ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE DARWIN, Australia: C-17 Globemaster III aircrew maneuvering below canyon walls, landed on a remote dirt runway to deliver a team of Australian and U.S. firefighters, along with a 23-ton fire truck July 19 during a mission in Northern Australia.
This mission, part of Exercise Talisman Saber 2009, was to deliver a Royal Australian Air Force E-One Titan fire engine.
“This type of fire truck was never airlifted on a C-17 before,” said Capt. Mike Boyer, a pilot with the 535th Air Expeditionary Squadron and lead Talisman Saber 2009 planner for the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
“We had to first, find a truck; second, see if we could load it; and third, find some U.S. and Australian firefighters,” Captain Boyer said.
The captain and his team picked up the fire truck from RAAF Learmonth in Western Australia, a bare base the Australian Defence Force used for exercises.
The fire team consisted of three Air Force firefighters from the 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, who were picked up from RAAF Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory via C-17. The remaining three members were RAAF aviation rescue firefighters from the 322nd Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron at RAAF Darwin.
“It’s nice to go out and support the Yanks,” said RAAF Leading Aircraftsman Liam Varley, a 322nd ECSS aviation rescue firefighter.
The joint team’s support allowed semi-prepared runway operations, and landing on a dirt runway to commence. The Titan is equipped with a point of entry kit allowing the team to provide emergency response as a deployed fire station.
“We have everything there we need and will be able to run unsupported for a month,” said RAAF Corporal Mark Egan, a 322nd ECSS aviation rescue firefighter. “This is the perfect opportunity to show we can do it. We have a small footprint, but a large impression.”
The corporal’s U.S. counterparts shared his appreciation for the opportunity.
“We learn just as much from them as they do from us,” said Staff Sgt. Deryck Cook, a 3rd CES fire protection supervisor. “We mesh right in together.”
The successful delivery of the fire team and truck further demonstrated the need for interoperability between both forces and a total team effort throughout multiple units, Captain Boyer said.
“Literally, we worked 24/7 for a week to have this come together,” Captain Boyer said. “To actually see it happen was satisfying.”
Captain Boyer, along with 1st Lt. Mike Lasher from the 15th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, prepared for this exercise for more than a year, visiting Australia twice before touching down for the start of Talisman Saber 2009.
Captain Boyer rented a Cessna to survey the landing zone and three drop zones, and after coordinating with combat controllers, even got to name the now U.S.-certified drop zones.
After landing at Bradshaw Field Training Area, Captain Boyer got to finally greet his Australian contacts.
“It was a great hand shake,” he said.
The meshing Sergeant Cook experienced on the dirt strip deep in the Australian Outback is one of many pieces to the successful completion of operation and airdrop puzzles.
Members of the 15th Logistic Readiness Squadron Combat Support Flight built heavy-equipment training platforms using several hundred sheets of plywood, which will be handed over to RAAF personnel for continued use here after Talisman Saber 2009 is completed July 25.
The logistics squadron members also drove three to four hours one way daily to pick up dropped pallets from the drop zones.
Members of the 15th AMXS ensured safe and ready jets for constant sorties and the 664th Combat Communications Squadron, Andersen AFB, Guam, provided 24-hour support ensuring communication and mission planning personnel have all they need.
Instructor pilots even conducted an emergency egress class for the Australian firefighters prior to their deployment at Bradshaw Field Training Area.
“I can’t say enough about the guys who helped organize this,” Captain Boyer said. “They stepped up to the plate and hit a huge home run.”
