A big week ahead with Night Op’s all week from RAAF Williamtown :

2OCU night time flight line

2OCU night time flight line

 

What:        Up to 14 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft and up to eight Hawk 127 aircraft from RAAF Base Williamtown will be conducting night flying operations.

 

Where:      Williamtown and surrounding airspace.

 

When:        Monday to Friday, 11-15 April 2016, until approximately 10:00pm.

 

Background:

Up to 14 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft from Number 77 Squadron and Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit will be conducting essential night flying training over the period 11-15 April 2016 until approximately 10:00pm each night.

2OCU night time shot A21-107

The aircraft will be conducting most of this flying over the coast away from local residential areas.

 

Two of the Hornet aircraft will be conducting circuit activity in the vicinity of Tamworth on Tuesday night. However, they will not be landing at the airfield.

 

Another two Hornet aircraft will also be conducting circuit activity in the vicinity of RAAF Base Richmond on Wednesday and Thursday nights. These aircraft will also not be landing.

76SQN Hawks Flight line at night

76SQN Hawks Flight line at night

Up to eight Hawk 127 aircraft will also be conducting essential night flying training over this period and some of the night flying will be conducted over the western airspace from Monday to Thursday. The western airspace is bounded approximately by Stroud, Dungog, Branxton, Muswellbrook, Gloucester, Taree and Wards River.

 

Air Combat Group Plans Officer, Wing Commander John Young, said, “This type of night flying forms a vital part of our pilot training as it gets aircrew used to flying with night vision equipment and instruments”.

 

Noise reduction and the environment are vital considerations in the planning and conduct of military flying. Air Force appreciates the support it receives from the Williamtown residents during this activity.