Ad Astra Aviator Podcasts.

An initiative by AFA and AFA NSW to capture the recollections and experiences of both retired and serving Air Force personnel.

Project Manager: Peter Ring. adastraprojects@raafansw.org.au

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Gareth McCray OAM
Interviewer:
Gareth McCray OAM

Air Chief Marshal Mark (Binny) Binskin AC : Reflections


Reflections of AVM Glen Braz. AM CSC DSM. Air Commander Australia 2023:


Reflections of Air Marshal Ray Funnell AC. Chief of Air Staff 1987 -92


Henry Young: WW2 Naval Seafire and Sea Fury Pilot. “I’m a fighter pilot. I’m competitive.


Vern Roberts WW 2. Witnessed signing of the Surrender in Morotai


Air Commodore (ret) John Oddie AM, CSC - Operations in War, Border Protection, Peace Keeping, Humanitarian Disaster Relief


Greg Hood, AO. A Wealth of Experience in Aviation and Aviation Accidents


Phil Eldridge From Western Suburbs Boy to F35A Driver and Commanding Officer 2 OCU


Warrant Officer (retired) John McDougall. From Caribous to F111s. A demanding life.


ANZAC DAY ORATORY 2023


Brian Richards, Wallaby Air Lines Vietnam Veteran


Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO DSC Recent Chief of Air Force Reflects


Neil Lindsay, WW 2 Bomber Command and Prisoner of War. 3 Part Series


Ray and Pauline James - A Dynamic Duo


Air Commodore Tim Alsop - Reflections on the Air Combat Group and on Combat Flying in the Air Force


Tim Ireland, Wing Commander. Highlights in the F18A, F35A and Middle East Operations


Brian Lawrence, Warrant Officer. Operational Goals that Needed Courage and Commitment


Introducing John Lindner, A Distinctly Unusual Life as an Air Force and Commercial Transport Pilot.


Kevin Henderson. Air Commodore (ret). one of the RAAF’s most experienced tactical air transport operators.


Raylee Scott AM Warrant Officer - Communication Information Systems - The Hinge Point of our Operational Effectiveness


Suska Denham - The Fascinating Life of a Security Police Officer


Mick Stone's Life of Adventures Operating High Performance Helicopters


Group Captain Jason (Easty) Easthope. Flying Fast Jets Since He Was 19, and still going fast.


Wing Commander (ret) Don Pollock. Tales of Wallaby Airlines, Vietnam


Air Commodore Chris Sawade CSC. A Man Of Many Talents


Air Commodore Chris Beatty DFC AFC - A Notable Flying Career


Group Captain Peter (Spike) Davies CSC. Air Defence Controller. Chief of Staff, Air Combat Group


Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Ret’d): Reflections


Air Marshal Geoff Brown AO Reflections. Chief of Air Force July 2011 to July 2015


Air Vice Marshal (ret) Bob Richardson AO AFC. 5000 hours in 25 RAAF, Army and foreign military aircraft.


Listen to the reflections of Air Marshal "Leo" Davies, AO, CSC retired Chief of the Royal Australian Air Force.


AVM DAVE ROGERS AM (Ret). Sabres, Phantoms, F111s, Hornet Project Manager. That's enough for any one person..


Group Captain Terry Wilson, AM AFC. Fighter Pilot, Helicopter Pilot: Keen On All Things Aviation


Warrant Officer Gerry Mapstone OAM. A sometimes dangerous but thrilling life.


Air Commodore Nick Osborne. Is He a Kiwi? Is He an Aussie? Doesn't Matter!


Air Vice Marshal Joe Vinny Iervasi AM CSC. Very Committed to People and Leadership


Air Commodore Ben Sleeman, CSC, DSM. Loved Flying the F18 Hornet


Michael Lee, Avid Military Historian, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park


Ian Woods: “Funny how life turns out. PER ARDUA AD ASTRA.”


Wing Commander (ret) Chris Mirow: I looked down and thought, this isn’t bloody right!!


Peter Armstrong. Sometimes the Sound of an Iroquois Could Mean the Difference Between Life and Death


Ray Seaver: Korean War Fighter Pilot Extraordinaire


Squadron Leader (ret) Peter Bradford. Has a lot of Heart for Hueys


Brad Manera, War History Guru. Senior Historian and Curator, Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney.


ANZAC Day 2022: Oratory


Wing Commander Huck Ennis DFC. Horses, Birddogs, Fighters


Captain Peter Collins, AM, RFD, QC, RANR, Leader of the Opposition in NSW Legislative Assembly 4 April 1995 to 8 December 1998.


Wing Commander (ret'd) Peter Bennetts - Air Traffic Control: A Vital Part of our Air Power Operability


A Hosed Down Pete Nuske: Last Flight Vietnam. An Air Force Man. of Many Talents and Many Adventures


the Hon David Elliott MP  NSW Parliament.  Minister Veterans Affairs and Transport


Al Taylor: Flying is in his Blood. Fighter Pilot Extraordinaire.


Wing Commander (ret) John Landale AFC: Maths Teacher. Top Shelf Helicopter Pilot. Systems Analyst


Pete Spurgin. A life of Variety. Fighter Combat Instructor. Malaysia, Thailand, Sinai, Careflight


Paul McLeod. Intelligence Officer. Lots of Angles to his Career.


Warrant Officer Ken Robertson. OAM. One of the Warrant Officer Catalysts that are so Important to Communication across All Ranks


Wing Commander (ret) Sandy Main. The Challenging, Exciting and Sometimes Dangerous Life of a Chopper Pilot.


Wing Commander (ret) Jack Lynch MBE. A Life of Front Line Aviation


“Dick” Cresswell DFC - 1920 to 2006. WW2 and Korean War Fighter Pilot


Wing Commander (retired) Ken Mitchell, DFC. He flew Big Beasts, Fast Beasts and Slower Little Beasts


Wing Commander Ruth Taylor: an extraordinary life in the Australian Air Force


David Robson. Fighter Pilot, Vietnam Veteran, Test Pilot, Author and Artist.


Richard Kelloway‘s Adventures: Sabres, Mirages, Birddogs and F111s, and others........


Bert Milne. Its just the way your Mum puts your hat on


David Pietsch AM. Fighter Pilot: Sabre. Mirage. F18.


Ken Semmler - Happy RAAF Veteran of Many Adventures, Now amongst the Grape Vines.


Bruce Mouatt. Fighter Combat Instructor and Bronco Forward Air Controller Vietnam


The Life of Norm Goodall. Fighters, Gunships, Around the World Sailor. Cattle Farmer. Motor Sport Competitor


Flight Sergeant Marion Hamilton: Loves an Adventure and Physical Challenges


Sergeant Paul Gallaway. Air Force Enthusiast and Motivated Technician


Phil Frawley. Guinness World Records: Oldest Active Fighter Pilot


My Life, My Air Force. Bernie Nebenfuhr


Fortunate Life. Steve Low. AM Fighter Pilot, Aerobatic Team, Farmer, Past Mayor of Dungog,


Barry Kelly. Highlights of a life: F18 Hornets , US Aircraft Carrier Pilot, Low Level Displays, Cathay Pacific and Wedgetails


Bronwyn Marchant - Public Affairs Office, Air Combat Group


Truckie Carr: High Points (and low) of My Flying Life.


Louise Burr. Australian Air Force Airfield (Civil) Engineer


Bob Redman CSC MID. Reflects on life in Vietnam, Flying Instruction and Test Pilot.


Sir Roden Cutler, VC, AK, KCMG, KCVO, CBE


John Quaife AM Air Vice Marshal (ret) Talks about Our Australian Air Force


John Stephens - Building a Replica Sopwith Camel


The Adventures of Bob Treloar AO - Huey and Fast Jet Driver


Leading Aircraftman Michael Crapella serving at 2 Operational Conversion Unit, Williamtown as an Aircraft Technician


Lesley Gent OAM - RAAF Family Energetic Wife


Wing Commander (ret) Matt Hall Fighter Pilot and Champion Red Bull Air Racer


Wing Commander Grant Burr - Still Flying at Supersonic Speeds and Still Loving It


John Kindler AO, AFC Air Vice Marshal (ret) - Ejected twice from Mirage aircraft; 1972 and 1982


Ron Haack- Moments in my life as a Air Force Test Pilot.


Sergeant Grant Biles - Hornet Aircraft Technician


Flight Lieutenant Em. F18 Fighter Pilot


WW2 Sister Joan LOUTIT, 2nd M.A.E.T.U. (Medical Air Evacuation Unit) R.A.A.F.


F-35A Lightning II Wing Commander Darren Clare


Wing Commander (ret) Jim Treadwell AFC OAM, Meteors, Sabres, Mirages.


A Chance in a Million - Related by Pete Ring & Col Tomlinson


Doctor Ron Houghton, WW 2 Bomber Pilot


RAAF Association NSW - Photo Gallery

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2AFDS

2AFDS Gallery

Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - April 1990 - LAC Richard Long, LAC Wilson Usuga, AC Darren Enright and LAC Greg Stuchley of No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) aboard a 36SQN C130H conducting flood relief operations from Narromine, NSW
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1992 - LAC Steve Patterson and LAC John Zyzniewski of Support Flight, No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) on the tarmac at RAAF Base Amberley. LAC Patterson is armed with an M16A1 fitted with a Blank Firing Attachment (BFA), while LAC Zyzniewski is se
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - October 1991 - Course photograph, 1/91 Airfield Defence Guard (ADG) Section Leader Course, RAAF Security & Fire School (RAAFSF), RAAF Base Amberley. Front row (all personnel either Royal Malaysian Air Force observers or RAAFSFS staff): Unkown (RMAF), CPL
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1991 - LAC Steve Patterson of No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) firing an M16A1 rifle at Purga Range near RAAF Base Amberley
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1992 - LAC Adam Fletcher, LAC Colin Weekes and LAC Steve Patterson of No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS), Bukit Batu Lawi, Sarawak, Malaysia. Image taken during Exercise Bareo Return, a joint Army/RAAF adventure training activity to recognise the 50t
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1992 - LAC Steve Patterson in the village of Bareo, Sarawak, Malaysia during Exercise Bareo Return - a joint Army/RAAF adventure training activity to recognise th 50th anniversary of the Jungle Warfare Centre at Canungra
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1992 - LAC Adam Fletcher, LAC Steve Patterson and LAC Colin Weekes - Airfield Defence Guards (ADGs) of No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS) - at the gravesite of LAC Thomas Irvine in the Labuan War Cemetery. LAC Irvine was a Guard (predecessor musterin
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1991 - LAC Steve Patterson and LAC Alan Martin, Airfield Defence Guards (ADGs) of No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron (2AFDS), with AM Barry Gration, Air Commander Australia (ACAUST) during a visit to the squadron at RAAF Base Amberley
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1991 - Australian Army and RAAF members pictured at the Bridge over the River Kwai near Kanchanaburi, Thailand during Exercise Bareo Return.
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1991, Hellfire Pass, Thailand. Australian Army and RAAF members participating in Exercise Bareo Return pictured at the Hellfire Pass memorial to those who suffered and died during construction of the Thai-Burma Railway during WW2.
Airforce Association NSW 2AFDS photo gallery - 1991, Surrender Point, Layang-layang Beach, Labuan. Australian Army and RAAF members pictured at the memorial marking the location where Japanese forces in North Borneo formally surrendered to Allied forces on 10 September 1945. In the group are three Air

ANZAC Day 2021

Commemorative Events Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Commemorative Events photo gallery -

Current Air Power

Current Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Current photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Current photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Current photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Current photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Current photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Current photo gallery -

Fighter

Hornet Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Hornet photo gallery - 77 SQN Hornet
Airforce Association NSW Hornet photo gallery -

Historic Air Power

Historic Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Historic photo gallery -

Caribou at Townsville Airshow Gallery

The HARS Caribou on display at the Townsville Airshow 17 October 2016

Crew L to R Leigh Peddle Flight Engineer, Dick Elliott Co-pilot, Kent Corney Captain.

Airforce Association NSW Caribou at Townsville Airshow photo gallery -

Caribou at Wings Over Illawarra Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Caribou at Wings Over Illawarra photo gallery -

Indigenous Veterans Commemoration 2021

Event images Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Event images photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Event images photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Event images photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Event images photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Event images photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Event images photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Event images photo gallery -

People and Places

Ballina Commemoration Gallery

Ballin branch organised a Battle for Australia and Battle of Britain commemoration service on Sunday 11th September 2016. This service commemorated the 76th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the 74th anniversary of the commencement of the Battle for Australia. Branch patron Group Captain Dr David Scott delivered the service prologue, Group Captain Milton Cottee AFC MID US Air Medal (Ret'd) spoke on reflections of active service and Squadron Leader Haidee Harrison Staff Legal CSG RAAF Amberley reflected on Defence service today.

Cadets from 326 (City of Lismore) Squadron AAFC and TS Lismore ANC formed the Catafalque party and flaf bearers.

Lunch after the service was attended by 115 people where the branch made annual donations to the Ballina RSL Life Care village and 326 Squadron AAFC, Ballina Legacy, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, The Evans Head Aviation Museum and Ballina Salvation Army Church.

Four AAFC cadets were awarded with Ballin Branch 326 Squadron cadet scholarships presented by GPCAPT Scott on behalf of the branch. These scholarships financiallly support Air Force cadets from 326 Squadron towards achieving their future goals whatever career they choose.

Planning ahead! next year's Commemoration Sunday will be 10th September 2017, come visit beautiful Ballina by the Sea.

Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - 326 Squadron & TS Lismore cadets
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - Cadets march onto the memorial
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - Distinguished Guests
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - Lying of wreaths
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - Alstonville High School Students laying a wreath
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - Ballina Memorial
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - Piper and drummer march off
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - GPCAPT Scott, GPCAPT Cottee Ret'd, SQNLDR Harrison and Branch President Dick Wills
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration photo gallery - Four 326 Squadron AAFC receive Ballina Branch Scholarship awards

Battle of the Bismark Sea Commemorative Luncheon 2017 Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Battle of the Bismark Sea Commemorative Luncheon 2017 photo gallery - Collage of the Commemoration service
Airforce Association NSW Battle of the Bismark Sea Commemorative Luncheon 2017 photo gallery - RAAF Richmond Officers Mess luncheon
Airforce Association NSW Battle of the Bismark Sea Commemorative Luncheon 2017 photo gallery - Major James Smith USAF

Ballina Commemoration Sunday Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW Ballina Commemoration Sunday photo gallery -

RAAF 97th Birthday Celebrations Sydney Cenotaph Gallery

Airforce Association NSW RAAF 97th Birthday Celebrations Sydney Cenotaph photo gallery - Centre. Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston AK, AFC (Retd), Right. Carl Schiller OAM CSM, National President.  Ron Glew President NSW Division
Airforce Association NSW RAAF 97th Birthday Celebrations Sydney Cenotaph photo gallery -
Airforce Association NSW RAAF 97th Birthday Celebrations Sydney Cenotaph photo gallery -

77 Sqn Handover CO Gallery

Wing Commander Grant Burr hands over command of 77 Sqn to Wing Commander Jason Easthope.  Watching on Air Commodore Mike Kitcher

Airforce Association NSW 77 Sqn Handover CO photo gallery - L-R Air Commodore Mike Kitcher  Commander ACG, WGCDR Jason Easthope, new CO,  WGCDR Grant Burr, retiring CO

Hunter Valley Airshow Gallery

Airforce Association NSW Hunter Valley Airshow photo gallery - Hunter Valley Airshow 2019

RAAF Association NSW Video Gallery

BBC Video Coverage RAF 100th Anniversary Flypast

BBC Video Coverage RAF 100th Anniversary Flypast

AP-3C handover to HARS on 3 Nov

AP-3C handover to HARS on 3 Nov

Conversion to Canberras

Conversion to Canberras

American Spitfire Pilot

American Spitfire Pilot

Royal Australian Air Force Tribute - 2014

Royal Australian Air Force Tribute - 2014

Australian Air Force Tribute

Australian Air Force Tribute

"Wings of Thunder" by Bomber Command Veterans

"Wings of Thunder" by Bomber Command Veterans

RAF Sunset Ceremony at RAF Scampton for the 70th Anniversary of the DAmbusters

RAF Sunset Ceremony at RAF Scampton for the 70th Anniversary of the DAmbusters

Australian Hornet Ball 2014

Australian Hornet Ball 2014

I can see you up there Daddy

I can see you up there Daddy

War Stories: Dorothy

War Stories: Dorothy

RAAF in the Pacific - Kittyhawk Strafing

RAAF in the Pacific - Kittyhawk Strafing

RAAF Roulettes Collide 1988

RAAF Roulettes Collide 1988