Bases meet demand for supplies

A member of RAAF Base Richmond air movements section checks medical supplies destined for Iraq. Photo by LAC Col Dadd

By FLGOFF Harriet Pointon and Ben Caddaye

RAAF Bases Richmond and Pearce played an integral role in the early stages of Operation Baghdad Assist.

Pearce Air Terminal Section was mobilised at short notice on April 13, shortly after the operation was launched.

The section was alerted to the impending arrival of a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from Richmond’s No. 37 Squadron carrying the first shipment of humanitarian aid to go to Baghdad.

Nineteen tonnes of supplies had been delivered to Richmond the previous evening, and No. 1 Air Terminal Squadron personnel worked through the night to prepare and package the items before departure.

1ATS Commanding Officer Squadron Leader Peter Noake praised his staff for their swift and professional response.

The C-130 crews also worked tirelessly to prepare the aircraft for the mission ahead.

“This is what we are trained to do,” a crew member said.

“With Op Bali Assist still fresh in most people’s minds, everything came together.”

The medical supplies, which were loaded on to two aircraft, included IV fluid, blood bags, gauze bandages, surgical dress, syringes, splints, disposable surgical kits, suture kits, drugs and wound dressings.

The supplies were obtained from the ADF, Department of Health, Liverpool and Westmead hospitals and a number of corporations.

While the first of the C-130s headed directly for the Middle East, the second went via Pearce, where another 2.2 tonnes of medical equipment and blankets was waiting on shipping palettes, ready to be loaded on to the aircraft as soon as it landed. Although flying into a head wind, and loaded with extra fuel, the C-130 made good time and surprised the team as it landed 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

The Air Terminal staff sprang into action and within 40 minutes the aircraft was loaded with its important cargo and ready to depart.

“As Western Australia’s only operational Air Force base, this is a good example of the important part the base plays in supporting Australian Defence Force activities,” Base Commander Group Captain Peter Sapwell said.

“The team at Pearce came together at short notice and loaded more than two tonnes of medical equipment, stretchers and blankets. Within an hour the aircraft was refuelled, loaded and taxiing out to the runway – that’s quite an achievement for all concerned.”

Air Lift Group Commander Air Commodore Greg Evans could not give enough praise to the men and women involved.
Despite a tight timeframe, he said he had no hesitation about his staff transporting the supplies to Baghdad in the shortest possible time.

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