From MEAO to Melbourne

Squadron Leader Sal Sidoti shows Air Commodore Mark Lax and RAAF Museum director David Gardner where members of the F/A-18 detachment signed this Australian flag after the final operational flight of the Hornets in the Middle East. Photo by Michael Weaver.

By Teena Cardillo

THE first pieces of memorabilia collected during operations in the Middle East have been taken to Melbourne after an official handover at the Aerospace Centre in Canberra.

Air Commodore Mark Lax, Director General Policy and Planning - Air Force, made the presentation of an Australian flag to the Director of the RAAF Museum, David Gardner, along with Squadron Leader Sal Sidoti, who was sponsored by the Aerospace Centre to collect the items.

SQNLDR Sidoti spent three months in the Middle East collecting objects, imagery and recording interviews which will ultimately be preserved as part of an ongoing program of safeguarding Air Force history.

Central to the collected items is the Australian flag which was flown at the base where the Air Force’s F/A-18s were located. The flag was also carried in the cockpit of an F/A-18 on one of the last operational missions.

SQNLDR Sidoti said a number of people had been helpful in donating the items, including a flying suit, chemical defence ensemble, kevlar helmet, a complete two-up kit used on Anzac Day, together with numerous documents and books. In particular, he mentioned Warrant Officer Ian Wheatley, of No. 81 Wing, who requested that the Australian flag be flown at the base and later was instrumental in obtaining the flag for its return to Australia.
Mr Gardner said he was looking forward to spending time looking through the collection of objects with RAAF Museum curators at Point Cook.

“Our first priority will be to assess whether conservation treatment is required for any of the objects, in order to prevent deterioration, bearing in mind that items such as the Australian flag were exposed to a very harsh climate,” he said.

“We are planning to refresh the museum’s Heritage Gallery, which will encompass the RAAF’s experience in East Timor and the Middle East. However, I would like to present some of this material within the next six months so that we can capitalise on public awareness of the RAAF’s role overseas.

“It also enables people to understand that objects don’t have to be very old to be culturally significant.
“In order to maximise the accessibility of the collection to the Australian public, it is very likely that some of these items will be loaned to the Australian War Memorial.”

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