Trail blazers
BRISBANE skies were ablaze as F-111s from No. 82 Wing made a sensational return to the Riverfire fireworks spectacular.

AEAs achieve a first
AFTER 15 months of extensive training, students of the No. 31 Airborne Electronic Analysts (AEA) course from No. 292 Squadron had reason to celebrate at RAAF Base Edinburgh on August 21.

For the record
UNDER Phase 2 of JP129, Airborne Surveillance for Land Operations, Defence plans to acquire a Tactical Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) for focal area surveillance applications.

Eyes skyward for Hobart show
MUCH of Hobart will have its eyes in the skies for the RAAF Air Show on September 13-14.

Hornet weapons system upgraded
COMPLETION of the second in a series of four F/A-18 Hornet upgrades was celebrated at a special ceremony at RAAF Base Williamtown on August 27.

Flying Fish a great success
THE ADF has participated in Exercise Flying Fish 2003 (FF03) – a large-scale operational and tactical military exercise involving five countries – held in Malaysia and Singapore.

Trophy winning efforts
DARWIN-BASED No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit has had an outstanding year in the inter-unit trophy stakes, claiming the Joe Ulett Trophy and the Pither Trophy.

PTIs wow crowds at show
TWO Physical Training Instructors at RAAF Base Tindal coordinated and conducted a military Physical Training (PT) display at the recent annual Katherine show.

Logistics conference at Wagga
LOGISTICIANS of warrant officer rank and above are invited to attend the 2003 Air Force Logistics Conference.
The theme for the conference – sponsored by Director General Policy and Planning - Air Force – is “Embracing the future while supporting the present”.

RESERVES
AFTER 22 years of service, Squadron Leader Geoff Jackson, Commanding Officer of No. 23 (City of Brisbane) Squadron, has left the Permanent Air Force and handed over command of 23SQN to Squadron Leader Randall Wright.


Examining lessons of conflict in Iraq
THERE is a standing joke about lessons learnt from any exercise or operation: the first lesson learnt should be “read the lessons learnt from the last time we did this!”


Maintenance change
THE recent completion of depot level maintenance on one of the Air Force’s B707 aircraft also signified the end of 44 years of aircraft maintenance carried out by Qantas at Mascot Airport on this aircraft type.

Look what’s cooking
TOO many cooks don’t spoil the broth – they actually produce an interesting competition.

Command performance at Townsville
MORE than 15,000 people crammed into Strand Park on the beach-front to enjoy the impressive entertainment line-up at the Townsville Centenary Concert, which featured our own Air Command Band.