Northern bare base bares all to public

By Private John Wellfare

SGT Andrew Perry, from 3AFDS, gives four-year-old Ethan Beaven a lesson on military motor bikes.

Photo by LAC Mark McConnell

RAAF Scherger opened its gates to the public recently in a display of Air Force capability.

Hundreds of people from the nearby mining town of Weipa had the chance to check out the bare base for themselves and could get up close to the F-111s that had been roaring overhead during Exercise Kakadu in the previous week.

The day included demonstrations and exhibitions showcasing the Air Force’s assets in a number of fields, including dog handling, fire fighting and rescue, medical, small arms and vehicles. An F-111 flying display also provided lively entertainment for spectators.

All deployed personnel participated in the event, manning static displays, taking part in demonstrations and talking with visitors.

In the first time RAAF Scherger had been opened to the public, visitors had the chance to see how a vacant airstrip in remote far north Queensland could be transformed into a fully operational air base.

 

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