Tech Exchange Bridges Generations

RAAF

To the lay person, transitioning from a Hercules C-130B to a C-130J might seem straightforward, but for the technicians who maintain these aircraft, it represents a 40-year leap in technology.

The main differences are the engines, propellers and the shift from analogue to fully digital systems.

As part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025, a team of Royal Australian Air Force technicians travelled to Bangladesh for a technical exchange, sharing their C-130J experience with the Bangladesh Air Force.

The Royal Australian Air Force acquired its first C-130J in 1999, beginning the transition from the older C-130H, another analogue variant of the Hercules, while the Bangladesh Air Force purchased five C-130Js four years ago to complement their fleet of C-130Bs.

Aircraft technician Warrant Officer Stuart Dalton, of 37 Squadron, said the initial life cycle challenges of the C-130J faced by his unit were very similar to the challenges the Bangladesh Air Force are currently experiencing.

"Our unit is very experienced on the C-130J, so through an activity like this, we can help build up someone else's experience," Warrant Officer Dalton said.

The team's first task was to build an understanding of how their units approach aircraft maintenance, with the Australians delivering a series of presentations.

"But it wasn't a one-way street - it created an opportunity for discussion, so we could both understand how each other operate, and it turned out they're working in a very similar way to us," Warrant Officer Dalton said.

'It's been a real privilege coming here, and we hope this leads to a stronger relationship, where some of their technicians might come to Australia to see how we operate, and to experience our culture.'

The Australians shared their experience with the avionic data bus and Rolls-Royce AE2100D3 engine, the engine stands they use, and the way they manage their tooling.

Warrant Officer Dalton said his team had learnt a great deal from the Bangladeshis, particularly in how they manage time and personnel.

"We face similar staffing challenges, so seeing how they approach time and resource management is valuable to us," he said.

He was particularly impressed with their approach to troubleshooting, studying manuals and associated systems, and, as he put it, "going deep into the weeds" to fully understand the platform.

The exchange was not only technical but also cultural, with the Australian team living on base with the Bangladeshis and experiencing their traditional cuisine and hospitality.

Avionics technician Corporal Daniel Richards, of 37 Squadron, said that after work the hosts would invite them out for tea, bringing family and friends to meet the Australians and practise their English.

"It's been a real privilege coming here, and we hope this leads to a stronger relationship, where some of their technicians might come to Australia to see how we operate, and to experience our culture," Corporal Richards said.

Indo-Pacific Endeavour is an Australian regional engagement activity focused on building partnerships to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

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