We celebrate International Women in Engineering Day 2021 and are proud to promote just a couple of our many engineering heroes.
Sergeant Long joined the RAF in 2003, and in 2009 became the first female selected from Parachute Engineering Squadron, for Survival Equipment Technician Junior Non-Commissioned Officer assignment duties, attached to an Airborne Forces unit, supporting multiple Operations maintaining Engineering compliance and Air Safety Command principles.
Corporal Shilton in 2017 was successful in gaining a 3-year posting at RAF Brize Norton working on the Airbus A330 Voyager as an Aircraft Technician (Mechanical). In 2020 she was accepted on a course at the Voyager Academy to achieve her Licensed Engineer status. She aims, along with another course attendee, to be the first female RAF Licensed Engineer to complete the training at the Academy and work on the Voyager aircraft.
Wing Commander Elizabeth O’Sullivan, Officer Commanding Air Wing Engineering, said;
“As Officer Commanding Air Wing Engineering at RAF Brize Norton, I have a diverse role which encompasses being the Chief Air Engineer and the Military Continuing Airworthiness Manager for A400M, C-17, C-130J and Voyager aircraft as well as Airborne Forces Equipment. I am incredibly privileged to lead a dedicated and hardworking team of senior engineers, who happen to be predominately women, and work with a diverse group of well over 1000 engineers to support and assure the delivery of aircraft and equipment for the Air Mobility Force. Whilst being ‘women in engineering’ in the RAF for both myself and my female colleagues is all about being an engineer and not about being a woman, I can appreciate why some women may be daunted by working in what can be perceived a stereotyped male dominated environment. This has certainly not been my experience and the opportunities that come with an engineering career in the RAF, regardless of gender, have been fantastic; I genuinely love what I do.”
Wing Commander Elizabeth O’Sullivan
Officer Commanding Air Wing Engineering
The positives of choosing an engineering career in the RAF:
Wing Commander Elizabeth O’Sullivan said;
“The opportunities that come from being an engineer in the RAF are endless. I get to work on ‘cutting-edge’ technology, with a large number of highly talented and motivated engineers and technicians, at locations all over the world. No two days are the same and when coupled with moving roles every two years or so, there is always a new challenge and plenty of variety! I have worked with numerous different aircraft types from fast-jet Typhoons to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, and, as Officer Commanding Air Wing Engineering at RAF Brize Norton, I am the Chief Air Engineer and the Military Continuing Airworthiness Manager for A400M, C-17, C-130J and Voyager aircraft as well as Airborne Forces Equipment. It’s as huge responsibility; however, I am incredibly fortunate to have the privilege of working with a dedicated and hard-working ‘whole force’ team of well over 1000 engineers to support and assure the delivery of aircraft and equipment for the Air Mobility Force.”
Wing Commander Elizabeth O’Sullivan
Officer Commanding Air Wing Engineering
This awareness day was originally launched in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society to celebrate their 95th anniversary. What started as a national event in the United Kingdom is now celebrated annually worldwide.
