Group Captain Rick Owen and retired Squadron Leader Paul Thayer talk about old times. Photo by LAC Rob Mitchell

FORMER Royal Australian Air Force F-111 navigator and instructor, Squadron Leader (ret'd) Paul Thayer recently paid a sentimental visit to the new No. 82 Wing Headquarters at RAAF Base Amberley.

SQNLDR Thayer, who has fought a long battle with Huntington's Disease, was taken on an inspection tour of the new wing headquarters and also the new No. 6 Squadron Headquarters.

One of the highlights of his visit was a "flight" in the F-111 simulator, which brought back memories of the more than 1000 hours he spent in the right hand seat of the "Pig".

Group Captain Rick Owen, one of his former pupils and now the Chief of Staff at Air Combat Group, said the visit had been fantastic.

"It was great to see the look in Paul's eyes when he strapped into the simulator - it's been a while since he flew and the F-111 has had some cockpit upgrades since then but it was obvious he still remembered the various functions," GPCAPT Owen said.

"Paul trained a number of today's senior F-111 navigators and we all owe a lot to him - it was tremendous to be able to give him such obvious pleasure by putting him back in touch with what he loved doing most."