Operation Gateway, a cooperative operation between Australia and Malaysia, recently operated a RAAF P-8A Poseidon from Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth to conduct maritime awareness patrols in the North Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
Located on Peninsula Malaysia near Penang, RMAF Base Butterworth has been home to thousands of RAAF personnel and their families over the years.
19 Squadron, part of Combat Support Group, is Air Force’s only base squadron located outside of Australia.
Based at RMAF Base Butterworth, the squadron provides air base operations support to ADF units, detachments and personnel operating from Butterworth and those undertaking exercises and deployments in Southeast Asia.
Commanding Officer 19 Squadron Wing Commander Belinda Edmunds said the squadron’s role was to deliver air operational effects, which enable the projection of the integrated force within the region.
“In the context of Operation Gateway, we do tasks like aircraft loading and unloading, refuelling, communication support, catering and a myriad of other support services,” Wing Commander Edmunds said.
Going hand-in-hand with the unit’s support services role is maintaining the strong and enduring relationship that Australia and Malaysia share as strategic partners and close friends.
RMAF Base Butterworth signifies the bond between the two partners built on people-to-people ties and a history of strong bilateral cooperation.
“Australia has built a relationship with Malaysia going back more than 80 years,” Wing Commander Edmunds said.
“The National Defence Strategy seeks to strengthen cooperation with Malaysia in pursuit of Australia’s objectives of security, peace and prosperity within the region.”
