RAAF carries firefighters to France
At the request of the French government, the Royal Australian Air Force is supporting the Australian government’s response to recent devastating wildfires in France.
CAPTION: A NSW Rural Fire Service Boeing CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopter is lined up with the ramp of a C-17A Globemaster bound for France at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo by Sergeant Dan Pinhorn.
Working alongside the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, RAAF provided strategic airlift capability to transport specialist firefighters, equipment and ADF personnel to France.
A CH-47D Chinook helicopter, equipped with an 11,300-litre water tank, and a Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft were deployed aboard a RAAF C-17A Globemaster.
More than 20 aerial and ground crew from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service were also aboard.
The contingent departed RAAF Base Richmond on Sunday, 2 August.
Meanwhile, the fire emergency in France has already subsided.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said in a newspaper article published on Saturday that the wildfires were “under control”.
However, he said that while the country had returned to a much more stable footing, the environment remained highly unpredictable due to ongoing weather risks.
The wildfires in France, which started on 21 July, resulted in at least five confirmed deaths, massive civilian displacements, and historic environmental destruction.
It was described as the country’s worst wildfire emergency since 1949, driven by multiple active fire fronts and a prolonged summer heatwave.
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said Australia and France work closely together in our region, and Australia was proud to support them during their time of need.
“The Australian Defence Force will make an important contribution to these efforts, using its assets to help get assistance to where it’s needed.”
.
.
EDITOR’S NOTE: CONTACT in no way wishes to diminish the effort of the deploying people from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service nor the RAAF. However, the press release issued by our Deputy Prime Minister on 31 July (not published above – but copied in full below) was profoundly lacking detail and honesty as to the actual facts of the mission – i.e. the departure from Richmond happened 12 days after the fires started and a day after the French Prime Minister said they were under control. Plus, it will take two or three days to get there (22 hours flying, plus fuel stops/crew rest breaks), and at least another two days to refurbish a Chinook that was stripped down for transport. Surely then, this mission is more symbolic than practical – as supported by the quotes below.
.
.
.
Mr Marles’ press release:
Australia is sending aerial firefighting assets and teams to support the response to devastating wildfires in France.
A CH-47D Chinook helicopter, equipped with an 11,300-litre water tank, and a Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft will be deployed to France, accompanied by 24 highly skilled aerial and ground crew from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).
Together, they will support around-the-clock firefighting operations, providing much-needed relief to emergency services responding on the ground.
The wildfires in France are among the worst the country has experienced in decades, driven by multiple active fire fronts and a prolonged summer heatwave.
The NSW RFS is internationally recognised as an expert in bushfire management and represents the very best of Australian emergency management capability.
The assistance is being provided in response to a request from the French Government. It will be delivered in close partnership with the Australian Defence Force, which will support the rapid deployment of personnel, aircraft and equipment through strategic airlift and logistics.
The deployment will take place in coming days.
Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles:
“Australia and France work closely together in our region, and we are proud to be supporting them now during their time of need.
“The Australian Defence Force will make an important contribution to these efforts, using its assets to help get assistance to where it’s needed.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong:
“France is a close and valued friend of Australia, and we stand with the French people as they respond to these devastating wildfires.”
“The scale of these fires is immense, and it is in moments like these that the strength of our partnership and solidarity is most evident.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain:
“Having seen firsthand the severe impacts bushfires have had on both my own community and many others across Australia, my heart goes out to the people of France.
“Australia has some of the finest fire-fighting capability on the planet and we are only too happy to do whatever we can to assist, just as France came to our aid during the 2019-2020 Black Summer Bushfires.
“I want to thank the emergency services personnel who are travelling to France. I wish you a safe deployment.”
Quotes attributable to the NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:
“Our emergency services are proud to support our international partners in their time of need, and the Chinook will be a welcome boost to French firefighting capabilities with its large water storage and night-time capabilities.”
“The deployment of RFS personnel, the Chinook and Bell 412 support aircraft, together with the ongoing work of the Marie Bashir large air tanker in the US, demonstrates the depth of capability NSW can deliver during major fire emergencies.”
.
.
.
.
