No Ordinary Journey

Pilot Officer Lydia Bamford’s Air Force journey began in high school when she attended the School to Skies programme. Now she’s on the Defence Force’s biggest deployment.

“It’s been amazing to get involved in something so quickly after finishing my course and it feels cool to be able to go out and do something meaningful.” – Pilot Officer Lydia Bamford

The air warfare officer trainee topped the RNZAF Officer’s Course, winning the prestigious Sword of Honour. Almost immediately after beginning her career, she was volunteered to be part of Operation Protect.

The 20-year-old has had a busy start to her career, but so far, it’s offering everything Pilot Officer (PLTOFF) Bamford hoped for.

“I saw the School to Skies advert on Facebook was looking for girls interested in maths and science and I thought, ‘What have I got to lose? Maybe I’ll give it a go’.

“I discovered it was a whole lot more than what I had originally thought it would offer.”

A ride in an NH90, as part of the programme, had PLTOFF Bamford’s sights set on becoming a helicopter loadmaster, but after appearing before the Selection Board, her gaze shifted to the air warfare officer trade.

After completing the RNZAF Officer’s Course, PLTOFF Bamford settled in to a holding position to wait for her trade training to begin, however, that plan was quickly curtailed with a deployment into Op Protect.

“On day two of starting at Base Auckland, I started driving for Op Protect. I was a bit nervous – everything was so new at that point, so I just went with it.

“At the moment I’m doing the transport coordination and I’ve been in the MIQF (Managed Isolation Quarantine Facility) as well. So a bit of it all,” she said.

“It’s been amazing to get involved in something so quickly after finishing my course and it feels cool to be able to go out and do something meaningful.”

Being part of the deployment had been fulfilling as she was able to see the direct results of her efforts – seeing how it helped people to see loved ones or come back into their home country.

Becoming an air warfare officer was a good fit for PLTOFF Bamford, who was focussed on wanting to help people.

“There’s the opportunity to be involved in missions and have the chance to directly help people.

“I’m really looking forward to travelling with the job. I haven’t really been able to get out and see all the places of the world – and they will be different to the usual tourist hotspots.”