After 35 years, it’s goodbye

By FLTLT Gavin Barnett

Air Commodore David Pietsch and his wife, Heather, depart to the salutes of SCG members. Photo by LACW Veronica McKenna

The disbanding of Surveillance and Control Group (SCG) on March 30 also heralded the end of an era for the outgoing Commander, Air Commodore David Pietsch.

Having stood down after two years commanding SCG, AIRCDRE Pietsch has retired from the Air Force after 35 years of service.

He has had a colourful career, which began when he joined in 1969 as a direct entry pilot.

He flew Sabres before progressing to the Mirage, first as a line pilot and then as an instructor.

After a staff posting at Headquarters Air Command (HQAC), he trained in the US on the F/A-18 Hornet, part of a small group selected to introduce the aircraft into RAAF service.

This was followed by a posting as Executive Officer at No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit.

Having completed a staff course in the UK and another posting to HQAC, AIRCDRE Pietsch became Commanding Officer of No.3 Squadron.

This was followed by a string of high-level staff jobs, culminating in him being awarded the Order of Australia Medal (Military Division) for his contributions to ADF aerospace development.

Following an appointment as Offi cer Commanding No.81 Wing, he became Director of the ADF Airworthiness Agency, before accepting his final appointment as Commander SCG in December 2001.

During an informal ceremony at the Eastern Region Operations Centre (EASTROC), AIRCDRE Pietsch spoke fondly of his time in the Air Force.

He particularly noted that his best memories stemmed from the “fantastic people” he’d worked with. Upon his departure from EASTROC, AIRCDRE Pietsch was given a salute by a double-row of personnel standing shoulder-to-shoulder along the building’s main walkway.

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