RIP F-111s

It is undoubtedly the most unusual waste disposal contract ever undertaken by Thiess Services, but the disposal of 23 decommissioned F-111 bombers is also a tribute to the company’s unsurpassed expertise in the waste business.

The bizarre scenes at Thiess Services’ Swanbank Landfill were the result of many months of planning. While no one wanted to see the veterans of the RAAF come to such an end, it was a requirement of our military arrangement with the United States of America that they be securely disposed of.

Thiess Services’ Manager of Sales and Marketing for Landfills, Darren Willson negotiated the contract. “Discussions began about the disposal around 18 months ago and detailed planning went into the selection and preparation of the site, and the execution of the burial,” Darren said.

In addition to Thiess Services’ expertise in waste management, the security offered by Swanbank Landfill was another major factor in the awarding of the contract. The precise GPS coordinates of the resting place of each aircraft has been recorded to ensure the site is marked as off-limits to future excavation. Eventually the F-111s will rest deep beneath the landscape as the mountain of landfill rises above them.

“As sad as this burial is for the many fans of the F-111, including me, it’s also exciting for the Thiess Services team here at Swanbank,” Darren said.

“Above all it’s great national recognition of our expertise in this business and a sign of things to come.”