Flight Lieutenant Harry Gopalakrishnan, also known as Lucky, is with the 3(Fighter) Squadron based at Royal Air Force Coningsby, Lincolnshire. He hosted an RAF table at the Asian Achievers Awards two weeks ago.
Lucky’s interest in the Royal Air Force started at 15 when a RAF officer liaison officer visited his school. He had no prior connection to the military, but wanted to be an engineer on aircraft, and was told about the possibility of becoming an Engineer Officer in the RAF.
“I was offered to be put forward for selection to receive sponsorship through my 6th form and a bursary for university with a place on Initial Officer Training (IOT) upon graduation,” explained Lucky. “My parents supported me: as refugees from the 1980s Sri Lankan civil war, they saw this as a chance to give back to a country that had given our family so much. I wanted to work on the most advanced aircraft in existence, see the world, and live the lifestyle of a modern day military officer.
After fitness, aptitude and leadership assessments, I was awarded a RAF Bursary. I received a substantial amount of money to support me through Imperial College and my Masters in Aeronautical Engineering. I joined the University of London Air Squadron (ULAS).”
Lucky visited RAF stations; shadowed Engineer Officers; learnt to fly aerobatic aircraft. He undertook adventurous training, including sailing in the Mediterranean and skiing the Austrian Alps. He was made Senior Student and led his Squadron in their 75th anniversary year.
IOT took nine months. In that time, Lucky and his colleagues transformed from individual civilians into a tight-knit, effective team of military officers, skilled in weapons handling, drill, fieldcraft, military planning, leadership and management of personnel. “Our fitness and fatigue levels were pushed to limits we never knew we had. We learnt that we could manage to remain effective, even in the deepest depths of tiredness. After graduating as commissioned officers, we underwent a further nine months of engineering-specific training.”
Lucky’s first role was Commanding Officer for 70 technicians working on the Chinook helicopter. He sought the wisdom of the more experienced people around him. “Gaining the trust and respect of my personnel was rewarding, as was seeing the results of the mentoring and stewardship as these people were promoted during my time as their boss,” he smiled.
Lucky’s current role is Engineering Officer for a Squadron of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft: responsible for their engineering and for the 120 personnel who keep the aircraft flying. “Our Squadron’s role includes holding Quick Reaction Alert: ensuring we have aircraft armed and ready to take-off at a moment’s notice to defend the skies of our country from hostile aircraft. There is pressure to ensure that we do not cease providing this protection, as well as providing aircraft to keep our pilots trained in their tactics.” The pressure is welcome, he said. Later this year they will go to the Middle East and North America to conduct exercises to ensure they stay capable of deploying Lucky’s Squadron and aircraft wherever required.
Lucky feels that working with the RAF provides a unique environment. “Because of the experiences that we go through together, like the most extreme of training environments or the most hostile of front line war zones, there is a level of understanding between us that transcends work ties. We often socialise after work and live within a wonderfully equipped Officers Mess. Our military colleagues can remain close friends for life, often playing huge parts in our major life events.
The RAF is not all about living in a cold field and marching for miles with weights on your back (however those roles do exist for those who enjoy that side of the military!). It promotes personal development, fitness and wellbeing: ensuring that I am honing my engineering and management skills, as well as keeping fighting fit in the gym and on the sports pitches. I know that I am receiving the best training, receiving chartered engineering status and management qualifications that are also valued in civilian employment.”
Flt Lt Harry Gopalakrishnan, MEng (Hons) ACGI ARAeS, is working in the role he first imagined years ago. He feels part of a family that is interested in developing his leadership and engineering abilities. “I am exposed to experiences that will grow me into a better person. I have no desire to leave my job, and I can see a path of roles that I would love to take as my career progresses: be that the Senior Engineering Officer of a Squadron deployed on operations, or becoming the lead Engineering Officer on a RAF Station. So as long as my future roles continue to give me the opportunity to command personnel, I can see myself fulfilling a hopefully distinguished career in the Royal Air Force.”
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“Our Squadron’s role includes holding Quick Reaction Alert: ensuring we have aircraft armed and ready to take-off at a moment’s notice to defend the skies of our country from hostile aircraft.” Flt Lt Harry Gopalakrishnan.
