Serving at a time of importance

Australia’s future air power begins with its people.

For 33 new aviators, the next step in their commitment to Australia came on September 30, as they graduated from Course 15 at 1RTU, RAAF Base Wagga.

Addressing the graduates, CAF AIRMSHL Stephen Chappell made the connection between Air Force’s people and the capability Australia needs in an increasingly challenging strategic environment.

“The world’s rules-based global order is under a lot of pressure,” he said.

“This matters to all of us, but it particularly matters to nations like ours, so for you to serve and volunteer to serve your nation at this time is incredibly important.”

AIRMSHL Chappell emphasised that the graduates’ commitment carried significance beyond the parade ground.

“Ultimately, what you are now joining is a Royal Australian Air Force that generates and delivers highly effective air power as part of our integrated force,” he said.

“We can only do that with outstanding aviators and air domain teammates to generate and deliver their air power, and that is what you are now part of.”

Building that foundation is central to 1RTU’s work. Over 10 weeks, recruits develop military skills, service knowledge and professional behaviours while learning to adapt, lead and make decisions in uncertain conditions.

CO 1RTU WGCDR Jodie Mason said mission readiness extended further than simply completing recruit training and passing assessments.

“Mission-ready aviators are aviators who demonstrate the values, mindset, discipline, resilience and teamwork required to contribute effectively from day one in their future mustering and unit,” she said.

Instructors assess those qualities by observing how recruits perform under pressure, respond to feedback, solve problems and support their teammates.

“Training continually reinforces the connection between individual performance, team effectiveness and operational outcomes,” WGCDR Mason said.

AIRMSHL Chappell reminded graduates to carry Defence’s values of service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence into their careers, linking care for themselves and their teammates to sustaining Australia’s security.

His account of SGT Jess Edwards’ deployment during the 2021 Kabul evacuation gave recruits a tangible illustration of where their training could lead.

“Air Force played a huge part in our ADF effort to bring out Australian nationals and other approved national citizens as the Taliban took over Afghanistan in Kabul,” AIRMSHL Chappell said.

“Jess initially was part of the evacuation centre helping receive the evacuees, providing medical support and helping to understand what needs they might have going forward. She was also flying missions, and was on one of the last C-17s to come out of Kabul with 336 people on board.

“Two weeks earlier, Jess had been in Australia, just going about her normal business and, within a couple of days, she found herself on the other side of the world helping people get to a new life.

“That’s the team you’ve joined. That’s the shared purpose we have – to make our nation safe and try and make this world a little better.”