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Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Squadron Leader Anton Vojkovic has faced many challenges over his career.

During 2012, Vojkovic was deployed in the Middle East during Operation Slipper, whilst appointed to manage a team servicing a fleet of ageing aircraft.

Now, the RAAF Squadron Leader has been recognised for his service with a Conspicuous Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Vojkovic, who is a member of the UWA Business School’s inaugural MBA Full Time cohort, received the honour for meritorious achievement as a Senior Engineering Officer of Number 11 Squadron.

An official note issued by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) said Vojkovic’s ‘outstanding leadership, innovation and devotion to duty in responding to and rectifying critical technical issues, on an aging AP-3C aircraft, has enabled Number 92 Wing to consistently meet crucial operational tasks without compromise to safety or technical airworthiness standards.’

The Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for meritorious achievement or dedication to duty in non-war like situations.

Vojkovic decided to join the Air Force while in high school.

“When I was considering options following Year 12, a career in the Australian Defence Force ticked all the boxes,” Vojkovic said.

“It seemed a bit daunting at the time to leave Perth to study and train in Canberra, but the opportunity was very exciting. I think it was a pretty good choice as that was more than 20 years ago, and I’m still enjoying it.

“Once of the most significant challenges I have faced was deploying to the Middle East Area of Operations on Operation Slipper in 2012.

“Personally, it was difficult to spend that long period of time away from my wife and two small children. The deployment was also professionally challenging; temperatures soared in the northern hemisphere summer during my deployment so we had to be very mindful about the environment and how, and when, we conducted aircraft ground operations and maintenance. Despite all that though, the experience of deploying on an ADF operation overseas was one I’ll never forget.”

However, Vojkovic says his greatest achievement was working at RAAF Base Edinburgh, near Adelaide. There, he was responsible for engineering, maintenance and logistics of the P-3 Orion Maritime Patrol aircraft.

“I had a team of approximately 180 technicians, and they were some of the smartest, most dedicated people you’d ever meet, and it was a privilege to work with them. I was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal for leadership, innovation and devotion to my duties in this role, but my individual success was only possible because of the support from the whole team at 11 Squadron, and my family,” Vojkovic said.

So what motivated Vojkovic – who already holds a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees - to return to university studies?

“I decided to pursue an MBA as I had reached a point in my professional development and military career where I recognised that to progress further, I need to not only leverage my technical expertise, but I also need to develop leverage off leadership, management and business skills, which I need to develop,” Vojkovic explained.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the technical engineering aspects of my Air Force postings to date, but I would like to develop further and be competitive for promotion to the next rank of Wing Commander, and ultimately take on a command position within Defence.”

When Vojkovic finishes his UWA MBA at the end of this year, having extended his leadership skills, he will return to his position in the RAAF.

“There are a number of fantastic aspects about being in the Air Force,” Vojkovic said.

“I have really enjoyed the opportunity to take on responsibility, grow, challenge myself and travel. However, the best part of the organisation is the great people; they are dedicated, smart and share a common set of values.”

Media references

Karen Della Torre (UWA Business School)                              (+61 8) 6488 8538
Verity Chia (UWA Business School)                                       (+61 8) 6488 1346