Media Room: Defence Alert

WHAT: Australian Defence Force aircraft training operations over the Melbourne CBD Point Nepean, Portsea, Queenscliff and Sorrento;

WHEN: On the afternoon and evening of both Sunday the 12^th and Tuesday the 14^th of March;

WHY: The training is part of the necessary preparations for conducting a safe secure and successful Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games; and

WHO: RAAF F/A-18 Hornets and other ADF aircraft including PC9s, helicopters and Boeing 707s.

Members of the public may see F/A-18 Hornets and other aircraft conducting manoeuvres during the training.

The F/A-18 Hornets and other aircraft will not fly below 3000 feet during this training.

It is likely that this training will be audible to Melbourne and other Victorian communities however all possible noise minimisation efforts will be taken.

Defence greatly appreciates the ongoing support of the Melbourne and other Victorian communities and is proud to be a part of Defence support to the Commonwealth Games.

Further information about Operation Acolyte, Defence Support to the Commonwealth Games: http://www.defence.gov.au/opacolyte

Defence Public Affairs – Victoria/Tasmania on 03 9282 7120 or 1800 818 920

Defence Public Affairs on 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664