RAAF, RMAF Conduct Combined Aircraft Crash Exercise

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) have completed a combined aircraft emergency response exercise at RMAF Base Butterworth aimed at enhancing emergency response procedures and interoperability.

The joint-training activity was conducted to clarify procedures, overcome language barriers and ensure ground personnel can respond instinctively and seamlessly when faced with a real-world emergency. Base Commander RMAF Butterworth Brigadier General Razali said the exercise demonstrated the close cooperation between Australian and Malaysian personnel.

The scenario centred on a simulated fire surrounding a No. 92 Wing P-8A Poseidon, following a ground refuelling incident. Commanding Officer No. 19 Squadron Wing Commander Mark Williams said “Exercises like this allow us to train together, understand each other's capabilities and build confidence in the systems that keep our aviators safe.”

The exercise brought together personnel from RMAF units and the RAAF’s No. 19 Squadron, the only base squadron located outside Australia.

In addition to maintaining airfield infrastructure to supporting visiting aircraft and personnel, the squadron supports visiting aircraft and personal enabling regional operations, including Operation Gateway. RAAF aircraft operating from Butterworth conduct long-endurance maritime domain awareness patrols across the North Indian Ocean and South China Sea.