F-111C Operational Conversion Courses (OPCON)
After the F-111Cs finally arrived in Australia on 1 Jun 73, 6SQN assumed responsibility for all F-111C aircrew training. The primary course for aircrew to convert on type was the F-111C Operational Conversion (OPCON) course; approximately five months duration, 25 day/night sorties and 60-70 flying hours, graduating as Category ‘D’ F-111C aircrew.
The majority were posted to 1SQN, worked up to Category ‘C’, then became combat ready in the land & maritime strike role and some aircrew remained at 6SQN and become instructors or recce aircrew. As 6SQN evolved in the early 80’s after the RF-111C arrived, Recce Flight and the Photographic Processing and Interpretation Facility (PPIF) was formed to conduct and support the reconnaissance role.
Aircrew posted back to the F-111 world underwent another full OPCON until 22 OPCON and in 1985 shorter, tailored F-111C refresher courses became the norm. 6SQN also occasionally ran Operational Upgrade (OPUP) training and in 2001 conducted the first Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI) course for F-111 aircrew to finally become FCI patch wearer’s. In 2002, after lagging training aircrew throughput due to poor on-line aircraft availability and compounded by the fuel tank reseal/deseal program board of inquiry, 6SQN Training Flight was directed to rewrite the entire OPCON Syllabus and integrate the F-111G with the F-111C. The new OPCON syllabus proved successful as 6SQN rattled off ten courses in the remaining five years.
Between 13 August 73 until 30 May 08, 6SQN conducted 64 OPCONs (#1-46, 46A, 47-49, 49A, 50-62) graduating 357 aircrew from 411 starters:
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187 PLTs
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132 NAVs
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21 ACOs
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3 USAF WSOs
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2 AEOs
Aircrew Snippets F-111 Chiefs & Commanders
- The Two Air Electronics Officers (AEO) were Jim Graham & Mick Nott; 1 OPCON
- Two USA Exchange Aircrew, Ham Reis & Rick O’Ferrall, did their F-111 OPCONs on US Exchange, not with 6SQN
- 10 USAFEX PLTs didn’t do full OPCONs (ex F-111)
- One USAFEX PLT, Tom Gill, did 22 OPCON
- 12 USAF WSOs didn’t do full OPCONs (ex F-111)
- Three USAF WSOs did full OPCONs (ex Strike Eagles)
- Eight RAF PLTs did full OPCONs (ex Buccaneer or Tornado)
- Eight RAF NAVs did full OPCONs (ex Buccaneer or Tornado)
- Eight former F-111C NAVs later graduated as RAAF PLTs
- Female F-111 aircrew restrictions were lifted in 1997
- No Female PLTs graduated on the F-111C; Mel Brauman was scrubbed off 45 OPCON, no other female PLTs ever posted in
- Two Female NAVs graduated on 48 OPCON; Aroha Fifield and Brooke Chivers
- NAVs became Air Combat Officers (ACO); wearing full wing brevets from 51 OPCON – Aug 2002
- Five Female ACOs graduated between 51-61 OPCON:
- Sue Youngman, Anna Moore, Zales Munro-Rustean, Julia Phillis and Adele Merriman
- Two Brothers flew the F-111C, Tony and John Wilkinson
- One Father and Son flew the F-111C, Trevor and Ricko Owen
- TC flew the first F-111C ferry flight, A8-125, to RAAF Amberley on 1 Jun 73
- Ricko flew the last F-111G ferry flight, A8-512, to RAAF Amberley on 10 May 94
6SQN OPCON Photos – First & Last Course
