SQNLDR PAUL FALCONER-WEST, RAAF Ret’d
After 3.5 years in the South Australia Squadron Air Training Corps(1965-68), I joined the RAAF’s Diploma Cadet Squadron at RAAF Base Frognall in Melbourne, Victoria on 13Jan1969 as an aeronautical engineering cadet to study at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
On graduation in December 1972 I was appointed as an Armament Engineering Officer in the RAAF Engineering Branch. My first appointment was at No 3 Squadron, RAAF, Air Base Butterworth, Malaysia in December 1973for two and a half years. For the rest of my permanent RAAF career I carried out various engineering posts at RAAF Base Kingswood NSW, RAAF Base Williamtown NSW, RAAF Base Amberley QLD, Headquarters Support Command Victoria and Air Force Office in Canberra ACT.
A change in careers in 1991 to become the Quality Assurance Engineer at West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd in Perth Western Australia. On being made redundant in 1995 I took up Quality Assurance Manager/Welding Engineer role at SDR Construction in Kwinana, Western Australia. In 1996 I moved into Clough Engineering as Quality Assurance Engineer, and Baulderstone Clough Joint Venture as Quality, Safety and Environmental Manager for ISO9001:1994 Quality Systems for WA projects and on the City Northern Bypass Project. On being made redundant after achieving the ISO 9001 Certification for the tunnel construction in 1997, I took on the Project Quality, Safety & Environment Engineer role for Macmahon Contractors(WA) at the Yandi Minesite, Pilbara.
Unfortunately, after only three days at the mine site my wife died on 26 February 1998. I flew back to Perth to raise my six children on my own(three at High School and three at Primary School).
I joined the RAAF Active Reserve in June 1998 and appointed as Base Redevelopment Officer at RAAF Pearce, then Senior Engineering Officer at No 25(City of Perth) Squadron on 9 November 1999. I also had a secondary appointment of Unit Occupational Health and Safety Adviser. Changed secondary appointment in 2002 to be the Air Force Liaison Officer for No 7 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets and then appointed solely as the AFLO-7WGAAFC 2004-2011.
On 21 March 2011 began Quality and Safety Manager for Lockheed Martin’s provision of
19 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft for the 130SQN Republic of Singapore Air Force Basic Wings
Course. On 27 April 2015 transferred to Facilities Co-ordinator role.
Continued Air Force Reserve service as 25SQN/Auxiliary ADF Instructor for No 7 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets, and Pearce Flying Club RAAF Liaison Officer. Ceased both roles on 13Jul16 after 46.5 years of RAAF service on age retirement.
RETIRED on resignation, 20Nov17, from Lockheed Martin Australia Pty Ltd at RAAF Base
Pearce.
Now a Volunteer Aircraft Guide at the RAAF Association of WA’s Aviation Heritage Museum at Bullcreek in Perth Western Australia. Stillo flying with the Pearce Flying Club and taking aerial photos of the Ocean Reef Marian Upgrade for the Joondalup RSL Sub-Branch.
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