Geelong-born RAAF engineer circles back to the start

GEELONG-born Squadron Leader Mark Lees is back where he started after more than 30 years in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Squadron Leader Lees began his career as an engine fitter at RAAF Base Point Cook in 1989, and is now senior engineering officer for 100 Squadron and maintaining the RAAF’s precious heritage aircraft in the same hanger he worked in during that first posting.

Raised in Geelong, Squadron Leader Lees joined the Air Force in 1988, graduated from the RAAF School of Technical Training, and was posted to 1 Flying Training School (1FTS) Point Cook, where he maintained CT4A piston-engine aircraft until the school’s closure in 1993.

He said his initial posting to the training school was a pivotal point in his career.

“My posting at 1FTS allowed me to expand my knowledge of general aviation aircraft types, while I continued my external flying passion and obtained my commercial pilot licence, here in Melbourne.”

His career continued to expand in a variety of roles, providing valuable experiences with subsequent postings including 76 Squadron, 77 Squadron, and 2 Operational Conversion Unit.

“Working as the Air Combat Group simulation manager for the F/A-18, F-111 and Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter aircraft was an amazing insight into the world of contracts, working alongside very talented contracted support staff at RAAF Bases Williamtown, Amberley and Pearce,” he said.

“The opportunity to attend the national test pilot school operational test and evaluation [OT&E] short course, and fly a number of aircraft while studying and learning basic flight test principles, concepts and processes of OT&E was an absolute highlight for me.”

Squadron Leader Lees was a key player in the reformation of 100 Squadron in a heritage role in 2021, and will complete his time as senior engineering officer at the end of the year, before shifting to Headquarters Air Force Training Group.

100 Squadron maintains artefacts of Australia’s national heritage in airworthy condition, and holds flying displays in order to commemorate those who have fallen in service of the country, to promote the RAAF and inspire future generations.

“Being selected as the 100 Squadron SENGO [senior engineering officer] was humbling and daunting at the same time,” Squadron Leader Lees said.

“The thought of maintaining oversight of 20 very distinctly different warbird aircraft was, and continues to be, a challenge every day.”

“The memories were still very clear as I returned full circle to the original 1FTS hangars that I had left some 30 years prior, and it was a great opportunity to setup a warbird maintenance facility that our aircraft engineers and public would be proud of and admire.”

He said the small team at 100 Squadron were a close family that worked tirelessly to support the large and diverse airworthy heritage fleet at both RAAF Base Point Cook and Temora.​