Exercise Teak Nation 19 takes off

Joint-capabilities

15 August 2019

By: Louis Dillon

Royal Australian Air Force personnel and their United States counterparts have begun Exercise Teak Action 19, a series of training operations taking place from RAAF Base Richmond and encompassing the Blue Mountains and regional NSW.

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The exercise will take place between 14 August and 8 September, with flying activity expected to be similar to the training regularly conducted in the area by RAAF Hercules crews, which includes low-level and formation flying, airdrop of cargo and paratroops, and flying to semi-prepared airfields.

The operations will include exercises at Gilgandra, Lake Cargelligo, Warren and Walcha, with an MC-130J Commando II aircraft and United States Air Force personnel from the 353rd Special Operations Group to work with the RAAF’s No. 37 Squadron and its fleet of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft.

The USAF personnel participating in Exercise Teak Action 19 are amongst the world’s most highly skilled in their role, and the training will ensure both countries are prepared to support contingency operations at short notice.

Over the past few years, the RAAF’s No. 37 Squadron has built a close relationship with the 353rd Special Operations Group, which has included reciprocal visits to each other’s bases.

“Our Hercules crews train to deliver people and cargo in the toughest environments on earth, and this close relationship helps us to be prepared for that mission,” Air Commodore Bill Kourelakos said during last year’s iteration of the exercise.

“In the last 15 years, our Hercules crews have sustained Defence operations in the Middle East Region, and historically when we’ve evacuated civilians and Defence personnel during times of crisis.”

“The exchange of ideas and experience during Exercise Teak Action will benefit RAAF crews when planning and conducting air mobility operations in the future.”

An RAAF spokesman said that “all efforts will be undertaken to avoid overflying in built-up areas and communities”, with all flying expected to be completed by 11pm.