Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
23 June 2008
C130 Hercules maintenance detachment
Members of the Royal Australian Air Force C130 Hercules detachment operating in the Middle East have been commended for some extraordinary work in the toughest of conditions.
The Australian Defence Force Commander in the Middle East Area of Operations, Major General Mike Hindmarsh, made a special trip to the Hercules base to personally thank and congratulate members of the Richmond-based No. 37 Squadron detachment for keeping aircraft flying in the face of severe climatic and maintenance-related challenges.
Major General Hindmarsh presented a formal Commendation to four aircraft maintainers for their achievements through a particularly challenging period in early June in which the detachment managed to achieve 100 per cent of its mission taskings despite a series of mechanical setbacks which threatened to ground a number of aircraft for an extended period.
The feats included a complete engine change, whilst working outside during a sand storm with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees and winds gusting to over 40 kilometres an hour.
Major General Hindmarsh praised Sergeant Adam Wilson, Corporal Ben Young and Leading Aircraftsmen Christopher Blake and Edward Gitsham for their outstanding commitment and dedication to task.
There are about three dozen maintenance-related staff serving with the Hercules detachment. They work around the clock on two 12 hour shifts. Ironically, the relief from the blistering desert sun and wind throughout the night hours actually makes the shift commencing at 4:30pm the most popular. It is through the night when the aircraft are generally back at base that the most intense maintenance occurs.
| 20080617adf8237885_015 RAAF Aircraft Technician, Corporal Dennis Demmery, works on a C130 Hercules engine at a base in the Middle East. (Date taken: 17 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080617adf8237885_017 RAAF Aircraft Technician, Corporal Dennis Demmery, works on a C130 Hercules engine at a base in the Middle East. (Date taken: 17 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080617adf8237885_021 Braving the intense Middle East weather, Corporal Joel Dwight, an Avionics Technician with No. 37 Squadron, carries out work on a RAAF C130 Hercules. (Date taken: 17 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080617adf8237885_023 With his face covered for protection from the elements, Sergent Alex Shotbolt inspects an engine on a Royal Australian Air Force C130 Hercules in the midst of a Middle East sand storm. (Date taken: 17 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080617adf8237885_031 Members of the No. 37 Squadron C130 Hercules maintenance detachment currently on deployment in the Middle East. (L-R): Corporals Joel Dwight and Dennis Demmery, Leading Aircraftsmen Simon Lowe and Paul Miller, Flight Sergent Darren Cannings and Sergent Clare O'Driscoll. (Date taken: 17 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080617adf8237885_065 Members of the No. 37 Squadron C130 Hercules Maintenance Crew after receiving commendations for outstanding performance from the Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East. (L-R): Leading Aircraftsman Edward Gitsham, Sergent Adam Wilson, Leading Aircraftsman Chris Blake and Corporal Ben Young. (Date taken: 17 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080617adf8237885_071 Members of the No. 37 Squadron C130 Hercules Maintenance Crew after receiving commendations for outstanding performance from the Commander of Australian Forces in the Middle East. (L-R): Leading Aircraftsman Edward Gitsham, Sergent Adam Wilson, Corporal Ben Young and Leading Aircraftsman Chris Blake. (Date taken: 17 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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