Home sweet home for MEAO loggies
Volume 48, No. 17, Sepetember 21, 2006
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WELCOME BACK: WGCDR Mark Scarborough, left, welcomes home CPL Michelle Cronin, alongside Commander 17 Bde, BRIG Mick Kehoe, after six months in the Middle East.
Photo by Michael Brooke
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By Michael Brooke
SIX Air Force ‘loggies’ who deployed under the banner of the Force Level Logistic Asset (FLLA) returned to Australia after a successful six-month deployment to the Middle East.
The 49-member group was greeted at Sydney Airport with a handshake and praise for a job “well done” from Commander 17 Bde BRIG Mick Kehoe.
The six C-130 technicians and HQ support staff were also welcomed by WGCDR Mark Scarborough from HQ Air Command.
BRIG Kehoe said that the group, led by MAJ Andrew McGeehan, is the first to prepare, train and deploy together under the FLLA banner — an initiative which led to a higher standard of logistical support delivered to ADF personnel in the MEAO.
Previously, the FLLA comprised individuals sent to the MEAO in a ‘trickle feed’ manner, who then returned by themselves at the conclusion of their tour.
“This group acquitted themselves extremely well and proved the concept of logistics teams preparing, training and deploying as a formed body,” BRIG Kehoe said.
“They’ve done a great job and much of that is due to demanding and rigorous training and preparation, and the cohesion built around a team that knows each other and has confidence in
each other.”
FLLA-1 Air Force members said it was important to deploy and return to Australia together, as it reinforced the feeling of pride in what they had achieved as a group.
CPL Michelle Cronin, a clerk supply at 81WG, said she had a fantastic time on her first deployment and was particularly pleased to have shared this experience as part of a team with other ADF personnel.
“I think it’s quite significant that this is the first time that the FLLA deployed as a group, because, for me especially, coming home alone would have lacked the group feeling of achievement,” she said.
FLLA-1 has been replaced by a second rotation of 60 personnel, which left Australia earlier this year.
