'Injured' aircraft passenger, LAC Abed Rashid, is attended to by 'rescuer' AC John Gifford, during the recent Eagle Nest 2/02 exercise at RAAF Base Richmond.,lAC Rashids's injuries of a local make-up. Photo by LAC AL Cooper.

IA C130J Hercules carrying three crew and 40 passengers crashes short of the runway at RAAF Base Richmond after experiencing engine trouble at the top of its descent.

That was the scenario faced recently by RAAF Richmond personnel, as well a staff from Hawkesbury, Nepean and Westmead Hospitals, as they took part in Eagle Nest 2/02, an aircraft crash exercise held in April.

Apart from testing Richmond's Airfield Emergency Plan, the exercise, conducted within the confines of the Base, was one a of a series of scenarios aimed at enhancing a closer working relationship between the Air Force and local civilian health services.

When the C130J radioed in its mock Mayday message, Richmond Air Traffic Control reacted by initiating a full-scale emergency response prior to the aircraft crashing adjacent to the runway.

The exercise included simulated casualties, with injuries made more realistic thanks to talented Sydney-based make-up artists. One passenger sat slumped on the ground with blood pouring out of what looked like a serious puncture wound courtesy of a Manly make-up school.

Casualties were duly transported by road and air ambulance to nearby Hawkesbury Hospital, Nepean Hospital and Westmead Hospital, as well as the RAAF Base Richmond Hospital.

By Ben Caddaye