Senior Defence logistics officials from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) have conducted a tour of northern Australia to assess key bases and operating sites for supply chain and sustainment support.
As Defence strengthens its logistics capabilities under the National Defence Strategy, the ability to maintain resilient, well-networked supply chains in the region is becoming increasingly critical.
RAAF Director General Logistics, Air Commodore Sandy Turner, highlighted the challenges of sustaining northern operations with supply chains primarily routed from the south.
“From a logistics perspective, sustainment of northern Australia has primarily been from areas in the south, which would experience long supply-chain challenges,” Air Commodore Turner said.
“These activities need increased sustainment and support. The USAF, particularly Air Mobility Command and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), will be providing sustainment support for their own forces and activities.
“It is important for Air Force to understand how we can link into that, what strategic and logistics support we need to provide and where the gaps are.”
PACAF Director of Logistics, Brigadier General Michael Zuhlsdorf, reinforced the complexity of establishing a robust logistical network to sustain essential movements, including parts, fuel, and munitions, throughout the north.
“Building a successful logistical network that supports the movement of parts, fuel or munitions throughout the north of Australia is incredibly important to ensure Australia and the United States can respond to a full range of contingencies,” he said.
Brigadier General Anthony Babcock, USAF Air Mobility Command Director of Logistics, emphasised the importance of the long-standing alliance between Australia and the United States.
“This week has been a commitment to that. We value our relationship and our alliance with Australia, and understanding how we can be better partners here, in your country, is really important to us.”
The delegation visited several critical infrastructure sites, including:
- Cairns Wharf complex and Cairns Airport (QLD) – Potential hubs for logistics and supply chain operations.
- RAAF Base Darwin (NT) – A major defence logistics hub in northern Australia.
- RAAF Bases Curtin and Learmonth (WA) – Key air bases for defence sustainment and operations.