28 April 2025
An aviator’s prized posting became a family affair when husband and wife, Sergeant James O’Neill and Leading Aircraftwoman Jeanny O’Neill, were both posted to Malaysia at the same time with different units.
Sergeant O’Neill handles training and doctrine at Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System and Leading Aircraftwoman O’Neill is a personnel capability specialist at 19 Squadron.
Both units are based at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth in Penang.
The prospect of living and working in a different country was something Sergeant O’Neill aimed for his whole career.
Now it’s an aspiration he can share with his family.
Five months ago, the high-school sweethearts from Logan, Queensland, moved to Penang with their two daughters in tow for a three-year posting at Butterworth Air Base.
“We're going everywhere and trying to see everything with the kids,” Sergeant O’Neill said.
“They’re eating at all the local places, seeing the sites and meeting people from all over the world through their international school.”
Leading Aircraftwoman O’Neill said: “This has been such an amazing experience so far and we’re very grateful.”
Their day-to-day roles keep them on different sides of the sprawling air base, with Beef Rendang and Roti Canai on the menu when they can get away for lunch.
Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System is a multinational unit established in 1971 to coordinate air defence for Malaysia and Singapore.
About a dozen Australians work in combined headquarters, planning and supporting multinational exercises, such as Bersama Shield and Bersama Lima.
Across the runway, 19 Squadron supports exercises and deployments throughout Southeast Asia and ADF personnel at Butterworth.
While their jobs keep them apart, after-hours they share the experience of discovering Malaysian culture with new friends.
“It's good for the kids, good for us, and good growth for the family,” Sergeant O’Neill said.
