Our People in TAS
Krystal Lowe - First stop, Afghanistan
Formally a student of Reece High School , Krystal followed her life long aspiration to join the Royal Australian Air Force. Initially joining as a chef, Krystal changed to her current career as a supplier. In this role, Krystal has an important role in supporting unit operations whether in Australia or overseas.
"I am a supplier who orders, monitors and stocktakes items needed to keep the unit operational" Krystal said.
While many first time travellers frequent beer halls in Germany or ski fields in Canada , Krystal's first overseas experience has brought her to the Middle East . Based at Kandahar Airfield in the south of Afghanistan , Krystal has found the deployment to be a life changing event.
"This is my first deployment and my first time out of Australia . It has been a huge eye opener. So far I have found it's hot, dusty and you always need to stay alert for sudden changes and activities going on".
Despite the heat and the dust, Krystal is very happy with her career choice.
"Initially I didn't know what to expect but I've enjoyed the majority of my time in the RAAF. I'm taking this deployment as a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn, grasp and hold on to everything I'm experiencing here".
Krystal is one of 90 Royal Australian Air Force members responsible for the establishment of a Control and Reporting Centre (CRC), a capability that will help coordinate air support to the troops on the ground and assist the Government of Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) to stabilise and develop Afghanistan . It takes a large support team to establish a CRC and Krystal is essential to that mission.