Pope Francis hitches a ride with RAAF C130 Hercules in Papua New Guinea

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) recently undertook a special mission by giving Pope Francis a lift on a C130-J military aircraft to reach remote areas in Papua New Guinea.

On September 8, 2024, the RAAF’s 37 Squadron and 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron flew two C-130Js from RAAF Base Richmond (XRH) to Port Moresby Airport (POM)  to provide air mobility assistance for Pope Francis and the Papal delegation.

What an incredible honour! Personnel from 37 Squadron and 3 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron had the unique opportunity to meet Pope Francis while providing air mobility assistance. ✈️🙏📖 | https://t.co/YfFCNZWFNs pic.twitter.com/NMvSpJXsN7— Royal Australian Air Force (@AusAirForce) September 28, 2024From Port Moresby, the Pope, along with his wheelchair, Popemobile and the Papal team, then flew to Vanimo, located in the northwest area of the country, close to the border with  Indonesia.

Executive Officer 37 Squadron, Squadron Leader Jacob Ralph, said that access to these remote communities in Papua New Guinea was made possible by the C-130J’s unique capability.

“The combination of capacity coupled with the ability to land on unsealed runways meant the C-130J was the only RAAF aircraft suitable to assist,” Ralph said in a statement.

“It was an honor to be able to lead this unique and historical task, and fantastic that every member of the detachment got to meet His Holiness in person before the mission,” Ralph added.

The distance between Port Moresby and Vanimo is less than 1,000 kilometers, but the RAAF’s preparation and reconnaissance for the holy mission began in June 2024, three months prior to the flight.

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