alongside and the behind the scenes view. Photos Commonwealth of Australia.
When RAAF Richmond publicly celebrates its 100th birthday next month it is going to be an incredible opportunity to see the airbase in action with the various aircraft and equipment set to dazzle. It will also be a chance to meet the diverse range of personnel who work there.
Wing Commander Andrew Burke, head of RAAF Base Richmond, welcomed a media contingent ahead of the airshow which will take off on Saturday and Sunday September 27 and 28th. Tickets went on sale on Wednesday, August 13th and were snapped up by eager public.
I was lucky enough to be part of the media invited to the base to hear about what to expect in September from Air Commodore Micka Gray, Head of Airshows, Federal MP Susan Templeman and Hawkesbury City Mayor Clr Les Sheather.
Camera crews from Channels 7, 10, 9 and SBS were on the tarmac as was the aviation press to listen and then watch as an RAAF Pilatus PC 21 Aircraft from Number 1 Training School do several overhead passes in spectacular fashion.
We then boarded the C-130J Hercules Transport aircraft, one of 12 trusty carriers at the base which are soon set to be replaced by 20 brand new Hercules. RAAF Base Richmond has been home to the grand old workhorses of the skies since they first came into service in 1958.
Sitting inside the seats are along the side of the plane (think Metro) with special seatbelts to strap you in (thank goodness) and red webbing behind the seats which I made good use of as I clung on during take off. We all had ear plugs but while it was still noisy the seats were definitely more comfortable than the economy seats on most commercial flights although we did go up for less than an hour.
Photos Commonwealth of Australia
The cameraman and photographers were based around the back of the plane and the sides to get the best views of the F-35A Lighting II fighter jet flying behind and alongside. I was very happy to be sitting well back as I watched the RAAF videographer and two RAAF photographers being tethered to the base of the plane so that they could get the spectacular photos and images from the rear of the plane with the ramp down. I felt quite sick!
All credit to the commercial TV cameramen and the newspaper photographers who braved the wind and noise to snap some amazing images and the TV reporters who faced what seemed like gale force winds and dizzy altitude to get the TV vision and report. I did a parachute jump for charity when I was in my 20s (a solo jump with rip cord) and there was no way I planned to repeat that feeling in my 60s, so I was happy to stay glued to my seat.
It was an absolute thrill to watch all the behind the scenes actions which aired on Television that evening. If you get the chance, look up all the reports on YouTube and see the lengths people go to bring you exciting TV.
When RAAF Base Richmond was established with No 3 Squadron in 1925 it began with 3 aircraft. More than 2000 people now work at RAAF Base Richmond, NSW’s biggest airbase.
Wing Commander Andrew Burke says “We are custodians of an extraordinary legacy at RAAF Richmond… it has been at the forefront of substantial contributions to national emergency responses, major conflict operations, humanitarian and disaster relief (and) peacekeeping.”
