As the holiday season approaches, Defence News is sharing stories of ADF members spreading goodwill on exercises, operations and deployments throughout the year.

Flight Lieutenant Vernon Pather discusses flying, training and career progression with Flying Officer Ashlee Stanekee while deployed on Operation Solania 25.

In Tonga, Sundays are reserved for church, rest and recovery; a notion fully supported by Flying Officer Ashlee Staneke from 35 Squadron.

On a Saturday night, she flew from Australia to Tonga for Operation Solania on a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan, which she co-piloted alongside Captain Katherine Mitchell.  

"Sitting in a cockpit for six hours can be exhausting," Flying Officer Staneke said. 

"However, it's rewarding to fly a multimillion-dollar plane between countries."

I met Flying Officer Staneke when she joined the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in Canberra in 2018.

I served as one of her instructors during her Year One Familiarisation Training (YOFT) program.

Soon, Flying Officer Staneke – once apprehensive about a career in Air Force – will be promoted to Flight Lieutenant.

It was a significant occasion to collaborate with her during an operation and observe the skilled and confident C-27J Spartan co-pilot successfully take off from Australia and land the multimillion-dollar light tactical multi-role aircraft on an island in the Pacific.

Flying Officer Staneke grew up in Aitkenvale, Townsville, before joining ADFA to initially earn a Bachelor of Science. She followed this with training at 1 Flight Training School (1FTS) at RAAF East Sale and then training at 2 Flight Training School at RAAF Base Pearce.

"I completed my first solo flight at 1FTS in East Sale," Flying Officer Staneke said. 

"Flying alone was a unique experience."

After completing her training, she was posted to 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley. 

During her career, she has traveled to many locations internationally and domestically including Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji, Torres Strait, Tasmania and Woomera.

“Sometimes when I am sitting in the cockpit, I have to slap myself because it feels like a dream.” 

As a pilot on the Spartan aircraft, she has been very busy, but is living her best life. 

Flying Officer Staneke expressed her intention to continue serving in the Royal Australian Air Force.

Her next goal is to rise through the ranks and, one day, captain a C-27J Spartan, leading its crew.