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Trio
looks forward to challenge
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RAAF
Base Edinburgh’s Corporal Dafydd, Sergeant Glen and
Flight Lieutenant Melanie before embarking with the P-3
crews on deployment to the international coalition against
terrorism.
Photo by LAC Rodney Welch
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WHEN
Flight Lieutenant Melanie, Sergeant Glen and Corporal Dafydd were
selected for deployment to the international coalition against terrorism,
they had no idea they would be thrust into the spotlight in the
days leading up to their departure.
As a navigator aboard P-3 Orions, FLTLT Melanie does not have “media
personality” in her job description, but just like her savvy
colleagues, she adapted to the situation and took it in her stride.
“Speaking to journalists about what I do isn’t something
that happens every day, but I think it’s important that the
public knows we are making a significant contribution to the international
coalition against terrorism and that we will do a good job on behalf
of Australia,” FLTLT Melanie, who has been in the Air Force
for 10 years, said.
“We are well trained for the role we are about to perform and
the public can have confidence in us. We are well known for our
maritime patrol work, particularly our ongoing border protection
operations to the north of Australia.
“Although the job we will do over in the Middle East will be
similar to one we do regularly at home, I am looking forward to
the challenge of working in a new environment and practising all
the skills we learn during training.”
Like FLTLT Melanie, SGT Glen was excited about the prospect of heading
overseas.
“I am an Aircraft Technician and after almost 21 years in the
Air Force I still love what I do,” the 36-year-old father of
two said.
“I have always worked on the engines and airframes of Orions
and I will be doing the same things in the Middle East that I do
here in Australia.
“My wife and children are here to say good bye to me and while
it will be hard to leave them, they know I have a job to do.”
Twenty-four-year-old CPL Dafydd said during the deployment he would
spend most of his time maintaining the radars and radios on the
P-3 Orion, “launching the aircraft, bringing them back and
fixing them when they are broken”.
He said his parents were proud of him and of his decision to join
the Air Force.
“They are probably a little concerned but they know it’s
my job and that this is what I joined up to do,” CPL Dafydd,
whose grandfather served in the Australian Army during World War
II, said.
“I am not worried because we are well-trained for it. There
is a risk, but it’s just part of life in the Air Force.”
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