Wing’s top man

Group Captain Terrence Delahunty presents the Delahunty Award to Flying Officer Mark Burne. Photo by LAC Steve Duncan

A FORMER Flight Sergeant newly commissioned as a Flying Officer has won the inaugural TC Delahunty Award. He is FLGOFF Mark Burne, of No. 44 Wing Detachment Darwin.

The award recognises the contribution to the high standards of maintenance and support provided by Ground Electronics Services (GES) Flight and other Detachment members up to the rank of flight sergeant.

FLGOFF Burne, who was commissioned after receiving the nomination, demonstrated excellent trade skills, dress and bearing and work ethos.

In presenting the award on February 27, Group Captain Terrence Delahunty – 44WG’s first OC – made note of FLGOFF Burne’s leadership and proficiency during the diffi cult and challenging period of bringing the GES from a disparate group to the regulated environment required of airworthiness.

Throughout this period FLGOFF Burne had proved instrumental in maintaining the operational capability of 44WG Det Darwin with limited resources, while bringing the unit into the professional maintenance establishment it had become.

He received a personal memento and has had his name engraved on both the trophy and the TC Delahunty Award honour board at RAAF Base Williamtown.

The trophy will be displayed at RAAF Base Darwin until nominations for the 2004 award are called in November.

The Air Traffic Control and GES workforces were amalgamated into 44WG Det in 2000.

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