Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Aviators from 92 Wing have demonstrated that teamwork is the key when bringing their main game.
Deployed from RAAF Base Edinburgh to Hawaii for Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), 11 Squadron and 12 Squadron are operating as a unified team.
RIMPAC is the largest maritime exercise in the world – featuring the involvement of 31 nations, 40 surface ships, five submarines and more than 140 aircraft – and the aviators from 92 Wing found themselves very much in their ‘natural environment’.
Equipped with two P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft, the team flew state-of-the-art technology combined with advanced sensors, networks and communications.
The Poseidon is the RAAF’s premier anti-submarine warfare capability, having deployed on a vast number of operations and exercises since its arrival in 2016.
However, as the saying goes, capability is only as good as the people who use it, making teamwork a vital component, both on the ground and in the air.
Flight Lieutenant Oscar Borton, a tactical coordinator deployed on the P-8A Poseidon, spoke about the importance of teamwork.
“Having our aircraft come this far to take part in an exercise as important as RIMPAC 26 is really a testament to everyone working here together, whether as aircrew, maintenance or in support,” Flight Lieutenant Borton said.
‘We are such good mates – friends for life. We are a really close-knit group doing a fantastic job.’
Although the teamwork goes even further than the close-knit RAAF P-8A team.
“Working with maritime patrol aviators from other countries just adds to what a great professional experience RIMPAC is for us,” Flight Lieutenant Borton said.
“This is my second RIMPAC, and it is a fantastic exercise to be involved with.”
Tactical coordinators, known as TACCOs, direct the mission on board, managing all on-board sensors and weapons systems during maritime patrol and anti-submarine operations.
For Leading Aircraftsman William Gray, his role as an armament technician, or ‘gunnie’, means his feet are planted firmly on the ground.
The team of gunnies play an integral role in preparing the jet for its mission.
“The camaraderie is really high amongst all of us deploying on RIMPAC 26 – and that is always the case when it comes to us gunnies in general,” he said.
“We are such good mates – friends for life. We are a really close-knit group doing a fantastic job.”
