P-3C makes last flight

By WOFF Sean Judge

AN era has ended for No. 92 Wing and Air Force with the final flight of a P3-C.

Crew 2, No. 11 Squadron, captained by Flight Lieutenant Bevan Lorschy, took the last P-3C, A9-659, on its final scheduled operational sortie on Christmas Day, 2003.

The aircraft then returned to RAAF Base Edinburgh for transformation into an AP-3C.

The project involves major avionics upgrades and a weight reduction program of some 3000 lbs (1330 kg).
It will significantly improve capability and enable the AP-3C to remain in service with the Air Force until 2015.

A9-659 joined the Air Force in 1986 and since then has flown more than 11,500 hours in all major operations and exercises, including Operations Relex, Slipper and Falconer.

It was the first P3-C that served in the Middle East Area of Operations.

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