By
CPL Simone Liebelt
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Armament specialist CPL Tim Widdon, from No. 77 Squadron,
examines the wiring on a bomb in preparation for an air
strike during Exercise Arnhem Thunder.
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The flightline crew clears an F/A-18 for departure.
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Eligibility
criteria now applies to living-in accommodation
arrangements.
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Members
without dependants who are required to live-in
will be given priority over those who choose
to live-in.
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AFTER
nearly three weeks of air combat and high explosive bombing practise,
the first Arnhem Thunder exercise for the year is wrapping up.
More than 350 personnel from RAAF Bases Williamtown, Amberley
and Richmond converged in the north to participate in the tactical
flying exercise held from February 18 to March 12.
RAAF Base Tindal has hosted 12 Hornets from No. 77 Squadron. RAAF
Base Darwin has accommodated seven F-111s from No. 1 Squadron
and a B707 from No. 33 Squadron. Hornets from No. 75 Squadron,
based at Tindal, also participated.
The high explosive bombing camp – usually held twice a year –
was a joint training exercise between fighter and strike aircraft
to practise tactical operations together.
It involved air control, precision strike and close air support
missions, including using high explosive bombs on targets at the
Delamere Air Weapons Range.
The B707 tanker refuelled the F/A-18s.
77SQN
CO Wing Commander Alan Clements, who was in charge of the Wing
Operations Centre for the exercise, said while each squadron conducted
its own training, their objectives were the same.
“There are many squadron-level objectives that revolve around
the safe, effective and efficient operations from a deployed base,
but the main objective was to practise operations as a large combined
force,” WGCDR Clements said.
1SQN CO Wing Commander Paul Willmot said Arnhem Thunder gave the
unit the opportunity to get “back on the rails” after Christmas
in order to maintain the professional inertia built up during
last year.
“1SQN is the front end of the F- 111 capability, so it is very
important for me as CO to be confident in our capacity to deploy,
protect and employ that capability,” he said.
“The opportunity to again make use of the Northern Territory’s
excellent support units and infrastructure and to further develop
our relationships with 75, 77 and 33 Squadrons was gratefully
received.”
Exercise results will be used to improve future tactical procedures.
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