5 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets

01/08/2025

Can you spot the difference? 🧐

From today our Badge has officially changed from the St Edwards Crown, used by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to the Tudor Crown, used by His Majesty King Charles III.

There are six key differences between the two badges - can you spot them? Drop your guesses in the comments ⬇
The Air Force Badge was originally drawn by John Heaton-Armstrong from the United Kingdom College of Arms in 1939 and was subsequently redrawn by the College of Arms in 1955, replacing the Tudor Crown featured in the personal cypher of King George VI with the St Edward's Crown featured in the personal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II.

The 2025 redesign replaces the St Edward's Crown with the Tudor Crown, as featured in the personal cypher of King Charles III and will be formally known as the CIIIR variant. This change is in accordance with direction from PM&C and is implemented using a low cost approach, where replacement only occurs on an as needed basis.

Both versions of the crown are a valid representations of royal authority, there is no objection to using two different designs simultaneously in the transition period. This follows the precedent from Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, where change over to the St Edward’s crown was made over ten years.

23/05/2025

Good afternoon Members and Friends of 5 Wing

It is with sadness that today I announce the passing of 5WG alumnus, WOFF(AAFC) Rod Burr. Rod passed peacefully in his home with family by his side. Rod was a much loved and well-respected member of No. 5 Wing.

Rod’s long association with the Australian Air Force Cadets started when he joined 4FLT, Burnie as a cadet in 1968. In 1970, at the age of 15, he, along with several mates, joined the Royal Australian Air Force for a ‘bit of fun’.

Rod enjoyed time as an AIRTIC instructor at 1FLT Hobart and 32FLT Wagga Wagga. Upon retirement from the Air Force, he returned to Tasmania, where he joined 4FLT Burnie as a staff member.

Throughout his almost 30 years’ service with the AAFC, he held Wing Warrant Officer, Training Officer Cadets, Commanding Officer 504 Squadron and many other Squadron based appointments.

Rod’s passion and commitment to the development of Tasmania’s youth was unwavering. His coupled RAAF and AAFC service saw him wear the uniform he loved so dearly for close to 50 years … Rod certainly had blue blood running through his veins.

Rod left the AAFC in 2019 to enjoy a life in retirement. In 2021, as a part of the AAFC 80th Anniversary Celebrations, Rod was named 5 Wing’s Hall of Famer.

Rod will forever be remembered as the little man with the big voice.

Rest in peace Smurf.

15/05/2025

Tonight I had the pleasure of presenting the ADFC 5 Year Certificate to FLTLT(AAFC) Morgan Read.

Thank you Morgan for your time and contribution to 507SQN and 5WG.

05/05/2025

Able Seaman Francis Piccin performs his musical tribute to Anzacs, Never Forget Australia, in France.

03/05/2025

Congratulations Brittney

INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR // 2025

The 'National Instructor of the Year' for 2025 has JUST been announced at the Australian Air Force Cadets National Awards Night, held at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra, ACT tonight.

Presented by Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Reynolds, AM, Deputy Chief of Air Force and Group Captain (AAFC) Stephen Johns, Commander AAFC, CONGRATULATIONS to:

LACW(AAFC) Brittney Siedentopf, No. 5Wing, TAS

Join us in congratulating this year's 2025 representative!!

www.airforcecadets.gov.au

24/04/2025

ANZAC DAY 2025 // VILLERS-BRETONNEUX

Tune in to ABC at 1330hrs AEDT to watch the Dawn Service live from the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France.

The 2025 recipient of the Eleanore Tibble Memorial Pilgrimage, CWOFF Will Colebrook-Smith, accompanied by LACW(AAFC) Ava Campbell, will be participating in the Ceremony as wreath bearers.

Congratulations Will and Ava on being selected for this honour.

02/04/2025

5 WING INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR // 2025

I am pleased to announce your 5WG Instructor of the Year for 2025.

Congratulations to LACW(AAFC) Brittney Siedentopf (501SQN Dowsings Point)

Brittney is currently the Executive Officer at 501SQN as well as holding multiple roles in both 501 and 500 SQNs. She has supported her CO to strengthen 501SQN and assists the Wing with regular activity attendance. She has dedicated herself to cadets while also working unbelievably hard in her civilian life, a balance that is particularly hard to achieve. Brittney is what every instructor of the year should be, hardworking, and caring. She is the kind of staff member that makes you want to clone her.

Brittney has an excellent work ethic, and she has raised and conducted more than her share of activities. These activities have all been driven by her desire to make the Cadet experience fun, relevant and supportive, to enable Cadets to learn and grow into self-reliant and confident individuals.

She has and continues to make an amazing contribution to both 501SQN and 5 Wing with her sharing of knowledge, her involvement with ‘making things happen’ and her drive to ensure Cadets gain the best experience out of their participation in our organisation.

Once again, congratulations Brittney and good luck at the National Awards in May.

Send a message to learn more

02/04/2025

5 WING CADET OF THE YEAR // 2025

I am pleased to announce your 5WG Cadet of the Year for 2025.

Congratulations to CWOFF Will Colebrook-Smith (508SQN Launceston)

CWOFF Colebrook-Smith is the current Cadet Squadron Warrant Officer at No. 508 (City of Launceston) Squadron. Alongside his duties as an instructor both on the parade ground and in the classroom, he is also the Chair of 508SQN's Mess Committee and the leader of the Squadron's Drumline.

Throughout his cadet career he has been a dedicated and enthusiastic member of the Squadron's community, always willing to put himself out there and learn new skills. He attended his first National Fieldcraft Competition without having been on a bivouac and has been an avid lover of all things field ever since, having gone on to attend the annual Tasmanian Army Cadet Annual Field Exercise.

He has a keen interest in aviation, as he is currently completing the tail end of AAFC flying training through a service provider in Launceston with the intention to go solo very soon. CWOFF Colebrook-Smith is also the most recent recipient of the Ellie Tibble Memorial Pilgrimage and will be heading overseas in April.

CWOFF Colebrook-Smith is an innovator and pusher for change. Alongside his predecessor he helped take 508SQN's Drumline from a semi-regular elective class to a formalised, cadet-run, practicing group that parades with the Squadron every week. He has inspired many new cadets to take an interest in drumming that the Squadron has had to seek additional practice equipment, twice.

Both his passion and his empathy have led to the cadets having a great deal of trust and rapport with him, traits that have also helped him to be an important part of the local community outside of his role in the AAFC. Aside from AAFC, CWOFF Colebrook-Smith participated in the ASEAN Youth Summit, volunteers for several community groups, is a member of the Launceston College Debating Team and is an avid Fencer.

Once again, congratulations Will and good luck at the National Awards in May.

Send a message to learn more

18/02/2025

Good evening Cadets, Staff and Friends of 5 Wing

It is with deep sadness that this evening, I advise the passing of FSGT(AAFC) Jenny Crans. Jenny passed peacefully with family by her side.

Jenny joined the AAFC and appointed as a CPL(AAFC) in 2002 parading at No. 506SQN where she held numerous roles through the following 4 years. Jenny was one of the last members of 506SQN and a founding member of 508SQN. Jenny held multiple roles at 508SQN including CO, XO, ADMINO and FINO. Through the following 8 years Jenny was regularly promoted achieving WOFF(AAFC) on appointment as CO 508SQN.

Although asked to transition to an Officer of Cadets on multiple occasions, Jenny remained true to her roots and chose to remain an Aviator. Similarly, when Jenny posted to Wing HQ, she remained true to her origins and always maintained a presence at 508SQN.

Jenny gave 23 years to the AAFC and was awarded the Australian Cadet Forces Service Medal with Clasp and the Australian Defence Force Cadets 10 Year Certificate in recognition of her service.

Jenny was a mother, teacher, mentor, counsellor, mediator, comedian, and most importantly, a friend. She had a wicked sense of humour, highlighted by a memory of her and Shay driving around East Sale in the ‘Bieber mobile blasting Bieber tunes’ (you had to be there).

Jenny is a very much-loved member of staff, and she will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Jenny, your contribution to 5 Wing, the AAFC and the leaders of tomorrow will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and condolences are today with Jenny's family.

I received an email from Jenny last Wednesday and I thought it fitting that I finish this post with her last words of that email:

‘From the hormone-ravaged cadets to the fantastic staff events, I hold all of you in my heart with joy and gratitude’ – FSGT(AAFC) Jenny Crans

Steve Lane
Officer Commanding No. 5 Wing

15/09/2024

5WING // BATTLE OF BRITAIN COMMEMORATIONS 2024

The weekend saw your Australian Air Force Cadets and Staff from No. 5 Wing support the 84th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in Hobart.

Saturday morning saw the cadets visit Hobart airport and spend the morning with the Roulettes, before returning to the city to prepare for the commemorative church service at St Davids Cathedral.

As with previous years, 5WG provided cadets for the flag party. Well, done to CUO Apted, CCPL Wang, LCDT Quinlivan-White and A/CSGT Read; you have done the WG proud.

Saturday night saw OC and PLTOFF(AAFC) H***e attend the Commemorative Dining in Night hosted by the RAAF Association Tasmania Division.

Following Saturday's terrible weather, Sunday provided a glorious morning to conduct the wreath laying ceremony. CUO Apted delivered a reading to the assembled, featuring the Govenor of Tasmania, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, DSC, CSC, OAM, and many other distinguished guests.

The commemoration weekend culminated with the trademark Roulette display and lunch at the RAAF Association Tasmania.

I would like to express how proud I am of 5WG today. You all stood tall on an important day. Thank you to all the staff for your efforts in making this weekend another success.

21/07/2024

5 WING // CADET AVIATION MILITARY EXPERIENCE FLIGHT

On Friday 19 Jul 24, your 5 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets had the privilege of a flight in a Royal Australian Air Force No. 35 Squadron C-27J Spartan.

The aircraft, callsign Wallaby 77, came into Launceston in the morning and flew the cadets and staff from 508SQN in the first sortie followed by those from 507SQN in the second. Members were treated to a flight over the East Coast.

Upon departing Launceston, the aircraft headed to Hobart, where once again cadets and staff from 501SQN and 502SQN experienced the southeast coast in two sorties.

Thank you very No. 35 Squadron and the crew of Wallaby 77 for an awesome way to send the school holidays.

Photos taken by those in attendance on the various flights.

09/07/2024

Congratulations gents on a wonderful stint with the Roulettes. No. 5 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets - Tasmania particularly wishes to congratulate 5 Wing Alum, Ben Hepworth; we are proud of you.