Wedgetail nest in US

Air Force’s Tinker team: FLTLT Beth Chaffers, FLTLT John Micu, PLTOFF Jason Parsons, SQNLDR Michael Bowen, FLTLT Ian Martin, FLTLT Nick Thain and FLTLT Simon Wildermuth. Absent is FLGOFF Dan O’Donnell.

To prepare for the introduction of Wedgetails into service in 2007, an Air Force contingent has been posted to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, USA.

The contingent will qualify as aircrew on the E-3 Sentry and gain experience in airborne warning and control aircraft operations and employment.

Eight personnel – split among the US Air Force streams of pilot, air weapons officer and air surveillance officer – are attached to each of the Airborne Air Control Squadrons based in Tinker.

They have already made an impression, with pilot Flying Offi cer Dan O’Donnell awarded dux of his conversion course and Fighter Controller Flight Lieutenant Beth Chaffers awarded an Exceptionally Qualified rating on her
final check ride, which is rarely awarded in the USAF.

The initiative to embed the group within the USAF expands earlier exchange programs with the US Navy and the RAF.

Project Wedgetail had identified in the early 1990s that exchange and loan arrangements with our allies were needed for the Air Force to learn about airborne surveillance and control operations before taking delivery of its AEW&C capability.

Air Force personnel who have undergone training and experience overseas have made an invaluable contribution to Project Wedgetail in evaluating designs, identifying requirements, and developing tactics and instructions for No. 2 Squadron to use when the aircraft arrive in November 2006.

Since completing conversion training the Aussies have been active, attending exercises such as Red Flag in Las Vegas and flying out of cities throughout continental US and Canada for one- or two-week deployments.

A lot of the success in integrating the RAAF team should be credited to Squadron Leader Mike Bowen, the Australian point of contact within the USAF AWACS Wing.

A former USAF offi cer who joined the RAAF in the mid-1990s, he has helped smooth administrative hurdles as well as developing strong operational relationships.

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