Quality recognised

THE United States Department of Defense has recognised Australian Quality Assurance staff for performing their duty to the highest standard. Brigadier-General Darryl Scott, the Director of the Defence Contract Management Agency, recently presented the Directorate of Quality Assurance – Air with a medallion in appreciation of outstanding quality assurance work. Boeing/Hawker De Havilland manufactures all the flaps for F/A-18 C and D model Hornet aircraft and the E and F Super Hornet model aircraft at their Fishermen’s Bend factory and DQA-Air verifies the integrity of each unit. “The award is special recognition for DQA – Air staff going beyond the normal level of service over a long period of time,” said Air Commodore Noel Schmidt, the Technical Airworthiness Director-General.

*

Open day

THE Australian Defence Force Academy will hold its annual open day on August 28 from 9am-4pm. The event will showcase the academy’s personnel, facilities and education programs. Activities will include a Roulettes solo display, Navy clearance divers fast roping out of a Navy helicopter and the Red Berets Parachute team. For more information visit ADFA’s web site at www.defence.gov.au/ADFA.

*

Truscott expanded

THE Truscott air base – secretly built in the Kimberley during World War II to protect Australia’s north from the Japanese – is protecting Australia’s interests once again. The operational role of Truscott, known more formally today as Mungalala Truscott Airbase, is being expanded with an extension and sealing of the runway. Reims and Islander surveillance aircraft operate from the base. At the end of August, larger Dash-8 aircraft will also operate from there. This will mean Coastwatch surveillance flights off the north-west coastline of Australia will be able to cover an extra two million square nautical miles a year, according to Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison.

*

.