We deliver
THE Air Force is proving its niche capability in the war against Iraq as it meets its highest operational tempo in 30 years.

Aussie flag flies high
Despite having only 2000 personnel among the Coalition’s nearly 400,000 strong force in the military theatre, the Australians have certainly made their mark.

Focus on the job
Air Force personnel remain focused despite the high tempo of Operation Falconer, as these photographs show.

Message from Her Majesty the Queen
I would like to pass on my heartfelt support to all Australian personnel now deployed in the Gulf. I know that you will uphold Australia's best traditions of service and duty with great courage and commitment.

Promoted personnel recognised
SEVERAL airmen and airwomen from the Combat Air Lift Unit have been presented with certificates by a top-ranking member of the US Air Force.

We will stick with it
AS Coalition forces fight to oust Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, Australia’s military chief has a message for the ADF – “we will stick with this until it is resolved”.

Proud history marked
ABOUT 100 personnel on deployment to the Middle East with the Combat Air Lift Unit joined with collocated United States Military members to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force on March 31.

Imagery specialists sent to Gulf
SIX Air Force imagery analysts have been sent to the Middle East to help assess battle damage in Iraq.

More responsibility for Reserves
The Strategic role for the Reserves has now changed from mobilisation to meet remote threats to that of supporting and sustaining the types of contemporary military operations in which the ADF may be increasingly engaged.

Wives offer their support
AS part of the wider support to families of personnel deployed to the Middle East, Lynne Cosgrove and Elizabeth Houston – the wives of CDF General Peter Cosgrove and CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston – have visited RAAF Base Tindal.

Messages for service families
THE Department of Defence has set up an e-mail service to give members of the public the opportunity to send their messages of support to the families of Defence personnel deployed in Australia’s national interest.

Just quietly, P-3Cs excel
P-3C Orion crews – dubbed “quiet achievers” by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston – have been using the comprehensive sensor suite of their aircraft to provide information on Iraqi operations to coalition ground, air and naval forces.

Adaptability, training to fore with Hornets
THE adaptability of the Air Force’s F/A-18 Hornets and the standard of crew training has been highlighted during the early stages of Operation Falconer.

Hercs carry large load
THE Air Force’s C-130 Hercules aircraft from Nos 36 and 37 Squadrons are flying night missions into Iraq.

Bali blast victim flies again
Champion South Australian footballer and Bali survivor Julian Burton is used to flying high when taking marks on the field but lately he’s been spending more time in the clouds with the Air Force.

This Capp is fit for a number of roles
SPECIALIST Reserve Air Commodore Roger Capps is known to wear many caps. In his civilian life he works as a senior anaesthetist consultant at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. In his Reserve life he constantly volunteers for deployments and aeromedical evacuation operations.

ADGs hit the pits
V8 DRIVER Brad Jones has jumped aboard a No. 1 Airfield Defence Squadron gun buggy to display his support for the forces.


Hornet pilot swaps seats
A RACING team has put an Aircraft Research and Development Unit F/A-18 Hornet pilot into a different hot seat.

Medical supplies flown to PNG
REMOTE communities in Papua New Guinea received much-needed medical supplies last week thanks to a Caribou crew from RAAF Base Townsville.

1ATS thanked for hard work
THANKING staff from No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron for their assistance with Operation Bastille preparations was just one of the reasons Commanding Officer of No. 396 Combat Support Wing Group Captain Greg Fitzgerald visited RAAF Base Townsville recently.

CAF Fellowship opportunities
Nominations have been called from officers and airmen of any specialisation or mustering interested in undertaking a 2004 Chief of Air Force Fellowship.

Runners lap up life’s challenges
THEY got wet, hardly slept and nursed blisters and sore muscles for days afterwards, but for a group of Air Force personnel participating in the 2003 Relay For Life, the pain was worth the gain.

Darwin’s cyclone alert
ONE week after a cyclone training exercise, No. 321 Combat Support Squadron personnel at RAAF Base Darwin were put on alert for the real thing when Cyclone Craig threatened Darwin.

Fundraiser for injured LAC
STAFF at RAAF Base Townsville have a tradition of helping their local community, but recently it was their turn to help one of their own.

Reunion for Somali vets
AIR Force personnel involved with the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM) 1992-1994 are invited to take part in a 10th anniversary reunion on Anzac Day in Sydney.

Flight Sergeant’s triple treat
FLIGHT Sergeant Michelle Adams doesn’t do her job to win awards, so when she received three commendations on the trot at the end of 2002 she was, understandably, quite taken aback.

25SQN team shows skills
NO. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron’s Engineering Flight prepared and serviced three No. 79 Squadron Hawk 127 aircraft involved in aerobatic and static displays at the recent Busselton Aero Club Airshow 2003 which commemorated 100 years of powered flight.

Hair one minute, gone the next
THE “hair razing” exploits of Air Force personnel across Australia and overseas have helped raise thousands of dollars for the Leukaemia Foundation as part of the annual Shave for a Cure.

Fast and far-reaching action
Looking to the skies during an air show, the audience is always fascinated by the speed of jet aircraft, especially fighters.

Directorate makes move
THE move by the Directorate of Honours and Awards from three separate locations to a new collocated office in Canberra provides an important opportunity to achieve efficiencies in the issuing of medals.

Accommodate single members
First and foremost on the Federation’s agenda this year is a plea to fast track improved accommodation arrangements for single members of the ADF, or as they are more affectionately known, Members Without Dependents (MWOD).