An experience to remember

By Leigh Wallis

Corporak Paul Wilsch, of No. 3 Squadron, discusses aspects of the Hornet undercarriage with university students, from left, Adam Cooper, Robert Johnston, Allan McKellar, Aaron Battle, Kristy McManus and Ben Ford. Photo by LACW Veronica McKenna

SIX University of Newcastle students spent summer working at RAAF Base Williamtown at the Tactical Fighter System Program Office as part of a pilot program developed by the University and the Department of Defence to give students a chance to test a career within Defence.

Robert Johnston, Adam Cooper, Kristy McManus, Aaron Battle, Alan McKellar and Ben Ford went through a selection process at the university for the positions last year.

They worked in the F/A-18 upgrade, structural maintenance, engine maintenance, information technology and finance sections, so it was a real world experience with expectations that they were contributing to the overall operation of the base.

Mechanical engineering student Adam Cooper hopes to to join the Air Force as a pilot.

“I worked in Air 1, where they maintain the structure of the Hornet – the wings, body, undercarriage and so on, the sort of things you really don’t want to be without when you’re up there,” he said.

Bachelor of Science/Aviation student Kristy McManus also has ambitions to fly. Her work experience revolved around engine maintenance.

“It is quite different seeing the engines and actually working on them rather than just dealing in the theory. The experience has been a great learning curve for me and an opportunity to apply the University theory in a practical way,” she said.

Kirsty also worked on a two-year plan being developed for Williamtown to ensure maintenance keeps pace with the needs and upgrades of equipment.

Petra Downs, of the Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office, said the students fitted easily in to the Air Force operation and became a valuable component of the workforce.

“It was a good combination of fresh skills and enthusiasm along with a real work experience model in an exciting and cutting edge industry.”

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