Air Force celebrates International Women’s Week

By Holly Bridges

Major Susan Dunstan

The Air Force is celebrating International Women’s Week, along with all Canadians, from March 5 to 11 with the highlight having been International Women’s Day on March 8.  All this week, we are proud to put a face to this important occasion by profiling some of our airwomen who don the Air Force uniform every day, and help the Air Force achieve its mission, here at home and abroad.

Today, we feature Major Susan Dunstan, an Aerospace Controller at NORAD Headquarters, Colorodo Springs, U.S.

NAME: Susan Dunstan
RANK: Major
OCCUPATION: Aerospace Controller
UNIT: NORAD Headuarters, Colorodo Springs, US
YEARS IN THE CF: 24

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB? 
If I was only allowed to use one word to describe my job it would be “outstanding”.  As an Aerospace Controller, I have had the opportunity to experience other cultures through my NATO tours, learn and work in the Space, Missile Warning and Air Defence domains, as well as assist in acquiring new technology for Canada and the U.S.  During this tour to Colorado Springs, I perform two duties, one as an Air Warning Center (AWC) Crew Commander at Cheyenne Mountain and the other as a staff officer at Peterson AFB.  As the AWC Crew Commander, it is my duty to ensure the air picture and information that we provide to other agencies such as Secret Service /FBI and higher authorities (e.g. National Defence Command Center)  is accurate in order to accomplish our strategic and domestic missions.  My other job as a staff officer gives me the latitude to think outside of the box and provide recommendations as to future Command and Control systems that NORAD should pursue.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES AND REWARDS OF YOUR JOB?
Throughout my career, I have been very fortunate to consistently have interesting and challenging jobs.  I guess I would have to say that the biggest challenge in my career field is the constant need to increase one’s knowledge as you change jobs every few years.  In one job, a weapons controller may need to be knowledgeable about various fighter capabilities but on his or her next assignment he may be determining the requirements for a new weapons system.  Continuing to learn throughout my career has been extremely rewarding.  Other rewards that I have experienced include having had the privilege to control a multitude of military aircraft to include F-100s, CF-101s, CF-104s, F-106s, F-4s, F-5s, F-14s, F-15s, F-16s, CF-18s, FGR-2s, Lightnings, Jaguars, Hunters, A-7s, A-10s, EA-6Bs, Drakkens, Harriers, Mirage F1s, Mirage IIIs, Mirage Vs, and Tornados.  In addition, early on in my career I was able to claim a few “first” titles such as on NATO AWACS, I was the first Canadian female aircrew, the first female Weapons Controller and the first female on NATO AEW Squadron One.  I was the first female to ever attend the Tactical Leadership Program in Jever, Netherlands, and the first female assigned to a German Battalion in Messtetten, Germany.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AT SERVING THE CF IN THIS WAY?
The CF has provided me with immense opportunity and satisfaction.  Initially in my job progression I was able to focus on unit issues such as ensuring all controllers maintained a high proficiency, later in my career as the Base Commander’s Executive Assistant, I worked broader issues that pertained to running a base, and over the past 10 years, my focus has evolved to Canadian-US air defense issues. 

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR CANADIAN WOMEN CONSIDERING A CAREER IN THE AIR FORCE? 
If you are looking for a challenge, like to work in a team environment, look forward to moving to new cities/countries every few years, then try the CF for you have nothing to lose.  Do not be concerned that you may not have any military background.  I, personally, knew nothing about the military when I joined and had actually only planned on staying in for a couple of years.  As they say time flies when you are having fun and I have had a lot of fun.

PREVIOUS POSTINGS:
North Bay, ON (three separate postings- as a Weapons Controller on crew, Chief Instructor at the Air Weapons Control and Countermeasures School, and as the Base Commanders Executive Assistant); Geilenkirchen, Germany (aircrew on NATO AWACS); Messtetten, Germany (Canadian Liaison Officer in German Ground Controlling Unit); Edmonton, AB (CFRC Det Comd); Colorado Springs, Colorado (Currently on second tour.  Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center crew person as well as staff officer at Peterson AFB)

Bravo Maj Dunstan! 

Interested in a career in the Air Force, check it out!