Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the sky ...

By Leesha Furse

Ross Martin, senior aquarist at Underwater World, and FLTLT Steve Folpp inspect the sharks.

Photo by LAC Andrew Eddie

Flying fish ... two bull whalers like this one made the trip from Darwin to Amberley in a Herc.

Photo by LSPH Kaye Adams

STRAPPED to a palette several thousand feet above sea level, two terrors of the deep were left breathing easy on their species’ maiden Air Force flight.

Flight Lieutenant Steve Folpp, of No. 36 Squadron, piloted a C-130 Hercules from RAAF Base Darwin across 1500 nautical miles to RAAF Base Amberley, loaded with two live bull whaler sharks on June 4.

Although the sharks were just 50cm long, it was an unusual assignment for the Air Force, which was called on by a wildlife park after commercial airlines were unable to help out.

“It’s the first time we’ve carried sharks. They were the quietest passengers I’ve ever had. It was pretty exciting and something out of the ordinary,” FLTLT Folpp said.

The cargo was also an experience for loadmasters Flight Sergeant Ray Maconachie and Warrant Officer Phil Hellis, both of No. 285 Squadron. They recall the Air Force carting animals as large as deer before, but never fish.

“That’s one of the advantages of this job – there’s always something different to load, it’s never dull and boring,” FSGT Maconachie said.

“One thought was whether they were going to have enough oxygen with the air pressure but that was fine.”

The sharks were kept in a 750kg sealed tub of oxygenated water for the trip from the Territory Wildlife Park to Underwater World in Queensland, where they are now part of the shark awareness and education program. FLTLT Folpp is planning a visit at Christmas.

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