The Collaborative International Dictionary
Gunnie \Gun"nie\, n. (Mining.) Space left by the removal of ore.
Wiktionary
n. (context mining English) The space left by the removal of ore.
Wikipedia
Gunnie is a term used in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) when referring to an armourer or aircraft technician who loads or maintains aircraft ordnance, weapons, ejection seats, or any other device that contains explosive material. A second major function of their speciality is Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) – the safe removal of unexploded bombs (UXB's) and the disposal/recovery of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's). Armourers are also responsible for the maintenance of all small arms used by the RAAF and generally run the maintenance workshops in all RAAF base armouries.
Alternative names include "Gun Plumber" and "Cracker Stacker"
Distinctly independent of the other aircraft trades, their motto has been "Without armament there is no need for an airforce" since Lord Trenchard uttered the words prior to World War I, although armourers didn't actually exist then.
In the early nineties the armament mustering (along with other RAAF aircraft technical trades) was disbanded and all were rolled into two musterings: Avionics and Aircraft. Engine fitters and Airframe fitters became Aircraft Technicians while Instrument Fitters, Electrical Fitters and Radio Technicians became Avionics Technicians. The only mustering which could not fit neatly into either (due to the multi disciplinary nature of their work) the gunnies were given the choice of going to either mustering. Of the 400 or so in the whole of the RAAF only a handful elected to become Aircraft Technicians. The bulk of them were rolled into the Avionics Technician category. This was, at the time, considered a controversial decision given the highly specialised skills required to be an armourer.
In the late 2000s the RAAF re-established the Armament mustering with the first class graduating from RAAF Base Wagga in 2008/09.
Usage examples of "gunnie".
I turned to Apheta and began, "What I want to know--" But Gunnie caught me by the shoulder, her hand large and strong for a woman's, and drew me back to her.
Gunnie looked from Apheta to me and seemed about to speak, but she said nothing.
Gunnie started to speak, but Apheta motioned her to silence, saying, "Now follow me.
Gunnie repeated, "No hope," and I realized she had been too frightened to pay heed to Apheta or me.
I had only begun to study them when we halted before great doors of a shape recalling those through which Gunnie and I had passed with Apheta a watch before on Yesod.
Lesser Sergeants Major quailed before the authority of a Master Gunnie.