RAAF in Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019

Posted on | by Robbin Laird
09/21/2019

By Flying Officer Clarice Hurren

20 September 2019

In the valley between the mammoth volcano Mount Rainier and snow-capped Mount Adams, personnel from 383 Contingency Response Squadron (383CRS) were flown into Selah Airstrip at Yakima Training Center as part of Exercise Mobility Guardian.

The team, made up of airfield engineers, medical and movements personnel, demonstrated the ability to plan and execute support to multinational forward operating bases and landing zones in the United States’ Pacific North-west.

Wing Commander Alan Brown, 383CRS Commanding Officer, said the exercise was also testing Air Force’s ability to execute an aeromedical evacuation in a coalition operation.

“This exercise is testing interoperability agreements and providing opportunities to take the lead on combined airfield operations, including securing, assessing, surveying, defending and handing over,” Wing Commander Brown said.

Wing Commander George Hodgson, the combat support group capability manager, said the exercise gave unique opportunities to learn and train with international partners in the air and on the ground.

“It has allowed us to observe and discuss the benefits of different ground equipment that is operated at a main operating base and also in an expeditionary setting,” Wing Commander Hodgson said.

“We have been able to understand the interoperability issues and come up with solutions to recognise our abilities and what each nation can bring to the fight.”

https://news.defence.gov.au/international/air-force-demonstrates-swift-response

 

Commander Air Mobility Group, Air Commodore Richard Lennon, CSC and Captain of the A400M Atlas, Lieutenant Colonel Ollvler Luneau from the Armee De L'Air (French Air Force) walk to the aircraft during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Commander Air Mobility Group, Air Commodore Richard Lennon, CSC and Captain of the A400M Atlas, Lieutenant Colonel Ollvler Luneau from the Armee De L'Air (French Air Force) meet prior to a flight during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Commander Air Mobility Group, Air Commodore Richard Lennon, CSC stands in front of the A400M Atlas during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Commander Air Mobility Group, Air Commodore Richard Lennon, CSC and Captain of the A400M Atlas, Lieutenant Colonel Ollvler Luneau from the Armee De L'Air (French Air Force) walk to the aircraft during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. *** Local Caption *** The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) deployed a C-17A Globemaster III and KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport to the United States of America for Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 from 30 July to 12 August 2017, conducting realistic Rapid Global Mobility training hosted by the United States Air Force (USAF). Conducted primarily from USAF bases in Washington State, Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 will involve participants from several international air forces, and will utilise scenario-based training covering airlift, airdrop, air-to-air refuelling, aero-medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and other missions to enable mobility operations. The introduction of the KC-30A and C-17A to the RAAF has provided Australia with a premier strategic air mobility capability, and cooperation with international partners through activities such as Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 will further improve that capability.
Britain’s newest aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, has sailed from Rosyth Dockyard for the first time. Eight years after her first steel was cut, the 65,000 tonne warship will head under the iconic Forth Bridges in the coming week to begin her initial sea trials. The carrier will conduct extensive sea trials off the coast of North East Scotland upon departing Rosyth before arriving at her home port of Portsmouth later this year. Upon her entry to Portsmouth, she will be officially commissioned into the Royal Navy by her Lady Sponsor, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and sit alongside her sister ship for the first time.
United States Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force personnel depart a 437th Airlift Wing-Joint Base Charleston C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
United States Air Force (left) and Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft are unloaded at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A Royal Canadian Air Force C-130J Hercules departs Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
United States Air Force airman Staff Sergeant Jake Clark, from the 820th Base Defense Group, with Military Working Dog Clepa (front), departs a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
United States Air Force personnel, from 824th Base Defense Group, depart a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
United States Air Force personnel, from 824th Base Defense Group, depart a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III arrives at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III arrives at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III (front right) and Royal Canadian Air Force C-130J Hercules wait on the taxiway at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A Royal Canadian Air Force C-130J Hercules arrives at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
Royal Australian Air Force personnel on the Selah airstrip perimeter at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019. From left; Executive Officer No. 382 Squadron, Squadron Leader David Weekley; Commanding Officer No. 383 Squadron, Wing Commander Alan Brown; Staff Officer Interoperability Management Council, Wing Commander Brady Cummins and Wing Commander George Hodgson, Combat Support Group. *** Local Caption *** The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) deployed a C-17A Globemaster III and KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport to the United States of America for Exercise Mobility Guardian from 09-28 September 2019, conducting realistic Rapid Global Mobility training hosted by the United States Air Force (USAF). Conducted primarily from USAF bases in Washington State, Exercise Mobility Guardian 19 will involve participants from several international air forces, and will utilise scenario-based training covering airlift, airdrop, air-to-air refuelling, aero-medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and other missions to enable mobility operations.
Royal Australian Air Force officer (RAAF), Squadron Leader David Weekley, from No. 382 Squadron, observes the arrival of a RAAF C-17A Globemaster III at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III taxis along the Selah airstrip at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III taxis along the Selah airstrip at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III taxis along the Selah airstrip at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, from the 437th Airlift Wing - Joint Base Charleston, taxis along the Selah airstrip at Yakima Training Centre Army Base in Yakima, Washington State, during Exercise Mobility Guardian 2019.
Command Master Sergeant Jeffrey Sandusky from the 62nd Airlift Wing and Air Mobility Group, Group Warrant Officer, Warrant Officer Glenn Lyons CSC, meet as part of the Senior Enlisted Leadership during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Peterson from the United States Air Force aboard the KC-30 Multi Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Aircraftman Shaun Andrews, Gap Year, from No. 33 Squadron during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Leading Aircraftman Joshua Morris Exercise from No. 33 Squadron shows Captain Williams from the United States Air Force around the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
Leading Aircraftman Joshua Morris Exercise from No. 33 Squadron shows Captain Williams and Captain Pande from the United States Air Force around the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Mobility Guardian 17 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.