Gulf duty
A SQUADRON of fighters and three transport aircraft have flown to the Middle East as part of the Air Force’s commitment to Operation Bastille.

Orions join war on terrorism
TWO P-3C Orion aircraft and a group of officers, airmen and airwomen from RAAF Base Edinburgh’s No. 92 Wing were farewelled in January ahead of their deployment to the Middle East to join the international coalition against terrorism.

Trio looks forward to challenge
WHEN Flight Lieutenant Melanie, Sergeant Glen and Corporal Dafydd were selected for deployment to the international coalition against terrorism, they had no idea they would be thrust into the spotlight in the days leading up to their departure.

Children's farewell gift straight from the heart
A GIFT from a child can often have the greatest meaning.

A toll too great
WITH more than 500 houses destroyed and graphic television images giving some idea of the ferocity of the Canberra inferno on January 18, the death toll of four seemed miraculously low – but for Sergeant David Tener, his three young boys and his wife’s family and friends, the toll was unbearable.

Fire heros
MORE than 30 Canberra homes were saved from bushfire destruction by members of Canberra’s No. 28 Squadron.

Recruits on alert during period of high dangers
WHILE their friends were converging on Melbourne and Sydney to attend the Big Day Out concerts, 18 mostly teenage recruits based at RAAF Base Wagga worked 12-hour shifts to help secure RAAF Base Fairbairn from clear and present bushfire danger.

Friends united in loss
WING Commander Chris Mills and Squadron Leader Greg Newland first met on a posting 30 years ago.

DCO quick to help
Homes in and around the ACT were still burning when the Canberra branch of the Defence Community Organisation went into action on January 18.

Fuelling the air battle
WHILE they managed to keep their distance from the hot zone, Air Force aircraft refuellers Corporal Scott Harrison and Aircraftman Jarrod Dotti heard some horrific tales during their stint in Canberra supporting the bushfire fighting efforts.

Volunteer’s hot initiation
AIR Force Reservist Aircraftwoman Renee Smith’s introduction to volunteer bushfire fighting was a baptism of fire – literally.

College lucky not to be destroyed
THE Australian Defence College (ADC) Weston Creek Campus experienced a close call during the recent Canberra bushfire crisis.

CAF’s statement
AIR Force has a Duty of Care and a moral obligation to manage and protect the safety of our most valuable asset – our people.

Safety first is message to personnel
THE Air Force Safety Policy statement – approved by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston on December 20 – demonstrates CAF’s commitment to safety and his belief that safety is the responsibility of all Air Force personnel and that proactive risk management is intrinsic to the development of a “can do safely” attitude as normal work practice.

Sergeant hits the road for charity
SERGEANT Chris Ryan has taken part in a bike ride worth $20,000.

Cool change for Darwin families
AIR Force families posted to Darwin will be cooler this wet season through a trial that extends an air conditioning allowance to local ADF families.

$27m housing complex opened
THE opening of a $27 million housing complex in the heart of Darwin has provided a new option of inner-city apartment living for Northern Territory defence personnel and their families.

Tindal’s crash course
RAAF Base Tindal has conducted a mini CRASHEX to exercise the base Airfield Emergency Plan.

A real achiever
FLIGHT Lieutenant Ben Marshman was a logical choice as the winner of the 2002 Young Achiever of the Year Award at the Australian National Logistics and Supply Chain Awards night in Sydney.

Study into merger of air traffic systems
THE Federal Government will examine whether merging Australia’s military and civil air traffic management systems could cut duplication and costs, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services John Anderson and Minister for Defence Robert Hill have announced.

Radar pod contract
RAYTHEON Australia has been awarded a contract by BAE Systems (UK) to develop and produce 12 radar emulator pods (EMPOD) for the Air Force’s fleet of Hawk lead-in fighters.

Cyclonic start to New Year
WHILE many people spent New Year’s Day nursing sore heads after a night of ushering in 2003, Flight Lieutenant Jamie Riddell spent January 1 in the skies above the Solomon Islands surveying the damage caused by Cyclone Zoe.

Pilot project completed
Over the past 18 months the Pilot Sustainability Project (PSP) has investigated a wide range of issues concerning the pilot specialisation.

Air Force assets on show at Avalon Airports
THE Air Force Roulettes, a pair of F/A-18 Hornets and the latest model Hercules are just some of the aircraft buzzing over Geelong at the moment as part of the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport in Victoria.

On the trail of rust and dust
PERSONNEL from No. 1 Combat Logistics Squadron have braved scorching temperatures, rough outback roads and thick, red dust to successfully complete Remote Trek 2002.

Steps taken to change shoes
CAF has approved the introduction of a patent leather shoe into the RAAF order of dress and Joint Materiel Agency (JMA) has been requested by Air Force to procure this item.

Celebrate our proud heritage
Entries are open for the 2003 RAAF Annual Heritage Awards.

Magnificent seven win their wings
SEVEN Air Force pilots joined two Navy student pilots to successfully attain their wings when RAAF Base Pearce’s No 2 Flying Training School graduated its fifth pilots course for 2002.

No rest in the West
When the United States Navy Carrier USS Abraham Lincoln pulled into Western Australia earlier this year for routine repairs to its flight deck, US Navy aircraft on board (pictured) took the opportunity to do some extra training.

Graduate association rekindled
THE Australian Defence Force Academy Graduates Association (AGA) will be re-launched after fours years of inactivity.

Recognition of excellence
FOUR associations have presented trophies to members of RAAF Base Amberley’s No. 82 Wing in recognition of their excellence in performing duties.

After a full career, busy time ahead
AIR Commodore Peter McDermott has always been a man who knows what he wants.

Best dressers
STAFF from the RAAF Base Edinburgh Clothing Store have been recognised for their outstanding contribution and support to base personnel.

Big bang theory
JUDGING by the above rules, it takes a sense of humour to be a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight (EODF), despite the deadly serious nature of the work.

Making it count
The four-yearly Defence Census is approaching when ADF permanent and active reserve members as well as Defence APS personnel will be asked to complete Census questionnaires. Here Census Manager Roger Wainwright answers some of the commonly asked questions

Agreement to smooth way for relocations
Defence personnel and their families will benefit from a new agreement between Defence and the Defence Housing Authority to improve relocation services, according to Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale.

Let us rejoice
CHIEF of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston has offered congratulations to the Air Force men and women who were recognised in the 2003 Australia Day Honours.

Vintage show
A museum is usually a place that confines itself to static displays, but that’s certainly not the case with the Temora Aviation Museum, as Ben Caddaye reports.

Centre of activity
In 1989 the Air Power Studies Centre (now Aerospace Centre) was established to improve the air power knowledge of all Air Force members.

86SQN to hold last roll call
NO. 86 Squadron will mark the 60th anniversary of its formation at a final roll call for members in South Australia on March 18.

Korean War reunion
A REUNION to mark this year’s 50th anniversary of the end of Korean War will be held in Brisbane on April 24-25.