Best Bill Kourelakos Podcasts (2024)

1
Workhorse - E42 - PNG Tsunami and Bougainville with Richard Lennon 1:28:14

4h ago1:28:14

1:28:14

This episode features retired Air Commodore Richard 'Yoko' Lennon discussing his career along with C-130 operations in Bougainville (Lagoon, Usherette, and Bel Isi) and northern PNG in the aftermath of the 1998 tsunami at Sissano Lagoon (Operation Shaddock). Richard also discusses his command perspectives on Operations Padang Assist (2009) and Yasi…

1
Workhorse - E41 - Timor and Middle East with Darren Goldie 1:07:32

11d ago1:07:32

1:07:32

This episode features the career of retired Air Marshal Darren Goldie, a C-130 E, H and J pilot who became Commanding Officer 37 Squadron and later Air Commander Australia. The discussion covers Australia's C-130 contributions to UN operations in East Timor during the latter half of 1999, as well as C-130J operations in the Middle East from 2003.…

1
Workhorse - E40 - Haybales and AME with Jack Foley 1:15:02

27d ago1:15:02

1:15:02

In this episode, John 'Jack' 'Axel' Foley discusses his career in the C-130 world, including: - Haybale drops during the 1990 floods - A very unique AME out of Mount Hagen, PNG - Op Vista - Command in the Middle East and at 285SQNBy Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - E39 - MARSURV vs the Pong Su with Nick McCowan 1:04:36

1M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

The Pong Su was a drug-running freighter that was chased down by Australian authorities and apprehended under the ADF's Operation Tartan (2003). That operation required 24/7 surveillance, and 36 Squadron participated by conducting two maritime surveillance missions with one of its C-130Hs (A97-006). In this episode, Nick McCowan relates his mission…

1
Spartan Spirit Leadership - E34 - End of Podcast 5:15

2M ago5:15

5:15

This is a short finale to the Spartan Spirit Podcast Series. To my loyal listeners - many thanks for all your feedback. I'll return to societal comment, eventually. Do What's Best for the West!!!!By Bill Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - E38 - Late 90s Strategy and C-130J Acquisition with Tony Kempnich 54:33

2M ago54:33

54:33

This episode details the impact of John Howard's shift in defence strategy whereby the ADF was called upon to re-engage in a more forceful manner across the near region and globally. This eventually led to the ADF's long involvement in the Middle East. Concurrently, the C-130J was acquired and Tony Kempnich discusses the acquisition aspects as well…

1
Workhorse - E37 - Isabelle Autissier SAR with Dean Tetley 1:20:23

2M ago1:20:23

1:20:23

During the British Oxygen Company solo around-the-world yacht race, Isabelle Autissier departed the Kerguelen Islands on 17 December 1994, heading east to sail south of Australia. Her 60-foot boat, Ecureuil Poitou-Charentes II, sailed into stormy 60-knot winds and rough seas in the Southern Ocean, and both her masts snapped. She set off her EPIRB (…

1
Workhorse - E36 - RAAF C-130s - Zuiho Maru SAR with Don Sutherland 1:06:11

3M ago1:06:11

1:06:11

In late July 1995 a Japanese fishing trawler, the Zuiho Maru, was wrecked on tiny St Paul Island in the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean. 36SQN was tasked to search for survivors and provide aid. Don Sutherland was the mission commander for this epic search and rescue mission. He recounts the mission in detail, along with covering the highlight…

1
Spartan Spirit Leadership - E33 - Macron - Lebanon and Hezbollah 54:44

3M ago54:44

54:44

It's early August 2024. Tensions between Israel and Palestinians, Lebanon, Hezbollah and Iran are at the boiling point. Will it be all out war? It depends a lot on what Hezbollah does (or did by the time you read this). This episode details the history of Lebanon, how its political structure led to the rise of Hezbollah as a major party, as well as…

1
Workhorse - E35 - PNG and UN Ops 1987-97 with Paul Nicholas 1:40:12

3M ago1:40:12

1:40:12

Under the Defence of Australia strategy of the 1980s and early 90s, Australia sought to maximise participation in UN operations. Paul 'Pearl' Nicholas (ex CO 36/37SQN) recounts his participation in UN flights to Africa (Ops Solace and Tamar), as well as his time in PNG and on exchange at Pope Air Force Base. Operations Lagoon (Bougainville), Carmin…

1
Workhorse - E34 - Special Ops Development with Greg Evans and John Samulski 1:37:30

4M ago1:37:30

1:37:30

This episode dives into the details of how the Special Operations role evolved within 36SQN during the 1980s and 90s. Greg Evans and John Samulski provide great insight into the reasons for developing the SPECOPS role and how it evolved over time in the Royal Australian Air Force. The discussion roams across the tactics techniques and procedures (T…

1
Workhorse - E33 - OPs Sailcloth - Morris Dance - Immune with Peter Wood 58:02

4M ago58:02

58:02

Operations in the Southwest Pacific during the late 1980s and early-mid 90s are discussed with C-130 pilot Peter 'Wedge' Wood, along with his experiences in Papua New Guinea and as Officer Commanding 84 Wing. Additionally, Wedge's experiences of Operation Immune are discussed at length. Operations covered include: Delivery of riot gear to Port Vila…

1
Workhorse - E32 - Maintenance 1975-1997 with David Richardson 1:02:55

5M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Dave 'Richo' Richardson discusses a broad range of maintenance topics spanning the 1975-1997 era, including: Corrosion and Fatigue Boron fibre repairs C-130E wing repairs C-130E outer wing swap C-130H wing design Paint schemes Electronic warfare modifications Maintenance reorganisation Engine sulphidation Operating cost reductions (removing wing ta…

1
Workhorse - E31 - Strategic Circumstances from mid 70s - mid 90s 14:54

5M ago14:54

14:54

This episode explores the 'Defence of Australia' years and how this strategy impacted C-130 operations. The impact of the Dibb Review is also discussed.By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - E30 - Unique Loads of the 70s 16:54

6M ago16:54

16:54

This short episode covers a few unique loads carried by Royal Australian Air Force C-130s in the 1970s and early 1980s. Included are: A bull taken to China The entombed warriors (China again) Stock to Tonga A 3-day trip for a croc A giant pig Darwin Beer Can Regatta and, F-111 maintenance into Johnston Atoll…

1
Workhorse - E29 - Airlift Competitions with Gary Robinson 36:27

6M ago36:27

36:27

This episode covers off on three airlift competitions that RAAF C-130s won on several occasions: Volant Rodeo, Bullseye, and Air Tattoo. The details are discussed with retired WOFF Gary 'Robbo' Robinson, an ex 36SQN Loadmaster. Of note, Robbo was a crewmember on the only RAAF contingent to ever win 'Best Wing '- the top prize at Rodeo. Robbo also d…

1
Workhorse - E28 - Tactics and NVGs - with John Samulski 42:03

7M ago42:03

42:03

During the 1975-1986 era, the Australian Army reinvigorated Airborne Operations. With the drive to enhance airborne operations capabilities came the notion of operating C-130s into contested environments, and that meant improving RAAF C-130 tactics. Modern tactics development led 36SQN to consider electronic warfare, operating as low as they could,…

1
Workhorse - E27 - Airborne Ops Development - 1975-1986 28:01

7M ago28:01

28:01

The advent of the 1976 White Paper came with a reduction in the ADF's combat operations, and an emphasis on preparedness for the defence of Australia. As a result, the ADF put a great deal of energy into exercising and developing combat skills and proficiency. This effort led to the re-establishment of a permanent Regular Army airborne operations c…

1
Workhorse - E26 - Unique Missions - 1975-86 18:55

7M ago18:55

18:55

This episode covers unique operations of the 1975-1986 era. These missions are all reflective of the flexibility inherent in the C-130 and Australia’s growing dependence on the Hercules to deliver a variety of effects. The missions covered include: Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) of Tehran UN supply missions to the Middle East 1981 Qantas …

1
Workhorse - E25 - SAR 1975-1986 13:28

8M ago13:28

13:28

This episode looks at a handful of Search and Rescue missions in the 1975-1986 era, including the Nocturne (which also featured Sir Angus Houston), Charleston, and Matina. The episode also discusses the development of the helibox and the air-sea rescue kit (ASRK).By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - E24 - HADR 1975-1986 15:26

8M ago15:26

15:26

From the mid 1970s, Australia's defence strategy shifted to 'Defence of Australia'. This resulted in more domestically-focused tasking and support to the near region for disaster relief and SARs. This episode covers some of the Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief operations of that era, including the Moree Floods, Operation Ricebowl, and seve…

1
Workhorse - E23 - Antarctica 18:40

9M ago18:40

18:40

This episode details the history of Royal Australian Air Force operations in Antarctica with a focus on RAAF C-130 involvement, including airdrops at Macquarie Island.By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - E22 - Aerial Firefighting 16:56

9M ago16:56

16:56

In the early 1980s, 36SQN supported the Forest Commission Victoria by installing and operating a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS). This episode details the circumstances leading to this decision, the operations that ensued, and the reasoning behind the cessation of the aerial fire fighting role.…

1
Workhorse - E21 - C-130H Acquisition and C-130A Disposal 19:57

10M ago19:57

19:57

This Episode covers: The strategic circumstances that led to the RAAF's acquisition of the C-130H Technical upgrades that came with the C-130H Acquisition and the early training for the C-130H capability The C-130A disposal saga.By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - E20 - Maintenance, Boron Fibres, Bogging in 1965-75 19:07

11M ago19:07

19:07

This episode covers a range of maintenance related tasks in the 1965-1975 era, including: Cargo Door bolt failures Boron Fibres Wing corrosion and cracking Bogging Rudder Kick-back This is the last episode for 2023. Workhorse will return mid-Jan 2024 on a bi-By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - E19 - 1973 MAYDAY and SAR with Stu Bryce 38:27

11M ago38:27

38:27

This episode features Stu Bryce who was captain of A97-160 when it had a catastrophic engine failure half-way between Hawaii and Pago Pago in 1973. Search and Rescue (SAR) doctrine is also covered, along with an explanation of why RAAF C-130s were given the SAR role in 1967.By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E18 - Floods, Hay Bales, and Tracy - with Tony Ryan 55:36

11M ago55:36

55:36

Retired Warrant Officer and Flight Engineer Tony Ryan features in this episode which focuses on domestic Australian Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in the early 1970s. The large-scale floods of early 1971 and 1974 rivalled the floods of 2022. The ADF response was wide-ranging, including major commitments by RAAF C-130s and…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E17 - HADR and ABNOPS in the 1965-75 Era 19:00

11M ago19:00

19:00

This episode covers Airborne Operations training and development in the 1965-75 era. Of note, the Australian Army's return to mass airdrop was initiated by 6RAR and supported by 36SQN in this era. Also covered is the role of Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief, along with a look at some of the HADR Operations of that era in places like Indonesi…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E16 - Early 1970s SE Asian Ops - Ian Frame 35:37

11M ago35:37

35:37

This Episode features guest Ian Frame. He covers RAAF C-130 operations in South East Asia from 1971 - 1975 (mostly Apr 1975). The operations discussed include: Weapons delivery to Cambodia in 1971 Non-combatant Evacuation Operations at Phan Rang Operation Babylift HADR flights to An Thoi Evacuation of the Australian Embassy in Saigon HADR flights t…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E15 - Vietnam Ops 1965-1972 14:30

12M ago14:30

14:30

This episode is a general overview of Royal Australian Air Force C-130 operations in South East Asia during the 1965-1972 era.By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E14 - AMEs in the 1965-75 Era 20:07

12M ago20:07

20:07

This episode discusses the C-130's suitability for Aeromedical Evacuations (AME) and how the RAAF's Hercules aircraft were employed in the AME role. In particular, Vietnam-related AMEs are discussed, including the transition from C-130As to C-130Es in the AME role.By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E13 - Why Vietnam? and Acquiring C-130Es 16:19

1y ago16:19

16:19

This episode looks at the situation in the mid-1960s by examining the circumstances that took Australia to Vietnam and the decision to acquire the C-130E.By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E12 - Dave Hitchins and Bob Heffernan - with Shorty 59:31

1y ago59:31

59:31

This episode features Bob 'Shorty' Heffernan talking about two C-130A Legends: Dave Hitchins, Commanding Officer 36SQN for four years, and - 'Shorty' himself! Shorty was a loadmaster and was key to the development of several airdrop innovations on C-130As. The discussion covers hay drops, Vietnam, AMEs, repatriation tasks, and airdrop.…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E11 - Early 1960s Maintenance, with Dave Richardson 43:42

1y ago43:42

43:42

Retired Group Captain Dave Richardson discusses maintenance in the early 1960s, along with a few stories from his time as a C-130 Engineering Officer and Officer Commanding Air Lift Systems Program Office. Topics include: C-130A serviceability Fuel tank corrosion Modifications Rate of Effort T-56 engines 486 Squadron 2 Aircraft Depot…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E10 - Air Movements and the BP System 17:41

1y ago17:41

17:41

This episode looks at the ground trades that loaded C-130s and some of the early equipment used to load C-130s. Covered in this episode: Air Movements Air Dispatchers The Brooks Perkins system The 463L pallet The Truck Aircraft Loading Unloading vehicle (TALU) Energy Dissipating Material (EDM)By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E9 - Airborne Ops in the 1960s, with John Samulski 49:57

1y ago49:57

49:57

John 'Sam' Samulski joins us today to discuss the history of airborne operations and the early days of airborne operations training in the Australian Defence Force. Included is an in-depth discussion of the various types of equipment airdrop and a look at the first drops conducted by C-130s in Australia.…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E8 - Pilot Training - with Greg Evans 55:25

1y ago55:25

55:25

This episode features retired Air Vice Marshal Greg Evans - a pilot who flew C-130s, commanded 37 Squadron and Air Lift Group. He discusses pilot training at length, including: The RAAF Categorization scheme, A comparison of RAAF training techniques with USAF training (he was on exchange with the USAF), Simulators; and Training in the C-130A during…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E7 - Konfrontasi, with Bob Wheeler 26:28

1y ago26:28

26:28

In 1962 the British Cobbold Commission recommended the amalgamation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Brunei to form Malaysia. Indonesia opposed this initiative by arming insurgents in Borneo and by conducting combat operations along its border with Malaysian Borneo. This conflict was dubbed the Borneo Revolt and was also commonly kn…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E6 - Early C-130A Operations....and Cannibals!! 22:45

1y ago22:45

22:45

This episode looks at early C-130A operational tasks that cumulatively gave the Australian, government, citizens, and military planners a good sense of just how much more capable air mobility was with C-130s in the inventory. The tasks covered include: The very first RAAF C-130 Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief mission which took place in the…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E5 - Air Logistics Support and Service Flights 27:36

1y ago27:36

27:36

The basic Hercules mission of moving passengers and cargo has had many different doctrinal and colloquial names over the years. The modern Australian Defence Force term is Air Logistics Support (or ALS for short). A widely used colloquial term is ‘trash-hauling’. This episode covers three general topics, all to do with the main business of moving p…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E4 - The First C-130A Task 13:07

1y ago13:07

13:07

This episode covers three different topics, all of which led to the first C-130A task: 1. Improvements made at RAAF Richmond (the home base for 36 Squadron's C-130As). 2. The acceptance and ferrying of the new C-130As from the US to Australia, and 3. The strategic situation that resulted in the first C-130A task: a flight to RAAF Butterworth, Malay…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E3 - Training and Crewing in 1958, with Col Coyne 37:20

1y ago37:20

37:20

In preparation for receiving their new C-130A Hercules aircraft, the Royal Australian Air Force assigned C-130 crews and support staff for its new capability. Along with those who would use its capabilities, they all needed training. That training was partially accomplished in the USA as part of the Lockheed contract, and some of it occurred in Ric…

1
Workhorse - RAAF C-130s - E2 - Strategic Need for the C-130 14:35

1y ago14:35

14:35

This episode covers the strategic circumstances of the 1950s that led Australia to buy the C-130A; thus making the Royal Australian Air Force the first foreign operator of the mighty Hercules.By Bill 'K9' Kourelakos