More Defence news: 23 June - 29 June 2008
| Pitch Black ends - success for all forces | $1.1 billion worth of upgrades given the ‘go ahead’ for Defence bases | Multi-Role Helicopter transported by RAAF C-17 | Forces entertainment tour in Timor-Leste | F/A-18 Hornet air capability enhanced | Practice exercise for team work training | A day in the life of a RAAF C130 Hercules crew in the Middle East | Last Combat troops leave Iraq | First MU90 Lightweight Torpedo fires from an Australian Warship | |
| Pitch Black ends - success for all forces June 27 - Exercise Pitch Black has been ‘fought’ in earnest during the past two weeks in both daytime and night time scenarios over the Northern Territory. Red Forces from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Tindal have been engaging with Blue Force aircraft from RAAF Darwin in defined exercise areas, largely over unpopulated parts of the Northern Territory while, high above them, Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft (AWAC) belonging to NATO, the French Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) orchestrated activities. Neutral, or White Force, tanker aircraft from the RAAF, RSAF and Royal Malaysian Air Force supplied both sides with the necessary fuel to enable them to maintain the battles. The intense exercise tested participants with realistic confrontational scenarios. Aircrews, Aircraft Maintainers, and Commanders worked day and night, ensuring their planes were ready to go, and tactics were devised. The main objective of the exercise was achieved, testing the interoperability of the Royal Australian Air Force with air forces from other countries. Participants from Australia and other countries commented on the friendliness and hospitality shown towards them wherever they went. More: Imagery |
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| $1.1 billion worth of upgrades given the ‘go ahead’ for Defence bases June 27 – Parliament has approved $1.1 billion worth of Defence facilities proposals. The infrastructure proposals include: • $623.28m for the Hardened and Networked Army facilities at Edinburgh, South Australia. • $72.1m for the Robertson Barracks Redevelopment. • $80.2m for the Enoggera Redevelopment Stage One. • $64.2m for the Airborne Early Warning and Control Facilities RAAF Base Tindal. • $58.7m for the RAAF Base Tindal Redevelopment Stage Five. • $49.8m for RAAF Base Darwin Redevelopment. • $168.7m for the Multi-Role Helicopter Facilities. The Government is committed to providing the Australian Defence Force with facilities of high standard to support current and future capability. The investment will ensure that men and women in uniform have the necessary facilities and infrastructure to do undertake their work. |
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Multi-Role Helicopter transported by RAAF C-17
It is the first time in the world that one of these particular helicopters has been transported by C-17. It is big news for Defence and Industry. The MRH90 helicopter will increase the capacity for the test and training program for Defence’s new troop lift and maritime support helicopter. More: Media Release | Imagery |
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Forces entertainment tour in Timor-Leste
The Tour kicked off last Friday and travelled across the country to entertain troops in Dili and surrounding areas, and included a special concert in the province of Gleno for soldiers and East Timorese locals. More: imagery |
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F/A-18 Hornet air capability enhanced
The first production of configured F/A-18 Hornet fitted with a new Radar Warning Receiver has successfully flown at RAAF Williamtown, 18 months after the decision to acquire the equipment was made. The Operational and Technical Airworthiness of the JDAM ‘Smart Bomb’ was accepted by Air Force on F/A-18 A/B fighter aircraft earlier in the year. It will provide improved accuracy and weapon effectiveness and allow air-to-ground weapons to be employed during day and night, and in all weather conditions. This project is currently within budget and on-track to deliver the complete Electronic Warfare Self Protection upgrade to the entire fleet by 2012. More: Media Release | Imagery |
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Practice exercise for team work training
United Nations Malaysian Formed Police Unit provided a protective barrier as they prepared to advance towards a simulated crowd of Australian troops and Malaysian Police. They practiced standing amongst smoke grenades while holding their position. Military Police Sergent Dean Hedberg held on to the lead of 'Rutley', an Australian Army Military Police Dog, while it practiced latching on to one of his trainers. Soldiers with the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) moved in an extended line with an Armored Personnel Carrier to contain an incident during a practice response at a military range outside Dili, in Timor-Leste. More: Imagery |
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A day in the life of a RAAF C130 Hercules crew in the Middle East
At sunrise one flight crew of six is awakened and heads off for briefings about the mission that lay ahead for them in a work day that could stretch to 15 hours in around 40 degree heat. It is two hours until take-off. The Flight Engineer and two Loadmasters head off to the C130 flight line, while the pilots and navigator carry on flight planning. It’s a short flight to another base in a nearby country. As the aircraft enters Iraqi airspace the mood becomes more serious. Passengers gear up with helmets, body armour and check their pistols are secure, while scanning outside for the flash of a rocket launching or smoke trail signaling a projectile coming towards them. Flight Engineers can be called upon to effect away from base could range from changing a tyre to swapping over a starter motor. They carry a range of spares on board, in case harsh weather or operational requirements force unexpected overnight stays away from base. Another challenge facing the crews is the increasing airspace congestion over Iraq and other parts of the Middle East, not from military aircraft but from civilian airliners. As the C130 begins its descent passengers and crew prepare for the arrival that follows, usually signaled by the bump of rubber meeting runway. The rear ramp begins to open as the aircraft taxis off the runway and military personnel prepare for a swift and orderly exit. Passengers and pallets of cargo are offloaded quickly –with more troops and equipment loaded, the C130 is soon up and away again, a process that could be repeated half a dozen times a day throughout the Middle East Area of Operations. Each afternoon as the C130s taxi back onto the flight line at their home base in the Middle East, a crew of several dozen 37 Squadron Maintainers stand ready to swarm over each aircraft. Flight crews then de-brief and head back to their accommodation area to clean-up, eat and sleep before doing it all again. More: Imagery |
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Last Combat troops leave Iraq
The last combat soldiers from Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 have now departed Southern Iraq, concluding the three year Australian mission in Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar Provinces. Soldiers from Battle Group Head Quarters departed Tallil on Royal Australian Air Force C-130 aircraft. Diggers will pass through Australia’s Force Level Logistic Asset in the Middle East to conduct a range of administrative checks prior to them returning home. Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 and Australian Army Training Team – Iraq IX troops will be honoured with a parade in Brisbane this Saturday morning. More: Image gallery |
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First MU90 Lightweight Torpedo fires from an Australian Warship
In the past the MU90 Lightweight Torpedo has been successfully tested in Europe, however this Acceptance Test and Evaluation exercise represents the first time an MU90 Lightweight Torpedo has been fired from an Australian warship. The test firing was conducted at see from HMAS Toowoomba in the Western Australian Exercise Area approximately 30 kilometres off Mandurah in Western Australia. The new MU90 Lightweight Torpedo will provide a significant upgrade to the Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities of the surface combatant platforms of the Royal Australian Navy, including the Guided Missile Frigates and Anzac Frigates. The MU90 Lightweight ASW Torpedo is 3 metres long, weighs 300 kilograms, has a range of greater than 10 kilometres and is designed to track and attack quiet-running submarines at depths to more than 1,000 metres. More: Media release | Imagery |
