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Flooding conditions have forced the RAAF to reposition fixed-wing aircraft located at its Amberley base.
Defence has confirmed the reposition of fixed-wing aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley, with the facility, located south-west of Brisbane, impacted by flooding.
The base hosts a range of RAAF platforms, including F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighters, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, and C-17A Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft.
The number of aircraft types repositioned has not been disclosed.
“Defence can confirm that Air Force is monitoring the flooding at RAAF Base Amberley, and has re-positioned some aircraft,” a spokesperson told Defence Connect.
The conditions have also prompted the closure of internal roads at the Air Force Base, but Defence has reported that no damage has been sustained.
However, aircraft may be deployed to other locations if conditions deteriorate.
“Aircraft will continue to operate across Australia and our region in support of Defence missions,” a spokesperson told Defence Connect.
“RAAF Amberley has remained operational throughout the flood event.”
This comes as the ADF deploys platforms and personnel to flood-affected regions across Queensland and NSW as part of Operation Flood Assist 2022.
The ADF’s assistance has included the deployment of two MRH-90 Taipans from the School of Army Aviation to conduct rescue missions, and approximately 900 ADF personnel.
According to Minister for Defence Peter Dutton, the ADF has been involved in the rescue of over 70 people via helicopters and many by boat and across lands.
The Taipan helicopters are moving south along the east coast of NSW in line with the movement of rain fall.
Minister for Defence Peter Dutton lauded the efforts of ADF personnel assisting with the recovery effort.
“If you see somebody in uniform today, please stop and acknowledge the sacrifice and the service that they're giving because they are well and truly going above and beyond the call of duty and we really do appreciate it,” he said.
[Related: ADF sends assistance for Queensland floods]
Charbel Kadib
News Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
Prior to joining the defence and aerospace team in 2020, Charbel was news editor of The Adviser and Mortgage Business, where he covered developments in the banking and financial services sector for three years. Charbel has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in politics and journalism. Charbel has also completed internships with The Australian Department of Communications and the Arts and public relations agency Fifty Acres.
