Sierra standard keeps rising

By Andrew Stackpool

An F/A-18 from 2OCU during the final phase of Exercise High Sierra 05, concentrating on air to surface weapons training, at RAAF Base Darwin.

Photo by LAC Allan Cooper

FIVE new aircrew will shortly join the ranks of F/A-18 aviators when they graduate from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit’s fast jet conversion course.

An intelligence officer will also take his place in the ranks of Air Force INTELLOs.

Flight Lieutenant Darren Hughes, Flight Lieutenant Chris Van Hessing, Flying Officer Beau Pitcher, Flight Lieutenant Tim Ireland, Flying Officer Tik Maharaj and Flight Lieutenant Anthony Cullen have reached the climax of the course with their participation in Exercise High Sierra, which is being conducted by 2OCU out of RAAF Base Darwin.

Twelve 2OCU Hornets, eight No. 76 Squadron Hawks, three PC-9s from the Forward Air Control Development Unit and 120 personnel deployed for the exercise, which began on June 1 and finishes on June 24.

“No. 321 Combat Support Squadron is providing us excellent support,” CO 2OCU Wing Commander Chris Huet said.

“We are also receiving support from No. 11 Ground Liaison Unit out of No. 81 Wing at RAAF Base Williamtown, who will provide realistic ground situation briefs to the course members, covering simulated ground forces.”

2OCU is responsible for the conversion training of pilots to the Hornet before they are posted for operational duties.

High Sierra is the culmination of the intensive three-year course and for the first time has redeployed from its traditional home away from home at RAAF Base Townsville. This provided the exercise staff with some work to tailor missions for the Delamere Range area.

WGCDR Huet, himself a postgraduate of the course, said the exercise scenario was very generic, as more tailored training was conducted by the students in the operational squadrons.

“We have been incorporating improved understanding within the fighter force of weapon systems and tactics, making the course more demanding and complex for the students,” he said.

“I am continually amazed by the standard of the students on the course. The performance we expect of them now, particularly when using the radar or the FLIR pod, is light years ahead of what was required when I completed the course.

“We are graduating some of the best-qualified junior Hornet pilots in the world.”

Upon graduation, the five new pilots will be posted between Nos. 3, 75 and 77 Squadrons, while FLTLT Cullen will be posted to 86WG.

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