Our People in QLD
Paula Ivanovic - Paula's key role in Air Force's Afghanistan operation
Darra’s Sergeant Paula Ivanovic is one of few women in a male-dominated job, especially now she’s working as a RAAF load master in Afghanistan.
Paula is responsible for the loading and safe storage of cargo aboard the RAAF’s giant C-17 Globemasters, Australia’s largest military transport aircraft. They are home-based at Amberley in South East Queensland.
“I've dealt with some big loads on the C-17,” Paula said. “I have taken part in the load training of three Blackhawks and an Abrams tank, and we’ve transported heaps of helicopters – Blackhawks, Seahawks and Chinooks.
“I was also one of the loadmasters who brought the Navy's new rescue submarine to Australia from Scotland,” Paul said.
More recently Paula has found herself flying into Afghanistan airspace, supporting Australian Diggers on the ground.
“You could say that flying into the Australian bases at Tarin Kowt and Kandahar was a career highlight,” she said.
“It was daunting, there's quite a lot of information to retain and there are time constraints on the ground. But you have to achieve the mission so you simply get in and get the job done,” she said.
The airstrip at Tarin Kowt, where the majority of Diggers are based in Afghanistan, is still a dirt airstrip – presenting a range of extra challenges for Paula and her crewmates.
“There are a number of considerations when landing on a dirt strip, whether it’s in Tarin Kowt or in Australia,” she said.
“Our pilots do an extraordinary job in these situations. We are briefed extensively on the threat from the Taliban, but being in the military is about making the commitment to train for such situations.
“You are definitely aware that the threat exists, but our pilots are more than capable and the aircraft are prepared,” she said.
But it is not just moving military hardware around that makes Paula’s job so rewarding.
“I took part in an aero-medical evacuation of burn victims from Darwin, and supplied humanitarian aid to PNG.
“We've also had the Starlight Foundation come to Amberley for a day. It was great to see the kids laughing and enjoying their time on the aircraft,” Paula said
Born and bred in Brisbane, Paula joined the Royal Australian Air Force in March 1991. This is her 19th year in the RAAF, with no indication of leaving it behind.
“I've enjoyed everything I have achieved and experienced being a loadmaster,” Sergeant Ivanovic said.
“The Air Force has allowed me to experience quite a lot in life that non-military people can't.
“I have experienced operational service in three theatres; East Timor, Iraq and now in Afghanistan.
“The best thing about these operational deployments is doing the job you have been trained to do.
“I believe that if you join the military, you have to be prepared to deploy, especially in today's environment.
“I'm sure no-one joins wanting to do it, but when you are called upon, you go,” she said.
Aside from overseas deployments, Paula has seen a lot of Australia.
“I have travelled across the length and breadth of Australia and have been fortunate to travel overseas. I have made some wonderful friends that will always be a part of my life,” she said.
Paul is currently one of only two female loadmasters in the Royal Australian Air Force.
“It's a physically demanding job, it can be hot, you do get sweaty, it is taxing on the body, and flying around at altitude can take it out of you,” she said.
“You have to have integrity, if you've done something wrong you have to be able to put your hand up and admit it.
“I do my best to stay fit and live a relatively healthy lifestyle, and I'm sure some of my male counterparts find it just as demanding.
“I am lucky though. When I started my loadmaster career on the C130H Hercules aircraft, I had some great male loadmasters to teach me and pass on their experience. That grounding has been very valuable,” she said.
“I would recommend being in the military as a whole, not just being a loadmaster in the Air Force. You learn a lot, there are many opportunities available to further your career and education.”