AHSO Tiffany Kalin has recently qualified as the Navy’s first female Helicopter Crewman; currently working with RNZAF No3 squadron (SQN) in Ohakea.
I joined the Navy after completing my 7th form year, and signed up in January 2006. My home province is Taranaki, and I grew up on a couple of farms in both Manaia and Eltham. My main high school was Stratford High.
I trained as a Hydrographer, so my first sea experience was in the RESOLUTION. After coming ashore again and gaining my Nav Yeo [Navigator’s Yeoman] qualification, I was posted as Nav Yeo in TE KAHA. While onboard I enjoyed two South East Asian deployments, and I was also sent as a relief Nav Yeo to CANTERBURY. After 18 months in TE KAHA I was sent back to RESOLUTION to re-aquaint with the world of Drogging, but I then commenced my HCM conversion.
While onboard TE KAHA I had developed an interest about the “back end” of the ship where all the exciting things seemed to take place—plus the Seasprite would often keep me, and others, awake at night! So I decided to check it out. I was given an “air experience” flight with LHCM Strickland (now POHCM) and it all escalated from there. That year I took the time to find out exactly what the roles and responsibilities of a Helo Crewman were.
Late last year I decided that I would apply for a position as an HCM for the Navy. In early 2009 I spent three weeks working from Whenuapai with No 6 SQN learning and doing exactly what the HCMs do. After some time my application was sent through to the selection board, and I was invited to attend PERSEL [RNZAF personnel selection] in April 2009.
The conversion phase kicked off for me and nine course-mates with the RNZAF Survival School course at Whenuapai. Those two weeks included most nights spent under parachutes in the bush, a few morning frosts, and six days spent on the run and hungry out at Ardmore. (and a long wait because of a broken-down Mog [Unimog truck]). A few kgs lighter from all that fun, we then had various courses including: Parachute Use, Human Factors Affecting Flying, and Aviation-Related Illness. Finally there was a month on course at Ohakea to introduce us all to the world of military aviation.
On completion of these courses, I began my Iroquois conversion with No3 SQN at Ohakea. Having been on course for three month, I am now thoroughly enjoying the change. Although it’s still a while off yet, I can’t wait to get to Whenuapai and begin flying on the ‘Sprites and working with everyone else already up there.
The HCM conversion course has been exactly what I thought it would be. For me it’s a perfect change to my career and although it's been challenging at times I’ve found it to be very rewarding. It’s been great having all the support of Crewman already in the job, both Air Force and Navy, and always knowing if there’s something you’re not sure about, they’re more than happy to help.
BACKGROUND
The Helicopter Crewman trade is considered a specialised role in the Navy for sailors. This means that it is not possible to apply initially for this role, you can only transfer into it; however you must have first completed a period of service in your original career stream.
Find out more about becoming a Hydrographic Systems Operator: Hydrographic Systems Operator