Ever since Jenny Phan was young, her dream was to fly.
“I wasn’t exposed to it, I didn’t think it was possible to have a career in defence,” said LACW Phan.
Eight years ago, she was offered the chance to take part in an aviation camp with the Royal Australian Air Force.
When she saw a classic hornet fly during the open day, she decided “that was it” for her.
“I thought, ‘working on jets it is’,” she said.
As an aircraft technician, she’s part of the 27 per cent of female Air Force personnel.
Over the last 10 years, the program has adapted to the variety of backgrounds and opportunities that have become available to women.
Squadron Leader Catherine Humphries, who spearheaded the initiative, said the sessions have helped young women explore possible career paths through hands on experience.
“[Through] research we found that people don’t apply for jobs unless they can actually see themselves in those professions, and that’s particularly evident among women,” SQNLR Humphries said.
“I’ve been on and off with the Air Force for over 20 years and it’s definitely changed for the better for women.”
‘Everything from puppies to flying’
Six programs run each year with a handful of teenage girls selected to participate.
Among the participants for the Amberley RAAF program in Brisbane was Alice, who’s been tossing up between a job in logistics or mechanics.
“In the program we’ve been able to do everything from puppies to flying,” she said.
“I didn’t really know about positions like the Loadmaster and the work that goes into the simulator, so this has been an incredible experience.”
Through the week the group have participated in gym sessions focused on Air Force requirements, simulator flying and firefighting training for assisting bushfire responses.
“[The program has] just shown me there are jobs like mechanics and technicians in the Air Force that women can take part in,” Alice said.
‘I am just proud’
For Jenny Phan, her career in the Air Force has not only opened her eyes to the world of mechanics — it’s been an opportunity to fulfil a lifelong family dream.
“My dad was a refugee, he escaped Vietnam — it took him three tries,” she explained.
After the fall of Saigon, LACW Phan’s father fled to Malaysia for five years as a refugee before settling in Melbourne.
She attributes her grit and persevere to her father’s resilient character.
“He always wanted to serve his country, but his country couldn’t offer him the freedom he wanted,” she said.
“So now when I put on the uniform and I have our surname, I am just proud.”