Australians and Americans work together to deliver the mission

by Airman 1st Class Megan Friedl
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

4/23/2015 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Scott Air Force Base Airmen recently worked hand-in-hand with the Royal Australian Air Force from the 36th Squadron, Brisbane, Australia, to deliver support equipment for Australian troops operating in the Middle East.

Prior to the Australians arriving, the 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron received the tasking from the 618th Air Operations Center (TACC) a week in advance of their arrival and immediately got to work manifesting and inspecting the cargo.

RAAF Flight Lt. Nick Tickner, 36th Squadron C-17 pilot, said, "The equipment that we're taking always makes a big contribution to the operations out in the Middle East. Whatever equipment that we need is usually a very high priority."

Staff Sgt. Mark Tully, 375th LRS Air Transportation Journeyman, said, "This was the smoothest process I've seen. We came together as a joint force and managed to keep the mission going."

The 375th LRS ensured that the equipment was ready to be used down range and were able to load the cargo as soon as the Australian C-17 landed.

Corporal Keely McDonald, RAAF 36 Squadron C-17 Flight Attendant, said, "We work together so often that we seem to work well as a team, which helps us with other operations as well. I think our bond is pretty strong."

Tickner also affirms the coalition and said, "We have a close-knit working relationship with the U.S. and a great interoperability capability between our two countries."