Petrus Badenhorst

Our Air Force, Our People | Corporal Petrus ‘Bado’ Badenhorst was looking for a trade qualification and with his fine ‘motor’ skills, ended up with a fulfilling career as an #AusAirForce Ground Support Equipment Technician.

For Petrus Badenhorst working in the aviation industry on a variety of ground equipment is the realisation of a desire to become a tradesperson following his schooling at Proserpine.

South African born Petrus brings an important element of diversity to the workplace.

It is well known that workplace diversity adds value to any organisation and it is no different in the ADF where Corporal Badenhorst works as a Ground Support Equipment Technician, with Number 27 Squadron at RAAF Base Townsville.

“My job involves maintaining and managing a variety of ground equipment to support air power,” said Corporal Badenhorst.

“After school I was wanting to complete a trade, and following a stint in the oil and gas industry I saw an opportunity to join the ADF to get my trade, so I joined up, completed my trade training, and after a few years had the opportunity to become a Ground Support Equipment Technician.

“The work-life balance, job security and the opportunity to do things out of the ordinary is what I enjoy about the ADF.

“I am presently studying for a Bachelor of Environmental Science degree, something I didn’t imagine when my parents migrated to Australia in 2002,” he said.

Corporal Badenhorst is close to his Proserpine home and the Whitsunday Islands allowing him to continue the hobbies of fishing and exploring the Great Barrier Reef, as he did in his teenage years.

In conjunction with ANZAC Day commemorations each year Corporal Badenhorst also spends some time working with indigenous communities at Wajul Wajul and Cow Bay in the lower Daintree River area.

“As we reflect on the diverse history, traditions and achievements of the past 100 years within the Air Force we can also look forward to the exciting opportunities and technological advances the future will hold with the RAAF as we evolve into a 5^th Generation Air Force,” said Corporal Badenhorst.

“Being an Airman in the RAAF has been a one of a kind experience that the majority of the community will never experience.

“It has been an eye opener on how the ADF provide capability to Australia throughout all three services and how dedicated RAAF and other ADF members are to their country and particular service,” he said.

Read Bado's story: https://news.defence.gov.au/people/trade-ambitions-lead-one-kind-experi…