Aces
North
A
show of aces
Aces
North - Lead In Fighter
(MPEG video 3.60 MB)
Aces
North
(MPEG video 3.35 MB)
By
Andrew Stackpool
 |
|
CPL
Adam Gardiner, of No. 76 Squadron, does preflight preparation
on a Hawk 127 fighter at RAAF Base Darwin.
|
 |
|
A
line up of F/A-18s from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit
and No. 3 Squadron ready for take off at RAAF Base Tindal
during Exercise Aces North 04.
|
|
Photo
by LAC Greg Pierce
|
 |
|
A
No. 75 Squadron pilot taxies a Hornet out on to the runway
at RAAF Base Tindal for a mission during Exercise Aces North.
|
|
Photos
by AC David Gibbs
|
SIXTY
aircraft supported by more than 1000 personnel have been carving
up the skies west of RAAF Base Tindal in one of the Air Force’s
most important exercises – Aces North 04.
They
included 14 F-15C Eagles from the US Air Force’s 12 Fighter Squadron
at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and an E-3 AWACS aircraft
from 960 Airborne Air Control Squadron.
Aces North, which began on May 24 and ends on June 18, is a major
combined Offensive Counter Air exercise and has included Army
and naval assets in friendly and enemy roles.
The exercise is the culmination of the No. 28 Fighter Combat Instructors
(FCI) and No. 6 Fighter Combat Controllers (FCC) courses.
Aces North has been divided into four phases. The first from
May 24-28 involved close air support and semi-individual work-up
training and comprised day and night flying operations. The second
from May 31-June 4 involved Large Force Employment (LFE) operations
using up to 18 aircraft in a single serial.
These sorties were flown in the morning and afternoon and included
opposed air to ground strikes against targets in the Delamere
Range complex.
From June 7-11, this series of activities continued but incorporated
night missions and maritime strike missions against a Fremantle
class patrol boat.
The final phase from June 14- 18 has involved early morning and
day LFE events, which concludes with an opposed return to Williamtown.
The aim of the five-month, intensive course is to train F/ A-18
and F-111 aircrew in the high-level skills necessary for planning
and tactical employment of fast jet aircraft and their tactical
weapons systems. It also trains Air Defence Fighter Controllers
who are expert in the employment of Air Defence sensor, communications,
and Command and Control capabilities in the full range of ADF
and coalition operations in which the Air Force might find itself.
Seven F/A-18 pilots, four F-111 aircrew, five Air Defence Controllers
and an Intelligence Officer started the course.
The FCI culminates in the students’ graduation on June 18. They
will then be employed as flying instructors and tactical leaders
within Air Combat Group and Surveillance and Response Group.
Their expertise, skill and experience will afford them a reputation
for being among the finest exponents of air warfare in the world.
“Until the end of June these guys will eat, sleep and breathe
fighter tactics,” a member of the FCI Directing Staff said.
Links
to more Aces North Coverage
Team's
shining example
Maintaining a high standard
Secure lead-up to Exercise Pitch Black
Fine spirit of cooperation
Who’s
been involved in Aces North
|
RAAF
Tindal
|
RAAF
Darwin
|
2OCU
– 14 F/A-18s
1SQN – 7 F-111s
3SQN – 12 F/A-18s
74SQN
FACDU – 2 PC-9s
92WG – AP-3C Orion
86WG – C-130H
38SQN – Caribou
41WG – 2CNORTHROC,
SACTU/3CRU elms
44WG – Facilities and resources |
76SQN
– 6 Hawks
33SQN – B707
12 Fighter SQN
(USAF) – 14 F-15Cs
960AACS USAF – E3 AWACS
41WG – 114MCRU
44 WG – Facilities and resources |
