Personnel & Training of RAAF (1971) Page 2

DIPLOMA TRAINING SCHEME

Under the auspices of the Royal Melbourne institute of Technology, RAAF members continue to study for Associate Diplomas in Communications (Radio and Electronics) Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Electrical Engineering. Accounting and Business Studies. As commissioned officers. these diplomates have excellent career prospects in the practical and administrative fields of engineering and supply. The Diploma Cadet Squadron provides many of our engineering and equipment executives.

During the 1970 Royal Tour of Australia, H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh visited a number of RAAF units, including the RAAF School of Radio at Laverton, Victoria. In the picture the Duke presents an award to radio apprentice Ralf Dries, while the Commanding Officer of the Unit, Wing Commander E. R. Hall, looks on.

ADULT TRAINING

Personnel entering the Service through the Adult Training Scheme form our largest single pool of skilled and supporting manpower and they are consequently indispensable. Provided that the Service's common educational and suitability standards are met, their way is open to commissioned ranks, and many of our junior and senior non-commissioned officers are in fact promoted from the ranks of adult airmen.

The worth of the scheme is recognised by the Amalgamated Engineering Union, the Australian Society of Engineers and the Electrical Trades Union. All RAAF members who gain the RAAF Trade Proficiency Certificate may consequently be granted quick recognition of service skills if assuming civilian employment.

At the School of Air Navigation, East Sale, Victoria, RAAF cadets receive instruction on various navigational instruments similar to those fitted to HS-748 aircraft. Here Cadet J. Jolly, of Brisbane, and Cadet G. Carroll, of Griffith, New South Wales, receive instruction from Flight Lieutenant C. Fur longer, of Sydney

APPRENTICE TRAINING SCHEME

The Apprentice Scheme provides for lads to enter a worthwhile career in the radio, aircraft or electrical trades. Training is detailed and comprehensive and the ex-apprentice can expect to advance to the highest non-commissioned rank in equal competition with his adult colleague. It is hoped that ex-apprentices take the opportunity to gain further postgraduate qualifications, so fitting themselves for commissioned rank. The RAAF strives constantly to develop. its facilities for apprentice training at a rate commensurate with national advances in technical training and accepted accommodation standards.

WOMEN'S ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE

Airwomen are at present employed in thirty-one different trades. In twenty-two of these, basic training is given either on the job or on approved trade training courses. Women assist in the overall manning of the force, enabling male personnel to be more effectively used in military service.

As Australia's national strength and influence grows, the RAAF needs to maintain a corresponding increase in effectiveness. Excluding the acquisition of new aircraft and weapons, this increased capability can result only from the higher skill and performance standards that will continue to be developed in the serving members. The RAAF will therefore be required to enlist people with better basic qualifications and train them to higher standards.

By world standards the RAAF is a small air force: by the same standards it is a significant force. The measure of its most important resources, quality equipment and quality manpower, puts the RAAF on equal footing with the best.

The RAAF School of Radio at Laverton, Victoria, plays an important part in the training of young apprentices. One of them, Aircraftman C. T. Hendrich, is pictured receiving instruction on the tuning of it transmitter from Sergeant R. T. Harrys, of Laverton.

A young apprentice from the RAAF School Of Technical Training at Wagga, New South Wales, is taught the art of welding by a RAAF instructor. The apprentices undergo a 2½-year training course at Wagga in technical courses ranging from electrical mechanic to engine fitter and airframe fitter and a number of others. After graduation, they have to complete a period of 'on the job' training at any one of the RAAF bases.

This group of attractive young WRAAFs represents one of the biggest recruit courses to be trained at RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia, since the 1934-45 War. There were seventy-five recruits in the course, and they all passed with flying colours.

One of the popular new musterings in the WRAAF is that of dental hygienist. Corporal Jackie Eyre, is here pictured with RAAF dental officer, Flight Lieutenant Tom McCurdie, in a mobile dental unit caravan at RAAF Base, Richmond, New South Wales, attending to the teeth problems of Leading Aircraftman Tom Davidson.

Members of the Women's Royal Australian Air Force regularly take part in operational exercises with other RAAF, Army and Navy personnel. During exercise 'Southern Cross' a number of WRAAFs visited New Zealand as part of the RAAF team. They are pictured on one of their off-duty days outside a Maori meeting-house at Rotorua.

RAAF nursing sisters today are playing a vital part in the aero-medical evacuation of the sick and wounded from Vietnam and Malaysia.

They also are on duty round the clock at RAAF hospitals throughout Australia. In this picture Flight Officer Ann Spillane, of Berkeley, New South Wales, prepares a hypodermic syringe for an injection at No. 6 RAAF Hospital, Laverton, Victoria.

In their off-duty hours, members of the Women's Royal Australian Air Force find time to relax and enjoy a little recreation. Here, at RAAF Base, Darwin, Northern Territory, the girls enjoy the facilities at the base swimming pool