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A dedicated new maintenance hangar for No. 36 Squadron’s fleet of C-17A Globemaster aircraft was formally handed over to Defence at RAAF Base Amberley during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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With 5,000 square metres of floor space, the hangar can accommodate either a C-17A or a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport. It also has a logistics warehouse and maintenance workshop for the squadron, replacing legacy facilities elsewhere at RAAF Base Amberley.
Following project approval in 2015, construction of the hangar began in March 2017 and has been one of many significant infrastructure projects underway on base regularly awarded to local defence industry partners.
Group Captain Steve Pesce, Officer Commanding No. 86 Wing, said the hangar is a welcome addition.
“It’s hard to image a squadron without a hangar of its own, and a facility like this makes the job of supporting eight C-17As much easier for 36SQN,” GPCAPT Pesce said.
“Until now, C-17A maintenance has been conducted inside the KC-30A hangar at RAAF Base Amberley, or on the tarmac in the open air.
“Having a hangar, maintenance workshop and logistics warehouse under one roof makes the job of supporting the C-17A more efficient, and ensures the aircraft are more available for Defence tasking.”
The hangar also features a telescopic docking system, which allows technicians to safely access the exterior of a C-17A or other large aircraft that can be accommodated in the hangar.
Australia's fleet of C-17A Globemaster III provide the Air Force with an unprecedented capacity for strategic airlift. It allows Australia to rapidly deploy troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world.
Based at RAAF Base Amberley, all eight C-17As are operated by No. 36 Squadron and provide a logistics backbone for Australian Defence Force operations overseas. This has included operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, as well as East Timor.
