Fed: Cosgrove defends joint travel
CANBERRA, Dec 20 AAP - Defence force chief General Peter Cosgrove today defended travellingon the same aircraft as Prime Minister John Howard, despite safety and security concerns.
His comments followed an incident last night when mechanical concerns forced an aircraftcarrying both men to turn back to Perth.
General Cosgrove said flying together created good opportunities to talk.
"I would say that given the fact that Royal Australian Air Force is the finest airforce in the world, I would be confident to ride with them anywhere, anytime," he saidon the Nine Network.
"Last night proved it. They have taken me into battle. From my point of view thereis none better."
The near-new Challenger VIP aircraft was about an hour out of Perth yesterday afternoonen route to Sydney when the crew opted to turn back.
General Cosgrove and Mr Howard returned to the east coast late last night.
General Cosgrove said the whole incident was pretty routine.
"There was a malfunction light which suggested there was a hydraulics issue with theaircraft," he said.
"The crew understandably and immediately did what they have been trained to do, whichwas to turn around and take us safely back to Perth. While it was unplanned it certainlywasn't an emergency."
AAP mb/jmd/sb
KEYWORD: HOWARD PLANE DAYLEAD
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