Ok flying unit :O

The decision to off-load Pt Cook was reversed last year.

Press Release

I thought the 40 aircraft F18 fleet were the numbers government were working with post F111 retirement. 40 aircraft! Further JSF delays - and possible British withdrawl - aswell as yesterdays decision not to equip Orions with the same long range missile as the F18's, puts a huge burden on a reduced strength RAAF.

If JSF delayed, where will respectable models of F18's come from? Won't the marines & navy be short of fighters too? Unsuitable, early model Canadian F18's in warm storage, perhaps, all that is available.

The Boeing F15E lease-deal, expensive at the time, but cheap and low risk in the long run. All in the context that we have the biggest mouth in the region. ;)

We already do; it's just that it's attached to the smallest man...

All those Hornets in storage aren't much help at short-notice if they are not equipped with the same kit as the existing fleet.

The new, networked ADF requires all the toys to have the same bluetooth gizmos so they can talk to each other, the way the Tiger will be able to talk to the Abrams, for example.

And if they have other kit, which is likely, then the drivers have to be trained.

A bit different to the case of having a few "readies" in the hangar, needing only the bungs removed and a quick pull-through.

RUPRECHT

The only reason the "Fandangle J" would have to go via TVL on the way to Kwaj is because the P3 LOGO's can't accept that 25000 lbs means just that, and not 30, or 35000 lbs of cargo!!

DEFENCE MINISTER TO ANNOUNCE GOVERNMENT’S PREFERRED OPTION FOR HEAVY LIFT AIRCRAFT



WHAT:Announcement of the Australian Government’s preferred Heavy Lift Aircraft option to be considered for the Australian Defence Force.

WHO: Minister for Defence, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, accompanied by Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd and other senior Defence personnel.

WHEN: Friday, 3 March 2006

Media should arrive by 1.30pm for a 2:00pm start.

WHERE: RAAF Base Richmond

Percival Street, Richmond, NSW

The usual response is "25,000 POUNDS?? I thought you meant kilograms. "
:uhoh:

Gee.. I wonder what it will be given you can see from the road a big C-17 sitting at air movements. :ok:

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/N...CurrentId=5449

Signed, sealed and delivered (well, one, by the end of the year!) Will be good to see them with a RAAF roundel!

So, a new squadron stood up or integrated into 36 or 37?

Nannas,

Caption for the following photo is "Dr Brendan Nelson addresses the aircrew of Number 36 Squadron who will receive the C-17 Globemaster":
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/down...83_0044_lo.jpg




Frozo,

Are those load-test dummies still up the other end near AMTDU?

Time for a new one now.

Good to see. Shoulda been more.

What a great move. I'd bet money that they'll end up with more than four! :ok:

They still will have the H model. Nothing announced about scrapping them.
Someone told me they were looking at moving the H models to 37 sqn and making a "super" sqn.

Well.. better get back to updating my career preference form :E

The Defence Minister's comments provide quite an insight into both the C-17 and future direction of some RAAF bases:
http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/N...CurrentId=5450

More like providing a handbrake to 37SQN's tac capability.