USE THIS ONEThere has been a bit of belated discussion about using the RAAF fleet of five VIP aircraft to rescue more than 20,000 Australians stranded overseas because of COVID-19.  The VIP platforms are two 737s and three smaller Dassault Falcon business jets.  An even better choice would be RAAF’s KC-30A multi-role tanker transports, which are seven modified Airbus A330 passenger aircraft able to carry around 300 people, mainly in a basic Economy configuration and also with a small and modest Business class section.

As for the lack of accommodation for incoming passengers who all need to be quarantined: why not major RAAF bases?  The first three that spring to mind are: Richmond (Sydney); Laverton (Melbourne); and Williamtown (Newcastle).  All have a lot of under utilised accommodation – some separate houses and a lot of units – that were constructed back when it was policy for service personnel to live on base.  Those days are long gone, with most people preferring to live in nearby towns and cities – but the infrastructure is still there and is kept in fair condition.

The bases are relatively secure – as you would expect with military facilities – with fencing, cameras and guards, usually provided by contractors such as Serco.  Catering is available – they all have large kitchens and dining rooms – and since all three bases are located on the edge of major cities arranging a surge in meal capacity hardly seems to be a case of rocket science.  These facilities could supplement the current use of hotels.

If even more accommodation is needed, why not put up a few high quality military tents on bases?  These are quite functional – especially in this weather – and rich people have been known to pay a fortune to stay in something very similar while on safari.

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Kym Bergmann
Kym Bergmann is the editor for Asia Pacific Defence Reporter (APDR) and Defence Review Asia (DRA). He has more than 25 years of experience in journalism and the defence industry. After graduating with honours from the Australian National University, he joined Capital 7 television, holding several positions including foreign news editor and chief political correspondent. During that time he also wrote for Business Review Weekly, undertaking analysis of various defence matters.After two years on the staff of a federal minister, he moved to the defence industry and held senior positions in several companies, including Blohm+Voss, Thales, Celsius and Saab. In 1997 he was one of two Australians selected for the Thomson CSF 'Preparation for Senior Management' MBA course. He has also worked as a consultant for a number of companies including Raytheon, Tenix and others. He has served on the boards of Thomson Sintra Pacific and Saab Pacific.

1 COMMENT

  1. There is merit in your suggestion however I am disappointed to have to get to this stage. 8 months in to a global pandemic and people are on social media saying they are stranded and had no opportunity to come home. I came home late January and had to self isolate with my family.

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