9 July 2024
A transformative Gender in Military Operations (GiMO) training program is enhancing education for personnel at 1 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown.
Led by Flight Lieutenant Rob Iglesias, the program aims to deepen aviators’ understanding of human terrain complexities and the impact on the airbase security environment.
In the ADF context, ‘human terrain’ refers to the social, cultural and economic characteristics of the local population within an operational area.
To ensure the needs of vulnerable civilian populations in a conflict or crisis are considered in mission planning and force design, Flight Lieutenant Iglesias has implemented training for his team to better understand GiMO principles in executing airbase security operations.
Flight Lieutenant Iglesias said 1 Security Forces Squadron was frequently tasked to provide highly skilled aviators to conduct security operations in response to crisis.
“Incorporating a gender perspective into our planning and mission briefings enhances our security specialists’ understanding of the societal and cultural complexities in an operating environment,” he said.
“By understanding the local context and designing our force composition with these considerations in mind, we can minimise the adverse impacts of military actions on local populations, especially vulnerable groups within society.”
The training program has been broadened to include tactical procedures, such as the use of reporting cards for deployed personnel. This ensures any personnel on deployment who witness alleged offences, such as attacks on civilians and sexual and gender-based incidents, can easily identify and report via the chain of command.
'Incorporating a gender perspective into our planning and mission briefings enhances our security specialists’ understanding of the societal and cultural complexities in an operating environment.'
Having spent more than a decade in Army criminal investigations, Flight Lieutenant Iglesias transferred to Air Force, becoming the operations officer and unit gender focal point of 1 Security Forces Squadron.
After completing the suite of ADF and NATO training available for unit gender focal points, he quickly realised the critical relevance of gender, peace and security within airbase operations.
Commanding Officer 1 Security Forces Squadron Wing Commander Richard McIlroy said existing inequalities within society were frequently exacerbated in times of conflict and crisis, and this training was increasing the squadron’s ability to recognise and report violence beyond a traditional military understanding.
“Flight Lieutenant Iglesias’ work is not only helping to ensure the ADF complies with its international and legal reporting obligations, but also that we are building resilience in our personnel who may be exposed to potentially distressing incidents in the line of duty,” Wing Commander McIlroy said.
Air Force strives to develop innovative ways to minimise the adverse impact of military operations on civilian populations around where it operates, a key element of GiMO, according to Combat Support Group Gender Peace and Security lead Manny McAuley.
“Understanding the human terrain around an airbase is crucial for enhancing the security environment,” Mr McAuley said.
“By integrating a gender perspective, we improve the ability to gain insight into a local population’s cultural, social and economic dynamics thus improving threat detection, enabling tailored security measures and enhancing civil-military relations.”
GiMO is a key part of ADF responsibilities under the Gender, Peace and Security Mandate, which is drawn from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325: Women, Peace and Security.
