1RTU is told of dawn and twilight times

By FSGT Anthony Hordern

* No. 1 Recruit Training Unit’s first recruit course of the year was reviewed by CDF General Peter Cosgrove. Four awards were presented, to ACs James Warner, Daniel Bell, Matthew O’Brien and Jordan Blackeby.

THIS year’s first recruit course graduated on April 6, with CDF General Peter Cosgrove as the reviewing officer.

It was a special parade as 1RTU’s Chaplain Russell Simmonds took a back seat to allow Combat Support Unit - Edinburgh’s Chaplain Jim Larkham to make the usual blessing before the parade. This was because CHAP Larkham’s son Jay was one of the graduates.

The airmen and airwomen were visibly proud as GEN Cosgrove took the time to carefully inspect them as part of their graduation parade. After pausing to speak to some of the graduates, he witnessed a display of precision drill as the military skills instructors put their airmen and airwomen through their paces on the parade ground.

At the completion of the advance in review order, all in attendance were thrilled as a Hercules, captained by Squadron Leader John Spark from No. 285 Squadron, thundered overhead in a salute to the graduates.

In his address to the parade, GEN Cosgrove said he was envious that while he was at the twilight of his career in the ADF, they were at the dawn of theirs.

He reminded them that they were now part of a professional organisation, whose recent contributions in both the tsunami-ravaged Asian regions and the ongoing operations in the Middle East were highly praised throughout the world.

He challenged them to build and improve upon the reputation established by those airmen and airwomen that had preceeded them.

GEN Cosgrove presented awards to four members of the graduating intake.

Aircraftman James Warner and Aircraftman Daniel Bell were presented with the award for dux of courses 1A and B respectively, while Aircraftman Matthew O’Brien and Aircraftman Jordan Blackeby were judged to have the most outstanding personal qualities of their respective courses.

After the departure of the CDF, the music from the Air Command Band was nearly drowned out by the applause of all in attendance as the newest airmen and airwomen of the Air Force were marched off the parade ground.

GEN Cosgrove was then the guest of honour at an afternoon tea presented for the graduates and their families in the Middleton VC Club.

Along with the CO of 1RTU, Wing Commander Geoff Dittmar, GEN Cosgrove took the opportunity to speak to many of the graduates, their relatives and friends.

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