AUSTRALIAN and UK squadrons collaborated on streamlining refuelling times at a joint mission in Malaysia recently.
Six F/A-18F Super Hornets from Amberley Air Base and four Eurofighter Typhoons, alongside 250 personnel flew into Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth.
Sergeant Drew Miller said the opportunity was important in achieving tight refuelling times and working on Australian and UK aircraft.
“For a lot of the year, we focus on maintaining the facilities here for these types of exercises or RAAF operations,” Sergeant Miller said.
“It was great for the team to be able to demonstrate what we’re capable of by successfully sustaining multiple fast jet waves each day.”
The Super Hornet has an internal 20mm M61A2 rotary cannon and can carry air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface, and other weapons.
Additional fuel can be carried in up to five external fuel tanks and the aircraft can be configured as an airborne tanker by adding an external air-to-air refuelling system.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is equipped with electronic warfare capabilities and a Mauser BK27mm gun.
It can also carry various types of missiles and the aircraft can reach speeds of Mach II – two times the speed of sound.
While the Malaysian-based squadron only maintains a small footprint of staff year-round, its ability to integrate additional personnel is a key part of its capability.
“It was good to see the team come together and put what we practise for into play, in a high-tempo environment with a bit more pressure as well,” Sergeant Miller said.
“The team here have enjoyed the opportunity to work at this pace across the exercise.”
The refuelling effort didn’t end at the flightline, with chefs from Australia and the UK working together in the kitchen to deliver meals for more than 200 personnel.
Catering manager Chris Baincroft said catering staff more than doubled the number of meals provided by the mess, with the support of additional chefs from bases around Australia and the UK.
“They’ve all been working together very well,” Flight Sergeant Baincroft said.
“After the first couple of days to get settled, everything has been running smoothly.
“The interactions at the servery were great.
“People enjoyed seeing a familiar uniform, having a quick chat or a laugh – it has been great to watch.”
Exercise Bersama Lima ran for two weeks and involved more than 400 ADF personnel, F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft and C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft, Hobart-class guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane, and a company of infantry soldiers from the Australian Army.
