FS Sunita Aven
FS Sunita “Sunny” Aven is a dynamic and accomplished HR Specialist whose career is defined by purpose, resilience and an unwavering passion for helping others succeed. Since joining the RAF in 1996, she has built a reputation as a confident, people-focused leader who brings energy, compassion, and professionalism to every role she undertakes.
Now serving at RAF Halton, FS Aven is the HR Analyst, playing a key role in shaping the RAF’s future through role analysis and proactive support to personnel. Her career has spanned a wide variety of appointments, including welfare and recruitment, where she has empowered countless young people to unlock their potential and thrive during the challenges of basic training.
Her Service has also taken her across the world. She has travelled widely with the RAF and completed a tour in the Falkland Islands, experiences that allowed her to see the global impact of the organisation and strengthen her sense of purpose within it.
FS Aven’s commitment to leadership and Service values has earned her opportunities to influence senior leaders and represent the RAF at national events, including delivering a reading at Westminster Abbey for the Battle of Britain service.
Known for her warmth, strength, and determination, she describes the RAF as a community that challenges you, develops you, and surrounds you with people who want to see you succeed. Her message to anyone considering a career is simple and powerful:
“The RAF doesn’t just create careers, it shapes confident, capable people. If you have the passion to grow and be part of something bigger, the opportunities are limitless.”
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Sergeant Wazeeha Laher
Sergeant Wazeeha Laher joined the Royal Air Force in 1998 as an intelligence Analyst (Linguist), launching a career defined by operational excellence, cultural expertise and relentless drive. Following trade training her first posting took her to JSSU Digby in Lincolnshire – the beginning of a distinguished journey in the military.
Over the course of her career, Sgt Laher has deployed operationally to Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and the Falkland Island, contributing critical intelligence support in complex and demanding environments.
Across 27 years of service, she has embraced roles beyond her core trade, serving as Assistant to the Islamic Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff. In an outreach role she was pivotal in strengthening leadership and command capability among young people through outreach initiatives, championing inclusion and representation within Defence.
A gifted linguist, Sgt Laher holds qualifications in multiple languages, her most recent is Arabic. To deepen her cultural and linguistic fluency she immersed herself abroad, travelling to countries including Colombia, India and Jordan – sharpening not only her language skills but her global perspective.
Driven by resilience and a spirit of adventure, she has tackled challenges far beyond the workplace, form sailing in the Caribbean and rock climbing to parachuting, skiing and snowboarding. She consistently pushes her limits and has completed multiple ultramarathons in support of military charities. She is currently training for an 100km ultramarathon in the Albanian Mountains.
Today, Sgt Laher serves as a Full-Time reservist on the Ethnic Minorities Community Engagement Team, continuing to inspire, connect and lead with purpose.