Samantha Freebairn

Wing Commander Samantha Freebairn is a C-17A Globemaster pilot; she's flown missions including combat and humanitarian relief.

Growing up in Drysdale, Victoria, attending Drysdale Primary and Sacred Heart College, Geelong, Samantha Freebairn led an active life undertaking ballet, speech, drama, music and sport, (tennis and netball) all precursors to her current active lifestyle.

Wing Commander Samantha Freebairn currently works as the Deputy Director Aviation Operations within Cadet Branch – Air Force following a successful role as a pilot flying the iconic C-17A Globemaster III aircraft.

Wing Commander Freebairn’s day to day work is to ensure and assure the flying activities conducted by the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) are safe, fun and accessible.

“We are working on programs for Unmanned Aerial Systems (Remotely Piloted Aerial System drones, drone racing, Virtual Reality, 3D printing for model aircraft and drones), and continuing to support and expand Powered and Glider flying experiences and flying training,” said Wing Commander Freebairn.

“I was fascinated by flying from about nine years of age, after a Qantas flight, where kids were allowed to visit the flight deck – mesmerising!

“I started learning to fly when I was 15 years old and I worked two part-time jobs to pay for my flying lessons and went solo before I could even drive a car!

“It was my career advisor at high school who suggested I look at the military.

“I was loving flying, was very fit and active and held my own academically.

“I joined the Australian Defence Force to fly,” she said.

In 2014, Wing Commander Freebairn won the Queensland Telstra Business Women’s Award in Business Innovation for her Graduate Pilot Scheme, which incentivises military aviation to women who had never previously considered it.

This successfully doubled women pilot numbers in the Air Force in two years, after numbers had remained stagnant for 30 years.

“My ADF journey is one that has allowed me to travel the world,” said Wing Commander Freebairn.

“I have flown combat missions into war zones, humanitarian aid into areas impacted by disaster, evacuated people from dangerous locations and been challenged by the work and inspired by those I work with.

“Flying as part of an all women C-17A crew in December 2008 was such a milestone for the Air Force at the time and a really fun flight.

“There are so many people who have worked tirelessly then, now and always to make the Air Force what it is today and will be as a future force.

“The phrase ‘on the shoulders of giants’ is how I feel about being a part of the Air Force’s first 100 years.

“Looking to the future, it is such an exciting time to be embarking on an ADF career. The systems, the technology and the opportunities will be even more profound than what I have known,” she said.