DEFENCE co-operation between Japan and Australia took a significant leap forward recently.
The news comes after RAAF’s KC-30A showed it could perform air-to-air refuelling for Japan’s Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighters and maritime strike aircraft as well as the Boeing F-15 Eagle aircraft.
The milestone follows years of work by staff at RAAF’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit and 33 Squadron at Amberley Airbase.
Major General Hiroaki Sakanashi and former Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz visited 33 Squadron to say ‘thank you’.
The Japanese air crews presented Wing Commander Neil Bowen with a commendation praising his team’s role in aiding bilateral defence co-operation.
The Major General said Japan was greatly appreciative of the contribution made by Wing Commander Bowen and his team.
Flight Lieutenant Kevin Baker said RAAF had received “very Japanese” gifts.
“The Japanese wrapping cloth gifts were each hand-printed with the Koku-Jieitai logo,” he said.
Flight Lieutenant Baker said the testing program was now complete.
“We refuelled F-2s during Exercise Pitch Black last year and we’re planning to get the F-15 refuelling clearance certified in time for Exercise Bushido Guardian, which will be going ahead later this year after being interrupted by Covid.
“A typical test program for a single aircraft usually takes about 10 flights, but the differences between the single-seat and two-seat versions of each fighter aircraft affects their refuelling characteristics so each type needs to be assessed.”
Flight Lieutenant Baker said the tests were demanding.
“The combined team had to work closely together to manage duty times, challenging weather, maintenance and aircraft test configuration changes.”
A total of 11 flights and 325 contacts were conducted by the aircraft in different conditions during daylight and at night.
The engineering data from these trials will allow the RAAF to authorise and train its KC-30A aircrew to refuel F-15s in the future.
Since 2007, the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation has provided a foundation for wide-ranging collaboration on security issues between Australia and Japan.
It was updated in 2022 to support the rapidly growing defence partnership over the past 15 years.
