She was a long way from the pristine beaches of Port Stephens but Flying Officer Amelia Bass felt privileged to spend Anzac Day in the Middle East.
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Flying Officer Bass, from Nelson Bay, is currently deployed in the Middle East as the Air Task Group’s personnel capability officer.
She is responsible for the planning and conduct of all administrative functions to support about 350 Air Task Group personnel.
“I get great satisfaction helping people and providing support to members when they need it,” she said.
“It’s important to me that the personnel who are deployed on operations know that I can assist them with any issues they have so they can get back to doing what they’re here on operations to do: support the Iraqi Security Forces to rid their country of terrorism.
“I feel privileged to work in an organisation that makes a significant contribution to an operation like this.”
Flying Officer Bass said this was the first Anzac Day where she has been deployed overseas.
“I find it very inspiring to wear the uniform that so many men and women have worn before me,” she said ahead of the service in the Middle East.
“Commemorating Anzac Day while deployed on operations is a really special moment for me and something that I will always remember.
“It is important that we remember those who have sacrificed everything for Australia and it will be a poignant moment here in the Middle East during the Dawn Service.”
Flying Officer Bass said she was looking forward to returning to Nelson Bay after her deployment to see her family and relaxing on the beaches where she grew up.
This is the second time she has been deployed to the Middle East.