AIR F RCE Vol. 53, No. 10, June 9, 2011 The official newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force NEW CHIEFS ARE CAF P3 DCAF TO NAMED TO VCDF CAF CHANGING OF THE GUARD NEWSFLASH: At the interim acceptance of the new KC-30A Multi-role Tanker Transport aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley on June 1, members of the local media interview the key stakeholders from Airbus Military, DMO and 33SQN. Photo: LACW Rosaleen Normoyle IT’S TANKER Air Force gets the TIME world’s first KC-30A P2 2 News AIR F RCE June 9, 2011 IT’S OURS: Above, the KC-30A lands for the first time on Australian soil at its new home, RAAF Base Amberley. Right, the happy arrival crew on the stairs of the new aircraft, left from top to bottom, Pedro Martin, Jaime Gandarillas, Pinilla (2nd captain), Ignacio Lombo (captain) and 33SQN pilots SQNLDR Craig Whiting and SQNLDR Paul Bryan. Photos: LACW Kylie Gibson Tanker touches down for 33SQN Eamon Hamilton SIGNED, SEALED tional strategic air logistic support AND DELIVERED: to the ADF,” AIRCDRE Martin said From left, Senior He thanked members of the THE world’s most advanced tanker Vice President and transport now belongs to 33SQN. KC-30A Transition Team and AIR5402 Simulator Head of Programs Project Team, as well as 33SQN. Shortly after 2pm on May 30, an Airbus Military, Mr Airbus Military KC-30A touched down “I give my compliments to CO contract Javier Matallanos- 33SQN WGCDR Guy Wilson, who at RAAF Base Amberley, completing its Martin, DMO’s Head delivery flight from Spain via the US. has maintained the focus of the Aerospace Systems, members of 33SQN on support- awarded On June 1, representatives of AVM Colin Thorne, and Airbus Military and Defence oversaw ing the introduction into service of SIMULATOR support company CDR ALG AIRCDRE the KC-30A capability” AIRCDRE the formal handover of A39-003 – the Gary Martin sign the CAE Australia has won the Martin said. first KC-30A in the world to be deliv- Certificate of Delivery contract to provide support ered to a customer. and Acceptance. A second KC-30A is due to arrive services to the new KC-30A at 33SQN this month, and two more The KC-30A has replaced the simulators. Photo: ACW Joanne Larsen aircraft are expected on strength by Boeing 707 as the Air Force’s tanker Defence Materiel Minister year’s end. The final KC-30A – A39- transport. Jason Clare said CAE would be 005 – is currently in the QDS facility It is a heavily modified Airbus FAST MRTT FACTS based at RAAF Base Amberley A330 airliner, equipped with a boom in Brisbane, and will be handed over next year. to provide maintenance and that can extend out to 19 metres to support to the simulator. refuel other aircraft, and two wing- ➤ The KC-30A is the largest aircraft to be operated by Air Force. It is 5.8m The first task for 33SQN, however, is to ensure the KC-30A is brought in “This means any issues mounted hose-and-drogue refuelling longer, 60cm taller, and has a wingspan 8.55m wider than the C-17A. to service safely and effectively. that arise with the simula- pods. tor can be addressed quickly The first KC-30A for 33SQN ➤ The United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia have all “Now that this first aircraft has because we have experts was the third of its type to be built, ordered A330 MRTTs similar to Australia’s KC-30A. While Australia was been delivered, the technicians at based at the training centre to and the second to be modified by not the first country to select the Airbus A330 as its tanker, it is the first 33SQN will work towards a mainte- Qantas Defence Services (QDS) at its country to receive it. nance authority that will allow them manage them,” Mr Clare said. The new contract is an Brisbane facility. ➤ Each KC-30A usually carries a crew of three – two pilots and an air to work on the KC-30A,” AIRCDRE At the interim accpetance on June Martin said. extension of CAE’s existing refuelling operator – but additional crew, including crew attendants, will contract with Defence for 1, Defence Material Organisation’s be carried depending on mission requirements. “We will also be working with Head Aerospace Systems, AVM the Transition Team to get a special the management and sup- Colin Thorne, signed for the aircraft ➤ The air refuelling operator works from a console in the cockpit and flight permit for the KC-30A through port of the ADF’s existing 15 with Commander Air Lift Group can direct the Advanced Refuelling Boom System in the tail of the our airworthiness processes. This will aerospace simulators around AIRCDRE Gary Martin. aircraft using fly-by-wire controls. The operator is also responsible for then allow 33SQN to begin training Australia. Addressing members at the hand- the two hose-and-drogue refuelling pods on the wings. This console and to conduct the Operational Test “This means that we can over, AIRCDRE Martin said the includes 3-dimensional and panoramic displays, which feed video of out- and Evaluation program. take advantage of CAE’s exper- KC-30A was a key component of the side the aircraft, allowing clear situational awareness of receiver aircraft. “Over the next 18 months, tise in this area,” Mr Clare said. future Air Force. ➤ A KC-30A can fly out to 1000nm and act as a refuelling station for fight- 33SQN will focus on achieving an “It also means savings. By “It is capable of transferring fuel ers, with 50 tonne of fuel available, for more than four hours. effective probe and drogue air-to- at around 1200 gallons per minute via air refuelling and airlift capability, extending the existing contract the boom and 420 gallons per minute in support of Defence’s immediate Defence can cut overheads via the hose-and-drogue,” AIRCDRE Hornets. The KC-30A will also be massive contribution to Air Force’s air needs.” and operate a more economi- Martin said. capable of refuelling the Wedgetail, mobility fleet. This process is expected to yield cal and efficient simulator That capability will extend the C-17A and other KC-30As. “The KC-30A, with 270 passen- Initial Operational Capability for training system for ADF per- range or the loitering time of air- Parked alongside the C-17As at ger seats and a cargo capacity of 33SQN and the KC-30A by late sonnel.” craft such as the Classic and Super Amberley, the KC-30A will make a 45,000kg, will also provide addi- 2012. Disclaimer Air Force online Editorial team Air Force News is published Director fortnightly by the Directorate of AirForce.gov.au David Edlington: (02) 6265 4650 RCE Defence News. Printed by Capital [email protected] AIR F Fine Print. 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RoyalAustralianAirForce AIR F RCE June 9, 2011 News 3 OUR NEXT CAF OUR NEXT VCDF – AVM Geoff Brown – AIRMSHL Mark Binskin DCAF AVM Geoff Brown, who enlisted in February CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin’s aviation career 1980, has flown a range of aircraft including started when he enlisted in the Navy in May helicopters. His command appointments have 1978. He transferred to the Air Force in 1984. included Air Combat Group, Director General, His command appointments included CO Capability Planning in Air Force Headquarters, 77SQN, Commander Air Combat Group and 3SQN, OC 82WG, F/A-18 and C-130 opera- Air Commander Australia. He has also tions during Operation Catalyst in 2003, OC held several important joint and single Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems service staff positions. He was the Program Office, Air Combat Group and first dedicated non-USAF Director of Director General Capability Planning in Air the US Central Air Force Combined Force Headquarters. Air and Space Operations Centre. New chiefs step out THE ADF’s hierarchy for the next three years has been announced as the current chiefs prepare to stand NEW LINE-UP: down on July 4. From left, AVM AVM Geoff Brown becomes Geoff Brown, to the first DCAF to be promoted to be Chief of Air CAF since 1998 when the then Force; MAGJEN AVM Errol McCormack was given David Morrison, the top job. to be the CAF AIRMSHL Mark Binskin Chief of Army, will become the new VCDF. AIRMSHL Mark He is the third Air Force officer Binskin, to be to step up to the position. The oth- the Vice Chief ers were AIRMSHL Ray Funnell of the Defence from 1986-87 (before he became the Force; Defence Chief of the Air Staff from 1987 to Minister 1992), and AIRMSHL Doug Riding, Stephen Smith; who held it from 1998 to his retire- LTGEN David ment in 2000.