SGT Olsen was a ‘can do’ man

By FLTLT Gary Sadler

* SGT Mick Olsen died on February 25 aged 42. His 23 years of service in the Air Force included time with No. 3 Squadron, No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron, No. 2 Stores Depot, No. 1 Operational Support Unit, No. 114 Control and Reporting Unit, Amberley’s Supply Support Squadron and No. 321 Air Base Wing. *

Air Force pallbearers carry the coffin of 42-year-old SGT Mick Olsen, who joined the Air Force in 1981.

SGT Mick Olsen.

SERGEANT Mick Olsen was given a full military funeral at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Ipswich on March 8.

His wife Joanne, children Nadine and David, friends and many of his Air Force colleagues attended the service.

SGT Olsen, a recent addition to No. 3 Squadron, died in the early hours of February 25 at the age of 42. SGT Olsen spent 23 years in the Air Force, the last six of them with No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron.

The cause of death has not yet been officially determined. SGT Olsen joined the Air Force in September 1981 as a supplier and was posted to No. 2 Stores Depot on graduation.

He continued his varied career with No. 1 Operational Support Unit and then No. 114 Control and Reporting Unit, where he was promoted to corporal.

Time with the Supply Support Squadron at Amberley and at No. 321 Air Base Wing followed.

SGT Olsen was again promoted and became a SNCO with No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron at both Darwin and then later Richmond, where he remained until January this year, when he began his most recent posting with No. 3 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Throughout his career, SGT Olsen displayed a real and clear passion for his chosen career and always exuded a “can do” attitude in whatever he set his mind to.

He spent a very large percentage of his military career working with aircraft; nothing was too much trouble when it came to the movements world.

With that attitude, he became very well known to all rank levels and was a well-liked and respected figure by many in the Air Force.

SGT Olsen was larger than life, and had an enormously positive influence on all who met him. A keen sportsman in his younger days and a recent eager golfer, he offered sound advice and guidance to the younger members of his team. He was an avid rugby league supporter.

SGT Olsen was a character who left an everlasting impression on people, for the better.

 

 

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