10 June 2025
Loadmasters from four partner nations proved their interoperable readiness in the latest air mobility exercise, training to operate foreign force aircraft as effortlessly as borrowing a mate’s car.
Under Exercise Global Dexterity 25-1, ground and aircrew from the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and United States Pacific Air Forces showcased their versatility, conducting mixed crew flying aboard each other’s C-17 Globemaster III variants.
RAF loadmaster Sergeant Iain Blears likened the experience to borrowing a friend’s car.
“Once you figure out where the controls are, you already know how to drive,” Sergeant Blears said.
“That’s how it works when operating our partner nation’s aircraft. The principles are very much the same – we just go about the task as normal.”
For those RAF loadmasters, returning to Australia for Global Dexterity was a special reunion, as RAF C-17 crews conduct their loadmaster employment training at RAAF Base Amberley.
The three-month specialised course includes extensive training on the C-17 aircraft systems, enabling loadmasters to work with allied mobility operations and foreign crews quickly – no matter the emblem on the tail.
“I’m thrilled, happy and proud to back at RAAF Base Amberley,” Sergeant Blears said.
“It’s an opportunity to refine our skillsets, learn from each other’s techniques and prove that we can operate seamlessly as a combined team.”
As Australia moves towards a more agile, forward-deployed Defence posture, Global Dexterity ensures enhanced integration in the conduct of tactical airlift for teams both in the air and on the ground.
It also develops aviator-level camaraderie between nations, with iteration 25-1 welcoming the Royal Canadian Air Force as participants to the exercise for the first time.
Exercises such as Global Dexterity ensure RAAF achieves the National Defence Strategy initiatives of integrated force posture, regional partnerships and high readiness in and around the Indo-Pacific.
