Login
iscover
The aircraft has flown ADF troops to Papua New Guinea for a regional support mission.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-27J Spartan aircraft carrying 20 personnel from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) has departed for Papua New Guinea at the request of the foreign government.
As part of Operation Kimba, the troops have been tasked with delivering specialist planning and logistics support during PNG’s national election.
The ADF is also expected to provide air mobility support using two C-27J Spartan and one C-130J Hercules transport aircraft.
RPNGC Superintendent Steven Francis, second-in-charge of planning for the national poll, said the flight followed six weeks of detailed planning by the PNG Joint Security Task Force and ADF logistics teams.
“For the planning team, it is a relief to see this first flight take-off as it gives us the confidence that what we are doing with our counterparts in the ADF and the Joint Security Task Force will be successful,” Superintendent Francis said.
“Air movements have been one of our biggest challenges, making sure our personnel can move in time to oversee the operation, so it has been truly valuable assistance provided by the ADF.”
This was the first of a number of flights to PNG ahead of the election, scheduled to take place on 2 July.
In addition to transporting RPNGC personnel, the ADF has been tasked with facilitating the movements of the PNG Electoral Commission and other elements of the Joint Security Task Force, including the Correctional Services and the PNG Defence Force.
Operation Kimba contingent commander Wing Commander Michael Rouhan noted the benefits of deploying the C-27J Spartan for the mission.
“These aircraft allow us to get into some marginal airfields, particularly the shorter airfields up in the highlands. So, they’re a natural fit for this style of operation,” WGCDR Rouhan said.
“In addition, RAAF 35 Squadron is a sister unit to the PNG Defence Force Air Transport Wing here in Port Moresby and there’s some very close relationships among the teams that aid in achieving the mission outcome.”
In total, approximately 130 ADF members have been deployed as part of Operation Kimba.
[Related: ADF supports PNG election ]
