Air Force News, July 18, 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.

July 18, 2002

		Hercs show Howe THE Air Force has come to the aid of a stricken British destroyer which struck rocks off the coast of Lord Howe Island. Responding to a request from Australian Search and Rescue, a C-130J Hercules aircraft flew to the scene in the early hours of Monday, July 8, to deliver salvage equipment to the damaged HMS Nottingham. .

		Pack your bags for island trip AS A Loadmaster with No. 37 Squadron, Warrant Officer Dave Cronan is accustomed to work-related calls in the middle of the night. So when he received a call from fellow 37SQN member and C-130J pilot Squadron Leader Dean Tetley on the night of Sunday, July 7, he didn't bat an eyelid.

		Cadets show their class TWO Air Force Cadets recently graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon with top honours. Craig Nielson received the Peter Stuckey Mitchell Trust Award, the David Sloane Memorial Trophy and the Lord Novar Cup, which were all related to superior leadership and fitness, and Jay Nicks received the Duntroon Society Award for the graduate who demonstrated extaordinary commitment and dedication to training.

		Pitch Black under way RAAF Bases Amberley and Williamtown are playing host to Australia's most important air combat exercise - Pitch Black 2002. Exercise Pitch Black began on July 15 and will run until August 1, providing the perfect scenario for Air Force personnel from Australia and Singapore to hone their attack and defence combat skills.

		Back from Kyrgyzstan B-707 aircrew and support personnel from No. 84 Wing Detachment were reunited with family and friends at RAAF Base Richmond on July 3 after three-and-a-half months in Kyrgyzstan as part of the coalition against terrorism.

		Computer gift for autistic boy RAAF Base Tindal's No. 322 Combat Support Squadron has teamed with the Department of Defence and a Melbourne-based PC company to help brighten the life of a young boy in Mataranka, Northern Territory, by supplying a computer to him and his family.

		New joint electronic warfare unit formed AIR Power projection capability will be enhanced by a new streamlined approach to electronic warfare. The Air Force will benefit from a recent significant development with the formation of the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Unit (JEWOSU).

		Air Force's answer to Tom Clancy Espionage, terrorists and fast jets. These are just some of the ingredients featured in a new door-busting military thriller, Shooting Script, written by Air Force reservist Flight Lieutenant Phil Smith.

		Macchi memories A MACCHI from No. 25 Squadron, an aircraft regularly seen over the city of Perth, has been presented to the Aviation Heritage Museum of Western Australia. On June 15, the Macchi was delivered to the museum resplendent in the colours of No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron and was positioned opposite the Vampire Trainer it replaced in service.

		Hot pies THE Tindal Magpies came from behind to win the Katherine Districts Football League B-grade grand final played at the Katherine Showgrounds last month.

		Air Strike THE Air Force caused an upset to win the National Interservice squash competition, run as part of the ADF Squash National Championships at RAAF Base Williamtown from June 28 to July 1.