By
FLTLT Simon Webb
Volume 48, No. 10, June 15, 2006
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Mr John McHarg
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Photo
by CPL Brett Sherriff
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OVER
the past nine years, hundreds of pilots and instructors have passed
through 2 Flight Training School (2FTS) where John McHarg, who
signs off on August 25, has run the ops desk.
The job is extremely demanding, with constant changes to a program
that aims to fly 65 sorties daily. CO 2FTS, WGCDR Jason Waller,
said that he was there on John’s first day on the job and
will be his CO on the last.
“That’s a fitting end to a remarkable period of service.
It’s fair to say that 2FTS was able to fly significantly
more sorties due to the productivity John bought to the job.
“His calm, steady demeanour coupled with a sly sense of humour
will be sorely missed. He brings to life the values of the APS,”
WGCDR Waller said.
John requested his farewell plaque be inscribed in a fitting tribute:
“The OPSO’s job has no counterpart in the operations
of an Air Force. It is his function to co-ordinate the flights
of all pilots within 2FTS, which would ordinarily seem a routine
accomplishment.
In fact it is an incredibly difficult task requiring a deep appreciation
of human nature, oriental patience, discreetness and tact, the
curiosity of a super detective, and at times the shrewdness of
a Syrian merchant. For all those virtues, which he possesses in
abundance, the OPSO is cruelly underpaid.”
