Job Details

Other Ranks (Non Technical)

Like to see what others can’t? Then you’ll love operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) – the Army’s remote control spy planes. As a Surveillance Aircraft Operator (previously called Operator Artillery Meteorology and Survey) you’ll operate a UAV to be the eyes and ears of the battlefield. It’s an exciting and rewarding job, as the information you gather will be used to keep the troops on the ground safe and out of enemy territory.

You’ll also be trained to monitor and record weather conditions, liaising with the Bureau of Meteorology and using a variety of sophisticated weather equipment to gather and distribute information to assist commanders in accurately directing artillery units through any dangers ahead.

It’s a mental and physically challenging role, so you’ll need to be a multi-skilled team player with excellent problem solving and communication skills, and a technical aptitude. A Surveillance Aircraft Operator is a valuable member in combat situations. You’ll find great opportunities to travel around Australia and abroad, while being primarily based in Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, Queensland in close proximity to the city of Brisbane.

Your duties:

The duties listed below are those that you could be expected to perform, but note that not all duties are performed in each position:

• Operate UAVs to observe the battle space where ground reconnaissance cannot get to;
• Gather vital information to enable tactical decision making;
• Operate survey equipment to determine accurate locations and directions for artillery units;
• Operate differential positioning systems, including GPS, and distance measuring equipment;
• Observe, compile, compute and report meteorological data;
• Liaise with the Bureau of Meteorology;
• Drive, service and maintain cross-country vehicles;
• Operation of individual and crew served combat weapons;
• Maintain survey and meteorological equipment;
• Assist in the defence of ground troops; and
• General soldiering duties, such as manning defensive positions, patrolling, traffic control, camouflaging of vehicles and field equipment, and navigation.