A team of two pilots and two mission crew from Air Force's 32 Squadron have been watching the waters across the South Pacific Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) in support of the latest iteration of Operation Solania - Island Chief. In between these missions personnel have visited two Pacific island schools and hosted VIPs.
Pupils from the Kiribati Institute of Technology (KIT) and year five children from Bareaumai Primary School visited a KA350 King Air at Bonriki International Airport on the Republic of Kiribati.
Aircrew spent the afternoon with the students explaining its various features and gave everyone the opportunity to sit in the cockpit.
Excitement levels reached new heights when Aircraftwoman Bethany Griinke and Flying Officer Michael Sullivan presented RAAF mementos to the young children.
"They were so happy to know the RAAF roundel they saw on the wing tip was also on the pin they just received," Aircraftwoman Griinke said.
"There was a little boy the same age as my brother who asked about the propeller on the plane and what it did, so I explained how it worked in terms he could understand, he said he found it very cool."
On the walk out to the KA350 King Air Aircraftwoman Griinke asked if anyone wanted to be a pilot.
"Only a few put their hands up, but on the way back after seeing the aircraft almost all of them wanted to be a pilot," she said.
Many of the children, like 11-year-old Yolanda, had never been in an aircraft.
"It was a really good visit, really fun and awesome to sit in the cockpit - it makes me want to be a pilot now," she said.
"I can't wait to show my family what I received today. I will treasure the gifts as a great memory of the visit."
At the end of the visit one of the teachers presented the aircrew with a handmade flower head dress made by elders intended as a blessing.
'It was a really good visit, really fun and awesome to sit in the cockpit - it makes me want to be a pilot now'
The first-year Automotive Servicing Technology students showed interest in comparing the standard piston engine they study against the P&W turbine engine fitted to the aircraft during their visit.
Aircrew were quizzed about similarities in aircraft brakes and air conditioning systems, as well as the engine lubrication system.
Student Reedson Yeetinz said the visit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"It was all very new to me, especially seeing all the engines parts of the plane this close up," he said.
Very important passengers
As well as visiting local schools, the KA350 King Air crew flew 10 missions for the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) detecting and reporting more than 33 vessels of interest and covering more than 592,687 square kilometres within numerous countries, including Tuvalu and Kiribati.
The mission is a coordinated surveillance and patrol operation run by the FFA to detect and deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activity.
'Thank you for giving me this opportunity to fly in the aircraft and for looking after our country the way you do.'
Teata Terubea, Director, Asia Pacific Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, and Graham Murphy from the Australian High Commission joined the aircrew on a patrol which departed Bonriki International Airport in Tarawa, the capital of the Republic of Kiribati.
It was Mr Terubea's first time in the aircraft and said he now has a good sense of how the Royal Australian Air Force provides maritime surveillance to the country's region.
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity to fly in the aircraft and for looking after our country the way you do." he said.
