Flight Sergeant Sunita Aven, known as ‘Sunny’, has enjoyed a diverse and rewarding career in the Royal Air Force. In fact, she literally owes her life to the organisation, which she joined almost 30 years ago…
Born and raised in Cardiff as the youngest of seven siblings, her life was shaped by a unique family dynamic. With six girls and one boy, her parents—both from India—met in the UK, where her father worked as a doctor and her mother as a nurse. Their love story led to a family of seven, and despite her father’s plans to return to India after completing his medical training, he fell in love with his wife, staying in the UK and raising a family here.
Growing up, Sunny was always aware of her father’s respected influence. Although he was a Hindu, he never imposed his religious values, instead being known as a figure of authority, even in the community.
Initially, Sunny had dreams of becoming an actress, but it wasn’t taken seriously within the family and so, without the right guidance, that dream never came to fruition. After some self-reflection, she found herself studying hotel management, but life had other plans. While helping her sister at a VIP event in a bar, she met a gentleman who worked in the Air Force. His description of the job intrigued her—“it sounded like being in university but you’re being paid.” The very next day, Sunny visited the careers office, and that’s when her journey in the Royal Air Force (RAF) began.
At first, joining the military wasn’t something that seemed achievable. It wasn’t a route she thought was available, but once she made the decision, she never looked back.
“My father didn’t want me to join up. He had reservations of me being a female and of me being a female of colour. He just kept saying ‘this is not a place for an Indian female’ and was convinced that I would experience a lot of racism,” she shares.
“A lot of my friends were also surprised about me joining the military, but I think the negative reactions I got actually served as a motivation to absolutely pursue it. I’ve no regrets at all.”
Although, she’s enjoyed success and has risen up the ranks within the RAF, family has always come first for Sunny, who had three children over two and a half years.
However, once her children were older, she poured herself back into her career, eventually rising to the rank of Flight Sergeant – a role she relishes.
The road wasn’t always smooth. Along the way, Sunny faced serious health challenges, including brain surgery after a brain aneurysm that nearly claimed her life. One day, while a corporal, she collapsed at work, attributing it to a migraine. However, due to her role in the Air Force, she was ordered to the medical centre, which ultimately saved her life.
“Had that order not been given, I wouldn’t be here today. I was whisked off to the John Radcliffe and had brain surgery. I can’t thank the Air Force enough for that, and am determined to give back as much as I possibly can,” she tells Pukaar.
Sunny’s time in the RAF has taken her across the globe, including to the Falkland Islands. Though her medical history has prevented her from traveling to as many places as she’d like, she’s had experiences and opportunities that most could only dream of. As a welfare officer for phase one recruits at RAF Holton, Sunny had the privilege of mentoring new recruits every day. She found great fulfilment in helping them navigate challenges and guiding them to success. The messages of gratitude from former recruits still mean the world to her, as she knows she played a small part in helping them pursue their dreams.
In her current role as an HR analyst, Sunny works alongside a fantastic team. “I love the people, the camaraderie, the network,” she says.
“I work with all flight sergeants at the moment and we are all around the same age. We look out for each other, we guide and advise each other without animosity.”
The Air Force has provided Sunny with a wide range of experiences that civilian jobs simply couldn’t offer, from being posted in various locations to taking on diverse responsibilities. “In the civilian world, you might stay in the same job for years, but in the Air Force, every day is a new adventure,” she explains.
Her leadership role in the Air Force has taught her the value of treating people as individuals. “When I first joined, we were all treated the same. Now, I value people for who they are, for their knowledge, skills, and personality,” she says. This evolution in perspective, according to Sunny, is one of the most important lessons she’s learned in her time in service.
As a mother, Sunny’s life has been a balancing act between raising her children and fulfilling her duties in the Air Force. Yet, she has made it work, and she encourages young people—especially her son and his friends—to consider joining the military. “The military gives you the four essentials of life: a roof over your head, food on the table, clothes on your back, and a monthly income,” she shares. “You won’t be a millionaire, but you’ll have everything you need to survive. And if you’re into sports, that’s a big plus as well.”
Sunny’s career in the RAF has been full of surprises, and despite facing challenges—particularly with her father’s initial reservations about her being a female of colour in the military—she has no regrets. “ I saw it as something different, something unique,” she reflects. Though she did experience some racism early on, including a difficult encounter in the Falkland Islands, Sunny feels that the RAF has made strides in educating personnel about what’s acceptable and stamping out discrimination.
With only five years left in her service, Sunny is already thinking about the future. “I’m slightly in denial because I’m not ready to leave yet,” she admits. After her time in the RAF, she plans to continue her voluntary work with Macmillan and help her community.
For Sunny, wearing the uniform represents pride, recognition, and a deep sense of belonging. “I love putting on the uniform and being part of this organisation. It’s an honour,” she says. Her leadership role and extensive experience have afforded her the opportunity to mentor others and be a role model in the Air Force, something she never takes for granted.
Looking back on her 30-year career, Sunny remains as passionate about the military as she was when she first joined at 23. Her advice to anyone considering joining the Air Force? “Give it a go, because you’ve got nothing to lose. It’s a chance to experience something different and gain so much in return.”
