RAAF choppers have taken to the skies in North Queensland to provide vital aircraft support to the State Government led response to the flooding.
Aircraft including CH-47F Chinooks from Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment provided transport for essential personnel, supplies and fuel to isolated communities, in particular to their north-neighbouring town of Ingham.
In just one day, CH-47F Chinooks landed 10 times, transporting much-needed supplies including groceries, generators, fuel and emergency services personnel to the isolated township.
Working closely with the Air Force’s 27 Squadron Air Movements to pack the supplies and build makeshift pallets for transport, the ADF has so far moved more than 67,000kg of cargo.
Leading Aircraftsman Jason Cameron, one of the air movers who has been using his carpentry skills packing pallets from grocery stores and other agencies, said that it has been fulfilling helping the North Queensland community.
“It’s a big community up here and everyone is trying to piece together, especially with the Queensland Police Service [and] State Emergency Services, and everyone from our base [RAAF Base Townsville] have been working hand in hand to help out,” Leading Aircraftman Cameron said.
One of the local aircrew flying in the Chinooks was Corporal Zachary Imarisio, a born and bred Townsville local, who has been essential to helping transport the cargo both internally or by underslung load to the flood-affected areas.
Having been through the 2019 floods, he was grateful to be assisting his local community wherever he could.
“It is an absolute honour to support Townsville during this time of need,” Corporal Imarisio said.
“And everyone here at this aviation regiment is happy to help out Townsville whenever called upon.”
5th Aviation Regiment has also been using AW139 helicopters leased by the Army to transport Red Cross, Queensland Police, Townsville City Council, SES and medical personnel to Ingham, and evacuating any medical emergencies when requested by the local government.
