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OBOE1 lives on
By FLGOFF Alesha Whitehead

Edition 4909, 31 May, 2007
 
HUMBLING: 114MCRU members at attention during a commemoration parade at RAAF Base Darwin for the 62nd anniversary of the landing on Tarakan Island during WWII. Photo by CPL Renee Leighton
 
It was a case of planning for the present and honouring the past for 114MCRU at RAAF Base Darwin recently.

While preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, the unit paused to commemorate its notable participation in operation OBOE1 62 years ago.

On May 2, 114MCRU marched proudly onto the parade ground to mark the 62nd anniversary of the landing on Tarakan Island in 1945.

It was during the OBOE1 operation on Tarakan Island that the unit was awarded the Borneo 1945 battle honour. The unit had previously been awarded the battle honours New Guinea 1943-44, New Britain 1943 and Pacific 1943-45 for its contribution to the Pacific campaign.

Led by CO WGCDR Peter Cooper, the flight paraded the unit colours before Reviewing Officer CDRSRG AIRCDRE Tim Owen, family and friends.

The parade was a humbling moment for all involved, as the unit prepares for deployment to Afghanistan and the parade format included two escort flights and two representative flights, assisted by the Air Command Band.

After the parade, friends and family were invited to the unit for an open day and family information afternoon.

This gave members the opportunity to show their families the equipment that they work with and to meet other unit members and their families at a barbecue lunch.

AIRCDRE Owen and OC 41WG GPCAPT Chris Westwood addressed the group, and presentations were also made by a number of Defence support agencies, outlining all facilities and help available for families while loved ones are deployed.

The unit continued the festivities during the evening, with the Tarakan Dinner at the Sergeants’ Mess.

The night was a great success with time taken to remember what the unit had achieved in the past.

It also provided an opportunity to acknowledge those who are already in Afghanistan as part of the advance party and to farewell those members deploying soon.

The members of 114MCRU are looking forward to the deployment to Afghanistan, but with the main body departing soon, there is plenty of work to be done to pack the equipment and prepare for life in a strange environment.

The Afghanistan deployment will mark the first overseas operation for the unit in more than 40 years, when they assisted with the Malayan Emergency in 1963.

It is expected that the unit will benefit greatly from the deployment, forming stronger ties with allied nations and enhancing overall operational experience.