C-27J

More than a Caribou replacement

The AIR 8000 Phase 2 Battle Field Airlifter (BFA) project hit a major milestone recently with the re-establishment of 35SQN at Richmond as part of the RAAF’s preparations for the introduction of the C-27J Spartan into service. This follows news in December that the first RAAF C-27J fuselage had entered Alenia’s final assembly line in Italy.

It was fitting that 35SQN be chosen to operate the new aircraft, having been dis-established in 2000 following the consolidation of DHC-4 Caribou operations with 38SQN. At that time a number of Caribou airframes were retired, and 38SQN’s remaining 14 operational aircraft were moved north from Richmond, initially to Amberley and then on to Townsville.