Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Aaron Willis (formerly Aaron Scarman) was born on 31 October 1983 in Port Pirie, South Australia. At just 18 years of age, he began his military career by enlisting in the Australian Army in 2001, joining the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) as a Parachute Rigger. He soon transitioned to the role of Warehouse Coordinator, with postings to 1st Combat Service Support Battalion (1CSSB) in Darwin in 2002 and 3rd Health Support Battalion (3HSB) in Adelaide in 2003.

In 2005, Aaron achieved a long-held goal by transferring to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), retraining as a Communications Information Systems Controller (CISCON) at Watsonia, Victoria. His first RAAF posting was to Air Command Headquarters at RAAF Base Glenbrook. In 2010, he joined No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond, where he deployed on two operational tours to Afghanistan—Tarin Kowt in 2010 and Kandahar in 2012.

In 2013, he served at Headquarters 92 Wing at RAAF Edinburgh.

Aaron’s leadership and technical skills earned him a promotion to Corporal in 2014 and a posting to 3 Security Forces Squadron (3SECFOR) in 2015 he returned to No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron. That same year, he completed a third operational deployment to Kandahar. 

Aaron discharged from the RAAF on 12 August 2016, transitioning to civilian life and relocating to Renmark in South Australia's Riverland region. He began a new chapter in real estate and is now the Principal of Ray White Riverland, the region’s largest agency with offices across Renmark, Berri, and Waikerie.

Aaron lives in Renmark with his wife Kelly and their two children, Harvey and Isla, proudly continuing his commitment to service—this time through leadership in his local community.