AS A Loadmaster with No. 37 Squadron, Warrant Officer Dave Cronan is accustomed to work-related calls in the middle of the night.

So when he received a call from fellow 37SQN member and C-130J pilot Squadron Leader Dean Tetley on the night of Sunday, July 7, he didn't bat an eyelid.

"We have to be on-call 24 hours a day and ready to go at a minute's notice," WOFF Cronan said.
"He called me just after 10pm and explained that a naval vessel was in distress off Lord Howe Island and I should pack my bags and prepare to come to the base. Fifteen minutes later he called again and told me to be at the base ASAP."

WOFF Cronan arrived at RAAF Base Richmond about 11.15pm, followed soon after by fellow Loadmaster Warrant Officer Graeme Clark.

"Squadron Leader Tetley met us, explained the situation and said we weren't going to be leaving until 5.30am," WOFF Cronan said.

That gave the Loadmasters additional time to prepare a weight and balance form, which includes the amount of fuel the C-130J Hercules aircraft can carry and the available payload.

Loadmasters are responsible for ensuring aircraft will be able to take off, fly and land with the weight they're carrying and the manner in which it's distributed.

"In extreme circumstances, aircraft can go tail-down if the weight is excessive or not packed properly," WOFF Cronan explained.

While this was happening, in flight rations had to be organised at short notice, with the kitchen contacted to provide freeze-dried meals, salads, drinks and a supply of ice.

When 11 Navy personnel, including HMS Nottingham's surgeon and 10 divers complete with equipment from Australian Clearance Diving Team No. 1, arrived at 4am, WOFF Cronan's next task was to determine what could and couldn't be taken.

He said the Navy's 7600lbs of equipment had to be reduced by 2000lb because that was the maximum carrying capacity of the forklift waiting for them at Lord Howe Island.

Following that delay, safety certificates had to raised given the nature of some of the equipment being transported.

In the meantime, 37SQN's Duty Engineer was notified of the flight's personnel requirements.

In all, two pilots - SQNLDR Tetley and co-pilot Flight Lieutenant "Rip" Van Ginkel - two technicians - Corporal King and Leading Aircraftman Koslowski - and the two Loadmasters boarded the flight.

The service and maintenance history of the C-130J was then double-checked and a pre-flight check of life preservers and safety equipment was performed.

Just before 6am, the Loadmasters did a final pre-flight check, inputting the weight and balance details into a computer.

With the cargo accurately weighed and correctly stowed, the C-130J left the tarmac at Richmond at 6am for the flight to Lord Howe.

As they aircraft approached the Island, Lord Howe Island Port Operations Officer Clive Wilson radioed the crew informing them of the weather and runway conditions.

About 7.30am, the C-130J touched down safely, and after it taxied to the terminal a forklift was on hand to unload the important cargo, which was then ferried to the damaged HMS Nottingham.

By Ben Caddaye