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Defence has confirmed it has moved a number of its aircraft based at RAAF Base Amberley due to flooding.
The south-west Brisbane base is home to F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighters, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, and C-17A Globemaster III heavy transport aircraft.
In a statement to Defence Connect, Defence said it had “repositioned” the aircraft and could even fly them 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.”
⛈️Friday’s Thunderstorm Forecast: Isolated severe storms with the risk of localised heavy rain, damaging winds possible in #SEQLD this afternoon. Catchments are saturated so creeks and streams will respond quickly to any heavy, short duration rainfall. ⚠️https://t.co/CQJkcamqzO pic.twitter.com/85uQRWmXbN
— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 4, 2022
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 rainfall.
Minister 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.
As of Friday, flooding in Queensland alone has killed 10 people, with the latest being a 53-year-old Brisbane man who was found dead under a wharf in the Brisbane River.
Thousands of properties in the region have already been damaged, dozens of schools closed and 60,000 insurance claims lodged between Queensland and NSW.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned while storms are easing, more rainfall remains a huge threat in the already flooded region.
