WINTER 2020 WINGS NO.2 72 VOLUME MISSION CONTROL THE ROLE OF A NASA FLIGHT DIRECTOR THE RIGHT STUFF FROM TEST PILOT TO ASTRONAUT Battle of darwin

LEAD UP TO THE JAPANESE ATTACK

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FROM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR defencebank.com.au 1800 033 139 THIS WINTER EDITION marks the first ‘birthday’ for RAAFA Publications with respect to Wings. 24 When we first agreed to take on the publishing task, we were fully aware that this icon CONTENTS of the Association needed modernisation. The previous wings WINTER volume 72 / NO.2 publisher placed great store in its claim 4 WELCOME MESSAGE that the Air Force Association was about 5 FROM THE PRESIDENT 1234 5678 1234 5678 to change direction. However, they didn’t realise that real aviators think in three 6 ANZAC TRIBUTE 1234 5678 1234 5678 dimensions, and that the direction we 8 MILITARY AVIATION were taking on behalf of the Association 14 INDUSTRY NEWS was Up! Countless comments and letters 18 ASSOCIATION UPDATE in the past 12 months confirm we are well 24 IN THE HOT SEAT on that trajectory. NASA Mission Control Flight Director As I write this introduction, 30 COVER STORY is in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic. From Air Force test pilot to astronaut Everything a cadet needs, We, like many businesses, are feeling 36 RAPID FIRE the financial effects, as we have lost a Hypersonics research speeds up number of advertisers. However, we fully 38 CENTREFOLD 48 understand the reason and are grateful for Pull out and keep and then some. their past support. We’re confident we will see them again when circumstances allow. 40 A RICH MILITARY HISTORY RAAF Base Darwin Needless to say, we are also extremely Created especially for cadets - our Cadet Saver is fee free. grateful for those who continue to 48 A PRELUDE TO ATTACK support us. Without those businesses, Fannie Bay dogfight part 1 • Your choice of camo Visa Debit card. • Visa payWave. we would be unable to continue to serve 54 BRIMMING WITH STORIES The Darwin Aviation Museum • Apple Pay, Google Pay™, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay and Garmin Pay. the Association and the RAAF in the way 58  • Online banking. • Award-winning app. we do. One supporter that bears special WARIES & STORIES mention is our sponsor Rolls Royce who A long and remarkable life has been with us for many years. 60 FORGOTTEN MONTHS OF Then, on top of all that, a healthy interest rate on your savings. In becoming the universal symbol THE FORGOTTEN WAR of quality, Rolls Royce owes its success No.77 Squadron in Korea to Sir Henry Royce, who, as the engineer 62 ODD BODS REMEMBERED % half of the original partnership with the Commemorative address .00 p.a. Hon Charles Rolls, was fanatical in his 63 RAPID RESPONSE pursuit of perfection. We at RAAFA Civilian search and rescue aircraft * Variable rate. Publications, and particularly our dedicated 64 PERSONAL FINANCE 2 Wings team, strive to follow his example, 66 MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP and we particularly thank the folk at Rolls 68 CADETS NEWS Talk to us today to find out more. Royce for their inspiration. 71 PRESIDENT’S DESK NEIL SMITH AM, MBE 72 LAST FLIGHT Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Managing Director 73 RAAF HERITAGE AWARDS RAAFA Publications 74 BOOK REVIEWS 60 WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 *Terms and conditions, fees and charges may apply in certain situations. Interest rate is current as at 27 April 2017 and is subject to change without notice. Before acquiring any product please read the Products and | 03 Services – Conditions of Use (DPS) available from www.defencebank.com.au to consider whether any product is right for you. Defence Bank Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL / Australian Credit Licence 234582. WELCOME. SENIOR ADF OFFICER RAAF BASES DARWIN & CURTIN From raaf base DARWIN

ON THE COVER HIS EDITION OF WINGS Our small posture is enhanced Space Shuttle Atlantis lifts off from Kennedy Space features RAAF Base Darwin by the breadth and depth of our Center, Florida, on mission STS-112. Photo: NASA. and as the Senior ADF Officer interoperability exercises with allies for RAAF Bases Darwin and and likeminded regional forces. CurtinT (Derby), I am delighted RAAF Base Darwin provides a solid to contribute the forward address. and versatile geographic platform WINGS TEAM RAAF Base Darwin has a long and to support that evolution. WINGS MANAGER Ron Haack proud history in the contribution to This is the fifth edition of Wings EDITOR Sandy McPhie aviation in Australia and our aviation in its modernised format. Enjoy. ART DIRECTOR Katie Monin links to the rest of the world. ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Sue Guymer WGCDR Andrew Anthony From the to Australia Great ASSISTANT EDITORS Commanding Officer No.13 Squadron Mike Nelmes (history) Air Race in 1919 through the defence Senior ADF Officer John Kindler, AO AFC (industry news) of the nation during the Second World Bob Treloar, AO MiD (military aviation) War to the current regional hub, RAAF RAAF Base Darwin & Curtin Base Darwin continues to play an CONTACT important role in regional and global E [email protected] relationships. W raafapublications.org.au Air bases are pivotal to the projection A RAAFANSW Publications Pty Ltd Salamander Bay LPO, PO Box 656 and sustainment of air power for both Salamander Bay 2317 civilian and military employment. Aviation’s reach and speed, however, DIGITAL EDITION is a double-edged sword; it facilitates To read this publication online, efficient engagement for commerce go to raafapublications.org.au/wings, and social and cultural integration or raafa.org.au/wings-archive across the globe, while also providing a convenient conduit for the transmission FACEBOOK Wings is now on Facebook, go to facebook. of diseases such as COVID-19. com/WingsMagazineRAAFAPublications Throughout history, aviation has adapted to new challenges and DISCLAIMER the current trough in this dynamic Information in the articles in this magazine was current at time enterprise will pass. Refined processes of publication but more recent developments should be checked with the relevant Defence and other authorities for currency and and procedures will be introduced to any changes to conditions. Content appearing in this publication mitigate a similar recurrence, and the does not necessarily reflect the views or have the endorsement of the Department of Defence or the publisher. While every effort future will be more digital and pervasive has been made to ensure accuracy and currency in the articles as a result. presented, reliance should not be placed on the information contained without reference to the relevant authorities. No part As we all know, Air Force is evolving of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent deliberately and rapidly into a 5th of RAAFANSW Publications. No responsibility is accepted by the publisher for the accuracy of advertisements or information. generation capability through selective acquisitions of complimentary assets, and the professionalism and agility of our people, to deliver an integrated force.ABOVE RAAF P-8A Poseidon. Photo: USAF Tech Sgt Heather Redman. AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION

04 | WINTER 2020 WELCOME. NATIONAL PRESIDENT

AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Carl Schiller OAM CSM PRESIDENT’S CORNER VICE PRESIDENT Sharon Bown SECRETARY Peter Colliver, Carl Schiller, OAM, CSM National President Air Force Association [email protected] TREASURER Bob Robertson OVID-19 HAS I have asked the JOIN THE AIR FORCE HEAVILY Association’s State/Territory ASSOCIATION IMPACTED Divisions to contact our lives their members to see Membership is open to serving and former members of Defence Force Cfrom the plethora of if they require assistance and Allied Armed Forces, their family news and social media and let them know they members, current and former Air Force and the implications are not alone in these Cadets, Air League Cadets and members of mandatory social circumstances. of the public who have an interest in distancing laws enforced COVID-19 has removed aviation and who support the mission and objectives of the Air Force Association. by government. The Air Force the opportunity to socialise with Association is mindful that many of our our mates at commemorations. members are elderly and therefore are Consequently, it is doubly important we DIVISION CONTACTS: among the most vulnerable groups. remain in contact with our members NSW: 02 9393 3485 However, being in this age cohort, during these challenging times. [email protected]; raafansw.org.au I am confident that social distancing is I know some members have been VIC: 03 9813 4600 the best defence we currently possess on cruise ships and others are stranded [email protected];raafavic.org.au to defeat the virus. overseas. Phone contact with stranded ACT: 0428 622 105 [email protected]; raafaact.org.au I am in weekly contact with members is a great source of support Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) and encouragement and warmly TAS: 03 6200 9221 [email protected]; raafatas.com as part of its Ex-Service Organisation appreciated. SA: 08 8227 0980 Round Table dealing with COVID-19 DVA reported 1,400 ADF personnel [email protected]; raafasa.org.au issues. Secretary, DVA is providing were assisting with COVID-19 WA: 08 9288 8400 weekly briefs on veteran services and preventative measures. This is a [email protected]; raafawa.org.au veterans’ needs to the Minister for wonderful contribution to our national QLD: 0419 688 014 Veterans’ Affairs, and is in contact with safety by our Defence personnel. [email protected]; raafaqld.com other nations’ veteran support agencies It is the second time this year we have sharing strategies for supporting seen the ADF employed assisting the veterans and their families. general community during disasters. CORRECTIONS Some errors in the Autumn 2020 edition DVA staff around the country Also, there are many other front-line have been brought to our attention: are mostly working from home to soldiers in this fight. Health workers, • P AGE 5 – C-20J photo was identified as an ensure veterans’ support services are supermarket employees, teachers, aircraft, we acknowledge maintained. Of DVA’s 300,000 clients, police, public servants, and others 35 Squadron, RAAF as the rightful operators of the Spartan fleet. 101,000 are considered in the most in industries and support services • P AGE 60 – Ubon is located in north-east vulnerable group and the Department is essential to our wellbeing are battling , not western Thailand as stated. most eager to ensure it can do whatever to maintain normality. They are risking We also omitted to acknowledge that AVM is possible to support them. their health and their families to keep David Rogers AM (Retd), along with others, made a valuable contribution to the article. Understandably, COVID-19 has us safe. I am sure we are most grateful • P AGE 63 – We would like to acknowledge created anxiety in the general for their personal contribution. WGCDR Peter Scully had a distinguished community so it’s very important we Australia is more fortunate than other career and retired from the RAAF at the rank look out for our mates and neighbours. countries in the COVID-19 fight. We of Air Vice Marshal. • PAGE 44 – No.11 Squadron moved to Edinburgh A regular, quick phone call rather than are resilient. We’ve coped with many from RAAF Base Richmond, not as an email to remain in contact will do disasters and we’ll fight through this one. stated; 11 Squadron was never in Townsville. wonders for their wellbeing. Stay safe.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 05 WELCOME. ANZAC DAY ANZAC DAY TRIBUTE

ANZAC DAY THIS YEAR adopted a very different complexion, a more individual, solemn but poignant reflection of the sacrifice and gift of earlier generations. It is very possibile that Light up the Dawn participation combined with a streamed dawn service from the will become a permanent feature of future Anzac Day commemorations. This year’s wonderful address by WGCDR Sharon Bown (pictured right), one of our senior nurses, on the theme of service to others engendered a deep sense of pride in our belonging to the RAAF and now the Air Force Association. Service to others is what both organisations are about. Sharon’s address is reproduced below to acknowledge her compassionate contribution to a very special event.

Good morning Australia. My name Roll of Honour alongside the names image of peace and yet she stands is Sharon Bown. of the friends with whom he served, resolute and ready. I am an Australian veteran. I am but also, amid the names of friends with We each have the opportunity to a Returned Service Nurse. And I am whom I served. Friends who were killed cast ourselves in the image of the nurse. a descendant of the Anzacs. on more recent operations. The image of the Anzac. My great uncle, Private Albert Arthur They represent two distinctly different Let us do more than just honour those Reader, landed at Gallipoli 105 years generations of Australians, an entire who have defended Australia. In this ago today. He was a stretcher bearer. century divides them, yet they all lived time of crisis, let us recognise our innate Like all who landed at Gallipoli that their lives in the service of others. capacity to do the same. To unite and day, he was a man who lived his life in An image that reminds us of such protect the more vulnerable among us. the service of others. After rescuing the selfless service, looks out over us here To realise that the qualities for which we wounded under fire for two long years, today. A woman in a scarlet cape, honour the Anzacs, live on within all of us. he was killed on the Western Front. standing beneath a universal symbol Endurance, courage, ingenuity, good Uncle Albert is commemorated here, of charity – the Red Cross, and above humour, mateship and devotion – to in the heart of the Australian War a single word – Devotion. duty, to each other, to Australia. Memorial. His name is listed on the She is a nurse. She casts a powerful Lest We Forget.

THE AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION AND WINGS GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT OF

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE ABOVE RAAF P-8A Poseidon. Photo: USAF Tech Sgt Heather Redman.

06 | WINTER 2020 © Commonwealth of Australia, of Australia, © Commonwealth Department of Defence

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EDITED BY Bob Treloar

Joint forces exhibit combat prowess ON A HOT FLIGHT LINE with multiple multi-role tanker/transport aircraft, as from Cope North is our interoperability runways that stretch for a combined well as combat support and medical with our Japanese and American allies,” 6.7km in the heart of the Western elements deployed for the exercise. said Hinton Taylor, Cope Pacific, more than 100 aircraft from the It involved more than 2300 personnel North 20 RAAF executive director. military, Japan Air Self- and approximately 100 aircraft, and “Our forces comprise three parts: Defence Force (JASDF) and the RAAF increased the combat readiness and machine-to-machine, human-to-machine took to the skies over the North Mariana interoperability of the US Air Force, and human-to-human integration. Islands in February. JASDF and the RAAF. Practising our interoperability more Exhibiting their military might, the The 2020 Cope North exercise was closely was a big challenge as we were three nations teamed up for the Joint historic as instead of employing control completely unified." Forces Large Force Employment (LFE) groups nationally, the three nations’ exercise – Cope North held at Andersen forces were integrated along functional Air Force Base, Guam. An Air Task lines and performed as a multinational ABOVE USAF B-52 Strategic Bomber leads Group from the RAAF involving F/A- joint task force. a formation of USAF F-15, RAAF F/A-18 and JASDF 18A Hornet, E-7A Wedgetail, KC-30A “One thing the RAAF will take away F-16 Aircraft. Supporting North Korea sanctions A RAAF P-8A POSEIDON MARITIME PATROL AIRCRAFT deployed in February as part of Operation Argus to support the global effort to enforce Security Council sanctions on North Korea – the first contribution to the operation for 2020. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the deployment demonstrated Australia’s commitment to regional security. The Poseidon, operating from Kadena Airbase, Japan carried out airborne surveillance and monitored and deterred RAAF P-8A Poseidon. Photo: USAF Tech Sgt Heather Redman. illegal ship-to-ship transfers. Source: Air Force Technology

08 | WINTER 2020 A decade of super hornets

ON MARCH 26 THE RAAF MARKED the 10th anniversary of operation of its fleet of Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet fighters. RAAF Super Hornets have deployed twice to the Middle East, in No.1 Squadron F/A-18Fs during the most recent multi-national September 2014 and in May 2017. No.1 Pitch-Black exercise in northern Australia. Squadron conducted strike missions against Daesh/IS forces in Iraq and Syria 26, 2009. The aircraft were originally airborne electronic , the under the Australian Defence Force acquired to fill the gap left with the Super Hornets were consolidated into an Operation Okra. The aircraft have also premature retirement of the F-111C in expanded 1 Squadron in November 2016 been regular participants in multilateral December 2010, and the introduction of and the Unit became responsible for both air combat exercises, returning in March the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. operational and training roles. from Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, The 24 Super Hornets were initially A current trial at Amberley has seen USA, where they performed well against distributed between two squadrons six aircraft transferred to No.82 Wing US and British F-35s, RAF Typhoons and within No.82 Wing at Amberley, No.1 Training Flight, which is overseeing the USAF F-15s and F-16s. Squadron the operational force and No.6 training of Super Hornet pilots and Air Australia ordered 24 Super Hornets Squadron serving as the operational Combat Officers, leaving No.1 Squadron in March 2007 and the first five touched conversion unit for the type. With the with responsibility for combat operations. down at RAAF Base Amberley on March purchase of the Boeing EA-18G Growler Source: AIN Online

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 09 MILITARY. AVIATION Role models

TAKE flight More F-35s for FOR THE FIRST TIME, an all-female Air Force crew flew a KC-30A multi-role tanker transport to mark International Women’s Day on 7 March 2020. The flight, US military from RAAF Base Amberley to , was crewed by female pilots, attendants and technicians, and directed by a female team of Air Force air traffic controllers. LOCKHEED MARTIN has been Championed by the Australian chapter of Women in Aviation International, Air awarded $US4.7 billion to build 78 new Force and industry partners, 10 domestic flights were also staffed by all-female F-35 fifth-generation combat aircraft for crews to highlight the growing roles of female professionals in aviation. the US military. The contract includes 48 FLTLT Nicole Forrester, the KC-30A co-pilot, said: “It’s so significant for girls conventional take-off and landing F-35As to see women sitting in a flight deck or in uniform. The next generation looks for the Air Force, 14 short take-off and for role models to show them what they can aspire to.” vertical landing F-35Bs for the Marine Source: RAAF News Corps, and 16 carrier-borne F-35Cs for the Navy. According to the US Department of Defence, the aquisistion is expected to be complete by March 2023. Lockheed Martin handed over 134 F-35s in 2019, 91 aircraft in 2018, and 66 in 2017. Last year, 81 F-35s were delivered to the US armed forces, 30 to international partner nations, and 23 to foreign military sales customers. Those deliveries included 102 F-35As, 25 F-35Bs, and seven F-35Cs. The 500th production-standard F-35 was delivered by Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office in March ABOVE The all-female crew from No.33 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, wearing pink T-shirts this year. with their uniforms in support of International Women’s Day. Source: The Diplomat Upgrade for RAAF Base Tindal A $1.1BN WORKS program has been approved for the ’s RAAF Base Tindal, in addition to $495m already invested in New Air Combat Capability infrastructure. Upgrades include an extension of the , construction of a new air movement terminal, aircraft parking apron and extra fuel storage facilities. As a consequence, RAAF Base Tindal will be able to deliver enhanced air-to- air refuelling and air support capabilities to prosecute critical ADF operations, from air combat missions to natural disaster response throughout the RAAF Hornets operating from readiness hangars at RAAF Base Tindal. northern region.

10 | WINTER 2020 pr 14 YEARS OF PROVEN SERVICE, 235 AIRCRAFT, 9 VISIONARY AIR FORCES! For years, we were told a turboprop trainer would never be able to replace a jet trainer. We proved them wrong – pilots now even transit directly from the PC-21 to with the benefit of huge cost savings. Our highly effective training system has been successfully adopted by leading air forces around the world – a clear demonstration that the PC-21 is the training system concept of the future.

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AIR COMBAT TRAINING COMPANY Training contractor buys AIR USA is set to buy up to 46 retired RAAF F/A-18 Classic Hornet aircraft, a move commentators say will create the world’s most advanced and largest private air force. SURPLUS F/A-18S Over the next three to four years, workers at RAAF Base Williamtown will service and prepare the Classic Hornets, which are being phased out as the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter enters service. Air USA will use them to provide training services to the US Air Force. Air USA president Don Kirlin has spent the past 25 years building a private air force that currently includes Hawk, Alpha Jet, L-59 Super Albatross and MiG 29 aircraft.

LEFT Don Kirlin on the tarmac at Williamtown with A21-16.

a No.36 Squadron C-17A Globemaster Tyabb Air Show III and RAAF Museum Historic Aircraft including Boomerang, Spitfire and THE TYABB AIR SHOW, held at Tyabb Mustang aircraft. Airfield, in March, attracted some Ground displays showcased the 9,000 spectators and enthusiasts. Unmanned Aerial The Australian Defence Force Systems, a Naval Aviation Prospects showcased its technological capabilities Scheme simulator and Defence Force and highly trained personnel at the Recruitment. air show. Legacy trainers including The RAAF participated in the biennial former RAAF CT-4s, Winjeels and a event with handling displays and flyovers Harvard, as well as the popular Southern featuring the Roulettes in PC-21 aircraft, Knights aerobatic display team with their a No.35 Squadron C-27J Spartan, North American Harvards took to the sky. ABOVE P-51 Mustang on the Tyabb Airfield. Defence medical team deployed to THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE personnel then reopened and operated deployed personnel to Tasmania as part the facility’s emergency department, of an Australian Medical Assistance after local staff were sent home for two Team (AUSMAT), following a request weeks' quarantine following an outbreak for assistance from the Tasmanian of COVID-19. AUSMAT is one of a few Government after an outbreak of World Health Organisation globally coronavirus in the Burnie hospital. verified Type-2 Emergency Medical In April, about 40 Defence and seven Teams in the world. ADF AUSMAT civilian medical professionals were flown teams typically include general duties to Burnie on a RAAF C-130 aircraft, medical officers, emergency nurses, ABOVE ADF medical and scientific personnel before moving to the North West a pharmacist, a radiographer and an board a C-130J HerculesABOVE at RAAF BaseRAAF Amberley.P-8A Poseidon. RegionalPhoto: USAF Hospital Tech Sgt onceHeather a Redman.deep clean environmental health officer. Photo: TPR Jonathan Goedhart. of the facility had been completed. The Source: Defence Connect

12 | WINTER 2020 RAAF Edinburgh on display at 500

RAAF EDINBURGH ONCE AGAIN Air Force as an Indigenous leader in showcased to the Adelaide community the community and providing many with its capabilities and people at this year’s their first understanding of those who Superloop Adelaide 500 Supercar have practised air power perhaps longer Championship. The event is one of than anyone. ’s premier tourist and The cyber security display of 462 community events. The Air Force display Squadron featured screens listing ABOVE Flt Lt Steve Warrior introducing recorded more than 25,000 visitors of passwords that had been hacked and school children to Indigenous air power on all ages, who were able to explore the real-time geospatial monitoring of cyber- Schools Day at the Adelaide 500. equipment and technology that defends attacks and virus infections taking place our nation and speak to the highly around the globe. trained people skilled in its operation. Weapons technology generated Schools Day saw more than 5,000 enormous interest at the 3 Security school children from around Adelaide Forces Squadron tables, where machine visit the Air Force marquee. In a guns, grenade launchers, pistols and first, RAAF Edinburgh Indigenous rifles could be safely handled by visitors. Liaison Officer Steve Outside the Air Force Marquee, an Warrior, a Kaurna man, organised enormous satellite dish called 'Hawkeye' a display that highlighted air power attracted attention as it constantly within an Indigenous context including rotated, tracking objects in space and boomerangs, spears, hunting sticks, providing internet connectivity under the woomeras and waddies. control of visitors. The dish was part of “I wanted to show a timeline to the advanced equipment operated by ABOVE A RAAF G-Wagon Surveillance the modern weapons we use and it 1 Combat Communications Squadron Reconnaissance Vehicle conducts a lap of the was reassuring that so many people to provide critical communication during track. Photo: LACW Jacqueline Forrester. responded and were interested in Operation Bushfire Assist. our cultural history,” Flight Lieutenant For the second year in a row, flying proudly. Aside from the V8 action, Warrior said. No.3 Security Force Squadron took a spectacular F/A-18 flyovers provided by The indigenous air power display was G Wagon Surveillance Reconnaissance a 75SQN pilot dazzled the crowd with a huge success showcasing Vehicle on track with the RAAF Ensign his skilful handling of the Hornet.

RAN begins FOC trials of Romeo helicopters THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY (RAN) has conducted first of class (FOC) flight trials for MH-60R ‘Romeo’ helicopters off the coast. The trials, from HMAS Adelaide, will establish the safe operating limits of the Romeo helicopter on the landing helicopter dock (LHD) in a range of sea states and wind speeds, both day and night. Adelaide’s Commanding Officer, Captain Jonathan Ley, said: “The results will provide a new standard of operational capability, informing how Navy can employ the MH-60R and LHD together in the future to increase both lethality in combat and responsiveness ABOVE A MH-60 Romeo helicopter conducts during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief tasks,” Captain Ley said. a running take off as part of first of class flight The MH-60R is the RAN’s next-generation submarine hunter and anti-surface trials on board HMAS Adelaide. warfare helicopter, and 24 are in service. Photo: ABIS Jarrod Mulvihill.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 13 ASSOCIATION. UPDATE

Connecting with younger communities

RAAF ASSOCIATION (SOUTH Community Organisation’s Welcome AUSTRALIA DIVISION) has been to Adelaide event at Adelaide Zoo working to connect more with serving attracted more than 2,000 people, and veterans and members of the broader RAAFA SA representatives discovered community to understand their needs a surprising number of current serving and improve services. members were unaware of the RAAF/ In a major initiative, SADFO Air Force Association. Edinburgh Defence Precinct was invited The Association was also invited to ABOVE RAAFA SA President Rob Black to provide a serving representative to be one of RAAF Edinburgh’s valued giving Wings magazines to school children join the RAAFA State Council as an veterans’ support stallholders in the at the Adelaide 500. Photo courtesy Department observer, to provide a younger current Air Force Marquee at the Adelaide 500 of Defence. serving voice and to develop a future Supercar Championship. Alongside champion to connect with serving RSL SA, Legacy SA and DVA, RAAFA Sharing the Air Force marquee with members on Base. SQNLDR Craig SA staffed a stall from 20-23 February serving Air Force members, who were Keane was appointed and welcomed on providing Wings magazines, stickers showcasing current RAAF capability, State Council – and has since become and pens to the broader community and also provided a great opportunity to an active member of the Association. introducing them to the Association. It introduce them to the Association and RAAFA SA also had two outstanding was an unprecedented opportunity with to better understand life in the Air Force opportunities to connect with the public 25,000 members of the public visiting now and their aspirations and concerns. earlier in the year with stalls at major the Air Force display over four days. Interestingly, five serving members RAAF Edinburgh community events. Schools Day saw more than 5,000 have become members of the RAAF In February, the Adelaide Defence students venture through the tent. Association SA so far in 2020.

Most of the firefighter training was Exposed Firefighters battle conducted at the RAAF Fire School at RAAF Base Point Cook, where more than 750 former ADF firefighters were trained. A Parliamentary Standing Committee for recognition on Public Works Hearing held on July 26, 2011 into the contamination and remediation works at the former Point PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN A Cook fire training area revealed the DECADE-LONG STRUGGLE TO ACHIEVE serious site contamination created by firefighter training, identifying more than RECOGNITION, COMPENSATION AND 120 compounds. The committee noted a Department of Defence proposal to HEALTH SUPPORT FOR ADF FIREFIGHTERS excavate and treat about 55,000 tonnes EXPOSED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS. of contaminated soil and 950,000 litres of liquid hydrocarbons, from the DURING THE LATE 1950S through to (PPE) considered appropriate by area to ensure ongoing environmental the latter part of 2000, firefighter initial today’s standard was not available, protection and to eliminate potential and continuation training conducted by leaving servicemen exposed to highly risk to human health. Air Force involved intensive burning poisonous contaminants. Many have A total of 163 toxic chemicals were of a wide range of toxic materials. died prematurely, others have been left subsequently identified at the site Personal Protection Equipment to manage serious health conditions. and it has been decontaminated at

14 | WINTER 2020 great expense to the Commonwealth. DVA commissioned a series long struggle to obtain government However, the effects of exposure by of studies. However, most report acknowledgement of the health issues our former firefighters cannot be as outcomes were inconclusive or did suffered by those Service personnel. easily remedied. not address the chemicals that were Since then, several meetings with Air An ADF Firefighter Action Group was the basis of those submissions. Force, DVA and Defence have occurred. formed when former serving Air Force However, a more recent study by Air Force Compensation Advocates firefighters discovered the ill effects consultant occupational physicians have assisted our former firefighters from their exposure. They lay no blame revealed that, although some with claim submissions but those on the Service due to the ignorance chemicals were benign, most posed are not directly related to chemical of health hazards associated with significant health risks. Many of the exposure. The veteran support firefighting practices of the time, but serious cancerous and non-cancerous legislation is inadequate and unable to have been seeking recognition of the conditions listed by those experts have provide a suitable solution. Fortunately, exposure and assistance with medical been or are being experienced by our Secretary of DVA, Liz Cosson, has and wellbeing support. former Service firefighters. now directed her Policy Reform Team The matter was initially brought to The incidences of exposure occurred to investigate possible remedies and the attention of the Department of on non-operational service. That factor, provide options to the ADF Firefighter Veterans' Affairs (DVA) in 2004, but was the associated standard of proof Action Group for consideration with dismissed through a lack of evidence. required, and the complexities of the a view to DVA preparing proposals Following the Public Works Hearing, suite of veteran support legislation to government for solution. five submissions to various Veterans have frustrated attempts for successful The process will take 12-18 months, Affairs ministers have been made to claims to DVA. but this positive approach is likely to raise awareness of the health impact In 2018, the Firefighter Action Group give some relief to members and their of the contamination that compelled sought assistance from the Air Force families who have suffered anxiety and remediation works at the site. Association to progress their decade- a sense of rejection.

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WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 15 ASSOCIATION. UPDATE book launch

THE SECOND BOOK IN A TRILOGY Drewe, Ray Hartley who wrote songs recording the rich heritage of 7 Wing, for Vera Lynn, yachting champion Wings of Time by Charles Page, was Rolly Tasker, and pilot Brian Edwards, launched on 7 December 2019 by Dr Ken who flew his Tiger Moth Matilda from Michael AC at RAAFA WA Merriwa. England to Australia. Dr Michael is a former Governor of Others featured include Graeme , Patron of the AAFC McGlashan, who recalls how he met his Branch of RAAFA WA and a former air future wife, Berice, at a dance organised cadet. The occasion was also attended by 3 Flight Fremantle, and Graham by RAAFA WA Secretary Ron Onions Wilson, whose Uncle Lyle had a dogfight and Andy Shearman, with the Red Baron. Then there is pilot representing 7 Wing. Harry Brown, who flew Hurricanes, Wings of Time recounts the Tempests, Mustangs and Vampires, experiences and achievements of 80 and has many enthralling anecdotes. Research is well under way for a air cadets. Many went from cadet to There is so much variety in these third book, Wings of Eagles, which will instructor and mentored and inspired stories, which date back to WWII and include cadets and instructors from succeeding generations. Two of the the decades since. However, one thing WWII through the , Vietnam cadets became WA Governors, and the cadets and instructors have in War and Middle East up to the present. several others have earned a high common is the camaraderie of those As an example, one ex-cadet is leader measure of fame. Some joined the halcyon days in the air cadets. of the RAAF Roulettes, another is RAAF or became commercial pilots, The first book in the trilogy, Wings of Commandant of Army Aviation, and yet and there are all manner of trades Valour, commemorated the cadets and another flew Phantoms in Vietnam. and professions, from architects to instructors who died in service. It led The aim is to shine a light on stories yachtsmen. Honours and awards include to the construction of an Honour Board that deserve their place in the annals 3 ACs, 1 AO, 2 AMs and 5 OAMs. and a Book of Remembrance Cabinet of the RAAF and the AAFC. The many notables in the book at 7 Wing HQ, Pearce, WA. An Honour • Wings of Time is an illustrated A4, include WA Governors Dr Ken Michael Board was also placed in the Aviation soft-cover book of 304 pages. It was and Malcolm McCusker, author Robert Heritage Museum, Bullcreek. funded by a grant from RAAFA WA.

Western Australia history PROJECTS

WA’S AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE CADETS (AAFC) Branch Historical Committee has continued several projects. It has added some text and images to the Honour Board registration with the Places of Pride website of the Australian War Memorial. Meanwhile Flt Lt (ret) Mike Hampson has initiated the 7 Wing AAFC Photo History Project, which is identifying AAFC cadets and instructors in group photos. The project in itself brings back memories and reconnects former colleagues. ABOVE Roll of Honour for Australian Air Force Cadets 7 Wing Western Australia who died in Reunions will resume, once restrictions are lifted. service. Photo: Charles Page. Charles Page, AAFC Branch Historian, RAAFA WA

16 | WINTER 2020 Air Force Association (NSW Division) Level 20 Defence Plaza, 270 Pitt St NSW 2000 PO Box A2638, SYDNEY SOUTH NSW 1235 Tel: 02 9393 3485 [email protected] www.raafansw.org.au VICTORIA Air Force Association – Victoria 24 Camberwell Rd, EAST HAWTHORN VIC 3123 Tel: 03 9813 4600 [email protected] www.raafavic.org.au AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY RAAF Association (ACT Division) PO Box 111, CAMPBELL ACT 2612 Tel: 0428 622105 PMS295 & PMS186 [email protected] www.raafaact.org.au TASMANIA RAAF Association (TAS Division) RAAF Memorial Centre, 61 Davey St, 100%Black 7000 Tel: 03 6200 9221 [email protected] www.raafatas.com PMS429 SOUTH AUSTRALIA RAAF Association (SA Division) • YOUR ASSOCIATION • Torrens Parade Ground Victoria Drive, ADELAIDE SA 5000

Tel: 08 8227 0980 33%Black [email protected] www.raafasa.org.au A VOICE TO GOVERNMENT FOR MEMBERS WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND EX-MEMBERS RAAF Association (WA Division) 18 Bowman St, SOUTH PERTH WA 6151 AN ASSOCIATION FOR ALL RANKS Tel: 08 9288 8400 [email protected] OPEN TO CITIZENS WITH A STRONG www.raafawa.org.au AVIATION INTEREST QUEENSLAND RAAF Association (QLD Division) WINGS MAGAZINE POSTED FREE TO MEMBERS PO Box 2259, WELLINGTON POINT QLD 4160 Mob: 0419 688 014 [email protected] www.raafaqld.com AIRMAN FOR LIFE INDUSTRY. NEWS

EDITED BY John Kindler

ABOVE The fuselage in the assembly jig.

LEFT Loyal Wingman prototype on its feet.

General of Air Combat Capability Air Commodore Darren Goldie said: “The partnership with Boeing is key to building our understanding of not just the operational implications for these sorts of vehicles, but also making us a Loyal Wingman progress smart customer as we consider options for manned-unmanned teaming in the THE FIRST PROTOTYPE of Loyal to be developed in Australia in more coming decade.” Wingman, an unmanned aircraft than 50 years. We’re continuing at pace BAE Systems Australia delivered developed by Boeing Australia in toward our goal of flying later this year, hardware kits including flight control collaboration with the RAAF, was so that we can show our customer and computers and navigation equipment powered by internal electrical sources the world what unmanned capability like for the program. Other companies and stood on its wheels for the first this can do. The strong contributions involved include RUAG Australia, which time recently. from our industry team are powering our delivered the system, Ferra Boeing Airpower Teaming System progress.” Engineering supplied precision machine program director Dr Shane Arnott said: The company achieved the components and sub-assemblies while “This is an exciting milestone for the milestones just two months after AME Systems delivered wiring looms. development program and the Australian completing structural assembly of The 11.7m drone will have a range aerospace industry, as we progress with the fuselage. As Boeing completed of about 2,000nm. production of the first military aircraft structural assembly, RAAF Director- Source: Airforce Technology

NSW COMPANY LINTEK has industry’s ingenuity and commitment developed a cutting-edge manufacturing to enhancing our local aerospace Local system that doubles the production manufacturing capability,” the minister capacity of its printed circuit boards said. “The government is investing manufacturer for phased array radar and electronic $200 billion in Australian defence warfare systems for the global industry, creating new jobs and F-35 program. delivering more opportunities for small boosts Minister for Defence Industry Melissa business to export their capabilities Price and NSW Senator Jim Molan overseas. So far, 50 Australian production for joined Lintek at its Queanbeyan site companies have shared in almost to announce the new capability. $1.7 billion in the production of F-35 “This development is a terrific components and are employing over F-35 program example of Australian defence 2,400 skilled Australians.”

18 | WINTER 2020 Synergy-centred MAINTENANCE FOR F-35A NIDA AVIATION TRAINING PROGRAM

A maintainer prepares a F-35A Lightning II for launch at Nellis Air Force Base. Photo: USAF.

AS CAPABLE AS THE F-35A is proving the jet is reporting on its health and itself to be on the battlefield, it can be make maintenance decisions early, UTILISING COMPUTER AIDED just as capable in reliability and quick before something breaks, is a huge DELIVERY (CAI) TRAINING combat ‘turns’ when maintainers leap in maintenance management leverage the synergy designed into the from previous aircraft.” The NIDA Aviation and Avionics Maintenance maintenance systems – something the If an issue requires more than Programs (AMT) hardware and software was completed after comprehensive consultations US Air Force (USAF) is in the process monitoring, the system can provide with leading aviation bodies. The program of developing and perfecting. the recommended fix in the associated covers learning of: Colonel Michael Miles, 388th electronic joint technical data, create a Maintenance Group commander, has work order and even request the proper • Basic electricity & electronics been running a maintenance operation parts be sent to the Unit. Meanwhile, • Basic mathematics & science • Introduction to aviation maintenance for the past three years, overseeing while each Squadron is tracking the • Aircraft power & batteries the efforts needed to keep the USAF's health of its fleet, engineers at the F-35 • Basic multi-engine power distribution first combat capable F-35A wing program level are constantly looking at • Aircraft electrical & electronics system airborne and lethal. He said that while the most commonly reported issues, • General structures & aerodynamics there have been notable program-wide delivering solutions and adjusting the • Flight line, fire safety & ground handling • Foreign object elimination challenges with F-35A sustainment and supply chain where needed. the Autonomic Logistics Information That synergy is key to continued The experiments are done through the System, improvements have been progress in F-35A maintenance, Col NIDA Console with corresponding card-sets. made with continuous system updates Miles explained, and maintainers Hundreds of academic institutions and air and more are in the work. It’s not the will learn to trust the system as the forces are using our AMT program, such as: individual programs, but the concept program matures, which will continue • Fiji Institute of Aviation Studies – synergy-centred maintenance – that to improve performance. Currently, • US Air Force is the core that makes fifth-generation the 388th Fighter Wing is generating a • South Western Sydney Air Force sustainment unique, he said. mission capable rate of more than 80%, • Canadian Air Force Col Miles likened the F-35 which means it can generate enough • Royal Saudi Air Defence Force maintenance concept to a patient going F-35A sorties to support the operational • RAF to a doctor for a regular exam. The demands of the Wing. Contact us to learn how the patient may have high-blood pressure People are also a large part of the AMT Program work for you that bears monitoring. The doctor wants mission-capability equation, said the patient to come back in a few days Col Miles. As new maintainers, and www.bestech.com.au for a check-up. Medication may be maintainers transitioning from legacy required, but the initial reaction isn’t to platforms, learn the most efficient ways put the patient on bed rest. to leverage the synergy designed into “To me, the most valuable part of the the F-35 maintenance concept, the 03 9540 5100| [email protected] maintenance system is the prognostics platform's reliability should only increase health-management capabilities,” he across the program, he explained. Unit 14/ 44 Garden Boulevard, Dingley VIC 3172 Miles said. “The ability to look at what Source: Defence Connect

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 19 INDUSTRY. NEWS

Next-generation A Litening sensor pod on the wing of a No.37 fighter contract Squadron C-130J Hercules. awarded

A CONSORTIUM OF DASSAULT AVIATION, Airbus and other partners has received an initial framework contract (Phase 1A) for the development of a next-generation fighter (NGF). Partners include MTU Aero Engines, Safran, MBDA and Thales. The 18-month contract has been awarded by the governments of France and Germany for the launch of the demonstrator phase for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Preliminary work under the deal includes the development of demonstrators and Hercules fitted with innovative, advanced technologies. The NGF is the core element of the FCAS with Dassault Aviation as a prime contractor and Airbus as the main partner of the project. LITENING SENSOR Development of unmanned components such as remote carrier WITHIN PLAN JERICHO, Airforce The RAAF originally acquired the platforms will be assigned to Airbus as intends to incorporate a suite of Litening pod as a targeting sensor for prime and MBDA as the main partner. enhanced capabilities in its Hercules fleet the F/A-18A/B Hornet and it is now Responsibility for development of that include the Northrop Grumman AN/ surplus to requirements. Its targeting the Combat Cloud component will AAQ-28(V) Litening sensor, a high-speed function will be disabled when fitted see Airbus partner with Thales. The satellite communications system, and an to the C-130J. system’s engine is be developed by augmented flight deck crew station to C-130J A97-448 is the first of six to Safran and MTU in collaboration. operate the sensor and communications. be fitted with the capability and will Last year, Spain inked a framework The AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening pod undergo a series of flight trials to qualify agreement with France and Germany incorporates a forward-looking infrared the installations. to join the program and appointed camera capable of capturing optical Airbus Australia Pacific designed the Indra to lead its efforts. imagery in both day and night conditions system integration and performed the Test flights are expected to and, once integrated with satellite pod and pylon installation on the Hercules commence by 2026. communications, will enable the Hercules with support from Northrop Grumman Source: Airforce Technology to share high-definition video with and Lockheed Martin. ground-based units or a command centre. Source: Airforce Technology

BELOW Future Air Combat System shape model. avalon 2020 postponed AS A CONSEQUENCE OF COVID DISRUPTION, the 2021 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (AVALON 2021) will now be staged from Tuesday 23 to Sunday 28 November 2021. A century of distinguished service by the Royal Australian Air Force will remain the AVALON 2021 theme and the focus for the world’s aviation, aerospace and defence industries will be on promoting business for the future.

20 | WINTER 2020 manufacturing carbon fibre composites. The process does not require an Quikstep Powers Ahead autoclave and offers the potential of faster production times and lower costs than SYDNEY-BASED AEROSPACE increased demand as part of the fight traditional curing processes. COMPOSITES manufacturer Quickstep against Covid-19 coronavirus. Source: AuManufacturing is ramping up production on a number The company said it was continuing of contracts for global defence discussions with aerospace manufacturers customers such as the F-35 Lightning in the United States and Europe on the BELOW II strike fighter and the C-130J Super deployment of its AeroQure process for RAAF C-130J Super Hercules. Hercules military transport. The company recorded a 16% increase in sales for the third quarter over the corresponding period last year, and sales for the nine months to April were up 14% to $57.7 million. During the quarter Quickstep delivered batches of MJU-68 aircraft flare housings to Chemring Australia for further qualification testing. The company has also increased production of enclosures for lightweight portable x-ray machines manufactured by Micro-X, which are experiencing

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WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 21 INDUSTRY. NEWS

F-35 transmits target data to missile command system

A US AIR FORCE F-35 has successfully communicated with the US Army’s Integrated Air and Raytheon-Kongsberg JSM carried on Missile Defense Battle Command USAF F-16. Photo courtesy Raytheon. System (IBCS). The fighter transmitted information to the IBCS using the F-35’s ground station and a bespoke F-35-IBCS adaptation kit. The F-35 to flight test JSM technology allows the F-35 to work as an elevated sensor for targeting RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES An improved infra-red seeker is a ground-level threats. EXPECTS a flight test of its Joint new feature of the missile. “JSM’s The Northrop Grumman-built IBCS Strike Missile (JSM) on F-35As to seeker is cooled, scans a wide field tracks data from sensors to map happen this year. Raytheon Missiles of view, uses multi-banded imaging aerial threats including aircraft and & Defense business development infrared and can track a large number missiles. The system can then select lead Kurt Neubauer told Breaking of contacts simultaneously. It rejects the best weapon to engage the threat. Defense the flight test will build on the decoys and can complete autonomous The capability creates additional successful 2018 JSM flight test of a live target identification of both ship and battlespace awareness and the ability warhead with a second live-warhead land targets,” Neubauer said. “JSM to track incoming targets and take demonstration later this year. is capable of tailoring en-route ingress action, if necessary. Norwegian firm Kongsberg Defence and attack courses to enhance its The test builds on Lockheed Martin’s & Aerospace has also completed survivability.” push to make the F-35 functional internal weapons bay suspension and The TacNet link further “allows for across multiple combat domains, not fitting tests of the JSM on the F-35A inflight updates and route adjustments”. just the air. The F-35, with its advanced and C aircraft variants. In addition, fit JSM’s survivability is enhanced through sensors and connectivity, is able to checks have been completed on all F-35 mission planning, both on the ground gather and seamlessly share critical variant external wing stations, as well and when mated to the aircraft. information enabling greater joint force as the US Navy and RAAF F/A-18E/F The JSM platform's high survivability protection and a higher level of lethality Super Hornets. is accomplished by: of Army Integrated Air and Missile In previous tests, in 2018, a Norwegian • Passive sensors Defense forces. F-16 successfully launched the JSM, • Low-observability signature Previous F-35 testing saw the aircraft with an approximate stand-off range of • Sea skimming altitude interface with the Aegis Combat more than 150 nautical miles. Norway • Terrain following flight System and the Naval Integrated Fire and Japan are confirmed as the first • High agility with selectable Control-Counter Air system. customers for the new missile; Japan end-game flight profiles Source: Airforce Technology also selecting the weapon for the Japan • Precise designated time-on-target Self-Defense Force’s joint strike fighters. information. The JSM can be launched against BAE Systems Australia has partnered targets on land, at sea and in littoral with Kongsberg Defence and environments for suppression/ Aerospace to support future integration destruction of enemy air defences of the JSM into Australia's F-35 fleet. and offensive anti-surface tactics. There has also been strong interest Neubauer described the missile as in introducing the JSM onto maritime “a fifth-generation weapon for fifth- patrol aircraft such as the Boeing generation aircraft”. He also advised that P-8A Poseidon for internal weapons Raytheon expects the Norwegian Air bay carriage as well as on external Force to declare JSM initial operational wing stations. capability on their F-35As in 2023. Source: Breaking Defense ABOVE An F-35 approaches a tanker to refuel.

22 | WINTER 2020 Raytheon-UTC merger complete RAYTHEON AND UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Solar aircraft takes flight (UTC) completed their long-planned completed the PHASA-35 uses solar power during merger on 3 April, creating a US-based BAE SYSTEMS HAS maiden flight of its Persistent High the day and battery power to stay defence contractor called Raytheon Altitude Solar Aircraft (PHASA-35) airborne at night; a combination which Technologies Corporation (RTC). from the Woomera Test Range in The combined company has about BAE Systems says could enable it to $US74 billion in annual net sales and South Australia. operate for up to a year before having about 195,000 employees, making The solar-powered aircraft was to land. Touted as a game-changer, it one of the largest aerospace and developed with sponsorship from the it could bridge the gap between defence firms in the world. UK’s Defence Science and Technology satellite and aircraft surveillance and RTC executive chairman Tom Laboratory and Australia’s Defence reconnaissance capabilities. The Kennedy said RTC will be an Science and Technology Group. The system can also be used to host 5G “innovation powerhouse”. “The aircraft has undergone a rapid design or other networks, providing network combined company expects to and testing process, going from capabilities to areas beyond the reach introduce breakthrough technologies concept to first flight in 20 months of conventional communications at an accelerated pace across high-value under a partnership between BAE equipment. areas such as hypersonics, directed Systems and its subsidiary Prismatic. Source: Airforce Technology energy, avionics, and cybersecurity.”

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WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 23 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. SPACEFLIGHT IN THE

NASA MISSION CONTROL FLIGHT DIRECTOR ED VAN CISE EXPLAINS HIS ROLE AND THE PATH HE TOOK TO ACHIEVE IT.

24 | WINTER 2020 HOUSTON FLIGHT spaceflight missions. Keep in mind IS GO FOR LAUNCH,” that my path to this position is just Flight Director reporting one of many potential paths. The to the Launch Director prior to the start characteristics of a Flight Director can of the final countdown for a launch be adapted to any position in a high- from Florida. performing, high-reliability organisation. “Alright flight controllers, give My path to the Flight Director’s chair me a go/no-go for TLI (Trans Lunar started in 1986, when I was nine years Injection).” Flight Director making a go/ old. On 28 January, the Space Shuttle no-go poll of the flight control team in Challenger was lost just over a minute Mission Control. after launch along with her crew of “So, you're telling me you can only seven. The first teacher in space, give them 45 hours? That brings them Christa McAuliffe, was on that flight. to about there. Gentlemen, that's Although the launch happened during unacceptable... I want this mark all the our school hours, we didn’t watch it way back to Earth with time to spare. live at my school. I didn’t learn what We've never lost an American in space. had happened until I got home and We're sure as hell not going to lose one saw it replayed over and over on every on my watch. Failure is not an option.” television channel. I was old enough ABOVE Launch abort engine designed Ed Harris, portraying Flight Director to realise something important had for use on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft being hot-fired during tests in the Gene Kranz in the movie Apollo 13, as happened and for the event to be Mojave Desert, California. Photo: Aerojet he led the flight control team through ingrained in my memory. I was also Rocketdyne the challenging task of returning the young enough to not fully grasp the Apollo 13 crew to Earth after an oxygen reality of the tragedy. tank in their service module exploded. A couple of years later, my father ABOVE RIGHT Ed Van Cise monitoring From those quotes, it’s clear that the bought me a book about the first 25 the robotic extraction of cargo from the Flight Director is usually a prominent shuttle flights (Space Shuttle Log: The SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle during the First 25 Flights by Gene Gurney and SpaceX CRS-9 mission to the International person in Mission Control. But what is Space Station. Photo: NASA. a Flight Director? What does a Flight Jeff Forte). In the overview of STS- Director do? And what does it take to 51L, Challenger’s final flight and the become one? 25th shuttle mission, an excerpt of the As the 78th NASA Flight Director Roger’s Commission on the accident since NASA was established in 1958, read: Telemetered data indicate a wide I’d like to share with you how I came variety of flight system actions that to be among the ranks of the now support the visual evidence of the 97 people who have taken the role photos as the shuttle struggled futilely of NASA Flight Director for human against the forces that were destroying

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 25 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. SPACEFLIGHT

it (Report to the President by the Huntsville, Alabama. I attended twice, Presidential Commission on the Space once in 1990 at the end of elementary Shuttle Challenger Accident, page 20). school and again in 1993 while I was I was immediately hooked. Imagine in high school. There I learnt spaceflight creating a complex machine that was wasn’t just for smart people. Well, not only capable of going into space but really I learnt that simply being smart was also designed, built and focused wouldn’t automatically mean you were on doing whatever it could to keep going to be in the space business or flying and keep its human occupants be an astronaut. safe. I humanised the machine, became Space Camp brought excitement, enamoured and wanted to become a challenge and reality to my quest to part of the business that could make help send people to space. We were that possible. taught about teamwork – not just the A couple of years later, I was able vague concept but how to really put it focus on my enthusiasm for human into practice. We learnt to rely on others, spaceflight by attending Space Camp in learnt the necessity for clear and precise communication, and learnt that we couldn’t accomplish a mission on our own. If we tried to do it all ourselves, the team and mission would fail. We also learnt to have fun. I made friends with whom, 27 years later, I am still in regular contact. At Space Camp, I was introduced to Mission Control and the roles of the people who work there, including the Flight Director. Perhaps as a nod to my future, my team even selected me to be the Flight Director for our Long Duration Mission in 1993. I was honoured to be selected to receive the Right Stuff Award that same year. In 2012, I was further honoured to be inducted into the Space Camp Hall of Fame. When I left Space Camp, I knew I wanted to work in Mission Control. Soon after I learnt that working in

ABOVE The SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle approaching the International Space Station.

ABOVE LEFT Boeing Crew Space Transportation (CST)-100 Starliner is being developed in collaboration with NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The Starliner was designed to accommodate seven passengers, or a mix of crew and cargo, for missions to low-Earth orbit.

LEFT Ed Van Cise monitoring the rendezvous of the SpaceX Dragon during the SpaceX CRS- 9 mission to the International Space Station. Photo: NASA.

26 | WINTER 2020 Mission Control meant working at sights on attending school there. the most critical skills to have (more the NASA Johnson Space Center in While attending classes at Michigan, important than knowing the engineering Houston, Texas. It also meant getting I never lost sight of my goal to work at of how systems function) and are also at least an undergraduate degree in a NASA. I pursued and was admitted into the hardest to learn and master. Mastery science, technology, engineering or the cooperative education program. of those skills is crucial for a Flight maths (STEM) field. Since my mother I also created and led an undergraduate Director, and you can’t start learning was a school teacher and my father research team to develop an experiment and perfecting them early enough. was a mechanical engineer, the STEM we would fly on NASA’s zero gravity In 2000, I was hired full time at fields were always something airplane (the “Vomit Comet”). NASA, working in Mission Control for I gravitated towards. While we worked hard to become the the International Space Station (ISS). In order to work as a NASA civil first in the world to create single-walled Technically, I started in January 1998 servant, then and now, the most likely carbon nanotubes in microgravity (which as a cooperative education student, path is to take breaks away from we succeeded at doing in 2000), I was 10 months prior to the launch of the university to be a NASA cooperative continuing to learn the important skills first ISS component. Twenty years education student or an intern. of team leadership, communication – later, I’ve been an Operations Support I was fortunate that the University of both receiving (pulling) and providing Officer flight controller for the ISS Michigan and its aerospace engineering (pushing) information – teamwork and (managing assembly and maintenance program was a mere 90 minutes from responsibility. Those attributes are of the station), a TITAN flight controller my home and had a great partnership considered to be the “soft skills” of (managing the guidance, navigation with Johnson Space Center. I set my working in Mission Control. They are and control; communications; and

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 27 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. SPACEFLIGHT

command data handling systems), mission, to the final safe and successful rules, crew timelines, crew and ground and a manager of flight controller and touchdown back on Earth) or segments procedures, engineering limits, and astronaut instructors. of a mission (such as a spacewalk or detailed activity priority lists, are then I was selected to be a Flight Director, an expedition of the space station’s carried into the real-time environment. along with my classmates Scott Stover ongoing mission). This is the Mission Control function and Dina Contella, in June 2009. After Leading a successful mission means often seen on television or in movies. approximately six months of training, understanding the priorities. We are As the mission is executed, everyone, I was certified as the 78th NASA Flight fortunate in that the priorities are including the crews in space, work for Director on 20 January 2010. always the same: crew safety, vehicle the Flight Director. Flight makes the Since then I have “flown” the space safety, mission success. As long as decisions on what to do or not do. station Flight Director console for more we focus on those three things, in that Those decisions are not based solely than 4,700 hours, supported the order, we know the mission will be safe on Flight’s own opinion but also all of STS-131 mission, led three spacewalks, and successful. The key, however, the work that has gone into the mission led two visiting vehicle cargo missions, is the details. up to that point from across all the led two space station expeditions While the responsibility for the teams involved. The responsibility for (Expeditions 28 and 41) and, most mission – both planning it before the the success or lack of success of each recently, I was one of four flight mission starts and executing it from moment of the mission lies on the directors to fly the Boeing CST-100 the mission control room – lies with shoulders of the Flight Director. Starliner Orbital Flight Test mission. the Flight Director, they do not do all Flight communicates with the All well and good, but what does a the work. Instead, Flight works with team, gathers information and Flight Director, or Flight, do in order an amazing and talented team of flight recommendations, weighs the risks to make the sort of grand statements controllers, hardware and software to crew and vehicle safety and quoted at the beginning of the article? engineers, analysts and programmatic then makes the needed decisions. To be truthful, the biggest thing is plan engineers. Mission Success comes only because and listen. All of those talented individuals work of the long hours of hard work by Flight Directors are assigned various on their assigned pieces of the mission, every member of the team. Mission tasks to lead. Those tasks could be bringing the results to Flight. Together complications, or even failures, are complete missions (such as a Starliner as a team, led by Flight, the results are because Flight did not make the or Artemis mission where a Flight reviewed and integrated into a single, correct risk trades or decisions – the Director lead is responsible for planning comprehensive mission or task plan. responsibility lies with Flight. everything prior to launch, through the Those plans, which include mission For that reason, the Flight Director

BELOW SpaceX Falcon 9, a two-stage rocket that transports satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. It is the first orbital-class rocket capable of reflight.

ABOVE RIGHT Falcon 9 ready for launch.

28 | WINTER 2020 SPACE PROGRAMS ARTEMIS NASA is committed to landing American astronauts, including the first woman, on the Moon by 2024. The Artemis lunar exploration program will use innovative new technologies and systems to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. NASA will send human and robotic explorers to new locations on the surface starting at the lunar South Pole. Mission objectives are to: • Find and use water and other critical resources needed for long duration exploration • Investigate the Moon’s mysteries and learn more about Earth and the universe • Learn to live and operate on another celestial body • Prove the technologies needed to send astronauts to Mars. will insist that every team member Technology will certainly change. STARLINER always give their absolute best. Flight Flight Directors will still be leading Boeing's Crew Space Transportation will always solicit input on whether the missions and the key skillsets (CST)-100 Starliner spacecraft is being team members are go or no-go. Flight needed will be the same. A successful developed in collaboration with NASA's will always be aware that failure may Flight Director is exceptional in the Commercial Crew Program. The Starliner not be an option but it is definitely a soft skills, in addition to the technical was designed to accommodate seven very real thing that must be openly skills. Those soft skills include clear passengers, or a mix of crew and cargo, discussed and fended off at all turns. and concise communications; strong for missions to low-Earth orbit. For NASA So, what does it take to become leadership and team coordination; and a Flight Director? There’s certainly no accurate situational awareness and risk service missions to the International Space single path to getting there. My path assessment abilities. Station, it will carry up to four NASA- is but one example of many options Future Flight Directors should focus sponsored crew members and time-critical for the journey. on developing and honing those skills. scientific research. The Starliner has an As NASA and space agencies around Work on those, and you are well on your innovative, weldless structure and is reusable the globe look beyondAUSTRALIA’S low-Earth way LEADING to earning your Flight STEM Director PROVIDERpin up to 10 times with a six-month turnaround orbit, the path to Mission Control – and being at the forefront of leading cycle. It also features wireless internet and and to some degree the function of human exploration outside Earth orbit – tablet technology for crew interfaces. Mission Control – will certainly change. to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

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WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 29 COVER STORY. SPACE SHUTTLE

WHEN THERE IS NO CHECKLIST

30 | WINTER 2020

LEFT The 100th Space Shuttle launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. in Ocotber 2000.

RIGHT Pam Melroy in the shuttle.

FORMER SPACE SHUTTLE COMMANDER PAM MELROY DESCRIBES HOW AN EXPERIENCE AS AN AIR FORCE TEST PILOT HELPED HER THROUGH AN EMERGENCY SITUATION ON HER FIRST FLIGHT AS AN ASTRONAUT IN 2000.

HEN THINGS GO have had thousands – perhaps tens or WRONG – in a cockpit hundreds of thousands – of take-offs and or anywhere else – it’s landings. And even in those aircraft there a great comfort to have are occasionally situations that simply Wa checklist you’ve rehearsed to turn to. could not have been predicted. You have The sum of distilled knowledge, steps to to put the pieces together and create follow with minimalist clear instructions; your own procedure, sometimes out of I sure wish I had one for the non-flying other procedures and sometimes from parts of my life! your own systems knowledge. Then But sometimes the checklist just isn’t you hope you have enough situational as much help as you need. Occasionally awareness to do things in the right order I get asked why all Space Shuttle and address the most critical issues first. commanders and pilots were test pilots. On one of my flights as a test pilot, It’s true that some of the experiences I had an experience that prepared me for are completely dissimilar – for example, a similar situation in space. launching in the Space Shuttle is nothing After graduating from the United States like taking off in an aircraft (it’s more like Air Force Test Pilot School in June 1991, having a traffic accident). But one key I spent the summer as a test pilot in Test similarity is that there is planning but Operations – the organisation at Edwards not a lot of experience to rely on when Air Force Base that does the “cats and developing malfunction procedures. dogs” flight testing. I moved on to one My first space flight was the 100th of the newest aircraft on the flight line, launch of the Space Shuttle. Unless the C-17, undergoing developmental you’re a test pilot, the aircraft you fly will flight testing. The first aircraft had been

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 31 COVER STORY. SPACE SHUTTLE

delivered the previous year but had not unexpected structural load states and response during the landing phase. yet flown many sorties. More aircraft also gave us practice. But it doesn’t There was no master checklist to walk were finally being delivered and the initial always turn out the way you plan, which us through all of the malfunctions our testing of the C-17 was just getting into is why we flight test. aircraft was telling us it had, so we had full swing. The C-17 Combined Test Force always to logically decide which procedures It’s a fascinating aircraft – the first conducted developmental tests with a we needed to do and in what order, heavy fly-by-wire (FBW) aircraft I US Air Force test pilot and a test pilot including of course to continue to ever flew (not surprisingly since the from McDonnell Douglas (the company “aviate, navigate and communicate” like Concorde, the Space Shuttle and the that built the C-17) on board. We we have all been taught in pilot training. Airbus 320 were pretty much the only alternated seats as we were all qualified Fortunately, we had a test engineer with other heavy FBW aircraft at the time). in the left seat. us to help back us up, ensuring there Rather than a yoke like the other heavy While flying the very last sortie of were always three pairs of eyes and aircraft I had flown, it featured a centre the 100% load sequence, I was in the minds on critical activities. stick and a heads-up display. The stick right seat with a McDonnell Douglas We managed to perform the most forces were light and comfortable – no test pilot in the left seat. We alternated critical steps quickly. As the C-17 is need for significant strength like in some flying test points as well. My colleague a FBW system, one of the handiest older manual flight control systems. The had the last test card of the day and we buttons is the Electronic Flight Control flight test program was very challenging were under a little pressure to finish System (EFCS) reset. It’s a kind of a soft and interesting as we learned to prove with sunset approaching rapidly. As a re-boot of the flight control computers. this uniquely capable aircraft. safety precaution we flew hazardous We had to dig deeper into what we called Although the test pilots were qualified missions only during day visual a “four-handed” reset that required the to fly any test mission, it was prudent meteorological conditions. flight test engineer pulling certain circuit to assign certain types of testing to My colleague nailed the 80% and the breakers in the aft cockpit while the pilot a smaller cadre of pilots to simplify 90% points without incident, but when hit the EFCS reset simultaneously, which maintaining currency in the type of he tried to achieve the 100% test point, is more like a hard re-boot. Most of our testing, familiarity with the technical we weren’t getting the appropriate load flight control and system alerts went issues, and of course overall safety with the control input we had practised. away (but not all). We performed the through experience. Although I did many We talked it over and decided he controllability check and managed types of mission testing, such as short should do what we briefed if this to touch down while it was still light. field landings, hot and cold weather, situation should occur – hold the stick We later learnt that the applied g force and airdrop, I was formally assigned to full aft a few tenths of a second longer had led to buffet on the control surfaces air refuelling, cruise performance and than he had been doing. When he did, which just happened to be at the structural testing. In early 1994, almost both the test conductor and the chase frequency to excite a natural structural three years into my tenure with the ship called for termination. Not that we elastic mode. That added additional program, we were closing in on the final needed the advice – the Master Caution structural load on top of the g we had structural tests. The way we performed structural tests was to load the airplane in configurations It’s a fascinating aircraft – the first heavy fly-by-wire designed to stress given elements of (FBW) aircraft I ever flew (not surprisingly since the the airframe (fuselage, wings, tail) and perform a manoeuvre to achieve a certain Concorde, the Space Shuttle and the Airbus 320 were speed and g condition (a “test point”). pretty much the only other FBW aircraft at the time). Sometimes we had some pretty strange loads – like a “dumbbell load” where alarm was going off and it seemed applied with the pitch control input and heavy cargo was strapped down at the like half of the (very large) Warning significantly overloaded the tail during the front and the back of the cargo bay with Annunciation Panel was lit up, including test manoeuvre, as we discovered when a big open space between. Tests were multiple flight control alerts. we looked at the data afterward. The test performed in a “build-up” approach to I’d never seen so many lights on the conductor on the ground saw the load an 80% load limit, followed by a period panel except when performing a lamp spike – and the chase pilot saw the tail of analysis to refine the models. All test check! At that point a series of things vibrating like a buzzer, which is why they points were then repeated at the 100% had to happen. We needed to get back called to terminate. load condition. Even then, we performed to base as sunset was coming, we had Although I had encountered problems the test in a build-up fashion where we to address our system issues and we several times with one air vehicle or flew the 80% condition, then the 90% needed to perform a controllability check another, this one was unique because and then the 100%. That allowed the (basically a simulated landing at altitude) the cascading effects impacted both ground test conductor to monitor for to determine aircraft controllability and structure and the entire flight control

32 | WINTER 2020

RIGHT Pam Melroy with C-17.

BELOW From the left, Pam, Koichi Wakata and William McArthur preparing a cable to bypass the tripped AC bus.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 33 COVER STORY. SPACE SHUTTLE

RIGHT Space Shuttle Discovery docked to the Pressurized Mating Adapter on the International Space Station.

OPPOSITE Pam floats into Node 1 / Unity module.

system, resulting in multiple alerts Once in position, we would remotely to install the Z1 truss, which and warnings at once. Usually you operate a series of latches to seat them incorporates an electrical utility get one or two lights or indications for onto the ISS, and then remotely drive switching box to manage the electrical a malfunction, but a whole series of bolts to permanently attach them. power coming from the solar arrays, failures at once presents a problem One of the biggest challenges at the plus an attitude control system for the with prioritisation. Additionally, blindly time was that when operating a robot ISS. We were ready for our first major following steps from one failure arm you have to rely on out-the-window robotic effort. My crewmate Koichi procedure may correct other existing views and cameras to ensure you have Wakata as the lead robotics operator and failures (if you're lucky) or make another clearance from other structure as you his backup, Bill McArthur, had positioned failure worse (if you're not). manoeuvre the arm. Then you must the arm to grapple the Z1 in the payload I had had one or two particularly creative ensure alignment of the element with bay. As Koichi reached for the mike to simulator instructors give me some the ISS in all three axes. tell the ground we were about to start, complex cases, but that was definitely The ISS had no cameras in place the Space Shuttle Master Alarm went the first time in the air. It was very except on the docking system, which off. As pilot, my job was to maintain the interesting to reconstruct the problem would not help. We were installing the shuttle and perform any maintenance after we were safely on the ground. elements in particularly awkward places procedures necessary. I immediately We also spent time thinking about the for the robotic arm to reach, and our floated over and strapped into my seat decisions we made and trying to absorb cameras in the payload bay did not have while attempting to process what I was the lessons learned about prioritising and the field of view to watch. So we carried seeing on the displays. thinking through a multi-failure situation a multitude of cameras mounted on the I had never seen so many failures and how to manage it. robotic arm itself, and a very early form annunciated at once, even in the most Flash forward six and a half years to my of machine vision technology called the ingenious simulator scenarios. As I first flight as an astronaut on STS-92 in Space Vision System (SVS). The SVS looked at the list of failures, I picked 2000. Our mission was to bring two new provided relative position information out a few really big indications such elements up to the as-yet-uncrewed based on features on the ISS and the as loss of communications with the International Space Station (ISS) and element to “fill in the gaps” for lack ISS, including the ability to monitor attach them. The ISS was very small of camera views. We all knew the ISS systems and to transfer power to at the time, with only three elements. SVS and our cameras were essential the ISS. I also caught sight of several We were to use the robotic arm of the to accomplishing the mission. We had other electrical system failures. Failure Space Shuttle to lift each element out simulated individual camera failures messages were piling up so rapidly of the payload bay and manoeuvre them and were carrying a backup SVS unit. they were scrolling off the bottom into position to be attached to the ISS. On flight day four we were preparing of the page before I could read them

34 | SUMMERWINTER 20202019 all. Although there was no page two We also needed to replace the SVS It worked! Talk about three heads I could look at on board the Space with the backup system, but there was being better than one. We triple Shuttle, the ground could see all of no point connecting a new box to a checked every single wire pin them. They rapidly deduced the root failed electrical bus. Additionally, there together and I’m sure that is why cause. The SVS had overheated and were some essential cameras that we were successful in that incredibly short circuited, which overpowered the had no backups on the other buses. finicky procedure. Amazingly, we circuit breaker system and cascaded Meanwhile, the timeline was ticking. were only down about four hours on to short one of the three AC payload We had a very busy mission and a lot the timeline and were able to recover power buses that powered all mission to get done. Delaying installing the Z1 and keep the mission schedule on equipment, including the cameras. Truss today meant some important track – at least until undocking day, We were down a third of the shuttle’s mission activity, maybe even a whole but that’s another story! mission systems’ electrical power and spacewalk, may have to be cancelled I was the only rookie on the all the equipment attached to it. or shortened. Mission Control rapidly flight and had no way of knowing Just like my C-17 “anomaly”, we had concluded that the fastest way to get how unusual it was. The In Flight a multitude of actions to take and no back on track was to re-wire the Space Maintenance Team on the ground master procedure to guide us. I had an Shuttle so one of the other AC buses was honoured for saving the mission emergency checklist on the flight deck could power our essential systems. when we returned to Earth. It was but knew it wasn’t going to cover this I thought, I didn’t even know you could incredibly rewarding to work with my situation. I vaulted out of my seat and do that on orbit! I’m not sure anyone crewmates and Mission Control to dove headfirst down the ladder to the outside a few experts did, either. methodically organise and prioritise middeck. My commander called “slow There was no procedure for this, our activities, all while keeping the down!” so I floated a little more sedately but there was a generic procedure for normal operations of the Space to the locker holding the bewildering rewiring a cable using a breakout box, Shuttle and ISS continuing, and get array of in-depth malfunction procedures another to replace the SVS, and others back to the real event of the day, for the ISS and Space Shuttle. Juggling that had elements of what we needed building the ISS. a handful of thick books, I floated back to do. The In-Flight Maintenance team There are many, many more stories to the flight deck. on the ground did wonders, calling up from the rest of the building of the The first step was to switch as much to Koichi, Bill and me to help us switch ISS. We evolved our checklists as critical equipment as possible to backups back and forth between procedures. time went on, developing more powered by the other two AC buses. Finally, as the pilot I did the honours – and more procedures that could be We needed to keep the shuttle in good scooted down on the floor and crammed called upon in a variety of unusual health and recover as much capability as my hand holding the final, rewired cable circumstances. So, when that master we could. The commander and I got on up behind one of the panels on the alarm goes off, know your systems, those tasks right away with reference flight deck and locked it into place. I told what is – and isn’t – in the checklist, to our “systems cheat sheets” and the the ground we were ready to turn the and get a second or even third set guidance of Mission Control. systems on and held my breath. of eyes on the problem. Fly safe!

After graduating from the USAF Test Pilot School Pam Melroy joined the C-17 Combined Test Force. She later qualified as an astronaut and flew on three Space Shuttle missions – two as a pilot and once as Commander. After leaving NASA, Pam worked in industry and government, including managing the Air Technology Developmental portfolio at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. In 2018, she moved to Australia to help launch our space industry, joining Adelaide-based Nova Systems as Director of Space Technology and Policy. She is also an independent consultant, board director and advisor to the Australian Space Agency and the US National Space Council.

WINGS WINGS VOLUME 7271 NO.4NO.2 | 35 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. HYPERSONICS rapid fire

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND’S Anand and Will with an Experimental CENTRE FOR Axisymmetric Supersonic Combustor Model. HYPERSONICS, RESEARCHERS the speed of sound, Mach 5+), and the Scramjets, however, operate at speeds other examining planetary re-entry where greater than Mach 5; Dr Landsberg’s ARE LOOKING INTO flight speeds typically exceed Mach 25. project is specifically examining scramjet A/Prof. Veeraragavan (Advance operation in the Mach 7 or 10,000 km/ WAYS TO IMPROVE Queensland Research Fellow, Mid- hr flight regime. Air entering the engine THE EFFICIENCY OF Career), has carved out a niche research at those speeds cannot be slowed to space within the first of those sub-groups, the extent needed for typical turbojet SCRAMJET ENGINES where Dr Landsberg also works as a post- operation. All the energy within the Mach OPERATING AT MACH doctoral research fellow. Together with 5+ airstream has to go somewhere, a team of PhD students and a number of and when it slows down, the air 7+ FLIGHT SPEEDS. post-doctoral specialists, they are looking becomes very hot. So hot, that a normal into ways to improve the efficiency of jet engine would simply burn apart or ORKING IN THE scramjet engines operating at Mach 7+ melt. To avoid the heat load associated BEATING HEART of flight speeds. with the conversion of kinetic energy the global hypersonics Scramjet engines operate as any into thermal energy if the airmass was scene at the University other jet engine does. Air is captured slowed too much, scramjet design allows Wof Queensland (UQ) is exciting and from the atmosphere and compressed, the airstream to pass through the engine inspirational for aerospace engineering fuel is injected, the mixture burns and at supersonic speed. researchers Dr Will Landsberg and the exhaust expands out of a nozzle Because of the high-speed airflow, Associate Professor Anand Veeraragavan. producing thrust. The big difference fuel has to mix and burn efficiently UQ’s Centre for Hypersonics has a for scramjets, however, is the speed within one thousandth of a second (1 long history of experimental hypersonics envelope in which the vehicle operates millisecond) for scramjets to work at all. research as the home of Australia’s and the speed of the airflow through the Current scramjet design requires a highly first Professor of Space Engineering, engine. "Normal" aircraft jet engines (e.g. energetic hydrogen fuel to be able to Professor Ray Stalker, who pioneered on a Boeing 787) only operate at speeds achieve a stable combustion process. the world’s fastest jet engine, the up to about Mach 0.9 (about 1,000 km/ The project is exploring engine designs scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet). hr), so the engine is designed such that allow conventional fuels that contain The centre conducts research on a that the captured air passes through sufficient energy to make high-speed plethora of high-speed related work. the engine at subsonic speed. As a flight possible, to be used in a scramjet. It has two main sub-groups, one consequence, a stable, consistent fuel air However, achieving stable and consistent examining high-speed propulsion within mixture can be achieved and the engine ignition and combustion of conventional the atmosphere (faster than five times operates efficiently. fuel in the hypersonic environment is

36 | WINTER 2020 extremely challenging. Researchers have A/Prof. Veeraragavan's work was made number of research groups world-wide likened the challenge to trying to light a possible by a Queensland government (UQ researchers are actually helping match in a hurricane 20 times stronger research scheme called the Advance Oxford develop their own hypersonic than the strongest ever recorded. Queensland Research Fellowship (mid- wind tunnel right now!),” Dr Landsberg “We have to carefully design and career) and awarded to him in 2017. said. “We are just months from engineer methods inside the scramjet “We work to advance the core conducting an experimental campaign to make consistent, stable combustion physical sciences needed to broaden our to validate the performance gains we possible,” says Dr Landsberg. “The key knowledge about supersonic combustion predict from our improved scramjet cavity aim of my research is in the creation of utilising hydrocarbon fuels,” says A/Prof. designs. We'll take pressure data to carefully designed pockets (or cavities) Veeraragavan. examine the stability and consistency of inside the engine where gases swirl and Successful development of a viable combustion, and we will use laser-based recirculate. Imagine removing a rock from scramjet would open up a range of civil diagnostics to examine the combustion a fast-moving stream of water; the water and commercial aviation applications chemistry exiting our scramjet exhaust. will get caught inside the newly created that are currently not possible. It would Very exciting times!” pocket/cavity, swirling about, mixing permit transpacific and transatlantic the sediment inside the pocket with the flights in mere hours. The high-speed UQ HYPERSONICS fast-moving water stream. That is exactly flight offered by scramjets may also Professor Ray Stalker established UQ what Anand and I are researching.” permit their integration into a multiple- as one of the largest university-based Recirculating regions in the combustion stage launch vehicle to place small hypersonic research groups in the world. section of the scramjet permit the fuel satellites into Earth orbit. Those His invention of the free-piston driven and air to swirl about, mix rapidly and objectives are critical to advancing shock tunnel (T4 is UQ's current 'work- ignite. The key challenge for that process utilisation of the aerospace domain, and horse' hypersonic tunnel) put UQ on the is to do it in an efficient manner, and also in particular, to help put Australia on the map as one of the most dominant groups one in which the heat loads sustained map in this exciting industry. in the field. That helped bring in an array within those regions of the engine can Dr Landsberg and A/Prof Veeraragavan of funding and support throughout the be safely contained (the temperatures are gearing up to conduct a major 1980s and the legacy continues. can be immense, higher than 2,500C). experimental campaign. After spending Today, the Centre for Hypersonics the past year or two working with the brings in research staff and PhD students IMPORTANT RESEARCH PhD students and post-doctoral team from around the world. “The fact people While research groups around the members to refine the design elements from around the world come to study and world have developed scramjets at to be examined experimentally, research within our group is an incredible (comparatively) lower flight speeds, UQ Dr Landsberg has spent the past few testament to the legacy of Ray Stalker, researchers are looking into using safer months designing an experimental and to our centre. It's just an exciting and more economically viable fuels within model that's capable of withstanding the place to be," says Dr Landsberg. scramjets operating at 7+ times the extreme heat loads and forces sustained Hypersonics is such an open-ended speed of sound. If a design can achieve at high Mach number flight conditions. field that sometimes all the diagnostics, efficient combustion, with fuels that can “At UQ, we are fantastically lucky to simulations and analysis the researchers be easily manufactured, transported and have an array of hypersonic test facilities do on paper isn't enough to predict stored, scramjets become viable. on-site that are only located in a small what's going to happen. Sometimes they have to make an experimental model and shoot hypersonic flow at it in the shock tunnels. And who wouldn't love making big noises and burning fuels in a multi-million-dollar facility? “This work is already attracting attention beyond our borders, the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research is keen to partner with us to further the knowledge arising out of this Advance Queensland Research Fellowship,” concludes A/Prof. Veeraragavan.

LEFT Supersonic cavity flameholder simulation showing fuel injection, recirculation regions, temperature, fuel (ethylene, C2H4) and combustion product (water, H2O) species contours.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 37 Curtiss P-40N Kittyhawk World War II fighter aircraft VH-ZOC WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2

Ryan Fletcher Ryan RAAF Williams, Point Cook, Australia - 1 March 2014 - 1 March Australia Cook, Point Williams, RAAF PHOTO

RAAF BASE. DARWIN

A RICH MILITARY HISTORY

ESTABLISHED IN 1940, RAAF BASE DARWIN PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN WORLD WAR II AND REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT STRATEGIC ASSET.

AAF BASE DARWIN Base Darwin’s airfield not only supports has a rich military history military aircraft, it has been shared with dating back to the start civilian traffic since 1945 under a joint of World War II and is the user agreement with Darwin International only RAAF Base operating (DIA). Darwin is an aviation hub Rtoday to have been directly attacked by between Australia and , an enemy force. Strong links between with both civilian and military aircraft the Australian Defence Force and the using it as a platform to project into the Darwin community forged during WWII northern region. have endured and the people of Darwin are seldom perturbed by military aircraft activity. The civil-military relationship has been mutually supportive, most notably ABOVE B-52 parked on the Bomber Replenishment Apron at RAAF Base Darwin in the aftermath of . during Exercise Lightning Focus. Darwin is Australia’s most northern city and a location of strategic significance. A five-hour flight from Darwin can reach RIGHT RAAF Base Darwin in the early years. all of Australia’s towns and cities, and FAR RIGHT Parade at RAAF Base Darwin also most of Southeast Asia. RAAF with the cinema building in the background.

40 | WINTER 2020 EARLY DAYS The need for a military airfield at Darwin RAAF Base Darwin still bears was identified in the late 1930s and the scars of the Japanese air raids. the current site was purchased as Evidence of strafing runs can be found woodland in 1937. RAAF Base Darwin in buildings such as the Officers Mess was officially formed in June 1940 as and the Cinema, and remnants such RAAF Station Darwin, with Numbers 12 as bombing shells are found during and 13 Squadrons operating Wirraway, excavation for new construction. Anson and Hudson aircraft. The advent Facilities on the Base were again of war in the Pacific saw increased damaged by Cyclone Tracy on HISTORY activity, including improvements to Christmas Day 1974. The airfield the airfield and facilities, and additional played an instrumental role in the movements by American aircraft. aftermath of the cyclone as more than On 19 February 1942, the Base was 20,000 people were evacuated by attacked by the Japanese forces that air before the year’s end. Remnants of a United States Army bombed Pearl Harbour (see page 48). Civilian air traffic operated from the BELOW Air Force (USAAF) Kittyhawk in a 12 Squadron Those raids on the Base cost seven airfield from 1945 and used a terminal at hangar following Japanese bombing raids on lives and over 20 allied aircraft were lost the RAAF Base until a civil terminal was 19 February 1942. in the ensuing melees. Few people are constructed north of the airfield in the aware that over twice as many bombs 1950s. International flights to the north were dropped on Darwin as on Pearl of Australia transited through Darwin Harbour. By the end of WWII, Darwin until the introduction of longer range had hosted a wide range of Australian aircraft in the 1970s, which allowed and US combat and transport aircraft, carriers to fly into Asia and beyond from including Hudsons, Ansons, Wirraways, Australia’s eastern population centres. Beaufighters, Boomerangs, Kittyhawks, Today Darwin International Airport Dakotas, Catalinas, Mitchells, Liberators supports regional, domestic and Fortresses. and international aircraft movements.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 41 RAAF BASE. DARWIN

Damage incurred at RAAF Base Darwin following Cyclone Tracy.

FIGHTER BASE Mirage III aircraft from 75 Squadron Base Darwin, and throughout the 1990s operated from RAAF Base Darwin for a evolved into an international exercise. short period in the 1960s before the Unit It is now the RAAF’s largest Air Power transferred to RAAF Base Butterworth, exercise. In 2018, 12 countries and more . The return of 75 Squadron than 130 aircraft took part. in 1983 marked the first time a fighter Despite significant noise and squadron was permanently stationed disruption generated by a large number at RAAF Darwin since WWII. It moved of fighter aircraft movements, the to the newly established RAAF Base Darwin community remains supportive. Tindal once re-equipped with the F/A-18 An open day is scheduled during each Hornet. Pitch Black exercise as a way of giving Remnants of 75 Squadron around the back to the community and an aircraft Base include a Mirage III, A3-100 on handling display is conducted adjacent permanent static display and a Mirage the popular Mindil Beach. III tailfin near the old headquarters Both events enjoy high participation building. The Base continues to host rates. Regrettably, COVID-19 social combat aircraft from various nations distancing requirements have led to through a series of annual and biennial the cancellation of exercises, typically conducted during the in 2020. dry season to make use of favourable weather conditions. From the early 1980s, Exercise Pitch LEFT A 6 Squadron member returns Black became a biennial feature at RAAF from a mission at RAAF Base Darwin.

42 | WINTER 2020 RAAF Base Darwin's historic front gate, which continues to be used as the pass office.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RAAF Base Darwin has been used as a forward operating base for commitments to our north including ADF contributions to peacekeeping efforts in Timor Leste, transport of medical supplies following the Bali bombings and humanitarian support for tsunami-effected Banda Aceh. Operations of that nature often take place with minimal notice, requiring the Base to be vigilant and ready at all times. A detachment of AP-3C Orions deployed to RAAF Base Darwin in 2001 to support border security patrols as part of Operation Relex. The AP-3C Detachment (92 Wing Detachment B) became a permanent feature at the Base under subsequent Operations Relex II and Resolute, enabling deployments to forward airfields such as RAAF Base Learmonth and Cocos Keeling Islands. AP-3C operations ceased in recent AP-3C departs RAAF Base Darwin. years following the introduction

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 43 RAAF BASE. DARWIN

into service of the P-8A Poseidon. sustain the estate through oversight Construction of new facilities for 92 Wing of the contracted workforce responsible to support P-8A operations commenced for maintenance and upkeep, and BELOW United States Marine Corps in April 2020 and is scheduled to oversight of the many current and future Osprey aircraft at RAAF Base Darwin conclude by the end of 2021. infrastructure projects. as part of the Marine Rotational Force RAAF Base Darwin also supports The large number of current and Darwin Aviation Combat Element, regular flights moving ADF personnel forecasted projects at RAAF Base and with members of the RAAF Indigenous Youth Program. and material for operations in the Darwin will increase its capacity Middle East and Malaysia. to project air power in the future. A significant investment under the BOTTOM RAAF Base Darwin Headquarters United States Force Posture Initiative building, now home to Headquarters 13 (City THE BASE TODAY (USFPI) includes extended hardstand of Darwin) Squadron. RAAF Base Darwin has been, and will areas for wide-bodied aircraft, enlarged remain, a significant strategic asset. aircraft parking aprons for deployed The Base will continue to function forces and enhanced aviation fuel as a military exercise centre and as a storage capacity. staging point for commitments to our New facilities constructed under north and further afield. the USFPI program will support visiting The Base is now home to two US Air Force aircraft such as B-52s and surveillance units, No.114 Mobile KC-135s, and US Marine Corps forces Control and Reporting Unit (114 MCRU) participating in the Marine Rotational and No.452 Squadron, responsible for Force Darwin, which completed its military Air Traffic Control services. eighth deployment to the Darwin Management of Base services and region in October 2019. infrastructure rests with No.13 (City The Aviation Combat Element of Darwin) Squadron as the RAAF Base stationed at RAAF Base Darwin last Darwin Airbase Operations Squadron. year operated MV-22 Osprey, UH-1 Stringent security is essential for Huey and AH-1 Cobra aircraft in support aircraft operations from or through of Marine forces exercising in the area. RAAF Base Darwin and a detachment Like other military activities from 2 Security Forces Squadron scheduled in 2020, the Marine (2SECFOR SQN) provides a persistent Rotational Force Darwin was delayed response capability for the Base and in light of Covid-19 restrictions. airfield. RAAF Military Working Dogs employed by 2SECFOR SQN provide a credible deterrent and response to any potential threat. Other functions of the Squadron include weapons training, tactics development for higher threat environments and tactical weapons storage. Medical services are provided by Joint Health Unit Central Australia through the Darwin Health Centre, supported by a detachment from 2 Expeditionary Health Squadron. Available medical capabilities include general practice, physiotherapy, psychology, dental and aviation medical support for flying operations. In addition to military personnel, Joint Health Unit Central Australia employs Australian Public Service and contracted civilian staff. Public Service staff are employed in most Units at the Base, particularly within the Estate and Infrastructure Group to

44 | WINTER 2020 75 Squadron Mirage III A3-100 on static display at RAAF Base Darwin. 13 SQUADRON Number 13 Squadron was formed in and took the lives of another four 13 BELOW Indigenous dancers perform June 1940, originally with Anson aircraft Squadron members. No.13 Squadron a traditional dance for visiting members until the Squadron’s newly assembled regenerated over the following months during Exercise Pitch Black 2018. Hudson aircraft arrived from 2 Aircraft and participated in offensive operations BOTTOM A 13 Squadron member services Depot Richmond later that month. against the Japanese after moving to the arrestor cable at RAAF Base Darwin. On the eve of the , on in May 1942. 7 December 1941, No.13 Squadron Subsequent operations against deployed forward to Laha airfield at Japanese forces through August and Ambon. Advancing Japanese forces September 1942 saw 13 Squadron were attacking Allied bases in the area awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation, and on 28 January 1942, 13 Squadron one of only two to be awarded to was ordered to evacuate back to RAAF squadrons (the other went to Darwin. Two 13 Squadron Hudsons 2 Squadron). No.13 Squadron later returned to Laha from a reconnaissance re-equipped with Ventura aircraft and mission on 29 January confirming an operated from Cooktown and Gove in invasion was imminent and remaining the later stages of WWII, before being personnel were to evacuate that night disbanded in January 1946. on those aircraft. A fuel leak deemed In 1989, 13 Squadron reformed one aircraft unserviceable and the as a RAAF Reserve Unit taking the remaining Hudson departed leaving name 13 (City of Darwin) Squadron. 12 members behind. Their escape plan A subsequent restructure within involved travelling by a small vessel Combat Support Group in 2010 saw to rendezvous with a at an the Squadron take on its present role island off Ceram. However, the vessel as the RAAF Base Darwin Airbase was intercepted by Japanese forces and Operations Squadron. The Squadron the remaining 13 Squadron members has an establishment of approximately were executed. 180 staff and provides personnel Aircraft and staff who returned to and resources to support deployed Darwin saw little relief. The Bombing operations as well as delivering of Darwin on 19 February destroyed persistent support to flying activities six of the nine Hudsons at the Base 365 days a year.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 45 RAAF BASE. DARWIN

114 MCRU – TEAM TAIPAN No.114 Mobile Control and Reporting relies on the RAAF’s heavy lift capability operational history was the support it Unit (MCRU) is a ground-based air to transport the large TADRS and MCRC provided to Operation SLIPPER, the ADF defence Unit with primary responsibility systems to offshore deployment. contribution to the war in Afghanistan. to deliver deployable Air Surveillance The Unit participates in a number of In 2007, the Unit deployed a TADRS and and Air Battle Management capabilities domestic and foreign exercises, which MCRC to Kandahar Airfield and delivered in support of integrated air and space often involves partnering with coalition, critical control and surveillance services defence of Australia and its national allied and neighbouring nations as an to coalition and allied partners over a interests. The Unit currently operates integrated force. Exercises Talisman significant area of airspace within the Tactical Air Defence Radar Systems Sabre, Pitch Black and Diamond Storm are Middle East until 2009. (TADRS) to provide an airspace regular events on the 114MCRU calendar. Afghanistan was the first 114MCRU surveillance and communication function Most recently, Australian Government overseas deployment of a RADAR and, in combination with a Mobile Control support to the 2018 APEC Summit in capability since deployment to Malaysia and Reporting Centre (MCRC), provides involved a whole in 1958. The success of the Afghanistan a deployable networked air defence of Defence effort to deploy to location. deployment demonstrated that the capability. That capability is essential In late 2018, for the first time since RAAF was able to rapidly mobilise and to the success of the high-tempo air operations from Goodenough Island provide a highly effective and extended defence exercises involving many fighter during WWII, 114MCRU was mobilised air defence capability in support of aircraft that take place in exercise air and deployed to the area. international operations. space over the Northern Territory. The Unit provided airspace surveillance The key to the Unit’s success lies within The Unit was formed during WWII, and security in conjunction with other its professional workforce and a one-team on 23 May 1943. It was equipped with ADF assets to establish a protective ethos. Currently, the Unit is undergoing mobile radar systems, which over the shield over the summit. 114MCRU equipment upgrades to both the MCRC years have been replaced and upgraded also deployed to the Gold Coast under and TADRS. Further upgrades to be to more modern equipment. Throughout Operation ATLAS to provide 24/7 implemented under Project AIR6500 will the war, 114MCRU was involved in surveillance and security of the airspace expand the Unit’s ability to fully integrate operations throughout the Pacific region, over the 2018 Commonwealth Games. as part of a modern and highly effective with notable campaigns including The A highlight of 114MCRU’s long air defence force. Liberation of on Tarakan Island. After the war, 114MCRU established itself at RAAF Butterworth, conducting day-to-day operations for eight years, and supporting fighter control services throughout the Malayan Emergency. During that era, 114MCRU earned a number of battle honours and was awarded a Squadron Standard, one of only a few ground-based units in the RAAF to hold a Standard. The Squadron Standard recognises 114MCRU’s contribution to conflicts in the Pacific (1943-45), (1943), New Guinea (1943-44), Borneo (1945) and Malaysia (1963-66). 114MCRU falls under control of No.41 Wing, an element of the Surveillance and Response Group. 41 Wing’s Units contribute to one of the Group’s primary functions to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations and Air Battle Management. 114MCRU regularly deploys and operates over 30 heavy, medium and light vehicles to provide the mobility to relocate personnel and equipment across 114MCRU deployed in support of Operation Slipper in Afghanistan. Australia. When required 114MCRU

46 | WINTER 2020 LEFT 452 Squadron during World War II.

BELOW 452 Squadron now provides Air Traffic Control services at RAAF Bases Darwin, Townsville, Tindal and Amberley, and the Army Aviation Training Centre at Oakey.

NO.452 SQUADRON Number 452 Squadron (452SQN) engage enemy aircraft. Consequently, relocated to Morotai in the Dutch East provides military Air Traffic Control 452SQN’s motto, Mundos pro nobis, Indies to support Australian operations (ATC) services and communications, refers to sweeping the world before in Borneo. On 29 June 1945, 452SQN navigation and surveillance systems us. During its first year of operations, established its base at Juwata Airfield at five locations across the Northern 452SQN established itself as one of the on Tarakan and remained there until it Territory and Queensland. 452SQN most successful Squadrons in Fighter was disbanded on 17 November 1945. is also responsible for Air Force’s command, destroying 62 enemy aircraft On 1 December 2010, 452SQN was deployable Air Traffic Control systems. and damaging another 17. reformed, without Spitfires, as an Air However, air traffic control was not It withdrew from operations in Traffic Control Squadron, under control always the Squadron’s mission. Britain on 23 March 1942 and sailed of No.44 Wing, within Surveillance and 452SQN was formed under Article XV for Australia. Squadron aircraft were Response Group. 452SQN’s historic of the Empire Air Training Scheme at commandeered by the RAF while in association with the north continues RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey on 8 April 1941, transit. On arrival in Australia, 452SQN with its headquarters now located on as a fighter squadron. It was the first conducted refresher training at RAAF RAAF Base Darwin. Australian squadron formed in Britain Base Richmond until, re-equipped Staff of 452SQN provide Air Traffic during WWII and flew Supermarine with Mk.Vb Spitfires, it again became Control services at Darwin and Townsville Spitfires throughout the war, operating operational 17 January 1943 at (including management of all over Britain, North Western Europe, Bachelor Airfield in the NT. Operating civilian aircraft movements), RAAF Bases Northern Australia and the Dutch East under control of No.1 Wing, 452SQN Tindal and Amberley, and the Army Indies. 452SQN was awarded battle was tasked to defend Darwin. The Aviation Training Centre at Oakey. In honours from Fortress Europe, and for Squadron relocated to Strauss Airfield 2019, 452SQN assumed responsibility operations in the Pacific, at Darwin, on 1 February 1943 and remained there for the management of Air Force’s Moratai and Borneo. protecting Darwin until 30 June 1944. deployable Air Traffic Control capabilities, Declared operational on 22 May On 1 July 44, now under control based at Amberley. 1941, 452SQN operated from a series of No.80 Wing, 452SQN moved to Beyond the provision of Air Traffic of airfields in southeast Britain under Sattler Airfield where it was employed Control at fixed bases, 452SQN control of 11 Group, Fighter Command. in ground attack missions against controller, technical, administrative and Its focus was occupied France and targets in The Dutch East Indies. On 11 logistics staff routinely participate in a Belgium, where it escorted bombing December 1944, 452SQN was assigned broad range of exercises and operations, raids and conducted sweeps to to the 1st Tactical Air Force and domestically and internationally.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 47 HISTORY. FANNIE BAY DOGFIGHT: PART 1

ORLD WAR II had been underway for over two years when Japan brought the United WStates into the conflict in December 1941. Two months after the Japanese armada launched its successful attack at Oahu, it was nestled off the coast A PRELUDE of the then Japanese occupied Dutch Timor. The four-strong carrier fleet had steamed across the South Pacific and was awaiting orders to attack the seaport of Darwin approximately 400km to its south. Australia had been watching Japan’s increasing naval capability since well TO ATTACK before 3 September 1939 with some concern, but the war in Europe and WORDS David Armstrong North Africa required troops and that is where the Second Australian Imperial Force (AIF) headed. Australian aircrew in England at the time stayed on as well and flew with the RAF in the battle for the skies over the Channel. Meanwhile, Japan had taken all before her on a dramatic march west and south through , the Korean peninsula and Southeast Asia. Japan’s version of blitzkrieg had proven highly successful (as it had for Germany in 1939-40) in overrunning its Asian neighbours. Parts of northern China had been occupied since the mid-1930s and the capitulation of Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and was complete by February 1942. The Western Pacific was next. The Japanese had gambled that the United States’ appetite for commercial success (munitions and equipment had been moving to the European theatre since early 1939), and lack of appetite for hostilities, would lead to negotiations shortly after the attack ON 19 FEBRUARY 1942, JAPAN LAUNCHED on Pearl Harbor. It was expected A CARRIER-BORNE AIR ATTACK ON that the US would be happy if Japan withdrew from some of her Southeast DARWIN WITH 36 FIGHTERS AND 71 DIVE Asian conquests and kept a negotiated amount of rubber and oil-producing BOMBERS, FOLLOWED TWO HOURS areas only, as well as the Korean LATER BY 54 TWIN-ENGINED BOMBERS. peninsula and Manchuria. However, Japan’s wished-for DARWIN’S ONLY AIR DEFENCE WAS THE negotiated peace with the US had RELATIVELY INEXPERIENCED USAAF 33RD not come as expected, so defence of its rubber, oil and tin-rich conquered PURSUIT SQUADRON. territories became paramount.

48 | WINTER 2020 well underway to establish facilities codename Zero/Zeke), 1900km for the COUNTDOWN TO 19 FEBRUARY of all kinds and particularly to support level bombers (Nakajima B5N – Kate), How this scenario might have played out long-range B-17 bombers striking and 1400km for the dive bombers (Aichi if the US had lost all its fleet in Hawaii into Southeast Asia, including the D3A1 – Val). The return trip comfortably is unknown. A training exercise off Netherlands East Indies () allowed for time over the target. the Big Island at the time of the strike and the Philippines. Japan’s plans to The task-force leader was 39-year-old on Oahu meant significant elements hold onto newly captured Ambon just Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, a veteran of of the US fleet was absent from Pearl north of Darwin, and its intentions to action in China, and the chief tactician of Harbor on the morning of 7 December invade Java in mid-February, made the the Hawaiian strike. He was well aware 1941. Critically, its aircraft carriers were Darwin base and its bombers a target of the requirements for a successful elsewhere, USS Hornet was undergoing that could not be ignored. raid on Darwin. Strong intelligence maintenance in Norfolk, Virginia. The Early in February 1942, the aircraft accumulated by aerial observation and Doolittle raid on Honshu three months carriers Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu Fifth Column operatives working in later made it clear that the US was still were resupplying at Japan’s base on Darwin reassured the Japanese they capable of a carrier offensive action Palau before heading to Kendari in would meet little resistance from allied (involving USS Hornet), and that there Sulawesi (Netherlands East Indies). aircraft, and only moderate danger from would be no agreement. Once fully provisioned they steamed ground-based air defences. Regardless, Japan had started at maximum capacity across the Banda At 0730 on 19 February, all four planning for a disruptive strike on either Sea and were in the northern part of carriers turned into wind to launch the Ceylon () or Darwin as early as the Timor Sea by the early hours of attack. Wind over the deck needed to January, with the final decision made by 19 February. be about 40km/h to enable a safe launch Admiral Isokoru Yamamoto (Commander The task force included four heavy and conditions were ideal with a nice in Chief Japanese Combined Fleet) as cruisers, nine destroyers, two light surface breeze. Engine run-up complete, late as 9 February. Steaming south, cruisers and the four aircraft carriers. and just before radio silence, Fuchida Australia’s ally was an As the task force headed southeast announced to all pilots: “It is a nice day enemy to be feared. towards Darwin, it remained unnoticed for flying”. Engines roared and the all- Darwin was the biggest threat to by the allies and, incredibly, arrived at clear was given to launch. Japan’s operations in the Coral Sea area launching distance, 350km from Darwin, It took until approximately 0845 and progress towards Java. It had been without resistance. to assemble the 36 fighters, 71 dive a staging post for months and United The operational range of the three bombers and 81 level bombers above States Army Air Force (USAAF) aircraft types of Japanese aircraft to be used the fleet. A course of 148 degrees was had been passing through Darwin in the strike were about 1800km for set and expected flying time was just since September 1941. Works were the fighters (Mitsubishi A6M2 – allied under an hour with a moderate tailwind.

OPPOSITE Japanese military expansion in February 1942. Map: Darwin Military Museum.

LEFT The Western Pacific Theatre.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 49 HISTORY. FANNIE BAY DOGFIGHT: PART 1

33RD PURSUIT SQUADRON The dramatic build-up of warlike activity by both the US and Japan in the Western Pacific led to the decision to start shipping aircraft from the Philippine campaign to the east coast of Australia, primarily Brisbane. Once assembled, the aircraft were ferried to Darwin, via various routes through Cloncurry, Mount Isa, Alice Springs and Daly Waters. Darwin would then be the main staging post for the short jump to Dutch and Portuguese Timor, and then further west towards Java. The arrival of the third shipment of 70 P-40Es on the US Army Transport Monroe on 30 January 1942 provided for enough aircraft to establish two squadrons. On 10 February, USAAF General Barnes directed the newly formed 13th and 33rd Pursuit Squadrons (PS) to fly to Fremantle with their allotted 50 P-40Es, and then on to Java directly. The first Flight of the 33rd PS under the command of Major Floyd J Pell left Amberley on 12 February taking the less-used route, flying to Perth to then be shipped north. However, when the Flight reached Port Pirie, South Australia, Pell was directed to Darwin immediately to protect convoys forming in Darwin for the Java campaign. From there they were to ferry their aircraft to Koepang (Kupang) in Dutch Timor to provide fighter cover for surface operations, including support for convoys heading north to resupply troops operating against the Japanese advance. Lead Units of the 49th Pursuit Group (umbrella formation of the Pursuit Squadrons), just beginning to form in Brisbane, would also be sent to bolster 33rd PS strength. Due to mechanical and other unspecified issues, three 33rd Squadron P-40s were left at Port Pirie to follow later. The remainder arrived in Darwin late afternoon on 15 February, joining the sole airworthy 3rd Squadron P-40E of 2nd Lt Robert Oestreicher, at that time the only P-40 pilot in Darwin with a serviceable aircraft. Another three The crew with Sydney Peacock and the police sergeant. 3rd Squadron P-40s were in Darwin’s No.12 Sqn RAAF hanger being repaired or salvaged for parts, and the remainder of the Squadron had previously headed north on convoy duty.

50 | WINTER 2020 Timor to protect the airfield at Koepang. Steaming for Darwin, the convoy was being shadowed by a Japanese Kawanishi H6K (‘Mavis’) flying boat sent to monitor the convoy's progress, with a view to attacking it if possible. The Mavis was capable of long-range patrol and had an offensive capability. Houston radioed Darwin with an urgent message that an attack was imminent. Buel and Oestreicher were patrolling over Darwin at the time and were ordered to intercept the convoy and provide immediate protection. Oestreicher could not be contacted on his radio (a fairly common issue), but Buel promptly set out to cover the 180km flight past the Tiwi Islands and onto the convoy. A solo mission of this nature over open water was considered high risk, ABOVE Pursuit pilot running up his P-40E. but Buel was able to navigate his way The ‘E’ variant had an extra 0.5 inch machine to the convoy without incident. He had gun in each wing but no nose gun. It also had a slightly more powerful Allison engine than some trouble locating the Mavis and the P-40D. there was some cat-and-mouse flying at altitude among the clouds, along with some directional fire from Houston FAR LEFT US and Australian ground crew before Buel finally located and engaged inspect the Allison engine of a delivered P-40E The 3rd had left Darwin within days the Japanese plane at about 9,000ft. at RAAF Amberley. Photo: David Vincent. of its arrival in an attempt to reach Java Pouring fire along the fuselage from but seven had become lost, ran out of the rear starboard quarter he was able to bring the big aircraft down. However, BELOW LEFT 2nd Lt Robert Oestreicher fuel and crashed or ditched along the on his P-40 , 13 February 1942. Photo: Darwin Timor coast. Only eight made it through. return fire from the Japanese tail gunner Aviation Museum. Second Lieutenants Robert Buel and operating a 20mm cannon also found Robert Oestreicher had remained in its mark at close range. Buel’s P-40 Darwin with their unserviceable aircraft. shuddered, banked sharply and plunged Once those aircraft became serviceable into the sea. The gunner, Takehara and while waiting for more aircraft to Marekuni survived the crash of his arrive, they were assigned patrolling Mavis and was eventually rescued by duties over the Darwin area. allied shipping and transferred to the In terms of preventing the Japanese Cowra POW Camp in NSW. In a post- advance, P-40 losses prior to arriving war interview, he stated that the action at the frontline in northern Australia by the lone P-40 was one of the bravest and Java were catastrophic. Many things he had ever seen, considering were lost during test flights out of the defensive firepower his own aircraft Amberley Field in Brisbane after being possessed. Robert Buel’s body was not reassembled, and also along the ferry recovered and the wreckage of his plane route to Darwin. Charleville, Cloncurry, lies undisturbed north of Melville and Alice Springs and Daly Waters were Bathurst Islands (Tiwi Group). the final resting place for many pranged Oestreicher, upon coming into radio P-40s (and tragically, many young, range and hearing of the events north inexperienced American pilots). of the Tiwis, headed immediately out to Just before the 33rd arrived in Darwin, look for Buel, but to no avail. Oestreicher and four days after the 3rd had left for was now the sole remaining fighter Java, the heavy cruiser, USS Houston’s pilot with a flyable aircraft in Darwin. He convoy was returning to Darwin from an was for all intents and purposes, the air unsuccessful attempt to land troops on defence of Darwin.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 51 HISTORY. FANNIE BAY DOGFIGHT: PART 1

CRITICAL DELIVERY By the time the 33rd Squadron finally arrived in Darwin on 15 February, USAAF Pursuit Squadrons were constantly engaged in air combat from Timor to Java. Delivery of the P-40 pursuit aircraft into the theatre was critical to support troops and B-17 operations. After three days in Darwin spent repairing P-40s with various ailments (courtesy of the long hopscotch transit across the Australian outback – known by the pilots as the Brereton route after TOP P-40s over Strauss Airstrip, Darwin 1942, USAAF Commander General Lewis one of the many airstrips lining the Stuart Hwy Brereton), the planes available for the on approach to Darwin. However, the Parap Field defence of Darwin were in fairly ordinary (Civil/RAAF Darwin Drome) leading into Fannie condition. Regardless, USAAF pilots had Bay was used on 19 February. been taking turns patrolling over Darwin ABOVE Kawanishi H6K ‘Mavis’. in the three serviceable aircraft while work continued on the remaining seven. Unfortunately, there was a distinct 2nd Lieutenant Robert Buel’s ABOVE RIGHT lack of pilot experience among the P-40E (#54). P-40 pilots. The opposite was true for the Japanese who had experienced pilots from the China, Hawaiian and Philippines campaigns and, at the time, the best fighter operating in the

52 | WINTER 2020 Western Pacific. Arguably, the P-40 if offensive air base for its planned attack flown well with appropriate tactics was on Java, and the 33rd was flying into a a match for the Zero, but the superb hot zone with very little ground support. BELOW Collision course – 33rd lightweight design of the Zero was, in Complicating the endeavour that morning Pursuit Squadron USAAF and 188 IJN aircraft side by side on route the hands of a combat-hardened pilot, was the absence of radio contact with to Darwin, 19 February 1942 an ominous foe. their intended final airfield on Java. Map: USAF Aid Society. At 0915 on 19 February, part of the The relayed message from 33rd Squadron prepared to deploy Command via the B-17 allowed Pell to with 10 P-40Es to Java via Koepang in quickly change course back to Darwin. Dutch Timor. Nine of the original 33rd Making that decision a little easier was P-40s and one replacement (as Pell's awareness that apart from Oestreicher original had an engine coolant leak that and himself, none of the other could not be located), were cleared as pilots had more than 20 hours flying combat ready, and more importantly, experience, although Peres was senior ready for the trip to Java. to Oestreicher in time served. Considering the lack of experience The unfortunate B-17 continued on among his group, Pell decided that to Den Pasar only to come under heavy the experienced Oestreicher should ground fire on approach. The Japanese join the Flight. The newly formed were already there. The pilot applied 33rd consisted of Major Floyd Pell, full throttle and was able to avoid and Second Lieutenants Robert landing, fly through the flak virtually Oestreicher, Jack Peres, Elton Perry, at ground level, gain height and escape William Walker, Max Wieckes, Charles to Malang, remarkably with only one Hughes, Robert McMahon, Burt Rice crew member slightly wounded. Had and John Glover. the P-40s been in the same situation, A B-17E Flying Fortress would lead low fuel would have meant a landing the 10 P-40s and a LB-30 Liberator or ditching somewhere on or near Bali would transport the mechanics and to escape capture or worse. ground crew to Java with planned stops All 10 fighters turned and headed in Keopang and Den Pasar, Bali. Not back towards clearer skies over Darwin long into the flight, the B-17 received with the intention of refuelling and a radio message from Command attempting to reach Koepang once Darwin that heavy rainfall over Koepang the weather had cleared. Unbeknown meant a recall to Darwin. That was, in to the 33rd, they had just placed hindsight, a lucky break for the 33rd. themselves on a collision course with The Japanese had by that stage put 188 inbound Japanese aircraft intent their plans of attacking as far west as Bali on the destruction of Darwin. into operation. Japan needed Bali for an • To be continued next issue.

HARS Aviation Museum Highly acclaimed collection of lovingly restored aircraft as well as a selection of Australia’s Aviation Heritage aircraft. An incredible tour with a team of knowledgeable tour guides who provide outstanding commentary on your visit. Over 40 aircraft including: Well stocked shop with memorabilia • -400 City of - famous for from aviation history to Sydney non-stop flight • Boeing 747-400 Premium Tour or Cockpit Tour Award winning café with great coffee, hosted by Boeing 747-400 flight crews breakfast & lunch menus. Memorable private • Boeing 747-400 Wing Walk hosted by Tour Guide functions & kids birthday parties • Lockheed Super Constellation ‘Connie’ • F-111C, DHC-4 Caribou, PBY-6A Catalina, AP-3C High-tech conference & meeting rooms Orion & P2V-7 Neptune with state of the art equipment

Open 7 days from 9:30am – 3:30pm | 02 4257 4333 | hars.org.au | , Albion Park Rail NSW HARS Aviation Museum WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 53 Highly acclaimed collection of lovingly restored aircraft as well as a selection of Australia’s Aviation Heritage aircraft. An incredible tour with a team of knowledgeable tour guides who provide outstanding commentary on your visit.

Over 40 aircraft including: • Boeing 747-400 City of Canberra - famous for London to Sydney non-stop flight • Boeing 747-400 Premium Tour or Cockpit Tour hosted by Boeing 747-400 flight crews • Boeing 747-400 Wing Walk hosted by Tour Guide • Lockheed Super Constellation ‘Connie’ • F-111C Fighter Bomber & Southern Cross II Well stocked shop with memorabilia from aviation history Award winning café with great coffee, breakfast & lunch menus Memorable private functions & kids birthday parties High-tech conference & meeting rooms with state of the art equipment

Open 7 days from 9:30am – 3:30pm 02 4257 4333 | hars.org.au Regional Airport, Albion Park Rail HISTORY. MUSEUM

BRIMMING WITH

WORDS Dr Craig Bellamy

SINCESTORIES ITS BEGINNING HEREVER YOU Formerly known as the Australian LOOK in the Darwin Aviation Heritage Centre, the museum IN 1976, THE DARWIN Aviation Museum is the commercial arm of the Aviation AVIATION MUSEUM there are stories to Historical Society of the Northern Wbe told. The entrance has recently Territory (AHSNT). HAS WORKEDTO been emblazoned with a large and The AHSNT was established in 1976 by impressive photograph panel, a group of enthusiasts aiming to preserve ACQUIRE, PRESERVE, depicting the and its aviation artefacts and World War II RESTORE AND crew, who landed at Darwin on aircraft relics salvaged after Cyclone 10 December 1919. Unveiled in Tracy in December 1974. Its objectives DISPLAY ITEMS September 2019 by Northern Territory are to acquire, preserve, restore, house, Tourism Minister Lauren Moss, it operate and display items pertaining to PERTAINING TO THE marks the centenary of the first flight the aviation and of AVIATION HISTORY from Britain to Australia. the NT in particular. Walking from the foyer and shop The original museum opened in 1988 OF AUSTRALIA AND into the hangar, you can’t miss the in Gardens Hill (near the Darwin CBD) THE NORTHERN museum’s largest exhibit. For 30 years in a pre-World War II navy victualling now the B-52G Stratofortress, with its building leased from the territory TERRITORY IN 56m span, has dominated the museum. government. The AHSNT then began PARTICULAR. Surrounding it is an equally significant lengthy negotiations with the US Air array of recreational, civil and military Force and the territory government to aircraft and artefacts which tell the story obtain a surplus B-52, and to build a of aviation in the Northern Territory. new museum to house and display its

54 | WINTER 2020 AIRCRAFT HISTORIES Auster Autocar (UK reg. G-AOFM) Brigadier Vic Pederson, the Salvation Army ‘Flying Padre’, delivered pastoral services throughout the Territory and northern Western Australia in a number of light aircraft, including the Auster Autocar, during the period 1945 to 1972. Northern conditions were harsh on aircraft and two of his Austers and a Tiger Moth were so badly damaged they were struck off the register. When the wrecked Austers were recovered by AHSNT, they were deemed too badly damaged to restore and it was decided to purchase a similar LEFT The B-52 on arrival at Darwin. aircraft for display (1953 UK-registered G-AOFM, purchased in ). RIGHT FROM TOP NT Tourism Minister It bears the paint scheme of Pedersen’s Lauren Moss, AHSNT President John Hart, Salvation Army Auster, VH-UED. Museum Manager Angie Clucas and Curator Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero Ken Lai with the new Vimy display. (serial BII-124) Vic Pedersen’s Auster VH-BTG (Bringing The A prized exhibit is the wreckage of a Gospel) represented by the museum’s Auster. Japanese Zero naval fighter, shot down It was purchased at Mount Isa in 1966 for £1200, over Darwin during the first Japanese and crashed in 1970. raid on 19 February 1942. Disabled by Melville Islanders on the downed Zero. a single .303 bullet, it belly-landed in bushland on Melville Island. Significantly, this aircraft was earlier flown by a flight BELOW RIGHT Toyoshima's Zero wreckage. leader in the . Its pilot over Darwin, Hajime Toyoshima, was captured by Tiwi

STORIES growing collection of aircraft and related artefacts. The then mayor, Alec Fong Lim, was instrumental in the acquisition of the B-52. The relocated museum was officially opened on 2 June 1990, with the fully refurbished bomber on display for the first time. The AHSNT continues to use the Gardens Hill facility as a workshop, library and archives area. Over 30 years the museum collection has continued to expand as one of Australia’s largest non-government aviation collections. An accredited Northern Territory tourism attraction, the museum hosts some 30,000 visitors a year. On the popular annual Legacy ‘open cockpit’ day about 10 aircraft, from the Tiger Moth to the B-52, are opened for people to sit in the pilot seats. Proposed expansion plans for the museum can be found on the website in4d.com.au/darwin-aviation-museum. WINGS ISSUE 72 NO.2 | 55 HISTORY. MUSEUM

Islander Matthias Ulungura, the first near the Darwin suburb of Coconut Repaired at Darwin’s naval base man to take a Japanese prisoner Grove. Quaife ejected at 1,000 feet and HMAS Coonawarra, it was presented on Australian soil. Toyoshima was landed safely in mangroves, while the to the museum in 1990. The Navy transferred to the prisoner of war camp unmanned aircraft landed largely intact. later refurbished the cockpit and also at Cowra in southern NSW, where Acquired for the museum unrestored, donated a Gazelle turbine engine which he died during the infamous Cowra it was refurbished by No.75 SQN from is now on display with the Wessex. breakout in August 1944. 2001 and re-joined the museum four Boeing B-52G Stratofortress North American B-25D Mitchell years later. The museum’s centrepiece, the US (serial 41-30222) DH-82 Tiger Moth Air Force B-52 with ‘Darwin's Pride’ The B-25D bomber, one of the few (serial A17-4) emblazoned below the pilot’s window, extant Mitchells to have seen active The former RAAF aircraft was built in is permanently loaned by the US service, flew with the 345th Bomb Australia in 1939 and served with No.22 government. Built in 1959 as one of Group US Army Air Force (USAAF) in SQN and No.2 and No.5 Elementary 193 G-model B-52s, it served during the New Guinea before being declared Flying Training Schools. After the war during 1972-74. Its engines ‘war weary’. It was then acquired it was sold to the Royal Aero Club and avionics have been removed. by the 380th Bomb Group USAAF at of South Australia for £100. In 1981 Span: 56m Fenton Airstrip (160km south of Darwin) Territorian Stan ‘Bones’ Phillips bought Height: 14.5m and used as a ‘fat cat’ hack aircraft and restored it. He flew it around Length: 52m transporting food and supplies from Darwin for many years. In 1998, it was Weight: empty 78t, maximum Adelaide to the troops in New Guinea. purchased for the museum through a take-off 218t On its last flight from Adelaide to Territory government grant. Maximum speed: 1030 kph Engines: 8 x Pratt and Whitney J57 jet Fenton, a compass error resulted in General Dynamics F-111C (serial Crew: 6 a forced landing in the Tanami Desert. A8-113) Service ceiling: 52,000ft On departmental orders, its tail section Built as an F-111A for the USAF in Range: 13,200km was destroyed to prevent the aircraft 1969, the aircraft flew 44 combat Unrefuelled endurance: 32 hours. from being re-used. Salvaged in 1972, missions over Vietnam in 1972-73. In it was transported by truck to Darwin 1982 Australia purchased A8-113 and and stored at East Point, where it three other former USAF F111As as fortunately survived Cyclone Tracy. replacements to cover RAAF losses, It has now been partially restored to and they were modified to F-111C the colour scheme and nose art of its BELOW The B-25D in wartime (AHSNT standard. In 1997 it was converted to Collection). 1943 New Guinea service. ‘Pave Tack’ capability and retired in 2010 Spitfire Mk VIII replica after logging 7,478 flying hours. BOTTOM The B-25D on display. The Queensland-built replica was flown de Havilland Dove (reg. CR-TAG) to Darwin in a RAAF Hercules in 1991, A 1950s commuter aircraft, the Dove and in 2014 it was refurbished and was flown by East Timor given a new paint scheme. Its port- (Transportes Aereos de Timor) on side carries the markings of SQNLDR domestic passenger services between Bruce Watson (No.457 SQN) while the towns in East Timor. Named ‘Manatuto’ starboard side displays the markings after a town on Timor’s north coast, it of SQNLDR Lou Spence (No.452 SQN). was flown to Darwin around the time Spitfires of No.1 Fighter Wing of the Indonesian invasion of Timor defended Darwin from January 1943. in 1975. After sitting in the open at Eventually more than 300 operated Darwin airport, it was donated by there and accounted for many Japanese the Portuguese Government at the aircraft destroyed. museum’s request.. GAF Mirage IIIO (serial A3-36) Helicopter (serial The French designed Mirage III, N7-202) Australia’s frontline fighter 1965-1989, During the Royal Australian Navy’s was built under licence in Melbourne by Operation Navy Help in 1974/75 the Government Aircraft Factory. Mirage this Wessex, based aboard HMAS A3-36 was delivered to the RAAF in Melbourne, was one of six which May 1966. On 27 May 1985 the aircraft, assisted in the clean-up of Darwin while being flown in a circuit by FLTLT following Cyclone Tracy. Later during (later AVM) John Quaife, lost power the Kangaroo ‘89 defence exercise it and crashed on the Ludmilla mud flats was written off in a landing accident.

56 | WINTER 2020 BELOW Mirage A3-36 after its engine failure. Photo: AHSNT Collection via RAAF.

BOTTOM B-52G on display. Photo: Ron Innis collection.

The newly displayed F-111 in 2013.

Betty bomber wreckage A FEW OF THE RELICS (serial T-361) As well as whole aircraft, the museum Several artefacts from Japanese displays many pieces of crashed or Mitsubishi G4M1 ‘Betty’ bombers are salvaged World War II aircraft recovered displayed, including pieces from one from various locations in the Top End. shot down over Cox Peninsula near Many have tragic stories. Darwin by a USAAF P-40 on 4 April USAAF P-40E Kittyhawk 1942. A section of rear fuselage, with wreckage the waist gunner’s window, and a A propeller, tail section and wing were compass from the cockpit are held. AIRCRAFT EXHIBITS salvaged from a mid-air collision of two All crewmen were killed when the aircraft blew up in mid-air and crashed The museum displays 21 different engines P-40s on 12 July 1942. Lieutenants including Rolls Royce Merlin Mk.XXIII V-12, John Sauber and George Preddy of in scattered pieces. Pratt and Whitney R1340 Wasp and R1830 the 49th Pursuit Group USAAF collided B-24 Liberator wreckage Twin Row Wasp and an Allison V-1710 piston near Manton Dam south of Darwin. (serial 42-41182) engines and Rolls Royce Derwent Mk.8 and Preddy narrowly escaped his aircraft A cockpit section from a 380th Bomb Avon RA-6 jet engines. before it crashed, but Sauber was Group USAAF Liberator is displayed, MILITARY AIRCRAFT killed. Preddy was injured and sent converted into a caravan by Dick • de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth south for recovery, where he became Stretton, an Aboriginal Inland Mission • North American B-25D Mitchell bomber engaged to an Australian girl before Christian missionary who worked in • Boeing B-52G Stratofortress bomber being repatriated to the USA. Later the the gulf country for many years. An • Lockheed AP-3C Orion maritime top US Mustang ace, he was killed by especially rare item is a slide used surveillance aircraft ‘friendly fire’ in Belgium on Christmas for parachute-dropping commandoes • Mk VIII fighter (replica) Day 1944. through the B-24’s rear hatch. The waist Other P-40 pieces held are relics section of a RAAF B-24 (A72-88) which • CAC Avon Sabre fighter of the first attack on Darwin on 19 fatally crashed at Fenton Strip, south • Dassault Mirage IIIO fighter February 1942. of Darwin, is also displayed. • General Dynamics F-111C all-weather strike fighter/bomber Wackett & Noble Beaufighter PBY Catalina parts • Bell Cobra attack helicopter wreckage (serial A19-208) Catalina flying boat artefacts include Another pair of tragic pieces is the tail a ‘boat’ anchor and a large wing float. • Westland Wessex helicopter and cupola from a RAAF Beaufighter The ‘Cat’ was used by both the US Navy • CAC Boomerang cockpit (unrestored) which crashed in Coirwong Creek and the RAAF in northern Australia, • CAC Wirraway fuselage frame (part restored) (now in Kakadu National Park) on 24 serving with distinction in the Pacific • cockpit (replica) and elsewhere. September 1944. Its pilot, SQNLDR CIVIL, COMMERCIAL & RECREATIONAL Wilbur Wackett (son of Sir Lawrence • Darwin Aviation museum is adjacent to • de Havilland Dove Wackett), and navigator, FLGOFF Darwin Airport on the Stuart Highway, • Auster Autocar Keith Noble, evidently survived for Winnellie (8km from the CBD). It is • Rutan Long-EZ ultralight some time, as a laid-out parachute and open 9am to 5pm daily except Christmas opened ration cans were found near Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and • Wasp Air Buggy gyrocopter ultralight the wreck. Despite several searches, Good Friday. For more information see • Hovey Delta Bird ultralight the two airmen were never found. darwinaviationmuseum.com.au • Skycraft Scout ultralight.

WINGS ISSUE 72 NO.2 | 57 HISTORY. WARRIES & STORIES

LEFT Alec Arnel turned 100 in April.

Alec with a Hurricane.

A LONG AND REMARKABLE

N 2 APRIL, RAAF veteran reconnaissance. One notable squadron GPCAPT Alexander (Alec) mate was Frenchman Jean Becourt- Arnel turned 100. To honour Foch, grandson of the Supreme Allied the milestone, Chief of Air Commander in World War I, Marshal LIFEOForce Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld surprised Ferdinand Foch. Alec by calling to wish him happy Alec then joined 451SQN RAAF in birthday on behalf of the Air Force. Lebanon, which after a year converted SHOT DOWN AIRMSHL Hupfeld expressed a from Hurricanes to Spitfires. Quoted sentiment held by many when he by squadron historian Adam Lunney OVER ITALY AND reflected: “Alec doesn’t know how in his recent book We Together, Alec INTERNED A THE special he is and what a hero he is”. described the Spitfire as “a gentleman’s Alec was born in on 2 April aircraft”. “A Spitfire felt like a feather INFAMOUS STALAG 1920 and began his adult life as a student compared to Hurricanes. It was just LUFT III, GPCAPT teacher. He joined the RAAF at the so beautiful,” he said. end of 1940 and was trained as a pilot Alec flew various missions, initially over ALEXANDER ARNEL through the Empire Air Training Scheme. the Middle East and later over Italy, went He did his advanced training, on Harvard on detachments including to Cyprus, and NOT ONLY SURVIVED aircraft, in what was then Southern moved with the Squadron to Corsica. WWII, HE HAS NOW Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) before being On one mission, attempting to intercept posted to Egypt to fly a high-level German aircraft, Alec had his CELEBRATED HIS fighters with 208SQN RAF, a composite Spitfire at nearly 40,000ft. Although the 100TH BIRTHDAY. nationality squadron, where he flew enemy was just out of reach, another army co-operation missions – essentially aircraft managed to shoot it down.

58 | WINTER 2020 Many years later at a commemoration, had taken place a few months earlier. They were flown to London in May 1945, Alec chanced to meet that pilot who Alec was saddened to discover friends arriving just after VE Day. was a fellow Australian. who had been held there had been After returning to Australia, Alec On 29 June 1944, Alec’s Spitfire among the 50 killed after the escape. studied psychology at university and suffered serious engine damage and He said there was an uneasy feeling gained further experience in his pre-war he had to abandon it. He made three among prisoners and guards alike. Food occupation as a teacher. attempts to do so. After the second was scarce and he lost significant weight. In 1952, he re-joined the RAAF as an attempt, trying to escape by diving Prisoners who had been there for months Education Officer, lured by the promise suddenly so he would ‘float’ out or years were in a much worse state. of some flying. He served in numerous through the open canopy, he landed In late January 1945, with the Russians locations including Wagga, Rathmines back in his seat. Telling himself, “Alec, approaching, the camp was evacuated and Canberra, and became influential you’re the only one here, so you have and the prisoners were forced to march in promoting the importance of a robust to sort this problem out yourself!”, he through knee-deep snow during one system of education in the RAAF, and realised his seat harness was holding of the coldest European winters of the the vital role education personnel played him in. He undid it and bailed out at 20th century. Alec said some prisoners in achieving and enhancing capability. just 2,000ft. fell asleep in the snow and never woke He served a further 22 years until Landing in a cornfield, minus his up, some were shot because they retiring as Group Captain in 1974, before shoes which had been whipped off, couldn’t keep up, and on one occasion becoming a counselling psychologist at he saw German soldiers nearby. With others were killed in strafing by ‘friendly’ Canberra University for 10 years. his parachute spread across the field, Hawker Tempests. On his 100th birthday Alec also he realised he would not be able to win After being trucked north near Bremen received a birthday phone call from ACM the war by himself and surrendered. and Hamburg and held for some Sir Allan Grant ‘Angus’ Houston AK AFC, Alec was taken to two locations for time, they were marched to Lübeck whose father FLTLT Allan Houston RAF interrogation on his way to internment where they were liberated by the 51st had met Alec when they were both at Stalag Luft III, where the Great Escape Highlanders of the 2nd British Army. POWs in Stalag Luft III.

RAAF MUSEUM POINT COOK

The RAAF Museum, located at Point Cook, is home to an amazing range of historic military aircraft.REMARKABLE A great LIFE chance to view these rare machines is at the interactive flying displays which ENTRY TO THE RAAF are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 1pm (weather permitting). MUSEUM IS FREE The Museum has a vast collection of historical material on show, including several hangars with static aircraft. It offers visitors an exciting experience and insight into the history of the Air Force. Models, books, patches, clothing and mementos can be purchased at the Museum shop. facebook.com/RAAF.Museum

Phone 03 8348 6040. Fax 03 8348 6692. Open 10am-3pm Tues-Fri; 10am-5pm weekends and public holidays. Closed Mondays, Christmas Day and Good Friday.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 59 HISTORY. KOREAN WAR

FORGOTTEN HE FIRST PAGES OF RAAF NO.77 SQUADRON'S MONTHS OF THE Korean War operations diary record a relatively uneventful Tintroduction to the conflict on 2 July 1950 (see opposite). But the next day’s mission proved tragic when the Squadron mistakenly rocketed a train FORGOTTEN WAR and trucks carrying US and South Korean troops. As planning for the strike had been an American responsibility, 77SQN IN JULY 1950, RAAF NO.77 SQUADRON was exonerated. The ‘limited’ war in Korea, coming BECAME THE FIRST NON-US UNIT TO JOIN just five years after World War II and THE KOREAN WAR, FLYING PISTON-ENGINED 15 years before the longer, more divisive war in Vietnam, became something of MUSTANGS – A LARGELY FORGOTTEN a forgotten war. The first nine months CHAPTER IN MILITARY AVIATION HISTORY. of 77SQN's involvement, flying piston- engine Mustangs before converting to Meteor jets, is less familiar still. During WWII the Squadron, commanded by WGCDR , Plt2 (later AVM) Jim Flemming on 6 July 1950 with Mustang A68-757, in which he flew a B-29 who later returned to the Squadron in escort on the first day of operations. The next Korea, flew Kittyhawks with distinction day, SQNLDR Strout was killed while flying the in the Pacific War. Then, after nearly same Mustang. five years in Japan with the occupation forces, 77SQN was finally about to go home when events on the Korean Peninsula dictated otherwise. On 25 June 1950, North Korea sent a barrage of artillery fire and nearly 100,000 troops across the 38th parallel into South Korea. With the South ill prepared for the invasion, American-led United Nations forces quickly moved in. At UN forces commander General MacArthur's request, 77SQN became the first non-US unit to join the conflict. Operating under a US Air Force wing, it flew bomber escort (the Mustang’s original role in WWII), armed reconnaissance and ground-attack missions. Targets included road and rail transportation, bridges, river barges, tanks, ammunition dumps and villages containing enemy troops – anything that supported the North Korean advance. Targets of opportunity often came under the Squadron’s bombs, napalm, rockets and 0.5-inch machine-gun fire. In the jet age, the decade-old Mustang fighter design, while still the pinnacle of piston-engined fighter technology,

60 | WINTER 2020 was outclassed in aerial combat. It was larger adversary, China, into the war. BELOW WGCDR Lou Spence DFC and Bar, 77SQN commander, about to take his Mustang slower than jet fighters and thus an Soon the UN forces had been forced on a mission in July 1950. easier target for enemy ground fire – back again, to a small perimeter around especially as its engine had a vulnerable the south-east port town of Pusan. The liquid-cooling system. But its great range Squadron, too, withdrew there. Winter and endurance made the Mustang a conditions worsened and began to good choice for bomber escort and impair the war effort. long-range ground-support missions. At that time a new, high-performance American, South Korean and South Soviet jet fighter appeared from the African squadrons also used it in Korea north. The MiG-15 was a game changer in ground attack, army co-operation and which far outclassed the Mustang in reconnaissance roles. speed, high-altitude performance and Six weeks into its operations, armament. Luckily, in the five months Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies that MiGs and RAAF Mustangs co- and a party of top brass visited 77SQN existed in Korea they did not clash. 77SQN KOREAN WAR But numerous Mustangs and pilots to present it with the Gloucester Cup, OPERATIONS DIARY, the award for the most efficient flying were lost to ground fire during their squadron during the year. A few weeks nine months in action. In January 1951, 2 JULY 1950 later the Squadron lost its commanding for example, FLTLT Gordon Harvey Pilots Strout, Bradford, Murphy, Cottee: officer, WGCDR Lou Spence DFC and was at low altitude when his Merlin Provided air cover for American C-47 aircraft evacuating wounded American bar, when his Mustang crashed during engine was hit and blew up. Harvey personnel from Taijon, Korea, to Japan. an attack on enemy stores at Angang-ni. belly-landed the aircraft on the frozen No enemy aircraft were sighted nor any In October the squadron moved from Taedong River, jumped out and ran incidents reported… Japan to Pohang, South Korea, as UN from a group of North Korean soldiers. forces pushed the communist forces He was captured and for the rest of the Pilots Spence (Commanding Officer), back into North Korea. The enemy war suffered brutal treatment including Adams, McLeod, Mosman, Nicolls, Rivers, Thornton, Flemming: Close armed escort for capital, , was captured torture and forced labour. 17 American B-26 aircraft. The Mustangs and the prospects of a victory seemed On 6 April 1951 No.77 Squadron flew and the B-26 aircraft rendezvoused over good. By November the northward its last Mustang operation and returned Tongnae, Korea… Target being two rail push approached the Yalu River and the to Japan to convert to British twin-jet bridges south of Seoul. Light, though Chinese border and 77SQN relocated powered Meteors, which it flew over inaccurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. to an airfield near Hamhung in North Korea for the remaining two years of Pilots Bradford, Harvey, Noble, Korea. But the advance brought a much the war. Flemming, Carroway, Turner: Escort of American B-29 aircraft, rendezvousing at Kangnung… and proceeded to target Hired South Korean labourers deliver area, the airfield at Hamhung… No enemy air-to-ground rockets to Mustangs for aircraft were sighted. Medium anti-aircraft a mission in March 1951. fire forming a box pattern was sighted. No aircraft were damaged.

77SQN KOREAN WAR PHOTOS: STATISTICS 1950-53 • Nearly 4,000 sorites flown in Mustangs • 15,000 sorties flown in Meteors: Australian WarMemorial • 40 died in service (14 in Mustangs) • 7 pilots taken prisoner • Air combat claims against enemy: 3 to 5 MiG-15s by Meteors, 3 aircraft on ground • Ground claims: 3,700 buildings, 1,500 vehicles, 16 bridges, 20 locomotives, 65 railway carriages.

WINGS ISSUE 72 NO.2 | 61 HISTORY. COMMEMORATION

That was brought home to me when I was asked by the ANU to write an entry for The Australia Dictionary of Biography for a RAAF pilot who commanded a RAF squadron of Spitfires in the Middle East. He lost his life just six months after his brother was shot down and killed over Berlin flying with a Canadian squadron. I searched our ODD BODS archives and his file contained just two REMEMBERED folios – his enlistment and his discharge documents – absolutely nothing about his service. Sir Richard Williams had been correct. EARLIER THIS YEAR, A PLAQUE WAS Our wonderful AWM provides an LAID AT THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL extraordinary record with easy access to RAAF members who flew with RAAF IN HONOUR OF THE ODD BODS. PATRON squadrons but not for members of the GAVE THE Odd Bods – those are only available AVM (RTD) PETER SCULLY AO through the British Records Office, FOLLOWING COMMEMORATIVE ADDRESS. and for many at a prohibitive cost. How many are we talking about? Of the 28,000 RAAF aircrew who During WWII, Britain faced attack served in Europe, I believe over from the Nazi regime, mainly in the half have no records of their service air. Britain could build the necessary available in Australia. It is, then, aircraft for its defence but did not have so appropriate that their service is facilities to train the great number of recognised here today. My grateful aircrews needed to fly them. thanks to those at the AWM who have Nations of the then Empire agreed to enabled this tribute to be established. share that training task – known today as Now, let me stick my neck out. As the Empire Air Training Scheme. Australia next year is the Centenary of the RAAF trained 28,000 aircrew for service in I wonder if it might be possible to enter Europe, an enormous undertaking. into an agreement between the AWM The agreement provided for the and the British Records Office to enable RAAF to form 17 squadrons for use in all British records of RAAF members the European theatre, but inadequate who served in Europe in non-RAAF attention was given to maintaining squadrons to be made available for a unique Australian identity. The access through our AWM’s facilities. HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED with Canadians were much smarter, Those members deserve the Odd Bods Association for 35 forming a separate Canadian Group. to be remembered. years and have had the great honour So RAAF airmen served on those of being their Patron – and their 17 squadrons and were also scattered among 214 RAF or Canadian squadrons. Isuccessors’, the Friends of the Odd Bods – since 1996. And thanks to an Just on 4,000 of them lost their lives ABOVE LEFT Odd Bods Association Australian War Memorial (AWM) grant in combat and another 800 were killed Patron AVM (RTD) Peter Scully. in training. More than 1000 became over a two-year period, I also managed BELOW Plaque laid at the AWM. to interview 50 RAAF members who prisoners of war. flew in Europe and transcribed those Those who flew with non-RAAF interviews so they are now available squadrons became known as the Odd to anyone interested. Bods and once they arrived in the UK Odd Bods, the name itself brings were completely under the control of forth many blank looks, accompanied the RAF. Recognising this, the CAS of with a few smiles. Who were they the day, Air Marshal Sir Richard Williams and why are they being honoured commented: “They did not know that here today? Allow me to provide most of their achievements were not a short historical background. recorded in Australian history”.

62 | WINTER 2020 CIVIL. SEARCH & RESCUE

BELOW Airborne mission coordinator station.

CL604 Challenger drops an air-sea rescue kit.

liaising with AMSA on the ground in Canberra and operating all of the on-board sensors. Crew are rostered in shifts and when tasked for a search and rescue mission RAPID RESPONSE are required to call for taxi clearance within 30 minutes during the day and within 60 minutes at night. Once in the air, flight duration can extend up to eight RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LARGEST hours and that endurance combined SEARCH AND RESCUE AREA IN WORLD, with a transit speed of 490 knots (about 900km/hr) provides a very capable FOUR SPECIALLY MODIFIED JETS AND emergency response asset that can FIVE-MEMBER CREWS ARE READY FOR cover Australia’s vast land mass and maritime SAR area quickly. TAKE-OFF WITH MINIMAL NOTICE. During the Challengers time in service, since December 2016, Cobham’s special mission team has conducted S PART OF A 24/7 in a gimballed turret on the lower aft approximately 200 operations, ranging 12-YEAR $640 MILLION fuselage aids both visual and infra-red from dropping medical supplies to contract with the Australian searches. Additionally, a visual anomaly injured motorcyclists in the outback Maritime Safety Authority detection system, ViDAR, used on the to searching for lost aircraft. The A(AMSA), Cobham Aviation Services has US Coast Guards’ Scan Eagle platforms, Challenger has flown in coordination created the world’s most technologically is housed behind a fairing blister just with numerous emergency services advanced civilian search and rescue aft of the nose wheel well. and Defence aircraft such as the retiring aircraft. Four heavily modified The mission management suite on- RAAF AP-3C Orion. Bombardier CL604 Challenger jets board is linked to AMSA’s Joint Rescue The mission system on board the are currently in AMSA service and Coordination Centre in Canberra by Challenger was designed and built by responsible for the largest search and state-of-the-art broadband satellite Cobham in Adelaide and the state-of- rescue (SAR) area in world. With bases communications, allowing real-time the-art mission system software was in Essendon, Vic, , Qld, and Perth, sharing of streamed video, audio and developed by Acacia Systems, also WA, the aircraft cover one tenth of the sensor imagery. in Adelaide. Earth’s surface and 53 million square The crew of five comprises captain, Cobham has a long history in defence kilometres of ocean. first officer, two visual observers and services and space exploration. The Each aircraft is fitted with a full suite an airborne mission coordinator (AMC). company has participated in a wide of detection, communication and stores- One of the visual observers doubles as range of projects including air-to-air delivery equipment. Wide area search the drop master and is responsible for refuelling systems on board the RAAF’s is provided by a Seaspray 5000e multi- ejecting stores out of the air-operable KC-30s and F35s, electronic warfare mode surveillance radar with a range door at the rear of the aircraft, as training abroad and the provision of of 370km (200 NM) while a Wescam directed by the AMC. The AMC is more than 250 components for the MX15 electro optical sensor, mounted responsible for directing the pilots, international space station.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 63 PERSONAL FINANCE. TOUGH TIMES financial SHELTERS

IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, AS WE ARE EXPOSED TO NOW, THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP SHORE UP YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES. HERE’S OUR TOP 10.

PREPARE A essential items. For example, we’ve debts. Defaulting without notice may 1 seen the price of some handwash have a bad impact on your credit rating, FAMILY BUDGET brands increasing by 200% and certain which is one of your most valuable Preparing a family budget is always a petrol retailers maintaining high prices financial credentials. That might not smart move, but economic conditions when the world-wide wholesale price seem important now, but it will be like these should make it mandatory. has fallen substantially. when the current financial crisis is over. It requires some effort but doing it Helpful information can be found at properly can give you certainty and MANAGE DEBTS BY ausbanking.org.au or from the relevant peace of mind. A budget can help you 3 financial institution. identify areas where you can reduce TALKING TO LENDERS your personal expenses, direct money If you are concerned about your ability ADJUST RENTAL to savings and reduce your mortgage to meet repayments on debts such 4 and other debts. In addition, you can as house mortgages, personal loans, ARRANGEMENTS use your budget to put money aside car loans and credit cards, approach If you find yourself in a position where regularly for bigger expenses such your lender and seek assistance. Most you can’t meet your private home as car registrations, school fees lenders have announced new and quite rental obligations, ask your landlord and insurance. Use a blank sheet generous special terms and conditions for assistance in the form of a rent of paper and a calculator, an Excel for those facing financial hardship. decrease, a deferral or even a holiday spreadsheet or one of the online Provided you can demonstrate your from paying at all. If you run a small budget calculators, including the deteriorating financial position, you will business from leased commercial template at moneysmart.gov.au. almost certainly qualify for a special premises and the business is suffering arrangement, at a minimum in the form financially, talk with the landlord about SHOP AROUND FOR of deferral of payments until the crisis a rental holiday or reduction (preferably 2 has passed and you’re back on your not just a deferral if the business is THE BEST PRICES feet. You will achieve the best result severely suffering, otherwise you’ll Make sure you shop around for the most if you approach the lender proactively. be landed with a big deferred debt competitive prices. Sadly, a minority of The worst thing you can do is fail to when conditions improve). Make sure businesses will try to take advantage of pay without first talking to the lender, you keep abreast of federal and state consumers by manipulating the price of therebyLEFT 20,000 going feet above into base default with 300 on aircraft your 1943. government announcements about

64 | WINTER 2020 landlord and tenant regulations that However, before you consider is, or is at risk of, suffering harm will assist with the management of applying for the release of your due to gambling, help is available. cash-flow during the crisis. superannuation, consider consolidating Free, professional and confidential If you’re a landlord (say an owner multiple superannuation accounts you counselling, information and support of an investment property), the new may have accumulated over the years is available 24 hours a day, seven days laws and regulations will apply to into one account. There are details on a week from the National Gambling you. It’s important to stay informed how to do that at moneysmart.gov.au. Helpline on 1800 858 858. There is through government websites, the Also carefully consider whether an extensive range of information and media, your managing agent or your you really need to access your resources, including email and chat professional advisers. The reality is that superannuation. Doing so will certainly counselling services available it is in everyone’s interests, landlords provide access to some much-needed at gambinghelponline.org.au. and tenants alike, that compromises cash, but it may also mean your are reached. After all, it helps no-one ultimate superannuation benefit on GOVERNMENT SUPPORT if at the end of this, there is a severe retirement may be significantly reduced 9 Make sure you understand shortage of financially viable private and because that money will no longer be and consider applying for business tenants to rent the thousands growing in the fund. the considerable financial support that of properties that are likely to be on offer. is currently available to individuals AVOID ON-LINE and households. There is extensive 8 authoritative information on the 5 NEGOTIATE GAMBLING SCHOOL FEES proposed benefits at treasury.gov.au. If you’re stuck at home over the next few The arrangements are evolving every day, For most parents, children’s education months, resist the temptation to engage is a top priority. Therefore, it will be so make sure you check that site and in on-line gambling. Gambling in any others on a regular basis for updates. important for parents to not disrupt their form, especially online, is a guaranteed children’s education any more than it has way to lose a great deal of money. been by temporary school closures. In While the opportunities to gamble SEEK HELP the case of private schools, their financial 10 on conventional sports have reduced If you are in serious financial viability and their students’ education is considerably, they are quickly being difficulties, you can access the National directly linked to the ability of parents replaced by more exotic opportunities, Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or go to to keep their children at school, so fees especially through social media. financial counsellingaustralia.org.au to find continue to be paid. In times of financial If you or someone you care about a free financial counsellor in your area. crisis, many schools will offer assistance, often in the form of temporary fee reductions and deferrals. Keeping students at their chosen educational institution is as important to the school as it is to parents and students.

6 CONTINUING CHILDCARE New and generous rules have been introduced for childcare during the current health crisis. There is more information at dese.gov.au and at services.australia.gov.au.

7 ACCESSING SUPERANNUATION The government is allowing people who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak to apply for early release of their superannuation up to a maximum of $20,000; $10,000 in withdrawals up until 30 June 2020 and then further withdrawals of up to $10,000 from 1 July 2020 to 24 September 2020.

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 65 MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP

saw the evil grins on our faces and fell into the rhythm. We told them how an ancient note had been found by total chance in a decrepit old container under the shearers' quarters. They set to the note with some excitement and worked out their first moves, albeit with a somewhat superficial analysis. We also told them that CAOS, an anti-social organisation determined to Callously Obliterate All Success, would be out to destroy their THE WISDOM quest for the Grail. As they were about to set off into the wilderness, we asked them some genuine questions such as: do you need a map to get back here tonight? Do you need to take some water? Do you need any safety equipment? That caused them to sit down again and listen to each other for a bit about what they might need. At no time OF youth did we instruct them; just questions. Unbeknown to them at this stage was that in front of them for the next A QUEST FOR THE HOLY GRAIL days were clues that would lead SETS TROUBLED YOUNG PEOPLE them to very complex and challenging situations that included river crossings, ON A POSITIVE NEW PATH. abseils down gorges, interpretation of vague clues, bush tracks that disappeared, weird mazes and blind WAS ASKED IF OUR if I incorporated all those attachments gullies, and they had to work out the TEAM AND PERSONAL into an adventure and asked the kids answers to the clue. DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS consigned to my care to find the Holy Later in different circumstances, elite could “help young people with Grail, it might awaken something in sections of the military, police and SES significantI social behavioural problems them that spiked a change of behaviour. tackled these same programs and often adjust to become contributing I found a vast area of rough bush were humbled by the challenge. members of society”. country with useable shearers' quarters We, probably foolishly, decided and an old abandoned settlers' cottage to accept the challenge. Why did we hidden deep in the wilderness, built a A participant reflection: “Because want to help them? Because they Holy Grail in the back shed, secreted we were fugitives on foreign soil, we were chronically unhappy. it in the rough country and devised a devised signals for communicating I was chronically unhappy until the complex battery of clues to be found without writing or talking (any sound age of 18, but by the time I was 21, along the way that would take seekers could give away our position). Phones I had changed into a happy young man. of the Grail through a testing course I knew intuitively what stimulated of obstacles for five days, just like became long-lost memories. We trekked my change. I found a goal that was Indianna Jones. to Hell Fire Gully where, like circus very exciting and important to me but I assembled a team of three coaches acrobats, we crossed a simulated realised my current behaviour would and supervisors to implement the steaming lava flow and an ad hoc bridge damage my chances of attaining that activity. Twelve kids arrived, much to goal. I changed because what I wanted our trepidation. We gave them a big of planks and barrel pylons.” demanded change. feed for lunch, lots of friendliness, They quickly learnt that if they were I figured that we all have a certain reminded them of Indianna Jones, cool and examined things thoroughly, attachment to the characters and Mission Impossible and Monty Python they progressed faster. events portrayed in the Indianna and asked them if they would like to Every night they were exhausted, well Jones, Mission Impossible and Monty go chase the Holy Grail. fed, had comfortable beds and an exciting Python movie scripts. It seemed that LEFTThey 20,000 looked feet above at baseus within disbelief 300 aircraft 1943. but next day that was delivering rewards.

66 | WINTER 2020 They learnt to help each other, moved methodically, getting our hands they could take charge of themselves. conquer fear, handle confusion, solve through the wire mesh and lifting the The last question they were asked technical problems, and to use other was: “What would be the single biggest Grail. When the Grail was safely in our people when they did not have all the factor that will cause you to regress to answers. They learnt team dependence clutches, we slipped out of the dark how you were before this adventure?”. and not to leave anyone behind. They hut into the resplendent sunshine. The The answer, almost without exception, learnt all that through experiences and exhilaration burst out like champagne was "my friends will not understand the new me". But in true form they then ensuing discussions about what was on New Year's Eve.” in their way to finding the Grail. worked out together how this could They were never taught. They Back in the shearers' quarters the be handled while they set about their became familiar with failure, excellent next day, they were each asked to write new future. risk managers and created for a log on what made them successful We continued those programs with themselves, over time, an environment over the last days of the quest. They young people for the next 15 years in where they trusted each other and were then asked how they would adapt both Australia and New Zealand. We experienced genuine satisfaction. that knowledge into their lives. recorded our results and were achieving The purpose written all over their They then constructed personal plans about an 80% success rate in changing faces was striking. including a risk-management plan. They young people’s lives. left us a copy. Many of their success In five days, a bunch of individual factors listed below appear simple, ragtag kids turned into an elite team, “Because the season had been unusually but simple is the essence. with no-one training them. All they had wet and warm, the grass was an emerald • I felt I owned my life and the goals was an exceptional experience, support carpet before us. ‘Duck!’ one team that you gave us became mine. and themselves. • W e were imbued with getting the They actually found out that the member yelled, spotting a CAOS vehicle Grail but then we saw that physically quality of their existence and future was on the horizon. Flat out on the earth chasing down a goal was impossible a matter they could determine. They someone groaned: ‘Oh god, my face is without simultaneously building our found they needed to be instrumental in goat shit’. Our clandestine position team spirit and emotional smarts. in their everyday life. But they also found nonetheless maintained, we soon • It was fun. none of those monumental advances could be achieved alone. They needed • I felt I was truly accepted and reached a ravine of rushing water. With teams of like-minded people in their valued for the first time in my life. only three long pieces of rope, our route lives. One of the greatest advantages across became increasingly evident.” • You really challenged us but we of youth is that they have open minds. were never mollycoddled. It would seem that many Their final quest last thing on the organisations could take a steer from fourth day had them arriving at the • W e had committed and genuine the youth development work described settlers' cottage. Lost in their eagerness support from you but you never above. Work needs to be an adventure. to get the Grail, they did not see the took us over. Work needs to be a collaboration. booby traps on the approaches to the • We had training available. People need to own their work. shack that set off pyrotechnics to huge • W e learnt to encourage each other. People need encouragement to speak effect and pulled them up abruptly. up and become more instrumental as They went back into a huddle. As they • If I was weak at something, many people in workplaces keep their examined everything minutely they the team just pitched in to help me counsel, for many reasons, and just do get strong, mostly mentally instead finally formed a plan to get the Grail. a job. People need genuine support. of physically. People need training at their request. “Entering the hut, knowing one wrong • We listened to each other People need encouragement and with intent. step could trigger the sensitive alarm, acknowledgement. • No-one was put down. Most particularly, teams need to my heart pounded. Inside, the hut was Their plan for the future was their be encouraged to regularly talk about musty and dark. I squinted, scanning bible when they left. We followed them achieving the business goals while every corner. The others in before me for months after and we were always simultaneously discussing the “how signalled that they had spotted a bomb available for phone calls. Some stayed to” of building team spirit and team emotional strength. – it sat on a cage which encapsulated in touch for years. Some are still in touch 25 years later. • This article is derived from life the Grail. As we surrounded it, I could They were committed to their own generally and many years coaching feel my feet, and each separate toe, change and development because, senior corporate executives and young trembling in my boots. The alarm blared. maybe for the first time, they felt so people in self-leadership attributes. We all froze. The bomb reset and we good deep down inside and they knew Peter Ring, Principal, Lingk

WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 67 CADETS. AAFC

ENHANCED FLYING OPPORTUNITIES

Flight Lieutenant James Francis in DA40 NG HEN NORMAL of our flying training capability takes a VH-UEP and Joe Vine in ACTIVITIES RESUME, significant step forward with the arrival VH-UEJ in the background at RAAF Richmond. Air Force Cadets in Amberley and Richmond of our new Photo: FLTLT (AAFC) Kate Hobson. will benefit from Diamond DA-40 aircraft,” he said. Wsubstantially enhanced flying training Those deployments coincided with the Amberley with 87 cadets. Then on the opportunities following the deployment creation of two additional components weekend 14-15 March, just before all of Diamond DA40 NG aircraft to RAAF of the AAFC’s Elementary Flying AAFC operations began the operational Bases Amberley and Richmond. Training School (EFTS) based at Point pause, a large CAE was conducted at Late last year, five DA40 NG aircraft Cook: Amberley Flight and Richmond Redcliffe with 95 cadets. were established in location at RAAF Flight. Flight Lieutenant Jonathon By the time the operational pause Base Amberley, and staff continuation Harrington (RAAF) and Flight Lieutenant came into effect, Amberley Flight had and currency flying was conducted Kate Hobson (AAFC) were appointed conducted powered CAE flights for from December onwards. Then on 27 respective Flight Commanders. a total of 242 Cadets. February, two DA40 NG aircraft were Richmond and Amberley Flights now “By providing this hub-and-spoke flown to RAAF Base Richmond. For the become key components of the AAFC’s capability, the fleet of Diamond DA-40 time being, one will make Richmond national flying training effort. aircraft and their great aircrew are able its home station. Two more are likely to In February, Cadet Air Experience to bring the experiences of flying right follow when flying operations resume. (CAE) activities were conducted at to the AAFC Squadrons’ doorsteps,” Air Commodore Gary Martin AM CSC, Amberley and Redcliffe, with 30 cadets said Air Commodore Martin. Director General Cadets – Air Force, at each. On the weekend 7-8 March, “This will allow the cadets to share announced the initiative. “The rollout another CAE activity was conducted at their excitement of flying with their Diamonds over Warrnambool

ADETS FROM NO.413 SQUADRON, Victoria started Leading Cadet Dominic McCosh the year by participating (413 Squadron) with a Diamond DA40 NG in Pilot Experience (PEX) aircraft at Warrnambool airfield. Cflights from Warrnambool airfield in the Photo: PLTOFF(AAFC) Jane McDonald. aerodynamically advanced Diamond DA40 NG aircraft, operated by the Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS). Air Force Cadets are entitled, at no cost to the cadet, to at least one instructional Pilot Experience flight each year under the supervision of a qualified flying instructor, to lay the foundation for an aviation career pathway. The Diamond DA40 NG, leased for exclusive use by the AAFC, features modern avionics and a turbocharged jet- fuel piston engine, with contemporary

68 | WINTER 2020 IN GRANDFATHER’S FOOTSTEPS

family members right there at the airfield and later at home. A truly rewarding experience for everyone involved. The continued rollout of EFTS capability is a direct result of the fantastic drive, passion and professionalism of the AOW staff and Cadet Branch – Air Force aviation operations staff.”

EDITORIAL NOTE In mid-March the ABOVE CSGT Chevvy Dolan prepares for an air experience flight from Gawler Airfield AAFC commenced an operational pause in a Cessna Skyhawk C172-S. Photo: FLGOFF (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig. in all activities. After a review of the national situation, all three Cadet Service ADET SERGEANT CHEVVY opportunity to enjoy a non-instructional groups agreed to the suspension of all DOLAN from No.608 (Town Cadet Air Experience flight from ADF Cadet face-to-face activities until of Gawler) Squadron enjoys Gawler airfield, arranged by No.906 further notice. The activities reported the ceremonial aspects of life Aviation Training Squadron and using here took place before the operational Cin the AAFC, but he really just wants to conventional tricycle configuration pause. All members of the AAFC look fly. His intention is to serve in the RAAF Cessna Skyhawk aircraft operated forward to the resumption of normal like his grandfather, Kenneth Dolan, who by Adelaide Biplanes. The experience had a profound effect activities as soon as it is safe to do so. completed 22 years of uniformed service. Sergeant Kenneth Dolan was an on CSGT Dolan. “During this experience, armament fitter and an Explosive my mindset definitely changed on the Ordnance Disposal technician and aspect of flying. I have never thought navigation and flight control systems. instructor. He joined the Air Force in flying would be such an amazing Commander AAFC, Group Captain 1966 and served with No.481 and No.76 experience and opportunity, however this (AAFC) Mark Dorward said: “The Squadrons at RAAF Base Williamtown. activity definitely changed my thoughts. Diamond DA40 aircraft was chosen He saw service overseas at RAAF “Being in the air, flying, is more than to provide a safe, comfortable and Butterworth with No.77 Squadron, a hobby and sport; flying is pure desire efficient means of positively inspiring then had postings to No.11 and No.492 and passion which definitely fills a young cadets’ interests in the Squadrons at RAAF Base Edinburgh, and lifetime experience.” aerospace and technology industries”. was promoted to Corporal in 1976. He noted that while with 2OCU, his Leading Cadet Dominic McCosh From 1979 to 1984 he was an grandfather had flown in one of the first said his PEX flight was” absolutely Instructor at the RAAF School of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B fighters amazing”. “The best part was getting Technical Training at RAAF Base Wagga, delivered to Australia. The first 14 full control over the plane, mainly having and was promoted to Sergeant in 1981. aircraft were all allocated to 2OCU to point up, point down and turn.” His final postings were with No.481 to transition pilot and technical crews to the Hornet. EFTS is a subordinate unit of Aviation Squadron (1984-86) and No.2 Operation Operations Wing, AAFC, which has Conversion Unit, Williamtown until Flying Officer (AAFC) the aim of delivering flying pathways retiring in 1988. Paul A Rosenzweig through gliding and powered flying Late last year, Air Force Cadets from Public Affairs Officer, experiences and training. Adelaide’s northern squadrons had the Aviation Operations Wing, AAFC

WINGS ISSUE 72 NO.2 | 69 CADETS. AAL

ADAPTING TO Change

N MARCH OF THIS YEAR, the Australian Air League (AAL) along with many other organisations made the difficult decision to pause all face- Ito-face activities due to COVID-19. A cadet from Forest Lake Squadron in Queensland takes part in an In its 86-year history, the Air League ABOVE education class online during the COVID-19 shutdown. has been through hard times before and has pulled through. In its early days, and are using their creativity and opportunity to connect with fellow the Air League faced the uncertainty initiative to try out new ideas. cadets to sustain esprit de corps and and disruption of World War II. Many Forest Lake Squadron in Queensland support general wellbeing. of the organisation’s officers left to now meets weekly online with a full The AAL also acknowledges these are serve our country, leaving a small Squadron complement joining in most unusual and difficult times for members number of dedicated people to keep the evenings. They have even managed to and their families. We have been able to organisation going. Taking inspiration incorporate their Squadron fall-in into an help by waiving the annual subscriptions from those people, we can prevail. online format, with cadets coming to for 2020. While subscriptions are a Even though physical Squadron Attention before their web cams. major component of the Air League’s activity has been curtailed we can use A full program of education classes revenue (it is fully self-funded), we technology to stay in touch and keep takes place each week, and instructors hope this measure will help as many some of the activities going. Many deliver PowerPoint lessons online. members as possible to be involved Squadrons continue to meet virtually A virtual online parade provides the with the AAL over the coming months.

or another. They represented their squadrons and groups well, and their families in particular should be proud Cadet of the Year of their efforts. Although she was the only female ON 1 FEBRUARY, candidates for the Preethika Ganiger (Port Adelaide SA); Cpl candidate able to attend on the day, Australian Air League Cadet of the Year Adam Glowacki (Sutherland Shire NSW); Sgt Ganiger was still expected to meet award flew in from around Australia for Cpl Callum Langille (Hervey Bay Qld); Sgt the high standard required to be named the selection of the prestigious award. Hayden Borchard (Gawler Airfield SA); Female Cadet of the Year, a standard she Candidates met with Federal staff and Sgt Chithi Gunatilake (Waverley Vic). met comfortably. Cpl Glowacki saw out in Sydney where they went through As usual, it was a tough decision a close competition to become the a rigorous process that led to the final for the selection panel, with all of the Male Cadet of the Year. selection. The candidates were: Sgt candidates impressing in one way Presenting the awards, Chief Commissioner James Dixon MSA said: “The standard this year was very high, and all nominees were impressive. My commiserations to the other nominees. The Federal team recognises your achievements and you should be proud of your efforts. You are a credit not only to your Squadrons and Groups, but also to your families.”

LEFT Chief Comr James Dixon with the 2020 Cadet of the Year nominees.

70 | WINTER 2020 PRESIDENT'S DESK

Commission maintains that Navy did not ‘require’ the sailor to ride a moped. Word from In the soldiers’ case, the Army had provided transport. If the Commission had taken the same position, the soldiers would have no entitlement AN ADVOCATE because their activity was ‘walking’ rather than taking the ‘required’ transport. Which bring us to the broader CASE LAW AND A CONDITION OF SERVICE. significance of the Productivity Commission direction for all serving members. The Commission’s current KEY THEME EXPRESSED Rehabilitation and Compensation stance has potential ramifications in the Productivity Commission (Safety and Military for ADF conditions of service. Commission report, A Better Rehabilitation and Compensation Acts – The ADF Pay and Conditions Manual Way to Support Veterans, is DRCA and MRCA). A court’s judgement (PACMAN), allows a commander to Ato move the beneficial intent of veterans’ is an authoritative interpretation of the grant ‘short absence from duty to rest legislation closer to the entitlements in legislation and creates a precedent that and recover from long or unusual duty’. market-based workers’ compensation is applicable as ‘case law’ across a wide By long practice, the local commander schemes. Air Force Association (AFA) range of legislation. promulgates places and activities that has opposed that proposal vigorously Two recent cases heard by the courts are ‘off-limits’ and allows common and engaged Alliance of Defence illustrate how important judgements sense and discretion to guide those Service Organisations (ADSO) support are for ADF conditions of service. The that are acceptable. If the Commission in doing so. We have history to support first involved a sailor sustaining an injury is successful at the AAT (or on appeal our stance. Two parallel systems of while riding a moped on shore leave in the courts later), its position suggests entitlement have existed for at least during and an overseas deployment. that the means of transportation on 90 years. Veteran-specific entitlements The second involved two soldiers, short leave and recreational activity were legislated first in the Australian on short leave while deployed on a would be restricted to those provided Soldiers Repatriation Act in 1920 major exercise, walking back to their by the ADF or as stipulated by the and workers compensation for other encampment when they were struck local commander. Commonwealth employees stems by a car. One soldier was killed and the Along with the civil freedoms that from 1930. other seriously injured. Both cases were personnel forego on enlistment, another The Productivity Commission’s found entitled to compensation. – the right to reasonable rest and recommendations are consistent with In the sailor’s case, the issue recreation activities while on authorised history. The Last Shilling (an excellent in dispute is whether the activity leave – would be lost. This will be of read) traces the evolution of veterans’ in which he was engaged at the time concern to all serving personnel and legislation and its administration by of the accident was appropriate to should also be a concern for all ESOs on DVA. It relates the efforts made by the conditions of shore leave. behalf of the ADF command structure. governments since at least the 1980s The courts have established that Be assured that AFA is pulling out to reign in veterans’ entitlements. entitlement to compensation rests on all stops to ensure the existing and At the risk of sounding paranoiac, the ‘place’ at which the injury occurred long-standing conditions of service are a recent appeal in the Administrative and/or the ‘activity’ in which the person maintained. In this case we are providing Appeals Tribunal (AAT) draws attention was engaged at the time of injury. Two robust support to the sailor’s appeal. to another potential risk for veterans’ recent court judgements have liberalised With the help of ex-RAN personnel, AFA administration. the established legal principle. Now, advocates are mounting that appeal. Unless you have had a claim rejected, entitlement to compensation depends The entitlements of veterans whose you may not be aware that the matter on the way in which the employer eligibility is covered by all three veteran can be appealed to the VRB (Veterans ‘required’ the injured person to be rehabilitation and compensation Acts, Review Board) and/or the AAT and then in the ‘place’ and ‘activity’. another key area of misunderstanding the court system. The successive levels By this principle the sailor should and concern to current serving of appeal are the Federal Court, the Full be entitled to compensation as he members, will be outlined in the spring Court and the High Court. Applications was granted shore leave by the issue of Wings. for leave to appeal can be made either ship’s commander. The Commission by a veteran/dependent or by the is, however, taking the position • The thoughts expressed in this article Repatriation Commission (Veterans’ that the sailor’s ‘activity’ removes are those of the writer and do not purport Entitlements Act – VEA) or the Military his entitlement. That is to say, the to be AFA policy.

WINGS ISSUE 72 NO.2 | 71 LAST FLIGHT. OBITUARY

LEFT John sporting his famous 18cm moustache.

RIGHT John Seaton with his best friend Don Pinkstone after his POW release at Koesong. Photo: R. Bastin.

February to No.11 Flight Instructors Course at East Sale, graduating as a Qualified Flight Instructor 7 June of that year and a posting to No.1 BFTS, as instructor on DH82, Tiger Moth and Wirraway. After 18 months at ‘Quinty’, John volunteered for the Antarctic Flight (Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition) and was posted to that unit on 14 November 1955. He spent six weeks at Point Cook learning all about Beavers and Austers (wheels, skis and floats) before boarding the polar exploration vessel Kista Dan which left JOHN ALEX SEATON MBE Melbourne 28 December. Mawson at 21 April 1927 – 13 March 2020 the time was a primitive set up with warm, but very basic, accommodation. Having a hangar, which they assembled JOHN ALEX Archerfield, Queensland (No.1 ITS), then from kit form, meant flying could SEATON on to Uranquinty, NSW (No.1BFTS) and continue all year. was born in finally to Point Cook (No.1 AFTS) where John spent 15 months away from Launceston, he graduated in December 1952. Of the Australia, including 12 months at Tasmania 37 who graduated, 15 went to Korea. Mawson doing a wide range of flying and attended On graduation John was posted duties – photographic, transport of Launceston to No.2 (F) OTU, Williamtown, flying personnel, exploration, depot laying, Grammar School P51 Mustangs and Mark 30 Vampires etc. While on an exploratory where he before being posted to No.77 Squadron photographic flight on 28 November excelled at all at Iwakuni, Japan and then to Kimpo, 1956, he had the amazing good fortune sports and was Korea, arriving there March 1953. to find the Lambert Glacier, the largest a keen member of the school cadets. At that time the squadron workload glacier in the world. If ever you are in He moved to the warmer climate of was fairly intense; on 15 June the eastern Antarctica keep an eye open Queensland after a bout of pneumonia Squadron broke its own record by flying for a prominent domed peak, one of and found work with the Shell company. 88 sorties in a single day, including the Amery Peaks, in the Prince Charles He moved to in 1949 on a two- solo night armed reconnaissance and Mountains. It is Mount Seaton, and year contract. Rabaul lacked decent interdiction missions. a little further away you will find the facilities and the accommodation was John completed 49 missions during Seaton Glacier. Both formations are very basic but John and other ex-pats his time in Korea. After armistice was named after John Seaton. managed to have fun and the two years declared on 27 July 1953 he remained In June 1957, on his return from passed quickly. in Korea until 21 October and had the Antartica, he was posted to 75 At the start of the Korean War John pleasure of welcoming his best friend, Squadron, Williamtown. At the end of applied to join the RAAF while working Don Pinkstone, back to the Squadron the year John resigned from the RAAF for Shell in the Territory of Papua New on his release as a Prisoner of War. John to take up a job with . His six Guinea (TPNG) but was not accepted moved to Iwakuni to assist Gus Goy at years with Qantas included two and a until his contract with Shell had expired the Conversion Unit for a few weeks. half years in TPNG, followed by three in 1951. He started flying training with After returning to Australia in and a half years on B707 out of Sydney. No.8 Pilots Course in January 1952 at November, he was posted the following When the opportunity presented itself

72 | WINTER 2020 2021 RAAF Heritage Awards LEFT John sporting his famous 18cm moustache. The RAAF Heritage Awards is a literature competition designed to enhance the records of the Air Force and RIGHT John Seaton with his best friend foster interest in its history Don Pinkstone after his POW release at Koesong. and heritage. Photo: R. Bastin. The 2021 round will seek entries that highlight areas of the Air Force’s history that have not been thoroughly covered in the past. The focus will be on Cold War activities and Southeast Asia Treaty Organization involvement, United Nations commitments, and post-war transitions as a period of force regeneration and rebalance. to join Solomon Island Airways as Chief Air Force Historian Martin James says that since Pilot and ultimately general manager the awards’ inception, the Air Force has published historical works of national John and Barbara moved to Honiara in significance, acknowledging veterans’ service and achievements. October 1966. It remained their home The winner of the last RAAF Heritage Awards, in 2018, was former Flight for 10 years. Airfields were built and the Lieutenant Bob Grandin with Answering the Call: Life of a Helicopter Pilot in became a very viable concern. Vietnam, published in 2019. In 1975 John was awarded the MBE In 2021, the three prize categories include $25,000 for first place, $15,000 for for service to the Solomon Islands second place and $10,000 for third. and the people of the Solomons. In Submissions are to be received no later than midnight 30 June 2021, with winning November he and Barbara travelled to manuscripts published over the following two years. Further details, including full England for the investiture by Queen conditions of entry, can be obtained from [email protected]. Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Describing flying in the Solomon ABOVE RAAF Heritage Awards 2018 winning work, Answering the Call: Life of a Helicopter Pilot in Vietnam, published in 2019. Islands, John said: “Every day was a gem for flying up there. Good scenery and you didn’t have to fly known routes at Warnervale, NSW having flown 27 recently. In addition to his MBE, John every day.” Of all the places John had different types of aircraft over 34 years. was also awarded the Polar Medal flown he thought the Solomon Islands After the career in aviation, he was and the Air Medal (US). was possibly his favourite, employed in the building industry and John Alex Seaton lived life to the with Antarctic a close second. in small business management, retiring full and those who knew him are all the After Barbara and John moved finally aged 72. But retirement for richer for that. He will be missed by all back to Sydney for family educational John certainly didn’t mean feet up and who had the privilege of knowing him. commitments, John flew part-time with watching the sunset each evening. He He is survived by his wife Barbara, Aquatic Airways at Palm Beach until and Barbara were active members of daughters Peta, Nicola and Tania and June 1985. His last flight in command 77 Squadron Association and John was grandchildren Unity, Samuel, Henry, was 16 June 1985 in a Cessna 150 involved in various charities until fairly Bradley and India.

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WINGS VOLUME 72 NO.2 | 73 BOOKS. REVIEWS REVIEW BY Bob Treloar REVIEW BY Bob Treloar REVIEW BY Greg Weller

BEYOND THE BEACH: THE FORGOTTEN FEW: SPITFIRE LEADER: The Allied War Against France 77 RAAF Squadron in Korea Tragic Battle of Britain Hero

By STEPHEN ALAN BOURQUE By DOUG HURST By DENNIS NEWTON Naval Institute Press, RRP $US34.95 Allen & Unwin, RRP $29.99 & RICHARD BUNGEY Amberley Publishing, RRP $49.95 BEYOND THE BEACH addresses the THE KOREAN WAR is often called Allied bombing campaign against German the Forgotten War and the title, The ROBERT BUNGEY WAS A YOUNG forces in France during World War II. The Forgotten Few, is entirely appropriate. South Australian who gained his wings author focuses on the two phases of the In June 1950, 77 Squadron was in Japan, at Point Cook in 1937 before going to Allied bombing campaign: attacks primarily about to go home. Instead, they went to Britain. He flew Fairy Battles in the Battle against airfields, ports and industry Korea, flying Mustang fighters as part of of France with 226 SQN (RAF) and was (strategic bombing campaign); and the a UN force helping South Korea fight the one of only four pilots from the squadron bombing effort for the D-Day landings invading communists from the north. This to survive the deadly German onslaught when rail yards, bridges and towns inland from the invasion beaches were targeted book covers the three years 77 Squadron in 1940. Returning to England just in time (tactical bombing campaign). spent in the Korean War. It concentrates for the Battle of Britain, he converted In the strategic bombing campaign, the on operations and the effect that factors to Hurricanes flying with 145 SQN (RAF). author addresses the issue of casualties such as climate, logistics and training had In June 1941 he was given command and questions why official histories are on those operations. of 452 SQN, Australia’s first spitfire silent on this matter, noting a lack of After re-equipping with twin jet Meteor squadron, and developed it into one extant documented history outside France aircraft, five were quickly lost in early of Fighter Command’s most successful regarding some 60,000-70,000 French battles with MIGs flown by experienced squadrons. men, women and children killed during the Russian pilots deliberately targeting Having completed three operational campaign to liberate their country. the Meteors for political reasons. The tours in two years, Bungey returned The use of strategic bomber forces Meteors were assigned to ground attack, to Australia in May 1942. Reunited with to support D-Day landings resulted in airfield defence and bomber escort his British wife, he met his 14-month- massive damage to French towns, killing squadron. old son for the first time. Less than four many of their occupants. The MIGs subsequently encountered weeks later, his wife tragically died. Historians have virtually ignored the bombing of the invasion beaches and were flown by regular Chinese pilots Ten days after that, Bungey’s body was the surrounding environs in what was and the squadron downed four of them found on an Adelaide beach with his the greatest air campaign in history without loss, to finish the war five-all son alive beside him. Grief stricken, when 1130 aircraft attacked one against the MIG-15. However, overall the great air ace had gone for a walk, beachhead battery and 12,600 aircraft No.77 Squadron lost more personnel destined not to return. attacked targets in France and Belgium. in Korea than it did in the South West Spitfire Leader, coauthored by Richard Appreciating the size of the bombing Pacific in WWII. Bungey, the young son found on the forces enables the reader to better The Forgotten Few is well written beach beside his father, details Bungey’s understand the scope of damage inflicted and draws the reader into the battlefields story. While it provides a fascinating look on the French population. of aerial conflict and air attack against at the sacrifices of the men who flew Beyond the Beach is well-balanced but advancing enemy ground forces, while in critical air battles, its enduring theme written with passion, and it challenges our detailing the misery of mud, slush and is stress in war. It is a tragic story that, contemporary view of the history of D-Day snowstorms endured by the Squadron. unfortunately, we continue to hear. The that ignores the bombing campaigns that Doug Hurst was a RAAF navigator stress of combat is not new, but there contributed directly to the success of the landings and subsequent breakout for 33 years and retired as a Group are improving avenues of support and of forces into France. Captain. He flew for 20 years, mostly in understanding. A key element to better Dr Stephen Bourque is a professor maritime squadrons and as an instructor. understanding is through stories such emeritus at the United States Army In retirement he has written numerous as Spitfire Leader, told from a uniquely Command and General Staff College. articles and seven books. air perspective. A compelling read.

74 | WINTER 2020 At UQ, we’re committed to better engineering, for a better tomorrow.

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