Lightning strikes twice in Malaysia
The RAAF and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) joined forces once again to conduct Exercise Elangaroo 24 at RMAF Butterworth from September 30 to October 4.
CAPTION: Two 77 Squadron F-35A Lightning II aircraft on the 19 Squadron apron at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth during Exercise Elangaroo 24. Story by Squadron Leader Tina Turner. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.
It is the second time RAAF’s F-35A Lightning IIs have completed bilateral training alongside Malaysian jet aircraft, following their first deployment to Malaysia on Exercise Elangaroo in 2022.
Commanding Officer 77 Squadron Wing Commander Paul Simmons said the aim of the exercise was to continue to strengthen the partnership between RAAF and RMAF air combat units, while improving readiness and ability of the participating units to work together.
“It was a privilege to be back in Malaysia working with the RMAF and continuing to build on the long history of generations of Malaysian and Australian aviators training together,” Wing Commander Simmons said.
“During Exercise Elangaroo 24, F-35A aircraft flew air combat training missions in Malaysian airspace with RMAF F/A-18D Hornets and SU-30MKM Flankers.
“The F-35As were deployed to Paya Lebar Air Base in Singapore, which allowed them to also practise agile combat employment operations at RMAF Butterworth, with the aircraft landing to be refuelled before departing again.”
CAPTION: A 77 Squadron F-35A Lightning II conducts a vertical take off from Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth.
Wing Commander Simmons said RAAF’s only base squadron located outside of Australia, 19 Squadron, worked closely alongside the RMAF to ensure the exercise was a success.
“19 Squadron at RMAF Butterworth supported nearly 140 RAAF aviators involved in Exercise Elangaroo, including six F-35A aircraft from 77 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown; a C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley; and aviators from Combat Support Group,” Wing Commander Simmons said.
The exercise gave aviators in the air and on the ground the opportunity to exchange knowledge, and share ideas and experience.
“We have enjoyed working, learning and flying together. Through this exercise we have also strengthened mutual understanding with our Malaysian counterparts, established long-lasting friendships and continued to build on the long-standing strong defence relationship between Australian and Malaysia,” Wing Commander Simmons said.
“From our air combat training missions to agile combat employment operations and combat support operations, every moment on this exercise has brought us closer together.”
CAPTION: Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and Royal Australian Air Force aviators on the apron of RMAF Base Butterworth during the closing ceremony of Exercise Elangaroo 24.
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