Ready to drive off into the sunset ... outgoing WOFF RAAF John Boydell and his much-prized HR. Photo by SGT Steve Dyson, RAF

WORKING on his beloved 1967 HR Holden is just one of the things outgoing Warrant Officer of the Air Force John Boydell hopes to do with a bit more spare time on his hands.

He officially hands over the job to Warrant Officer Peter Hall on August 2, and he is looking forward to having the flexibility to tinker with the car he has owned for more than 30 years.

"It's an old relic like me," WOFF Boydell joked.

He joined the Air Force in 1966 and his first posting was to the Clerk Equipment (now Clerk Supply) course at Wagga in 1967.

In 1988 he was sent to Philadelphia in the US to look after Air Force helicopters, P3 and F/A-18 aircraft.

In June 1999 he was appointed as WOFF RAAF, the Air Force's representative for the 9500 airmen and airwomen around Australia, and it's a job he has thoroughly enjoyed.

"It's the people you meet and just being able to discuss their problems, go back and help them," WOFF Boydell said.

"I've always said since I took up the position that you have an open door policy so people can come in, sit down and talk about any issue in confidence. And you're not just liaising with them, you're talking to the Chief of the Air Force, the Minister for Defence, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Chief of Defence and the Secretary."

WOFF Boydell said he would miss service life and the job, but it would be the Air Force's greatest asset - its people - that he would miss most.

"We've got some magic people," he said "If you've got a great group of people around you for support it makes your job more rewarding and the support I've had has been marvellous."

After handing over to WOFF Hall, WOFF Boydell and his family will move to Melbourne where he will officially discharge from the Air Force in November.

Apart from spending time under the bonnet of his Holden, he's also determined to dedicate more hours to his family, including his two children aged seven and eight.

"I'll be able to go and do all the things I'd like to - play with them, ride their bikes with them, go to their ballet lessons and those sorts of things."

By Ben Caddaye