Wings from father

By FLTLT Gordon Brown

AIRCDRE John Quaife congratulates his son, OFFCDT Brendan Quaife, on graduating.

WGCDR Robert Redman, far left, with the father and son he taught: PLTOFF James Barden and ex-SQNLDR Jim Barden.

Photos by CPL Gary Dixon

OFFICER Cadet Brendan Quaife’s father has been involved in his graduation in more ways than one. OFFCDT Quaife was among 21 Air Force pilots and two Navy pilots who jointly graduated from pilots’ courses 197 and 198 on June 27.

The Reviewing Officer for the graduation parade, CN Vice-Admiral Chris Ritchie, interrupted the 197 pilots’ course brevet presentation to invite Air Commodore John Quaife to present his son with his brevet and congratulate him on his completion of the advanced pilots course.

The rare occasion of gaining your wings from your still-serving father had followed a flight together the week before.

Father and son had flown as part of the thunderbird formation over Perth to thank the city for its support to the graduates during their training. OFFCDT Quaife was also among nine graduates who received awards because of their performance during the course.

Another generational gap was brought together when the CO of No. 2 Flying Training School, Wing Commander Gareth Nielsen, invited to the graduation the qualified flying instructor who had taught one of the graduates and, some years earlier, the graduate’s father.

Wing Commander Robert Redman, from the Basic Flying Training School, gave flight training instructions to both ex-Squadron Leader James (Jim) Barden and his son, Pilot Officer James Barden.

He taught the father at 2FTS in 1977 and was his son’s instructor at BFTS on the 198 course in 2003. CN VADM Ritchie congratulated students on the first stage of their pilot career.

He noted the great job current aviators were doing on operations and the challenge ahead of the new graduates to continue with this tradition. Postings for graduated course members include Nos. 32, 33, 36, 37, 79, 292 and 723 Squadrons.

THE HIGH FLYERS

197 Course awards	198 Course awards
OFFCDT Rory Houston: Dux, navigation and most proficient pilot in instrument flying.	PLTOFF Trent Schurmann: Dux, navigation and most proficient pilot in instrument flying.
OFFCDT Anthony McGrath: Aerobatics and highest academic marks.	OFFCDT Anthony Slaven: Aerobatics.
OFFCDT Adam Steff:Leadership prize	OFFCDT Nick Gilbert: Highest academic marks.
OFFCDT Brendan Quaife: Most improved.	PLTOFF Mark Biele: Leadership prize.
	OFFCDT Matthew Noblet: Most improved.

 

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