Air Force dream becomes a reality for Taranaki woman
Nobody was going to tell 12-year-old Lily Upton that she wouldn’t make the cut for a career in the military. Now at 20, she has graduated from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Officer Commissioning Course at RNZAF Base Woodbourne.
27 January, 2022
Growing up in Stratford, Taranaki, Pilot Officer Upton had some negative reactions when telling people of her future plans.
“Being a pilot was my goal. There was a boy older than me who applied for the Air Force and wasn’t successful and based on that some people thought there would be no chance that I would be successful.
“It bugged me, but didn’t put me off. I knew I wanted to do it – I had loads of support from mum who thought it would be a really good career.”
Completing the 17-week course at Base Woodbourne was a real achievement.
“The course was really cool. There were some hard days – especially the first nine weeks, which was military induction training, but most days I had to pinch myself and think, ‘I can’t believe I’m here’,” Pilot Officer Upton said.
“I may not have made it as a pilot but my hard work paid off and I proved myself during the selection process and was instead offered a place as an Air Warfare Officer, an opportunity I am proud to have been offered.”
Pilot Officer Lily Upton has graduated from the Royal New Zealand Air Force Officer Commissioning Course at RNZAF Base Woodbourne.
She is about to begin training with No. 5 Squadron and will be one of the first to learn the air warfare role in the RNZAF’s new P-8A Poseidon aircraft, arriving at RNZAF Base Ohakea late next year.
“It will be really exciting to be working on a brand new aircraft,” she said.
Pilot Officer Upton joined the RNZAF out of a desire for a challenging career that would also allow her to help people.
“I loved that the Air Force challenges you in terms of your trade skills but also your personal growth through the unique challenges and leadership opportunities. It sounded like a really exciting career which provides really unique experiences.”
If Pilot Officer Upton had an opportunity to speak with other aspiring aviator 12-year-olds, she would tell them the Air Force is an amazing opportunity and to go for it.
“Follow your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not achievable, because it is” ~ Pilot Officer Lily Upton
“There hasn’t been a day yet where I have regretted or even questioned joining the Air Force. The recruitment process can seem long and perhaps a bit intimidating but it is worth it.
“If you are thinking about joining the best thing you can do is talk to people who are in or have been in the Air Force. It is one thing to read recruitment brochures and info but actually talking to people about what you can do in the Air Force will give you way better insight into what the Air Force is like and what’s available.”
Army Reserve Force provide a challenge and boost for Masterton woman
People
Manawatū woman achieves driving milestone on Air Force exercise
People
Whangarei Sailor farewells Queen
People
Whanganui Aviator returns to London for Queen's Funeral
People
Youngest Kiwi proud to represent NZ at Queen's Funeral
People
Blenheim Warrant Officer marches for the Queen in London
People
Māori Language Week: Flight Lieutenant Brad Anderson
People
Māori Language Week: Warrant Officer Kathleen Nikau-Tootell
People
Māori Language Week: Lieutenant Colonel Glenn King
People
Facing the challenge on the field
People
Celebrating Tonga Language Week: Leading Aircraftman Tevita Lavemai
People
Celebrating Tongan Language Week: Brother and sister stand firm in the Navy
People
Father and son deploy together
People
From forensics lab to Military Police
People
Whakatane woman's shot at diverse career with RNZAF weaponry
People
Return to Fiji a ‘surreal’ experience for NZ Army soldier
People
Celebrating Cook Islands Language Week: Able Writer Dylan Edney-Pardoe
People
Whangamata sailor devouring chance to go to sea
People
Celebrating Cook Islands Language Week: Lieutenant Colonel Frank Prendergast
People
Success and honour follow heartbreak
People
Nelson Logistics Specialist back in RNZAF uniform to make an impact
People
Auckland man gets a shot at flying dream with RNZAF
People
From the classroom to the runway but Manawatū woman still teaching
People
85 years of service for Flying Officer Jack Marshall DFC
People
Military service runs in the family of Invercargill sailor
People
Proud to wear the uniform: Reservist Private Danny McCarthy
People
Military Police Commanding Officer brings world of experience
People
Raising money for Ukraine in 1066-era armour
People
NZDF celebrates National Volunteer Week
People
Behind the scenes: Parachute Bay
People
Coaster takes ambition to Royal Pageant
People
Blenheim man serves around the world in name of Queen
People
Bay of Plenty woman follows grandfather's Royal Pageant path
People
Christchurch man honours the Queen with new Army family
People
Chief Petty Officer from Napier marches on biggest stage
People
Life in uniform: Private Leah Miles
People
From pram photo to Royal Pageant parade ground for Southland woman
People
Navy workhorse respects Queen’s own mahi
People
Safe hands representing NZ in front of Queen
People
Queen inspired Whanganui man's service
People
Celebrating Samoan Language Week: Ordinary Musician Elijah Taula
People
Celebrating Samoan Language Week: Chief Petty Officer Master At Arms Lino Kurene
People
If she can do it, I can do it
People
Helping others top priority for Auckland Air Force Medic
People
RNZAF career extends Tauranga woman’s family legacy
People
RNZAF helps Devonport woman keep flying career alive
People
NATO award for Army Officer's Afghanistan work
People
Sailor's input to United Nations Command
People
RNZAF 85: Aircraftman Kanapa Kerr
People
RNZAF 85: Pilot Officer Kiwi Walker
People
RNZAF 85: Flight Sergeant Kim Harrison
People
RNZAF 85: Warrant Officer Viti Flanagan
People
RNZAF 85: Sergeant Joyce McGee
People
RNZAF 85: Squadron Leader John "JV" Voice
People
RNZAF 85: Wing Commander Terry Knight
People
RNZAF 85: Flight Lieutenant Jack Hall
People
RNZAF 85: Flying Officer Arthur "Joppy" Joplin
People
Defence Adviser in Fiji
People
NZDF financial head acknowledged by accounting peers
People
Deployed to Solomon Islands
People
Welcoming 2022 in South Sudan
People
Back-to-back maintainer
People
Women in Science
People
Army Officer smashes Guinness Book of World Records kettlebell challenge
People
Navy offers Whangarei teen a dream opportunity
People
Newly graduated Waikato man has eyes on the sky
People
Navy STEM programme launches Upper Hutt student into medic career
People
Joining the Air Force a family affair for Northland man
People
Wellington sailor continues family naval tradition
People
Kaitaia Sailor celebrates commissioning to Naval Officer
People
Canterbury volunteer shows care for Op Protect personnel at Christmas
People
Westport sailor embraces new career as Navy Education Officer
People
Reflecting on being WOAF
People
'Incredible journey' to top Air Force leadership role
People
Zone out with axe throwing
People
Former soldier earns wings in return to military
People
Outstanding leadership by NZ Army Officer in Afghanistan recognised
People
Air Force leadership role brings challenge and opportunity
People
Dedication and innovation praised at Chief of Defence Force Awards
People
Exemplary soldier is NZDF Person of Year
People
Managed isolation stalwart named NZDF Reservist of the Year
People
Cadet of the Year an inspiration to the next generation
People
Sailor of the Year recognised in year of challenges
People
Navy Diver recognised for developing diversity
People
Pandemic management while in US posting earns top safety award
People
Allrounder wins NZDF Civilian of the Year award
People
‘Wellness' supporter named Defence Volunteer of the Year
People
Hard line against bullying earns instructor Soldier of the Year title
People
Defence HUMINT: An Airman’s Story
People
Passion for the job recognised by Airman of the Year award
People
NZDF opens up different world of legal challenges
People
RNZAF’s longest-serving woman signs off after years of progress
People
Operation Monitor: deployed to the Republic of Korea
People
Bonded to heritage
People
Reflections during Matariki
People
Navy Reserves keep Upper Hutt man's love of the sea alive
People
Bay of Plenty woman making the most of her time in the Navy
People
Flying dream achieved with late change in career flight path
People
Cook Islands sailor proud to deliver vaccine support
People
Graduate's father inspires Air Force career
People
Mother the inspiration for Air Force career choice
People
Variety with ‘the team’ attracts former Cricketer to Navy
People
New Plymouth woman swaps hospo for hootchies and hot spots
People
Swapping the Bomb Squad for an RNZAF Squadron
People
Perseverance pays off as Tauranga man achieves RNZAF dream
People
Mother’s inspiration sets Lower Hutt man on Navy medical career
People
Hercules way finder flying in the family footsteps
People
Navy offers aviation career for Palmerston North man
People
Keep it real
People
NZDF medical officer joins Australian response to Fiji Covid surge
People
Defence Force at the heart of historic Women’s Super Rugby match
People
Riverton man embraces opportunity of Army medical career
People
Ōtaki woman embracing change for RNZAF medical career
People
RNZAF Skyhawk history-maker calls time on illustrious career
People
NZ Army promotes first female General List Officer to Brigadier
People
Inspiring Mums
People
The long wait for the Red Diamond
People
Gisborne high flier aims to make a difference in new career
People
Queenstown woman tops RNZAF recruit course
People
Career change for new RNZAF recruit
People
RNZAF offers Nelsonian a second chance at aviation engineering career
People
Taupō Army Cadets eyes the sky after groundwork
People
Invercargill-born Army Band trumpeter returns to roots
People
Chasing goals and being a mum
People
Take your moko as a friend for life
People
Taupō siblings make it four Navy generations
People
Law graduate takes the helm of a navy career
People
Commendation for former Army Sniper
People
