Service in Air Force is more than a career for the Helbig family – it’s a legacy created over decades of shared experience that spans two generations. 

It all started when Warrant Officer Scott Helbig joined as an engineering apprentice in 1991 and, later, when he remustered to be a communications and electronics technician. 

His work took him across the country and overseas, including deploying to Iraq with three days’ notice in 2003.

“I couldn’t tell my wife where I was going,” Warrant Officer Helbig said.

“All I could say was that I was leaving for an unknown period.”

Amid the pressures, he credits his wife, Flight Sergeant Nicole Helbig, for holding the family together.

Flight Sergeant Helbig’s journey began when she joined the Air Force reserves in 2006, balancing study and raising children before transferring to full time service in 2013.

“Defence opens the door to many opportunities – you can stay long term or use it as a stepping stone,” Flight Sergeant Nicole Helbig said.

As the logistics support and road movement officer at 29 Squadron, Anglesea Barracks, she manages supply, driver training and vehicle operations. 29 Squadron personnel also supplied equipment and material to forward operating bases outside the wire. 

“In the Middle East, our provision of parts and equipment was critical – without it, aircraft would not have left the ground,” she said. 

'Defence opens the door to many opportunities – you can stay long term or use it as a stepping stone.'

“Everyone played a role in the broader mission.”

The couple has been based in Hobart for the past year. Flight Sergeant Helbig described posting with her husband to the same squadron as a unique opportunity. 

“Being posted down here together is easier because you’ve got that support. It would be a lot lonelier without it.” 

As the squadron operations officer, Warrant Officer Helbig oversees C‑17A missions, including resupply for Operation Southern Discovery – which supports the Australian Antarctic Program. 

For both Warrant Officer and Flight Sergeant Helbig, seeing their children follow a similar path has been a source of pride. 

Their eldest son Thomas completed six years as an Army signals operator, while the youngest son Bailey was an electronics technician in Air Force. Both have since left Defence.

Their daughter Leading Aircraftwoman Brooke Helbig is a personnel capability specialist with 3 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown. She hopes to deploy overseas, inspired by her mum’s stories about Exercise Red Flag Alaska. 

“I’ve heard about deployments my whole life. Now I want to experience it for myself,” Leading Aircraftwoman Helbig said.