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Episodes
An initiative by RAAFA NSW to capture the recollections and experiences of both retired and serving Air Force personnel
Episodes
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Air Commodore Nick Osborne
Recent Commander Surveillance and Response Group
AIR COMMODORE Nick Osborne joined the RAAF in 2002 having served 20 years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a pilot. While in the New Zealand Air Force he flew Skyhawk and Macchi jets and served on exchange at RAAF Pearce flying Macchi and PC-9 aircraft.
During his flying career, he accumulated over 5500 hours mostly in jets. He joined the RAAF following the disbandment of the Air Combat Force in New Zealand.
During his time in the RAAF, Nick flew Hawks at Williamtown, and from 2008 to 2010 he was appointed as the Commanding Officer of 76 Squadron.
Following a three year tour as the Executive Office of 78 Wing, he was posted to Headquarters Air Command where he served as the Director of Capability. Nick was posted to Surveillance and Response Group as Chief of Staff in October 2018 before taking up the position of Commander Surveillance and Response Group on 28 May 2021.
Nick served as the Special Assistant to the Deputy Head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo in 2000.
He also served in Afghanistan as the Commander of the Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft detachment in Kandahar in 2012/13.
Nick Osborne enjoys supporting the All Blacks, he coaches and umpires netball, and is President of the ADF Netball Association. He is married to Sue and has two daughters and two grandchildren.
Monday Jun 27, 2022
Monday Jun 27, 2022
Introducing AIR VICE-MARSHAL JOE ‘VINNY’ IERVASI, AM, CSC,
Air Vice Marshal Joe Iervasi completed flying training in 1989, and converted onto the FA-18 Hornet in 1991.
He then, during his Air Force career as a fighter pilot, served in junior pilot roles through to Flight Commander appointments and then Commanding Officer of 3 Squadron.
A notable posting was on exchange to 5 Squadron RAF flying the Tornado F3. He deployed on Operation Deny Flight enforcing the no fly zone over Bosnia-Herzigovnia (1995).
In staff and command appointments, Air Vice Marshal Iervasi served with Capability Systems, 81 Wing as Senior Operations Officer and Officer Commanding, and Chiefs of Staff positions to Air Combat Group and to the Vice Chief of the Defence Force.
Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi was promoted to Air Commodore and deployed to the Middle East as the Director, US Central Command 609th Combined Air Operations Centre at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
He returned to Australia in July 2014 and was appointed to the position of Director General Air Command Operations and Director General Air where he commanded global air operations including Operation OKRA.
This posting was followed in December 2016 with a two year appointment as Commander Air Warfare Centre.
In December 2018, on promotion to Air Vice-Marshal, he was appointed Commander Joint Task Force 633 and deployed again to the Middle East this time stationed in Al Minhad Air Base, in Dubai.
Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi took up his current role as Air Commander Australia in Jul 2019.
Air Vice-Marshal Iervasi has over 3000 hours flying fast jets. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Masters of Management in Defence Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies
He has been awarded the Medal in the Order of Australia (2009), Australian Active Service Medal, Afghanistan Medal, Defence Long Service Medal with Third Clasp, and the Australian Defence Medal. He was appointed as a Member in the Order of Australia in 2016 and in June 2020 was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for outstanding achievement as the Commander Joint Task Force 633.
Saturday Jun 18, 2022
Saturday Jun 18, 2022
Introducing AIR COMMODORE BENJAMIN SLEEMAN, CSC, DSM, Deputy Air Commander Australia
Ben Sleeman joined the Australian Air Force in January 1990 and after attending the Defence Force Academy proceeded to pilot training.
Ben then completed fast jet training and was posted to 75 Squadron in Tindal on the F/A-18 Hornet.
In 1999 Ben completed 26 Fighter Combat Instructor Course.
Ben then deployed on Operation Slipper with 3 Squadron in early 2002. In 2003 he deployed again on Operations Bastille and Falconer.
In 2004, Ben was promoted to Squadron Leader and completed postings at 75 Squadron as a Flight Commander and then Executive Officer.
Ben was promoted to Wing Commander and in 2011 he attended the US Air Force Air War College in Alabama, graduating with a Master of Strategic Studies.
In 2013 Ben assumed command of 77 Squadron, during which he deployed on Operation Okra.
Ben was then posted as the Director of the Air and Space Operations Centre in Joint Operations Command on promotion to Group Captain in June 2016.
In January 2018 Ben assumed command of 81 Wing, overseeing the transition of the Wing from the F/A-18A to the F-35A aircraft.
In December 2019, Ben was promoted to Air Commodore and again deployed to the Middle East Region as Combined Air Operations Centre Director in Qatar at USAF 609th Air Operations Centre.
In November 2020 Ben assumed his current role as the Deputy Air Commander Australia based at RAAF Glenbrook.
Saturday Jun 18, 2022
Saturday Jun 18, 2022
Introducing Michael Lea who is the current Collection and Content Manager at the Anzac Memorial.
Michael has been a professional museum curator and collection manager for over thirty years. He has worked on numerous exhibitions and with a variety of collections in several cultural institutions including the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney, the Australiana Fund and the Anzac Memorial, Sydney. As a keen student of Australian history, he is in the final stages of writing up his PhD thesis at the University of Sydney.
Michael is going to talk about his Father’s history in the Australian Air Force during WW 2: His father was Flying Officer Clement Victor Lea who trained in Canada under the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS).
His father served in an RAF squadron which was part of the Second Tactical Air Force. He completed 42 operational sorties including those on D-Day.
He largely flew the North American Mitchell Bomber with 98 Squadron: RAF, Dunsfold.
Michael’s father had some exciting and dangerous moments in his life whilst operating Mitchell bombers:
On his fourth op with the squadron, now as a Warrant Officer, a piece of flack smashed the perspex before his eyes during a raid on construction works in the Beauvoir area of Normandy, France.
“We were just turning from the target when a piece of flak smashed a glass panel of the bomb sight and sent a shower of glass splinters into the compartment. This piece of molten shrapnel was kept for many years as a souvenir.”
Despite the drama of this experience, he was again in the air at 18.15 for a second operation on the same day, in the same aircraft which received two more holes due to “heavy accurate flak”.
Michael’s dad was also involved in D-Day operations. His Log book notes sightings of jet aircraft during an operation. CVL remembered that one jet flew so fast that it was out of sight in seconds.
Just before Dad left the squadron, a Flt Lt PA Stanford, the squadron’s Navigation Officer wrote in his log book in the section headed “Proficiency Assessments”:
“This navigator has been the leading navigator on many operations, his bombing has been of a high order and he has been an asset to the Squadron both operationally and on the ground.”
Listen as Michael explores with you his Fathers World War 2 experiences.
Saturday Jun 11, 2022
Saturday Jun 11, 2022
Introducing Squadron Leader (ret) Ian Woods. Ian gained substantial experience on Caribous during his time in the Air Force. Caribous were of the famed Wallaby Airlines operated by the Air Force during the Vietnam war and revered elsewhere as one of the best Short Take Off and Landing aircraft in history.
Ian learnt not only a lot about Caribous during his time but they were the catalyst for the gaining of a bit of wisdom.
From Ian: “I flew over seven hundred hours in the first twelve months. I also learned quite a lot about what Navigators did. A Caribou Squadron included maintenance and administrative personnel. Good insight into what it takes to keep pilots in the air and an understanding that helped keep my feet on the ground, even when my head was elsewhere.”
“I found the need to figure out how to collaborate with people and manage circumstances whilst staying within service limits turned out to be the most valuable lesson the Air Force taught me. In the beginning it was a baptism of fire, but in the end, I had learnt enough to be able to live the courage of my convictions. I often thought to myself – just keep living the attitudes and values of your life in Rockhampton and the Air Force instilled and you will get there.”
“I found flying in Papua New Guinea really challenging. Being a co-pilot to pilots with wartime service put me on a steep learning curve. Good for flying experience.” I also was posted to Air Movement Training Development Unit where I experienced the bigger picture of flying transport aircraft.” End of quote.
Ian left the full time Air Force in 1977 to join TAA in Melbourne as a Fokker co-pilot.”
Ian explored continuing to fly Caribous as a Reserve Pilot. Not easy to do. It was a new concept for this era. Meanwhile Ian left TAA to join QANTAS in Sydney.
Quite unexpectedly Qantas arranged secondments to Singapore Airlines and the opportunity to relocate to Singapore for 3 years was accepted.
Ian then blinked and all of a sudden it was his 65th birthday. He got an email from Civil Aviation Safety Authority asking if he was interested in joining them. He started working for CASA two months later.
These days Ian is helping develop Policy and Rules for operating large aeroplanes. Quote” Something I would not have been qualified to do if I had not been a Project Officer at Air Movement Training Development Unit and a Caribou Examiner.
“Funny how life turns out. PER ARDUA AD ASTRA.”
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
Introducing Wing Commander (ret) Chris Mirow:
“We dropped out of the overcast at about eight hundred feet. I glanced to my right and Fergie was nicely tucked into echelon. I waved him out to combat and looked ahead to get my bearings. It looked like Keddah Peak disappearing up into the clouds just up to the north and we were rapidly closing the Malaysian coast. I was thinking that we had been well positioned by our Ground Control Intercept controller so that we could turn to join for a right initial and special Visual approach to runway one eight at Butterworth. But something didn’t look right. As we crossed the coast I looked down and thought, this isn’t bloody right!!
Listen to Chris’ podcast to hear the rest of this challenging situation.
Chris Mirow also tells us about his life flying Sabres and Mirages in the Australian Air Force.
His Sabre flying consisted of operations in Williamtown, Malaysia and in Thailand, on air defence related to the Vietnam War.
His Mirage flying included an aerobatic display team to mark the 50th anniversary of the RAAF.
In May 1971, Chris was posted to Vietnam and attached to the Eleventh Brigade of the twenty third Infantry Division as a Forward Air Controller.
Chris will tell you that they were later to be more than disappointed with their welcome home to Australia.
He continued his fighter operations for some years including becoming a Fighter Combat Instructor, possibly the pinnacle of fighter flying.
Friday May 27, 2022
Friday May 27, 2022
Introducing Squadron Leader (ret) Peter Armstrong. The Australian Air Force needs personnel who can adapt to whatever type of demanding operations that they are chosen for. Peter Armstrong, and his mate Peter Bradford, who features in a fellow Podcast, represent the best in pilots who were chosen to fly many different aeroplane types and operated them in a manner that excelled.
In this Podcast, listen in as Peter Armstrong describes is life flying Iroquois helicopters in Vietnam where the sound of the Huey was not only a welcome sound but on occasions for Army personnel was the difference between life and death.
Peter also talks about his stint on C130 Hercules followed by stints on fast jet instruction, Boeing 707s, DC8s and then to Qantas.
Pete joined RAAF in Aug 68 and ended up on the first all through jet training on the Macchi which was brand new.
He left the Air Force in May 85 after which I joined the Air Force Reserve with 33Sqn again and requalified as Qualified Flying Instructor on Boeing 707s.
He retired from the RAAF Reserve in October 94
Pete then worked in Qantas as a Boeing 747 simulator instructor for 3 years before becoming Second officer flying Kerry Packer’s DC8. He then rejoined Qantas as simulator instructor on Boeing 767s and Airbus A330s until retirement.
Thursday May 26, 2022
Thursday May 26, 2022
RAY SEAVER: KOREAN WAR FIGHTER PILOT
Ray was born in Forbes 1931 during the depression.
By 1950/51, Ray was working as a Cadet Engineer in the Blue Mountains Shire but found it did not suit his temperament when he saw an Air Force advert recruiting Pilots. He joined the Air Force and was sent for Pilot Training. In July 1952, he was awarded his Wings and was posted to Fighters learning to fly Mustangs and Vampires.
Ray was then posted to 77 Squadron, Iwakuni, Japan via Hong Kong, for further training on twin engine Meteors and then to Korea. Korea was blistering cold after Australia.
At this stage he had less than 300 hrs flying and felt like Aero Club pilots had more hours.
77 Sqn operations were out of a very busy military airfield. Their accommodation was in tents of 6 people each and was heated by a big central burner but was still freezing.
The new arrivals of which he was one were largely about 21 years old and were there to learn the Art of War though interdiction. We had very little knowledge of why were in Korea. We had all lived sheltered lives and here we were fighting a war.
We either bombed, rocketed or straffed – all very challenging for novice pilots. If they were shooting at us in the dive we could see the “golf balls” going past us, hopefully
On the dives, misjudging the height and hills could lead to ground collisions, which happened. Sometimes if we pressed in to adjust our aim we would get hit by debris from the explosions. Additionally you could get target fixation and fly into the ground.
Enemy aircraft were sometimes a problem that needed good tactics to survive. Ray has a few good stories about encountering Migs.
Crashes and deaths were a fact of life but people in 77 Sqn just kept getting on with it.
When you flew 40 combat missions with 77 Sqn, you had earned a medal from the Americans. When you flew 80 missions with 77 Sqn, your medal was upgraded. But then the powers that be in Australia decided against Aussies accepting foreign decorations and banned us from wearing them.
Listen to Ray as he talks mainly about life in Korea.
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Introducing Squadron Leader (ret) Peter Bradford.
The Australian Air Force needs personnel who can adapt to whatever type of demanding operations that they are chosen for. Peter Bradford, and his mate Peter Armstrong, who features in a fellow Podcast, represent the best in pilots who were chosen to fly many different aircraft types and operated them in a manner that excelled.
In this Podcast, listen in as Peter Bradford describes is life flying Iroquois helicopters in Vietnam where the sound of the Huey was not only a welcome sound but on occasions for Army personnel was the difference between life and death. Then listen again as Peter describes his stint on C130 Hercules followed by stints on fast jet instruction, VIP BAC 1-11, DC8s and then to Qantas.
In Peter’s words: As I age, I sometimes have to pinch myself to realise what a fortunate life I have had.
For a boy from the bush and humble background, flying Prime Ministers, Governor Generals, Heads of State, and the late Duke of Edinburgh who was endorsed on the BAC1-11. I was to offer him to fly the aircraft. I also admit to flying Prime Minister Mugabe for 5 days.
I accepted an offer of a position with QANTAS. Instructing on the B747-200/300 was a challenge. In 1990, I was given the opportunity to line fly on the B744.
At the beginning of 1996 the opportunity to leave QANTAS and crew a Douglas DC-8 for Kerry Packer was too good to refuse. What an adventure!! Saw lots of Las Vegas. Not long after the death of Kerry, I returned to QANTAS.
In my 77th year, a fortunate life indeed.
Friday Apr 22, 2022
Friday Apr 22, 2022
Introducing Brad Manera, the Senior Historian and Curator of the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney.
His career began at the Western Australian Museum and has included foundation curatorial work for the National Museum of Australia, gallery development at the Australian War Memorial and the World Heritage listing submission for the Hyde Park Barracks Museum.
A keen public historian, he has led battlefield tours around the world and featured in a range of documentaries.
His latest book, In That Rich Earth (2020), is a study of the battlefields on which men and women of New South Wales have served from colonial times to the present.
Today the Anzac Memorial stands proudly as one of the state’s most significant cultural and commemorative institutions, continuing in its original purpose as a war memorial and as a place of commemoration, remembrance, education and reflection.
The Anzac Memorial holds a significant historical collection of approximately 7,000 objects that tell the personal stories of servicemen and servicewomen, and their families. The collection includes the heritage building and its sculptures, as well as objects of material culture, such as medals, badges, uniforms, field equipment, photographs, documents, manuscripts, framed works and books.