Caribou

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The Caribou is a versatile tactical transport aircraft, introduced into the Royal Australian Air Force in 1964 and employed on active service in Vietnam. The aircraft is capable of very short take-off and landings on unprepared runways and is still recognised as one of the most capable short haul transport aircraft in the world.
Operated by No.38 Squadron at RAAF Amberley, Ipswich, Queensland and at RAAF Townsville, in north Queensland, the Caribou’s main operational role is tactical air transport in support of the Australian Army. The Caribou is a twin-engined, high wing, monoplane with full span double slotted Fowler flaps and fully reversible propellers, which allow it to achieve its trademark steep approach and very short take-off and landing rolls. The high wing and distinctive high placement of the tail provide easy access to a large cargo compartment, while the low-pressure tyres permit operations on very soft surfaces and unprepared runways.
Although not pressurised or fitted with auto-pilot or weather radar, the aircraft is equipped with GPS satellite navigation system and night vision equipment, giving it the capability to operate in all weather, both day and night, to either land or drop soldiers and equipment by parachute with pinpoint accuracy.
The Caribou is the last multi-engined piston aircraft in our Air Force and is our only aircraft to employ the Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES), which permits very accurate delivery of up to a 2000kg of cargo, mounted on a sled, which is extracted from the aircraft by a parachute from a height of approximately one metre above the ground. Although operating an aging aircraft, since 1997 the Caribou force has been on semi continual active service, participating in the famine relief operations in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Irian Jaya during Operations SIERRA, PLES DRAI and AUSINDO JAYA, as well as the Tsunami relief operation in PNG in 1999 and in operations in East Timor since 1999.