First responder

RAAF airlift efforts in Padang Assist

It is a scenario the RAAF is becoming increasingly experienced at – responding to a natural disaster in a neighbouring country where Australian airlift assets can play an enormous role in relief efforts.

The big relief efforts that followed the September 30 earthquake off Padang, on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is the latest example of how the RAAF, with by far the biggest, most capable military airlift fleet in the region, has been able to make a substantial difference in lifting relief supplies, equipment and personnel into and out of disaster zones.