Senators Joe Ludwig (left) and Alan Ferguson took part in the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Exchange Program at RAAF Base Edinburgh and came away with a better understanding of life in the RAAF.

Two Senators recently experienced life in today's Royal Australian Air Force after volunteering to participate in the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Exchange Program at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

South Australian Liberal Senator Alan Ferguson and Queensland Labor Senator Joe Ludwig took part in the program from 22 to 27 July.

During their time with the Air Force, the Senators were given the opportunity to gain an understanding of the RAAF's expertise in initial training of recruits, observing initial training such as weapon handling, first aid, and fire fighting.

The Senators spent a night in the field at Murray Bridge Army Range with No. 1 Recruit Training Unit where they saw more involved weapon training and night ground defence training. Then, on return to RAAF Edinburgh, the Senators visited No. 1 Radar Surveillance Unit, which operates the JINDALEE Over the horizon Radar Network (JORN) and also Electronic Warfare (EW) Squadron, which is involved in very specialised, highly technical EW work.

Time spent with No. 92 Wing saw the Senators flying with a P-3C crew from No. 11 Squadron, conducting aircrew training in Anti-Submarine Warfare, Maritime Surveillance and Search and Survivor Supply.

The men also participated in some ongoing P-3C aircraft maintenance and observed the new AP-3C flight simulators. They visited the RAAF Aviation Medicine Institute, which conducts training and research in medical matters unique to aviation. In addition to observing many different organisations and types of specialised work the RAAF conducts, the Senators took the time to speak with many service men and women about the unique demands of service life.

Both Senators admitted to a better understanding of life in the RAAF after their week-long visit.