RAAF
Roundup with WGCDR Phil Godfrey
THE start of May was very significant for RAAF Base Townsville as we had several VIPs using the base as a staging point for the 75th Anniversary Commemorations of the Battle of the Coral Sea .
We are used to having VIPs drop in and visit the Base , but , on short notice , we had to prepare for Governor General GEN Sir Peter Cosgrove , Defence Minister Sen Marise Payne , Attorney- General Sen George Brandis , Sen Ian McDonald , CDF AVM Mark Binskin , Chief of Navy VADM Tim Barrett , Commander US Pacific Fleet Admiral Scott Swift , Minister Tadayuki Miyashita , representing the Ambassador of Japan to Australia , and CAPT Shinsuke Amano Navy attache at the Japanese embassy . There was also a late-notice attendee who met informally with RAAF personnel in the mess , then stayed overnight - PM Malcolm Turnbull .
CDF ACM Mark Binskin and PM Malcolm Turnbull chat with CPL Meegan Chadwick and AC Gabriel Hodgson
All three services were involved in overcoming logistical issues that became apparent , with Navy having the lead . We were pleased to receive a “ thank you ” from the Prime Minister and his team for RAAF Base Townsville ’ s efforts and the assistance given to the Prime Minister and other dignitaries during their visit . ❑ ❑ ❑
WE had a hectic start to the month , but we ’ ve settled back to our normal routine and , while we ’ re preparing for Exercise Talisman Sabre , we ’ re making the most of the limited down time between events .
– WGCDR Phil Godfrey , Senior ADF Offi cer ,
RAAF Townsville
PM Malcolm Turnbull and CDF ACM Mark Binskin relax in the Mess with ( from left ) AC Gabriel Hodgson and AC Peter Rex and AC Adam McQuillan
12 | JUNE 2017