Providing an air bridge

King Air aircraft have been working hard flying small groups of personnel around the country to fill their deployments at the MIQFs.

We've been moving our personnel to the locations for the quarantine facilities and bringing them home too,” Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT) Matt Stapp said.

During the flights the crews have been careful to ensure they wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, he said.

“We wear masks when we’re boarding and getting off the aircraft and when we’re in close proximity to the passengers, but when we’re flying the cockpit door is closed – that’s our clean area.

“We can’t wear the masks when we’re flying because they get in the way of the headsets.”

The passengers all wear masks as well and when able to, the passengers are separated on the flight, FLTLT Stapp said.

The King Airs have also been transporting Government officials when necessary, including Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

“That was something pretty cool for the crew.”

Through the early stages of lockdown the squadron made sure they were available 24/7, “which is something we are quite proud of”, FLTLT Stapp said.

“We had the crews available and we did a number of tasks including supporting flying our personnel around.

“We’re doing our part and it’s a pretty cool thing to be involved in. While we’re not necessarily on the ground, it’s great to provide that air bridge and save people having to drive the length of the country.

“It’s quite helpful to have an aircraft that can transport a small amount of people when it would be impractical to use a Hercules.”

“It’s good that we can have such a heavy involvement in Op Protect and particularly transporting people to where they need to be. It’s one of our high priorities right now.” – Flight Lieutenant Matt Stapp