Building on its number of ‘firsts’, Exercise Pitch Black 24 hosted the largest deployment of women from Air Force and participating nations.
It was also the first time the ADF has deployed male and female gender advisers to an activity, highlighting the benefits both genders bring to the role.
Wing Commander Jade Deveney said being able to provide a male and female perspective concurrently provided greater synergy to the role.
“We could comprehensively assess all the risks and opportunities and engage across the full spectrum of leadership and community structures,” Wing Commander Deveney said.
As part of Pitch Black, the Gender, Peace and Security (GPS) team provided specialist advice and input to the planning of the activity, creating opportunities to network, collaborate and share knowledge with members from participating nations.
Led by Wing Commander Garth Andrews and Wing Commander Deveney, the GPS team held a tabletop exercise, enabling nations to see Pitch Black through an enhanced lens and display the gendered impact of conflict, instability and disaster.
“The tabletop activity allowed participants to bring their own cultural perspectives to a relevant and challenging scenario, learn from one another and create a baseline understanding to how gender considerations are applied on operations,” Wing Commander Andrews said.
“Working with our partner nations, it’s an opportunity to share our cultural experiences and knowledge. This way, when we work together on future operations, or humanitarian air and disaster relief, we will all understand how we can best provide a balanced perspective to leadership and decision-making.”
The team also held the Walumarra Forum, an opportunity to hear about career experiences from female participants, as well as a space for engagement, support and networking.
Panellists from multiple nations came together to collaborate through shared experiences and inspire junior aviators.
Colonel Lee Mei Yi, detachment commander for the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the first female commanding officer of a fighter squadron, felt humbled to be a member of the panel.
“I came here 10 years ago as a squadron fighter pilot and am now back as an exercise director for the Republic of Singapore Air Force. It is a great honour,” she said.
When asked at the event what advice she would give her younger self, Colonel Yi concluded her piece with a strong and straightforward statement.
“If it comes too easy, it’s not worth doing,” she said.
