IT WAS the Air Force’s turn to show Senator Russell Trood the ropes, and it didn’t hold back.

This was Senator Trood’s third placement with the ADF Parliamentary Program (ADFPP), but his first with the Air Force.

Naturally, flying activities were to be a big part of the week ahead, so following the issue of flying suits and DPCUs, Senator Trood underwent a basic aviation medical test.

After an aerial tour of the area onboard the search-and-rescue helicopter, day-one lunch at the airmen’s mess beckoned.

At the School of Air Traffic Control, an overview of radar and tower simulators and a quick course in ATC procedures prepared the visitor for a test in handling several F/A-18s, Hawks and PC-9/As.

Relaxing in the crew room afterwards, Senator Trood swapped stories with students before heading out for a PT session.

A sometimes-inverted flight in a Pilatus PC-9/A not only gave the senator a very different look at the local countryside, but at the skills of Air Force pilots as well.

At the School of Air Warfare, Senator Trood was briefed on yet another training role at East Sale, experiencing how an aircraft can fly blind, or in aviation speak, ‘conduct operations in instrument meteorological conditions’, in the procedural simulator. He also controlled some fast jets in the air-warfare simulator.

At the end of a busy day, Senator Trood joined SAW and 32SQN executives at the officers’ mess.

The next day, he attended 32SQN’s morning brief before joining an air combat officers’ training flight aboard a King Air to see the training of air combat officers and Navy observers.

Towards the end of the week, Senator Trood joined ranks at the Officers’ Training School – literally – participating in an introductory drill lesson with 05/09 Initial Officers’ Course (IOC). After lunch, 04/09 IOC hosted the visitor on the range for a Steyr shoot.

Senator Trood’s last morning started with an airfield inspection with 44WG staff, followed by a bird’s eye view of the airfield from the ATC tower balcony and an insight into tasks performed by tower crew, as he watched the morning waves of aircraft taxi and takeoff.

Senator Trood’s last official duty was to present the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and clasp for the Australian Active Service Medal to FSGT Charlie Gauci at a morning tea with Combat Support Unit headquarters staff.

The week provided Senator Trood with an insight into the wide array of tasks and training conducted by units at East Sale, and he thanked all concerned for the opportunity.

Senator Trood is a member of various parliamentary committees on Defence matters and was also involved in the recent F-111 deseal/reseal.