By
LACW Simone Liebelt
AFTER a job well done in the MEAO, more than 300 Air Force personnel
deployed on Operation Falconer have returned home to a heroes’
welcome.
At official welcome home ceremonies at RAAF bases Tindal and Townsville,
Prime Minister John Howard, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston
and Chief of Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove joined families, friends
and loved ones in celebrating the return of the deployed contingents.
Providing a diverse range of services and support to the coalition effort,
members were drawn from units all over Australia, and included ground
crew, aircrew and support personnel from No. 75 Squadron’s F/A-18
Hornet detachment and No. 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron.
The 75SQN detachment returned to RAAF Base Tindal on May 15, marking
the start of the welcome home ceremonies.
Detachment members – each with their own story to tell – spoke
of their newfound appreciation for Australian culture and food, their
adjustment to working in confined spaces and their integration with
Coalition members.
One Flying Officer, an F/A-18 pilot based at RAAF Base Williamtown,
reflected on the first time he crossed the line into Iraq. “I was
super alert – more alert than I’d ever been before. It was
a combination of anxiety, fear and excitement all mixed in together.
I’ve never felt anything like it,” he said.
A personnel clerk from 75SQN said the most memorable part of the deployment
was celebrating Anzac Day in the MEAO.
“It was just spine-tingling,” she said. “We had a dawn
service and a couple of drinks, so the true Anzac tradition didn’t
stop while we were over there. It was a really great experience.”
RAAF Base Townsville welcomed home Air Force personnel from more than
23 units across Australia on May 22. The largest contingent of personnel,
from 382ECSS RAAF Base Amberley, received an extra special homecoming
when their family members – flown up to Townsville for the event
– met them on arrival.
Attached personnel who returned to their home bases, were greeted by
local welcome home committees. Arriving at a wet RAAF Base Williamtown,
one member, told to come out of the rain, replied: “No, I want
to stand in the rain – I haven’t seen any for three months.”
While the personnel are taking a well-earned break, the Air Force’s
commitment to Operation Catalyst continues with the AP-3Cs in the Persian
Gulf, the C-130s in and around Iraq and the Air Traffic Control team
at Baghdad International Airport.
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An
enthusiastic welcome for a pilot from No. 75 Squadron detachment on
his arrival at RAAF Base Williamtown. Photo by CPL Mark Eaton |
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Beaming
smiles as Flying Officer Sonia King is greeted at RAAF Base Amberley
by a friend. Photo by CPL Cindy Ipsen |
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Corporal
Michael Oxenham and baby daughter Grace renew family ties.
Photo by LAC Greg Pierce |
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Sergeant
Tony Collie with his six-year-old son Steven at the welcome home celebrations
at RAAF Base Tindal. Photo by CPL Ashley Roach |
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Family
and friends cheer as their loved ones arrive at RAAF Base Tindal.
Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt |
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Balloons
and a big kiss on arrival at Williamtown. Photo by CPL Mark Eaton |
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A
Corporal receives warm congratulations from CDF General Cosgrove at
the homecoming ceremony at Tindal. Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock |
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A
delightful reunion for a Sergeant and his daughter. Photo by LAC Kirk
Peacock |
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A
member of No. 75 Squadron detachment shares a laugh with his family
on his return. Photo by CPL Ashley Roach |
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Back
in the arms of dad. Photo by Kirk Peacock |
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A
memorable meeting on the tarmac at Tindal with Prime Minister John
Howard. Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock |
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Sergeant
Dennis Haines embraces his family at Tindal’s homecoming celebrations.
Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock |
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Leading
Aircraftman Michael Kemp is met by his family on his return to RAAF
Base Amberley.
Photo by LAC Greg Pierce |
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Look
who’s back ... a Flight Lieutenant greets his wife and son after
returning from the Middle East.
Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock |
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Members
of No. 75 Squadron's F/A-18 Hornet detachment disembark at Tindal
after their flight from the Middle East. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt |
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Broad
smiles from Corporal Jo Lock and husband Aaron after being reunited.
Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt |
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Sergeant
Kevin Lepoidevin and Sergeant Peter Radcliffe, members of No. 75 Squadron's
F/A-18 Hornet detachment, in front of the Qantas 767 jet that brought
them home. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt |
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Prime
Minister John Howard autographs the shirt of a Corporal.
Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock |
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A
cuddle on arrival at RAAF Base Townsville. Photo by CPL Jason Weeding |
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A
happy family is together again.
Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock |
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A
Flight Lieutenant is delighted at being reunited with a special little
person. Photo by LAC Steve Duncan |
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Tears
of joy and relief are shed as personnel touch down on Australian soil
on their return from the Middle East. Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock |
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The
reunion of loved ones does much to put a smile on the face and a spring
in the step.
Photo by CPL Mark Eaton |
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A
touching scene at the homecoming ceremony at RAAF Base Tindal.
Photo by LAC Kirk Peacock |
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A
welcome sign is unfurled at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo by LAC Greg
Pierce |
