Indonesia and Australia Hercules Exercise in Java

Australian and Indonesian C-130 Hercules transport aircraft will fly together in East Java for Exercise Rajawali Ausindo 12, to be held from September 17-21.

A contingent of 26 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and a C-130J Hercules from RAAF Base Richmond’s No. 37 Squadron are in the East Java city of Malang for the exercise. Both countries will fly a series of transport and airdrop missions, as well as present briefings and activities to transfer knowledge and improve cooperation.

Commander Air Lift Group Air Commodore Gary Martin, said Exercise Rajawali Ausindo 12 was critical to the success of future combined humanitarian operations.

“The value of this exercise is apparent when our respective C-130 workforces provide a coordinated response in the wake of a disaster,” Air Commodore Martin said.

“Through Exercise Rajawali Ausindo, we can better understand each other’s capability, how each Air Force works, and what we can learn from each other.”

“Over the last 20 years, our countries have shared hosting duties for Exercise Rajawali Ausindo,” he said.

Australia has been operating variants of the C-130 Hercules since 1958, and Indonesia since 1960, making them the longest Hercules operators outside of the United States. The Hercules is powered by four turboprop engines and can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo, or between 90 to 120 passengers.

“The Hercules has been tremendously useful to both Indonesia and Australia through our long history of flying the aircraft,” Air Commodore Martin said.

“The geography of our countries means we are both confronted with the tyranny of distance when responding to humanitarian operations.

“We are both often called to remote communities where a semi-prepared runway is the only responsive means of accessing the outside world.”

“By combining the robust nature of the Hercules with professional training of its crews, we can safely and effectively support any contingency,” he said.

Media Note:

Audio of this media release is available from http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/audio/2012/20120913/index.htm/. Imagery of past exercises is available from http://images.airforce.gov.au by searching ‘Rajawali’.

Spokespersons are available for interview on request.

Media Contact

Eamon Hamilton Air Lift Group Public Affairs Officer  0429 868 794

Defence Media    (02) 6127 1999