The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) rapidly deployed one of its C-27J Spartan transport aircraft carrying 5,000 liters of aviation fuel to help in rescue operations across flood-stricken areas in Queensland.
Due to the circumstances, the aircraft was deployed under a Short Notice to Move (SNTM) directive, following a request from the Queensland government. The RAAF’s 35 Squadron detachment was joined by RAAF Base Amberley Air Movements personnel, who prepared the aircraft to carry the 28 drums (5,000 liters) of aviation fuel from Longreach Airport (LRE) to Windorah.
According to NASA’s Earth Observatory site, more than a year’s worth of rain fell in one week in some places in Queensland (including Windorah), during late March 2025.
“Floodwaters near Windorah, Jundah, and other towns rose to higher levels than those seen in 1974, a historic year for outback flooding and the wettest year on record in Australia,” the website reported.
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— Royal Australian Air Force (@AusAirForce) April 4, 2025
Deploying with just two hours’ notice, an #AusAirForce C-27J Spartan and crew from No 35SQN delivered 5000L of aviation fuel to flood-hit Windorah, ensuring vital aircraft can keep flying for rescue and relief efforts.#YourADF #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/f3SuTthDpb
“The rapid delivery of the jet fuel to Windorah will ensure the community can continue to utilise its own aviation assets for efforts against the rising floodwaters. It also assists the community in managing livestock over this period,” said Flight Lieutenant David Bolt, the C-27J captain on the mission..
Bolt added that the Spartan aircraft was ideally suited to this kind of task. The Alenia C-27J Spartan is a military transport aircraft developed and manufactured by Leonardo’s Aircraft Division (formerly Alenia Aermacchi until 2016).
The first Spartan arrived in Australia in 2015. The fleet of 10 aircraft are operated by No. 35 Squadron and based at RAAF Base Amberley. The RAAF said that the capabilities of the C-27J bridge the gap between Army helicopters and larger Air Force aircraft.