• A 35 SQN C-27J Spartan. Defence
    A 35 SQN C-27J Spartan. Defence
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Although 35 Squadron RAAF ceased all flying operations with its 10 C-27J Spartan battle airlifters on 30 November, this was simply a temporary halt linked to the squadron’s permanent move from RAAF Richmond to RAAF Amberley.

While much of the squadron’s heavy equipment was moved north before Christmas in a series of C-17A Globemaster III flights, its aircraft remained at RAAF Richmond until early in the New Year because of the volatility of the weather further north.

Several aircraft together with aircrew and support staff were however on standby to handle any short-notice tasking required over the Christmas period and the move.

As of 24 January, five Spartans were ensconced at RAAF Amberley and the balance were expected there before the end of the month.

According to Wing Commander Ben Poxon, a 3,000-hour C-130J pilot who has headed 35 SQN since December 2017, the move will be completed by 10 February and the squadron will resume normal operations.

The decision to shift the squadron from Richmond to Amberley was approved by government in 2015 – about the same time as the first of the C-27Js arrived at Richmond.

“This was primarily for geographic reasons,” WGCDR Poxon noted. “Pushing the main operating base to Brisbane provides the ADF more timely access into Southeast Asia for situations like humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).”

Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the C-27J was achieved in 2016.

Full Operational Capability (FOC) is scheduled for December this year. By that time, WGCDR Poxon said, Amberley will be firmly established as the main operating base; facilities and a supply system will be in place to enable the required training throughput, and all elements of the squadron will have the capability to supply the rate of effort required to respond to the government’s needs.

Some $300 million of new construction has been completed at Amberley to accommodate 35 SQN, primarily an operating building that groups together aircrew, operations, maintenance, three hangars, and a training facility.

Yet to be received is a full-motion flight simulator whose acquisition is still under negotiation, WGCDR Poxon said.

When this will be available is not clear, although the system may not be installed and certified until 2024.

Meanwhile high level training moved late last year from a simulator operated by C-27J integrator L-3 in Waco, Texas, to a C-27J simulator operated for its own and foreign C-27J aircrew by the Italian Air Force’s 46th Air Brigade in Pisa, a significant but presumably not unwelcome change of locale.

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