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11SQN service celebrated
By FLGOFF Skye Smith
Volume 49, No. 15, August 23, 2007 |
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DAD’S OFFICE: 11SQN pilot FLTLT Simon Freer gives his sons Sam (centre) and Lachlan a VIP tour of an AP-3C cockpit.
Photo by AC Glen McCarthy |
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THANKS: CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd presents 11SQN aircraft technician CPL Rob Allen the Airman of the Quarter award.
Photo by AC Glen McCarthy |
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SPECIAL DAY: Flight engineer FSGT Josh Rooney with his daughter Georgia at the official ceremony at RAAF Base Edinburgh to celebrate 11SQN’s four-and-a-half years continuous service in the MEAO.
Photo by LAC Casey Smith |
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FULL HOUSE: 11SQN members parade around family and other guests.
Photo by SGT Brent Tero |
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CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd congratulated members of 11SQN for successfully completing one of the longest continuous periods of operational service in the unit’s history at a special ceremony at RAAF Base Edinburgh on August 10.
“11SQN’s extraordinary four-and-a-half years of continuous active service in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) is an outstanding achievement and a reflection on the unit’s professionalism,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.
11SQN members were an integral part of the 92WG AP-3C task group from January 2003 to July 2007.
During this time, 92WG crews flew more than 1000 sorties, equating to over 10,500 flying hours, to support Operations Falconer, Catalyst and Slipper.
11SQN conducted a variety of surveillance operations over Iraq, the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, supporting both Australian and coalition forces.
CAF has seen first-hand 92WG AP-3Cs undertake significant changes with new roles in overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in the MEAO.
Together with 10SQN crews, 11SQN have provided ISR support to both Australian and coalition ground crews in the MEAO.
“92WG is at the forefront of providing ISR to ground troops and is recognised by coalition commanders for their world-class commitment and skills,” AIRMSHL Shepherd said.
Overland missions provide direct support to coalition ground forces by using electro-optics sensors to search for suspicious activities.
The sensitive nature of most of the AP-3C missions meant 92WG crews did not always receive the public recognition they deserve, according to Commander Surveillance and Response Group, AIRCDRE Warren Ludwig.
“This ceremony recognised the outstanding efforts of 92WG members, and in particular what 11SQN has achieved over the past four-and-a-half years,” he said.
“We must also recognise the important role played by family and friends of 11SQN members, providing the much-needed support on the home front.”
Member for Wakefield Dave Fawcett MP represented the Defence Minister at the ceremony and presented family members with ‘supporter pins’.
Lachlan and Sam Freer were all smiles when they jumped into the cockpit of an AP-3C normally flown by dad, FLTLT Simon Freer.
“It’s hard to be away from the family for so long, but the ceremony was a good way to recognise the important support from our family and friends,” FLTLT Freer said.
Most AP-3C tours are between three and six months, with many members having served on multiple tours since 2003.
During this time, 11SQN has also maintained operational and training commitments in Australia and overseas in support of 92WG tasking. The deployment of AP-3Cs continues today with 10SQN.
Individual achievements were also recognised during the ceremony, including aircraft technician CPL Rob Allen receiving the Airman of the Quarter award. |
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