• RAAF Airman Aircrew ~ Simply The Best ....
  • Boeing Globemaster C17-A ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Alenia Spartan C-27J ~ 35 Squadron ....
  • Airbus KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport ~ 33 Squadron ....
  • Boeing 707-338C ~ 33 Squadron ....
  • Boeing E-7A Hawkeye ~ 2 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130J ~ 37 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130H ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130E ~ 37 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130A ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Pacific Aerospace CT4 ~ 1 Flying Training School ....
  • Bombardier Challenger CL604 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Beechcraft King Air 350 ~ 32 Squadron ....
  • BAC1-11 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Boeing BBJ 737-8 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Bell Iroquois UH-1H ~ 9 Squadron ....
  • De Havilland Caribou DHC-4 ~ 38 Squadron ....
  • Boeing Chinook CH-47 ~ 12 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Orion P3 ~ 11 Squadron ....
  • Sikorsky Blackhawk UH-60 ~ 9 Squadron ....
  • Douglas DC3 ~ Aircraft Research and Development Unit ....
  • Pilatus PC9 ~ 2 Flying Training School ....
  • Aermacchi MB-326H ~ Roulettes ....

Vale, Robert James 'Shorty' HEFFERNAN AM, A219085, Loadmaster ....





Honours and Awards:

  • Member of The Order of Australia.
  • Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasps 'Vietnam', 'Malaysia', and 'Thailand'.
  • Vietnam Medal.
  • Australian Active Service Medal 1975 with Clasp 'Solalia'.
  • Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasps 'SE Asia', and 'PNG'.
  • Defence Force Service Medal with First Clasp.
  • Reserve Force Medal.
  • National Medal.
  • Australian Defence Medal
  • Returned from Active Service Badge.

Robert James 'Shorty' Heffernan joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 06 May 1958 and discharged on 05 September 1982.  He then served in the Air Force Reserve from 27 May 1983 to 19 June 1992.

Shorty completed No 11 Loadmaster Course (36 Squadron) in 1966.

From October to December, 1977, Shorty was attached to 14 Squadron, Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM)), to instruct on aerial delivery techniques and procedures.  His other postings included:

  • No 1 Recruit Training Unit, 06 May 1958.
  • Base Squadron East Sale, 11 August 1958.
  • Base Squadron Point Cook, 25 August 1958.
  • Adult Training Squadron, 03 April 1959.
  • 5 Airfield Construction Squadron, 23 June 1959.
  • Base Squadron Richmond, 20 October 1960.
  • 86 Wing Headquarters, 11 January 1961.
  • Base Squadron Darwin, 10 May 1961.
  • Base Squadron Pearce, 11 February 1963.
  • 36 Squadron, 21 September 1965.
  • Air Movement Training and Development Unit, 23 January 1979.
  • 3 RAAF Hospital (Non Effective), 23 July 1981.
  • Air Movement Training and Development Unit, 18 September 1981.
  • Base Squadron Richmond (for Discharge), 02 September 1982.
  • 22 Squadron (Re-enlisted), 27 May 1983.
  • 36 Squadron, 06 June 1991.

Formerly of Sandstone Point, Queensland.

Statement of Service.
Vietnam Service Record.