Defence

Operational

10,000 hours of quiet achievement

A large, flat, dry and sandy coalition air base located in the Middle East is the home of the Joint Task Force 633 air group. The air group consists of approximately 140 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who have been operating and maintaining the C-130 Hercules aircraft in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) since 2003. Captain Margaret Nichols reports.

An Australian C-130 taxies in after making another successful landing in Tarin Kowt in southern Afghanistan.
Photo by CPL Ricky Fuller

While the mission of the air group is to provide intra-theatre airlift support and sustainment to Australian elements in Iraq and Afghanistan, it provides more that just an air transport capability.

Task Group Commander, Wing Commander (WGCDR) Robert Williams, said the air group provided the life line to the Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan and the Over Watch Battle Group (West) in Iraq.

“They rely on us 100 per cent to support them. We not only transport Australian soldiers in and out of Afghanistan and Iraq, we also deliver stores, equipment and supplies into these remote locations,” he said.

“The C-130 Hercules are the true work horses and life line of the Middle East Area of Operations.”

Now, after four years of operational support and several personnel rotations, the air group has reached 10,000 hours of operational flying in the Middle East. Although this is an important milestone for everyone involved with the C-130 aircraft, for the flight crew and support staff, it was just another day on operations in the desert.

“It really was business as usual,” WGCDR Williams said.

“There was no special celebration to mark the occasion, but I believe that every operational flight undertaken by my team is an achievement. The difference with the 10,000th hour is that it is a milestone that makes it a good time for people to reflect and appreciate what has been achieved by the air group.

“10,000 hours of operational flying shows the hard work and dedication that has been achieved by many people involved with the air group over the past four years.”

Although the main focus of the air group is to provide an air transport capability, there are two main groups within the air group that enable the C-130 aircraft to operate. The first group is the C-130 Hercules detachment, which consists of the flight crew, pilots, co-pilots, load masters and an operations element. It also consists of the aircraft maintainers who service the aircraft and ensure the electrical and mechanical components are working correctly. The second group is the combat support element, which consists of the air load team, medical, administration and logistical support, communications, air field engineers, ground operations and force protection.

As expected, the C-130 pilots are very focused individuals, who understand the importance of their mission.

“Our job is to transport passengers and cargo throughout the Middle East. It’s important to get the cargo to those guys in remote areas,” said C-130 pilot, Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT) Scott Harris.

Although the flight crews are the best known face of the C-130 aircraft, each member of the air group is vital to keeping the aircraft operating and achieving their mission. The air load team, for example, is responsible for preparing the cargo and loading it onto the aircraft.

According to Flying Officer Russell Quinnell, “We palletize and net the cargo so it won’t move during the flight. We also ensure the aircraft is loaded correctly, so the weight of the cargo is properly balanced. It is an important job, especially when these aircraft are flying into potentially dangerous areas.”

The logisticians also have a critical role on operations. “My job is demanding, with a lot of hours”, said supply clerk, Flight Sergeant Roelfina Jarvis. “I often get called in during the night to process urgent demands. This ensures we can rapidly get aircraft parts from Australia. It might seem like a small job, but it’s important, especially with an eight hour time difference with Australia.”

According to the air group administration officer, Flight Lieutenant Basil Bradford, “My job is very much in the background, but it is essential that all the task group administration is managed correctly. This means the air group members will get all their entitlements. If my job is done correctly, then the air group members can concentrate fully on their individual jobs. That’s the best thing about a team environment; we all contribute in some way to the C-130 missions.”

RAAF SGT Stephen Moult on deployment in the MEAO.
Photo by CAPT Margaret Nichols

Generally, a mission is flown to either Iraq or Afghanistan on most days, with each mission requiring the flight crew to be away for around 14 hours.

“We generally begin our briefings two hours before take off. Then we conduct the pre-flight checks, confirm the cargo and passenger numbers, complete the mission, return to the air base and have a debrief,” said FLTLT Harris. “It’s exciting and challenging work, especially flying around the mountain regions of Afghanistan.”

Despite long and tiring days, the flight crews view an operational deployment as a great opportunity to develop their skills and experience. Co-pilot, Flying Officer Lachlan Strain, is on his first operational deployment and believes it is a fantastic learning opportunity.

“The flying is awesome and challenging. It makes you a better pilot,” he said.

“We are flying into dangerous areas; there are also dust storms and extreme weather conditions to contend with, as well as the vast terrain. It is very different to flying at home.”

Currently the flight crews deploy for a nine week rotation and can be redeployed for up to 4.5 months in a calendar year, while the combat support elements are deployed into the air group for up to six months. These rotations provide a good balance of members deploying for the first time and those returning to the Middle East for their second or third tour.

WGCDR Williams believes a steady rotation of staff has many advantages.

“Rotations keep people flowing through here. It brings in fresh ideas and we can monitor our procedures. Then everyone returns to their home units around Australia with new skills and experience gained from working on an operational deployment.”

During the past four years, the men and women of the air group, along with their C-130 aircraft, have provided an Australian air transport capability to both Operation CATALYST (Iraq) and Operation SLIPPER (Afghanistan). This support has enabled Australian elements throughout the MEAO to have access to the supplies, stores and equipment they need to conduct their missions.

For the past and present members of the air group, achieving 10,000 hours of operational flying is an important milestone. However, on operations where the threat is very real, every day and each mission is an achievement for the men and women of the air group.

The air group is part of the Joint Task Force 633 (JTF633), which is based in several locations throughout the MEAO. Brigadier Michael Crane is the Australian National Commander who commands all ADF units deployed in the MEAO from Headquarters JTF633, located in Baghdad.

Air Group Achievements:

• completed 10,000 hours of operational flying;
• C-130 aircraft has included both the H & J models;
• carried over 57,000 passengers; and,
• transported over 14,700 tons of cargo.

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