Swift
Eagle
(MPEG video 4.64 MB)
By
CPL Cameron Jamieson
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Apollo
and his handler LAC Craig Wilzen keep “protesters” at bay
while on duty at Innisfail Airport during Exercise Swift
Eagle.
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Photo
by CPL Cameron Jamieson
|
THE
Air Force flexed its strategic muscles to evacuate Australian
and foreign nationals during Exercise Swift Eagle.
While Hercules and Caribou aircraft provided the fixed-wing airlift
capability, other Air Force assets were on the ground and at sea
providing security, movement control and air traffic control
services.
Exercise Swift Eagle involved all three services and the New Zealand
Army in a regional evacuation and stability operation that was
conducted in the mythical island of Capronesia. It was held from
September 17-30 in far north Queensland.
The
joint force conducted real-time air Air Force personnel could
be found just about everywhere, from infantry battalions to naval
craft, but the majority of air personnel were at the Innisfail
airport Air Point of Disembarkation (APOD).
Base commander for the APOD, Wing Commander Ian Browning, said
the primary objective of the exercise was to practise evacuation
operations in an environment that was not always benign.
“The actual evacuation ran very smoothly, although there were
‘attempts’ to stop us from doing so,” WGCDR Browning said, referring
to the visits of “protesters”.
Air Force assets at the APOD included elements from No. 2 Airfield Defence Squadron, No. 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron
and No. 38 Squadron.
ADG's
make line call
ATC seaborne to 'sanitise' the air space
Dog has his day
