Putting the future in focus

More than 690 technical trainees got a firsthand look at where their skills could take them when operational units from across Australia converged at RAAF Base Wagga. 

The School of Technical Training’s (STT) annual visit day brought squadron representatives together with trainees preparing for careers maintaining and supporting aircraft and systems central to Defence operations.

SNCOIC RAAF STT Operations Coordination FSGT Chris Greenall, who organised the event, said the day gave the school’s 694 trainees an opportunity to speak directly with representatives from units they could eventually join.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet representatives from the different squadrons and talk about what they can expect when they get to their posting,” FSGT Greenall said.

“It helps them understand what they need to do and decide which avenues are best for them.”

Representatives shared their experiences of squadron life, the platforms they support and opportunities available after graduation, while a flypast by F-35A Lightning II from 2OCU and static aircraft displays brought some of those possibilities to life.

CO STT WGCDR Richard Poole said enthusiasm for the day extended beyond the trainees.

“The trainees are generally fairly excited to see what operational squadron life is like and what people are doing out there,” WGCDR Poole said.

“The people who come out from the units are also quite excited to interact with the trainees and have a look at the people they’re going to be working with in the future.”

ACW Brooke Elliott, who is training to become an aircraft technician, arrived at the event with RAAF Base Amberley and RAAF Base Williamtown already among the possibilities she was considering.

“I’m hoping to learn a bit more about the squadrons because I’m unsure where I want to go at the moment,” ACW Elliott said.

For ACW Hannah James, the questions extended beyond location and aircraft type to what everyday life in an operational unit was actually like.

“It [gave] all the trainees a little look into squadron life – seeing how they function, what roles they play, the trips they go on and what we can do outside of Wagga,” ACW James said.

AC Jacob Wangmann was only three months into his aircraft technician training on base and had yet to settle on a particular destination.

He joined Air Force looking for a career that would challenge him, provide opportunities and help him grow personally – along with the chance to work around aircraft.

“Mostly, it was the opportunity to have a career that’s going to help me grow as a person,” AC Wangmann said.

“I don’t really have a preference for posting right now, so I’m hoping I might be able to learn a bit more about where I want to go and what I want to work on.”

According to FSGT Greenall, that was ultimately what the visit day was about – helping trainees to look beyond their training, explore their prospects and gain a clearer picture of the role they will soon play in Defence operations.