By
Warrant Officer of the Air Force WOFF Ray Woolnough
Volume
48, No. 7, May 04, 2006
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WOFF-AF
Ray Woolnough.
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GREETINGS
good Airmen and Airwomen of the Air Force.
It is hard to believe that another month has passed since I last
wrote to you. An old saying – time flies when one is having
fun, is appropriate.
I have on many occasions bumped into the hardworking Air Force
PTIs here at Russell Offices, namely SGT Scott McCarthy and CPL
John Watts.
They, in conjunction with their Army counterpart, CPL Paul Robinson,
are kept busy conducting fitness classes at Russell Offices, Northbourne
House and Brindabella Park.
They are involved in extra tasks after hours and on weekends,
for example – the Health and Wellbeing Expo and the Relay
for Life.
It is pleasing to note that these proactive PTIs are well regarded.
Well done, and keep up the good work.
I would like to personally congratulate CPL Justin Hayden for
being the recipient of the AVM B.A. Eaton Award – 2005 ‘Airman
of the Year’. On behalf of all airmen and airwomen of the
Air Force – congratulations.
Your professional competence, leadership and team contribution
to 6SQN has been justly recognised.
My personal congratulations are also extended to CPL Marie Saliba
of RAAF SALT, Wagga, for being nominated for the Lipshut Family
Bursary.
The Bursary was established in 2000 to provide an educational
fund to enable an outstanding airman or airwoman of the rank of
CPL and below, to undertake full-time tertiary studies with a
view to commissioning, but who might otherwise lack the opportunity
to do so.
From all the airmen and airwomen we wish you all the very best
in your endeavors to continue your Bachelor of Business studies.
I would like to take some time to talk briefly about ‘Report
on Defective or Unsatisfactory Material’ – Form AC 446,
commonly known as a RODUM. It has come to notice that when the
acronym RODUM is brought up there are two trains of thought –
either, it is an Army form, or members are not aware that this
form exists. If I mention Defect Reports, members eyes light up.
A RODUM is required when an item either affects safety or health;
is faulty in design, material or workmanship; is inadequate for
its intended purpose; is unreliable or has repetitive minor faults;
affects optimal performance; is difficult to operate or maintain;
has poor operator or technical manuals; or is unsatisfactory in
certain circumstances.
I have been reliably informed that Defect Reports are different
and are used for aircraft and anything that is not covered by
RODUMs.
This is an ADF form, and needs to be used when a fault with equipment
or uniforms is noticed.
It is a lot easier to answer clothing/equipment problems at official
inquiries if the appropriate paperwork, in this case RODUMs, is
completed.
Without evidence, things will not change. Have a look at http://vbmweb.sor.defence.gov.au/rodum.
During the past month I saw the following courses – Corporal
Course 94 RAAF Amberley, Warrant Officer Course 31 in Canberra
and Corporal Course 93 RAAF Richmond – for a general chat
and presentation of their well deserved graduation certificates.
My wife and I attended the Air Force 85th Birthday Commemorative
Service at our own Air Force Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra.
Afterwards, we attended the Birthday Reception at Government House.
My thanks are extended to all those who were involved in organising
such a large and most memorable event.
I attended the Commemorative Service on the Anniversary of the
Sea King accident, held at the Canberra Memorial Site on April
2 - a most moving tribute, and our thoughts are forever with those
who perished, and to those who survived, along with their families
and colleagues.
After presenting the graduation certificates to Corporal Course
93 I flew to Adelaide to attend WOFF ‘Trigger’ Trigilgas’
Dining Out Night at RAAF Base Edinburgh.
Mr Trigilgas was our last remaining Permanent Air Force Vietnam
Iroquois Door Gunner, and served for 37 years and four months
as an Airfield Defence Guard (ADG).
Till next time, keep on smiling.
