Features

Special tribute

FLTLT Steven Stewart and SQNLDR Terence Deeth put on a spectacular display in their F-111. Photo by LAC Andrew Eddie

CPL Travis Watson, of 6SQN, watches the aerial display, with two-year-old Paige. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

The ceremonial guard stands at attention during the memorial service. Photo by LAC Steve Hobbs

By LACW Simone Liebelt
ACTIVITIES to mark three decades of F-111 operations were “about much more than just the birthday of something made of steel and aluminium”.

Officer Commanding No. 82 Wing Group Captain Kym Osley made the comment at a memorial service attended by past and present service men and women and their families gathered at RAAF Base Amberley’s front gate.

GPCAPT Osley paid tribute to those who had lost their lives through combat courses, air accidents and ground incidents, and recognised members who had suffered sickness or injury during their service.

“What’s really brought us together is people. And it’s the memories of years of service, professionalism, comradeship, sacrifice, danger, personal tragedy, and triumph in adversity that has brought us here.”

In symbolic contrast, as the drone of a vintage Hudson Bomber – whose flypast was timed perfectly to coincide with the laying of wreaths by World War II veterans – died away, an F-111 thundered overhead as the COs of Nos 1 and 6 Squadron stepped forward to lay wreaths.

The memorial service was part of 82WG-hosted activities on June 1 to mark 30 years’ of service by the F-111s.

After the memorial service, an annual award ceremony recognised the contribution of 82WG aircrew and support personnel. Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston joined veterans’ association members in congratulating the winners.

Showcasing the daily activities of the F-111 through air and ground displays, an open day for the families and friends of current and former RAAF Base Amberley personnel attracted a crowd of more than 3000. A large collection of model aeroplanes, including a replica of the F-111 with its 30th anniversary tail fin design, was on show.

A dog handling display and fire truck demonstration attracted a large audience, while a jumping castle, slide and airfield defence weaponry exhibition kept children entertained.

New and old operational aircraft were on static display, but it was the airborne handling displays that were the highlight of the day. A Hudson, PC-9, and Caribou showed their stuff over the base, while the F-111 saved the best until last.

Children adorned their dad’s shoulders for the best view of the popular strike aircraft as it thrilled the crowd with its superior presence. Proving age is no barrier, the Pig left thousands of spectators in awe as it performed the popular dump-and-burn finale.

A buffet dinner at the 6SQN hangar brought the milestone celebrations to an end, as past and present members of RAAF Base Amberley reunited and reminisced.

Still a striking aircraft
Richard Hogan reflects on the significance, appeal and history of the F-111

THE Air Force’s F-111 aircraft might be considered by some as ugly duckilings, have a love-hate reputation and the

FLTLT Mark Neasmith with his commendation and FLTLT Justin O'Brien, FLTLT Scott Stewart and FLTLT Adam Nickson with awards presented to them by the RAAF Beaufort Squadrons Association and the Pathfinder Force Association during the F-111 anniversary celebrations. Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

AIRCDRE Trevor Owen (ret’d) and son GPCAPT Richard Owen in front of an F-111 whose tail-fin was decorated to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the F-111. Both have been navigators on F-111s. Photo by CPL Cindy Ipsen

LAC Steve Hocking, of 6SQN, with John Milne, maker of this replica model F-111 aeroplane, in front of the real thing at the family day at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

CPL Kristy McGarrigle with the 467-463 Squadrons' Association Memorial Trophy and LACW Lia Rowbottom with the Beaufighter and Boston Association Trophy awarded for their outstanding service to 82WG. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

Enjoying the aerial display from a high vantage point are Brooke Eastwell, 3, on the shoulders of CPL Brad Bishop, of 6SQN, and 2-year-old Mitchell Meyer, on the shoulders of dad CPL Dale Meyer, of 1SQN. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

rather dubious name of Pigs but they have been Australia’s frontline strike aircraft for 30 years and remain among the most potent combat aircraft in the world today.

Their design, development and delayed introduction into service were controversial but not entirely unexpected considering the radical design and initial specifications for a multi-role aircraft.

As Amberley’s No. 82 Wing and the F-111 community celebrated the 30th anniversary of F-111 operations in the Royal Australian Air Force on June 1, it is appropriate to reflect on the history of the aircraft.

To most Australians, the F-111 is an amazing jet fighter which provides an impressive display of speed and sound during public flypasts or the astonishing torch display when it performs a dump and burn, as witnessed by a worldwide audience during the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

To those in the Defence and political world, the F-111 is still a potent deterrent and a reliable multi-role platform with an extended lifespan in the order of another 10 to 20 years. To the crews who fly them, the F-111 is an extremely powerful, fast and precise strike bomber which, with new avionics and expanding weapon capabilities, continues to thrill and is an experience like few others to fly.

It is true the F-111s have had to go through an expensive avionics upgrade, replacing their 1960s analogue systems with new digital technology, but military aircraft always go through upgrades during their service life.

CAF AIRMSHL Angus Houston and LAC Philip Cetkovic, of 1SQN, cut the cake at the 30th anniversary dinner. Photo by LAC Greg Pierce

AC Michael Bassett, 382ECSS firefighter, helps 4-year-old Sean try on a respirator from the fire truck on display at the family day. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

A bugler plays Last Post for F-111 30th anniversary colour parade at RAAF Base Amberley. Photo by LAC Steve Hobbs

FLGOFF Conan Brett shows 9-year-old Jordan Amos the afterburners of an F-111 on display at the anniversary family day. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

An F-111 and Hudson bomber perform a flypast as the F-111 30th anniversary colour parade stands at ease. Photo by LAC Steve Hobbs

SGT Kevin Jago and his son Bailey pose in front of a 6SQN F111. Photo by LAC Steve Hobbs

It is true the F-111s have had some structural problems and, unfortunately, some accidents. But as any crew will tell you, the F-111 is a high performance and complex aircraft which because of its very design and role goes through extreme stresses and limits of its operating envelope.

It is also true that there has been a serious occupational health and safety issue with fuel tank maintenance procedures but, and not detracting from the seriousness of the situation, this problem is not any fault of the aircraft but procedures in maintenance. Air Force takes these health problems seriously and has gone to considerable length to provide support to affected personnel and put in place long-term measures to address the issue.

As aviation nears the end of its first century there are exciting developments, particularly in military aviation, and a new generation of aircraft which will naturally out-perform their predecessors. However, these new aircraft are expensive and pose a juggling act for air forces around the world to decide when to upgrade their inventory and how to maximise the effective lifespan of their existing aircraft.

The US Air Force is considering new engines for its B-52 bombers, which entered service in 1955, in a plan to retain at least part of the fleet for another 30 years. The simple reasoning is that they are still effective, nothing matches them, and with new engines they will gain even more endurance.

Admittedly there have been a few problems with the F-111 fleet in recent years but with their updated avionics, new weapons and the supplementary effect of the additional G model aircraft delivered in 1993, the Government and the Air Force have reason to be confident that the Pigs will be with us for many years to come.

Conceived in the early 1960s as the TFX (Tactical Fighter Experimental), the aircraft known today as the F-111 was developed by the true believers at the General Dynamics plant at Fort Worth in Texas.

The original specifications called for a multi-role fighter – a tactical fighter-bomber for the USAF Tactical Air Command, an air superiority fighter for the US Navy and a nuclear strike aircraft for Strategic Air Command. Although the development of the US Navy model was later curtailed in favour of the F-14, subsequent versions of the aircraft proved the F-111 can be used in many ways, as reflected in the diverse roles assigned to the F-111s serving the RAAF today.

Needing to replace Australia’s Canberra bombers, the Menzies Government ordered 24 TFX aircraft while they were still in the design phase. The prototype F-111 flew on December 21, 1964, but development problems and escalating costs plagued the production program. The first F-111C was handed over to the RAAF in Texas on September 4, 1968, but problems with the advanced swing-wing mechanism delayed delivery to Australia for almost another five years. In the interim 24 F-4E Phantoms were leased to Australia.

The long-awaited F-111s arrived at Amberley in four delivery flights, the first on June 1, 1973, and the last on December 4 that year. Originally intended for interdiction and maritime/land strike roles, the F-111’s multi-role capabilities have been recognised and today’s F-111 aircrew are trained in air control, reconnaissance (both strategic and tactical) and air support to ground and naval forces.

To enable the F-111 to carry out these tasks, a number of major updates have been carried out to the original aircraft, progressively modifying the airframe and its weapon system.

The first of these was completed in 1979 with the installation of a reconnaissance package designed by General Dynamics. Four aircraft were modified and redesignated as RF-111C, giving a long-range, all-weather day/night reconnaissance capability.

The second major development was the Pave Tack target detection and laser designation system installed in the 1980s. This system enhanced the F-111’s already potent reputation as a precision bomber and was graphically demonstrated by USAF F-111s during the first Gulf War.

The Pave Tack system allows the F-111C to use laser-guided bombs with great precision.

Its weapon systems are only part of the F-111 success story. Its speed, range and ability to fly very low and fast are other attributes.

With its wings swept back to reduce drag, the F-111 can travel supersonic at sea level and Mach 2.5 (2500 km/h) at altitude. The swing-wing design also allows slow flight with the wings fully extended to increase lift.

Another significant feature is the Terrain Following Radar which allows the F-111 to travel fast and low in any weather, day or night. This type of flying and the high-performance characteristics of the F-111 require skill, concentration and dedication.

Although the fleet has a good safety record, fast, low-level flight always tests crews to the limits. Tragically 10 pilots and navigators have lost their lives in accidents over the 30 years of F-111 service.

One wonders if the original designers of the F-111 ever imagined in the 1960s that their aircraft would still be flying in the 21st Century. Indeed some of the current F-111 crews weren’t even born when their aircraft were built. There is also the possibility that those who will be flying the aircraft when the fleet is eventually replaced have not even been born.

Notable dates in the history of the F-111

An view from above of the F-111 with the tail-fin painted specially for the celebrations to mark the fleet’s 30 years of service.

The aircrew who ferried the first of the RAAF F-111s to Amberley on June 1, 1973, with their new aircraft and to the right, one of the F4E Phantoms leased as an interim measure.

A big day for the Air Force, RAAF Base Amberley and the F-111 squadrons as this picture of the arrival ceremony shows.

1962
Nov 24: US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara announces General Dynamics/Grumman proposal as winning bid for

the Tactical Fighter Experimental (TFX) competition.
Dec 21: General Dynamics and Grumman sign TFX/F-111 contract with US Government.
1963
Oct 19: Australia agrees to purchase the F-111A at Pentagon meeting of Australian Minister for Defence Athol Townley, US President John Kennedy and US Defense Secretary Robert McNamara.
Oct 24: Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies confirms press reports that Australia is buying 24 F-111s for $100 million.
1964
Dec 21: F-111A prototype takes to the air from General Dynamics’ Forth Worth facility in Texas.
1965
May 18: The first of several B models which were planned for the US Navy made its maiden flight from Grumman’s Long Island plant. The Navy program was scrapped because the aircraft were too heavy for carrier use.
1967
Oct: First operational aircraft delivered to US Air Force at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, USA.
1968
Mar: USAF F-111As begin flying missions in Vietnam.
Jul 13: Flight by first RAAF F-111C (A8-126) which was later modified to RF-111C
Sep 4: First RAAF F-111 (A8-125) was officially handed over to Australian Minister of Defence Mr Fairhill at Ft Worth, Texas, but aircraft remained in USA for testing.
1970
Jun 22: Australian Government accepts interim arrangement of leasing 24 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantoms from the US Government because of F-111 delivery delays.
Sep 14: First leased F-4E Phantoms arrive at Amberley with USAF and RAAF crews.
1971
Apr 1: General Dynamics begin program to install new improved wing carry-through boxes to RAAF aircraft because of earlier structural concerns.
Dec 16: Defence Minister Mr Fairbairn announces Cabinet decision to accept modified aircraft out of storage.
1972
Oct 4: No 6 Squadron flies last sorties in leased F-4E Phantoms.
1973
Mar 1: First RAAF F-111 formally accepted.
Jun 1: First six RAAF F-111s arrive at Amberley after ferry flights via Hickham (Hawaii) and Pago Pago.
Jul 27: Second flight of six ships arrive at Amberley.
Sep 28: Third flight of six ships arrive at Amberley.
Dec 4: Last six of the 24 aircraft ordered arrive at Amberley.
1974
Dec 31: Australia signs contract with General Dynamics to convert four aircraft to the RF-111C reconnaissance role.
1977
Australian F-111C flies to the UK for the first time.
1979
Apr 17: Inaugural flight by first RAAF RF-111C (A8-126).
Aug 22: First RF-111C (A8-126) arrived back at Amberley from Ft Worth, Texas.
1982
Aug: Four surplus USAF F-111As modified to C standard and transferred to RAAF as attrition replacements.
1984
Oct: RAAF F-111s participate in Strategic Air Command Bomb Camp 1984 in the US.
1986
Apr 14: USAF F-111F aircraft based in England took part in Operation El Dorado Canyon which was a strike on suspected terrorist bases in Libya.
Aug: RF-111C flies in inaugural reconnaissance air meeting in Austin, Texas, USA.
1988
Aug: Australian photo reconnaissance RF-111C team wins Top Crew and other awards at the international Reconnaissance Air Meet in the US.
1990
Aug 17: Contract signed with Rockwell Electronics (now Boeing Australia Ltd) to put F-111C fleet through Avionics Update Program (AUP) to replace analogue systems with digital equipment.
Aug: RF111C fly in final reconnaissance air meeting in Austin, Texas, USA.
Sep: F-111C deploy to the UK for the Golden Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
1991
Jan: US F-111s outperform many other strike platforms in the first Gulf War.
1992
Jul 3: Avionics Update Program prototype (A8-132) arrives in the United States.
Oct 15: Australian Government announces decision to purchase 15 G model aircraft (ex-USAF FB-111As) as rotational aircraft.
1993
Jun 29: Plan to purchase G model aircraft approved in Parliament.
Jul: F111C deploy to the UK to participate in Royal International Air Tattoo.
Aug 31: Contract signed for new upgraded mission simulator at Amberley.
Sep 27: First two G models arrive at Amberley
Oct 11: Arrival ceremony for F-111G aircraft held at Amberley.
Dec: Project for new Electronic Warfare equipment for F-111C approved.
1996
Feb 27: First production aircraft in Avionics Update Program (A8-142) makes test flight at Amberley.
Jun 9: Avionics Update Program prototype (A8-132) returns to Amberley after AUP flight testing in United States
Jul 27: USAF F-111s’ nickname of Aardvark became official during retirement ceremony for American fleet at Ft Worth, Texas, USA.
1999
May: 1SQN presented with Gloucester Cup for most proficient Squadron by CAF.
Jul: The four RF-111C (photo reconnaissance) aircraft transfer from 6SQN to 1SQN.
Nov 17: Amberley ceremony marks completion of Avionics Update Program; Official opening of new F-111 mission simulator installed by Thomson-CSF Pacific.
2002
Sep: RAAF F-111Cs score perfect record during multi-national Exercise Red Flag held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, USA.
2003
Jun 1: 82WG celebrates 30 years of F-111 operations.

2 events marked by Smithy’s nephew

By LACW Simone Liebelt
WHEN Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith and Charles Ulm made the first flight across the Pacific, the journey took eight-and-

6SQN Commanding Officer WGCDR Mike Smith speaks with the nephew of Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith and ex-6SQN member FLGOFF Rollo Kingsford-Smith after the F-111 30th anniversary memorial service. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

a-half days to complete.

Today an F-111 would make the same journey in about 16 hours.

Sir Charles’ nephew, ex-No. 6 Squadron member Rollo Kingsford-Smith, attended the F-111 anniversary commemorations at RAAF Base Amberley on June 1.

The event coincided with the 75th anniversary of his uncle’s feat in crossing the Pacific.

Rollo, 86, of NSW, is a member of the Lancaster Squadron Association and served as a pilot in 6SQN in 1939 during his 11-year career in the Air Force.

“I served in four squadrons during the war, so I have a strong association with the Air Force,” he said.

“I came up to commemorate the 75th crossing of the Pacific by my uncle, so I was also able to come out here as well. It’s good to be here.”