The trip for the 22 men was facilitated by RSL Sub-branch president Pat McMahon. Pat is ex-RAAF and flew tankers for 11 years. His familiarity with the personnel on the base opened a door for the visit.

“He’s only just got out of the air force a few years ago, so he’s still got all his contacts in there. Other-wise we wouldn’t have got through,” said Sub-branch secretary, Graeme Clinch. 

He added that security was tight for the visit.

“Before we could go into the base, we had to register. And we had to be returned servicepeople before we were allowed to go on.”Besides the body-thrumming take-offs of 12 F18 Super Hornets which left the tarmac in pairs for flight training, it was a tour of the A330 tanker that impressed the group.

“It refuels three of the new Hornets at once; one out of the back and one off each wing. Three at a time, and it takes a few minutes,” Graeme said.

He said the visitors were blown away by the technology and felt fortunate to tour the plane and cockpit. 

“The base commander, Rob, he said we would be the only public, or non-serving people that would ever get into that aircraft. It was just because of being ex-Army, and Pat’s connection,” Graeme said. Pat and Graeme agreed there was a strong rapport between the experienced, retired servicemen and the active personnel at Amberley.

“We all get along really well. 

“They love the RSL blokes, they like talking to them, telling their stories and listening to ours,” Pat said. 

“Wherever we’ve been, on the military bases, the younger veterans love to see the older ones. 

“There’s a lot of respect there.”