Foreign students return to School of Air Traffic Control

For the first time in more than two years, the School of Air Traffic Control (SATC) at RAAF Base East Sale has graduated international students from the air traffic control instructor course.

CAPTION: Flight Lieutenant Rhiannon Wares (RAAF), First Lieutenant Hery (Indonesia Air Force), Major Hafizul (Royal Malaysian Air Force) and Squadron Leader Chamara (Sri Lanka Air Force) in the School of Air Traffic Control’s immersive tower visual simulator system at RAAF Base East Sale. Story by Flying Officer Rowan Crinall. Photo by Petty Officer Richard Prideaux.

In addition to RAAF personnel, the course is open to participants from particular foreign nations to strengthen international engagement.

The course allows experienced air traffic controllers (ATC) to become qualified to instruct on air traffic control courses.

Alongside RAAF ATCs, members from the Indonesian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force and Sri Lankan Air Force who are involved in the Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) all participated in the course.

DCP is an ADF initiative to enhance capabilities of regional and non-regional partner nations through participation in international engagement training courses.

Commanding Officer SATC Wing Commander Peter Clark highlighted the importance of training in strengthening international engagement.

“After a two-year hiatus, it was fantastic to welcome back our international friends to SATC to participate in the DCP course,” Wing Commander Clark said.

“Maintaining strong relationships with partner nations, through sharing knowledge and experiences, is extremely beneficial for our international visitors, the RAAF instructor trainees and our staff at SATC.”

SATC has a long history of international engagement, training foreign military members since the 1960s.

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