RAAF - Seek the Heights

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Seek the Heights

By Narelle Paine

No 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) located at RAAF Base Pearce has hosted the first of its Defence Work Experience Program placements structured for a senior school work place learning curriculum. Blayde Massam a year 12 student from Bullsbrook District High School and Riley Turner a year 11 student form Lake Joondalup Baptist College were the first students to experience the program.

Attending every Thursday for nine weeks, the students were given the opportunity to experience duties and tasks associated with flying support. Hosted by the 2FTS Administration Officer, the students rotated through administration and logistics, operation desk/programming and the engineering onsite liaison office, giving the students an insight into the dedicated support each flying squadron requires to achieve their unit mission.

After completing this work placement I now have a thorough knowledge of what happens in the Air force and I have gained a lot of respect for the Air Force. The people were friendly and had a good sense of humour but were also serious at the same time. I expected a lot less than what I actually received from this work placement and am very pleased with what I have learnt. It was an amazing experience and would strongly recommend it to anyone whether they are interested in the Defence Force or not.

Blayde Massam

It was a lot of fun to learn about the Air Force as I want to be a pilot. The highlight for me was flying the Flight Simulator and it was great to see the big fighter jets 'FA18s'. It was great to talk to all the pilots and QFI (Qualified Flying Instructors) about what they do and what they had done in their career. The food at the mess was amazingly good. It made me more interested in gaining knowledge about Air Force.

Riley Turner

The placements included visits to other units at RAAF Pearce which enabled them to see support at the base level. These areas included, Ground Defence Section, Transfield Fire Section and 79 Squadron. The students work placements culminated in experiencing the opportunity to view visiting 75 Squadron with their F/A-18 Hornet aircraft as part of the Trident Storm 2 Exercise which was being conducted off the Western Australian coast.

2FTS are committed to continuing their support of the Defence Work Experience Program which aims to demonstrate the various career opportunities available in Defence and contributes to community awareness by helping develop the skills of young people by assisting them with the transition into the work force. Upon reviewing their first placement, 2FTS will open up opportunities for two students twice per school term for four weeks (workplace learning) to maintain the student's interest and enabling more participants to experience the program.

Images

Riley Turner
Riley Turner
Left to right: Riley Turner, 75SQN PLT, Blayde Massam.
Photo by: CPL Casey Smith 75SQN