The name 'Observer' has its roots in history when the first non-pilot aviators were carried as an extra set of eyes. Today's 'Observer' is employed in air navigation, cockpit duties, contact assessment and evaluation, weapons employment and tactical co-ordination, and acts as the communications operator between ships and the aircraft. The pilot's primary concern is to fly the aircraft and the Observer's role is to coordinate the mission, and to effectively use the sensors and weapons.

As an Observer, you will be responsible for firing the aircraft's weapons, including Penguin missiles, Mk 46 Torpedoes, Mk 11 Depth Charges and Airborne General Service Machine Guns. You will also operate highly sophisticated airborne Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface Ship Weapons, Sensors and Data systems.

Aircraft that you will fly in include:

• Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter (Crew: 1 Observer, 1 Pilot, 1 Aircrewman);
• Westland Sea King Mk 50 A helicopter (Crew: 2 Pilots, 1 Observer, 1 Aircrewman); and
• Aerospatiale Squirrel AS350B helicopter ( Crew: 1 Observer, 1 Pilot).

Should you choose to make this job a long term career, it will provide many opportunities to broaden your education and experience that will equip you for the role of higher management as a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy.