Our People in QLD
Jim Traise - Getting Sick Can Change Your Life
When the Gap’s Jim Traise fell ill during his first year at university it changed his life.
“I was told I would have to repeat my studies the following year,” said Jim. “I decided to join the Air Force full-time rather than go through the whole year of study again.”
Jim specialized as an airborne electronics analyst and, several promotions later, he has just been showing off the RAAF’s latest surveillance aircraft at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Victoria. The Wedgetail aircraft, with its sophisticated mission systems and radars, was one of the stars of the show.
Jim went to The Gap High School and enjoyed rugby union and cross country running, but even now he still has time to get excited.
“Training on the new aircraft has been a real career highlight,” he said. “The experience has showed me how the small cogs all come together to form the big wheel.
“You really get to see the big picture from our position.”
Now, as a senior Warrant Officer with 16 years experience, it’s Jim’s turn to share his own knowledge.
“I joined the Squadron before the first aircraft arrived, and now I’m getting an excellent opportunity to mentor the junior operators and help develop the aircraft’s capability and doctrine,” Jim said.
These days Jim is married with two young daughters, and he and his family are based at Williamtown near Newcastle, but his parents still live in Brisbane.
“I do a lot of travel with my job, but I try to get home as often as I can to see the rest of my family,” he said.