16 March 2006
RAAF F/A-18s support Commonwealth Games security

The Australian Defence Force (ADF), as part of the overall Australian Government contribution, is providing support to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. This support includes security and ceremonial personnel, as well as other general support staff.

This support is being provided under the title of Operation Acolyte. Acolyte is Latin for ‘helper’ or ‘assistant’ and was chosen to symbolise the ADF’s supporting role in the staging of the Commonwealth Games.

Operation Acolyte involves 2,600 Australian Defence Force personnel from across the three services, performing a range of specialist roles such as security, ceremonial and general support. The troops are being accommodated at, and working from, existing Defence establishments in and around Melbourne including: Simpson Barracks, Watsonia; Maygar Barracks, Broadmeadows; RAAF Williams, Laverton and Point Cook; and Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.

20060312raaf8165233_0002 Flying Officer Beau Pitcher prepares for a security training mission in an F/A-18 Hornet from Number 77 Squadron at Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale as part of Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 12 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060312raaf8165233_0009 F/A-18 Hornets from Number 77 Squadron operating at Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale as part of Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 12 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060312raaf8165233_0036 An F/A-18 Hornet from Number 77 Squadron taxis before a training mission at Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale as part of Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 12 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060312raaf8165233_0052 An F/A-18 Hornet from Number 77 Squadron prepares to taxi before a training mission at Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale as part of Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 12 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060312raaf8165233_0053 An F/A-18 Hornet from Number 77 Squadron taxis before a training mission at Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale as part of Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 12 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060312raaf8165233_0064 An F/A-18 Hornet from Number 77 Squadron returns to Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale after completing a security training mission over Melbourne as part of Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 12 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060312raaf8165233_0066 An F/A-18 Hornet from Number 77 Squadron is guided into the lines at Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale after completing a security training mission over Melboune as part of Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 12 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060312raaf8165233_0068 An F/A-18 Hornet from Number 77 Squadron is guided into the lines at Royal Australian Air Force Base East Sale after completing a security training mission over Melboune as part of Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 12 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060313raaf8165233_2_0003 Base Commander Royal Australian Air Force base East sale Wing Commander Grant Murphy and Commanding Officer 77 Squadron Wing Commander Alan Clements walks with Commanding Officer of Operation Acolyte Brigadier Andrew Smith during Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 13 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060313raaf8165233_2_0011 Commanding Officer of operation Acolyte Brigadier Andrew Smith talks to a few members with officer Commanding 77 Squadron Wing Commander Alan Clements and Flight Lieutenant John Sharkey listneing in on the flight line at Royal Australian Air Force base East Sale during Operation Acolyte, as Part of the Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 13 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060313raaf8165233_2_0015 Commanding Officer of Operation Acolyte Brigadier Andrew Smith,Commanding Officer 77 Squadron Wing Commander Alan Clements and Regimental Sergeant Major Bill Degenaro enjoy a lighter side in front of a F/A-18 Hornet during Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 13 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060313raaf8165233_2_0019 Commanding Officer 77 Squadron, Wing Commander Alan Clements Commanding Officer of Operation Acolyte Brigadier Andrew Smith the cockpit of a F/A-18 Hornet during Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 13 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060313raaf8165233_2_0020 Commanding Officer 77 Squadron Wing Commander Alan Clements shows Commanding Officer of operation Acolyte Brigadier Andrew Smith the cockpit of a F/A-18 Hornet during Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 13 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20060313raaf8165233_2_0024 Flight Sergeant Darrell Greig shows Commanding Officer of operation Acolyte Brigadier Andrew Smith the finer points on the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) on a F/A-18 Hornet during Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 13 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20060313raaf8165233_2_0026 Flight Sergeant Darrell Greig shows Commanding Officer of operation Acolyte Brigadier Andrew Smith the finer points on the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) on a F/A-18 Hornet during Operation Acolyte, Defence support to the Commonwealth Games. (Date taken: 13 March 2006) Low-Res | Hi-Res