RAAF Base Townsville personnel oversee the task of unloading the base's new Titan fire truck from a No. 37 Squadron C-130J Hercules. The Titan was flown from RAAF Base Tindal to strengthen Townsville's fire truck fleet. Photo by CPL Craig Sharp

THE strength of Hercules was needed to move the mass of Titan when a No. 37 Squadron C-130J Hercules delivered a new fire truck to RAAF Base Townsville.

Unloading the 14-tonne Titan truck tested the skill of the base's air load teams. There was little room to move around the aircraft once the vehicle was loaded, according to RAAF Base Townsville spokesman Flight Lieutenant Mal Rankine.

The Titan was taken from its previous home at RAAF Base Tindal to increase the fire truck fleet at Townsville.

The vehicle fleet is being increased due to Qantas and Virgin Blue airlines operating the slightly larger Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with the upgrade designed to assist in maintaining the fire fighting capabilities set by Defence policy.

Titan specifications

Length: 7922mm Weight Loaded: 14,320kg Height: 2896mm (with monitor) Width: 3030mm Wheelbase: 4318mm Maximum speed: 104km/h Acceleration: 0-80km/h in 24 secs Seating: Four crew Water Tank Capacity: 2800 litres Foam Tank Capacity: 400 litres Output: 2100 litres a minute Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Fuel: 235 litres of Diesel

The addition of the vehicle brings the base's fire truck complement to seven - four are Titans and the remaining three are Trident vehicles.

It wasn't the first time the fire trucks had been air transported, as they had a significant role during Interfet Operations maintaining fire service capability at Bacau in East Timor.

An American designed vehicle that was assembled in Adelaide by the Australian Fire Company specifically for the Air Force fire and rescue service, the vehicles have been in service since 1999.