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Australian pilot finds opportunities at Fairchild

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  From pilots to children, from retirees to spouses, a great number of people call Fairchild home. Among this diverse group of people is Flight Lt. Trevor Wright, a Royal Australian Air Force pilot.

Along with his wife, Flight Lt. Wright made Fairchild home in November 2005 after completing training at Altus Air Force Base, Okla.

"I consider the Inland Northwest my home, and my wife, Belinda, and I have enjoyed the area immensely," said the flight lieutenant. "The environment, weather and hospitality have truly made this our home for the last 18 months."

The RAAF has exchange and loan opportunities in the United States, and Fairchild is host to both. Currently, the only tanker pilot program for the RAAF is at Fairchild, though there are numerous programs throughout the world with other coalition partners for additional operational and training opportunities. Flight Lt. Wright was asked to participate in the officer loan program with the U.S. Air Force to gain operational tanker experience.

"The selection process for both the tanker pilot loan and exchange positions is normally very competitive with most non-fighter pilots eligible to apply," said Flight Lt. Wright. Areas assessed for suitability include total flying experience, aircraft commander experience, previous tanker experience and the ability to perform duties.

"There is currently a mix of Australian pilots at Fairchild both with and without prior tanker experience," he noted.

As an Air Force Tanker Loan Pilot, Flight Lt. Wright operates as the acting B Flight commander at the 93rd Air Refueling Squadron where he supervises approximately 15 pilots and boom operators within the squadron. He also acts as an aircraft commander on the KC-135 Stratotanker.

"As an aircraft commander I am responsible for all operations of the aircraft and managing the crew to ensure on-time, safe and effective completion of the mission," he said.

Some of those responsibilities include assessing the weather, identifying and managing operational restrictions and requirements, identifying and mitigating risk, managing abnormal and emergency situations, and ensuring the crew is supported throughout the mission.

"The knowledge and experience gained by the Australian contingent at Fairchild is instrumental to the successful introduction of the RAAF's KC-30B and C-17 fleet and ensures a more cohesive integration with coalition forces for the future," said Flight Lt. Wright.

After graduating as a civilian air traffic controller, he invested his future as a pilot in the RAAF in 1993. Since then he has logged approximately 5,000 hours on various aircraft at five different Australian bases, though the climax of his career transpired nearly two years ago.

"I am fortunate to have many highlights in my military career, having flown many different aircraft types in varied roles," Flight Lt. Wright remarked. "The biggest highlight of my career, and personally for that matter, is flying the KC-135 at Fairchild and living in the USA.

"With the professional and highly motivated aircrew and maintenance personnel I have the pleasure of working with on a daily basis, I truly cherish my time with Team Fairchild," he said.

Fourteen years in the military can open doors and windows to a world of opportunity. The U.S. Air Force participation in worldwide refueling missions has expanded Flight Lt. Wright's horizons, as the RAAF mainly focuses on operations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific borders.

"The vast array of receiver types and mission profiles flown with the U.S. and other coalition forces significantly expands our experience base and will greatly boost our interoperability and integration efforts within the RAAF as a dedicated coalition partner," the flight lieutenant said.

A potential place for retirement is another door opened for Flight Lt. Wright and his family.

"My future goals are somewhat fluid at the moment and will be greatly determined in the coming months with the U.S. Air Force and my next job in the RAAF," he said. "Regardless, I will serve at least three years with the RAAF upon return to Australia. Ultimately, I would love to reside in and fly out of Alaska or Washington, retiring in a log cabin on a lake with a float plane and fishing rod."

As his career has proven thus far, the opportunities are endless. Whether his retirement brings him here or not, Fairchild will always be a place he once called home.