• RAAF Airman Aircrew ~ Simply The Best ....
  • Boeing Globemaster C17-A ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Alenia Spartan C-27J ~ 35 Squadron ....
  • Airbus KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport ~ 33 Squadron ....
  • Boeing 707-338C ~ 33 Squadron ....
  • Boeing E-7A Hawkeye ~ 2 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130J ~ 37 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130H ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130E ~ 37 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Hercules C-130A ~ 36 Squadron ....
  • Pacific Aerospace CT4 ~ 1 Flying Training School ....
  • Bombardier Challenger CL604 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Beechcraft King Air 350 ~ 32 Squadron ....
  • BAC1-11 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Boeing BBJ 737-8 ~ 34 Squadron ....
  • Bell Iroquois UH-1H ~ 9 Squadron ....
  • De Havilland Caribou DHC-4 ~ 38 Squadron ....
  • Boeing Chinook CH-47 ~ 12 Squadron ....
  • Lockheed Orion P3 ~ 11 Squadron ....
  • Sikorsky Blackhawk UH-60 ~ 9 Squadron ....
  • Douglas DC3 ~ Aircraft Research and Development Unit ....
  • Pilatus PC9 ~ 2 Flying Training School ....
  • Aermacchi MB-326H ~ Roulettes ....

Vale, Katrina Anne 'Kat' ⁄ 'Trina' SALVESEN, W63156, Loadmaster ....




Honours and Awards:

  • Australian Active Service Medal with Clasps 'East Timor' and 'Iraq 2003'.
  • Iraq Medal.
  • Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with Clasp 'Special Ops'.
  • Defence Force Service Medal with First and Second Clasps.
  • Australian Defence Medal.
  • Timor Leste Medal for Solidarity.
  • Meritorious Unit Citation − Squadrons 36 and 37.
  • Returned from Active Service Badge.



Katrina Anne 'Kat' Salvesen was born in Hobart on 26 January 1965.  She joined the Royal Australian Air Force on 12 September 1983 as a Clerk Supply, beginning a career marked by professionalism, dedication, and quiet trailblazing.  During her early years in the RAAF, Katrina served at No. 2 Stores Depot, Regents Park (NSW), RAAF Support Unit Melbourne, and Headquarters Logistics Command, where she developed a reputation for reliability, competence, and an unwavering commitment to her work.  While posted to RAAF Support Unit Melbourne, she also contributed to Air Force Recruiting, helping shape the next generation of Air Force personnel.

In 1996, Katrina achieved a remarkable milestone that would define her legacy: she remustered to loadmaster, becoming the first female loadmaster in the history of the Royal Australian Air Force.  It was a significant and courageous step, taken at a time when few women were represented in aircrew roles.  Her success opened doors for others to follow.

As a loadmaster, Katrina served predominantly with No. 36 Squadron, operating on the C−130H Hercules, where she played a vital role in tactical airlift operations, humanitarian missions, and Defence commitments both in Australia and abroad.  Later in her career, she transitioned to the C−17A Globemaster III, contributing to the introduction and early operational capability of the aircraft within the RAAF.

Katrina discharged from the Air Force on 11 September 2010, concluding 27 years of distinguished service.  Her career remains notable not only for its length and breadth, but for the barrier she broke and the example she set for women in aviation and Defence.

Postings:

  • No. 1 Recruit Training Unit, 12 September 1983.
  • RAAF School of Technical Training, 14 November 1983.
  • No. 2 Stores Depot, 04 April 1984.
  • RAAF Support Unit Melbourne, 15 January 1991.
  • Headquarters Logistics Command Unit, 15 December 1992.
  • Headquarters Air Lift Group, 04 December 1995.
  • No. 36 Squadron, 25 November 1996.
  • Headquarter Air Lift Group, 13 August 2001.
  • No. 36 Squadron, 01 July 2003.
  • No. 37 Squadron, 17 November 2006.
  • No. 86 Wing Detachment A, 19 November 2006.
  • No. 36 Squadron, 22 September 2008.

Formerly of Port Macquarie, NSW.

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