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| RAAF C-130H in 2007 (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons) |
The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown AO has formally opened a refurbished C‑130 Hercules hangar for the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) at Bandung, Indonesia.
Speaking at the ceremony, Air Marshal Brown said it was the largest project undertaken by the TNI-AU/RAAF Safety and Airworthiness Joint Working Group since its inception in 2011.
“These projects are aimed at information exchanges between our two Air Forces and to further develop safety and airworthiness systems.
“Safety needs our constant attention. This work is important to continue our longstanding Air force relationship by building mutual trust and understanding” Air Marshal Brown said.
While in Indonesia, Air Marshal Brown will also undertake a range of talks with his counterpart, the Chief of Staff, Indonesian Air Force (Kasau), Air Chief Marshal I.B. Putu Dunia.
Bandung is the main maintenance base for the Indonesian Air Force’s C-130 Hercules aircraft. The refurbished hangar will be used for the maintenance of the C-130H Hercules that are being transferred from Australia to Indonesia.
Australia is in the process of transferring four C-130H Hercules to Indonesia. To date, two of these aircraft have been refurbished at RAAF Base Richmond, before their transfer to the Indonesian Air Force. Indonesia has expressed an interest in purchasing an additional five C130H aircraft. Together these aircraft will contribute to Indonesia’s increasing capacity to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crisis.