12 MARCH 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n 12 MARCH 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n RAAF personnel from 37 Squadron and Australian Army soldiers from 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, during an engagement in Mount Isa, Queensland. Photo: Group Captain Stewart Dowrie<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 37 Squadron C-130J Hercules and members of 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (3AMES) flew over parts of northern Australia as part of a recent training initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The visit to north and central-west Queensland aimed to better familiarise crews with northern Australia\u2019s operating environment, and included a visit to Regional Force Surveillance Group in Mount Isa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Director Regional Airbase Development Team East, Group Captain Stewart Dowrie, highlighted the importance of the initiative as a part of Air Force\u2019s response to the Defence Strategic Review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGetting back into our north more often is absolutely key \u2013 getting better integrated as a fighting force to help secure our nation, and engaging with the other agencies that live and work here,\u201d Group Captain Dowrie said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is important we maintain and build on the strong connection between the communities in these strategic locations and our ability to project air power across the north.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the stop in Mount Isa, members of the C-130J Hercules crew met with members of Army\u2019s Delta Company 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment (D Coy 51 FNQR), using the opportunity to share insights into the region and the important roles both play in the nation\u2019s security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Officer Commanding D Coy 51 FNQR Major Graham Rorie described the difficulties of working in remote areas and emphasised how critical the integrated force was to working in the challenging conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe ability to lift and move over vast distances allows us to project even deeper into the most remote regions and engage with the local communities,\u201d Major Rorie said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The visit was further enhanced by members of 3AMES sharing its processes with Mount Isa-based nurses and doctors from the Royal Flying Doctor\u2019s service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nursing officer Flight Lieutenant Danie Bunting explained how participating in this visit allowed 3AMES to seek opportunities to better prepare and modernise aeromedical evacuation capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt provided an opportunity for aeromedical evacuation crew members to integrate with C-130J aircrew and improve AE [aeromedical evacuation] processes in order to maximise patient outcomes,\u201d Flight Lieutenant Bunting said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe invitation for 3AMES to participate in this initiative enhanced aeromedical evacuation interoperability with 37 Squadron and communities in northern Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n