Page 47 - AAPT March 2019

AFC
I think primarily a couple of things. AAFC to receive training
One is because they see the potential
leadership development of these
individuals. At the end of the day, the aircraft
Australian Air Force Cadets is still a
youth development organisation.
It's not primarily a recruiting tool The Australian Air Force Cadets Richmond in New South Wales and
for Defence or Air Force, youth (AAFC) is set to receive eight Diamond RAAF Base Point Cook in Victoria.
development's still the key part. But DA40 NG light aircraft for its flight The aircraft will be regularly deployed
what Air Force see in that is the end training requirements, the Australian to regional areas on weekends and
product of that once they come out and Department of Defence announced on during school holiday periods.
leave air cadets, particularly around 28 February. Darren Chester, Australia’s Minister
leadership, community engagement Over the next ten years, these for Defence Personnel, said: ‘Defence
and understanding. As well as all the aircraft will provide a standardised flight has signed a ten-year contract with
other skills that we provide them, and training platform for aspiring for the Airflite, which includes the provision of
particular good strong awareness of cadets, particularly to those who are maintenance services. Airflite has been
what Defence does and the allied from regional areas. the principal maintenance contractor for
aviation industries. The Diamond DA40 NG aircraft the Royal Australian Air Force PC-9/A
will be based at the Royal Australian aircraft and has provided outstanding
Does the cadet program support the Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley in support for the past 30 years.’
transition to a career with Defence? Southern Queensland, RAAF Base
How does time with the cadets
support this transition?
I'd say it's an advantage. I wouldn't
necessarily say it's a big advantage,
only in the sense of what they get from
it is they get a really good appreciation
and understanding of Defence, and
particularly Air Force in this case.
So, they know really what they're
going into potentially in terms of what
their interest is. Certainly, from a
leadership angle in terms of how.
Because obviously as you develop
kids' leadership, they mature and they
mature quicker, so really what you're
getting is a mature individual that's got
leadership experience, developing and
leading others.
You've got also individuals as well
that are much broader in terms of their
scope of what they're capable of doing. New training initiative for
So, it isn't just about what they're doing
in cadets. It's, what are they doing
physically around sport? What are they AAFC
doing in the community? What have
their achievements been at school? So, JAR Aerospace, a New South Wales- Royal Australian Air Force.
when you wrap it all together, then yes, based company, will work with As part of the initiative, the AAFC
they can become very valuable. Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) in has ordered more than 3,000 micro-
I think the other as well is that, a joint training initiative, the Australian UAS from JAR Aerospace. Working with
typically retention would be better as Department of Defence announced on JAR Aerospace will ensure that every
well once they do get into Defence, 27 February. cadet, irrespective of his/her location,
because they are familiar with some of The new initiative will focus on has access to engaging and educational
the concepts of what Defence is about science, technology, engineering and STEM courses using UAS technology.
as well. maths (STEM) based training and will The initiative will be rolled out to the
Courtesy Defence Connect help cadets to learn and keep pace AAFC from 1 July 2019.
with technologies being adopted by the Shepherd Media

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