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A Navy trainee has become the first in Australia to earn her pilot’s wings from 1 Flying Training School at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria.
Acting Sub-Lieutenant Natika Dunn was awarded her wings in a joint graduation of Navy and Air Force pilots from Course 278 ADF Intermediate Pilots Course. The Wings badge is given to aircrew who achieve required proficiency in flying military aircraft.
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“It’s amazing to be the first Navy graduate here on the east coast,” said Acting Sub-Lieutenant Dunn.
“Being able to complete all my training on the east coast provided a quicker training pipeline, giving us continuous training throughout and support from the same instructors the whole way through.
“I am incredibly happy, it’s been a big year and a half to get here.”
The graduation is a milestone in the progression of Defence’s paralleled pilot schools in Victoria and Western Australia, with the increased flight training capability expected to allow more Australian Defence Force pilots to graduate this year.
Commander Fleet Air Arm Commodore Matthew Royals, who addressed graduates as the Reviewing Officer, labelled the occasion as a “monumental moment in our Defence Force’s history”.
“For the first time, a Royal Australian Navy pilot has completed their entire Intermediate Flying Training here at 1 Flying Training School (FTS), something that has been traditionally shared by 1FTS and 2FTS at RAAF Base Pearce in WA,” he said.
“This significant shift underscores the growing integration between our services and demonstrates our collective commitment to a truly unified Defence Force.”
Pilot’s wings have been awarded to Australian military aviators since 1913.
