After growing up in Tamworth, Sean Liddle says it’s tough to beat the Country Music Festival for entertainment.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, he admits it’s tougher to choose between country music, and the time he spent as a boy at his grandparents’ farm, as being his favourite country experience.
Nowadays, his life involves travelling to other countries.
Currently serving in the Middle East on Operation OKRA as an Avionics Technician, Leading Aircraftman Sean Liddle is responsible for ensuring the fighter jets employed to support the Iraqi Security Forces to defeat Daesh, are able to take off each day and conduct strike missions.
“My job involves a lot of troubleshooting and maintenance on the avionics systems of the F/A-18A Hornet,” Sean said.
“I also conduct flightline duties, to make sure the aircraft are serviceable for their flights.”
Sean said his deployment brings him into contact with many different nationalities at his Middle Eastern base.
“Getting to work with all the coalition forces and seeing all the amazing pieces of aviation that are here working together to support the Iraqi Security Forces, is definitely a stand out moment for me on this deployment,” he said.
“One of the things I really like about the Air Force is all the new people I get to meet and the different places it takes me.”
After graduating from Tamworth High School, Sean applied to the Air Force because of his interest in electronics and aircraft.
“This is my second deployment to the Middle East, and I’ve also travelled around Australia on exercises,” he said.
“Considering I only joined in 2012 I feel like I’ve already achieved a lot.
“I’ve made new friends from all over the world and I’ve learned so much, especially about aviation and leadership.
“These experiences have made me a much more confident person.”
Leading Aircraftman Liddle is just about to complete a four-month deployment supporting Operation OKRA, and is looking forward to spending time with his fiancé and parents when he returns to his base in Australia.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with Crystal and taking our dog Finn down to the local beach,” he said.
“My parents love coming down to the coast to visit me, as they love to fish, so I’m looking forward to seeing them when I get home too.”
The Air Task Group of Operation OKRA is operating at the request of the Iraqi Government to support the Iraqi Security Forces to rid their country of Daesh terrorists.