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Base busy in a pandemic year

ON behalf of the senior Australian Defence officer, Group Captain Nigel Ward, and the military, civilian and contractor personnel who work at RAAF Base East Sale, we would like to thank the community for its support this year. With another year disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, we thought this final ‘Touching Base’ article could highlight some of the base’s achievements.

Air Force Centenary

THIS year was an opportunity to commemorate the Air Force Centenary, marked formally on March 31 by several events in Canberra. However, locally here in Sale and across Australia, the centenary was highlighted within restrictions to share the commemoration with the Australian public. A centenary banner depicting images of the aviation and training units at RAAF Base, East Sale, has marked our entrance all year. It will remain in place until the end of Air Force’s 100th year, on March 31, 2022. There is also a banner on the fence at Aqua Energy, so it could be seen by residents and visitors to beautiful Lake Guthridge. A smaller version was also on display at the Sale RSL and at the Sale Station for a short time. Wellington Shire Council also helped raise a centenary flag from the flagpole marking the turn on Raglan St to the base. It was great to see it flying there for all to see as they drove past. On March 11, the base hosted its annual Air Force Week Reception. Despite restrictions limiting the number of personnel attending, it was still an excellent opportunity to commemorate the centenary. The main feature of the evening was the launch of the RAAF Base, East Sale, centenary base video. The video will be on display on the Air Force 100 website until mid-2022, along with many other great stories. Go to ‘Our Journey, Bases, RAAF Base East Sale’

at airforce2021.airforce.gov.au/journey The video follows just after the story of the establishment of RAAF Base, East Sale, on April 22, 1943. On March 31, as part of the centenary events in Canberra, representatives from all Air Force units that have a colour, squadron standard or banner, proudly took part in the new Queen’s Colour presentation to the Royal Australian Air

Queen’s colours, standards and banners from RAAF Base, East Sale, took part in the Air Force Centenary parade. Pictured from left, Flight Lieutenant Kevin Christensen, School of Air Traffic Control; Flight Lieutenant Rowan McBride, Officer Training School; Flight Lieutenant Mitchell Krause, Air Mission Training School; Flight Lieutenant Andrew Habersberger, Central Flying School; Flying Officer Riley Forde, 32 Squadron; Flying Office Ryan Rosenberger, 30 Squadron; and Flying Officer Anna Yates, No 1 Flying Training School.

Force at Government House. From East Sale, representatives of No 1 Flying Training School, No 30 Squadron, No 32 Squadron, Air Mission Training School, Central Flying School, School of Air Traffic Control and the Officers’ Training School were able to take part.

Training through COVID-19

THE primary role of RAAF Base East Sale is initial officer training and to support Air Force aviation capability. Despite restrictions, our training regime continued, with the tempo steadily increasing throughout the year. While units adapted to the pandemic-affected environment, unfortunately, attendance at some graduations was affected. Several graduates were unable to proceed on posting, and so remained on base for work experience. Along with various base personnel, many graduates supported the COVID-19 taskforce throughout the year, including the erection of shelters for the popup testing facility here in Sale. Throughout 2021, Officers’ Training School graduated five initial officer courses, with 243 graduates, as future leaders of our fifth generation Air Force. The school also provided single service training to more than 100 trainee officers from the Australian Defence Force Academy over three separate phases of their academic year. While most of these courses graduated without family and friends present, the unit was able to live stream the events for family and friends unable to attend. Most of these new junior officers graduated to the Air Academy for initial employment training at the Air Mission Training School, School of Air Traffic Control or No 1 Flying Training School. Air Mission Training School hosted 22 courses throughout the year, with 146 graduates. The School of Air Traffic Control graduated three courses of air traffic controllers, with 35 graduates who have now been posted to control air space around Australia and overseas. No 1 Flying Training School graduated 80 students through basic pilots course, to proceed on to advanced pilot course at RAAF Base, Pearce.

Community engagement

AS part of the centenary, some base personnel were also able to be guest speakers at some community

Touching base

RAAF Base, East Sale column

groups and events. As a guest speaker at the Wellington Shire Council’s ‘Welcome to New Professionals’, Group Captain Ward spoke about the centenary theme and the importance of the shared history between Gippsland and the base. The opportunity to provide guest speakers remains a focus for community engagement beyond this year. Any enquiries can be made through the Air Base Command Post per the details below. Additionally, most people may know that Australian Air Force Cadets are located at the East Sale base, with sister squadrons in Traralgon and Morwell. So when we received additional centenary merchandise, initially destined for the Avalon Air Show, it was presented to all three squadrons, which brought smiles to all the cadets’ faces. As part of their end of year parades, each cadet received an AF2021 cap and a model of an F-35 Lightning aircraft. Like any year, many military personnel move on with postings. We wish them and their families well on their travels and look forward to welcoming new personnel in January 2022. Sale and the surrounding Gippsland region always make our Defence families feel welcome and at home. We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year from everyone at RAAF Base, East Sale. All the very best for 2022.

Enquiries relating to activities at RAAF Base, East Sale, should be directed to the Air Base

Command Post on 5169 9892 or via email to

esl.abcp@defence.gov.au