AS THE rear ramp lowered mid-flight on a 36 Squadron C-17 Globemaster III, Arielle Wilson, an Indigenous student from Bremer State High School, smiled in delight – this was her first flight in an aircraft.
Arielle was one of 160 Indigenous students, Elders and community members on a NAIDOC community familiarisation flight from RAAF Base Amberley recently.
Arielle could barely contain her excitement when the C-17 took to the air. She was thrilled when the rear ramp lowered, showing the stunning landscape.
“I felt scared when we took off but when we were in the air I was fine,” Arielle said.
“When I saw the loadmaster at the back of the plane, I was surprised, I didn’t know you could do that, especially for a job.”
Group Captain Dennis Tan was on hand to offer a big welcome.
“The connection we have with our Yuggera elders, Aunty Lilly and Aunty Mireea, is a warm and long-standing relationship for which I’m genuinely grateful,” Group Captain Tan said.
“From our very own yarning circle through to our Indigenous youth programs and NAIDOC community flights, I’m proud that we can showcase the capabilities and opportunities Air Force can offer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women.”
Indigenous Liaison Officer at RAAF Base Amberley Sarah Woods said such relationships with local Indigenous communities were extremely satisfying.
“We’ve had several Indigenous people join Defence after something as simple as taking them for a visit to a base, one of our youth camps or on a flight like this in a C-17,” she said.
“It shows Elders and young people alike that you can do anything; that there are pathways for them in Defence.”
