Kate Munari is the only female pilot in the Australian Navy to have served in Afghanistan. As the sole woman among more than 150 pilots and aircrew, she spent four years on an exchange program flying for the Royal Marine Commandos in the UK. From the outset, Kate captivates audiences with compelling stories from a challenging and distinctive work environment, inspiring them to push past stereotypes and seemingly impossible obstacles to achieve their ambitions.
Kate completed three deployments to Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot, embedded with the British Royal Marine Commando’s Helicopter Force. She led missions around the clock, flying into some of the most dangerous regions of the war-torn country. For nearly a year, she was based in Helmand Province, where she operated under extreme conditions—temperatures soaring above 45°C during the day and dropping below -15°C at night—all while maintaining peak mental and physical performance, as lives depended on her decisions.
As the only woman in a team of over 150 aircrew at the Commando Helicopter Force, Kate faced significant challenges, including long periods away from family, working in confined conditions, and operating under the immense pressure of a war zone. She successfully navigated these difficulties, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
Operating in unpredictable and high-stakes environments, she made critical decisions daily for months on end. The intense pace of operations sharpened her skills in planning, prioritization, leadership, and people management, which were instrumental in the success of her three tours in Afghanistan.
Upon returning to Australia, Kate was selected to study at the Australian Defence Force’s Capability and Technology Management College, earning a Master’s degree in 2013. She resumed flying in 2014 as a Flight Commander, piloting the MRH90 helicopter aboard HMAS Canberra, one of Australia’s newest naval vessels. Her final Navy posting was as Operations Officer at 808 Squadron.
After 17 years of service, Kate has recently retired from the Royal Australian Navy and embarked on a new career as an Air Accident Investigator with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.