CAF Story | 8 Wing’s First AOS Tech
Video / July 6, 2020
Transcript
I feel good, like, we're saving people.
Hi, my name is Cpl Ashley Cameron. I am an Air Operations Support Technician at 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Trenton, Ontario. I come from a village in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick.
What led me to become an Air Operations Support Technician was, I was originally in Anchor Lake before this. I had applied for Supply Tech and that was how I found out about this position.
Being the first AOS Tech in Trenton has been a challenge, paving the route for more people to come into the trade. I guess it was just essentially difficult because they don't create a brand new trade very often.
My job allows me to contribute to the RCAF through part-time service by supporting Maintenance Technicians in their primary roles of maintaining an aircraft and participating in servicing an elementary tasks.
Some of the work that I do at 9 Hangar would be parking an aircraft, which is marshalling an aircraft into its parking spot, starting an aircraft, standing in front of the plane, talking to the pilot, making sure their engines are running properly.
AOS Techs have a variety of different roles within the trade. Along with supporting maintenance crews, some AOS Techs can become a qualified spotter to search while on training or real Search and Rescue missions.
This trade will consist of three different strands: Search and Rescue support, maintenance support and Wing Auxiliary Security Force.
SAR support is going to consist of helping out the Search and Rescue Technicians, picking them up wherever they may land, helping them pack parachutes. Any type of support they really require, we'll be there to help them out.
Working alongside maintainers is very rewarding. It allows me to learn many different aspects of maintaining an aircraft. For me, the best of the time of the day is when the plane lands and I work with my crew to get it ready for the next mission.
We are also involved with airfield security, which could include guarding aircraft, conducting ground patrols or ensuring positive identification of personnel entering the airfield.
One of the amazing aspects of being a part-time reservist is you can have a civilian career as well. For example, I'm a barber and I have my own barber shop near the base. So, I think I have the best of both worlds.
I definitely look forward to it. I'm excited to see where it goes from here. Being there from the beginning, I'm excited to see it evolve and all it all turns out in the end.
They like the help because there's a lot going on.
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