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Outgoing
Command Warrant Officer WOFF Chris Dunne warms up his Yamaha
1300cc tourer in preparation for his retirement.
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Photo
by Phil Barling
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He
has travelled the world in the past four years, but Warrant Officer
Chris Dunne has had only one overseas holiday in that time. “I’ve
recently been to Italy and it’s the first time I’ve been overseas
without a gun or Kevlar,” WOFF Dunne said. He is retiring next
month as Command Warrant Officer at Headquarters Joint Operations
Command – “the best position in the ADF” and one he has held since
July 2000.
While he admits to some reluctance at discharging from the Air
Force after more than 30 years’ service, he leaves with “pride
in my heart for the men and women who remain”. “I have deployed
forward to both warlike and non-warlike areas on many occasions.
I have seen first-hand the challenges that have confronted us.
I have seen how members of the ADF have dominated their areas
of operation to levels not attained by any other force,” he said.
WOFF Dunne said other nations respected the “leadership, courage
and ability” of members of the ADF. “This reputation extends not
just to deployed personnel, but also to all other ranks whose
duty it is to remain at home in direct support of operations abroad,”
he said.
He has enjoyed the chance to travel to operational areas, “meet
the troops, listen to what they’re saying” then put recommendations
to the Commander Joint Operations to help improve the effectiveness
of our forces.
WOFF Dunne, who has also held a position as the Air Force Warrant
Officer Disciplinary in his 31-year career, will retain his link
with the Air Force by joining the Reserves. And he will keep up
the travel as he and his wife, Gail, intend to ride around Australia
on his Yamaha 1300cc tourer for three to four months. Warrant
Officer David Baker (RAN) succeeds him as Command Warrant Officer.
