Aussie flag flies high

By CAPT Phil Pyke

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.

At a Middle Eastern air base, the Australians blend in easily with their US and British counterparts.

“It is really great to have the Aussies here,” said a US Air Force sergeant.

“They are very friendly and a great bunch to talk to.”

There are good-natured jibes at the British about the soccer, cricket and rugby, and poor attempts by Americans to say “g’day”.

In turn, the Australians are teased about their bright camouflage uniforms – dubbed “bruised bananas.”

For the Americans it is a matter of learning that Australia is the same land mass as mainland United States, that we do eat Vegemite, and the Tasmanian Devil is not owned by Warner Brothers.

Air raid drills in the large Scud bunkers can result in joke-telling sessions as personnel wait for the all-clear siren while wearing their NBC equipment.

In the flat featureless country, where the horizon is constantly hidden in a heated dusty haze, a sense of humour is mandatory.

Down in the accommodation section of the large air force base, which resembles a MASH camp, the Australians have made their mark as well.

A large Australian flag flies high over the tent lines, higher than other Coalition flags.

“The Poms put their Union Jack up high, we just had to go that bit higher,” quipped one Air Force member.

Through the flightlines, mess tents, operational and recreational areas, the Australian presence is certainly evident
amongst the thousands of coalition personnel.

The broad Aussie accents among the American drawls and clipped British tones, the bright camouflage uniforms, and Men at Work’s Land Downunder playing over speakers in the recreation area show that here Royal Australian Air
Force personnel are more than a token presence.

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