To infinity and beyond: How two Warrnambool soldiers joined Australia's space force

Two Warrnambool-born soldiers have helped make history as members of the Australian Defence Force’s first dedicated space operations training course.

A new frontier: Corporal Dion Caskey and Trooper Jake Lenehan were among 16 graduates of the inaugural Space Initial Employment Training course, which ran from January to May.

• The course introduced participants to space operations, satellite technology, reconnaissance processes and the growing role of space in military operations.

From tanks to satellites: Caskey moved into space operations after about 12 years as a tank crewman.

• “Understanding how spacecraft move, rather than just watching it, was really cool,” he said.

• “I didn’t realise how significant space was to Defence, Australia and globally. It's one of the first things affected during conflict.”

Lots to learn: Lenehan transitioned into space operations after 11 years as a cavalryman, including service as an armoured vehicle gunner.

• “On the course we started with the basics, understanding how objects move in space, then built into capabilities and how we integrate with the other domains.”

• Participants completed a final exercise focused on planning and conducting space operations while supporting Defence activities in other areas.

Bright future ahead: Lenehan has since been posted to the 1st Space Surveillance Unit, where he will help track and monitor objects in orbit using Australian and allied systems.

• “Seeing how fast things move in space, trying to visualise that is just phenomenal.”