High Sierra 2011

Australia’s next generation of fighter pilots are set to graduate as F/A-18 Hornet pilots as they prepare to return to RAAF Townsville in North Queensland to participate in Exercise High Sierra.

The pilots from No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, will be put through their paces during the final phase of the six-month operational conversion course.

Exercise High Sierra will be conducted from 21 November to 8 December, representing the last three weeks of the F/A-18 operational conversion course.

The course converts fighter pilots from the Hawk Mk127 Lead-in-fighter aircraft to the F/A-18 Hornet.

More than 150 Air Force personnel and up to 12 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets will arrive at RAAF Townsville on Friday 18 November for this vital training activity, which will be conducted in the Shoalwater Bay and Townsville Field training areas. Exercise High Sierra is vital training for the next generation of Air Force fighter pilots.

They must achieve and maintain the skills needed to operate very sophisticated flight and weapons systems, for the defence of our nation and to maintain peace and security into the future.
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