Critical supplies delivered to Coober Pedy

The Australian Defence Force is delivering urgent supplies to Coober Pedy and Prominent Hill airfields in support of the South Australian Government emergency services.

CAPTION: Air Force Aviators load supplies onto a C-27J Spartan aircraft tasked to fly to isolated Coober Pedy, South Australia. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Stewart Gould.

Brigadier Graham Goodwin, Commander 9th Brigade, said six tonnes of essential supplies and food are making their way to Coober Pedy and Prominent Hill.

“The Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartans from No. 35 Squadron will transport food from Adelaide to the effected region which have been cut off after weeks of significant rainfall disrupted supply chains across the state,” Brigadier Goodwin said.

“The first flight left on Monday January 31, to deliver critical food items and the ADF is ready to support the effected community.”

South Australian State Emergency Services’ deputy chief officer, Ms Liz Connell, said there were six flights scheduled over January 31 and February 1, carrying a total 20 tonnes of food.

CAPTION: South Australian State Emergency Services personnel and RAAF members help unload emergency supplies from a RAAF C-27J on the apron at Coober Pedy airport. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvhill.

“I am very pleased to see our emergency food supplies reach Coober Pedy, and particularly thankful to the Australian Defence Force for their support,” Ms Connell said.

“We have been working closely with the local far-north South Australian community and continue to monitor the environmental situation.”

The C-27J Spartans from No. 35 Squadron flew from home base at RAAF Base Amberley into RAAF Base Edinburgh on January 30 in preparation for the mission.

The Spartan is a light tactical transport able to airlift of people, equipment and supplies in Australia, using airfields and airports that are unsuitable for larger transport aircraft.

Aviators from No. 35 Squadron will conduct multiple flights over this week in order to assist the South Australian Government with the supply of critical food items to the remote South Australian communities.

CAPTION: A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan transport aircraft from 35 Squadron on the taxiway of Coober Pedy airport delivers critical food supplies after the region was cut-off by floodwaters caused by significant rainfall. Photo by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvhill.

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