85
NOT OUT
It
was celebration time across the country last month when the
Air Force turned 85
By
Rachel Irving
Volume 48, No. 6, April 20, 2006
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LAC
Brendin Doble, from Australia’s Federation Guard,
stands out from the crowd during the commemorative service
at the Air Force Memorial in Canberra.
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Photo
by CPL Simone Liebelt
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SQNLDR
Greg Thexton from 23SQN leads a parade at the RAAF Memorial
in Queens Park, Brisbane.
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Photo
by CPL Jeremy Patten
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CPL
Byron Crump from the Central Band plays at a commemorative
service on Anzac Parade in Canberra.
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Photo
by CPL Simone Liebelt
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GPCAPT
John Teager and AC William Deicmanis cut the Air Force
cake at RAAF Base Edinburgh’s SGTs’ Mess.
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Photo
by LACW Melina Mancuso
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CPL
David Skeels and detector dog Bea lead dog handlers marching
through the streets of Brisbane.
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Photo
by CPL Jeremy Patten
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CPL
Mal Farrow takes his position in the catafalque party
at Queens Park in Brisbane.
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Photo
by CPL Jeremy Patten
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FLGOFF
Jenny Vardy and WGCDR Steve Roberton enjoy the cocktail
party at RAAF Base Tindal.
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Photo
by LAC Steve Duncan
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CAF
AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd addresses the crowd at the Air
Force Memorial in Canberra.
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Photo
by PO Damian Pawlenko
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IN
a day filled with colour and music, members and friends across
Australia joined in celebrations last month to mark the 85th
birthday of the Air Force.
Chief of Air Force AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd and the Governor General,
MAJGEN Michael Jeffery, led the celebrations in Canberra on
March 31, with a commemorative service at the Air Force Memorial
on Anzac Parade, followed by a cocktail reception at Government
House.
‘Whenever the VC were confronted,
they stood their ground and fought well and it was during these
times that some helicopters were brought down.’
Bob Stephens, aircrew during Vietnam War
The
day, which celebrated 85 years since the formation of the Australian
Air Force in 1921 (approval to use the ‘Royal’ prefix
was not granted until August 13 that year), was a chance to
enjoy the achievements of the Air Force while remembering the
past.
In Perth and Adelaide, flypasts over the two cities marked the
occasion, while Air Force Bases around the country held their
own services and events to celebrate the day and look to the
future.
‘Images of past wars came
to mind as I witnessed this massive human suffering. I recall
the faces looking up at me – asking if they would lose
a limb or if their mate was alive.’
SQNLDR Belinda Ball, critical care nurse, Iraq
AIRMSHL
Shepherd said in his address at the Air Force Memorial, “Today
we remember those brave men and women from those formative years.
We remember the generations of airmen and airwomen who have
followed in their footsteps.
We remember the great traditions of service and sacrifice in
the air that they established.”
‘With Bomber Command
and with Coastal Command most of the flying was done at night.
We were the targets. Even though we went looking for cities,
railroads and airfields, we were the targets as far as the enemy
was concerned,’ AIRCDRE
Geoff Michael, WWII.
‘It’s quite frightening up there
at night in the dark and suddenly it’s like Christmas Day
and it’s all lit up with a searchlight on you.’
AIRCDRE Geoff Michael, WWII.
CAF
said although many things had changed, including technology,
aircraft and even uniforms, the one thing that remained constant
was the values that Air Force members live by.
‘The first thing I
remember most about the Air Force in those days was the downsizing.
The war ended in 1945 … the Air Force had 176,000 people.
In 1946 it was 12,509 and in 1948 there were 8025 souls all
told.I told my wife of five days – back in three weeks,
maybe two months. Fourteen months later I came back. After that,
in the 36 years she spent as an Air Force wife, any time I said
‘Look I’m going away for a week or two’ she would
just say ‘I’ll expect you when I see you,’’
AIRMSHL David Evans, post WWII.
