This one's for dad
CORPORAL Tracey Mosley did not just shed tears of joy when she collected an Olympic silver medal – there were tears of sorrow, too, because her greatest supporter was not there to savour the moment.

Extra punch for aircraft
OUR Hornets and Orions are to be armed with a new generation of long-range air-tosurface missiles. Defence Minister Robert Hill announced the decision on August 26. Defence is to examine three potential candidates.

Proud to take a turn
No. 37 Squadron has flown two modified C-130Js to the Middle East for the aircraft's first overseas deployment in a threat area.

Stallions have a spell
THE distinctive camouflaged colours of the two C-130H aircraft maintaining vital logistic and transport support for all Australian forces deployed in the Middle East is now absent from Iraq’s skies.

Changes on fire front
ABOUT two-thirds of RAAF Base Townsville’s 38 firefighters will be posted to other bases within the next five months because civil authorities will take over the fire section.

Hospital’s first visit
THE climate-controlled and self-sufficient tents of the Air Transportable Hospital have passed their first awe-inspiring operational test outside of RAAF Base Richmond.

Bodies wanted
THE ADF is seeking 2000 volunteers for a $4.2 million body-mapping project to provide advanced technology for new cockpit design and improved safety for pilots, crew and aircraft.

Hawk test centre opens
A NEW testing facility will identify when and where aircraft structural failures are likely to occur so that repair and maintenance programs can be implemented to extend the life of the aircraft.

Centres on trial
THIRTEEN customer service centres (CSCs) will be set up on ADF sites – including at RAAF Bases Darwin, Amberley, Edinburgh and Richmond – from November 30.

Aegis warfare system chosen
THE Aegis air warfare system has been selected as the core of the combat system for Australia’s new air warfare destroyers.

SACTU slugs five raw rivals
“WHAT am I shooting at? Where is the target? You mean that little thing there?” asked a member of No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit’s Young Guns team.

Aircon allowance extended
ELIGIBLE ADF members in Darwin will continue to receive air conditioning allowance following the decision of the Defence People Committee to extend payment of the allowance beyond the end of the 2003-2004 financial year.

Edinburgh to get turntable
A TURNTABLE capable of holding and rotating a 60-tonne aircraft will be built at RAAF Base Edinburgh to aid the Defence Science and Technology Organisation’s electronic warfare research.

New panels put to test
A MAJOR step has been taken toward the airworthiness certification of Composite Replacement Panel Technology (CRPT), a Defence Science and Technology- led initiative to extend the use of composite materials in ADF aircraft.

ADF’s winning way
A NEW booklet showcases the ADF’s achievements in operations.

Army to get new helos
THE first of 12 new troop lift helicopters for Army will be delivered to Townsville in 2007. The others are expected by 2008.

Reserves
A search for better skills & a Prescription for longevity

Airshow launched
AMBERLEY’S Defence Airshow was launched on August 26 with a dump and burn from a No. 6 Squadron F-111 and a highspeed run by a Mustang warbird.

Pilots swap suits
EIGHTEEN Air Force and Navy pilots have swapped their flying suits for dinner suits to perform escort duties.

Call for riders
THE ADF Motorcycle Association is calling for nominations for its off-road training course from November 28 to December 4

International Stories

Airmen save girl
TWO SECPOL members have helped save the life of a two-year-old girl in a Middle East shopping centre while serving on Op Catalyst.

Last patrol made while rest pack up
SIXTEEN months of hot and demanding security operations came to an end last month when the last Air Force Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) security patrol parked back inside the wire.

Exercises with NZ to be reviewed
AUSTRALIA and New Zealand have agreed to review joint exercises, combined operations and collective training to take advantage of “every opportunity”.

Bulletin Board

In Brief