 Wing Commander Peter "Cowboy" Krieg joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1981 as an Air Defence Controller (ADC). In 1989, Cowboy (then a Flight Lieutenant) was the first RAAF officer to be selected for the United States Navy's exchange program for the E-2 Hawkeye to develop Airborne Early Warning Command and Control operational experience with a mandate to stand up the project for the RAAF's potential AEW&C aircraft on return. While driving back from RAAF Woomera, he pondered the news of his assignment and thought of the new aircraft's names. Rounding a bend on the Stuart Highway, he spotted a Wedgetail eagle picking at a dead kangaroo on the side of the road. As he got closer, the eagle took flight, just missing his windscreen; at that moment, the Wedgetail aircraft received its name. Cowboy became the first ADC to be awarded the US Navy's Wings of Gold as a qualified E-2 Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer and subsequently accumulated close to 420 flight hours in the E-2C. Upon return to Australia, he spent five years in Canberra, assuming a critical role in gaining government approval for the Wedgetail AIR 5077 Project, for which he earned a Conspicuous Service Cross and took command of No. 2 ASQN on its re-purposing in 2000. In 2001, Cowboy joined Boeing so he could continue work on the Wedgetail program, playing a leading role in the delivery of the final aircraft to the RAAF in 2012. In total, he contributed close to 32 years to the Wedgetail project. A memorial service was held for Cowboy on November 8. About 300 family and friends travelled from around the globe to gather in the 2 Squadron hangar at RAAF Base Williamtown to honor Cowboy. Commanding Officer of 2 Squadron Wing Commander Samuel Thorpe, a long-term colleague and friend of Wing Commander Krieg, remembers his legacy. “Without Cowboy’s determination, dedication and vision, Wedgetail would have remained just a dream,” Wing Commander Thorpe said. “Through his strong leadership and advocacy, the RAAF now has a sovereign AEW&C capability for the defence of our nation. “In his own words, while I was visiting him in hospital: ‘2 Squadron and the E-7 has exceeded all my expectations; from a capability that our government and our own service didn’t want, to the capability that no one can live without’.” Cowboy took his last flight during the memorial, as his ashes were piped to the E-7A Wedgetail, with a playlist of his choosing as the aircraft prepared for departure. “His legacy is now etched in history, with a perpetual award in his honour: a painting detailing ‘the moment a dream was born’ that will grace the halls of 2 Squadron for as long as the 2 Squadron colours fly; and his Fighter Controller brevet proudly hanging in number one position as an honorary E-7A aircrew member in the 2 Squadron bar Fort Courage,” Wing Commander Thorpe said. (More about Cowboy) Sourced from:
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