What: Air Force’s Air Warfare Instructors will conduct flying operations to prepare for participation in Exercise Diamond Shield, to finalise their training with the most challenging test of their careers.
Where: RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW.
When: Monday, 13 March to Friday, 31 March. Flights will occur between the following times:
Mondays to Thursdays: 10:00am-12:30pm; 2:30-5:30pm;
3:00-4:30pm (Hawk jet trainers only); and
7:30-11:00pm (Hawk jet trainers only).
Fridays: 10:00am-12:30pm; and
12:30-2:30pm (Hawk jet trainers only).
Background:
Exercise Diamond Shield will commence on Monday and run until Friday, 31 March.
Diamond Shield is part of the Diamond series of exercises, run by the RAAF Air Warfare Centre. Its purpose is to train Fighter Combat Instructors, Airspace Battle Managers, Fighter Intelligence Instructors and Fighter Combat Controllers.
Aircraft – including F/A-18A Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet, E-7A Wedgetail, AP-3C Orion, C-130J Hercules, Learjet and United States F-16 fighter jets – will take off twice Monday to Thursday. The first wave will leave at 10:00 am returning at approximately 12:30 pm. The second wave will leave at 2:30 pm and return at approximately 5:30 pm. Friday flights are commencing 10:00am and returning approximately 12:30pm.
Hawk Lead-In jet trainer aircraft will operate separately to Exercise Diamond Shield taking off Monday to Thursday from 3:00pm and returning approximately 4:30pm. A second wave will take off at 7:30pm and return at approximately 11:00pm. Friday take off is planned for 12:30pm and landing 2:30pm.
All aircraft adhere to the RAAF Base Williamtown noise abatement procedures and fly neighbourly policy.
Air Force appreciates the support it receives from the Newcastle/Port Stephens community during Exercise Diamond Shield.
