15 August 2025
The Edgy Air Force Program supports National Science Week, an annual celebration of science and technology running August 9-17 this year, with an emphasis on innovation.
Sergeant Bryan Fischer, a ground support equipment fitter at 26 Squadron, is a member of the RAAF Base Williamtown Edgy Community and a Lab Champion.
“It’s a space where members can learn how to operate various pieces of equipment, that can be used for prototyping or building an item to meet an innovation idea,” Sergeant Fischer said.
“It provides a central location for members to develop their ideas in a relaxed and collaborative environment, free of the restrictions of rank.”
Edgy Air Force is a ground-up innovation initiative which serves to uplift, upskill and challenge Air Force members to use their creativity to design and rapidly prototype solutions to problems.
This supports the future force to maintain a competitive edge.
The Edgy Air Force Program also serves to connect innovators with capability sponsors, innovation partners and where relevant commercialisation pathways.
In Sergeant Fischer’s role as a Lab Champion he supports the Lab Ambassador, Flight Lieutenant Loretta Jolly, with the management and operation of the Edgy Lab and its equipment.
'There is a wealth of knowledge out there across our members, and when drawn upon, it aids in streamlining solutions to problems.'
He also plays a crucial part in fostering innovation within the local Edgy community by supporting members to develop new capabilities.
“The most recent project that I have supported a member to develop was an Aircraft Wiring Repair Board, which has now progressed to a unit-supported innovation,” Sergeant Fischer said.
“I have a few Composite Tool Kit projects ready to go for the lab, but my proudest moment was designing parts for a Combat Support Group Charity Group Workout trophy last year.”
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are critical to Defence now and into the future.
There are jobs in STEM at Defence, and Defence industry, not available anywhere else – both in and out of uniform.
Spaces such as the Edgy Lab provide Air Force members with the resources and tools to innovate, and opportunities to maintain a technological edge.
Sergeant Fischer said innovation and creative problem solving was extremely important for Defence members.
“There is a wealth of knowledge out there across our members, and when drawn upon, it aids in streamlining solutions to problems,” he said.
“The benefits include minimising capability downtimes, training efficiency, and safety.”
With Defence focusing on innovation, science and technology to deliver a focused, integrated and more lethal ADF, spaces such as the Williamtown Edgy Lab are more important than ever in encouraging and enabling innovation and creativity to take flight.
