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The Royal Australian Air Force has deployed F-35A Lightning II aircraft to the most remote parts of Western Australia in the Pilbara region.
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Members from No. 25 Squadron deployed from RAAF Base Pearce to the Roy Hill-owned and operated Ginbata and Fortescue-owned and operated Eliwana airfields, awaiting the arrival of F-35 aircraft from No. 3 Squadron.
These visits are part of a series of activities Air Force is conducting across the north-west of WA, exploring opportunities, building relationships and exposing its people to operating from remote locations outside their home bases.
As the Royal Australian Air Force continues its operations in the north-west of WA, visits like these may soon become business as usual.
Ready to provide valuable on-the-ground support and guidance to local Roy Hill staff at Ginbata airfield was Aircraftman Finlay Austin.
“The facilities available at Ginbata airfield provided sufficient support for our F-35 aircraft, with the staff at Roy Hill going above and beyond to support our visit,” he said.
Ground support personnel from No. 25 Squadron reflected on the opportunity the visits provided, not only for the benefit of Air Force personnel but also for the local mine staff who were able to get up close to the F-35A and learn more about the aircraft.
“These types of activities provide an excellent opportunity for our aviators to work side by side with our industry partners to train as a combined force.”
Aircraftman Nicholas Thorpe, who supported the visit to Eliwana, recapped his experience engaging with the mining community.
“The community at Eliwana mine was thrilled to have us visit for the day, with around 180 people making the trip out to the airfield to see what it is we do,” AC Thorpe said.
The visits also allowed No. 25 Squadron and No. 3 Squadron personnel to execute important on-site aerodrome support surveys to gauge sustainability of operations out of these airfields, without the need for a large support footprint to implement the Chief of Air Force’s agile operations directive.
Director Regional Airbase Development West Group Captain Peter Noake said the visit was an important opportunity for Air Force aviators as well as local airport staff.
“The Royal Australian Air Force is committed to developing capable and skilled aviators,” GPCAPT Noake said.
“These types of activities provide an excellent opportunity for our aviators to work side by side with our industry partners to train as a combined force, improving our ability to deliver air power when and where required.
“The activity allows Air Combat Group and Combat Support Group aviators to develop skills to support agile operations from remote airfields.”
The visits to Ginbata and Eliwana demonstrated overall success in proving concepts in agile air operations, leveraging off civil minerals and resources infrastructure, and capabilities for combined civil-military aircraft support.
