branch has served in several theatres of war, reaching a peak of 243 Dental...

		Strike action Townsville rocked to the sound of F/A-18 Hornets of No 77 Squadron and F-111C aircraft of No 1 Squadron during Exercise Shot Start, an annual Forward Air Controller (FAC) course at the High Range Training Area from May 18-27. Shot Start provided invaluable experience to...

		Letters to the Editor Mogadishu memories, For the record, Aerial pruning, Cost comparison.

		Townsville hits the road RAAF Base Townsville members will hit the road in the name of charity in July - and they're looking for recruits to join them. The three-day charity bike ride, to raise money for children's cancer research, will take riders on a scenic 350km journey along the coast of far north...

		Couple's assault on Xterra RAAF Base Williamtown husband and wife team Jenny and Corporal Damien Enderby provided the Australian Defence Force with some great results in the recent 2002 Xterra Australian Championships, held at Panthers World of Entertainment west of Sydney.