In 2023, a high-stakes evacuation was underway to rescue a small group of meteorologists from the path of an incoming cyclone.
Vital to the success of the mission: MH-60R Sensor Operator Leading Seaman Aircrewman Belinda Cole, who was making crucial decisions to keep her aircraft crew and the civilians safe.
Looking back, the evacuation was a resounding success, with the four personnel from the Bureau of Meteorology welcomed on board HMAS Brisbane, safe from the incoming Tropical Cyclone Jasper off the coast of Far North Queensland.
It was all in a day's work for Leading Seaman Cole, who joined Defence for the unpredictable adventures.
"I was always looking for a career in aviation, to mix this with Defence worked perfect for me," she said.
"I love the variety of job roles an aircrewman has because no flight is the same, and while being deployed has its challenges, it's also a whole lot of fun."
While excelling at what she loves, Leading Seaman Cole is an example of a strong role model and has been selected to be a finalist for this year's Australian Defence Magazine Women in Defence Awards in the operations category.
The annual awards celebrate the talented and determined women, like Leading Seaman Cole, who have a positive and integral impact in various facets of Defence, in uniformed and non-uniformed capacities.
She is one of eight Navy women who have been recognised for their outstanding commitment to uplifting other women in Defence across a range of categories, including technical trade, legal and engineering.
"It's a privilege to be nominated from a community of women who I am inspired by, and I hope other women in Defence can see that hard work and dedication can show anyone is capable of doing this job with the right motivation and support," she said.
Leading Seaman Cole said it was important for other women to embrace new opportunities.
"Give everything a go and challenge yourself to say yes more often, it brings you out of your comfort zone and opens up more opportunities to expand your knowledge and build new perspectives," she said.
The winners of the 2024 Women in Defence Awards will be announced during a ceremony in Canberra on October 17.
