OEA Announces Job in WA

This JOB ANNOUNCEMENT for the open OEA Grant position that provides technical support to the over 1900 defense businesses in WA as they look to continue contracting with DOD or diversify into other sectors and markets.

This position is an integral part of the current DOD OEA grant that you all supported last year and will play an important role in advancing this effort in the state over the next year, including supporting the roll out of the defense supply chain mapping data.

This position is based in Seattle and intended to work closely with PTAC, PNDC and NDIA, as well as the sector lead program and our ADO network, in their efforts to support the military and defense sector businesses in WA.This will include efforts in the proposed Trade & Export grant amendment effort.

If you know of anyone who may be interested or are willing to send this out to your networks, it would be greatly appreciated.

The position closes next Thursday, 20 AUGUST.

Australia Buys More C-17s

The Commonwealth Government has decided to acquire two additional Boeing C-17A Globemaster III aircraft to bolster the Royal Australian Air Force’s existing fleet of six strategic lift aircraft.

The acquisition of the two additional C-17s – and associated equipment and facilities – represents an investment of $1 billion in Australia’s security and the ability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to respond to a range of contingencies.

This project will also provide significant work opportunities for local industry.

$300 million of the investment will be spent on upgraded facilities at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland, including a dedicated maintenance hangar and increased apron and taxi-way space to cater for heavy aircraft including the KC-30 Aerial Re-Fuelling Tankers as well as the C-17 fleet.

The two additional C-17s will provide vital heavy airlift support to a range of regional and global coalition operations and greatly increase Australia’s capacity to provide rapid and effective disaster rescue and relief and humanitarian aid.

Since they were first acquired at the initiative of the Howard Government, C-17 aircraft have transformed the ADF’s capacity to transport large loads over long distances and to deploy its vehicles, helicopters and heavy equipment within Australia and overseas.

C-17s have been integral to recent ADF operations, including:
• delivery of equipment, personnel and more than 175 pallets of aid as part of Operation Pacific Assist in Vanuatu;
• the provision of much-needed humanitarian aid and materiel in Iraq;
• the recovery of MH17 victims from Eastern Ukraine; and
• relief assistance to those affected by the Japanese tsunami, the Christchurch earthquake and the Queensland floods.

Australia has worked closely with the United States Air Force to acquire the first aircraft within six months of the initial order and the second aircraft within ten months of the delivery of the first. This will mean that the ADF will gain additional operating capability within a short time-frame.

The Coalition Government is committed to building a strong, capable and sustainable Australian Defense Force.