Tindal gets free entry

By CPL Simone Liebelt

RAAF Base Tindal WOFF Disciplinary Ray Eastham displays the charter allowing personnel to march through Katherine with arms in defence of the city to a policeman.

Photo by SGT Mark Eaton.

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* RAAF Base Tindal has exercised the base’s freedom of entry to Katherine for the first time in seven years.

THE main street of Katherine was lined with blue recently, when more than 350 members of RAAF Base Tindal were granted freedom of entry into the small town.

Led by the Base Commander, Group Captain Wayne Knight, the ceremonial parade on May 26 included personnel from No. 322 Combat Support Squadron and No. 75 Squadron.

They marched to the beat of the Air Command Band with swords drawn and colours flying to show the close relationship between the Air Force and the Katherine community.

The parade entry was halted by a local police superintendent, who challenged GPCAPT Knight. The proclamation of entitlement was read and access was then granted. A 75SQN Hornet flew over the parade. It marked seven years since the base last exercised the freedom-of-entry tradition.

GPCAPT Knight said the town of Katherine only had about 10,000 people and the base made up 30 per cent of the population so the base had an “excellent” relationship with the community.

“Quite a number of schools lined the streets and many businesses closed down for the short period, so it was a great turnout.”

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