Goodwill Visit To Indonesia For Air Force Globemaster
rhsukarsa
May 13, 2009, Jakarta -- A goodwill visit to Jakarta has further enhanced the close bilateral relationship between the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
A C-17A Globemaster, operated by No. 36 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, has just completed a two day visit to Halim Air Force Base, which is the home of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) transport fleet.
The visit provided TNI-AU personnel an opportunity to see the C-17A and speak with its crew. The Globemaster was returning to Australia after having delivered equipment and personnel overseas.
Air Commodore John Oddie AM, CSC, Commander of the RAAF’s Air Lift Group, accompanied the Globemaster and met with airlift counterparts from the TNI-AU. Air Commodore Oddie was one of the senior Australian Defence Force Officers who deployed to Sumatra as part of Australia’s airlift response to the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.
“Australia’s fleet of four C-17As has proven an important strategic airlift asset for the Australian Defence Force. The aircraft have been involved in a number of regional assistance tasks,” Air Commodore Oddie said.
“Australia’s C-17As have flown aid to Papua New Guinea following floods in November 2007, as well as helicopters for humanitarian relief from South Africa to Burma in May 2008.
“This visit will provide the Indonesian Air Force with a better understanding of the extra capability that the C-17s bring to the Australian Defence Force.
“The C-17A can transport up to 70 tonnes of cargo over long distances and at high speeds, which is an important factor to consider when responding to humanitarian aid efforts” Air Commodore Oddie said.
Capable of holding four times the volume of that carried by the C-130 Hercules, the C-17A can transport loads such as three Black Hawk helicopters or a mobile field hospital.
Australia and Indonesia conduct several combined Air Force exercises. Exercise Rajawali Ausindo, a cooperative airlift exercise between Hercules aircraft of the RAAF’s No. 37 Squadron and TNI-AU, is scheduled to be held at Halim Air Force Base in July.
