A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft and 35 Squadron pilots and crew are providing air transport and support tasks as well as conducting training missions, as part of a 130-person Australian Defence Force contingent participating in Exercise Bersama Shield.

Bersama Shield is the latest combined joint training exercise conducted by the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) nations, with 1055 defence personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom participating.

Based at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth near Penang in Malaysia, Flight Lieutenant Angus ‘Gus’ Johnston, 35 Squadron’s detachment commander for Bersama Shield, said the Spartan’s role covered support as well as mission exercises across the South China Sea and the Malaysian Peninsula.

“We are primarily using the aircraft for personnel transporting – moving people around bases in Malaysia and Singapore to get where they need to be,” Flight Lieutenant Johnston said.

“The mission part of the serial is the high-value asset exercising with FPDA fighter aircraft and maritime assets as well.”

Flight Lieutenant Johnston said his team of pilots and crew was embracing the opportunity to engage with members of the FPDA.

“We’re enjoying the opportunity of learning as much as we can on the way,” he said.

Bersama Shield aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen the professional relationships of FPDA nations through the conduct of combined joint maritime, land and air operations in a multi-threat environment.

The FPDA strengthens cooperation and interoperability, supporting a shared vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.