Putting PR in focus

By Corporal Simone Liebelt

SGT Mark Eaton, SNCO Photo Section, 322CSS Public Relations Officer, and Editor of Wings magazine at work.

Photo by LAC Greg Pierce

JUST because the US Marines have brought their own photographers to support Exercise Southern Frontier doesn’t mean our photographers aren’t still in on the action.

Just ask Sergeant Mark Eaton, who’s in charge of the small photographic section at RAAF Base Tindal, also home to Leading Aircraftman Greg Pierce.

“As Tindal is an exercise base, being involved with exercises such as Southern Frontier and Kakadu gives us the opportunity to see how an allied foreign force operates on home ground,” he said.

“We are attempting to focus on the cultural side of things between Australian and American forces, and we also get to see first hand how the Air Force operates alongside a foreign force in a remote location, which is something I think is very unique in this country unless you’re deployed overseas.

“As tasking requirements vary from day to day, you need to think constantly on your feet, so under these exercise conditions, we work at a slightly higher tempo to ensure we get the product out to our customers with minimum disruption.”

In what is a rarity, Sergeant Eaton is also the Base Public Relations Officer, a responsibility normally reserved for officers.

As part of this secondary duty, he coordinates PR events of interest around the base and local region, including the Marine’s visit for Exercise Southern Frontier.

“[As Base PRO], I get to monitor how the Air Force interacts with the community at a local level and have an enhanced view of how imagery is controlled and disseminated at Tindal,” he said.

“It’s a role I hope to develop further as my experience grows in this area.”

He said working with other forces, such as the US Marines, can be interesting and challenging, but nothing beats supporting the locals at Tindal.

“The relationship that Tindal Photographic has with the base is very positive,” he said.

“What I like about working here is that it offers a totally unique experience to other postings I’ve had in the past. Personnel here have a fantastic community spirit and can-do attitude, which I believe is unequalled at any other base.”

As if his other titles weren’t enough, Sergeant Eaton also owns the title of Editor of Wings magazine – the RAAF Association’s quarterly publication. After accepting the voluntary role last year, he has produced four editions, in what has been a time-consuming but rewarding effort.

“I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of seeing the magazine come together every few months,” he said. “The RAAF Association is a welfare organisation which represents World War II veterans, so it’s also about giving up some of my time for a good cause.

“I get a sense of satisfaction by knowing these stories get passed on to others through the magazine and the really satisfying part is receiving the magazine from the printers, knowing the amount of work that made it come together.”

Examples of Sergeant Eaton’s photographs

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