RAAF team delivers critical training in Fiji

In a demonstration of dedication and flexibility, a team of instructors from the Royal Australian Air Force School of Administration and Logistics Training (RAAFSALT) deployed to Fiji to deliver critical training to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF).

CAPTION: Royal Australian Air Force Sergeant Roxanne Phillip giving a practical lesson on the 10,000lb cargo net at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Suva, Fiji. Story by Flight Lieutenant Steffi Blavius. Photo by Flight Sergeant Anne Strode.

The team of four developed and delivered dangerous goods training and an air cargo preparation course over three weeks, as part of Exercise Coral Warrior 2023, which aims to enhance military capabilities and interoperability between Australia and Fiji.

The opportunity to teach and share knowledge with the RFMF was an experience that Movements Training Development Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Sergeant Roxann Phillip won’t soon forget.

“Air Movements Instructor Flight Sergeant Anne Strode and I provided the movements side of the training for the air cargo preparation course, which was an invaluable experience for both RAAF and RFMF interoperability,” Sergeant Phillip said.

“We instructed lessons in the science behind building pallets, calculations, passenger processing and aircraft limitations.

“The students were hands-on in preparing vehicles, and also building different types of cargo pallets for air transportation.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our time with the RFMF members, which made for an emotional goodbye at the closing ceremony.”

Training Instructor Sergeant Daniel Richards was delighted with how the RFMF approached the training and made the Air Force team feel welcome.

“From a training perspective, it was impressive to see how the RFMF embraced the dangerous goods training concepts and excelled at them,” Sergeant Richards said.

“The RFMF treated us like family, and it was an added bonus to be thanked by the Fijian President.

“As a dangerous goods instructor, this experience showed how flexible a technically challenging course can be, and how to better manage my own instructional style and planning.”

Specifically designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of RFMF personnel, the training will assist the Australian mobile air load teams when working with RFMF, streamlining aircraft turnaround times by ensuring loads are packed and prepared to meet Australian standards.

RAAFSALT’s involvement in Exercise Coral Warrior provided a valuable opportunity to showcase how logistics and administration training can influence and build relationships with international partners.

The team left behind a lasting impression in Fiji of the delivery of critical training to the RFMF, reinforcing a strong bond between the two nations and setting the stage for continued cooperation.

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