ASOPs can expect to spend their first tour of duty at one of the Control and Reporting Units (CRUs), 114MCRU Darwin NT or 3CRU Williamtown NSW or No 1 Radar Surveillance Unit (1RSU), Edinburgh S.A.

After your initial tour of duty of between 2-3 years, the number of possible posting areas expands. Currently, there are ASOPs employed in the following locations; Glenbrook NSW, Canberra ACT, HMAS Kuttabul Sydney NSW, Darwin NT, Tindal NT, Edinburgh SA, Williamtown NSW, Townsville QLD (1), Amberley QLD (1), Overseas in Butterworth (1) and the USA (4). Apart from the postings available while employed in ASOP duties, there are also the Any Airmen/Airwomen postings that can be applied for in the normal application process.

41WG Units

1RSU

No 1 RSU consists of 3 major sites. The transmitter site is located at Harts Range, 150km NE of Alice Springs. The receiver site is located at Mount Everard, 40km NW of Alice Springs. The third component of the Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) system is located at RAAF Edinburgh in the Jindalee Coordination Centre (JCC) where the majority of military members spend their working day.

As the JORN is operational, 1RSU is able to cover the NE, N and NW approaches to Australia with ease, providing valuable additional coverage to an already impressive Wide Area Surveillance picture, to which 1RSU is just one sensor providing value added data.

On arrival at 1RSU, ASOPs will be expected to successfully complete Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) Conversion training. Upon successful completion of the OTHR Detection and Tracking Operator course, ASOPs will be allocated to one of the two operational crews for post course consolidation.

The unit operates on a continuous roster cycle so members posted to 1RSU can expect to be permanent shift-workers, unless involved with training courses. Most training is conducted during a standard dayshift (0730-1630 local) however, some shiftwork may be required during these courses.

3CRU

No 3 Control and Reporting Unit (3CRU) is located at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW. Your employment at the unit will include several tasks including PICMAN, MOVOP and TADILOP.

The working environment consists of computer consoles that are located in a large operation room and air-conditioned with changing lighting levels. 3CRU has a real time surveillance role dependant upon multiple feeds, including that of intelligence data. The primary area of responsibility is the northern air-sea gap between Australia and our neighbours to the north. The data is maintained by close liaison with external military and civilian agencies.

Like 1RSU, 3CRU operates on a continuous roster cycle so members posted to the unit can expect to be permanent shift-workers, unless involved with training courses. Most of the training is conducted during a standard dayshift (0730-1630 local) however, some shift-work may be required during these courses.

114MCRU

No. 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit is located at RAAF Base Darwin in the Northern Territory.

114MCRU tasks include the provision of High Quality Air Defence of a Mobile Sector, and a Tactical Air Operations Centre in support of DJFHQ objectives. Equipped with a Mobile Radar and support cabins, 114MCRU regularly deploy on training exercises such as 'Pitch Black', 'Kangaroo', 'Aces North' and 'Tasman Link'. With many exercises involving joint operations with foreign military forces such as the USA, Canada and New Zealand, there is ample opportunity to work closely with and forge friendships with people from all over the world.

Whilst in Garrison, operators enjoy a very comfortable work environment, however the unit often deploys into remote areas.

SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL TRAINING UNIT (SACTU)

Surveillance and Control Training Unit (SACTU) is located at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW. It is responsible for conducting both intial and post graduate training for ASOPs. If employed at SACTU you will be performing either as an instructor, training development duties or simulator Pilot.