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Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force members have worked together in a new exercise accelerating emergency response methods.
As part of Operation Gateway, the two air forces teamed up to practice their response to a simulated combined aircraft crash at RMAF Base Butterworth in north-west Malaysia.
The scenario focused on what air force responders would do in the event of a No. 92 Wing P-8A Poseidon going up in flames during refuelling.
Commanding Officer No. 19 Squadron Wing Commander Mark Williams said that collaborative multinational approaches to unique training exercises like these enable crews to respond to real emergency situations “instinctively and seamlessly”.
“The health and safety of our aviators is my number one priority,” he said.
“Alongside our Malaysian counterparts, we must be able to respond to emergency situations intuitively and as one combined safety team.
“Exercises like this allow us to train together, understand each other’s capabilities and build confidence in the systems that keep our aviators safe.”
Taking place at the only RAAF base out of Australia, the exercise was essential in ensuring that regional partners have the same knowledge, processes and skills that would be needed in a legitimate emergency.
Detachment Commander Operation Gateway Squadron Leader Justin McCoy emphasised this point, saying the RAAF uses these exercises to “[know] we are supported by highly capable people on the ground”.
“Whether it’s routine operations or an emergency situation, this exercise demonstrates that Australian and Malaysian personnel stand ready to work together when it matters most.”
Operation Gateway is one of the longest continuing overseas operations, being active since 1981 in conducting maritime surveillance and training operations across south-east Asia.
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