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Shining shield
By SQNLDR Simon Paton
Edition 4908, 17 May, 2007 |
| More than 240 personnel from 1 and 75SQNs deployed to the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth in Malaysia to participate in Exercise Bersama Shield 2007 from April 23 to May 3.
Hosted by 35 members of 324CSS, based at Butterworth, the squadrons participated in the exercise with a focus on building on the solid tactical-level relationship they enjoy with allies Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
A C-17, B707 and J and H model C-130s also supported the exercise by transporting personnel and supplies.
75SQN CO WGCDR Rob Chipman said operating in Malaysia presented aircrews and maintainers with a variety of challenges, as well as an excellent training environment.
“Exercise Bersama Shield enhanced our interoperability with key regional allies – an important outcome,” WGCDR Chipman said.
“For us, the main objectives of Bersama Shield were to exercise in the maritime environment using a range of weapons, including the AGM-142 missile,” 1SQN CO WGCDR Geoff Harland said.
Participating in such an exercise in the tropics provided the opportunity to perform in a variety of environments.
“For us, Bersama Shield provided a tactical opportunity to employ a suite of weapons in a challenging environment,” WGCDR Harland said.
For WGCDR Chipman, the exercise provided his squadron with the opportunity to deploy and operate away from Tindal, allowing aircrew to train against a variety of aircraft types.
Relationships are developed in international exercises. For WGCDR Harland, the value of interacting with airmen and women from Singapore and Malaysia on a regular basis over the years has seen the development of effective understanding – producing the best results.
Commenting on the support provided by 324CSS, WGCDR Harland was emphatic in his praise.
“RMAF Butterworth is an excellent base and we are well supported by our RMAF and 324CSS colleagues,” he said.
“Penang is, as usual, proving to be a friendly port for some time off and also provided an excellent venue for Anzac Day.”
Commenting on recent upgrades at Butterworth, WGCDR Chipman praised improved living accommodation for deployed personnel as an integral ‘value-add’ for his squadron members.
Exercise Bersama Shield has yet again proven to be a highly valuable training event for two fighter squadrons as they improve their interoperability, their resourcefulness and their deployed capabilities.
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 FULL SPECTRUM: LAC William Taylor from 1SQN prepares a Pave Tac pod infra-red sensor for uploading onto an F-111 at RMAF Base Butterworth during Exercise Bersama Shield, held under the Five Power Defence Arrangement.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 GRAND ENTRANCE: A 1SQN technician marshals in the first F-111s to arrive at RMAF Base Butterworth for Exercise Bersama Shield.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 DUTY OF CARE: Nursing officer FLTLT Michelle Gould attends to a UK patient during Exercise Bersama Shield.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell |
 WELL PACKED: Clerk supply CPL Jason Rixon unpacks an amplifier from a 1SQN fly-away kit.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 HOLY GRAIL: 1SQN pilot FLGOFF Tony Slaven checks the thrust augmentors (known as the tail feathers) on an F-111 during a pre-flight check.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 ALL THE INGREDIENTS: Catering officer of the Butterworth combined mess, FSGT Steve Briars, discusses upcoming ration requirements with local inflight cook Vellosamy, who has worked at the mess for 26 years.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 READY TO ROLL: A 75SQN pilot checks over his F/A-18 before strapping in for an exercise mission.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 ON THE MAP: CPL Cassandra Spain from 324CSS Butterworth provides administrative support to Exercise Bersama Shield.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 FULL LOAD: 36SQN loadmaster FSGT Denis Matthews in front of the C-17 after arriving in Butterworth with supplies for the exercise.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 STING GOES: Environmental health officer FSGT Megan Timbs sets up mosquito traps around Butterworth to help protect visiting personnel.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 SAFETY FIRST: 1SQN aircraft life support fitter AC Chris Cairns fits a quick rescue kit to an F-111 in preparation for an exercise mission.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 EASY DOES IT: 324CSS air movements officer SGT Mel Cotton helps unload equipment for 1 and 75SQNs from a C-130 at RMAF Butterworth.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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 PRESSURISED: 6SQN ground support fitter CPL Ivan Macdonald adjusts the pressure on a hydraulic rig on the flightline during the exercise.
Photo by CPL Mark McConnell
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FULL SPECTRUM: LAC William Taylor from 1SQN prepares a Pave Tac pod infra-red sensor for uploading onto an F-111 at RMAF Base Butterworth during Exercise Bersama Shield, held under the Five Power Defence Arrangement. 
GRAND ENTRANCE: A 1SQN technician marshals in the first F-111s to arrive at RMAF Base Butterworth for Exercise Bersama Shield.
DUTY OF CARE: Nursing officer FLTLT Michelle Gould attends to a UK patient during Exercise Bersama Shield. 
WELL PACKED: Clerk supply CPL Jason Rixon unpacks an amplifier from a 1SQN fly-away kit.
HOLY GRAIL: 1SQN pilot FLGOFF Tony Slaven checks the thrust augmentors (known as the tail feathers) on an F-111 during a pre-flight check.
ALL THE INGREDIENTS: Catering officer of the Butterworth combined mess, FSGT Steve Briars, discusses upcoming ration requirements with local inflight cook Vellosamy, who has worked at the mess for 26 years. 
READY TO ROLL: A 75SQN pilot checks over his F/A-18 before strapping in for an exercise mission.
ON THE MAP: CPL Cassandra Spain from 324CSS Butterworth provides administrative support to Exercise Bersama Shield.
FULL LOAD: 36SQN loadmaster FSGT Denis Matthews in front of the C-17 after arriving in Butterworth with supplies for the exercise. 
SAFETY FIRST: 1SQN aircraft life support fitter AC Chris Cairns fits a quick rescue kit to an F-111 in preparation for an exercise mission. 
PRESSURISED: 6SQN ground support fitter CPL Ivan Macdonald adjusts the pressure on a hydraulic rig on the flightline during the exercise. 
