Features

Desert duty for mother and son

Mother and son Shane and Chris Clausen.

Arriving at the hot wind-swept desert camp on your first deployment, you drive through the high security camp gates to your new home and you’re met by your mum – what the …!?

Operation Falconer is very much a family affair for the Clausens, with a mother and son serving in the MEAO.

Nursing Officer Flight Lieutenant Chris Clausen, of No. 92 Wing, said it was a source of pride to serve with her son, Leading Aircraftman Shane Clausen, an image analyst serving with No. 82 Wing.

“I’m very proud of him, because he’s doing what he’s trained to do. It’s just a bit different having your son down the road in a military situation rather than a domestic one,” she said.

Soon after arriving in the MEAO, LAC Clausen reported to his mother’s medical centre for his initial check up. Not many troops deploying on operations would have their mum waiting to welcome them with a big hug.

“When I first saw him at the front gate it was a bizarre experience, to be in another country, both of us in uniform at war, it was surreal, you can’t imagine it,” Chris said.
Three days before her son arrived in country she received an e-mail in which he said he would see her sooner than she thought.

In 1994 FLTLT Clausen deployed to Rwanda where she worked above and beyond the call of duty helping victims of the African genocide, something she is modest and reluctant to acknowledge, although her son is aware of the conditions she faced.

“I went to Rwanda and he knew what I went through, but then he’s always been interested in the Air Force. When we get together we don’t talk shop, I think we make a sub-conscious effort not to,” she said.

For some younger members, service in the ADF is their first taste of independence and freedom from protective parents but the Clausens leave each other to get on with the job in hand.

“No, I don’t check up on him and he doesn’t check on me,” Chris laughed.

A big morale booster for anyone on operations is the welfare parcel from home. Chris made sure that Shane wasn’t left out.

“We put in all the normal stuff that you would send ... like lollies, sunscreen and a couple of fluffy toys which I’m sure he would have appreciated,” she laughed.