No hobbits in here

By Lieutenant Simone Heyer

LAC Tracy Young working in 321CSS’s Base Command Post as part of Exercise Kakadu.

Photo by LAC Allan Cooper

IT’S through a heavy door under a dirt mound – but there’s not a hobbit in sight in No. 321 Combat Support Squadron’s Base Control Post (BCP).

Instead of bumbling hobbits, a dynamic team runs the BCP under the watchful eye of Executive Officer Squadron Leader David Howard.

A relatively new concept, the role of a BCP is to collect, collate and disseminate information that concerns the base.

As logistics and operation coordinators with a planning cell, the BCP’s role is vital on base. And during Exercise Kakadu, the small team has stepped up its already bustling pace.

Operations Officer BCP Flight Sergeant Davena Irish said the BCP provided coordination and liaison with base support agencies to facilitate support services for inbound/outbound aircraft for Ex Kakadu and the Navy’s Principal Warfare Officers’ Week.

“We’ll get ground defence to secure weapons, designate storage areas for flying kit, allocate aircraft parking space and refuelling and accommodation for crews,” she said.
With so many things to coordinate, they know exactly how to pick up the pieces if things don’t go to plan.

Before Exercise Kakadu ran into full swing, there was one serviceable refuelling tanker and 15 aircraft that required refuelling. Flight Sergeant Irish and her team liaised with other units on the base to make sure every aircraft was seen to.

During Exercise Kakadu, the BCP runs 24/7 with two shifts to maintain operation through the night.

To help with manning, three reserves from CSIG Amberley, 21 Squadron and 26 Squadron, have been called up for service.

Flight Sergeant Irish said she was glad to have the reserves on board for the exercise.

“I’m very pleased to have the help of the reserve personnel. During exercise periods, the demand on the BCP raises exponentially with the number of traffic through the base,” she said.

“We’re supporting hundreds of people, including 79 Squadron, aircraft used on Exercise Southern Frontier and aircraft from the US and RNZAF.

“The US personnel based at Tindal through the week are doing extra sorties over the weekends. We provide safety nets to ensure they’re doing things safely.”

And there are always minor things that need to be ironed out when working with other forces.

Flight Sergeant Irish said because of the US’ resources, they didn’t always fully communicate their requirements of RAAF Base Darwin. Fortunately, the BCP always sorts things out.

She said her job was interesting, but time consuming.

“It covers a wide range of things. We work through problems and try to get the best possible result. It all takes time.

“With interaction with so many people from different countries, it opens your eyes to what we have, what we can do.”

RAAF Base Darwin’s BCP is a template for other BCPs operating around Australia.

It was the first to start operation in the fashion that was directed by the CAF. RAAF Bases Townsville and Tindal now operate BCPs.

Flight Sergeant Irish said job placed a high level of responsibility on junior staff.
“Clerks work on a rotation roster; there’s only one [Operations Officer]. Everyone must work well unsupervised,” she said.

“A huge burden is put on their shoulders – it’s a big responsibility. But they know that if anything out of the ordinary comes in, they can contact the Opso or log Officer.”

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