Pilot’s height of achievement

Squadron Leader Daryl Pudney receives the A Category Fighter Pilot award from Air Commodore John Quaife at RAAF Base Darwin. Photo by Patrina Malone

By CPL Damian Shovell

SQUADRON Leader Daryl Pudney, of No. 75 Squadron, has been recognised as one of the Air Force’s exceptional fighter pilots.

He has received an A Category Fighter Pilot award, the ultimate category award for a fighter pilot, for long-term dedication to fighter flying. Air Commodore John Quaife, Commander Air Combat Group, presented the award on a visit to 75SQN during Exercise Classic Cannon 03 as part of his farewell tour to the units under his command.

“It is a significant achievement – it doesn’t come easy,” AIRCDRE Quaife said. “Most guys in their fighter career can reasonably aspire to reach B category.”

The award recognises both SQNLDR Pudney’s F/A-18 piloting and leadership skills.

He has been an F/A-18 pilot for eight of his 13 years in the Air Force, and this year spent three months on deployment providing air support in Iraq.

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