Defence analysis
sponsored by FEW FOOD delivery services can satisfy an appetite quite like a C- 17A Globemaster III.
More than 5000 ration packs were dropped ( pictured) by a C- 17A in two airdrops conducted over June 7- 8, delivered to 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion ( 3 CSSB) during Exercise Brolga Strike 17.
Landing safely on Cormorant Drop Zone ( DZ) in High Range Field Training Area near Townsville, the delivery represented the combined efforts of the Royal Australian Air Force’s No. 36 Squadron ( 36SQN), and the army’s 176th Air Dispatch Squadron ( 176AD SQN), 9th Force Support Battalion ( 9FSB).
Exercise Brolga Strike 17 is the Combined Arms Training Activity for the 3rd Brigade ( 3Bde), and involves about 3000 personnel deployed into the field from June 2- 16.
On both airdrops during Exercise Brolga Strike 17, the rations were flown from nearby RAAF Base Townsville.
Inside the C- 17A, the rations were distributed across 16 A22 bundles, which filled less than half of the space inside the aircraft’s cargo bay.
Flg Off Jake Nicholas, a C- 17A captain with 36QN, said the airdrops were a welcome training opportunity.
“We flew a special route for our own training benefit on both days,” Flg Off Nicholas said.
“This included flying a medium- level navigation route, followed by a mountainous ingress into the training area, and a tactical descent to the drop zone. The drops each weighed approximately 11,500lbs ( 5216kg), with 16 bundles containing rations being delivered on each pass.”
Airdrop practice is routinely performed by 36SQN, but opportunities to resupply personnel in the field are rare.
In the past 12 months, 36SQN has air- dropped fuel bladders to researchers in Antarctica, and also delivered GPSguided cargo during Exercise Pitch Black 16.
“I’ve done plenty of CDS ( Container Delivery System Strike was the f outside of our tr Londonderry ( i Flg Off Nichola “It was good “Not all of th support always trying to get mo drops such as th
Aerial resupp preparation to e the aircraft and good order, and task fell to the a
Lt Col Andy Commanding O members built t at RAAF Base T supported the C the ground.
“176 AD SQN delivery suppor Brolga Strike 17 June 5- 10, whic Officer to Head Harrison- Wyat