Bundaberg Flight Lieutenant Paige Starwick has featured as one of the exceptional members in the Royal Australian Air Force.
To recognise the Royal Australian Air Force Centenary, throughout 2020 and 2021 RAAF is acknowledging the exceptional members who contribute to the Air Force every day, Paige being one of them.
Bundaberg Flight Lieutenant Paige Starwick began her journey in 2009, when what started as a gap year, turned into an exciting career as an Air Traffic Controller.
Currently studying a Bachelor of Economics degree, Flight Lieutenant Starwick said she’d never dreamed of joining until she saw an advert in the newspaper.
“I saw a news article on the gap year program when I was in senior year and decided to apply for it. I was successful and completed the program in 2009,” she said.
“After I finished the gap year, I studied for a few years but ultimately missed the lifestyle, camaraderie and traditions associated with being in the Royal Australian Air Force and decided to re-join as an air traffic controller.
“I completed the basic air traffic control course in 2013 and was posted to RAAF Base Williamtown for four years.
“There I gained my tower controller, training and supervisor endorsements and completed all of my air traffic control post-graduate courses.”
In 2018 she was posted to Darwin to learn to control busy civilian aircraft traffic to round out the experience gained with fast jet military aircraft in Williamtown.
In January 2019, the Bundaberg Flight Lieutenant was deployed to the Middle East in an operations role working with the C-130J Hercules detachment.
Since returning to Darwin, she has taken on training roles requiring her to train other air traffic controllers on Darwin operations.
“I am currently the unit aviation safety officer responsible for investigating safety events and recommending changes to procedures in order to minimise risk and maximise safety.
“As we commemorate the formation of the RAAF 100 years ago, I feel that as an organisation, we have a lot to be proud of.
“Not only have we evolved to become an advanced, professional future force, but we have also created a culture which promotes diversity in representation and inclusion,” the Bundaberg Flight Lieutenant said.
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