Ask The Pilot

[OZDUCK]

I just saw on FR25 that a C-40 Clipper of the US Navy landed at Cocos Island (departed from Darwin).

Any clues why the US Navy would do such a run?

An uninformed suggestion would be that it is on its way to the secretive Diego Garcia base. Darwin to Cocos 3,680 km and Cocos to Diego Garcia 2,700 km. Seems like a nice refueling spot with no unwelcome eyes around.

 

[markis10]

That aircraft originated in Japan and tracked via Guam to DRW, likely Admiral Stephen Koehler the current PACFLT commander, maybe picked up some pax in DRW ex weekend Shangri-La junket in SIN

 

[exLXCXFF]

An uninformed suggestion would be that it is on its way to the secretive Diego Garcia base.

That is likely spot on - the aircraft is currently exactly in that vicinity.

How is jet fuel getting to Cocos / Christmas for refilling? Is there a cargo ship for that specifically?

 

[OZDUCK]

Viva Energy Aust. Supply petrol, diesel and jet fuel to Cocos and from what I can see it comes via ship from Fremantle.