Volume
48, No. 3, March 9, 2006
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SQNLDR
Daryl Pudney savours the moment of his final Hornet flight,
surrounded by his family. SQNLDR Pudney retired on a high
with a flypast, at the conclusion of Ex High Sierra.
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Photo
by CPL Rob Mitchell
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FOUR
new aircrew have joined the ranks of F/A-18 aviators following
their graduation from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit’s
(OCU) fast jet conversion course.
FLGOFFs Mark Biele and Trent Schurmann, and PLTOFFs Matthew Garside
and Rory Houston reached the climax of the course and their conversion
to the fast jets with their participation in Exercise High Sierra,
conducted by No. 2OCU out of RAAF Base Townsville late last year.
The exercise was the final phase of the course and concentrated
on air to surface weapons training.
An intelligence officer will also take his place in the ranks
of Air Force INTELOs with the graduation of FLGOFF Chris McInnes
from the fighter intelligence course.
The exercise included a ‘first’ with the inclusion of
a Defence civilian. He was Defence Science and Techonology Organisation
scientist Mr Dave Craven, the staff officer science at Air Combat
Group. He completed the course to enhance his knowledge of aircraft
systems and how they are employed to assist in his duties with
the Group.
No. 2OCU’s Commanding Officer, WGCDR Chris Huet said that
11 No. 2OCU Hornets, three No. 76 Squadron Hawks, a PC-9 from
the Forward Air Control Development Unit and more than 150 personnel
deployed for the exercise, in which the Hawks were assigned roles
as enemy aircraft.
No. 2OCU is responsible for the conversion training of pilots
to the Hornet before they are posted for operational duties.
Under the increasingly complex exercise scenarios, the students
flew as wingmen in two or four-ship formations, normally on two
missions each day. They were tasked to attack ground targets in
the face of enemy aircraft defenders. They also carried out bombing
attacks on the high range field training area.
The exercise also provided invaluable ongoing training for the
Hawks in practising air-to-air tactics against the Hornets and
Forward Air Control Development Unit aircraft, as well as providing
No. 2OCU’s RAAF Base Williamtown-based personnel an opportunity
to test their procedures away from home base.
WGCDR Huet, himself a graduate of the course, said the exercise
was a great success with No. 2OCU completing all missions. The
whole unit worked hard leading up to the exercise and maintained
a high rate of effort throughout.
“Once again, RAAF Base Townsville, No. 323 Combat Support
Squadron, the No. 44WG ATC detachment and local corporate support
provided an excellent location for No. 2OCU to successfully complete
an F/A-18 Operational Conversion Course,” WGCDR Huet said.
“With their assistance, we have graduated another four world-class
fighter pilots.”
FLGOFF Schurmann was awarded the Drummond Memorial Trophy for
weapons proficiency, FLGOFF Biele was awarded the Powell Memorial
Trophy for academic proficiency, while PLTOFF Garside took home
the CAPT Michael E. Ryan Trophy for overall proficiency.
Of note, the return flight from Townsville to Williamtown was
the last Hornet flight for No. 2OCU’s XO, SQNLDR Daryl Pudney,
who has now retired from the Air Force.
SQNLDR Pudney performed several flypasts of the base before landing.
He was met on arrival by the base firefighters who sprayed his
jet in the traditional manner befitting a roosting eagle.
Then, as his Hornet rolled to a stop on the flightline, he was
met by his family and friends bearing champagne to celebrate the
occasion.
