The Challenges of Deep Space Habitation

McMahon Services Australia (NT) Pty Ltd is a privately owned, industry-leading environmental, infrastructure and building services provider. Territory Proud for over 20 years, we have contributed to the Northern Territory region through our commitment to 100% local employment and active community engagement.

Integrated Construction Services

Established in 1990 by brothers David and Andrew McMahon, McMahon Services has proudly grown into a national award winning contractor. With offices and workshops across the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, we employ over 750 staff delivering projects in capital cities, rural townships, isolated islands and remote outback locations. McMahon Services Australia (NT) Pty Ltd has operated in the Northern Territory as a separate entity since 1997, with the office being established in Darwin in 2004. Growth of the NT business enabled the establishment of regional offices in Alice Springs and Katherine. Our office facilities include mechanical workshops, warehouse and storage facilities, accommodation blocks and laydown yards. We employ 100% Territory based staff with over 50 local personnel across our three offices, enabling us to service commercial, residential, industrial, transport, utilities, Government, Defence hazmat and resource clients. We have the capability to resource projects of all sizes with the backing of a national business, direct staff and an $80

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million network of modern, company-owned plant and equipment. In 2009, McMahon Services became Federal Safety Accredited - the first multi-disciplinary construction services company in Australia to receive this recognition. We are experienced Defence contractors with demonstrated successful project delivery in capital works, operational capability projects, as well as ongoing maintenance and repair services across all Northern Territory Defence bases, training ranges and other facilities. Our qualified and experienced project and construction management teams provide integrated multi-disciplinary project solutions, dedicated to excellence in delivery across multiple disciplines, including: • Commercial and industrial building construction and fit-out • Defence infrastructure projects and maintenance • Asbestos removal and hazardous materials management • Remote community construction and services • High-risk and high-rise demolition and decommissioning • Bulk and detailed earthworks • Civil and road construction • Environmental remediation • Industrial services • Mining and non-process infrastructure construction

McMahon Services NT acknowledges our Indigenous business partners Intract Australia. Together, we acknowledge that we work on the traditional lands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We recognise ongoing connection to land, waters and communities in all regions. We commit to ensuring that the land is treated respectfully and that the involvement of the local community is fundamental to our work.

JOINT EXERCISE TESTS CAPABILITY

going rogue

3 Squadron F-35A Lightning at RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Rogue Ambush. Defence image.

Held at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, Exercise Rogue Ambush signals the completion of the first F-35A operational conversion course to be run in Australia since the introduction of the aircraft.

The Royal Australian Air Force recently deployed more than 300 personnel and 30 aircraft to RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal to conduct Exercise Rogue Ambush.

Exercise Commander Group Captain (GPCAPT) Matthew McCormack said Rogue Ambush was the final phase of the first F-35A operational conversion course to be run in Australia since the introduction of the Lightning II aircraft.

“F-35A fighter pilots from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit and E-7A Wedgetail co-pilots and aircrew from No. 2 Squadron who deployed from RAAF Base Williamtown faced challenging training during the final phase of their six-month operational conversion courses,” GPCAPT McCormack said.

“The biannual Rogue Ambush exercises are designed to produce personnel ready to deliver air power for the joint force in peace and war.

“Personnel participated in high complexity air combat training and interoperability activities with other Force Element Groups that enabled them to test and practise deployment capabilities.

“The exercise provides our new pilots and aircrew an offensive counterair training environment to fly complex

aircraft and achieve an extremely high performance of precision strike missions, airborne command and control and air-to air refuelling.”

The aircrew conducted a wide range of tactical flying activities across Northern Territory, utilising the Tindal restricted airspace and Delamere Air Weapons Range.

Aircraft deployed to the exercise included the F-35A Lightning II, F/A18A/B Hornet, E-7A Wedgetail, Hawk 127 leadin fighter and KC-30A multirole tanker transport.

Rogue Ambush comes hot on the heels of Exercise Arnhem Thunder held between May and June, also at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory.

More than 500 personnel and 50 aircraft participated in Air Force’s largest domestic exercise for 2021. Fighter jets conducted air-to-air combat scenarios and dropped live ordnance on the Delamere Air Weapons Range, and a contingency response squadron activated a forward operating base in austere conditions at the Mount Bundey Training Area.

Assets deployed to the exercise included the F-35A Lightning II, F/A18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, F/A- 18A Hornet, Hawk 127, E-7A Wedgetail, KC-30A multi-role tanker transport, C-17A Globemaster, C-130J Hercules, C-27J Spartan, combat support personnel, and operational headquarters staff.

Exercise Director Wing Commander (WGCDR) Steven Bradley said Arnhem Thunder had provided vital forcegeneration training.

“It is a prime example of Air Force’s ability to mobilise and integrate its air and ground-based capabilities in response to a range of security threats,” WGCDR Bradley said.

RAAF Armament Technician, Leading Aircraftman Joshua Scibberas from No. 75 Squadron, inspects the Mark 83 AIR high explosive ordnance on the F/A-18A Hornet.

History was made on Exercise Arnhem Thunder when Air Force F-35As flew fully loaded

For the first time, Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft have taken to the skies with a full complement of weapons.

During June the two fully laden F-35As took off from RAAF Base Darwin as part of Exercise Arnhem Thunder 21.

Commanding Officer of 3 Squadron, Wing Commander (WGCDR) Matthew Harper said the F-35A was the only Western fighter jet that could carry both internal and external ordnance.

“This design feature allows Australian F-35As to be adapted to suit the threat environment and operational requirements,” WGCDR Harper said.

“This mode would most likely be used in less contested environments where rapid employment of ordnance is prioritised over maximising the F-35A’s stealth capabilities.”

In addition to their internal payload, the pair departed with inert GBU-12 bombs attached to their under-wing pylons.

“The GBU-12 is a laser-guided munition that can be employed against

An F-35A Lightning II taxis with its payload of GBU-12 bombs. Defence image.

a variety of different target types in combat,” WGCDR Harper said.

As part of the training scenario, the aircraft dropped their bombs on ground-based targets at the Delamere Air Weapons Range, located about 120km south of Katherine.

The F-35As were expected to drop more than 50 inert GBU-12 bombs during the exercise.

Ten F-35As from RAAF Base Williamtown were deployed to RAAF Base Darwin to take part in the exercise.