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A new world awaits
By FLGOFF Skye Smith
Volume 49, No. 17, September 20, 2007 |
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WELL TRAVELLED: 11SQN airborne electronics analyst SGT Shane Forrest in front of an AP-3C after arriving back at RAAF Base Edinburgh from a WA maritime exercise.
Photo by CPL Andrew Eddie |
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Flying to exotic destinations around the world for multi-mission exercises and operations enticed SGT Shane Forrest to join the Air Force as an Airborne Electronics Analyst (AEA) in 2004.
Now with Crew 2 of 11SQN, SGT Forrest tracks submarines, works with surface units such as aircraft carriers and destroyers, and analyses radar information on board the AP-3C.
“The best part of my job is getting to travel the world with a great group of people,” SGT Forrest said.
He has served two tours in the Middle East Area of Operations for Operations Catalyst and Slipper, and has also undertaken various deployments for Operation Resolute assisting with maritime surveillance of Australia’s northern coastlines.
Being an AEA on the Orions has also taken him to San Diego, Butterworth and all over Australia.
The lifestyle and atmosphere on an Orion crew is second to none, according to SGT Forrest.
On any given day he could be called up to go flying on a survivor supply or surveillance mission with his crew.
“It’s great to be part of 11SQN. It’s a real team effort with a crew of 13 on board the Orions, and the squadron has a really good work ethic,” he said.
He said training to become an AEA was very challenging and rewarding, but, “graduating as an AEA after 12 months of hard work was very gratifying”.
SGT Forrest has recently taken out honours on the Advanced Acoustic Analysis course, which has attended not only by members of 92WG, but also students from New Zealand and Australian Submarine communities. It was conducted at the Australian Joint Acoustic Analysis Centre, HMAS Albatross, Nowra.
SGT Forrest was awarded dux of the challenging course ahead of more experienced operators. “Getting dux was a good feeling, but it required a lot of hard work and studying prior to attending the course,” he said.
On course he learnt the advanced application of analysing the acoustic signatures for merchant vessels, fishing vessels and naval vessels, including warships, submarines and fleet auxiliaries.
“One of the best parts of the course was meeting new people and hearing stories from a time when anti-submarine warfare on the Orions was strong,” he said.
SGT Forrest was able to put his new skills to use when he flew to Perth with his crew to support a Navy activity and will do so again during the composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) in San Diego in coming months.
He looks forward to flying with a maritime crew on the Orions for as long as he can. But, potential options as an AEA on the P-8A multi-mission aircraft or unmanned aerial vehicle might spark his interest in the future.
Entry to the AEA mustering is open to serving members applying to remuster. To be eligible for remuster to AEA, applicants must have passes in Year 11 English, physics and tertiary level mathematics.
For more information on becoming an AEA, check out the People Central website under Career Progression/Job Descriptions, or contact WOFF David Strauss, HQSRG Airmen Aircrew Manager, on (08) 8393 4143 or david.strauss@defence.gov.au or FSGT Dave Obst, DP-AF, on (02) 6265 1174 or david.obst@defence.gov.au |
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