On 15 November 2019, No. 33 Squadron prepared five of its KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports for launch at the same time, demonstrating the Squadron’s ability to surge to meet Australia’s strategic air mobility requirements.
At RAAF Base Amberley, the five KC-30As conducted an ‘elephant walk’ – the traditional name given to a group of aircraft taxiing together – before four of these aircraft took off on missions that included air-to-air refuelling training, a flight test activity, and airlift support to rural firefighters in New South Wales.
Air Force operates a fleet of seven KC-30As, with the first introduced to Air Force service in 2011.
Instances where a majority of the KC-30A fleet are together at RAAF Base Amberley are rare, with the aircraft used extensively to deploy Defence personnel and Air Force aircraft over long distances, as well as sustaining operations and exercises with air-to-air refuelling.
Australian Department of Defence
November 27, 2019