Trio bears load with distinction

Sergeants Scott Olsen, Brett Louis – recipient of the Wally Neil Memorial Award – and Theo Gianotis with Flight Sergeants Steve Pugsley and Kevin Reid.

MONTHS of intensive training has paid dividends for three RAAF Base Richmond personnel, with the trio recently graduating from the base’s C-130J Loadmaster Course.

Sergeants Scott Olsen, Brett Louis and Theo Gianotis were the first remuster students to graduate on to the C-130J as Loadmasters. All other Loadmasters have converted on to the J model from other C-130 aircraft.

The Loadmaster Course, which began in March, involved a four-week ground school and 18-week flying phase.

With prerequisite courses such as Aviation Medicine, Sergeant’s Promotion, Combat Survival and Airman-Aircrew Initial training included, the students spent about 10 months completing the course.

In addition to receiving their brevets and rank from Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston, one course graduate was awarded the Wally Neil Memorial Award for achieving the highest academic and airmanship results.

The award was initiated in memory of Warrant Officer Wally Neil, a C-130J Loadmaster who died last year while serving with No. 32 Squadron at RAAF Base East Sale.

The award was given to SGT Louis, who received a Distinction for his overall performance on the course. WOFF Neil’s wife, Vicki, presented the award, along with Air Commodore Roger Harrison.

The three Loadmaster graduates have been posted for flying duties at No. 37 Squadron.

Staff from RAAF Base Richmond's No. 285 Squadron would like to thank Mrs Neil for presenting the award, Commanding Officer of 32SQN Wing Commander Dave Newman and 32SQN personnel for providing transport and Lockheed Martin for donating funds for the award.

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