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15th MXG gives Aussies sneak peek

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo
  • Air Force Print News
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Maintainers from Amberly Royal Australian Air Force Base's 36th Squadron are working along side their U.S. Air Force counter parts learning the ins and outs of the Globemaster III in preparation for the delivery of their first C-17. 

Currently Australia doesn't have a heavy airlift capability and must rely on outside sources for services. This assistance normally takes the form of U.S. Air Force airlift or contract carriers. But in March 2006, the Australian Government announced that they were purchasing four C-17's as well as associated equipment and services. They're scheduled to receive their first Globemaster Nov. 28. 

The C-17 will greatly improve Australia's capability to facilitate burden sharing with the U.S. by rapidly deploying in support of global coalition operations and sharing in regional humanitarian/peacekeeping operations. 

"The C-17 will give Australia a new global airlift capability, significantly enhancing our ability to support national and international operations, and major disasters rescue and relief efforts," said Australia's acting Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn. 

With Australia getting the new aircraft, the maintainers who have C-130 backgrounds,
have been on Hickam getting first-hand experience and training with operational C-17's. 

"It's been a good experience," said Cpl. Matthew Brown a maintainer from the RAAF 36th Squadron. "The Air Force guys have been friendly and helpful and have given us the training that we need. They have prepared us for when we get back to our own squadron," he said. 

The U.S. Airmen working with the Australians have noticed the little differences that make up this joint partnership. For the U.S. each duty is broken down into a separate job. The Australians merge several of the specialties into one job. 

"It's interesting because they are structured different then us," said Tech Sgt. Daniel Hiyama from the 154th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. "They are a crew chief, hydraulics, jet and air conditioning (specialist). We have strictly a hydraulics or strictly a crew chief," he said. 

Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensure peace and economic stability in the region. 

Australia now joins the United States and Britain as operators of the C-17 Globemaster III. Its plans are to base the aircraft at RAAF Base Amberly near Brisbane, Australia.