By Jaidyn Kennedy
Wing commander Nikki Clements is the new Commanding Officer of 21 (City of Melbourne) Squadron (SQN), taking over from WGCDR Rob Gill.
In her new position, WGCDR Clements will be responsible for the welfare, morale and discipline of the squadron members at RAAF Base Point Cook and RAAF Williams–Laverton.
“It felt a little surreal to be announced as commanding officer, as it was a career goal I have had for a long time,” she said.
“I felt some nerves standing before the people who I had been chosen to lead, but I mostly felt excitement to start working together with them.”
WGCDR Clements joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2005 where she completed a Bachelor of Business degree, and celebrated 20 years in defence last week.
Throughout her career, she has been posted to RAAF bases all over the country and recently returned from southern Maryland, USA, where she accompanied her husband on his overseas posting with the US Navy.
She outlined her goals as leader of the squadron.
“21SQN has a large number of new members this year, so my first hope is that we can come together to work as a cohesive team who are happy and thriving in our roles, while achieving the outcomes required of us,” she said.
“I would also like to further our connection with the City of Melbourne, and our Air Force neighbour Squadrons in East Sale and Hobart.”
She nominated increased and improved community engagement as one of her goals.
“One of my aims is for RAAF Base Point Cook and RAAF Williams – Laverton to be strong members of the local community that engage and participate locally as much as we can.
“I feel an attachment to Point Cook as it is where I undertook my initial officer training, and I am very interested in working with our history and heritage specialists to ensure that the story of this important piece of military and aviation history is preserved.”
Outside of her defence duties, WGCDR Clements said she likes to crochet, sew and cook and that she tries to do some yoga each day.
