By
Peter Clack
 |
|
FSGT
Lyle Oaklands and his son Bradley, a new firefighting recruit.
|
A
FAMILY tradition continued at the Parramatta Defence Force Recruiting
Centre recently when Bradley Oaklands, 18, followed in the footsteps
of his father and brother by enlisting as an Air Force firefighter.
His father, Flight Sergeant Lyle Oaklands, of No. 386 Expeditionary
Combat Support Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, has been an Air
Force firefighter for 25 years, and his brother, Leading Aircraftman
Andrew Oaklands, of No. 381 ECSS at RAAF Base Williamtown, has
been a firefighter for two years.
His mother Ali and sister Stephanie, who both work for the Department
of Defence at Richmond, are volunteer members of the NSW Rural
Fire Service. FSGT Oaklands, whose latest overseas service was
in Baghdad, has been involved in fire fighting for 27 years
(including two years with the South Australian Country Fire Service
before enlisting in the Air Force).
The family has been in the NSW Rural Firefighting Service for
four years. “They are RAAF brats,” FSGT Oaklands said, with a
hint of pride, soon after his son Bradley’s enlistment ceremony.
Although FSGT Oaklands has made firefighting his life he insists
that he did not try to sway his sons’ decisions to become Air
Force firefighters. “I never told them to join up. They did
all the testing themselves.
I just got them to Defence Force Recruiting and they got in on
their own merits,” he said.
An Air Force fire vehicle from Richmond and a number of FSGT
Oaklands’ workmates turned up for the enlistment ceremony, conducted
by a long-time colleague, Warrant Officer Peter McGraw, an Air
Force firefighter from RAAF Base Glenbrook.
Bradley Oaklands and his friend, recruit firefighter, Damien
Bryan are currently doing military recruit training at RAAF Base
Edinburgh.
