Home-grown Air Force talent returned to Townsville to inspire the next generation of recruits at the recent base community day.
Flying Officer Mardy Frey and Corporal Kerryn Fearne enjoyed the opportunity to return to their former home town in North Queensland for the RAAF Base Townsville Open Day in March.
Flying Officer Frey, a pilot of the C-17A Globemaster III on show, was thankful to Defence Force Recruiting for steering her career in a trajectory different to what she could have ever imagined.
“Growing up, I’ve always been around RAAF bases and military aircraft. It’s something I’ve always found really interesting,” Flying Officer Frey said.
“I actually applied for a different role, but thankfully I was steered in the direction of Air Force pilot after my initial testing.
“I had never really considered pilot – I just thought it was a cool thing rather than a job, but Defence Force Recruiting opened my eyes.
“I started studying aviation from there and then the passion really grew.”
‘I had never really considered pilot – I just thought it was a cool thing rather than a job, but Defence Force Recruiting opened my eyes.’
Both Flying Officer Frey and Corporal Fearne credit their family’s Australian Defence Force backgrounds as the starting point of their Air Force careers.
Corporal Fearne was working at a desk job in Townsville when she applied for her role as a personnel capability specialist.
“My dad is in the RAAF as supply, so he always gave us regular insights into his daily role. I was working at a normal job and needed something full in my life, so I applied when I was 20 years old,” Corporal Fearne said.
“As a personnel capability specialist, it’s a great feeling to know that my team on the ground are able to support the aircrew in all they do.”
“My dad loves it – he thinks it’s the best, he’s very proud,” Corporal Fearne said.
Both women are posted to RAAF Base Amberley’s 36 Squadron, responsible for strategic heavy air transport in Australia and overseas, conducting missions as part of military operations and humanitarian efforts.
“The people that you meet through this job are the best part. You will always find those people throughout your time,” Corporal Fearne said.
“I have people here at Townsville that I worked with at my very first posting, and it’s great to see them and give them a big hug. You literally make friends for life in this job.
“My friends and family back home think it’s awesome. They love seeing all of the photos of all the travelling that I have done. When you’re not working, you can go exploring and I get to see some pretty amazing places.”
‘My only regret is that I didn’t join earlier. If you’re thinking about it or you’re unsure, pick something and go for it. Don’t wait.’
Their advice to their younger selves, or other females considering a Defence career, is to go for it.
“I would have never guessed as a young girl that I’d be in this job. It’s amazing, I’m having a lot of fun with it. I couldn’t imagine a better job for myself,” Flying Officer Frey said.
“For females that don’t think a life like this is attainable, it absolutely is. Study hard at school is the best advice I have.
“Take the passion and run with it, because as smart as you are, you can’t do it without the passion.”
Corporal Fearne echoed Flying Officer Frey’s sentiments.
“My only regret is that I didn’t join earlier. If you’re thinking about it or you’re unsure, pick something and go for it. Don’t wait,” Corporal Fearne said.
