Reserves’ vital role

By WOFF Trevor Grant and Leesha Furse

CPL Michelle Lucraft photographs Thai F-16s.

Photo by WOFF Trevor Grant

SGT Carol Sedgman.

Photo by LAC Rob Mitchell

CPL Maurice Moon, a member of No. 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron, refuels a Hornet.

Photo by LAC Rob Mitchell

CPL Shaun Wombwell monitors vehicles at a check point during Exercise Pitch Black.

Photo by LAC Rob Mitchell

NINE of the Air Force’s 10 Reserve squadrons made a significant contribution to Exercise Pitch Black 2004.

Flight Lieutenant Jim Svede, who was at Tindal Base Operations Centre, said Reserves were “everywhere – drivers, medical, clerical, catering, GSE, CISCON, firefighters”.

“I suspect without their support many activities, including flying activities, would be significantly impaired,” FLTLT Svede said. “They have a clear role in terms of delivering actual capability, not just filling in gaps.”

Sixty-one Combat Reserve Wing members from across Australia were involved in PB04. The majority were based in Darwin, including in exercise control, with others at RAAF Base Tindal, Information Operations Squadron, RAAF Base Glenbrook’s CAOC and RAAF Base Williamtown. Additionally, 16 Reserves were attached to the Base Commander at Glenbrook for Exercise Mountain Focus 2004, a base security exercise in support of PB04.

Warrant Officer Robert Thompson and Corporal Michelle Lucraft brought their corporate video and photographic knowledge to PB04, working with the 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit, providing imagery for the media, the Defence web site and the Defence newspapers. CPL Lucraft said she enjoyed “being given projects to work on with the Defence Force, an environment have a strong loyalty and passion for”.

Sergeant Carol Sedgman, a clerk from No. 22 (City of Sydney) Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, worked in Darwin at the base command post doing 12 hours shifts as an operations clerk. “I knew it would be hard work and long hours, but I enjoy the challenge and knowing that I’m doing my part for the exercise gives me a rewarding feeling,” she said.

Those sentiments were echoed by Sergeant Pete Greaney and Corporal Shaun Wombwell, of No. 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron – both with the Victorian Police – who were part of the SECPOL special investigation and counter intelligence unit during PB04.

Sergeant Rick Moore, of No. 25 (City of Perth) Squadron, prepared food for up to 600 meals a day.

“It’s a hard job coming up with menus for three meals a day, seven days a week and then preparing them just right, especially when you’re cooking for such a diverse range of tastes; everything from Australian cuisine through to Thai, Singapore and even French style foods,” SGT Moore said.

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