Crash no mirage

 

A French Mirage 2000-5.

JOINT Force Air Component Commander Air Commodore John Quaife, the man who is controlling Exercise Pitch Black, has sound knowledge of air operations in the Top End – he flew Mirages there during the 1980s.

His career could have ended then as he was forced to eject near Darwin after his aircraft suffered a power failure.

The Mirage crashed into a swamp and was written off while he landed safely in nearby mangroves. Describing the incident, AIRCDRE Quaife said he levelled the wings and pointed the aircraft towards the bay.

“I was pleased at how well I managed my training and saved my life. I had smile on my face for a week afterwards,” he recalled. AIRCDRE Quaife will be visiting the exercise towards its end and is disappointed the French have not brought a two-seat version of the latest Mirage.

“I would definitely have organised myself a ride,” he said. “It’s a good aircraft and I think it will perform well against the Hornets.”

Major exercise hits fever pitch
Well exercised

.