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| 1CCS takes a
wander Volume 49, No. 4, March 22, 2007 |
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Wanderer Sunrise is an annual exercise to address squadron training requirements, as well as provide 1CCS personnel with training on squadron-specific processes and equipment. Conducted in two phases over two weeks, the first phase consisted of mandatory ADF and familiarisation lectures, as well as a PFT. The second phase was carried out in field conditions when the squadron deployed to Rickaby’s Drop Zone and conducted section-specific equipment training. 1CCS CO WGCDR Gary Roderick said the exercise was a significant logistical undertaking for the unit, consisting of about 20 vehicles and more than 200 personnel. “It is paramount in ensuring my workforce is appropriately trained and authorised to carry out the tasks that Air Force requires,” he said. As part of Air Force’s rebalancing process, OC 396ECSW GPCAPT Peter Viggers assumed operational command of 1CCS on January 1 this year. GPCAPT Viggers and Wing WOD WOFF Philip Martin toured the Rickaby’s Drop Zone Area of Operations during the exercise, saw the specialised technical equipment and met the highly-trained personnel in the command. The deployment to the drop zone allowed each section within 1CCS to provide initial familiarisation, re-authorisations and competency assessments to both existing and newly posted-in members. The deployment gave the squadron the chance to exercise every facet of its operational capability. While 1CCS is comprised mainly of technicians, the exercise also allowed the support staff to see directly how their support enables Air Force to project communications, information systems and airfield systems into an area of operations. FSGT Bert Gregory said Wanderer Sunrise was a unique opportunity for members of the squadron, being the only time throughout the year that 1CCS was able to ‘exercise’. “As strange as this may sound – considering that 1CCS has participated in more than 1000 exercises and operations since its establishment in 1965 – FSGT Gregory is, in fact, correct,” said SGT Ben Wright, a 1CCS cryptographic custodian officer. “Being Air Force’s specialist communications unit means that 1CCS assets, whether personnel or equipment, must perform as if on operations whenever they are integrated into either flying or expeditionary squadrons to enable them to ‘exercise’.” The final training objective of the exercise before re-deployment was a tactical dining-in night. With the rumble of C-130’s overhead, 1CCS dined out in the open air. The night not only gave the many junior airmen their first taste of some of the history and traditions of the Air Force, but it was also an enjoyable reward for a week of hard work. The traditional guest speaker was replaced by the squadron’s SNCO’s giving short speeches on some of the formal traditions of a military dining-in night. WGCDR Roderick even broke with tradition and allowed a field promotion for the evening, much to the delight of diners. 1CCS facts - 1CCS was originally titled the Air Transportable Telecommunications Unit (ATTU) but was renamed in 1999 with the formation of Combat Support Group. - The unit has been involved in more than 1000 operations and exercises since it was established in as ATTU in 1965. - It was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation by the Governor-General for its crucial role in enabling air power during Op Falconer in 2003. - The squadron was officially awarded its Governor-General’s Banner in 2003. - It is critical to the activation of Air Force’s bare bases – providing navigational aids to aircraft and communications and information systems to personnel. - 1CCS was transferred from the command of HQ 395ECSW to HQ 396ECSW as part of Air Force’s rebalancing process in January, 2007. |
