Group Captain Liz O’Sullivan, Commandant of Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering and Commander Air and Training Wing.
I’ve been an AeroSystems Engineer in the RAF for just over 20 years supporting Defence’s operational output predominately working with fixed-wing aircraft (fast-jet and air mobility assets) and I have worked within the whole force construct in both front line command and staff appointments. From Jaguars and TriStar’s to Typhoons and working with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, I have been involved with aircraft at all stages in their lifecycle. Most recently, I was the Chief Engineer for the Future Combat Air System working with Japan and Italy on the Global Combat Air Programme which included some impressive technology developments, designing (with industry) a 6th generation combat aircraft. I am also lucky to have been seconded to industry too; as Vice President UK Strategy within the Rolls-Royce Defence Business Development team, I looked at how Rolls-Royce’s outputs could meet the needs of the future war fighter which even included investigating Micro Nuclear Reactors for sustainable power.
I have particularly enjoyed my command appointments as a Junior and Senior Engineer Officer on a Squadron and as Officer Commanding Engineering and Logistics Wing and Chief Air Engineer at RAF Brize Norton responsible as the Military Continuing Airworthiness Manager for C17, A400M, Voyager, C130-J and Airborne Equipment authorising more than 1000 engineering personnel.
Indeed, command has really made me aware of being a role model and none more so than in my current role as Commandant of the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering and Commander Air and Training Wing at RAF Cosford where I, along with a highly professional and capable team, am responsible for providing Defence with the next generation of aeronautical engineers; a hugely privileged and rewarding position.
Throughout my career I have worked with cutting edge technology and travelled the world but most significantly I have worked with some amazingly talented personnel many of which have been great role models; I genuinely love my job and the fantastic opportunities which I have been fortunate to have, and I believe make the most of!
Corporal Luke Thompson, Training Instructor within Number 1 Radio School
I joined the RAF in 2014, as a Cyberspace Technician. I completed my training at RAF Cosford and was subsequently posted to my first role at 90SU as a Tactical Communications Technician, where I deployed Information Systems (IS) and networks to support operations and exercises globally.
My second role was as technical support and presentation delivery for the RAF Presentation Team, this was a really challenging yet rewarding role, as I was able to travel around the world and deliver presentations to large crowds.
I am now in my 10th year of service and working within Number 1 Radio School as a training instructor, training students on the latest cutting-edge IT technology used to support operations and exercises.
Throughout my career I have been fortunate enough to travel around the world, meet fantastic people and have unforgettable experiences. I have always made the most of everything that the RAF has to offer, be that support in my sporting career, or new and exciting job roles that challenge me.
For me, a career as an engineer in the RAF is more than just a job.
Flight Lieutenant Christina Lane, Course Officer within Number 2 School of Technical Training
I joined the RAF in 2017 and my first role after training, was as Officer Commanding Engineering Operations Flight at RAF Marham, coordinating between the engineering leadership on Station and the different engineering organisations, such as the Lightning Squadrons, Force HQ, Fleet Planning and Support elements.
Then I had the opportunity to move into the Lightning Force HQ within the Operations Centre, as the Junior Officer in charge of capability management, effectively managing resources and new capabilities onto the aircraft to meet the operational requirements, such as Op FORTIS.
My second tour was at RAF Brize Norton as the Junior Engineering Officer (JEngO) on the A400M Atlas aircraft, which involved management of aircraft and people alongside making engineering decisions to balance getting aircraft serviceable alongside looking after our people. In this leadership/management position was when I first became aware of being a role model, with people coming to me with any issues that they may have but also representing the RAF in engineering discussions with our civilian partners.
Currently, I am a course officer within Engineering Management Training Flight in No2 School of Technical Training, with most of my time spent teaching and managing Phase 2 Engineering Officers, alongside course development to ensure the delivery is as relevant and realistic as possible.
Being a role model is critical to the role, as in most cases I will be one of the first engineering officers the students have had extensive contact with, so the impression that I leave on them will likely guide them in their future careers, as they shape how they can impact the RAF.
I have been lucky in that I have been able to experience a wide variety of aircraft platforms and types of job in my relatively short time within the RAF.
