C27-J Spartan Begins Fiji Deployment

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C27-J Spartan aircraft that has been deployed to Fiji has begun operations in the country with six deployments planned for this year.

This is the result of DPAP – the Defence Pacific Air Programme – that the Australian Government offers the two Pacific Island countries.

For Fiji, DPAP fits in well under its Vuvale (Family) Partnership with Australia.

It would also see the plane operating in Fiji for a two-week period over an eight-weeks interval

Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua said the aircraft added a new dimension of the Vuvale Partnership.

C27-J Spartan aircraft crew with Fijian counterparts. Photo: DEPTFO News

While in Fiji, the RAAF C27 plane will operate out of Nausori International Airport, conducting joint operations with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) in static aircraft displays, familiarisation flights with the Fiji government and community engagement events.

The next rotation of the C27 plane will be in mid-April.

Australian Defence Adviser Colonel Henry Stimson said programme helped deepen the partnership with Fiji through training, enhanced inter-operability and the conduct of mutually beneficial tasks.

“The offer of the C-27J to the Ministry for Home Affairs and Immigration on a regular rotational basis is an important opportunity for Fiji to consider how they might develop a sovereign aviation capability,” said Colonel Stimson.

Source: DEPTFO News