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We have it under control
By FLGOFF Jaimee Maika
Volume 49, No. 15, August 23, 2007 |
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PROUD MOMENT: Members of the RAAF and USAF parade at Camp Palomino, Kandahar Airfield, to mark the passing of authority for airspace management from the US 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron to the RAAF Control and Reporting Centre (CRC).
Photo by MCPL Kenneth Fenner (RCAF) |
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HARD YAKKA: Airfield engineers from 1AOSS set about building the large Deployable Aircraft Maintenance and Logistics Shelter (DAMALSH) to house CRC equipment at Kandahar Airfield. The work was done at night to avoid the intense heat.
Photo by FLGOFF Jaimee Maika |
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The 75-member Air Force detachment to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan has formally assumed management of a portion of Afghanistan’s operational airspace.
Comprising personnel from 41WG, 114MCRU and support personnel from Combat Support Group, the Australian Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) assumed control from the American 73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron on August 5.
Commander JTF 633 MAJGEN Mark Evans accepted responsibility for the air surveillance and air battle management missions over southern Afghanistan at a formal hand-over ceremony.
MAJGEN Evans commended personnel for their achievements and for the future capability the CRC will provide.
“I would like to congratulate the commander, WGCDR Paul Turner, the officers, SNCOs and Servicemen and women who have done such a sterling job over the last 10 weeks to be operationally ready today,” MAJGEN Evans said.
“I have been impressed by your professionalism, your enthusiasm, your ‘can do’ approach and your technical competence. I am very confident that you will do a great job, and in doing so, make a significant contribution to all our efforts as a coalition to improve the security and sense of well-being of the people of Afghanistan.”
OC 41WG GPCAPT Chris Westwood acknowledged the task group’s hard work.
“Air Force has not deployed a radar capability to an operational theatre since 114MCRU deployed to Malaya in 1958,” he said. “Yet this significant deployment was achieved in very difficult conditions, to schedule and with a minimum of fuss. This has reflected the outstanding level of commitment and professionalism from all involved.”
The unit deployed to Kandahar in June and July, and since then has worked hard to establish the CRC, while training and certifying the operations personnel in preparation for assuming their duties.
CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd said Air Force personnel were using advanced radar and networked capabilities to play a key role supporting international operations in Afghanistan.
“Personnel have worked hard preparing for this deployment and establishing themselves in Kandahar.
Air Force has seamlessly taken over airspace management from the US squadron, and the cooperation we have received from the US operators has been outstanding,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.
“RAAF air combat officers are now demonstrating they are among the most capable airspace managers in the world.”
73rd Expeditionary Air Control Squadron commander LTCOL Troy Jackson said he was confident the CRC would enhance air and ground operations in Afghanistan.
“The RAAF has demonstrated a tremendous amount of operational and technical expertise. I am confident of their ability to continue the success of tactical command and control in this theatre of operations,” he said.
“My unit will miss their camaraderie and treasure the memories and friendships we have enjoyed during the past few months. It has been an honour to serve with them.” |
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