COMPO BOOST
DEFENCE members may soon have one of the most comprehensive, innovative and beneficial compensation schemes in Australia if new draft legislation before Parliament is passed.

A space odyssey
AS the only Air Force member of the C1 satellite project, Flight Lieutenant Shane Cooper has helped make ADF history with the successful launch of the shared Optus and Defence communications satellite on June 12.

Tanker tenders called
THE Air Force will acquire five new generation air-to-air refuelling tankers with the capacity to refuel not only F/A-18s, but also F-111s, the new Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and the Joint Strike Fighter.

Jazz king joins the Big Band
Australia’s king of jazz, James Morrison, joined forces with the Big Band of the Air Command Band recently to perform for 200 selected primary school music students.

Navs feature in Orion overture
WHEN P-3C Orion navigators Squadron Leader Graeme Nayler and Flight Lieutenant Mick Durant were asked to answer a few questions about their involvement in the daring Southern Ocean rescues six years ago they had no idea they would end up starring in an orchestral piece.

A load off their mind
Want to unload 35,000lbs of cargo from a C-130J at a hostile airfield without any air movements personnel or equipment, and with only a basic aircraft crew of three?

CAMM2 shows it can do the job
TO paraphrase Mark Twain, rumours of CAMM2’s death are greatly exaggerated.

ARDU holds celebrations
THE Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) will celebrate 60 years of contribution to Australia’s aerospace test and evaluation capabilities at RAAF Base Edinburgh on July 25.

Hornet software enhanced
Tactical Fighter Weapon System Support Unit (TFWSSU) has reached a significant milestone with the release to Air Combat Group (ACG) of enhanced Hornet software called Aust Block 2.

Tanks a lot for the accolade
FLIGHT Lieutenant Paul Ryder, an aeronautical engineering officer at RAAF Base Amberley, has received a commendation for improving the serviceability of the F-111 fleet.

It’s time to pay the bill
Defence personnel with overdue bills to the Commonwealth will soon face legal action.

Review, pay rise coincide
THE annual review of Services Residences, Living In Accommodation, Rent Allowance and other housing-related charges and allowances will this year coincide with a scheduled ADF pay increase.

33SQN 20 years young
On July 1, No. 33 Squadron celebrated 20 years since it re-formed.

We see you, loud and clear
RAAF Base Edinburgh’s WOD, Warrant Officer Rob Eley, may have the loudest voice on base, but was outdone by members of Combat Support Unit.

Test of sharing
Australia and the United States have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will lead to increased sharing of test and evaluation (T&E) facilities.

Centenary medal for Matthew
BY volunteering his time to help the community, Leading Aircraftman Matthew Bathe has earned the Centenary of Federation Medal.

Reserves
Taking it to the streets
Changes to ESP scheme


Expansion of Intranet
THE Air Force Intranet, or Raafweb as it is called, continues to grow in popularity after a new version was installed.

Grandfather inspires Air Force career
What motivates Australia’s men and women to undertake some of the most intensive and arduous training to become military aviators?

Lucky to survive wartime service
WHILE serving in the Air Force up to his retirement in 1976, Group Captain Frank Griggs – who has died aged 81 – rarely spoke about his time with RAF Bomber Command during World War II.

Striking many targets
IN the opening days of Gulf War I in 1990 the media were fixed on the ferocity of the air campaign as coalition aircraft dominated the skies of Iraq.

Cadets rise to challenge
NO. 3 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) have collected silver and bronze medals in Ten Tors 2003, one of the largest adventure expeditions in Europe.

Test of skills as leaders
AIR Force cadets are among 182 third-year cadets at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) who have just survived the hardest and most exhausting test of their career so far – the Leadership Challenge III.