TWO Ipswich teenagers have experienced life as aviators during the Air Force women in aviation program.
Mia-Rose Chown, 17, and Keira Blair, 16, joined young women from across Australia at RAAF Base Amberley to understand what an Air Force career might mean for them.
Participants received firsthand experience of the day-to-day operations at an Air Force base, including military aviation, engineering, and technical roles.
Mia-Rose, from Gailes, and Keira, from Bellbird Park, both donned RAAF flight suits and watched demonstrations on various roles.
“I learned that Air Force roles can be achieved with motivation, work, and determination,” Mia-Rose said.
“It was good to see the lifestyle and work culture of Air Force.
“I liked learning what the different aircraft were used for, especially the Spartan.”
Participants also got to experience flying in the FA-18F Super Hornet simulator and saw other RAAF aircraft.
“The C-17 Globemaster was massive – not like a normal plane,” Keira said.
“I loved meeting the amazing Air Force personnel and hearing their insights.
“I would totally recommend this program – I expected it to be worse, but I kinda didn’t want to leave.”
A tailored work experience opportunity for prospective candidates plays a crucial role in the Air Force’s commitment to becoming an employer of choice for women in technical roles, contributing to the growth and retention of a Defence workforce.
Loadmaster Corporal Felicity Hull, who took part in the program in 2017, shared her experience with young people 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.
“Later that year, I was fortunate to hike the Kokoda trial in Papua New Guinea, where I realised how pivotal the role of loadmasters was to Australia’s success in the Pacific.
“With no roads, supplies were challenging and nearly impossible to be received, therefore the logistics my predecessors delivered made a real difference.”
Corporal Hull shared the diverse role of a loadmaster with the program participants, which, on any given day, could include rigging and dispatching airborne equipment, complex calculations, and precise coordination within a continual learning environment.
“Every day in the Air Force brings new challenges and experiences. 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 Air Force,” Corporal Hull said.
“The Air Force greatly values the diverse perspectives and views brought forth by every individual, as they enable the organization to approach challenges from various angles and find innovative solutions.”
