MEDIA RELEASE

DPAO 156/98

Wednesday, August 12, 1998

HELO NOISE - ESSENTIAL FOR OLYMPIC SECURITY

The Australian Defence Force said today that additional aircraft noise in the Sydney metropolitan area during the two week, major pre-Olympic training exercise, Day Rotor, will be kept to a minimum.

The ADF exercise, involving 10 Army Black Hawk helicopters which will operate from the old School of Artillery site at North Head is vital for Olympic security.

They are conducting familiarisation sorties with Special Forces personnel on board in preparation for counter-terrorist support for State Authorities charged with security at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"It is highly likely that most members of the Sydney public will see one or more of these aircraft in the central business district or suburbs within the next fortnight," said the Director General of Defence Public Affairs, Colonel Keith Jobson.

"While we will try to keep noise nuisance to an absolute minimum, the training is essential to familiarise our aircrew and Special Forces personnel with operating in Sydney.

"Some Sydney people may feel they are receiving more than their fair share of noise at times, but we do ask them to 'bear with us' as the exercise is part of our essential preparations for security at the Olympics."

Specific inquiries about noise should be directed to the 24-hour Army information line on (02) 9377 2736