By
FLTLT Gavin Barnett
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CAF
Air Marshal Houston inspects the ranks. Photo by LAC Euan
Grant
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The No. 10 Squadron Colour party. Photo by LAC Euan Grant
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An AP-3C Orion flies overhead as members of the Surveillance
and Response Group parade past dignitaries. Photo by CPL
Mark Eaton
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Flight Sergeant Helmut Sturn, Air Surveillance Operator,
receives a promotion to Warrant Officer after the parade.
Photo by CPL Mark Eaton
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RAAF
Base Williamtown has hosted a formal ceremony to mark a milestone
in the organisation of Defence capability.
The Surveillance and Response Group (SRG) was officially stood-up
in a parade on April 2.
The new Force Element Group (FEG) is a product of two former entities:
Maritime Patrol Group, home of the AP-3C Orion aircraft, and Surveillance
and Control Group, charged with the provision of air surveillance,
air defence and air traffic control services.
Both groups were offi cially disbanded at 0001 hours on March
30, merging to form the new SRG. AIRMSHL Houston, in his address
to the parade, spoke of the Air Force’s 83-year history and the
impact of the new FEG.
He also emphasised the importance of SRG’s role in working towards
a “network-enabled future for the Air Force”.
“In forming this Group we are bringing all our surveillance and
control capabilities into one FEG.
This will facilitate the integration of these capabilities as
we develop an Air Force ‘system of systems’,” he said.
“Significantly, SRG will field the best maritime patrol capability
in the world in the AP-3C, and the best AEW&C capability in the
world with Wedgetail.”
AIRMSHL Houston spoke highly of the capabilities of SRG personnel,
as well as acknowledging the important contribution of family
and friends, many of who were on hand to observe the parade.
Armed with Steyrs and swords, the parade included personnel from
the headquarters and units of Nos 41 Wing (air defence), 44 Wing
(air traffic control) and 92 Wing (maritime patrol).
The Air Command Band provided the musical accompaniment to the
successful parade, after what had been a hectic few days of practice.
The ceremony included blessings for the new group by the Air Force’s
Principle Air Chaplains, along with parading of the colours by
Nos 2, 10 and 11 Squadrons and No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting
Unit.
An AP-3C Orion conducted two fly-bys, to the delight of the crowd
of dignitaries, Service members and invited guests.
Air Commodore Graham Bentley has assumed command of SRG, having
previously commanded MPG, and will initially spend much of his
tenure at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
SRG Headquarters will be established at RAAF Base Williamtown
within the Eastern Region Operations Centre, previously the home
of HQSCG.
