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The ADF has set up a portable station in the Solomon Islands for the US Marine Corps to refuel their MV-22 Ospreys.
The “refuelling point aviation” (RPA) will be used as part of Operation Render Safe, the ADF-led operation that aims to remove World War II-era explosives in Pacific island countries.
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Based at Honiara International Airport, a team of seven petroleum operators from Townsville’s 10 Force Support Battalion, 9 Petroleum Platoon took part in the special operation.
Sergeant Brock Summers said his team was able to quickly overcome the challenges of deploying an RPA and working with coalition aircraft.
“Working within a busy international airport has, at times, been challenging; however, good communication with Solomon Islands authorities have ensured we have been able to deliver fuel when it’s needed without impacting local airport operations,” SGT Summers said.
“Any technical issues we had working with the Ospreys were quickly solved and we have delivered over 12,500 litres of aviation turbine fuel so far.”
Designed to be transported in cargo aircraft or slung underneath CH-47 Chinooks, an RPA consists of pumps, bladders and hoses that can be operational within hours of arriving at a site.
Each day before pumping begins, the team conducts laboratory testing of the fuel quality.
SGT Summers said his team had performed well.
“They’ve performed under high stress in an unfamiliar and hot environment, in a country where this capability has never been deployed before,” he said.
“Knowing that our job is imperative to keeping the Ospreys flying gives the team a great sense of satisfaction.”
The MV-22 Osprey aircraft from the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin bring essential capability to Operation Render Safe 24-2 for aeromedical evacuation and resupply to the western province area of operations.
“Hearing stories of children playing with ERW makes me realise that my team’s role within the operation plays a vital part in helping to keep these people safe,” SGT Summers said.
