Maintaining aircraft for 40 years

When Flight Sergeant Barry Day enlisted in the RAAF in June 1984, Air Force still operated basic piston engine aircraft of the 1950s.

CAPTION: Flight Sergeant Barry Day from Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office is presented his fifth clasp to his long service medal by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicole Thomson-Pride. Photo by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

In the 40 years since then, Flight Sergeant Day has witnessed Air Force dramatically evolve from a post-World War 2 peacetime force to the capable fighting force and ally it is today.

In recognition of Flight Sergeant Day’s four decades of service, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell presented him with the Federation Star while visiting RAAF Base Amberley.

The Federation Star is awarded to ADF members who have served for 40 years.

“It was an honour and very proud moment to have Chief of Air Force present me with my Federation Star,” Flight Sergeant Day said.

“I knew someone senior would present it to me but I wasn’t expecting it to be Chief of Air Force.”

During his 40 years of service, Flight Sergeant Day was first employed as an engine fitter before re-training to be an aircraft technician.

The role of an aircraft technician is to maintain, service and repair Air Force’s state-of-the-art aircraft.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked on multiple platforms, including RAAF operated Iroquois and Squirrel helicopters, Caribou, F-111, C-130 Hercules, C-17A Globemaster and KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport,” Flight Sergeant Day said.

“I’ve enjoyed every opportunity to be hands-on maintaining aircraft.”

Flight Sergeant Day’s career in Air Force has seen him post across the country, as well as deploy to other countries on operations for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping and war-like conflict.

“I have deployed to Papua New Guinea and Western Papua for famine relief, as well as to East Timor for UN peacekeeping and to the Middle East on three occasions, including to United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.

“I have also participated in exercises in most locations and bare bases in Australia, as well as in exercises at the Naval Air Weapons Station – China Lake, California and Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.”

His 40 years in Air Force is a story of service, mateship and opportunity.

“The primary reasons I have stayed in the Air Force so long are because I enjoy working on all the different platforms and I enjoy working with the people, as well as the job stability offered as an aircraft technician,” Flight Sergeant Day said.

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