When sending important packages overseas, most people look for a fast and secure carrier – and no other provider can do fast, secure and long distance as well as the United States Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
Debbie Wadwell, Secretary RSL Ipswich Sub Branch, is a dedicated upholder of veterans support and receives many requests – all of which are important.
But one particular letter was out of the ordinary.
The letter was from a deceased RAAF aviator’s grandson in the United States, and it was a request the RSL were happy to fulfil.
The letter read:
Hello, I am not sure who to talk to but I was hoping you can help me. My grandfather Frank George Russell was a WWII and Vietnam vet for the RAAF. The reason I am reaching out is because my Dad (his son) and I live in the United States and not sure who to talk to. My Dad and I both are veterans of the US Air Force and I would really like to honour my grandfather so my kids can see how remarkable a man he was. Any help of guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Flight Lieutenant Frank Russell might not be a household name, but his service record speaks of a significant aviator with a long and steeped career.
Enlisting in 1941, Flight Lieutenant Russell served until 1976 – a career that took him through World War 2, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War.
The RSL were more than happy to help out – and go one step further.
Not only did they provide the family with a wealth of information on their deceased relative but also organised a presentation frame that included replicas of Flight Lieutenant Russell’s impressive rack of medals overlaying folded Australian and US flags, known as a shadow box.
“From an RSL perspective, it was an honour to commemorate this veteran and help his family remember his service,” Mrs Wadwell said.
“We wanted to go above and beyond and this is a highlight of my time serving in this capacity.”
The final piece of the puzzle remained organising delivery of the shadow box to the family in the US.
Enter Headquarters 82 Wing, where Flight Lieutenant Russell served two tours in the 1940s and 50s, and the United States Air Force’s 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron who were deployed to RAAF Base Amberley on a Bomber Task Force mission.
RAAF Base Amberley is a long way from the family’s home in Missouri, US, but just a short drive from the RSL sub-branch in Ipswich, Qld, that held the shadow box.
The unit flies the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber – the world’s premier multi-role heavy bomber.
The B-2 can bring massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe, stealthily penetrating any defences.
Delivering a significant family treasure was not part of the designer’s remit – but the aircraft is indeed multi-role and certainly capable of the mission.
The generous delivery would not have been possible without the long lasting camaraderie built between Australian and United States forces over the years.
Group Captain Paul Jarvis, Officer Commanding 82 Wing who are hosting the Bomber Task Force (BTF), got to the heart of the matter.
“The BTF team were more than happy to take the shadow box home in their aircraft to present it to the family,” Group Captain Jarvis said.
“Master Sergeant Emily Luzum has graciously accepted the role of delivering the shadow box and a Quilt of Valour to David Russell, himself a US Air Force veteran, who lives in her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska.
“They are just really good people, and we have all developed solid friendships that will keep serving us long into the future.”
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Meyer, the 110 Expeditionary Bomb Squadron Commander, joked: “we’ll just add it to our weight and balance calculations for the trip home.”
The Bomber Task Force deployment has provided the opportunity for Australia and the United States to deepen integration across many airpower and joint roles as part of the Enhance Air cooperation program.
