Wednesday 23rd June is International Women in Engineering Day, a chance for us to celebrate those who are trailblazing in their line of work as an Engineer in the Royal Air Force!
Did you know that just over 12% of all engineers are women in the United Kingdom? While this percentage is increasing, there's still some way to go. An Engineering UK report in 2018 found that 46% of girls aged 11-14 would consider a career in engineering, compared to 70% of boys.
We want to tell you the stories behind three of our engineers, responsible for keeping our Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s airworthy and safe. It is down to their hard work and dedication, and that of their colleagues, that we are able to deliver Quick Reaction Alert, Maritime Patrol, and on operations around the world.
First up is Flt Lt Dani Barnett, who has been on Number 1 (Fighter) Squadron for almost a year as the Junior Engineering Officer, or JEngO. She is directly responsible for deciding on the airworthiness of our Typhoons, and ultimately has the final say as to whether Team Lossie's Typhoons get airborne or not.
Day-to-day at RAF Lossiemouth, this determines whether essential training for our front-line pilots goes ahead. When operations, there is an added responsibility - our Typhoons are live-armed with air-to-air and/or air-to-ground munitions, enabling the Royal Air Force to deliver combat air power anywhere in the world.
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We asked her what she thought about being a female engineer in the Royal Air Force:
"I'm very well supported by fellow male and female officers, technicians, airmen, and airwomen alike. What really stands out for me is how incredibly supportive other female Engineering Officers are to each other", she says.
There is a real sense throughout the ranks that we all really want to see each other succeed.
"I've had many senior female Engineering Officers support me throughout my career so far, and many of my female engineering peers are now some of my closest friends. I was even fortunate enough to be a Bridesmaid for one of them last year!"
"I don't see any difference in treatment when working alongside my male counterparts. We have always supported each other in the same way, and had the same opportunities regardless of gender."
Dani hopes to be posted to the Red Arrows or Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as their JEngO.
Corporal Tanya Breach is next in the spotlight, also working at 1(F) Squadron as an Aircraft Technician specialising in the maintenance of the Typhoon's airframe and propulsion systems.
Tanya has previously worked on Tornados with 12 Squadron and II(AC) Squadron, and on 71 (Inspection and Repair) Squadron. Prior to her first assignment, Cpl Breach spent six months training as an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering at RAF Cosford. She then returned for a specialist course lasting 14 months which trained her to become an Aircraft Technician specialising in the mechanical elements of an aircraft.
I've been very fortunate to be treated no differently in the Royal Air Force because of my gender.
Tanya has future aspirations to pursue a career in ethical hacking, and intends on using the vast array of skills and experience acquired while in the Royal Air Force to help her along the way.
Finally, we would like to introduce Sqn Ldr Steph Wilde who works on Number IX (Bomber) Squadron as their Senior Engineering Officer, or SEngO.
Steph has been in the Royal Air Force since 2008, and has been a Junior Engineering Officer on XI(F) Squadron based at RAF Coningsby, been out of area in Afghanistan on Op HERRICK, and was part of the F-35B Lightning Delivery Team.
Being a woman in the RAF is exactly the same as being a man - I'm paid the same, and have exactly the same promotion prospects.
"I love my job as the IX(B) Squadron SEngO! Every day is completely different presenting new challenges and opportunities I could never have imagined. Managing a diverse team of talented engineers and technicians who are working on some of the RAF's most cutting edge technology is fantastic", Sqn Ldr Wilde says.
Want to know more about becoming an Engineer or Technician in the Royal Air Force? Find out more here!
