Our People in QLD
Brett Murphy - Mackay
Pioneer State High School graduate Brett Murphy is now taking on a pioneering role in the Royal Australian Air Force.
The Mackay man is a reconnaissance specialist with the No.1 Air Field Defence Squadron based at RAAF Amberley near Brisbane. He’s also been promoted to. Leading Aircraftman in what is, in effect, the RAAF’s own army.
“Our job is to infiltrate before the rest of the squadron and gain as much information as possible on the enemy without being detected,” Brett said. “From there the squadron will build a bigger a picture of what they wish to do.”
Brett and his unit worked on Operation Queensland Flood Assist last year and recently flew to WA to complete training in its primary role of defending people and aircraft from ground-based threats at home and overseas.
Brett has already completed a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan and he expects this year to be busy too.
“You become a lot fitter, you get to do some really cool stuff you wouldn’t get to do anywhere else – weapons and high explosives and stuff like that – plus you learn a lot about team work and leadership, just being part of a big group and achieving something that wouldn’t be possible by yourself.”