Globemaster delivers Kiwi helicopters for Bushfire Assist
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A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster delivered the first of three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH-90 tactical transport helicopters to Australia as part of Operation Bushfire Assist on Monday.
CAPTION: A Royal New Zealand Air Force NH-90 is unloaded off a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III aircraft at RAAF Base Richmond during Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20. Photo by Corporal Nicci Freeman.
RELATED STORIES: Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20
The Globemaster picked up the NH-90 from RNZAF Base Ohakea on 6 January and flew it to RAAF Base Richmond, north-west of Sydney, the same day.
Two more Kiwi choppers have already been picked up to joint the ADF effort.
Two Singaporean CH-47F Chinooks have also been authorised to participate in Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20.
New Zealand’s HN-90 is similar to the MRH-90s operated by the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy and is expected to seamlessly slot into the same role as its Australian counterparts.
The addition of the New Zealand aircraft to the Australian fleet will improve defence mobility and responsiveness to requests for assistance from emergency services.
This is one of many offers of help the Australian government has received from international friends and partners, including the two Chinooks from Singapore.
The C-17 Globemaster III provides Air Force with exceptional capacity for strategic lift and is capable of transporting up to 77 tonnes of cargo.
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Your probably correct, but my comments on the ADF helicopters stands. If someone in know can say otherwise, please do. Just don’t comprise your career. The truth is bad for PR and recruitment.
Why do we need help from our friends? Is it because the MHR-90 helicopters are not up to the task? We have 47, surely we don’t need more? As for the CH-47s if we don’t have enough for this emergency then; we don’t have enough for a fight were we will take losses.
Thanks to all our friends for filling in the gaps in our ADF. It is much appreciated.
Peter. I don’t believe it is a case of us not being able to cope with the situation ourselves. I believe it is a case of our friends and neighbours desperately wanting to help a mate in need, and to repay the favours we’ve given them over the years – and it would be rude to say “no thanks”.