Media Room: Defence Alert

F/A-18 HORNET SET TO SOAR

Set to become the highlight of this Saturday’s RAAF Base Darwin Open Day - Australia’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F/A-18 Hornet, will be putting on an exhilarating aerial display this Saturday in the skies above RAAF Base Darwin at 12.30pm.

This is an opportunity for the RAAF to display the awesome flying capabilities of one of the world’s truly great multi-role fighter jets, and will give the public a chance to see the outstanding manoeuvrability and performance of Australia’s frontline fighter.

The F/A-18 Hornet’s are in Darwin participating in Exercise PITCH BLACK 08, which is the Royal Australian Air Force’s largest and most complex Air Exercise. Held every two years in the airspace over the Northern Territory, it provides participants with high complexity Air Combat training opportunities.

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin plays a vital role in Exercise PITCH BLACK 08 (PB08) providing the necessary support to ground and air operations for the duration of the Exercise.

The RAAF Base Darwin Open Day will be held on Saturday 14^th June 2008 from 10.00 am. to 2.00 pm with the Hornet’s aerial display occurring at 12.30 pm.

MEDIA NOTE:

Members of the media are asked to advise of their interest in attending by telephoning the Pitch Black public affairs toll free number: 1800 301 885.

Media will be asked to assemble at the front gate of the Base at 9.30am where a separate media shuttle service will be provided. Media are reminded to bring suitable ID for entry.

Further information:

For further information on Exercise Pitch Black 2008 please phone 1800 301 885 or visit the Exercise Pitch Black website at: www.defence.gov.au/pitchblack08