Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT) Rosie Callery, of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Police, is currently deployed on Exercise Long Look, a four-month exchange programme on which she will conduct various integrated tasks, exercises and training packages with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The RAF Officer from No. 3 Force Protection Wing, RAF Marham arrived at the end of April 18 and embedded in No. 1 Security Forces Squadron (1SECFOR) at RAAF Base Williamtown.
FLTLT Callery is the first of the UK Force Protection (FP) contingent to deploy on Ex Long Look with a FP specific focus.
Exchange Programme Long Look has been a military exchange event, conducted annually since 1976.
It epitomises the close working relationship that the UK Armed Forces has with both the New Zealand and Australian Defence Forces.
The RAAF is a Tier 2 partner in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme and offers opportunities for the sharing of practices and policies as both countries prepare to receive the platform.
FLTLT Callery is embedded into Security Flight at RAAF Base Williamtown and will assist with the development of Security Forces operating concepts in support of the arrival of Australia’s first F-35As later of this year.
"It’s been an incredible development opportunity working with security forces in preparation for the arrival of JSF at RAAF Base Williamtown," she said.
As a reciprocal exchange, Flying Officer Josh Hablethwaite, RAAF Ground Defence Officer will deployed to RAF Marham in June, just in time for the first arrival of the RAF’s F-35 to the UK.
Both exchange officers will have the opportunity to gain a detailed understanding of how partner nations provide security for fifth-generation platforms.
FLGOFF Hablethwaite will also have the opportunity to view and conduct training activities with the RAF Regiment at both RAF Marham and RAF Honington.
As part of her exchange, FLTLT Callery also deployed with No. 2 Security Forces Squadron on Exercise Pitch Black, a multi-national large force exercise, at RAAF Base Darwin.
It featured a range of realistic, simulated threats which can be found in a modern battle-space environment and provided an opportunity for the exchange officer to observe large scale force integration and interoperability serials within Australia, and the training and integration of security operations directly supporting the ability to sustain air power.
