Judy Vos CA 
 
I was invited last month, as an Institute representative, by the Defence Force Reserves to observe “Exercise Pitch Black 08” as part of their “Operation Boss lift” program. 
 
The Boss Lift program is designed to help put the Reserves into perspective for employers and potential employers of Reservists. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) hosts international air forces participating in this exercise held every two years in the Northern Territory.  
 
60 aircraft from the RAAF and participating forces were deployed to bases in Darwin and Tindal, near Katherine. 3000 service men and women from Australia, United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and France supported the exercise, with ground and air crews operating some of the most sophisticated military systems employed in the world. A large number of the Australian men and women participating in the exercises were from the Defence Force Reserves. Fighter, strike, early warning, air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft combined with selected surface forces and systems to simulate and evaluate operational planning and tactics in war-like conditions.  
 
Along with employers from Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales, I was flown to Darwin as part of the Boss Lift program. My visit included flying from Darwin in a Caribou for a tour of the base at Tindal. We were included in briefings as part of the “Red Team”, ate a sumptuous meal at the Officer’s mess and were shown various displays of equipment, including a close up look at a Hornet F18. All this was in the middle of a war between the Reds and the Blues, with all kinds of jets zipping around in the sky. 
 
The most exciting part of the tour was flying in a 707 while it refuelled Hornet jetfighters at 500km per hour, right outside our windows. We were also served a great meal while in flight and I won the right to stay in the cockpit while the 707 was landed. A truly memorable experience! 
 
During all this excitement we met Reservists who were fully integrated with Air Force personnel taking part in the exercise. The term ‘weekend warrior’ has completely disappeared, even the uniforms make no distinction between reservist and permanent personnel. My overwhelming impression of these Reserves, men and women of all ages, was their passion for what they were doing. I now have a much wider understanding of how important Reservists are in the day-to-day running of the Air Force. 
 
The Reservists also discussed their civilian jobs and explained how much their Air Force training complimented that work. The training providing both team and leadership skills, and enabled them to think laterally. As a result they required less supervision and were often promoted quickly in their careers. It is a win/win situation for employers and employees with financial and non-financial benefits for both. Anyone interested in joining the Reserves or employing a Reservist can go to the Defence Reserves website