PRIME MOVERS
AIR Force members are playing a key role in moving police, military personnel and equipment around the Solomon Islands as part of Operation Helpem Fren.

Slow and steady leads the way
THE No. 38 Squadron DHC-4 Caribou crews on Operation Helpem Fren in the Solomon Islands are used to taking a bit of “stick” about their slow aircraft but they have the quiet satisfaction knowing they fly with raw skill where others can’t.

Clear and direct
AIR Traffic Controllers manpacked their radios into the Solomon Islands on day one of Operation Helpem Fren and quickly adapted to an unfamiliar environment to safely direct a large volume of Military and Civil aircraft using Henderson Airfield at Honiara.

Worth the 18-year wait
AFTER 18 years of service, Leading Aircraftman Shayne McDowell, of No. 386 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, is serving on his first operation as an air mover with the Air Load Team (ALT) at Solomon Islands’ Henderson Airfield.

New phase for WRA
CONSULTATION for the next Workplace Relations Agreement (WRA) has started and ADF members are invited to have their say.

Families thanked for their support
FAMILIES and friends of South Australian-based Defence personnel who served in the Middle East have been thanked at a special reception hosted by the State Government.

Visit impresses
THE continued delivery of significant operational results impressed Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal John Kindler on a recent visit to the Middle East Area of Operations.

Promotion comes express post
SOME days are better than others for a mail clerk in the MEAO.

Orion eyes on patrol
ON any given night over the Northern Arabian Gulf an Australian P-3 Orion can be found on patrol.

Show of pride at Wagga
IN A show of pride and community spirit, 250 members of RAAF Base Wagga were granted freedom of entry into the city of Wagga on July 26.

Meet our newest recruits
THE Air Force is responsible for the addition of three new top-notch dogs to the ADF breeding program for military working dogs (MWDs).

Service in Timor now non-warlike
SUCCESSFUL peace enforcement in East Timor has led to continuing ADF service with the UN’s Operation Citadel being declared non-warlike from August 18.

Richmond takes over the ‘red eye’ special
MANY ADF personnel travelled on the “red eye” special, the huge Russian Illyushin 76 transport that lifted them off the RAAF Base Pearce runway around midnight each week and took them to The Gulf.

Roving reporter a bit scared
“LIKE to go flying with the Roulettes?”
“Thanks mate, but err...”
Network 10’s Rove McManus scared of flying?

Recycling gets green light
AIR Force personnel in South Australia are leading the way in reducing landfill through an ingenious initiative that involves turning used printer and toner cartridges into park benches for needy community organisations.

It’s a jungle out there
A FLEA plague, leeches and hammering rain confronted No. 27 (City of Townsville) Squadron members on the recent Exercise Northern Explorer.

Manning the technology
In the ninth in a series of articles looking at the characteristics of aerospace power, WGCDR David Thiele considers the characteristic of technology.


Group takes to Indonesian aerospace
MORE than 700 members of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU), including their Chief, Marsekal (Air Chief Marshal) TNI Chappy Hakim (KASAU), had the opportunity to hear about the RAAF’s doctrine on aerospace power and other related subjects.

Korean War remembered
IT’S been dubbed the “forgotten war” but the conflict was vividly recalled at commemorations to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Korean War at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Invitation to take part in arms contest
AIR Force personnel have been invited to participate in the Australian Army’s annual skill-at -arms meeting.

Rare warbird on display
ONE of the world’s rarest aircraft has gone on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.