Two teenagers have explored a range of roles within the Royal Australian Air Force.
Goulburn Valley Grammar School student Trinity Cameron, 17, and Euroa Secondary College student Maggie Pittock, 16, joined other young women at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, where they participated in the Women in Aviation program.
The program is designed to assist women aged 16 to 24 in learning about the opportunities available in an Air Force career.
Participants were given an inside look at the operations at an Air Force base, including military aviation, engineering and technical positions.
After observing a demonstration of firefighting roles, Trinity and Maggie had the chance to try on firefighting equipment.
“The program has been a great way to gain experience and learn about the different jobs and opportunities available in the Australian Defence Force,” Trinity said.
The experience also included flying in the F/A-18F Super Hornet simulator, which Maggie considered her favourite part.
“I learned about roles I never knew existed and would one thousand per cent recommend the program,” she said.
This work-experience initiative aligns with the Air Force’s pledge to be an employer of choice for women in technical roles, contributing to building and retaining a skilled Defence workforce.
Loadmaster Corporal Felicity Hull, a program participant in 2017, shared her thoughts with those considering an Air Force career.
“I was inspired by a Warrant Officer Loadmaster who shared her experience about the lesser-known opportunities in the Air Force,” Corporal Hull said.
She later mentioned her experience hiking the Kokoda trial in Papua New Guinea, realising the “pivotal” role loadmasters played in Australia’s success in the Pacific.
Corporal Hull discussed the diverse role of a loadmaster with the participants, including activities such as rigging and dispatching airborne equipment, complex calculations, and precise co-ordination.
“Every day in the Air Force brings new challenges and experiences,” she said.
“From assisting remote communities to contributing to humanitarian efforts worldwide, even seemingly simple tasks can have life-changing effects.
“It was a delight to share this with participants and see them consider the wide range of roles in (the) Air Force.”
The next Aviation Programs for Women will be hosted at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia this week.
Participants can explore various Air Force technologies, from electronic surveillance to military working dogs.