Out of the fry pan

By CPL Damian Shovell

WO2 Trevor Griffiths shows his appreciation to LAC Paul Smith, who worked alongside Army cooks at SECDET, cooking for more than 100 personnel and also conducting day and night pickets.

Photo by SQNLDR Lindsay Dooley

JUST one week into a stint with the ADF’s Security Detachment, a rocket impacted on the SECDET building – an abrupt initiation for Leading Aircraftman Paul Smith, from No. 386 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron.

“I must admit I was a bit shocked,” he said, but no-one was hurt and the “constant explosions in the vicinity became part of the normal routine”.

“We never became complacent, just used to the noises. I suppose it is similar for the locals. One of the most amazing sights was watching a group of children playing soccer in the streets and hearing gunfire in the background. No-one seemed to think anything odd about the situation at all. It was just business as usual.”

LAC Smith spent one month of his four-month MEAO tour doing pickets with and cooking for more than 100 Army personnel at their Baghdad base.

He was initially a little concerned about working with the Army and about working in Baghdad as he knew that he would be doing more than just cooking. He trained on the Mag 58 and Minimi, which he said was an incredible opportunity.

He also learnt to use the radios and to conduct pickets twice a week during the day and night. On-the-jobtraining was done in-between cooking three times a day for the soldiers. LAC Smith said he was expected to man a rifle and scan the rooftops just like the rest of the infantry soldiers.

The challenge in the kitchen, according to LAC Smith, was making the food “tasty” using rations (SECDET food is famous for being the best in Baghdad).

So what was the verdict on his food? The senior caterer at SECDET, Warrant Officer 2 Trevor Griffiths, said that although initially disappointed at not having an Army cook to fill the position, he soon found that LAC Smith was going to be a great asset.

He said LAC Smith was a quick learner and was not afraid to ask questions or to learn anything new. “It didn’t take long at all for LAC Smith to fit into the environment,” WO2 Griffiths said.

“In fact, we have had two RAAFies here over the past two months (Corporal Pat Jeans was the first) and they have both done an outstanding job. They have provided excellent service and have done the RAAF proud.”

LAC Smith said he would have liked to have been with the detachment for four months. “The experience has been awesome,” he said..

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