Water bombers supported at RAAF Base Richmond

RAAF Base Richmond will be used to provide airfield support services to Large Air Tanker and Very Large Air Tanker aircraft again this bushfire season.

CAPTION: L-382G Hercules firefighting aircraft ‘Thor’, contracted to the NSW Rural Fire Service from Coulsan, performs a water-bombing display. Photo by Corporal David Gibbs.

The water bombers are contracted to the New South Wales government for the 2017/2018 fire season, assisting with NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) efforts to combat bushfires.

Support services include aircraft parking and security, access to fuel and refuelling facilities, equipment storage, use of resources including water, aircrew office space, and meals and accommodation as required.

Facilitating the aircraft at RAAF Base Richmond is intended to maximise aircraft utility and provide access to all areas of NSW in the event of a bushfire emergency.

 

 

State and territory governments have primary responsibility for the protection of life, property and the environment, and for coordinating and planning an emergency response or recovery within their jurisdictions.

Ground-based and aerial bush fire fighting is a highly specialised field that requires equipment and training that, in general, Defence does not possess.

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