|
| |
Mid-East lift
AIR FORCE News takes a look at how our C-130 detachment is travelling in the MEAO. Words and photos by LEUT Pete Bounty.
Volume 49, No. 14, August 09, 2007 |
| |
Even a cursory glance at the stats for Task Group 633.4 (TG633.4), the RAAF C-130 detachment in the MEAO, adds weight to the claim that the ADF is “punching above its weight” over there.
The detachment of about 155 personnel provides intra-theatre airlift and sustainment support in the MEAO, with three C-130 aircraft, ground crew and other support
elements.
Since the first C-130s arrived in 2003, the Task Group: recently passed 11,000 flying hours (more than 6000 sorties); has lifted more than 16,000 tonnes of cargo; and safely carried more than 64,000 passengers and 2200 medical patients.
The addition of a third aircraft has increased TG633.4’s capability. The C-130J model aircraft will be rotated out and replaced with the
C-130H model later this year.
Every ADF member in theatre relies on the C-130s at some stage, waiting for supplies, mail from home or going on leave.
On the odd occasion when your C-130 is delayed, sometimes it’s worth sparing a thought for the people who work so hard to keep the aircraft flying in extreme conditions and those who put themselves in harm’s way every day flying ‘over the wire’.
Flying into Tarin Kowt (Southern Afghanistan) recently, I contemplated the potential dangers coming in to land. On our approach to the airfield the loadies’ eyes are fixed outside, watching for the tell-tale puff of smoke from an RPG, the trail of smoke from a shoulder-launched missile or small arms fire.
It’s challenging for the pilots – high-altitude mountainous terrain, a one-way-in runway (usually with tail winds) and, often, other aircraft involved in air support of combat troops on the ground in the area.
“With different threat levels and terrain you consider the approaches differently,” pilot and C-130 captain, FLTLT Krishaan Wright, said.
“You’re always thinking about the threat before you start the approach; the challenge is not to consider it routine each time you go in. From the intelligence briefings, you try to pick your flight profile to minimise the threat.”
So how does he keep motivated to do this day after day?
“It’s the job. For me I’ve been bouncing from course to course back at the squadron, so to actually be out here and doing operational flying I think motivates you enough to get out there and do it each day.
“You get tired, but you know it has to be done. You know once you’ve got a sector over with and you’ve got into and out of the airfield that you’re one step closer to getting back to home plate and resting up again,” he said.
Lead-up training in Australia prepared crews very well. “We do an in-house exercise with our squadron called ‘Precision Red’, a very well conducted activity,” FLTLT Wright said. “When I came over here, I found it to be pretty much the same as the exercise and the corporate knowledge that is passed on when you get here is also very good.”
“Their rate of effort is outstanding; the guys take great pride in their work,” FLTLT Wright said of the aircraft maintainers.
“They get dented when they see the aircraft taxi back in unserviceable. It’s a personal hit on their pride; the work they do under very hot, trying conditions gives a pilot motivation to make sure you carry their work through.”
TG633.4 commander WGCDR Robert Williams handed over command of the Task Group to WGCDR William Kourelakos on July 8.
Reflecting on his command, WGCDR Williams said: “Everyone is doing a great job. It’s difficult for some who remain on this base to see the impact of their work and the effort going on in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Under a new system we’ve been using for the past three months, the maintainers are getting to fly a lot more across the wire so they do get to see the results of their work.
“The challenge for me was to see both sides of the story – when people bring up problems – and work out the solutions. It’s been great looking after the people here for the past six months; they’re a great bunch.
“This is the pinnacle of their profession – being on operations doing their tasks, and it’s great to see people understand that themselves and attack it,” he said. |
| |
|
 |
COOL ONE: CPL Allan Wilkes from 381ECSS services an airconditioning cart in the MEAO. |
| |
 |
INSERT HERE: 37SQN avionics technician LAC Ben Lucas installs a countermeasure dispenser test set to a C-130 before loading flares. |
| |
 |
GOODNIGHT: A C-130J gets a rest on the flightline before the next mission in the Middle East.
|
| |
|
 |
SPOTLIGHT: 37SQN aircraft technician LAC Michael Thomas checks a C-130 engine turbine while deployed as part of Task Group 633.4.
|
| |
 |
NIGHT VISION: 37SQN aviation fitter LAC Matthew Allwood carries out after-flight checks on a C-130 following a late night mission in the Middle East.
|
| |
 |
DISHING IT UP: CPL James Reilly, a communications electronic technician from 1CCS, checks power levels on the ‘Gigasat’, which provides communications between Australia and ADF personnel in the Middle East. |
| |
 |
SHARP END: 3CSH medical assistant CPL Courtney Allford prepares to give WOFF Greg Harrington a flu vaccination in the TG633.4 medical centre.
|
| |
 |
LOCK AND LOAD: SGT Stephen Smit and LAC Paul Stubbs from 1AOSS prepare cargo for loading onto a C-130 as part of the detachment’s logistics support team. |
| |
 |
ALL PACKED: LACW Karen Beveridge from 1AOSS helps keeps track of all cargo in and out of the area while deployed as part of the C-130 detachment in the MEAO.
|
| |
|
 |
SPARKY: LAC Kelvin Kruse, an electrician from 1AOSS, upgrades the lighting in the Task Group’s medical centre during his deployment in the MEAO.
|
| |
|
