Wellington born RNZAF helicopter loadmaster combines love of flying with action

Wellington born Corporal Swift spent a semester at university with the hopes of becoming a physiotherapist, however deciding that wasn’t the career for her, she changed direction in 2019 and joined the RNZAF to train as a logistics specialist.

“In this role you’re responsible for the supply and distribution of military materials, hardware, personnel and supplies. It’s an important job and each day is different. One day you’ll be receiving and dispatching freight, the next you could be building pallets for loading aircraft.”  

The turning point in her Air Force logistics career was loading a helicopter full of supplies to assist with flooding in Ashburton in 2021 and watching the NH90 Helicopter fly away without her. That moment was the catalyst for Corporal Swift to change her career from logistics specialist to becoming a helicopter loadmaster.

“I’ve always loved flying and being a loadmaster is the perfect fit for me as I need to be busy and I can’t sit still. It’s a job where you have to get stuck in – on one flight you could be looking after passengers, operating the rescue hoist, managing an underslung load, and operating the gun.” 

Training as a helicopter loadmaster begins with a six-month Helicopter Basic Course at RNZAF Base Ohakea on the A109 Light Utility Helicopter where trainee loadmasters learn the technical aspects of the aircraft, ground theory, flying orders and operating procedures crucial to helicopter crew.

“You’re taught how to give direction to manoeuvre the aircraft within confined areas, operate the rescue hoist, use helmet-mounted night vision systems, how to talk the pilot through an approach and how to place an underslung load safely on the ground.”

In 2024 Corporal Swift completed the NH90 conversion course and learned specialist trooping and search and rescue skills. In the lead-up to Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia she also qualified in aerial gunnery, operating the MAG 58 - 7.62mm Machine Gun that can be mounted to either side of the NH90. 

“We did day and night practise, firing from a hover, firing from departing a hover, doing a flypast while firing and firing while approaching a hover. During Talisman Sabre I flew in multi-ship formation with Australian Army Chinooks, which built in the complexity of how we manoeuvre in  our environment.” 

One of her career highlights was taking part in a RNZAF/NZ Police training scenario where she was winched at night from the helicopter onto the top of a Wellington building to simulate a hostage extraction.

“It was a surreal experience. Hanging there seeing the city lit up and a dark (no lights) helicopter overhead. I absolutely loved it and now I’m always quick to put my hand up for any winching job.”

Another highlight was being winched onto the pinnacle of a snow-topped mountain in the Kaikoura Ranges practising an extraction of an injured hiker.

Corporal Swift’s initial motivation to join the Air Force was the attractive lifestyle and the great work/life balance. 

“I had friends able to play sport and go away on tournaments, get on-the-job training, and travel all over the world. I was up for the challenge.”

She had the opportunity to represent both the RNZAF and the New Zealand Defence Force at touch rugby tournaments throughout her career and states this as one of her favourite perks of the job.