Page 116 - Australian Defence Magazine Feb-Mar 2023

116 FROM THE SOURCE
AM ROBERT CHIPMAN
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2023 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
ADM: Given the increased tensions in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, what partnerships with other nations is the RAAF looking to develop or improve?
AM CHIPMAN: Air Force has longstanding partnerships with many nations that we value immensely. Regardless of what happens elsewhere around the world, we’ll continue to work and train with our international partners and allies.
ADM: Given the current geo-strategic situation, is Air Force’s lack of hardened facilities an issue which needs urgent attention?
AM CHIPMAN: Upkeep and upgrading of existing facilities when required is a regular part of our business. Air Force is developing plans to protect our Air Bases and critical supply
ADM: What steps is the RAAF taking to ensure bases & operations can continue in the face of climate change, for example heat waves impacting Darwin and Tindal, poten- tial impacts to Williamtown from sea level rise, increased flooding in the Richmond area etc?
AM CHIPMAN: A Climate Change Risk Assessment and Response Strategy is developed as part of the Base Plan- ning process using the processes described in the Defence Climate Change Adaptation Handbook. The risk assess- ments consider Defence-owned and publicly available cli- mate change information resources. The Climate Strategy identifies and prioritises adaptation and response measures considering the expected impact to infrastructure, as well as consequent impacts on capability and personnel.
Further to that, resilience is one of my key priorities for Air Force, and we will be contributing to whole-of-govern- ment efforts to reduce our own impact on the environment and manage the consequences of climate change.
lines, and if necessary find alternate pathways to sustain air and space power that are less vulnerable to disruption.
ADM: What steps are being taken to ensure supplies of fuel are sufficient in the event of a conflict that prevents tankers from delivering fuel?
AM CHIPMAN: Air Force is always working to improve the resilience of our critical supply lines. For example, one of the key pieces of work at RAAF Base Edinburgh recently was the transition to in-ground refuelling. This improved the time it takes to refuel a P-8A Poseidon by 30 per cent as there is no requirement to pause to swap trucks.
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