This was one of two RAN 723 Squadron A-109s that had just arrived at Essendon to operate in support of the 'Black Saturday' bushfire-fighting operations. It wears a 'summer uniform' white scheme (the RAN's other two are black and grey). This helo originally operated as an EMS aircraft, based in the French city of Laon from May 2002 and using the temporary Italian rego I-LAON. It was later re-registered F-GLEI. It came to Australia with the temporary registration VH-NPX before being leased to the RAN.