Exercise Centenarie Redimus 24 provided aviators from No 6 Squadron with the ability to exercise agile air operations in unfamiliar surrounds during April.
Planned to commemorate the centenary milestone of the first circumnavigation route of Australia, the exercise was overlaid with training objectives to practise self-sustainment of aircraft movements across Australia's National Airbase Network.
With a flight plan that included transit through established and regional bases, including RAAF Base Scherger and the civilian Port Hedland International Airport, exercise personnel proved their agility to move without the need of a large support function.
Commanding Officer No 6 Squadron Wing Commander Steven Thornton highlighted the benefit of the added filter of organic sustainment rehearsals, a secondary line of effort as they commemorated the historic flight path from 1924.
"Travelling with two EA-18G Growlers and support personnel aboard a C-27J Spartan, the exercise is designed to facilitate us being comfortable with moving aircraft at will to smaller and remote airfields around Australia," Wing Commander Thornton said.
The Growler flight crew proved the agile air operations concept by coordinating with local stakeholders for sustainment and refuelling their own aircraft on the ground; a key factor when it comes to enhancing Air Force's strategic footprint around Australia.
"Rehearsing these techniques was a key exercise training outcome of Exercise Centenarie Redimus. Proving our ability to operate from smaller isolated airfields demonstrates 6 Squadron's ability to provide dispersion and project air power in an expedited manner," Wing Commander Thornton said.
The seven-day journey around Australia paid homage to Australia's pioneer aviators and celebrated the nation's rich Defence history.
Exercise Centenarie Redimus showcased the steep history of the RAAF while proving future concepts in the projection of Air Power.
