From a small village in Vietnam to the largest Air Force base in Australia, Royal Australian Air Force Corporal Trung Phan is fulfilling his lifelong dream of a career in aviation.
Migrating to Australia in 2006, Corporal Phan's passion for aircraft was ignited while flying from Vietnam to Melbourne.
"It was my first flight ever on an aircraft," he said.
"Every time I saw one in the sky, I would think that me being up there was a dream that would never come true."
But Corporal Phan's journey into the Air Force would not have been possible if it wasn't for the brave journey his aunty made.
This year, Corporal Phan other Vietnamese aviators will honour 50 years of refugee settlement in Australia.
"After the fall of Saigon, my Aunty Lien, like many others, took on the dangerous sea crossing journey seeking freedom," he said.
"She made it to Philippines where they took her as a refugee and she was later accepted by Australia.
"Out of good will for my aunty being a solo member in Australia, my grandparents were given the opportunity to also take residency."
Corporal Phan said the anniversary was monumental, not only for himself, but for his family, friends and culture.
"It is about thanking Australia for a place to call home for the last 50 years," he said.
"It's remembering those that laid down their lives for us in the Vietnam War [War in Vietnam], especially the Australians that never returned home."
'It is about thanking Australia for a place to call home for the last 50 years.'
After Corporal Phan's grandfather suffered a stroke that paralysed the left side of his body, his aunty put a request forward for his father to migrate to Australia.
"The Australian Government did not want to separate our family, so they approved my mother, brother and I to come along," Corporal Phan said.
"When my grandfather passed away, I made a promise to myself that I would do everything I could to fulfil the promise I made to serve the country that accepted us with open arms."
In April 2016, Corporal Phan enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force as an aircraft structural technician.
"I chose to be an aircraft structural technician after learning it was one of the few trades with a fabrication capability working directly on aircraft," he said.
"On a daily basis, I use specialised tools and equipment to maintain the structural and mechanical components of an aircraft for airworthiness and mission capability."
Throughout his Air Force career, Corporal Phan has worked on a number of aircraft types including the F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet, C-17 Globemaster III and F/A-18F Super Hornet, gaining opportunities to travel and see the world.
"After almost nine years in uniform, it is so difficult for me to list every career highlight," he said.
"Above everything, knowing the work that I do directly contributes to Air Force capability is truly the job satisfaction I treasure.
"I will forever cherish that I am living my dream of serving this country and have built lifelong friendships."
Looking into the future, Corporal Phan aspires to commission as an officer to use his knowledge and skills to mentor junior aviators.
"It is true when they say you will never work a day in your life if you love what you do," he said.
"My Air Force career has taken me all over the world while being in a secure and rewarding job.
"I have never looked back."
