Photo Hint.
If possible fellas the CORRECT format for submitting pic's to the Pom is,
Scan the photo and save as a BMP file (example = the_pom1.bmp) to your documents, now after that reopen the image and hopefully it will be displayed in a photo program e.g. Photo shop or Paint Shop Pro, now resave as a JPG file and compress it at 50% this will give you a high resolution pic at a small file size.
Also this makes it much easier in future to email your pic's around saving you and the reciever a lot of time sending and recieving photo's.
Regards the POM.
Hi All,
Please note our change of Email address and adjust your address books, It
will now be
Dawn dawn12@optusnet.com.au
Lynden lynden_p@optusnet.com.au
Ta Lynden.
-------------------------------------------------------
G`Day Mate,
Don`t know if I`ve picked the right slot for this but I have a nephew doing
a (senior ) school project on 2 Sqn in Viet Nam and would appreciate it if
any of the ADGIES out there in cyber land would have any photos that may be
of help in illustrating his project, if they could scan them and e - mail
them to me it would certainly be appreciated.
He starts the project next term ( about a week away ) and has about 4 weeks
to complete it so there`s no great urgency. But let me repeat that any help
would certainly be appreciated.
Don Smithers
Western Australia
donandkerry@iprimus.com.au
Bob,
Here are a few paras about Anzac Day in Brisbane as promised. Feel free to
edit it down if need be.
"Brisbane once again lived up to its reputation for perfect weather for
ANZAC Day, as well as its growing reputation for ever bigger crowds,
especially children and younger people. This year we were again privileged
to have an escort of almost 250 men from the Airfield Defence Wing, who once
again thrilled the crowds with their perfect turn out and drill. They made
an even more outstanding display due to their new dark blue uniforms, which
are now taking over from the older Blue-grey uniforms which have been in
place since the late sixties.
It was the RAAF's turn to lead the march this year, and the Association/Wing
contingent were honoured to be the first group to step off following the
official party, which meant that we had the privilege of being the first to
wade through the fresh horse poop left by the caring and considerate Mounted
Police group. Merv Reid, in pride of place as marker for the Banner Party,
was seen to display some very fancy footwork on the long swing down Adelaide
Street to the Saluting Dais.
About 100 Association members turned out for the march, which again
concluded with a rousing round of applause for the Wing as they dismissed at
the end of the parade. In addition, we had the pleasure of sharing our
banner party with several cadets and instructors from the 2 Wing Australian
Air Force Cadet Drill Squad, who did a superb job of carrying and escorting
the only Unit Banner able to be seen from the moon.
Once again, we had a very large turn out of members and their families at
City Rowers following the march, and as usual, faces which haven't been seen
for many years turned up out of the woodwork - Darryl Shipp was the star
attraction this year, and Wal (Judy) Garland thrilled the crowds with his
constant jokes and good humour.
Perfect weather, huge crowds, cold beer and lots of pretty girls -what more
could an old adgie ask for?"
KIRIWINA, TROBRIAND ISLANDS, PAPUA. 1944-01-31. IN MODERN WARFARE, AERODROME DEFENCE IS VITAL AND THE RAAF HAS TRAINED A NUMBER OF "TOUGH GUYS" TO LOOK AFTER ITS POSSESSIONS. SERGEANT R. F. O'CONNELL, GYMPIE, QLD, AN AERODROME DEFENCE INSTRUCTOR, SHOWS AIRFIELD GUARDS HOW TO OPERATE A VICKERS GUN.
Copyright: clear
Related subject: Airfields; Guard duty; Vickers guns
Related unit: Royal Australian Air Force
Related place: Trobriand Islands
Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945
KIRIWINA, TROBRIAND ISLANDS, PAPUA. 1944-01-31. IN MODERN WARFARE, AERODROME DEFENCE IS VITAL AND THE RAAF HAS TRAINED A NUMBER OF "TOUGH GUYS" TO LOOK AFTER ITS POSSESSIONS. AIRFIELD GUARDS HAVE TARGET PRACTICE AT A CORAL REEF.
Copyright: clear
Related subject: Airfields; Guard duty
Related unit: Royal Australian Air Force
Related place: Trobriand Islands
Related conflict: Second World War, 1939-1945
KIRIWINA, TROBRIAND ISLANDS, PAPUA. 1944-01-31. IN MODERN WARFARE, AERODROME DEFENCE IS VITAL AND THE RAAF HAS TRAINED A NUMBER OF "TOUGH GUYS" TO LOOK AFTER ITS POSSESSIONS. SERGEANT R. F. O'CONNELL, GYMPIE, QLD, AN AERODROME DEFENCE INSTRUCTOR, SHOWS AIRFIELD GUARDS HOW TO OPERATE A BREN GUN.
Copyright: clear
Related subject: Airfields; Bren guns; Guard duty
Related unit: Royal Australian Air Force
Related place: Trobriand Islands
KIRIWINA, TROBRIAND ISLANDS, PAPUA. 1944-01-31. IN MODERN WARFARE, AERODROME DEFENCE IS VITAL AND THE RAAF HAS TRAINED A NUMBER OF "TOUGH GUYS" TO LOOK AFTER ITS POSSESSIONS. SERGEANT R. F. O'CONNELL, GYMPIE, QLD, AN AERODROME DEFENCE INSTRUCTOR SHOWS AIRFIELD GUARDS HOW TO OPERATE A BREN GUN.
Copyright: clear
Related subject: Airfields; Bren guns; Guard duty
Related unit: Royal Australian Air Force
Related place: Trobriand Islands
The commerative plaque with A84-219
(Photo : Rodney Nichols)
GAF A84-219 amongst the trees at Alex Campebell Park
-------------------------------------------------------
This Australian built Canberra was constructed in 1958 and had its first flight on May of that year. It was delivered to the charge of the RAAF on 20 June 1958, joining 2 Sqd. It was struck off charge in November 1971.
A84-219 has been preserved as a memorial and is on display in senic looking surroundings in Alex Campbell Park. This park is located in the shire of Rosalie at Brymaroo, a farming locality about 60km northwest of Toowoomba, or about 190km west of Brisbane.
Plaques at the site were unveiled on 28 Feb 1987 and read :
"To commemorate the use of land near this park as an airfield, part of the "Brisbane Line of Defence" during the Second World War. The airfield, known as "Heavy Bombardment Field No1" comprised some 862 acres and was established in 1943. No 99 SQN with Liberator Bombers and USAAF No 15 SQN operated from this airfield."
"Plaque unveiled by GpCapt Arthur Barnes DFC AFC Retd to commemorate the service of the Canberra bomber in the RAAF and the men who flew this aircraft from 1953 to 1985."
Unit History
The origins of No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron (1AFDS) lie in the Second World War with the Security Guard Unit (SGU) formed at Livingston Airfield, Northern Territory on 1 October 1942. On 5 October 1942 all guards at operational bases, advanced operational bases, radio stations and non-operational units were posted to this Unit.
The Unit's role was to centralise the administration and standardise the training of security guards and to provide a mobile body of guards that would be available in any emergency. The Unit was responsible for providing the operational air bases in Australia and in the South Pacific with trained and competent guards that could defend the bases against Japanese attacks.
SGU was relocated to Nightcliff on 13 June 1943 and saw operational service during World War 2 ins upport of units throughout the South Pacific. Of particular note is services rendered by Special Task Force that served under command Z Force, two members of which 1AFDS were later awarded MBEs.
The unit in August 1943 had a strength of 5 officers and 1021 airmen. SGU was renamed No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron on 1 April 1945 but was disbanded on 19 November 1945 following the cessation of hostilities. The musterings that served in the Squadron were Airfield Defence Officers (ADO), Aerodrome Defence Instructors (ADI), and Guards.
In 1950 the RAAF Air Board proposed that No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron should be reformed at RAAF Mallala, in South Australia, to provide training to National Service personnel in airfield defence duties. No. 1 Aerodrome Defence Squadron was subsequently raised at Mallala on 25 June 1951. The term 'Airfield' was replaced with 'Aerodrome' by the Air Board in May 1951. The Unit conducted National
Service training until its disbandment in March 1953. The reason for the name change from Airfield to Aerodrome is unclear, however it may be related to the Aerodrome Defence Instructor mustering at the core of the Unit.
No 1 Airfield Defence Squadron was reformed on 01 July 1992 at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The Unit was formed to provide the third phase of Full Time Service (FTS) training to 180 airmen and officers recruited into the Air Force under the Ready Reserve Scheme (RRES). The Unit's role on formation was 'to assist with the protection of the northern bases in contingencies', however, on 30 June 1992 the Unit's role was
amended to the 'ground defence, protection and security of RAAF installations, assets, facilities and personnel'.
In the period 1992 to 1996 1AFDS assumed responsibility for the Part Time Service (PTS) training of RRES personnel as well as Full Time Service training. In 1996 a change in government policy saw the termination of the RRES scheme and the introduction of the Ground Defence Reserve Group (GRDefRG), but represented little change in either the role or organisation of 1AFDS. In 1998-1999 1AFDS renewed its relationship with South Australia when it relocated to RAAF Base Edinburgh, coincidentally
only 25km from the site of the now disestablished RAAF Mallala. 1AFDS officially stood to in the Unit's new facilities on 1 January 1999.
In 1999, with the government decision to send Australian Military Forces to East Timor (EM), 1AFDS received an increase in establishment enabling the raising of two permanent Flights (Rifle and QRF) and a resultant change in unit structure. The Unit now consists of a Headquarters, two permanent Flights, two Cadre Flights, a Support Flight and four GRDefRG PTS Flights one each in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. The unit establishment has increased to 248 airmen and officers including support staff.
In 1999, 16 Reserve Airfield Defence Guards from 1AFDS deployed on Operation Warden/Stabilise (East Timor) under the command of No 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS). These Airmen have been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal and wear the Meritorious Unit Citation with Federation Star as recognition of their service with 2AFDS in East Timor.
VA42 Friday 26 April 2002
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO VETERANS' REVIEW
Ex-service organisations and members of the veteran community have delivered
an overwhelming response to the independent committee established by the
Federal Government to review perceived anomalies in access to veterans'
entitlements.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said the committee, chaired by
former NSW Supreme Court judge The Hon John Clarke QC, had received almost
2000 submissions.
"The submissions have been provided by organisations and individuals from
across the country, addressing a range of issues of concern to the veteran
and defence communities," the Minister said.
"This considerable level of interest highlights the importance of the review
in addressing outstanding issues of concern."
Minister Vale said the committee was analysing the submissions received and
would next move into the public consultation phase of the review.
"The committee plans to visit every State and Territory capital, as well as
the regional centres of Lismore and Townsville, from late May," she said.
"As well as separate discussions with ex-service organisations and some
individuals who have made submissions, the committee will hold a series of
public meetings, starting in Perth on 22 May and Sydney on 23 May. Details
of the public meetings will be publicised closer to the dates."
Under its terms of reference, the committee is considering perceived
anomalies in eligibility for access to veterans' benefits and qualifying
service that may be raised by groups including some World War II veterans,
veterans of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan, Australian
participants in British atomic testing in Australia, Australian service
personnel engaged in counter terrorist and special recovery training and
other interested parties.
The committee is also considering the appropriateness of current veteran
disability benefits and the extent to which the medical, social and
vocational rehabilitation needs of compensation recipients are being met.
The Minister said the committee was due to report in mid-November 2002,
enabling the Government to consider its recommendations in the context of
the 2003 Federal Budget.
VA41 Wednesday 24 April 2002
ANZAC DAY - REMEMBER THOSE WHO DEFEND OUR SHORES
Australians have been urged to take time on Anzac Day to remember all of
those who have served Australia in wars and conflicts, from the Boer War to
the Australian Defence Force members now serving overseas.
The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, encouraged all Australians
to attend an Anzac Day ceremony, especially if they had never been to a
service before.
"Anzac Day is our day to share in the spirit of remembrance, to acknowledge
the contribution of our servicemen and women in shaping our sense of what it
means to be Australian," she said.
"The Anzac spirit is something that needs to be passed on, most of all to
younger generations, and I would particularly encourage parents to take
their children to a dawn service or an Anzac Day march, to be a part of this
very Australian tradition."
The Minister said 2002 marked the 60th anniversary of the historic events of
1942, when, for the first time, Australia came under attack in wartime.
"Until then, the war had been a distant event, fought on battlefields half a
world away," she said.
"With the Fall of Singapore, the bombing of Darwin - the first attack on
mainland Australia - and the invasion of Papua New Guinea and the battle
along the Kokoda Track, the war was suddenly very much on our own doorstep.
"Australians rallied to defend our shores, in the greatest national effort
of our brief history, and this Anzac Day we should remember their courage
and determination.
"At the same time, we should give some thought to the men and women of the
Australian Defence Force currently serving in combat and on peacekeeping
duty.
"This year, Anzac Day will be marked by Australians in Afghanistan, the
Persian Gulf, East Timor, Bougainville and peacekeeping posts all over the
world.
"For them, our national day of commemoration will also be a very real
reminder of the importance of their service to Australia, and of the
footsteps in which they tread - the spirit of the Anzacs," Minister Vale
said.
VA40 Wednesday 24 April 2002
SHRINE GETS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADE
Construction officially began today on a new $7 million project to
significantly upgrade Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.
On the eve of Anzac Day, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, and
Victorian Premier Steve Bracks turned the sod on the Shrine's undercroft
project, which will allow the development of new galleries and education
facilities beneath the area of the war memorial.
Minister Vale said the Federal Government had provided funding of $5 million
towards the redevelopment, with another $2 million from the State
Government.
"The Shrine of Remembrance holds a special place, not only in the hearts of
the people of Melbourne and Victoria, but for all Australians," she said.
"We regard this development as a project of national significance and
therefore worthy of significant support.
"The project we launch today will add an exciting new dimension to the
Shrine. When completed, the previously unused undercroft area will contain
new Remembrance Galleries. These will be educational, hi-tech and
interactive, giving schoolchildren and other visitors a new insight into
what life was like for Australians serving in wartime and on the home front.
"Other facilities will provide a new life for the Shrine of Remembrance as
an education facility for schoolchildren through to tertiary students and
historical researchers."
Minister Vale said the redevelopment would also improve the amenity of the
memorial area and provide improved access to the Shrine itself for the more
than 300,000 veterans, members of the public and tourists who visit the
Shrine each year.
"Make no mistake - the Shrine is and always has been more than just a
tourist attraction and the Trustees have not lost sight of its primary
purpose as a memorial to the fallen.
"However, almost 70 years after the Shrine was dedicated, it is important to
take a fresh look at the site, to ensure that it remains relevant to new
generations of young Australians.
"This project will enhance the experience of visitors to the Shrine, while
maintaining it as a fitting tribute to those who have served Australia in
times of war and conflict," the Minister said.
The Shrine of Remembrance undercroft project is due for completion in April
2003.
VA39 Wednesday 24 April 2002
SANFL HONOURS VETERANS ON ANZAC DAY
War veterans who have made their mark on the Aussie Rules field will be
honoured on Anzac Day by the South Australian & National Football League,
Veterans' Affairs Minister Danna Vale and Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Health and Ageing and Member for Adelaide Trish Worth announced
today.
30 veterans will take part in the Anzac Day cavalcade at Adelaide Oval,
before the SANFL game between last year's grand finalists, Centrals and
Eagles.
The cavalcade will feature former players from South Australian clubs,
representing all the armed forces. This year, the veterans to be honoured
will include former Sturt player Bill Leak, who served in the Royal
Australian Navy in the Pacific, Norwood's Don Jorgensen, a RAAF WWII veteran
who served in the Middle East, and Colin Aamodt from Adelaide, who served
with the Army in Darwin.
The veterans will make a lap of honour around Adelaide Oval in historic
motor vehicles, led by the band of the 10/27th Battalion Royal South
Australia Regiment. The South Australian Football Commission has also
approved a medal for the player judged as "Best on Ground" in the
traditional Anzac Day match.
The Bob Quinn Medal, to be awarded for the first time this year, honours the
outstanding career of one of the State's most awarded players, having played
before and after World War II. Bob Quinn won the Magarey Medal in 1938 and
1945 and also served with distinction during the war, receiving the Military
Medal for his gallantry at Tobruk.
Minister Vale said 2002 marked the 60th anniversary of the defence of
Australia, when for the first time Australians fought a war for their own
shores.
"1942 saw historic events of the war in the Pacific, including the Fall of
Singapore, the bombing of Darwin and the Kokoda campaign," the Minister
said.
"In recognition of the servicemen and women who served in the defence of
Australia, the honour of tossing the coin at the Anzac Day match will be
given to Alf Kitson, a Royal Australian Navy yeoman who served in Darwin.
"The Ode will be read by Anthony Brookman, a Captain in the 2nd/14th Field
Artillery Regiment, and the lowering and raising of the Australian flag will
be undertaken by Art Coppock, who served as a radar operator in RAAF
Catalina flying boats from Darwin during the period of the bombing raids.
"The SANFL is to be congratulated for taking the opportunity to honour the
contribution of veterans and the service and sacrifice of those who defended
our shores 60 years ago," Minister Vale said.
Trish Worth said Anzac Day represented the opportunity for the South
Australian community to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of
Australia's war-time heritage.
"I encourage South Australians to attend the march or a local Anzac Day
service to honour the service and sacrifice of our returned ex-servicemen
and women.
"Anzac Day is our chance to express our profound appreciation and gratitude
to Australia's veterans - it also provides us with the opportunity to
educate our young people about the sacrifices that others have made to
ensure a more stable future for us all," Ms Worth said.
Well fellas our old mate Lawrie Gay has had a bit of a run lately, it seems that some smart arse needed the same bit of road that he was driving on and collided head on into Lawrie and Laurel in the Subarau . Lawrie ended up with a busted hand and Laurel with multible injuries, both suffered entensive bruising and shattered nerves.
We wish them all the best for a speedy recovery.
Looking for Helicopter Units that served in Vietnam, then click above or click the link below for another page.
Something not known by all is that in 1971, Flt Lt Barry Williamson ( Ground Defence Officer for 2 Sqn at Phan-Rang ) was involved in organising an Airbourne Quick Reaction Team and had 2 Sqn not withdrawn from Vietnam until a later date this envisaged force may have born fruit.
The Photo's from Sluggo's collection bears witness to this and may have been the way of cutting off the excape route of any infiltrating party.
I believe this involved the US 7/17th Air Cavalry as transport to the ADGie QRF team.
And if anyone has more details to add to this story i would only be to happy to add them to our pages.
