Air Force support to Exercise Hamel

Where:           RAAF Base Edinburgh, Cultana Training Area and surrounding areas of Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie.

When:             Until 14 July 2016.

Background:

Exercise Hamel is a major Australian Army exercise designed to develop, confirm, and evaluate the foundation war fighting skills of an Army Brigade. More than 8,000 members of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Army (Pacific) and the New Zealand Army are taking part in the exercise in the areas of Cultana Training Area, Whyalla, Port Augusta and Port Pirie.

The Royal Australian Air Force is supporting the exercise with F/A-18F Super Hornet, C-130J Hercules, Pilatus PC-9 and AP-3C Orion aircraft.

Until 14 July, up to two AP-3C Orions operating out of RAAF Base Edinburgh will provide overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to the exercise.

Until 10 July, up to three C-130J Hercules aircraft operating largely out of RAAF Base Edinburgh will fly to airfields in Whyalla, Port Pirie and Woomera to predominantly deliver Army personnel deployed at Cultana Training Area and resupply personnel through the airdrop of cargo. Flying activity to some airfields is expected to occur until 3am during the exercise.

Over 5, 7 and 9 July, two Pilatus PC-9 aircraft from Number 4 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown will conduct flying operations in support of the exercise. The aircraft will depart from Port Augusta and fly over Cultana Training Area in a two-ship formation in a morning and afternoon mission each day.

Over 6-8 July and 11 July, up to two F/A-18F Super Hornets from Number 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley will conduct flying operations in support of the exercise at approximately 11am to 1.00pm each day. The aircraft will depart from RAAF Base Amberley before conducting air-to air refuelling and will only be low enough to be seen and heard while flying directly over Cultana Training Area.