Corporal Bunji Bastaja, Leading Aircraftman Craig Coubrough and Leading Aircraftman Kye Ellison enjoying 79 Squadron's deployment to Learmonth.

No. 79 Squadron based at RAAF Base Pearce attempted to escape the southern winter by deploying to RAAF Base Learmonth for the period June 2-18, with eight Hawk 127 aircraft.

This was 79SQN's first deployment for more than two years.The deployment itself was a significant undertaking in that it was the first squadron deployment for the new Hawk 127 lead-in jet fighter to a "bare base" remote locality airfield.

79SQN Commanding Officer Wing Commander Peter Campbell was pleased when the unit achieved the significant objective of relocating Hawk aircraft and personnel to Learmonth and starting operations on time.

Air training objectives during the deployment included navigation and formation training for students on the lead-in fighter conversion and introductory strike navigator courses, which are the first steps for a pilot and navigator on their journey to the Air Force's front-line FA-18 fighter and F-111 combat aircraft.

A total of eight pilots will be posted to 76SQN for training while two navigators are off to 6SQN for conversion to the F-111.

In a further test of 79SQN's capability, in the second week of the deployment a flight of four Hawks deployed with support personnel to Darwin to participate in Exercise Singaroo, an international exercise involving air and maritime forces from Australia and Singapore.
Corporal "Bunji" Bastaja regarded the deployment as an opportunity for squadron personnel to go beyond their normal work relationships, as they bonded closer as a team in a demanding operation.

As for escaping the southern winter?

Normally experiencing temperatures of a pleasant 27-30 degrees at this time of year, Learmonth on the north west cape was lashed by a torrential downpour on June 3 in which a record 304 mm of rain fell in less than 24 hours.

By Gary Booth