Exercise Cope North 19  

03/04/2019
Exercise COPE NORTH 19 (CN19) is a Commander Pacific Air Forces sponsored multilateral field training exercise involving the United States Air Force (USAF), Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF), and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).  CN19 involves large force employment Air Combat Exercise with Dissimilar Air Combat Tactics and a…

Australia’s Air Task Group in the Middle East: A Look Back at the KC-30A and Its Role

10/31/2018
The Australian Defence Force continues to contribute to the coalition fight against Daesh with the rotation of the E-7A Wedgetail in to the Middle East.  The Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft will help control the tactical movement of coalition aircraft over Iraq and Syria, one of the busiest and…

KC-30A and F-22

10/31/2018
In August and September 2018, air-to-air refuelling trials were conducted between a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport and United States Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter at Edwards Air Force Base in California. [maxgallery id="120984"] Trials were conducted over the course of eight flights, and with the F-22…

Aussie A330MRTT Works with P-8 Poseidon

06/21/2018
Over the period 27 February to 14 April 2018 members from the Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) and 33 Squadron deployed to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in the United States, to undertake clearance testing between the KC-30A and the Poseidon P-8A aircraft. [maxgallery id="117750"] The testing was jointly…

KC-30A Operations During Tailsman Sabre 2017

04/15/2018
KC-30 Multi Role Tanker Transport Operations during Exercise Talisman Saber 2017.  Now in its seventh iteration, the Talisman Saber series of exercises is the principal Australian and US military training activity focused on the planning and conduct of mid-intensity "high end" war fighting in the air, land and maritime domains. …

KC-30A Inspection During Operation Okra

11/16/2017
11/16/17: The ground crew deployed with the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) conduct a post flight inspection on the hose and drogue system of the aircraft. The inspection is looking for any damage, which may have been caused in flight. It is vital that the hose and drogue are…

Aussie KC-30A in the Middle East

09/25/2017
09/25/2017: Two KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft were together at the main air operating base in the Middle East region recently to conduct a routine aircraft ‘tailswap’. The aircraft, flown in by crews from its home unit, No. 33 Squadron, will begin its service as part of the Air Task Group…

RAAF Air Task Group Armament Technicians

07/06/2016
07/06/2016: The ordering, assembling, and loading munitions is a full time job at Australia’s main air operating base in the Middle East region. The assembly and loading of weapons is undertaken by Armament Technicians using the necessary ground support equipment. This activity is usually conducted at night to avoid the high…