Richmond's serving son

Warrant Officer Rick 'Tricky' Smith, a C-130J loadmaster from 37 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force, watches for any sign of trouble as his aircraft crosses the Northern Persian Gulf. Low Res | High Res

By Corporal Cameron Jamieson, Directorate Defence Newspapers (filed 25 May 2005)

A true son of Richmond is serving his country in Iraq with the Royal Australian Air Force.

Warrant Officer Rick Smith, a C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft loadmaster from the Royal Australian Air Force's 37 Squadron, has served at RAAF Base Richmond for more than 12 years but his association with the town stretches back to his childhood. The 45 year-old son of a RAAF serviceman grew up in Richmond and attended Richmond High School. He moved away when his father retired but has never lost his affection for his schoolboy town.

Over the years he has developed a craving for the sea so he and his wife Michelle mix his passions for flying and surfing by living in the northern suburbs while he commutes to Richmond for work.

But right now miles of sand with no sign of surf surround him.

Deployed to a coalition base located in the Middle East, he is a member of 37 Squadron's detachment of two Hercules aircraft that are assigned to Operation Catalyst, the Australian Government's mission to help rehabilitate Iraq.

The C-130s frequently shuttle troops and cargo in and out of Iraq and are sometimes in harm's way as they approach airports where anti-aircraft weapons have been used against coalition aircraft.

It requires a lot of concentration but he feels it's worth it due to the support he gets from his wife and two grown children in Australia.

"The letters and well-wishes from home keeps me motivated and focused on the mission," he said. "Plus I really enjoy my job."

Warrant Officer Smith said he is looking forward to returning home but until then he is happy to fly more missions into Iraq.

"It's good that we can help as part of the coalition," he said. "Helping is what Australians do."