For Wing Commander Jenny Robertson (retd), the Battle of Britain is more than a pivotal moment in history. It’s a symbol of courage, sacrifice and the enduring legacy of air power.

As President of the RAAF Association (RAAFA) Tasmania since March last year, she is proud and humbled to lead commemorations in Hobart.

“The Battle of Britain was the first and possibly most decisive aerial battle of World War 2. Had the Royal Air Force and personnel from a number of Commonwealth countries lost the battle, Hitler would have controlled all of Europe,” she said.

“Churchill called these men ‘The Few’, and their service and sacrifice should be remembered and commended.

“For this, and other historical battles, it is up to us to carry the legacy forward.”

Wing Commander Robertson is following in the footsteps of her father who served in the Army in New Guinea in World War 2.

But it was 38 Squadron’s visit to the flood-ravaged town of Walgett in the 1980s that sparked her interest in Air Force.

“Over four months, I helped load and airdrop 28,000 bales of hay from Caribous to cattle marooned in floodwater,” she said.

“I was a high school teacher at the time, but the work got me thinking about the Services and I thought the RAAF offered more opportunities for women.”

Since then, people have been the focus and the highlight of Wing Commander Robertson’s Air Force career.

Her roles have included responsibility for airmen postings (when the airmen force was over 13,000-strong), Commanding Officer of the ADF Personnel Centre in Canberra and Commanding Officer of 28 Squadron (now 464 Squadron, responsible for public affairs).

In 2019, she jumped at the offer to work with the History and Heritage Branch – Air Force.

“Recording a veteran’s story gives them something tangible for themselves and their family, but more importantly, their story is preserved for Air Force and the nation,” she said.

Now, as the first female RAAFA State President in the association’s 100-year-plus history, she can combine her passion for people and the past.

“My role is one of representation and stewardship for the association in Tasmania – commemorating and preserving our history and being a visible member of the Air Force family,” she said.

“I have a strong sense of duty to do what I do.”