United States Air Force (USAF) MC-130J Commando II aircraft will conduct training across New South Wales from August 1 to 26 for Exercise Teak Action 22.
The exercise will be based at RAAF Base Richmond, and will focus its flying activity in Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains, RAAF Base Williamtown and parts of central New South Wales.
For local communities, flying activity will be similar to that conducted by RAAF Hercules aircraft training at regional airfields throughout the year, which includes day and night-time flying at low level.
Due to the dynamic nature of the exercise, prior notice of flying times and routes for Exercise Teak Action cannot be publicised.
The MC-130J Commando II aircraft is similar to the C-130J Hercules transport aircraft operated by the RAAF, with exercise participants training to deliver people and equipment in challenging scenarios.
This includes preparations to ensure both Australia and the United States can support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations at short notice.
This training will strengthen the close ties between the RAAF and the USAF’s 353rd Special Operations Wing, which has deployed from Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa for the exercise.
This will be the fourth time Exercise Teak Action has been conducted from RAAF Base Richmond since 2018.
Both the USAF and RAAF frequently conduct training exercises in each other’s countries, exposing personnel to a range of environments and challenges when deployed away from home.
(Aus DoD)