RAAF fetches fresh fire retardant from the USA

Australia’s aerial firefighting retardant stocks have been boosted after the Royal Australian Air Force began ferrying new supplies from the USA.

CAPTION: A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster approaches RAAF Base Richmond carrying fire retardant donated by the United States to assist with fighting bushfires. Photo by Corporal Dan Pinhorn. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred.

RELATED STORIES: Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster III collected the first 20-tonne load of critical fire retardant powder from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and delivered it to RAAF Base Richmond yesterday to support state and federal emergency authorities.

A second load of retardant arrived today on a RAAF KC-30A multi-role tanker transport.

A total of 117 tonnes will be delivered over four loads over the coming week as part of Operation Bushfire Assist.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld was thankful USAF and US stakeholders helped support the movement of retardant.

“The Royal Australian Air Force deeply appreciates the offer of help from the United States Air Force,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“The Australian people are comforted to know that in times of need, we have great friends like the United States who are ready to lend a hand.

“This is yet another example of the strength of our long-term friendship between our countries.”

The fire-retardant supply will be used by civilian Large Air Tanker and Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) aircraft during bushfire-fighting missions in Australia.

The delivery has been timely, with the arrival of a DC-10 VLAT and a C-17A with essential VLAT spare parts into Canberra on 17 January to mark the first of four new aerial firefighting aircraft announced by the Australian government recently.

No. 1 Joint Movement Unit coordinated the many supporting organisations required to manage the complex re-supply, working with the USAF, Emergency Management Australia, Australian Border Force, the Department of Agriculture and RAAF air movement teams on the ground.

Unit commanding officer Navy Captain Fiona McNaught said she was proud of her team’s professionalism in coordinating the complex tasks.

“There was extensive international engagement and inter-agency coordination involved in the movement and delivery of the DC-10 spares and the fire retardant from the US to Australia,” Captain McNaught said.

“The professionalism and efficiency of all organisations and individuals involved was nothing short of superb.”

Operation Bushfire Assist is the Australian Defence Force’s response in support of the ongoing bushfire crisis across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

ADF personnel have been working with state and territory authorities since September 2019 in response to Australia’s bushfire crisis. This support will continue for as long as needed.

More than 800 Air Force personnel from about 71 units and a number of aircraft are working in support of Operation Bushfire Assist, including up to three C-27J Spartans, two C-130J Hercules, a C-17A Globemaster, a P-8A Poseidon and three B350 King Air aircraft.

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