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SUMMER 13 RAAF Association Volume 65 No. 4 Wings Official Publication of the SUMMER 13 RAAF Association EDITOR COVER Editor Lance Halvorson In slightly over a decade, Contributions to Editor Wings Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) PO Box 83, Mitchell ACT 2911 have become increasingly more Telephone 02 6286 7825 important to the efficient conduct of combat operations. Their impact Email [email protected] has been particularly noticeable in Web www.raafa.org.au the conduct of counter-insurgency operations of the past decade in DIVISION CONTACTS Afghanistan, where it has attained the status of a critical element. As ACT 0428 622 105 [email protected] a corollary, this focus on a land- NSW 02 9393 3485 [email protected] locked operation has also meant QLD 07 5428 7305 [email protected] that most of the developments SA 08 8227 0980 [email protected] in the UAS capability spectrum have been oriented towards its employment in counter- TAS 03 6234 3862 [email protected] insurgency operations across largely uncontested airspace, VIC 03 9813 4600 [email protected] which may not be the reality in future theatres of operations. WA 08 9311 4445 [email protected] As multi-nationalNational Council forces commence Briefs their withdrawal from Afghanistan, there is a perceived need to re-orientate the operational employment and development of UASs” NATIONAL EXECUTIVE A Word...from the President Fellow Members RAAF Association and another on behalf of the widows of deceased ‘Firies’. President Brenton Espeland AOI am pleased to provide the followingFEATURES report on the activities of the RAAF Association for 2011. I am pleased to announce that the RAAF Memorial Grove Vice President has been accepted by the RAAF as a site of significant RAAF TR AINIGovernanceNG : Peter Fardon State of the AssociationUnmanned Aerial Systemsheritage. I am also pleased to recognise the support12 for these My perception of the Association‘Piloting’ is that whilst the Unmanned membership types Aerial of events Vehicles that is provided by the ACT Division17 of the AdvocacyREDEFINED & Entitlements Richard Kelloway OBEnumbers MID are slowly dwindling there is still a sense among RAAF Association. Well done to the President and members of the ACT Division in performing this service on behalf of the The search for the ultimate training system will take you many the members that they belong Boxkiteto a worthwhile organisation. 19 Communications & Media Lance Halvorson MBEFor instance, a large number of members have recently RAAF Association. places. But you will always be led back to the PILATUS PC-21 received Long Service CertificatesCatalina that recognise A24-24 that they 21 Secretary Ron Usher MBE have been members for 50, 55, 60 or 65 years. However we Celebrating the Air Force’s Birthday 370 KT MAX SPEED + OPEN ARCHITECTURE ADVANCED AVIONICS Flight Simulators Part 2 24 02 62590865 have not yet issued a certificate that recognises 70 years of Most members will be aware that this year the RAAF 1,600HP PRATT & WHITNEY TURBINE + SUPERIOR AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE membership but I sincerely hopeThe that RAAF some will reach& Indonesian that celebrated Confrontation the 90th anniversary of its formation.34 However COST EFFECTIVE & AFFORDABLE TRAINING + EMBEDDED [email protected] goal. In the meantime let us enjoy each other’s company this year was also the 70th anniversary of the formation of and the camaraderie that is an Anotherintegral part of FAC belonging Story to a 22 TRAINING FOR 21ST CENTURY AIR FORCES the women’s Australian services, including our very own Treasurer Bob Robertson group whose members have a common heritage. Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF). The latter Working for the Generalevent was featured in several Wings articles earlier48 this year. Also we recognise the 70th anniversary of another important member of the Air Force Family, namely, the Australian Air SUBSCRIPTIONS REGULARS Force Cadets, known previously as the Air Training Corps. At a recent Remembrance Day event the Governor-General All enquiries to Wings Editorial & Management Group National Council Briefspaid tribute to the achievements of the RAAF and11 recognised the important work done by the WAAAF and its successor, Subscribe to Wings / Join the RAAFA Divisions the Women’s Royal Australian Air Force (WRAAF).18 Air League 52 Send cheque/money order payable to the RAAF Season’s Good Wishes Air Force Cadets 53 Association (address above). A 12 month subscription In closing, I offer my very best wishes for the forthcoming Air Force Today Christmas and New Year season and wish you53 and your (4 issues) is $24.00 within Australia and $A30.00 families a safe, healthy and happy time. Briefing Room 55 for Asia and Pacific regional addresses. Include full Roxley McLennan Veterans InformationNational President 57 name, address, contact number and email Theaddress. RAAF Memorial Grove Books in Brief 63 The RAAF Memorial Grove is located on the Federal Highway Prophecies on the Future To become a member of the RAAF Association,(Remembrance contact Driveway) justInwards inside the ACT Mail boundary on 65 the way to Sydney. It is collocated with the Hughie Edwards Engines of war have long since reached their limits and I the closest State/Territory Division representativeVC rest arealisted. which is one of the many rest areas dedicated see no further hope of any improvement in the art. to Australia’s VC recipients, along the Remembrance - Julius Frontinus AD 90 Driveway between Canberra andCLOSING Sydney. The Grove DATES which Live everyFOR day asMATERIAL if it's your last ‘cos one day you'll be right ADVERTISING AND PRODUCTION was allocated to the RAAF Association by the then Minister for Territories has been developed into an area that allows for the installation of commemorativeAutumn plaques Edition that recognise Flight Publishing Pty Ltd the service of groups that are -not 14 eligible January to have a plaque ABN 66 086 424 259 installed at the Australian War Memorial (AWM). These groups may be a unit that wasSummer a stores depot Edition or a base PO Box 606 Coogee NSW 2024 maintenance facility that did not serve in an active service zone. Nevertheless such groups- 14were Octoberan essential element Tel: (02) 9389 1481 Fax: (02) 9387 7143 in keeping the operational armWinter of the Air EditionForce in a state [email protected] • www.flightpublishing.com.aufit for service. One such group is the RAAF Fire & Rescue Service, the members of which- served 14 April in a large number of units/squadrons, some of which are recognised in plaques Views and opinions expressed in this publication are the opinionsat the AWM. only However this groupSpring recently arrangedEdition to have PILATUS. DESTINATION: FOUND a plaque dedicated specifically to the RAAF Fire & Rescue + WWW.PILATUS-AIRCRAFT.COM + 61of 3 5149the 5428authors and not necessarily those of the RAAF Association or Service members installed at -the 14 RAAF July Memorial Grove. the Royal Australian Air Force or Dept of Defence The dedication ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chief of Air Force, AVM Hart who laid a wreath on behalf of the Air Force; other wreaths laid included one laid on behalf of the WINGS Summer 2013 1 WINGSPC-21 Avalon Summer Wings.indd 1 2011 8 15/02/11 2:23 AM WINGS Summer 2011 9 Wings November.indd 8-9 1/12/2011 12:58:10 PM Electronic systems you’ve tested and trusted Ready-now solutions and through-life support Australia’s partner for mission success Exelis is a premier provider of electronic warfare/attack, air traffic management and other critical systems for air, land and sea. And we’re a proven partner in Australia for through-life support. Our technologies, like IDECM’s integrated RF countermeasures system aboard the F/A-18F, successfully protect Australians and their allies. But our capabilities don’t end there. From air traffic control radars to counter-IED jammers and beyond, our ready-now solutions and expertise are the right fit for the future of the Australian Defence Force. www.exelisinc.com/Australia Exelis is a registered trademark and “The Power of Ingenuity” is a trademark, both of Exelis Inc. Copyright © 2013 Exelis Inc. All rights reserved. [NYSE: XLS] IES13001Im_WingsJornal_ES_AUS_210mmx297mm.indd 1 10/9/13 11:29 AM National Council President’s Summer Message As we head into the New Year I thought it opportune to be that of the Australian Flying Corps and RAAF Association. provide a heads up on forthcoming Wings feature coverage Our Victorian Division are doing the heavy lifting for the booth of a seminal event to be held next autumn. Earlier this year I with help from other State Divisions, especially Tasmania and attended the events held at RAAF East Sale to commemorate New South Wales. The flying display will be firmly focussed the 100th Anniversary of the formation of Central Flying on aircraft that have, or are being operated by, the Royal School, one of the first military aviation units to be formed Australian Navy, the Australian Army and the Royal Australian in the World. Air Force. The School was formed on a site chosen on the Chirnside Everything points towards the Air Show being a fitting Park Estate, near Werribee, following Government approval celebration of the special place Military Aviation holds in of the establishment of a Flying Corps in October 1912. Australia’s history over the past one hundred years. From the fledgling days of the Australian Flying Corps through to The site was called Point Cooke, but the press and Army the period between the Wars and on to World War II where officialdom called it Point Cook, the name that exists today. Australia’s contribution in the air was quite remarkable, then It was not, however, until one year later that the School to the post 1945 period covering the Occupation of Japan, acquired aircraft and military aviation ‘took off’ in Australia.
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