The stallions return
Corporal Cameron Jamieson reports on the handover of logistical support for Task Group 633.4 from No. 37 Squadron to No. 36 Squadron.

Above: CPL Owen Robottom checks the wing clearance of a C-130 from 36SQN as it is towed on to the taxiway at a Coalition base in the Middle East.

CPL Nathan Wade makes final preparations inside the engine bay of a C-130 from 36SQN before its departure on a mission.

Postal manager LACW Amanda Townsend works her way through bags of newly arrived mail at the Coalition base in the Middle East where two C-130s from 36SQN are based.

Photos by CPL Cameron Jamieson

The stallions are back and running hard in the Middle East following the passing of the air logistic support baton from No. 37 Squadron back to No. 36 Squadron.

Two of the squadron’s C-130H aircraft have returned, after a break of nine months, to continue the work of Task Group 633.4 – providing intra-theatre air lift and sustainment support to Australian troops deployed to the region as part of Operation Catalyst.

Commander TG633.4 Wing Commander Wayne Bradley said his personnel were working hard to maintain the standards set by previous rotations.

“The Task Group has 119 personnel, of which nine are deployed into Iraq to assist with the air loading of stores and equipment,” he said.

“Most of our missions are logistic support flights for Australian forces deployed in Iraq, but we also do logistic and aero-medical evacuation tasks in support of Coalition forces.

“We enjoy an impressive reputation among our Coalition partners, which is due mainly to our people. Their professionalism and commitment is unbelievable.”

Wing Commander Bradley said the extremes of the Middle East environment made the job harder for everyone.

“We have a high workload, and we’re working in a very hot and dusty environment, which is not good for modern electronics and engines.

“That makes things far more difficult for the maintenance crews, yet they still achieve 95 per cent availability for aircraft tasking.”

Maintenance supervisor Warrant Officer Ian Pinch has seen first hand the difficulties his crews face each day, and is impressed with their resolve.

“I came to No. 36 Squadron 18 months ago, and it’s amazing to watch the people get in and do their job,” he said.

“We’ve had radiated heat temperatures of up to 70 degrees Celsius, along with high humidity that makes aircraft surfaces slippery.

“So we get people to work in pairs and we try not to work outside in the middle of the day. We also rotate people from outside into the cooler air-conditioned tents.”

Aircraft technician Leading Aircraftman Hugh McQuire is grateful for the care taken by his superiors.

“Everyone here looks after each other, which is great,” he said.

“If a Warrant Officer or a Sergeant sees you fatiguing, he will sideline you straight away.

“The heat really gets to you, and metal surfaces can burn you if you don’t wear gloves.

“But it’s what I trained for and I feel proud to be here. Although our task group is small compared to the US air component here, we are making a difference.

“So I put up with the discomfort and get on with the job.”

Avionics technician Leading Aircraftman Adam Bentley said it was better to work at night, but the environment can still work against the maintainers.

“During the night it cools down to a nice 30 degrees, which is quite pleasant compared to the daytime temperature,” he said.

“But recently we had an unusual experience. It was about midnight when we saw a wall of fog come in. The lights in the distance started to disappear and then everything started dripping.

“The fog was very thick, and as it drew closer you slowly lost sight of aircraft and buildings. The aircraft had streams of water running off of it, and then we also started dripping water. It was a strange and very irritating event.”

Logistic specialist Leading Aircraftman Attila Feher-Holan has been in the Air Force for five years, and is more than happy to be deployed on his first operation.

“I’d been working at Richmond for about two-and-a-half years supporting operations, and when I was posted to 386ECSS, my name was put into the hat and I was chosen to come here,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity to see what I was supporting for all that time and I enjoy providing the logistical support that’s needed by the people who are out there doing the hard yards.”

Leading Aircraftman Feher-Holan said the pressure soon comes on when an aircraft is grounded. “You need to get the parts here quick,” he said.

“You need to be resourceful and sometimes think outside the square to get the items you need here as soon as possible.

“Fortunately, the requesting and receiving process can be very good, and the people in Australia are supporting us well.”

Despite the hardships, there is a lot of satisfaction to be gained by the support personnel of TG633.4, as summed up by Leading Aircraftman Bentley.

“You feel better about yourself and your job over here,” he said.

“You work hard during the night to get the aircraft fixed, and then you see it next morning fly off on a mission. It’s been a good experience, and I would say it’s been the highlight of my career.

“There can still be tensions among people, as you are in a small team working long hours, but everyone is digging in and getting the job done.”

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