Australian International Airshow 2017 – Avalon’s ADF Showcase Part III

Australian Defence Force (ADF) Showcase

The ADF Showcase component of the Avalon Australian International Airshow 2017 demonstrated the defence operation capabilities of a joint Australian Defence Force task force featuring fighter jets, helicopters, maritime patrol and support aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Royal Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy. Lets now take a look at the RAAF support elements of the ADF Showcase including tactical transport aircraft and the highly capable Boeing E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft.

Wedgetail

An RAAF Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft was flown to simulate support of the overall operations where it would provide advanced air battlespace management to direct fighter aircraft, surface and land based assets plus supporting aircraft like air refuelling tankers and intelligence gathering aicraft. This unique looking aircraft is based off the Boeing 737 platform and the type has seen operational service with the RAAF over the Middle East.

RAAF Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft on static display at Avalon 2017

RAAF Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft taxiing out for take off at Avalon 2017

The RAAF E-7A Wedgetail has provided much needed air battlefield management control and has proved successful during military operations over the Middle East – 6 E-7A aircraft are operated by No. 2 Squadron at RAAF Williamtown

The E-7A Wedgetail comes in for landing at Avalon 2017 (the Wedgetail is a type of eagle in Australia)

Multi Role Tanker Transport

An RAAF Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) conducted a simulated air to air refueling display above the crowd with the two F/A-18 Hornet fighters (the KC-30A has both drogue and boom refuelling systems to be able to refuel a wide variety of RAAF and allied nation aircraft). This was really cool to see over our heads!

RAAF Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) rolls out for take off at Avalon 2017

RAAF Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) “tops up” a pair of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighters

The RAAF KC-30A MRTT returns for landing at Avalon 2017

RAAF KC-30A MRTT on static display at Avalon 2017 – 5 are operated by No. 33 Squadron at RAAF Amberley

RAAF Transports

RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III and Lockheed C-130J Hercules transports conducted tactical displays including troop and vehicle insertions plus showing off their short take off and landing capabilities. Both types were also on static display.

RAAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed C-130J Hercules transport aircraft at Avalon 2017

Incoming RAAF C-17 Globemaster III – 8 are operated by No. 36 Squadron at RAAF Amberley

Following a short landing Australian Army troops and Bushmaster armoured personnel vehicles are quickly deployed

Australian Army vehicles are away and securing the area as the C-17 prepares to depart the runway

RAAF C-17 away

A pair of RAAF C-130J’s coming in to Avalon to conduct their tactical display component if the ADF Showcase

RAAF No. 37 Squadron operates 12 C-130J Hercules medium tactical air lifters out of RAAF Richmond

The Herc is a nice looking aircraft and a classic design

Low and slow

Troop insertion

Fast troop insertion and the C-130J’s are away

A new Alenia C-27J Spartan light transport aircraft with short take off and landing capability was meant to fly on the Saturday I attended the show but this did not take place. One was on static display though and was a popular crowd attraction.

RAAF Alenia C-27J Spartan short take off and landing transport – 10 aircraft will be operated by No. 35 Squadron which is currently based at RAAF Richmond but will relocate to RAAF Amberley in December 2017

Top: RAAF C-17, E-7A and P-8A tails
Bottom: RAAF C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Hercules and C-27J Spartan

RAAF Elephant Walk

Once the aircraft were back on the ground the display was concluded with a number of the aircraft involved conducting an elephant walk along the runway past the crowd line. Unfortunately I missed a photo of the army helicopters flying above them but it was still a unique ground formation and a great way to end the ADF display!

RAAF Elephant Walk at Avalon 2017

RAAF Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft and Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft return from their flying display at Avalon 2017

RAAF Airbus KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport return from their flying display at Avalon 2017