Liberal MP Kerry Bartlett helps Sergeant Scott Hosie and a member of No. 33 Squadron's Maintenance Section as part of the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo by LAC Ricky Fuller

AS part of the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program two members of Federal Parliament spent a week as "guests" of Headquarters Air Lift Group at RAAF Base Richmond.

Kerry Bartlett, Member for Macquarie, and Ken Ticehurst, Member for Dobell, participated in the program which is designed to enable MP's to gain first-hand experience of the work of members at RAAF Base Richmond.

Both members were very impressed with the week's activities. This ranged from assisting in changing the front wheel of a C130E Hercules, night flying with night vision goggles, constructing pallets for aircraft load drops, simulator training, fire training activities, exposure to military working dogs, packing parachutes, dispatching loads from the ramp of a C130H, cleaning up the drop zone at Londonderry and working at the Fuel Farm.

The week was aimed to expose both Parliamentary members to as many activities as possible - and judging by their reaction on their last day this was achieved.

Mr Bartlett and Mr Ticehurst were treated no differently to the other squadron personnel, complying with any instruction given to them by their supervisors.

Both members said they had thoroughly enjoyed their Air Force experience.

"I was very impressed with the professionalism displayed by all personnel we came into contact with, nothing was left to chance in whatever they did," Mr Bartlett said.

"Everyone treated us as though we were part of a team. We now have a greater appreciation and understanding of the work that the men and women of the Air Force carry out."

Mr Ticehurst was particularly interested in "serving" with the Air Force in this program because he always had an interest in aviation and had attended many airshows.

For Mr Bartlett it was the chance to meet with some of his constituents and to become familiar with RAAF Base Richmond.

When asked if they were considering a new career in the Air Force, both MPs joked that it would be too much of a challenge for recruiting to take them.

Both hope to get more colleagues involved next year, and expressed their appreciation to all concerned from the Chief to other ranks.

by CPL Mark Eaton and James Barndon