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By
FLGOFF Nigel Harrington
WITH swords drawn, drums beating, bands playing and colours
flying, members of No. 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) paraded
through the streets of Albany on Sunday, February 23.
Despite the incursion, local residents greeted the unit enthusiastically,
as Albany Mayor Alison Goode had just bestowed the honour
of “Freedom of Entry” on 2FTS.
In a ceremony conducted on the Albany foreshore, Ms Goode
conferred the honour to 2FTS Commanding Officer Wing Commander
Gareth Neilsen.
In her address, the Mayor reflected on the close association
that city council, local businesses and residents had formed
with 2FTS during annual training deployments by the unit to
Albany.
The unit deploys to Albany once or twice a year to conduct
the formation-training phase of the Advanced Pilots’
Course.
Whilst granting of “Freedom of Entry” to a military
unit has very old origins, on February 23 it was an indication
of the pride that a local municipality has in its relationship
with a military unit.
Albany has had a long association with the Defence community.
Known as the “Anzac City”, it was the last contact
with Australia for the original Anzacs departing for Egypt
in November 1914 enroute to Gallipoli.
From 1893 to 1956, Albany supported an Army gun battery at
the Princess Royal Fortress, and during WWII, American submarines
used Albany as a base while conducting sweeps
for Japanese submarines.
The Navy’s HMAS Anzac and the Army’s 11th/28th Battalion
also hold Freedom of Entry rights to the City of Albany.
Following the formalities, two flights of armed 2FTS members,
accompanied by the Royal Australian Air Force Central Band,
exercised their right of entry by marching the unit’s
colours through the main street.
As is custom, they were challenged outside Town Hall by “City
Marshall” police Superintendent Mervyn Pegler.
With his permission the parade was allowed to continue through
the city.
Other events on the Albany foreshore included a
wet winching display by the CHC Australia SAR crew, a Navy
Seahawk from HMAS Canberra on static display, and a PC9 low-
level aerobatics display by Squadron Leader John Clark.
At the end of the ceremony the public were invited by 2FTS
to visit Albany airport to view static displays of PC9 aircraft
and to talk to flying instructors and student pilots.
The Freedom of Entry event concluded that evening with a cocktail
reception for members of 2FTS and City of Albany councillors. |
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No.
2 Flying Training School personnel exercise their right of entry
by marching along Albany’s main thoroughfare as part of the
Freedom of Entry parade on February 23.
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Members
of 2FTS unfurl the unit’s colours before marching through
Albany’s main streets.
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As
is customary in Freedom of Entry parades, Warrant Officer Greame
Black produces the Freedom of Entry Scroll on the request of “City
Marshal”, local police Superintendent Mervyn Pegler.
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No.
2 Flying Training School members march past an Anzac memorial.
Albany has had a long association with the Defence community and
is known as the “Anzac City”.
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A
Search and Rescue team entertains the crowd with a “wet-winching”
during the Freedom of Entry festivities.
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Group
Captain Peter Sapwell addresses the gathering as 2FTS is granted
Freedom of Entry to the city of Albany, in Western Australia. |
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A
PC9 low-level aerobatic display soars overhead as the RAAF Central
Band marches on.
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Host
Officer Group Captain Peter Sapwell salutes the 2FTS members as
they parade through the city.
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The
Royal Australian Air Force Central Band takes part in the 2FTS
Freedom of Entry to the City of Albany.
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A
gloved hand holds the Air Force eagle, taken from the banner displaying
the unit’s colours.
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Albany
Mayor Alison Goode presents the Freedom of Entry scroll to the
Commanding Officer of No. 2 Flying Training School, Wing Commander
Gareth Neilson..
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2FTS
members, brandishing Steyrs, perform a weapons salute during the
Freedom of Entry formalities.
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Albany Mayor Alison Goode reviews members of No. 2 Flying Training
School on parade. |
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Members
of 2FTS march past the Anzac Memorial situated on the Albany foreshore.
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Photos
by
CPL Garry Dixon |
