Show of pride at Wagga
Freedom for home base of the airmen

By LACW Simone Liebelt

RAAF WAGGA Crest

RAAF Base Wagga’s Base Commander, Wing Commander Graeme Wren, leads the 250-strong parade, including tri-service members, students and reservists of the base, in a traditional Freedom of Entry parade through the main street of Wagga. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

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.

With swords drawn and colours flying, the officers, airmen, soldiers and sailors, led by Base Commander Wing Commander Graeme Wren, marched down the main street of Wagga to the beat of the RAAF Central Band and the cheer of local residents.

Marking 63 years since the formation of the base, the traditional parade acknowledged the strong bond between the Air Force and the Wagga community and celebrated the bright future of the base – once targeted for closure – as the leading Defence aviation technical training establishment.

A recommendation to close the base in 1997 had a major impact on the local region, with the Air Force considered an integral part of the community.

Many people lobbied against the review on behalf of the Air Force, which proved successful with the announcement to retain the base in March 2000.

WGCDR Wren, who began his post as Base Commander in January this year, said bringing the base back from possible closure was a significant milestone for the Air Force and the local community.

With a particular interest in training from his experience in working with underprivileged children, he recognised the essential role of the base in providing training and career development to Air Force members.

“Wagga delivers fundamental training to officers and airmen in support of a significant proportion of Air Force capability,”
he said.

“But the emphasis is on the airmen. Without competent airmen ranks, we would not be the proficient military organisation we are.

“Here, we not only provide technical and post-graduate training, but also provide character training. In doing so, we furnish the standard of airmen necessary to master the high demands required by a leading-edge military unit.”

With more than 800 tri-service trainees currently on base, three major military schools, the National Aerospace Training Centre of Excellence, supporting units and now the relocation of No. 1 Recruit Training Unit from RAAF Base Edinburgh, WGCDR Wren believes Wagga should be known as “home base of the airmen”.

“Once 1RTU is relocated to Wagga, airmen will keep coming back here. First with initial training, then professional training and then sergeants, flight sergeants and warrant officer training.

“The airmen’s and airwomen’s contribution to the Air Force is absolutely critical to capability. “Home base” therefore provides Wagga with a pride of place,” he said.

In addition to being a prominent training base, RAAF Wagga also contributes to military operations, with three members from the Combat Support Unit having been deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Catalyst.

Following the decision to retain the base in 2000, a positive new direction emerged, resulting in an improvement in confidence and facilities.

The number of personnel and units have been increased, security measures are enhanced and the base has become leader in Defence environmental management.

Improvements in family childcare and support services are also being championed, with plans for an interim crèche in the base gym and a possible base community and child care centre (currently the subject of a Defence Community Organisation needs analysis).

WGCDR Wren said progress has been made on many fronts, particularly during the last six months.

“A primary goal is to continue to advance a positive attitude towards RAAF Wagga in the broader Air Force and I believe the best way of doing that is to establish clearly in people’s minds the fundamental importance of training to Air Force capability.”

“My desire is also to see RAAF Wagga become a place they can feel part of and the Royal Australian Air Force more than simply an employer.”

More to law than just discipline

By LACW Simone Liebelt

Warrant Officer Disciplinary Jennine Riches shows the traditional scroll, which grants permission for members of the RAAF base to pass through the city of Wagga, to a Superintendent of the Wagga Police Force. Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

AT RAAF Base Wagga, Warrant Officer Disciplinary Jennine Riches is known for more than just laying down the law.

Not only responsible for drill and discipline, she is committed to the welfare and morale of staff and students on base, regularly visiting the various sections to check the facilities and to talk to personnel to see “how they're travelling”.

Posted to the base after graduating from her WOD course in May 2001, WOFF Riches was excited at the challenge of starting her new career on a training base, and the experience hasn't disappointed.

“I don't like to be seen as just a disciplinarian on the base, I try to have a rapport with the students that my door is always open, so they can come to me with problems, and they do,” she said. “I also take a great deal of interest in the upgrading of facilities for the welfare of the troops. Anything you can do, even if it's just a coat of paint, makes a big difference.”
The intensity of training courses – many of which last more than 12 months in length – can often lead to stress and anxiety for trainees, and what may appear a small problem, can easily snowball.

“You'd be surprised at the different issues that people come to talk to you about and although it might seem really minor to you or me, to them it's a big thing and it's an even bigger thing for them to know that someone takes an interest.”

In addition to filling the role of counsellor to students and staff on the base, WOFF Riches conducts discipline hearings, weekly trainee muster parades and graduation parades and provides advice and training on various discipline, ceremonial and welfare issues.

Although she loves her job at Wagga, WOFF Riches looks forward to her next posting as No. 44 Wing WOD at RAAF Base Williamtown.

“Wagga is a great base, and it’s been a really good posting in being able to find that balance to be able to be firm but be fair and also show to the students that you care about their welfare,” she said.

Teaching core skills to Air Force leaders

Sergeant Dave Bowden, an instructor at the RAAF School of Technical Training, RAAF Base Wagga, instructs students Aircraftman Duncan McDonald and Seaman Jennifer Carteledge at an avionics testing suite. Photo courtesy of RAAFSTT

IT may be small but with more than 4000 students this year the School of Postgraduate Studies (RAAFSPS) has a big impact on the Air Force.

Responsible for imparting the core skills and knowledge required for promotion and command positions for all airmen, airwomen and officers, RAAFSPS affects a significant proportion of the Air Force population.

Opening its doors at RAAF Base Wagga January this year after the officer training flights were collocated from RAAF Point Cook, RAAFSPS was reorganised into three flights, responsible for the management of airmen, officers and distance learning.

Comprising of Executive Training Flight, Airmen Leadership Flight and Distance Learning Flight, the school conducts more than 70 residential courses per year and delivers distance-learning modules to thousands of members from its Wagga Headquarters and its two corporal promotion centres at RAAF Bases Richmond and Amberley.

Completion of RAAFSPS courses from Corporal to Wing Commander is mandatory for promotion.

With a small but highly experienced staff – the majority of which are senior airmen and officers – representing all the airmen musterings and officer categories of the Air Force, RAAFSPS is fundamental in shaping the skills and attitudes of future Air Force leaders.

Commanding Officer Wing Commander Bob Rodgers said while the school isn’t very well known, it has a major impact on Air Force capability through its leadership training focus.

“RAAFSPS is one of the most important schools in the Air Force. This small team of professional and dedicated officers and airmen are helping to shape attitudes and enhance leadership for the whole of Air Force,” he said.

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