Emma Barker

Background

About Emma Barker

My career in the Royal Australian Air Force began in 2005, joining as an Air Surveillance Operator. During my career I have operated multiple complex weapon systems, supervised operational crews, deployed in a wartime scenario, participated in several domestic and international Exercises, been employed at the Unit level as well as at the Joint level, pioneered the role of Executive Planner for the J23 (Deputy Director Intelligence, worked for three years in the United States alongside the USAF, and most recently, been selected to aid in standing up the Australian Defence Force Space Command. The surveillance systems I have operated include the Over The Horizon Radar (OTHR), Australian Mission Processor (AMP (Over Head Persistent Infrared)), Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS (with the United States Air Force)), C-Band Radar, Space Surveillance Telescope, Wakukda microwave Radar, Link 16, as well as various geographic situational awareness software systems. When I stood up the position of Executive Planner to the J23 (Deputy Director Intelligence) at Head Quarters Joint Operations Command, I received a Silver Commendation for my role which heavily contributed to assisting the J2 (Director Intelligence) with personnel management. I was deployed for four months to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2009 in a war time scenario for Operation Slipper, as part of Australia’s contribution to both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and Operation Enduring Freedom. I also participated as a Link 16 operator for Exercise Cope North in Guam in 2014 and was an OTHR and AMP advisor for Exercise Pacific Sentry in 2021. I have been a supervisor for operations crews of up to 38 personnel for both the RAAF and for the USAF which has developed my management skills of leadership, mentoring, reporting, organisation, future planning, and compassion. In 2022 I was selected to take up the brand new role of SO3 Space Domestic Engagement where I will be part of an elite team standing up Space Command for the Australian Defence Force.