Our Journey

The first contingent of the 92 Air Force personnel deploying under Operation Pakistan Assist II flew into Multan in the Punjab. In July 2010 central Pakistan was devastated by the worst flooding in that nation's history, leaving 2000 dead and 21 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Australia responded to the crisis by sending Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft with aid, personnel and equipment.

A C-17A Globemaster from No 36 Squadron arrived in the early hours at Yokota Airbase, west of Tokyo in Japan, bringing an Emergency Services Task Force (made up of police, fire and ambulance personnel from NSW, ACT and Queensland) to help with urban search and rescue work following a powerful earthquake and devastating tsunami on 11 March. The aircraft remained in Japan for two weeks before returning on 25 March; during that period it undertook 23 sorties, providing intra-country airlift of vital stores and equipment. More than 450 tonnes of cargo, including 41 vehicles and 135 passengers, was moved to disaster areas throughout Japan. Two additional C-17s also undertook a mission from Australia, carrying a remotely operated water cannon system (supplied by the Bechtel corporation at the request of the United States) to assist with efforts to contain radiation leakage at a damaged nuclear reactor at Fukushima.

In response to Cyclone Pam striking Vanuatu over 13-14 March 2015, RAAF C-17 and C-130J aircraft from Nos 36 and 37 Squadrons arrived with relief and medical supplies on this day. The Air Force response to the disaster was rapid and all encompassing. An AP-3C Orion from No 92 Wing, already in the area conducting fishery patrols, was tasked to conduct reconnaissance and damage assessment flights, while another AP-3C was dispatched from RAAF Base Edinburgh to assist. No 38 Squadron deployed its Kings Air A350 to assist with both evacuation and damage assessments. Included in this response were personnel from No 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (No 3 AME). On this first day alone No 3 AME assisted with the evacuation of 253 people, 11 of whom required medical care and flight. Around the clock flights delivered additional food, water and medical aid with 200 pallets arriving in the first month alone. 

Following a devastating earthquake on April 25th 2015, the Australian Defence Force delivered over 13 tonnes of Australian Aid to Nepal and evacuated 106 Australian and other foreign nationals to Thailand.

Using two RAAF C-17A Globemaster III strategic airlift aircraft, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-supplied aid was flown into Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. Civilian evacuees then boarded the aircraft and were flown out to Bangkok.

The C-17s also carried into Kathmandu five Defence personnel who were then integrated into the staff of the Australian Embassy to assist with the Australian Government response to the disaster.

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster III undertook a trial flight to Antarctica on this day, as part of plans to explore the use of the aircraft in delivering cargo for the Australian Antarctic Division. This led to a successful joint operational mission with the Australian Antarctic Division and Royal Australian Air Force to East Antarctica later in November, with a C-17A delivering heavy lift cargo to Wilkins Aerodrome in support of the Australian Antarctic programme. The C-17A flew the 3450km, landing at Wilkins Aerodrome near Casey station on 21 November 2015 where it unloaded cargo, including a brand new Hägglunds, a dual cab vehicle that operates over snow and infrastructure building materials.