By
LACW Simone Liebelt
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KEY
CONDITIONS
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The Air Force will communicate its flying programs
and schedules to the community in the Port Stephens area.
Night flying at the Salt Ash Weapons Range will be restricted
to the minimum required to achieve operational and training
targets. As a general rule, there will be no flying after
9pm EST and 10.30pm daylight saving time.
The average use of the range a year will be 115 days
for all Hornet and Hawk operations.
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THE
Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter has been cleared to conduct live firing
at the Salt Ash Weapons Range near RAAF Base Williamtown, following
completion of the Hawk Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on
the new jets.
The Government officially accepted the Hawk into service on October
27, subject to a range of measures to manage any impact that the
introduction of the aircraft might have on the local community
and environment.
Delivered to RAAF Base Williamtown in 2000-01 as the Air Force’s
F/A-18 pilot trainer, the Hawk continues to be developed as an
important Defence capability. Wing Commander Mike Bennett, Deputy
Director Offensive Combat, said the Government’s release of the
Hawk to conduct live firing at the Salt Ash training range would
significantly enhance F/A-18 training development.
“The Hawk has been used for limited training at Salt Ash Weapons
Range in the past but it hasn’t been permitted to release weapons
because it hasn’t had the clearance,” WGCDR Bennett said.
“The range is essential for Hawk operations and F/A-18 pilot training
and will involve the live firing of the aircraft’s 30mm guns and
some practice weapon releases.
“The decision by the Minister of Defence to allow use of this
range is very important for Air Force operations as it means the
aircraft can operate out of Williamtown rather than having to
travel to Townsville to conduct live firing episodes.”
The EIS process took more than 18 months, involving extensive
investigation and consultation with the local community through
open days and public discussions.
Recommendations from the Minister for the Environment have led
to more than 20 conditions for Hawk operations at RAAF Base Williamtown,
including environmental monitoring and night-flying restrictions
for the weapons range.
WGCDR Bennett said while the Air Force accepted all the conditions,
there were two that would affect Air Combat Group.
Operations at the range would be limited to 10.30pm for daylight
saving and 9pm for normal Eastern Standard Time, thereby limiting
the ability to train pilots for night operations.
The other limitation was the total days the range could be used
by all aircraft would be 115 days a year.
He said the restrictions could be waived subject to operational
requirements, but he did not expect this would be required very
often.
In addition to the set conditions, the Air Force is taking extra
measures to assist the Williamtown community, including minimising
flight operations during the HSC exam period.
“We’re doing our best to take community concerns into account
and to operate in a consultative way,” WGCDR Bennett said.
“We let the community know our fl ying program and we will do
our best to manage the introduction of the Hawk in a way that
doesn’t interfere with the local community.”
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A
No. 1 Squadron F-111C provides entertainment above the track
at the Indy 300 car race on the Gold Coast, viewed from
a Seahawk helicopter.
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Photo
by LAC Greg Pierce
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Right:
The Roulettes slip between the Gold Coast high-rise buildings
in an impressive display.
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Photo
by CPL Michelle Lucraft
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