US visitors learn about our F-111s

ARDU pilot FLTLT Rob Denney (front centre) with visiting US navigators (back) LCDR Beau Duarte, LCDR Michael Hocker, (front) Mike Tuttle and MAJ Eric Rine. Photo by LAC Rob Mitchell.

FOR the first time the Royal Australian Air Force has allowed two students and two staff members of the United States Navy Test Pilot School in Maryland to visit RAAF Base Amberley to learn about the F-111 as a culmination of their flight test weapons operator course.

For Major Eric Rine, Lieutenant Commander Beau Duarte, Lieutenant Commander Mick Hocker and Mr Michael Tuttle this was the first time they had been associated with the aircraft.

The students assessed the F-111 in its role as a long-range strike aircraft and will produce a 120-page report on their observations.

Aircraft Research and Development Unit F-111 test pilot Flight Lieutenant Robert Denney said the US navigators offered a unique insight into F-111 operations.

“It’s an advantage to the Air Force and aircrew for someone else to report on our procedures and give a different perspective on how we do things,” FLTLT Denney said.

During the week-long visit, the US test navigators did sorties over northern NSW and Evans Head Range with FLTLT Denney.

Squadron Leader Dallas Haggarty, Planning Officer at No. 82 Wing, said the F-111 “provided an excellent training opportunity”.

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