Wedgetail Aircraft Achieves Final Operational Capability

06/15/2015
06/15/2015:Australia now has the most advanced air battle space management capability in the world, with the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft achieving Final Operational Capability. The fleet of six Wedgetail aircraft reached the milestone this month with the entire capability, from physical aircraft to logistics, management, sustainment, facilities…

Air Load Team Support to RAAF Operations in the Middle East

06/02/2015
06/02/2015: Combat Support Unit (CSU) at Australia’s primary logistics base in the Middle East Region (MER) is responsible for logistics and ground support for aircraft assigned in support of all ADF operations throughout the MER. This includes life support functions including air load logistics, accommodation, meals, vehicles, fire services, and…

The Aussies Are Buying Two Additional C-17s

04/14/2015
04/14/2015: Earlier, we interviewed the current Air Mobility Commander for the RAAF and his predecessor. Both emphasized the significant impact of the C-17 and the KC-30A on the reach and range of the RAAF. http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/transforming-the-royal-australian-air-forces-sustainable-reach-the-key-role-of-the-raafs-air-mobility-group/ http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/the-raaf-and-culture-change-building-sustainable-reach/ Now the Australian government has announced the formal decision to add two more C-17s…

C-130J Formation Flies in Australia

03/20/2015
03/20/2015: On 11 March 2015, No 37 Squadron (37SQN) flew a six-ship formation of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft on a tactical training flight over rural New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, and western Sydney. The purpose of the flight was to allow 37SQN to maintain currency in tactical formation flying…

Visiting the F-35 Final Assembly Line, Fort Worth

03/01/2015
02/26/2015: By Robbin Laird I had not visited the Final Assembly Line or FAL in Fort Worth since late 2012. Much has changed as the line has matured, and a line stood up in Cameri, Italy and one being built in Japan. The first Italian FACO F-35 rollout will happen…

Marines Finish Initial Darwin, Australia Rotation

10/27/2014
10/2472014: In the first two photos, Marines march single file on to the aircraft as they depart Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin Oct. 17, ending the Marine Rotational Force Darwin’s six-month deployment in the Northwest Territory. The MRF-D is returning to Camp Pendleton, California, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii.…

MRF-D Conducts a Fire Team Leaders Course

07/30/2014
07/30/2014: KANGAROO FLATS TRAINING AREA, Northern Territory, Australia – Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, and Soldiers with the Australian Army, participate in the fire team leaders course here. Credit: MRF-D:5/28/14 The Fire Team Leader is a crucial element in a deployed USMC force.…