Last Of Five New King Airs To Be Delivered To RAAF No. 38 Squadron This Year

No. 38 Squadron at RAAF Townsville will soon receive the eighth and final King Air Interim Light Transport, Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science announced Tuesday. Three King Airs were handed over from Army's No. 173 Air Surveillance Squadron in November 2009.

The aircraft, which arrived earlier this week, is one of five brand new King Airs that have been delivered to No. 38 Squadron this year. All eight are operated under lease from Hawker Pacific. "No. 38 Squadron's success with the King Air is the result of a 'one team' Defence/Industry approach at RAAF Base Townsville, in which Air Force personnel are working closely with Hawker Pacific staff," Mr Combet said.

"Hawker Pacific and the Defence Materiel Organization's Training Aircraft Systems Program Office deserve credit for their efforts in providing very effective support. The King Air is an interim replacement for the Caribou and is already proving to be a reliable and efficient light transport. The King Air provides a flexible means of achieving Australian Defence Force tasks across the region," Mr Combet said.

Combet added the King Airs make it possible for the Air Force to train new pilots and technicians on an aircraft with modern avionics and turboprop engines, and then transition these personnel to bigger and more complex platforms, such as the C-130J, C-17, Wedgetail, and soon, the KC-30A.

"At the same time, No. 38 Squadron is providing an operational capability," he said. "The King Airs have flown missions to New Zealand, Malaysia, and across Australia for the Australian Defence Force."

FMI: www.raaf.gov.au