MEDIA RELEASE

RAAF Hornets and F111s to Conduct Bilateral Training in Malaysia

Ten Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets and five F-111s will fly to South East Asia this week to participate in a bi-lateral training exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Exercise Churinga, between October 8 and 29 at Kuantan in Malaysia, is aimed at improving combat training for the F/A-18 aircrew and providing F-111 aircrew with the opportunity to conduct low-level strike training in mountainous terrain and in a tropical environment.

Commanding Officer of No. 77 Squadron, Wing Commander Mark Binskin, said participating in Exercise Churinga 98-2 was important because it provided RAAF members with the opportunity to operate in an Asian environment with differing terrain, weather and procedures to Australia.

He said the exercise would also provide beneficial dissimilar combat training against the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s MIG29, an extremely capable fourth-generation fighter with a potent within visual range weapons fit.

"Ground crew will also benefit from the deployment as they will be exposed to operations on a different base. Logistics support requirements will also be exercised," said WGCDR Binskin.

"Further to that, Churinga gives us an opportunity to discuss tactics and procedures with an important regional partner."

MEDIA NOTE: VISION/STILLS FROM THIS EXERCISE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MID-OCTOBER.

For further information contact the RAAF Staff Officer, Public Information Deanna Ialacci on (02) 4737 7106 or 0417 274 516.

Issued By:

RAAF Public Information Office
RAAF Base
Glenbrook NSW 2773