20 March 2025
The first Royal Australian Air Force pilots to undergo ab initio pilot training in the UK with the Royal Air Force have received their wings, supporting ever-closer ties between the RAAF and RAF.
In just under two years, good friends Pilot Officer Zack Burton and Pilot Officer Astrid Streeter-Smith completed three courses in two different locations, culminating in the award of their wings.
Beginning at RAF Cranwell flying the Grob Prefect, the trainees covered everything from basic handling and circuits through to navigation, formation flying and combination sorties.
Following this, they posted to RAF Valley in North Wales for advanced training on the T6 Texan. This phase of training focused on fast-jet fundamentals including simulated weapons employment and threat reaction, elementary fighter manoeuvring and pairs tactical formation.
While it was unusual to post overseas so early in their careers, Pilot Officer Burton said the close ties between the two services was evident and made integrating into the RAF a smooth process.
“It was exciting to have my first posting on the other side of the world,” he said.
“As exciting as it was, the similarities between our countries certainly helped the settling in and integration process.
“Hands down within both forces, the people are the best asset. It’s clear we’re cut from the same cloth and have common ideologies and goals.”
While most RAAF pilots will remember formation flying over Ningaloo Reef or away trips to Kalgoorlie as highlights from course, Pilot Officer Streeter-Smith and Pilot Officer Burton will return home having flown in some of military aviation’s most iconic locations.
'It was exciting to have my first posting on the other side of the world.'
“Our time at RAF Valley was especially memorable,” Pilot Officer Streeter-Smith said.
“Getting to fly every day with your best friend on the wing, experiencing flying low-level tactical formation through the Mach loop or down Loch Ness was surreal.”
“Another standout was flying a tailchase at sunset with clouds above and below after a land away to Lossiemouth,” Pilot Officer Burton added.
Pilot Officer Burton and Pilot Officer Streeter-Smith are now posted to 2FTS at RAAF Pearce to familiarise them with Australian procedures on the PC21 before transferring to 79 Squadron to begin fast-jet training on the Hawk.
