 In August 1941 , McAloney was posted to the Directorate of Equipment at RAAF Headquarters , Melbourne . In this capacity he advised on the procurement of equipment and spare parts for RAAF aircraft . He was further tasked with compiling a register of aeroplane equipment at RAAF flight training units and operational bases throughout Australia . The latter entailed McAloney visiting several Air Force units in Victoria , New South Wales and Queensland to check equipment stores . On 1 March 1942 , he was commissioned as a flying officer . Transferred to the Directorate of Equipment Administration in July , McAloney was made Officer Commanding Technical and Photographic Staffs and served as a liaison between his own directorate and that of Technical Services . 
