Careers
Students recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in an ADF Navy Familiarisation Excursion at HMAS Albatross, the home of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm.
During the excursion, students stayed on base and experienced life in the Navy firsthand, including accommodation on base and meals at the Junior Sailors Mess.
Across the visit, students participated in a wide range of activities and presentations, including:
• Fleet Air Arm Museum – students explored the history of Navy aviation in Australia, viewing historic aircraft, helicopters and displays showcasing the evolution of naval aviation and military operations.
• Tactical Aviation and Aircrew Virtual Network (TAAVN) Simulators – students experienced advanced virtual reality and simulation systems used to train Navy aircrew and pilots in realistic flight and operational scenarios.
• 822X Squadron – Unmanned Aerial Systems – students learnt about drone and remotely piloted aircraft operations used for surveillance, reconnaissance and defence purposes.
• 723 Squadron Flight Simulators – students observed how Navy pilots and aircrew are trained using realistic helicopter simulators before flying actual aircraft. Students got to try out their skills in the helicopter simulator.
• Air Traffic Control and Meteorology – students gained insight into how air traffic controllers coordinate aircraft movements and how weather forecasting is critical to aviation safety and operations.
• New Entry Officers Course (NEOC) at HMAS Creswell – students learnt about the training undertaken by future Navy officers, including leadership, discipline and teamwork.
• HMAS Creswell Gym and Overwater Obstacle Course – students saw the physical fitness and resilience training required for Navy personnel, including activities completed over water designed to build confidence and teamwork.
• Survival at Sea and Aviation Training – students explored the training Navy personnel complete to prepare for emergency situations at sea and in aircraft operations.
• Aviation Technician demonstrations – students observed the maintenance and engineering work required to keep Navy aircraft safe and operational.
• Navy Aviation Survival Systems Centre (NASSC) and Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) – students learnt about the specialist survival training undertaken by Navy aircrew, including how personnel practise escaping from a helicopter in the event of a water crash.
• Aviation Technicians (AVNs) – students gained insight into careers involving aircraft mechanical maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs.
• Boatswains Mates (BMs) – students learnt about seamanship roles within the Navy, including navigation support, small boat operations and deck activities.
• Aircraft Handlers (AHC) – students explored the role of managing aircraft movement, refuelling and safety operations on Navy air bases and ships.
• Defence Force Recruiting presentation – students were introduced to the wide variety of career pathways, apprenticeships, university sponsorships and employment opportunities available through the Australian Defence Force.
Students gained valuable insight into the many career pathways available within the Australian Defence Force and developed a greater understanding of Navy life, teamwork, leadership and the skills required in Defence careers.
Unfortunately, due to Defence security requirements and restrictions surrounding phones and photography in some operational areas, we were unable to take photos in every location visited.
A huge thank you to the staff at HMAS Albatross and the Royal Australian Navy for providing our students with such an engaging and memorable experience.
