ADF TRAINING IN SYDNEY

The Australian Defence Force will act in support of the New South Wales Police and other government agencies as part of the overall security arrangements for the APEC 07 Leaders’ meetings.

The ADF will be conducting training in and around Sydney during 07-09 August 2007 as part of a comprehensive program to practice its response to security-related incidents within Australia during the APEC Leaders’ Week in September 2007.

The training has been designed to have as little impact on residents and office workers as possible, but limited noise as well as increased vehicle and troop movement may be noticeable.

During the training several helicopters will fly in formation to practice delivering soldiers in the vicinity of Defence Plaza and the Sydney International Equestrian Centre. The helicopters will make several approaches to the venues by day and night in order to rehearse aircrews.

Soldiers will be armed and may use practice ammunition, resulting in loud noises, to achieve their training objectives. 

Specific dates and venues are:

Tuesday 07 August 2007: Vicinity of Defence Plaza, Pitt Street, Sydney. The evening phase of this activity will be accompanied by helicopters deploying troops and simulated ammunition noises. 

Wednesday 08 - Thursday 09 August, 2007: Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park. The final evening phase of this activity will be accompanied by helicopters deploying troops and simulated ammunition noises.

Media Note.

The ADF will not be hosting any media access to the activities.  

Media Contacts

Raveena Carroll-Kenney           Defence Public Affairs – NSW  (02) 9359 2787 or 0405 310 176

Squadron Leader Ivan Benitez-Aguirre               OP DELUGE Public Affairs          0418 269 686

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