Not easy being green

Volume 48, No. 11, June 29, 2006

Secretary of Defence Ric Smith with SQNLDR Len Bowen at the Environment and Heritage Awards in Canberra.

Photo by LS Yuri Ramsey.

IN his own words, SQNLDR Len Bowen was about “as green as a turbo-charged chainsaw” when he first embarked on his present job in environmental matters.

Yet the steep learning curves he scaled and mastered were recognised when honours were presented at the Secretary and CDF’s Environment and Heritage Awards for 2006 in Canberra on June 15.

“The annual awards recognise, encourage and promote excellence in environmental and heritage management in Defence,” CDF ACM Angus Houston said.

An operational logistician for 35 years, SQNLDR Bowen spent 13 of those with the RAF and the balance with the Royal Australian Air Force. He was recognised for his excellent commitment and contribution to Air Force environmental management.

“I had retired about six years ago and at that time I was working for the Air Force Infrastructure Development Agency as a desk officer for air weapons ranges and several bases.

“But when the new Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 was made law around that time, everybody had to comply, so I was kept on to kiss koalas and hug trees for the company,” SQNLDR Bowen said.

“When I started I was about as green as a turbocharged chainsaw but I have learnt much through on-the-job training over the past six years,” he said.

On a less jocular note, SQNLDR Bowen sees his role as maintaining capability.

Throughout his six years of service as Air Force Environmental and Heritage Officer, SQNLDR Bowen has ensured that environmental matters have been included in Air Force strategic planning and promoted environmental training and awareness.

“I see my role as balancing between CSIG Environment and Heritage people and our operational capability, making sure we can maintain operational capability to the fullest extent.”

SQNLDR Bowen helped develop the Air Operations Environmental Management plan and assisted with environmental clearance certificates for air ops, particularly fly pasts. He also assisted in the review of Air Force procedures to include environmental considerations.

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