AP-3Cs messing around

By CPL Simone Liebelt
Volume 48, No. 5, April 6, 2006

LAC Michael Kimmorley prepares to serve it up on Operation Catalyst.

Photo by CPL Simone Liebelt

THERE’S a little mess in the Middle East gaining a big reputation with the Aussie Air Force personnel deployed on Operation Catalyst.

At least that’s according to one of the Air Force cooks who was embedded into the Coalition kitchen where the AP-3C detachment is located.

“We were told that it was the best mess deployed over there, and we were pretty proud of that fact,” said LAC Michael Kimmorley.

“The feedback was great from people, and I’m pretty sure it was the only mess with Vegemite, which was an even bigger bonus.”

LAC Kimmorley was part of a three-man RAAF team working alongside Coalition and contract cooks in support of the maritime patrol task group.

He said what made his mess different to most of the others around the MEAO was the variety of flavours on the menu, compared with what they serve in American messes (known as dining facilities).

“Americans like to deep fry their food, whereas Australians like their stir fries, curries and steaks,” he said. “So, I guess that’s why they liked eating at our mess.”

He said it wasn’t just the food that made it a great kitchen.

“It was awesome working there because you got to learn lots of different dishes, like Indian and Arabic,” he said.

“It was also great to learn the culture and lifestyle there, which was a real eye-opener because it was so different to home. The [contractors] were always asking us for Aussie flags and stickers and tried hard to learn our slang, which they picked up pretty quickly. I found it a lot harder to learn their language.

“It was a fun place to work too, as they were always happy and in a good mood, and we all gelled together to get the job done.”

He said while he enjoyed the experience, there were some things he wouldn’t miss when he got home.

“The [Coalition] used the term ‘side arms’ for things like sugar, coffee and sauce, and they called soft drink ‘pop’.

They also called everyone ‘boy’ or ‘buddy’, so it was ‘hey buddy, can you do this buddy’.

“There was no chance of me talking like that when I got home.

“I just wanted to get home for the beer … when you get sand in your throat every day, pop just doesn’t cut it; it’s got to be beer.”

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