Exercise Precision Red
- FIRST FOR RNZAF
By FGOFF Todd Meredith
The Royal New Zealand Air Force participated in The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Exercise Precision Red 09 (PR09), for the first time on 23 November 2009, in what is hoped will be an annual event.
The RNZAF Air Load Team
Exercise PR09 is the final, pre-deployment training and assessment for RAAF C-130J Hercules aircrews before they depart for overseas deployments—similar to our Exercise TACEX.
The invitation to the RNZAF came about due to a period of high operational tempo for the RAAF. It was realised that our Air Load Team (ALT) team would be able to fit their capability gap and compliment the RAAF Air Movement’s organisation to fully support the Exercise. In approving RNZAF participation in the Exercise, Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Steve Moore highlighted that our relationship with the RAAF and Australia is important. So an RNZAF Air Load Team (ALT), together with a mix of Expeditionary Support Squadron and Materiel Support Wing personnel, was dispatched to RAAF Base Amberley.
Exercise PR09 required the RAAF’s Combat Support Group (CSG) to set up three airfields. The RNZAF ALT was tasked to provide all Air Movements support at Sam Hill Airfield, located at the Shoal Water Bay training area near Rockhampton.
On average there were six aircraft requiring the loading and unloading of various cargo and vehicles—all with engines burning—each day. All of these aircraft were required to be turned around in short time frames, which was made increasingly difficult by the dusty and extremely hot conditions.
Dusty conditions
Exercise PR09 was a real team effort, with our RNZAF personnel playing a key role in supporting the RAAF to ensure that air operations continued to operate effectively. The Exercise was an excellent training opportunity that allowed us to achieve a high level of proficiency operating around C-130 aircraft in a tactical environment.
Another bonus was the opportunity to work closely with a variety of personnel and trades from throughout the RAAF.
Australian CSG Planning Officer, Squadron Leader Alan Brown was appreciative of the RNZAF’s contribution and acknowledged that we performed well. SQNLDR Brown added that it provided an opportunity for the RAAF to train with a coalition partner.
Overall the mutual training benefits, together with working with RAAF aircraft and the CSG, provided an excellent opportunity for the RNZAF to demonstrate our Air Movement’s capability.