Image Gallery: April 2010
13 May 2010
Exercise Chong Ju
Royal Australian Air Force F-111 aircraft demonstrated their capability in support of ground forces during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal, Victoria held 12 - 13 May. Chong Ju is an important exercise to integrate F-111 capability in concert with the Army.
Two F-111 aircraft from No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland provided ‘Close Air Support’ to the bi-annual combat firepower demonstration. The F-111s demonstrated their strike capability by employing 250kg and 1000kg high explosive weapons during the air support task. The exercise also provided aircrew with invaluable continuation and currency training in close air support.
The F-111s have conducted long range strikes from Amberley to Puckapunyal for firepower demonstrations since the 1980s, when the exercise was known as El Alamein. The First Chong Ju was conducted in 2001 and has been undertaken twice a year since.
The F-111 is a long serving aircraft in the RAAF fleet and has served the country well. The F-111 remains a significant component of Australia’s air combat capability in concert with the F/A-18 Hornets based at Williamtown and Tindal.
2010 marked the final time the F-111 long range strike aircraft will participate in this exercise before their retirement at the end of the year.
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Pilot, Flying Officer Daniel Mills (left) and Air Combat Officer, Flight Lieutenant Leon Izatt, plan the day's mission for Exercise Chong Ju in the No. 6 Squadron operational planning room at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Pilot, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Kloeden (left), and Squadron Leader Richard Drum, an Air Combat Officer, both with No. 6 Squadron, plan the day's mission for Exercise Chong Ju in the No. 6 Squadron operational planning room at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Flying Officer Daniel Mills (standing) conducts the pre-flight brief for the day’s F-111 mission for Exercise Chong Ju in the No. 6 Squadron briefing room at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Flying Officer Daniel Mills, a Pilot with No. 6 Squadron, signs out the aircraft under the Captain’s Acceptance for Exercise Chong Ju at No. 6 Squadron flight line, RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Pilot, Flying Officer Daniel Mills (left), and Air Combat Officer, Squadron Leader Richard Drum, perform pre-flight checks on F-111 A8-130 located at the ordnance loading area, RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Pilot, Flying Officer Daniel Mills (centre), and Air Combat Officer, Squadron Leader Richard Drum (left), perform pre-flight checks with launch crew on F-111 A8-130 at the ordnance loading area, RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Flying Officer Daniel Mills, a Pilot with No. 6 Squadron, steps in to the cockpit of F-111 A8-130 to complete pre-flight checks prior to take off for Exercise Chong Ju at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Flying Officer Daniel Mills, a Pilot with No. 6 Squadron, steps in to the cockpit of F-111 A8-130 to complete pre-flight checks prior to take off for Exercise Chong Ju at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Flying Officer Daniel Mills, a Pilot with No. 6 Squadron, in the cockpit of F-111 A8-130 completes pre-flight checks prior to take off for Exercise Chong Ju at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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A member of the launch crew assists with pre-flight checks for F-111 A8-130 prior to take off for Exercise Chong Ju at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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A member of the launch crew assists with pre-flight checks for F-111 A8-130 prior to take off for Exercise Chong Ju at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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A member of the launch crew assists with pre-flight checks for F-111 A8-130 prior to take off for Exercise Chong Ju at RAAF Base Amberley.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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Two F-111s taxi out from the ordnance loading area prior to take off at RAAF Base Amberley. Flying Officer Daniel Mills is the Pilot in the lead aircraft, F111 A8-130, involved in Exercise Chong Ju.
(Date taken: 12 May 2010)
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