This item of military uniform was worn by Squadron Leader (SQNLDR) Bernard Farley during his period of Full Time service in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) between 27 January 1976 and 02 March 1997. Bernard joined the RAAF as an Airmen was trained and employed as a Clerk Supply (CLKSPL) between 1996 - 1977. He undertook officer cadet training at the Army Officer Cadet School in 1978 and was commissioned into the Ground Defence Category on the 09 December 1978, where he served for 18 years and rose to the rank of SQNLDR. Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Working Dress (Jacket - Blue Grey). This uniform was in the period 1966 - 2001 as the primary daily uniform in the office environment. Polyester working dress is approved for wear employed in office or business type environments. The short waist length jacket consists of a jacket has a lapel collar and zip front, with two external chest pockets and exposed pocket flaps, There are portlets on each shoulder that are fastened with a black plastic button. This button has a crown over eagle in flight on the front. Rank slides are slid onto these portlets and this jacket has Squadron Leader rank slides on the portlets. is closed with four gold buttons down the front. Each button is inserted through a small round hole sewn into the right side of the tunic front and held in place at the rear with a safety pin. There are four corresponding button holes sewn into the left front of the tunic to fasten the jacket in the normal closed position when worn. The waist belt is part knitted on the sides and cloth on the front and rear. There is also one interior pocket on the right side below the exterior breast pocket. Maker: Australian Defence Industries The Tunic has two military decorations attached above the exterior left chest pocket. The decoration are: 1. Conspicuous Service Medal - Yellow and Green right sloping diagonal strips 2.. Defence Service Medal (with one clasp) - Blue and Gold upright stripes and round metal clasp positioned centrally. The DSM is awarded for 15 years service and a clasp is awarded for each additional 5 years service.

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (First Oak Leaf Cluster) Squadron leader Alan R Reed distinguished himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as and RD-4C Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 24 August 1968. On that date, he flew his aircraft repeatedly through intense hostile ground fire to obtain complete photographic coverage of the target. In addition, he voluntarily remained in that hostile environment for as long as fuel would allow, to act as a spotter and to pass firing corrections to friendly artillery. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Squadron Leader Reed reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. Squadron Leader Alan Reed from the Royal Australian Air Force 052363 served in Vietnam from 26 May 1968 until 20 November 1968. He spent most of his tour detached to the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, US Air Force. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 1989 for his service to the RAAF as Air Officer Commanding, Support Command. For his service with the USAF, Alan Reed was awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster. His final rank with the Air Force was Air Vice Marshal and his last posting was with Headquarters, Australian Force Vietnam (RAAF Element) Black and White photo in black and white frame of SQN LDR Alan Reed receiving a citation to accompany Distinguished Flying Cross 21 /08 /1968. with supporting info.photograph, alan reed, squadron leader alan reed, royal australian air force, raaf, 052363, 12th tactical reconnaissance squadron, united states air force, usaf, officer of the order of australia, air vice marshall allan reed, headquarters, australian force vietnam

Athol Hodgson began testing of retardants in 1963 at Ballarat by dropping water thickened with bentonite clay directly from a Ceres CA-28 aircraft. In 1965 dropping a new chemical retardant Phoschek was produced by Monsanto All this experimental work culminated with two Piper Pawnees from Benambra, flown by Ben Buckley and Bob Lansbury, making Australia’s first operational drop of fire-retardant on a small lightning-strike on 6 February 1967. The flight at Benambra came to symbolise the classic application of firebombing and a "proof-of-concept" that encouraged many more innovations with new and more powerful aircraft.Fibreglass funnels used to measure the viscosity of the fire retardant, Phoscheck The funnel was filled with liquid and timed to run through between 35 and 50 secondsforests commission victoria (fcv), bushfire, fire pump, fire tanker

Manufacturers label inside jacket M.TX Size 22