Air Mobility Group (AMG) personnel are accustomed to operating in demanding environments, preparing for uncertainty and responding when called upon.
Recently, two senior AMG members demonstrated those same principles outside uniform through significant endurance challenges that reflected a simple, yet powerful idea: leaders should role model doing tough things.
Commander AMG Air Commodore Ben Poxon completed the HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia 100 kilometre (UTA100) in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, one of Australia’s most physically and mentally exhausting ultra marathons.
At the same time, AMG Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer David Turnbull, completed the 96-kilometre Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea, navigating rugged terrain and sustained physical hardship.
While different in setting, both challenges required resilience, deliberate preparation and the ability to persevere when conditions were far from ideal.
Reflecting on his fourth UTA100, Air Commodore Poxon reinforced that these experiences were not about performance alone, but about learning how to respond when things go wrong.
“Mindset is everything. You have to accept that setbacks will come – it’s part of the process – and then work through them one at a time,” Air Commodore Poxon said.
“I break the race down into small, manageable goals and celebrate each success along the way – something as simple as a few lollies at every 10-kilometre mark becomes both a reward and a reset point.
“Finishing 100 kilometres isn’t just a test of stamina, it’s proof you can solve each obstacle, again and again. That’s the resolve we must build as we prepare for conflict.”
‘Trust your preparation, listen to yourself, lean on your team and celebrate the small wins along the way. That’s how you get through.’
For Air Commodore Poxon, the UTA100 represented an opportunity to showcase disciplined preparation and maintained effort, and the importance of leaning into support networks.
“Training for and undertaking the UTA100 is intense. While the race is largely a solo effort, the support at checkpoints is critical,” he said.
“I’m fortunate to usually have family or friends there. When you’re in the ‘pain cave’, it’s people who help pull you through. This year, another Air Force member stepped in when she heard I was struggling, even though she wasn’t planned crew.
“That willingness to show up and support someone in need reflects exactly who we are in the military: we look after each other, regardless of rank or title.”
Similarly, Warrant Officer Turnbull said that traversing the Kokoda Trail required tenacity, adaptability and the ability to keep going over multiple days, in arduous conditions.
“The primary challenge was the physical demand of long days and steep ascents and descents, which tested my endurance and the ability to manage cumulative fatigue,” Warrant Officer Turnbull said.
“Strong preparation was key, enabling me to cope effectively with these demands. This readiness meant I could focus on enjoying the experience, rather than simply enduring it.”
‘Mindset is everything. You have to accept that setbacks will come – it’s part of the process – and then work through them one at a time.’
For Warrant Officer Turnbull, appreciating the historical significance of the trail and participating alongside like-minded members from 35, 36 and 37 Squadrons, as well as Headquarters AMG, were important motivators.
“Each evening, a different member led a discussion on a Kokoda Trail campaign during World War II, fostering shared understanding and significantly strengthening the team dynamic,” Warrant Officer Turnbull said.
“As an AMG aviator, I value the opportunity to better understand how air mobility operations affected the Australian forces in such a challenging environment, and what this legacy means for AMG today.
“Kokoda is an experience that I would recommend to anyone who is willing to put in the effort to train. And during the trek, you’ll walk away (pardon the pun) with an experience that will positively shape you as an individual.”
By demonstrating a commitment to AMG’s core priorities of lead, prepare, respond, AMG’s senior leaders have set a visible example – not just of what is expected, but of how it is achieved.
“When those moments come, don’t focus on the enormity of the task – break it down, deal with what’s in front of you, and keep moving forward one step at a time,” Air Commodore Poxon said.
“Trust your preparation, listen to yourself, lean on your team and celebrate the small wins along the way. That’s how you get through.”
