Vision launched

Aircraftwoman Lisa Batley and Corporal Emma Thomas from DPO check out the just released Air Force Vision poster. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

How we see it Some thoughts on the new Vision

I believe that Air Force is already doing what our Vision states, so maybe it’s just a matter of refining our techniques and working to do something better or improving our procedures. SGT Caroline Godfrey, RAAF Base Wagga I’m proud of the contribution Air Force makes in all spheres whether it is war-like operations, peace keeping, multi-national exercises or aid to the civil community. Overall, I’m proud to be part of an organisation with a distinguished history and a reputation of commitment and professionalism. I’m excited by the future because I can see that the organisation (as a whole) is more open, inclusive and considerate of its members; thereby allowing members to have more influence and gain a greater sense of “ownership”. SQNLDR Jason Burstow, RAAF Base Darwin The Air Force Vision is telling me that we are working together as a team and that we can be employed as a multi-skilled tool. We can either stay in our present location or we can pack up and move to another location and continue doing our job. Depending on what role it is … we’re multi-skilled, we’re adaptable, we’re flexible, so we can either stay or go, move from place to place and we can still continue our work. CPL Mark Smith, RAAF Base Wagga You may be called upon to do something that you are not quite familiar with but, given guidance, I believe that you can do it and that’s where adaptability and flexibility come into it. I think you need to be able to … respond quickly and concisely and to deploy. CPL Kylie Marshall, RAAF Base Wagga It’s good. More of where Australia’s focus needs to be right now. It indicates a huge shift in what Defence is about … where Australia fits in the world now. It tells the world that we’re prepared to be on the world stage…to support what we stand for. It’s also good for other countries to know that someone is out there to support them.’ FLTLT Jules Adams, RAAF Edinburgh

CHIEF of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston has launched the new Vision statement at a Group Captain leadership conference in Canberra.

AIRMSHL Houston told the gathering that a “good Vision is one that should reflect what we are doing now and what we want to be in the future”.

The Vision states that the Royal Australian Air Force will be “a balanced expeditionary Air Force capable of achieving the Government’s objectives through the swift and decisive application of air and space power in joint operations or as part of a larger coalition force”.

Activities over the past 18 months had demonstrated the way in which Air Force personnel provide niche capabilities.

“If we go back to the start of Operation Relex, what we did was to use our expeditionary capability provided by the Combat Support Group to deploy an Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron to Learmonth,” AIRMSHL Houston said.

“Similarly if we look at our support in the immediate neighbourhood, in Timor we demonstrated the ability to deploy our expeditionary capability ... and establish two very effective bases at Bacau and Dili to support both the operations of INTERFET and the subsequent United Nations force.”

AIRMSHL Houston commended the actions of personnel deployed in support of Operations Bastille and Falconer, in particular recognising the efforts of technical personnel in sustaining a high rate of availability.

“All of our people who have deployed to the Middle East have conducted themselves professionally and have enhanced our reputation, “ he said. “At the end of the day, the shiny platforms are worthless without the important and valued people that make up the Royal Australian Air Force.”

The new Vision will be promoted through teams that will visit units throughout Australia in mid-May. Personnel are encouraged to read the complete Vision statement and register comments at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/ RaafWeb/Sites/AFPC/

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