Riding a wave of tradition

Leading Aircraftman Troy Warke, a communications/electronics technican with the Air Traffic Control Detachment at Baghdad International Airport, takes his turn on guard duty. Our people at BIAP have a busy workload, but they manage to find time for some recreational pursuits, which is where the Baghdad Surf Life Saving Club plays a role. Photo by CPL Darren Hilder

Surf’s up – well, sort of – for members of the first Air Traffic Control detachment who formed the Baghdad Surf Life Saving Club to boost morale among the unit and raise funds for the local community.

By LACW Simone Liebelt

THERE may be no waves at the home of the Baghdad Surf Life Saving Club, but that doesn’t deter its members from enjoying a bit of Australian tradition and mateship in the hot combat zone.

More than 30 Air Force personnel deployed as part of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) detachment at Baghdad International Airport are members of Australia’s newest official Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC).

Three members of the first ATC rotation, Flight Sergeant Gary Mott, Squadron Leader Steve Mallett and Flying Officer Cheryl March from No. 395 Expeditionary Combat Support Wing, came up with the idea as a way to boost morale and raise the profile of the deployed unit, while bringing a little piece of Australia over to Iraq.

Surf Life Saving Australia helped set up the new club, sending over official red and yellow uniforms, flags, beach signs and a rescue board to Baghdad while promoting the club back in Australia.

The club follows in a long tradition of SLSCs established in deployed locations by military members, including Papua New Guinea in World War II and more recently, East Timor.

“The club has raised awareness to the general public of the relationship between Surf Life Saving and Defence and the fact that those deployed are being thought of back home,” FSGT Mott said. “During my time there we held the inaugural Baghdad Surf Carnival which featured beach flags, rescue events and a surf boat race similar to the Birdsville Races but without the beer cans. It provided a change of scenery and was simply a way to relax and provide a release for deployed members.”

Now in its third month, the Baghdad SLSC is growing strong with a fully established clubhouse set up in the building adjacent to the control tower. Leading Aircraftman Jake Machacek, a plumber and previous member of Caloundra SLSC in Queensland, is now running the club, along with personnel clerk Leading Aircraftwoman Janelle Parkinson, of 395ECSW.

LAC Machacek said while the club was good fun for deployed members, it also followed the surf life saving tradition of participating in fundraising events to help the local community.

“We don’t enforce any hard and fast rules, we just try and have some fun and any money that we raise through donations goes to the local orphans for school books and stuff. It makes us feel good that we’re doing what we can,” he said.

Participating in occasional meetings and carnivals, the eager SLSC members – two of whom are US Army personnel – dress up in their bright uniforms and participate in volleyball and rope relay games and plan more boat races and fundraising events.

“We still have our primary role, so any spare time we get, we dress up and then we’re back in Australia being surf life savers,” LAC Machacek said.

“People just need a good laugh, so if you can put a smile on their dial, that’s generally the best medicine.”

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