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OTS move to sale still on track
By WGCDR Keith Miller

Volume 49, No. 02, February 22, 2007
 
TEAMWORK: From left, Project Director Jackie Bestek, CO OTS WGCDR Tony Dolin, Sale BCDR WGCR Keith Joiner, Manager DSG Sale Greg MacKenzie, and Thiess Construction Manager Mike Rogers at the OTS construction site at RAAF Base East Sale.
Photo by CPL Col Dadd
 
Relocation of the Officer Training School (OTS) from RAAF Base Point Cook to RAAF Base East Sale is on track as construction of buildings continues.

A group of senior staff from OTS and project staff from Canberra visited East Sale on January 31 where they viewed construction activity and discussed progress on the project with the Base Commander, WGCDR Keith Joiner, and other base management.

The briefings included a comprehensive presentation by Thiess contractors on the landscaping for the new buildings. Local flora will soften the new buildings and provide an attractive environment.

The project, which includes a new combined mess for the base, is on track for the commencement of OTS training at East Sale in January 2008, although field exercise elements of the first courses may be conducted there and at the nearby Dutson Air Weapons Range sooner.

Field exercises are being modified to capitalise on the natural advantages of the Gippsland region’s geography, the Dutson Air Weapons Range and an operational Air Force base.

WGCDR Joiner said that the planning for the move from Point Cook by CO OTS, WGCDR Tony Dolin, and his staff is well advanced.

“Many OTS exercises ideally suit CSU East Sale and will allow the unit to practice expeditionary and fixed base emergency operations up to five times a year,” he said.

“Training opportunities may also be available for 21 and 29SQNs to exercise their wartime role as air base protection flights.

“Many of the existing OTS uniformed staff will move to East Sale, including the CO. Up to 10 staff may need to be recruited locally in Gippsland. Some areas of base support are still to be reviewed and tuned in preparation for transition.

“Current annual tasking for OTS is five initial officer courses of 60 students each for 17 weeks, plus Air Force cadets from ADFA for single Service training for short periods during the year.”

For East Sale, whose main task for more than 50 years has been training flying instructors, navigators, air traffic controllers and photographers, this is a significant and welcome change to the landscape, the base population and the level of activity.

East Sale support staff have also been planning for the move for a long time and will be prepared and capable of supporting the influx, as expected from a base whose motto is ‘Always Ready’.