Arnhem Thunder, lightning fast jets

Aircraft Life Support Fitter Sergeant Marcus Jeffrey, from No. 1 Squadron, prepares a pilot’s oxygen mask and helmet during Exercise Arnhem Thunder. Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

Air Traffic Controller Flying Officer Nick Leseberg working in the tower at RAAF Base Tindal during the two-week exercise. Photo by LACW Jacqui Bull

An F-111 from No.1 Squadron takes off from Tindal to join up with F/A-18s from No. 3 and No. 77 Squadrons. Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

A recce crew from No. 1 Squadron is marshalled into the hangar after a successful mission in and around RAAF Base Tindal. Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

Participants in Exercise Arnhem Thunder, held during the first two weeks of April, form a group on the tarmac at RAAF Base Tindal, backed by an F/A-18 and F-111. Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

Leading Aircraftwoman Julie Hill, an Aircraft Life Support Fitter from No. 1 Squadron, checks a helmet and communications lead prior the pilot’s departure during Exercise Arnhem Thunder. Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

An F/A-18 from No. 77 Squadron prepares to take off from the hard stand in front of Air Movements at RAAF Base Tindal. Photo by LAC Andrew Eddie

Flying Officer Adam Luck, an Air Traffic Controller, hard at work in the tower at RAAF Base Tindal during Exercise Arnhem Thunder. Photo by LACW Jacqui Bull

Pilots Flying Officer Steven Bradley, of No. 3 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Jamie Piszcuk, of No. 1 Squadron, and Squadron Leader Phillip Arms, of No. 77 Squadron, plan a joint mission as part of Arnham Thunder. Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

By SQNLDR Christopher Ward

THE Katherine and RAAF Base Tindal airspace came alive to the grunt of 16 F/A-18 and seven F-111 aircraft in the aptly named Exercise Arnhem Thunder in the first two weeks of April.

Two waves a day of the Air Combat Group aircraft conducted air combat training and high explosive bombing at the nearby Delamere Air Weapons Range.

Exercise aims included integrating air reconnaissance in support of precision strike exercises and refining weapon delivery tactics for strike missions where the F/A-18 Hornet and F-111 fly together.

Arnhem Thunder was brought forward this year to avoid upgrade works to the runway, which is shared with Katherine Regional Airport.

Aircrew and support elements from No. 3 and No. 77 Squadrons at RAAF Base Williamtown and No. 1 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley deployed by road and air for the exercise.

Precision air strike and close air support in an urban environment, where strict rules of engagement can apply – and where reconnaissance aircraft or ground-based forward air controllers provide real-time target information – were also practised.

Command and control elements were responsible for tasking both Air Combat Group aircraft types and were headed by the Officer Commanding No. 82 Wing, Group Captain Kym Osley.

The flying operations relied on many support services, some of which were provided by Tindal-based units and others which deployed with the flying squadrons.

Tindal-based support included the air traffic controllers, refuellers, catering and accommodation staff and deployed support included operations and intelligence staff and reconnaissance film analysts. This meant that in addition to the valuable training for Hornet and F-111 aircrew, support elements had the opportunity to test their limits also.

Air Traffic Control Tower Supervisor Flight Lieutenant Wayne MacGregor-Davies explained that Exercise Arnhem Thunder presented his team with four times the normal number of aircraft movements at the airfield which doubles as the Katherine Regional Airport.

This is the case even when No. 75 Squadron, which flies the F/A-18 Hornet, bases its flying from RAAF Base Tindal. Many 75SQN personnel are currently deployed in the Middle East.

The increased rate of effort at Tindal provided FLTLT MacGregor-Davies’ team with the chance to achieve both tower and approach ratings, which are the measure of an Air Traffic Controllers’ competency and experience.

The team ensured that civilian airliners and local mustering aircraft were kept out of the way of the fast jets. Aircraft formations – many of which were working together as “strike packages” – and tactical, high speed descents and landings (known as “India arrivals”) were a common feature of the fortnight’s flying.

Squadron Leader Mark Cook, the Senior Engineering Officer of 1SQN, was full of praise for the maintenance personnel, who worked around the clock and six hot days a week.

Maintenance personnel of each squadron worked in day and night shifts to ensure the crews had serviceable jets on-line for a packed flying schedule.

SQNLDR Cook said that fatigue and heat awareness needed close watching as his people were pushed hard, but that the maintenance personnel of each squadron had succeeded by achieving generally excellent serviceability rates for both aircraft types.

Overcoming these and other challenges for Air Combat Group personnel and the valuable training gained means that the annual Exercise Arnhem Thunder is likely to remain a permanent feature of Air Combat training in the Northern Territory.

 

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