Melinda Russell wanted to be in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and saw that a career as a pilot would be interesting and rewarding. In senior high school Melinda submitted her application to study a Bachelor of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and begin her journey towards becoming a pilot in the RAAF.

After graduating from ADFA and her subsequent pilot training course in 2008, Melinda was given the opportunity to fly the C130 Hercules cargo aircraft all around Australia and the world on Exercises, Operations and Training. Highlights of Melinda’s career so far include Operations in the Middle East and Exercises working with the United States military.

Out of uniform Melinda enjoys snowboarding, running and indoor skydiving in my spare time. She is also the proud mother of a 3 year old daughter and 18 month old twins.

How long have you worked for the ADF and what made you decide to pursue this career?

I joined the ADF immediately after graduating from high school and have been a RAAF Officer and pilot since then. Becoming a pilot sounded like a fantastic challenge and an interesting long term career with opportunities to learn and try something different every day.

Tell us about some of the highs and challenges you have faced in your role…

My career has been full of highlights and challenges. My Pilots training course was the most rewarding course I have completed. It was a lot of hard work and study but definitely worth the time and effort. Watching the sunset over the ocean flying home from Hawaii and seeing lightning flashing within a thunderstorm at night time as I flew around it are memories that will always be special. It is always sunny above the clouds (or starry if it is night time!).

 What traits and qualities do you admire in a leader?

Leadership is a large part of the ADF and through my career I have been lucky to learn from and work alongside some exceptional leaders. I am appreciative of authentic, honest and decisive leadership. Adaptability of leadership and communication style is important so that the message is always appropriately received, understood and acted upon. In an emergency there is no time for discussion but during a debrief open and honest communication is key.

 How important is teamwork in your role and how does this come into play each day?

The aircraft I flew can have between 3-8 crew members, depending on the flight profile and mission outcomes. When there are 8 people it is usually a very complicated and detailed mission but there is still only one intercom system for us all to use. When we are not flying, having a friendly and cohesive team ensures the morale and work-life integration of the unit remains healthy.

 And what’s next on the agenda for Melinda Russell?

I am currently posted to Defence Force Recruiting an am thoroughly enjoying my role there. I look forward to continuing to attract the next generation of ADF personnel and contributing to Air Force capability, integrated with spending time with my family and friends in sunny Brisbane.

Most interesting person that you have met?

Deborah Lawrie who was the first woman to become a pilot with a major Australian Airline. She is an amazing trailblazer, a fantastic public speaker and role model who showed that a career you are passionate about is worth fighting for.

Where is the best place that you have travelled to and why?

I have spent a lot of time flying around Papua New Guinea and the scenery and weather make it beautiful and interesting every single time.

Favourite book and why?

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons. A great romance novel that was a fantastic break from study during pilot training!

To find out more about a career in the ADF head to www.defencejobs.gov.au or call 13 19 01

C-130J Pilot students, Flight Lieutenant Melinda Russell (left), Flying Officer Rob Maliphant (center) and Flight Lieutenant Matt Dunn from No 285 Squadron, RAAF Base Richmond, exit the rear of a C-130J Hercules during Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) training conducted in Loxton. *** Local Caption *** The next crop of Air Force’s Hercules transport pilots and loadmasters trained in South Australian skies from 17-22 June 2015, working from RAAF Base Edinburgh.
The training involved airland and airdrop missions to local airfields with two C-130J Hercules transport aircraft, as well as formation flying and low-level flying on night-vision goggles.
Conducted by No 285 Squadron from RAAF Base Richmond, the course is the final test in a five-month conversion course that will see successful aircrew graduate to operational flying with No 37 Squadron.