Kurt Roberts and Rhys Mitting became good friends when they joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in August 2015, enlisting as Airfield Defence Guards (ADGs). Fast forward 10 years and they continue to create a safe and secure world now working together at Babcock.
Kurt and Rhys commenced their military careers at RAAF Base Wagga, New South Wales, where they completed their recruit training before progressing to their initial employment training, the ADG Basic course at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. During this time, they learnt the foundational skills of their trade specialising in the use of section level weapon systems, dismounted manoeuvre operations, and communications.
By pure coincidence, both Rhys and Kurt were posted to 3 Security Forces Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia, as ADGs in 2016, where they conducted aircraft security operations to protect grounded aircrafts, infrastructure, and personnel. They were also responsible for emergency response and crisis management in airfield defence operations.
Kurt and Rhys are most proud of their operational service, deploying together on Operation Accordion as part of Operation Okra in the Middle East in 2017, describing it as ‘both a privilege and a profound responsibility’.
Following almost eight years of service, with Kurt still an active reservist today, and now calling Adelaide home, they both sought new opportunities at Babcock as a way of remaining closely tied to the defence industry. Rhys joined Babcock in 2022 as a Business Development Lead for Aviation and Critical Services, helping to drive Babcock’s growth, customer engagement and strategic initiatives for the sector. When a role came up for a Principal Training Officer, Rhys encouraged Kurt to apply, and by August 2023 the duo found themselves working together again. Kurt leads the analysis, design, development, and implementation of training within Babcock’s Counter-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (C-CBRNE) program.
When asked what motivates them in their roles at Babcock, Kurt and Rhys both highlight the opportunity to continue supporting Australia’s Defence capabilities and working alongside Babcock’s large veteran community.
“Every day we continue to support the ADF’s capabilities through Babcock’s projects”.