Raaf 707

[Gerard M]

Just out of curiosity, in the Defence Newspaper online, theres an article about how the 707 is going to be retired...no new news there. It says in the mean time while they await the arrival of the new KC-30B next year they are going to contract civilian tankers or coordinate with allies (presumably USAF).

But what sort of civilian tankers are out there?

[Craig Murray]

G'day Gerard,

http://www.omegaairrefueling.com/vms/

Omega are a contract Air to Air Refuelling company. They recently supported the RAAF in their deployment to and from Exercise Red Flag Alaska.

Some pics of the Exercise follow.

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/down...411c/index.htm

[Ken D]

and apparently Omega are buying the three remaining RAAF 707’s to add to their fleet. Two are already parked at Richmond with there RAAF markings painted out awaiting disposal.

[Brenden S]

Does anyone know if the last one will be doing around Australia Tour?

[Andrew McLaughlin]

Originally Posted by Brenden S

Does anyone know if the last one will be doing around Australia Tour?

I did an article on th 33SQN/707s in the May issue and it didn't appear as if anything was planned, Brendan, so I wouldn't count on it.

I think the RAAF will be happy to let it quietly slip off into retirement, especially as there are no airshows planned around the June timeframe.

As Ken said, they've already started using Omega for exercises, and we can expect this to continue until the A330 is inducted into service around late 09.

Cheers

[Russell D]

Just curious, how many KC-30B's does the RAAF plan to get?

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Russell D

Just curious, how many KC-30B's does the RAAF plan to get?

i think its 4.

[Grant Smith]

I'm surprised Rhys hasn't piped up suggesting the RAAF offload their 707's to GA

[Ken D]

There is a hangar Bash planned for the 28 of June fairwelling the final airframe A20-624 Richmond Town. Details here:

http://www.airforce.gov.au/b707farewell/index.htm

There are ex pilots /groundies/loadies/FA's coming from all over. Numbers are expecteed to be between 400 to 600 people.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Originally Posted by Grant Smith

I'm surprised Rhys hasn't piped up suggesting the RAAF offload their 707's to GA

edit: i just realised you meant garuda.

nah.