Days of Thunder

Words: FLTLTs Clayton Wilson and Hayley Thomas
Photos: LAC Steve Hobbs

Arnhem Thunder
(MPEG Video 5.28 MB)

Corporal Jason McGifford, prepares to take an F-111 incentive flight.

Sergeant Peter Bailey oversees the release of an F-111 for maintenance.

75SQN hornets line up for refulelling from a 33SQN 707

Leading Aircraftwoman Lia Dawson and Leading Aircraftman Wade Hawkins, Geospatial Imagery Analysts, inspect film on their light table.

Corporal Anthony Graham uploads a reconnaissance F-111’s KB18 strike camera with fresh film before takeoff.

Corporal Max Mullins performs maintenance on an F-111 before takeoff.

Sergeant Johnson gets ready to take to the skies on an F-111 incentive flight.

One slick Pig - a gleaming object of menace and grace, an F-111 is prepared for a mission during Exercise Arnhem Thunder. Corporal Max Mullins is shown talking the aircrew through the launch.

The skies over RAAF Base Tindal and the Delamere Air Weapons Range thundered to the sound of F-111s, F/A-18s and PC-9 to the sound of F-111s, F/A-18s and PC-9 aircraft from March 25 to April 8 in the annual Arnhem Thunder exercise.

The scenario for the exercise was the invasion of Orangeland by Redland forces with the gallant forces of Blueland arriving to the rescue of our unfortunate neighbours.

As the scenario developed over the two weeks leading up to Easter, the Air Operations Centre staff from No. 82 Wing tasked F/A-18s from No. 75 Squadron and F-111s from No. 1 Squadron with air control, precision strike and close air support missions.

Offensive air support for the notional ground forces was provided by PC-9 (FAC) aircraft flown by staff from FAC Development Unit, with additional targeting support provided by Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the Army’s Commando units.

Added realism came from the employment of high explosive bombs on targets in the Delamere Air Weapons Range complex.

Day and night air-refuelling was conducted by the F/A-18 formations with a B707 tanker by the aircraft from No. 33 Squadron making a aircraft from No. 33 Squadron making a welcome return to exercise participation.

Photographers and imagery analysts from 82WG processed aerial reconnaissance 82WG processed aerial reconnaissance imagery from the RF-111C in the deployable Photo Processing and Interpretation Facility, which was flown to Tindal by C-130 for the exercise.

In addition to providing vital weapons training for aircrew, the exercise trained the entire combat team, including those already entire combat team, including those already mentioned, plus aircraft ground crews, No 114 Mobile Control and Reporting and other No. 41 Wing personnel.

It also tested the Air Force’s procedures for deployed the operations and ground security, with the F-111s and PC-9s operating from RAAF Base Tindal’s deployed squadron facilities.

The exercise was commanded by Group Captain Kym Osley, Officer Commanding 82WG, who heralded the exercise as a 82WG, who heralded the exercise as a success.

“The exercise provided an excellent tactical level work-up for Exercise Pitch tactical level work-up for Exercise Pitch Black 2004, and provided the opportunity to practise various precision strike tactics and procedures including close air support and time-sensitive targeting,” he said.

While about 500 people were part of the exercise itself, the smooth running could not have been accomplished without the support of many people, both ADF and civilian, from RAAF Bases Amberley, Tindal, Darwin and Williamtown.

 

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