Air Force Hercs aid cricket appeal

By CPL Simone Liebelt, Directorate of Defence Newspapers - filed 12 January 2005

A packed crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) were given a treat during the World Cricket Tsunami Appeal match on Monday January 10 when two Air Force Hercules made a special appearance between innings.

A C130J from No. 37 Squadron and C130H from No. 36 Squadron made two low fly-pasts over the ground in different formations in a show of support to the fundraising event held between Asia and the Rest of the World.

Air Vice Marshal Christopher Spence, Commander Joint Logistics, provided commentary as the two Hercules models flew together in a rare display to mark the ADF's contribution to disaster relief efforts.

They started with a slow pass in a line of stern formation, followed by a fast echelon formation, before heading back to their home of RAAF Base Richmond.

Flight Lieutenant Pierre Delaine, Captain of the C130H, said while he had done other fly-pasts, nothing compared to the feeling of entertaining a full crowd at the MCG.

"It was a real buzz to be able to rev up the MCG like that, just awesome," he said.

"Everyone was looking up as we were flying over the top, and the crew could see thousands of flashes as people were taking photos."

FLTLT Delaine said while it was a great to support such an important cause, he was looking forward to making more of a contribution with his first trip into Indonesia this week.

"I'm about the only crew member who hasn't been to the area as I was left back to do this task, but the fly-past was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we were all really glad to be chosen to do it," he said.

Both aircraft have since been deployed to assist in the humanitarian relief effort as part of Operation Sumatra Assist, by transporting equipment, stores and personnel between Australia and Indonesia.

A C-130H from No. 36 Squadron, captained by FLTLT Pierre Delaine, flew over the MCG on 10 January 2005, during a break in the Tsunami Appeal match between Asia and the Rest of the World.