Our People in SA
Shane Forrest - Electronic World Traveller
Shane joined the Air Force as an airborne electronics analyst in 2004 and has already reached the rank of Sergeant. Flying to exotic destinations around the world is now all in a day’s work for this former Trinity College student.
Based at RAAF Base Edinburgh, Shane tracks submarines, works with surface ships such as aircraft carriers and destroyers, and analyses radar information on board the AP-3C Orion surveillance aircraft — his work-station in the sky.
“The best part of my job is getting to travel the world with a great group of people,” Shane said.
It’s already taken Shane to the Middle East twice, as well as maritime surveillance missions off Australia’s northern coastlines as part of border protection operations.
It has also taken Shane to San Diego in California, to Butterworth in Malaysia, and all over Australia.
The lifestyle and atmosphere on an Orion crew is second to none, according to Shane. “It’s great to be part of 11 Squadron. It’s a real team effort on board the Orions and the squadron has a really good work ethic.”
On any given day Shane could be called up to go flying on a survivor-supply mission or surveillance patrol with his crew-mates.
The initial training has been very challenging, according to Shane. “But graduating after 12 months of hard work is very gratifying!”
But hard training is part of life in the Air Force. Shane recently took out honours on the advanced analysis course at Nowra, NSW. “Getting dux of the course was a good feeling, but it required a lot of hard work.
“But I’ll be using what I’ve learned straight away as we work up for a training exercise back in San Diego in a few months.”