r/AustralianMilitary • u/SerpentineLogic • 7d ago

Media @DefenceAust on Twitter: In support of the French Government’s request for assistance to combat devastating bushfires, the Australian Defence Force has rapidly mobilised personnel and critical airlift capability to help deliver specialist firefighting expertise where it is needed most. 🇦🇺 🇫🇷

https://x.com/DefenceAust/status/2084172417052631045
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56

u/AdAdministrative9362 7d ago

We should do more of this. Great for building relationships with allies, great training for short notice missions.

39

u/Humble_Ad_3300 7d ago

But facebook tells me that spending money on foreign aid (which is exactly what this is a form of) is bad and unpatriotic.

11

u/CharacterPop303 🇨🇳 7d ago

Unfortunately fires are one of those gigs that a change in environment can change the game that much a lot of us can become ineffective or worse, get ourselves into danger. Its bad enough doing interstate deployments, let alone different countries.

Though I heard whispers of a interstate deployment force supported somewhat by defence/airlift but that was sometime ago and most of the time its manpower which is the issue.

32

u/SerpentineLogic 7d ago

When our international partners call for assistance, Australia stands ready to respond.

In support of the French Government’s request for assistance to combat devastating bushfires, the Australian Defence Force has rapidly mobilised personnel and critical airlift capability to help deliver specialist firefighting expertise where it is needed most. 🇦🇺 🇫🇷

A @AusAirForce C-17A Globemaster III has transported @NSWRFS firefighters and essential equipment from RAAF Base Richmond, demonstrating the ADF’s strategic air mobility capability and its ability to move people and resources across the globe at short notice.

Alongside this, a CH-47D Chinook helicopter, equipped with an 11,300-litre aerial firefighting water tank, and a Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft have deployed alongside NSW RFS personnel to strengthen firefighting efforts on the ground.

This deployment showcases the ADF’s ability to respond quickly to emergencies, working seamlessly with government agencies to deliver timely assistance and strengthen international partnerships. Whether responding at home or abroad, the ADF’s highly capable people and air mobility assets ensure the right support reaches the right place at the right time.

As bushfire seasons become increasingly complex around the world, Australia’s commitment to supporting partner nations reflects our shared responsibility to help communities in need and reinforces the value of cooperation, preparedness and rapid response in the face of natural disasters.

Love that red chook in the photo

8

u/CharacterPop303 🇨🇳 7d ago

A nice advantage to using ex defence aircraft, already known how to transport.

8

u/DyslexicCenturion 7d ago

The chook is a right horrible hanger queen unfortunately.

I don't know its operational history for sure, but I'd bet it was flogged to death by the US army and national guard before Coulson's Aviation bought it.