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Coalition detachment perfects multitasking, resupplies forces

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson, photos by Staff Sgt. Josh Garcia
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Flexible, adaptable and jack-of-all-trades are often descriptions applicable to Airmen and Soldiers in the field, but rarely is it as integrated in the day-to-day operations as with the Australian detachment here.

The Royal Australian Air Force detachment, deployed from RAAF Base Richmond, flies the C-130J Hercules on resupply missions to support their country's defense forces in Afghanistan. They deployed here in 2003 and initially supported forces throughout much of Southwest Asia.

The aircraft are from their home unit of the Number 37 Squadron, Air Lift Group in Sydney. However, many of the support personnel come from various units throughout the RAAF and merge their talents to support the mission.

"The crew is dedicated -- a cohesive group, which is very important," said Squadron Leader Matt Hetherington, who arrived a few weeks ago to command the C-130 air and maintenance element.

The task group comprising the C-130 element here is commanded by Wing Commander Peter Donaldson. SQNLDR Hetherington's counterpart, Squadron Leader Shane Smith, oversees the detachment's support element.

The support for ground operations, logistics, motor pool, air movements, medical, communications, force protection, administration, pay and finance is all combined into one section, said Sergeant Michael Aram, an explosives disposal technician on his second deployment here. Basically, if it doesn't involve maintenance or flying, then it is part of the detachment's support section.

"We are unique compared to the major coalition units here in that we are a small element. Yet we need to cover all of the aspects required of a larger unit," said SQNLDR Hetherington who has experience commanding deployed units including tsunami relief efforts in Indonesia in 2005. "We deploy as a complete force but we plug into the [base's] other elements."

Much like the support section, maintenance is also consolidated and handled by a smaller pool of skilled technicians.

"Unlike the United States Air Force, where maintenance is broken down into specific teams, ours encompasses everything," said Corporal Mark Quemard, an avionics technician on his second deployment here. "The maintenance of electronics and navigation equipment are all combined. So instead of knowing one system, we know a little bit about everything."

The system works well for the detachment as operations are going well this rotation, the corporal said.

"The days are long in maintenance but everyone has high spirits. It's important to keep your sense of humor," CPL Quemard said.

Being small also requires flexibility. The maintainers will sometimes go with the planes on the longer missions so they can provide maintenance servicing when on the ground at other locations where support otherwise wouldn't exist, CPL Quemard said.

Last month, the RAAF celebrated 50 years of C-130 operations, having received their first C-130 on Dec. 5, 1958.

The Hercules has served the RAAF well and the maintenance process generates successful missions, according to Flight Sergeant Todd Savage, second in charge of the detachment's maintenance section.

Being deployed hasn't stopped them from honoring their cultural traditions here.
On January 26, the detachment celebrated Australia Day, which marks the first landing of boats in Sydney Cove in 1788, said Chaplain Ian Whitley.

"Australia Day is a day of national pride," SQNLDR Hetherington said. "We took a few hours off to hold events, which included a HUMVEE pull, boat race obstacle course and [flip flop] throwing competition."

Some U.S. Airmen also joined the festivities fared very well in the boat race and flip flop throw, SQNLDR Hetherington said.

The Royal Australian Air Force may be the youngest of the three armed Services in the Australian Defence Force, or ADF, but the RAAF is the second-oldest independent and permanent air force in the world after United Kingdom's Royal Air Force.

RAAF's origins can be found in the Australian Flying Corps of World War I, but the Air Force was not established as a separate organization until 1921. During World War II, the RAAF peaked at more than 182,000 personnel and 6,200 aircraft in 61 squadrons. Today the RAAF employs about 13,500 men and women, supported by 2,800 Air Force Reservists and 900 civilian public servants.

This small air force has achieved many accomplishments since its inception. The detachment here is no exception reaching milestones such as moving 50 million pounds of cargo and 100,000 passengers since the Australian C-130 contingent was assigned to this operational theater.

These Airmen are proud of the capabilities but are also dedicated partners to coalition forces.

"We absolutely value the support of the team of the 379th," SQNLDR Hetherington said. "Without the coalition and American forces here we wouldn't be as effective in achieving our airlift mission."