NEW
fuel tanker vehicle shelters are being built at RAAF Bases Darwin
and Tindal to protect fuel tankers from the extremes of the Top
End’s weather.
Under a $3.6 million contract, shelters are being constructed
for 26 vehicles at Darwin and 16 at Tindal.
The tankers were obtained in 2002-03 after operations in East
Timor. Up until now they and the old tankers have been stored
in existing transport hardstands – which can only take three
vehicles – aircraft operational shelters or in maintenance
facilities.
Squadron Leader Paul Coghlan, of No. 321 Combat Support Squadron,
said the shelters would normally have been part of an Integrated
Logistics Support plan for capital equipment such as the tankers,
“but as the tankers were bought under rapid acquisition there
were accepted delays in obtaining the supporting infrastructure”.
Construction of the new facilities is scheduled for completion
in July.
“We didn’t get the new tankers until 02-03, but their
value has been proven repeatedly in Ops Bali Assist and Relex
and other operational support roles,” SQNLDR Coghlan said.
“We’re absolutely stoked to have them and now the new
shelters, which will vastly enhance their capabilities, maintenance
durability, creature comforts and security.”
