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A Communication Electronic Technician from 114MCRU has been named the Air Force Airman of the Year for 2020.
Corporal Daniel Loane won the prestigious award for his response to a civilian vehicle accident near the remote Northern Territory checkpoint.
Commanding Officer 114MCRU Wing Commander Sean Gell hailed CPL Loane’s “technical mastery and collaborative approach”.
“Corporal Loane set an exceptional standard throughout 2020 and, with a significantly reduced team, maintained the section output while fostering an exceptional rapport with the operations team,” WGCDR Gell said.
“The net result of this has been an open and frank dialogue that provides the operators with an enhanced understanding of system faults and remediation while consolidating the trust between the two sections – genuinely creating a single team, focused on the effective delivery of Air Force capability.
“Additionally, his development and implementation of the Mobile Control and Reporting Unit deployment guide has ensured that his efforts to drive technical mastery will endure beyond his tenure within the unit.”
The Air Vice Marshal B.A. Eaton Airman of the Year Award is handed to an airman ranked corporal or below for their contribution to the community.
CPL Loane was nominated for his role as Joint Task Unit 629.7.2 detachment commander at the remote Tanami checkpoint.
“I was certainly out of my technician comfort zone, however, to be a part of a whole-of-government operation was an amazing experience and one that I am proud to have been involved in,” CPL Loane said.
“Ensuring the safety of civilian commuters on that day and assisting them on their safe return to their loved ones, was an honour and a privilege.”
CPL Loane first joined the Air Force in 2011 and is normally based at RAAF Base Darwin as the No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit (114MCRU) maintenance manager within the tactical air defence system section.
The full list of award winners are:
Air Force APS Team Member of the Year Award: Michael Docherty, Air Force Training Group, awarded to an APS employee who exemplifies APS and Air Force values and makes an outstanding contribution to Air Force.
Chief of Air Force Instructor of the Year Award: Flight Lieutenant Adon Lumley, Air Mission Training School, this award highlights the unquestionable importance of training and education to the Air Force and formally recognises the commissioned officer who has excelled in this field.
Warrant Officer of the Air Force Instructor of the Year Award: Sergeant Bree Godfrey, School of Postgraduate Studies, this award highlights the unquestionable importance of training and education to the Air Force and formally recognises the instructor who has excelled in this field.
Her Majesty the Queen’s Gold Medal: Pilot Officer Cameron Clark, No. 79 Squadron, awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the most outstanding officer trainee from OTS or ADFA to recognise exemplary conduct, outstanding performance of duty, and influence on fellow officers.
Squadron Leader WT Riggs Trophy: Sergeant Chris Dickson, No. 464 Squadron, awarded for the best official photograph of the year.
Lipshut Family Bursary: Corporal Megan MacAuslan, Defence Force Recruiting, provides an education bursary to an outstanding airman or airwoman of the rank of corporal and below.
Air Force Association Trophy: Headquarters Air Force Training Group, awarded for proficiency and contribution by Force Element Groups and Wing Headquarters.
Duke of Gloucester Cup: No. 10 Squadron, awarded to the most proficient flying squadron.
Hawker Siddeley Trophy: No. 26 Squadron, awarded to the most proficient unit with primarily whole-of-base functions.
Markowski Cup: No. 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, awarded to the most proficient specialist support unit.
RAAF Maintenance Trophy: No. 36 Squadron, awarded to the most proficient Air Force maintenance unit in recognition of their engineering and technical excellence.
Stonehaven Trophy: Air Mobility Training and Development Unit, awarded to the most proficient training unit.
