iscover
The RAAF has supported flood recovery efforts in western Queensland with a shipment of 5,000 litres of fuel.
The mission earlier this month saw a C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron deploy from RAAF Base Amberley to carry two loads of fuel, totalling 28 drums, from Longreach Airport to the town of Windorah at the request of the Queensland government.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Flight Lieutenant David Bolt, the C-27J captain on the mission, said the Spartan is well-suited to this type of mission.
“The rapid delivery of the jet fuel to Windorah will ensure the community can continue to utilise its own aviation assets for efforts against the rising floodwaters. It also assists the community in managing livestock over this period,” Flight Lieutenant Bolt said.
“It’s great to be here to support the community. It certainly gives you a sense of pride when you’re able to be there to help the people doing it tough at the moment.”
The plane was deployed with two hours’ notice under a short notice to move (SNTM) directive, and was assisted by RAAF Base Amberley Air Movements personnel.
“Working with an SNTM team like this requires you to remain flexible and ready to adapt to changes in the environment,” Corporal Tayla Mason, a logistics movements aviator from 23 Squadron, said.
“But working on a task like this is so rewarding, especially when helping communities within Australia. When we are able to help Australians in need – it is one of the most fulfilling experiences.
“You can see the resilience and kindness in every person you met – especially when you fly into an affected town and everyone is still smiling. It makes me very proud to be Australian.”
Defence said it “continues to support the Commonwealth response to state and territory governments during national emergencies and natural disasters under the Defence Assistance to the Civil Community framework”.
[email protected]
says:It is great to see how a diversified fleet can assist our country’s requirements when needed the most so congrats to the folks responsible for the aquisition of the C-27J. Those who have/are involved with aviation logistics would be well aware that in this country our climate directs enormous attention to adjusting the planned load for uplift as a result of the actual temperature and wind conditions current as opposed to just loading the aircraft to it’s structure max. It is also possible that Defence is/has adopted a view quite common, “If it aint broke, don’t fix it” view which will mostly lead to continuing with a “type” that is not appropriate for today’s ops eg in civilian context, the B737 which is just an upgrade of an ancient albeit trusty steed. My point being is that there is in military logistics a great need for a unit that fits between the C-27J – C130 – and C17 which clearly identifies the perfect fit, the A-400M – not to replace the C130 but to augment it where its limits can’t achieve that which is required and which will allow the C17 to be deployed in a more efficient arena. In these times, I think it prudent as does the RAF, that we revisit a potential purchase of such a unit. Comments would be appreciated.