Australia's multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon, is on display at the Avalon International Airshow, and Airborne Electronics Analyst (AEA) Corporal (CPL) Steven Doyle along with members of No.11 Squadron and 92 Wing, are taking the opportunity to showcase what they do to the public and fellow ADF members.
Growing-up in Adelaide, South Australia, CPL Doyle was fascinated by aircraft and the stories he read about World War II.
"I always knew I would join the Royal Australian Air Force," CPL Doyle said.
More than 10 years on, he has held different roles with exposure to global and space operations, as well as deploying to the Middle East for tactical level support.
A career highlight for CPL Doyle, was being Catafalque party commander at the ANZAC day dawn service in regional South Australia.
"In my current role as an AEA, I really enjoy working as part of a team and the crew environment," CPL Doyle said.
AEA's operate sophisticated electronic equipment to surveil Australian and International waters.
"We get to go to some pretty amazing places for our job."
As an AEA, there are very few typical days, and for CPL Doyle this was part of the appeal of the job.
"Flying in a tight-knit crew environment was also one of the main draw cards for me, not to mention the opportunity to really be at the pointy end of Defence operations," CPL Doyle said.
"Most weeks consist of at least one flight in the P-8A and one simulator event.
"There are also briefings with your crew and lead AEA in preparation for an upcoming flight, exercise or operation."
Describing the airborne environment they operate in, CPL Doyle said, weather, turbulence and noise were always present.
"As a crew we work through challenges in different environmental conditions and complex operational settings to achieve a positive outcome," he said.
"A flying sortie begins about two hours before take-off with pre-flight checks followed by an update brief for any changes."
Flights on the P-8A consist of a transit period to and from an on station area to perform the tasked mission.
Some of the roles that the aircraft is designed for can include anti-submarine warfare through to search and rescue.
When not airborne, CPL Doyle explained the crew undertake training related to their respective roles.
"The AEA course is challenging, designed to test both your capacity to learn and operate in intense and constantly changing conditions."
"If you put your mind to it, persevere and put in the effort you will be surprised at what you are capable of achieving," he said.
After completing a series of theory based lessons and courseware you move into a simulated and then real flying environment.
"The simulator systems are world class and definitely amongst the best I have used," CPL Doyle said.
As he progresses in his career with the Air Force, CPL Doyle hopes to continue to learn and attain additional job categories as an AEA, while being able to apply that knowledge in an operational environment.
The Royal Australian Air Force is currently on the lookout for future AEAs.
"It's a great job, the travel is awesome and you make mates for life," CPL Doyle said.
"You'll have experiences and go to places others will only dream off, and that goes for any job in the ADF."
