Sharp as a tack

By Andrew Stackpool

Forward Air Control Development Unit PC-9 aircraft fly over the waters around Magnetic Island and Townsville during Exercise Sharp Dagger.

Photo by FLTLT Dan Jeffery

A FACDU PC-9 taxis in after landing at RAAF Base Townsville.

Photo by LAC Guy Young

FLTLT Collin East and LAC Mathew Gill, from FACDU, at RAAF Base Townsville for the exercise.

An F-111 leaves Townsville for Amberley after completing its role in Sharp Dagger.

A pilot from FACDU inspects a PC-9 aircraft.

Photos by LAC Guy Young

NUMBER 1 Squadron recently sharpened its close air support roles when it deployed to RAAF Base Townsville for Exercise Sharp Dagger.

The exercise was held from June 3-9 and participants had returned to their home bases by June 11.

Four F-111s, three PC-9 forward air control aircraft and 70 personnel participated.

Held before the major combined Exercise Talisman Sabre 05, which began on June 12, Sharp Dagger provided work-up training for Army terminal attack controllers in ground support roles, such as the delivery of air-to-ground ordnance.

It also enabled No. 1 Squadron to practise its close air support roles and procedures in a more operational environment.

The exercise included day and night bombing at the High Range Field Training Area near Townsville.

Squadron Leader Garry Downes, from No. 1 Squadron, said the exercise was an opportunity for the squadron members to hone their skills.

“The deployment also gives our personnel an opportunity to test their procedures away from Amberley,” he said.

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