Our People in TAS
Kevin Armstrong - Fuelling Surveillance Flights Over the Persian Gulf
"I had served in the RAAF for four years in 1989 to 1993 but I discharged when they disbanded my job category," he said.
Three years ago, and working for Australia Post at the time, Kevin decided he needed a new direction in life and read that the acceptance age for joining the RAAF was now 50. "Once I was accepted again I went to 'rookies' at 51 years old! I haven't regretted a minute of it!"
Now a Leading Aircraftsman, Kevin works as a refueller for the aircraft operating from his base. It's often hot and dusty, and half a world from home.
"My job here is fundamentally the same as at home, which is to provide refuelling services when necessary. There are not many of us here and I work a lot with our coalition partners. It's been hot and humid but is cooling down now. The hotter the better for me!" he said.
Brought up in Tasmania , Kevin has been a keen sportsman for many years. He played basketball for 25 years and made the representative side for Northern Tasmania in a statewide competition. He also played a lot of senior football for local team Franklin in the 1980s, making the representative side for the Huon against the West Coast of Tasmania.
"I like most sports. From carpet bowls to basketball, I'm into it," he said.
Kevin's family still lives in Tasmania , even though these days Kevin is normally based at RAAF Amberley near Brisbane - when he's not overseas.
"My family are settled in Tasmania and I didn't want to disrupt that. My children are 26, 22 and 19 years old and I'll be living back there when I reach my retiring age in a year or so anyway. They were 100% behind my career change and reunion travel enables me to go back home, as well as them visiting me in Queensland . Without their support (especially my lovely wife's) I wouldn't have been able to do this," he said.
As a refueller in the RAAF, Kevin has already had a share of travelling. "I've seen a lot of Australia over the last three years with my job. Up and down the east coast, to the Northern Territory and over here in the Middle East . This trip to the Middle East is most certainly the highlight of my career," he added.
Kevin says that he's enjoyed learning about a different culture, religious beliefs and lifestyle. His experience has been enjoyable on a personal and professional level.
"It's great to know that I'm here with a great bunch of Aussies and we're doing something worthwhile. I'd always hoped that one day I'd have the opportunity to represent Australia. I'm honoured to be here and I'm nothing short of proud to be a Serviceman," Kevin said.
Kevin is one of the 1400 Australian Defence personnel now deployed to the Middle East to help post-Saddam Iraq get back on its feet. Known as Operation Catalyst, it is the Australian Government's contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq . Working with the Iraq Government and other coalition forces, the Australian Defence Force continues to help develop a secure and stable environment and assist national recovery programs.