BEST IN THE WEST
NEARLY one year since its formation, Air Combat Group has passed its biggest test, returning from a successful 10-day deployment where it sharpened its air defence and maritime strike skills in support of Navy training exercises held off the coast of Western Australia.

New ROSO: it’s about a fair go
ALTHOUGH Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) policy changes took effect on December 1, Air Force personnel have been advised that there is no full return to the “old ROSO days”.

Changes to regulations
AS a result of changes to the Defence legislation, new Defence Personnel Regulations were announced on December 1.
Consultation with the three services and Defence Personnel Executive (DPE) has resulted in the updated and modernised Defence Personnel Regulations 2002. Now also tri-service in nature, they were derived from the Defence Act, Naval Defence Act, Naval Force Regulations, Air Force Regulations and Australian Military Regulations.

Variable working hours possible
Air Force personnel who work extra and irregular hours can now apply for variable working hours.

Weapons gap breached
THE return of dedicated advanced weaponeering training to the Air Force has culminated in the graduation of six Advanced Weapons Employment Course (WEC) members.

Edinburgh upgrade
STAGE 1 of RAAF Base Edinburgh’s $45 million redevelopment program is well under way and will serve to upgrade World War II-era facilities in use on the base.

New training aircraft
The Air Force will lease a fleet of seven Super King Air 350 Turboprop aircraft to undertake navigator training.

Father’s wings took Andy into orbit
Astronaut Dr Andy Thomas might never have gone into space had he not built World War II model aircraft and chatted about flying with his father, Adrian, a former Royal Australian Air Force pilot.

Accommodation improvements
AIR Force personnel living on two Victorian bases will benefit from more than $1.6 million in improvements to accommodation.

Airspace reforms
AIRCRAFT flying in Australia will soon be governed by a new airspace regime with the phased introduction of the National Airspace System (NAS).

High Sierra puts Syd’s honeymoon on hold
FOR many personnel, Exercise High Sierra is a significant event on the Air Force calendar – just ask Flying Officer Syd McLoughlin.

That’s the way to engineer a change
When Flying Officer Stuart Scott won the Leadership and Military Qualities Award on the No. 8 of 2002 Initial Officer Course he wasn’t the only No. 92 Wing Senior NCO to be commissioned.

Following dad’s flightpath
Officer Cadet James Barden, who graduated from Officers’ Training School on November 8, has had a fascinating launching pad for what he plans will be a career flying fast jets.

Responding to terrorism
The main theme of this year’s regional health services conference was how well the defence medical system can respond to acts of terrorism, such as those experienced recently in Bali.

Posting changes
INFORMATION Systems Division (ISD) has instigated a new process to streamline the posting cycle for its customers.
The process will start for the customers through the Posting Web Wizard.

Dealing with offences
A REMINDER has been issued to personnel to be aware of DI(G)ADMIN 45-2 – “Reporting and Investigation of Alleged Offences within the Australian Defence Organisation”.

Air Force involved in explosive action
THE Twofold Bay area, near the NSW town of Eden, is safe again after a successful Navy Mine Clearance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercise wound up on the South Coast.

Award for system
The Air Force’s Aircraft Research Development Unit in Adelaide has developed a multi-faceted system using commercially available software tools to help engineers, scientists and testers determine that it is safe to release new weapons from military aircraft.

Senior prize for chaplain
AN Air Force Reservist who has made significant contributions to the ADF and the wider community has been awarded Senior Australian of the Year for the ACT.

The day we stood as one
AS a Military Skills Instructor with No. 24 Squadron (City of Adelaide) at RAAF Base Edinburgh, I was honoured to be a Colour Escort at the recent Air Force Memorial Dedication Parade in Canberra.

Basics a matter of course
RESERVE personnel from No. 23 Squadron Operations Flight at RAAF Base Amberley joined Permanent Air Force personnel from RAAF Bases Richmond and Townsville taking part in a recent seven-day Basic Operations Officer Course.

Networks in war
The concepts of network-enabled warfare and network-enabled operations have become a central theme in war fighting in recent years.

Housing the focus of study
EXAMINING how the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) can best use its own resources, or other sources of funding, to meet Defence’s housing arrangement is the focus of a scoping study being conducted by the Department of Finance and Administration.

Cadets set to fly thanks to Boeing
ABOUT 60 Australian Air Force Cadets and staff will have the chance to travel all over the world over the next two years as part of a cadet exchange program, thanks to a sponsorship deal with Boeing Australia.

A dedicated airman
A WORLD War II veteran who transferred from the AIF to the Air Force – the service that became his life-long interest – has died aged 82.

An inspiration
A YOUTH born with a severe disability stood out as an inspiration to members of the RAAF Air Command Band during the band’s recent tour of the NSW South Coast.