Wing Commander Ruth Taylor: an extraordinary life in the Australian Air Force

Ruth Taylor, Wing Commander (ret) has lived a very different life to most.  She has travelled the World succeeding in many challenges, taken on a role in, at that time, a male dominated Australian Air Force, flown frequently in fast jets, escorted Royalty, been promoted to Senior Rank, worked closely with the, at that time, Chief of the Air Force and mixed up in all these challenges, been a Mum. Later in her career, Ruth filled the position of Special Projects Officer in the Office of the Chief of Air Staff.  She regarded this position as the pinnacle of her career as she was in charge of all Special Projects involving the Chief both in Australia and Overseas.  She organized the RAAF 70th Birthday Celebrations including: ·      launching the RAAF Hot Air Balloon, ·      organizing RAAF Events in every capital city, ·      setting up RAAF involvement in the Grand Prix, ·      setting up the RAAF Art Awards, ·      liaising with a Publisher for books on RAAF history, ·      escorted Senior RAAF Officers to the Paris and Farnborough Airshows and ·      the most rewarding project of taking the Battle of Britain Pilots to the UK for their 50th Anniversary Celebrations.  This latter task has remained a highlight of Ruth’s life in meeting these wonderful pilots and their ladies, managing their trip on the RAAF 707 via Hawaii, Canada and Washington until they were presented to Her Majesty the Queen in the front of the Palace.  The Red Arrows and the Spitfire commenced a parade of aircraft up the Mall to the Palace. After the Church Service, she went to the Cliffs of Dover to witness the mock air battle.  This brought tears to the eyes.   “Listen up” to find out from Ruth more about her adventures.