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‘We fitted in like pieces of a jigsaw’

WOFF RAAF Peter Hall

Warrant Officer for the Air Force Peter Hall, centre, with Corporal Gary Anderson and Sergeant Jackie Reid, SIGOPS on a two-year exchange with the RAF's No. 51 Squadron. CPL Anderson said they had spent little time in the UK as they had been deployed to Cyprus, Northern Italy and the Gulf.

By CPL Sean Burton

After five days, four countries and about 700 handshakes, Warrant Officer for the Air Force Peter Hall has a clear picture of the conditions and issues affecting personnel on Operation Falconer.

After his recent visit to the Gulf with the Chief of Air Force, WOFF Hall said the Coalition partners were impressed with the spirit, flexibility, knowledge and experience of the Royal Australian Air Force personnel.

“I think it’s the first time we had to really integrate with a coalition force and we proved that we could fit in, like a jigsaw puzzle,” he said.

“I spoke with all the base chief master sergeants who have had nothing but praise for the Australians even though we were just a drop in the ocean compared with them.

“Our people have enhanced Australia’s reputation and became the good citizens in the camps, and in some cases become leaders in the social push to get everyone together.
“We have gone out and done the business and not lost anyone, which, of course, is great. Our people over there have worked really hard, long hours.”

He said it was difficult to point out any particular unit for praise because they had all done well but he was impressed by the teamwork at No. 75 Squadron.

“They moved site three times, the ECSS had to be operational straight away, with no shelters or warehouses, comms were trying to set up, as were the suppliers – all trying to provide a service to the squadron, which was achieved through great teamwork,” he said.

During the visit he had a chance to listen to concerns and issues that were facing Air Force personnel on deployment.
He realised that it was the little things that affected people in the big picture.

“It’s amazing that you can ask people to do the really hard things and they will but it’s the little things that get right up their noses, so those issues and concerns they spoke to the Chief and myself about will be looked into and the appropriate action will be taken.”