SLIPSTREAM Ship's company and embarked forces on HMAS Adelaide's flight deck during Exercise RIMPAC 2018. Story page 3 Published by the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia Inc Editor Ron Batchelor email
[email protected] Print Post Approved - PP100002097 VOLUME 29 NO3 2018 SEPTEMBER 2018 Presidents Report – Slipstream SEPTEMBER 2018 G’Day Everyone, We have recently enjoyed an influx of members of RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam to Canberra to receive their much-deserved Unit Citation for Gallantry awards at a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. While not every available member of HFV could attend, the ceremony was a fantastic occasion and drew to a close a matter that the entire membership of the FAAAA can take great pride in. Our FAAAA Federal Council Meeting/AGM and Reunion are fast approaching and all the usual preparations are in full swing. I will be on duty overseas during that time and will miss the meeting and reunion unfortunately. Phil Carey will stand in for me for the events. Our colleagues in the Defence Force Welfare Association have convinced several politicians to take up the cause of a military covenant, similar to that brought in to Britain for the British Armed Forces in 2011. In essence, the military covenant is an acceptance by the nation that the preparedness of military people to sacrifice themselves for our nation requires in return the nation to accept responsibility for the veterans after their service is complete. Both sides of politics in Australia appear to be in favour which is a good thing, and if it can become a bipartisan motion of both Houses of Parliament, it may smooth matters with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other areas of Government for us all.