Arming multiple F-35A Lightning II aircraft for live weapons drops, twice a day, is no easy feat – but armament crews from 3 Squadron got the job done on Exercise Arnhem Thunder.

Arnhem Thunder is an Air Force exercise that aims to generate proficiency for armament personnel and aircrew in air-surface weapons preparation, planning and delivery, held from August 10 to 23 in the Northern Territory,

3 Squadron Armament Officer Flight Lieutenant Brayden Sola explained that, during Arnhem Thunder, up to 16 F-35A Lightning II aircraft were conducting two bombing missions per day, which, from an armament perspective, took months of planning.

“Once we understand what the aircrew would like to achieve over the course of the exercise, it is on my armament teams to ensure we have the necessary technicians and ordnance to execute the bombing plan,” Flight Lieutenant Sola said.

“During execution, the armament teams are responsible for preparing, loading and downloading the ordnance required for each mission.”

'Exercise Arnhem Thunder has provided us with an opportunity to rehearse fifth-generation tactics and practise with the majority of air-surface weapon types carried by the F-35A.'

Flight Lieutenant Sola said watching his team deploy to an austere location such as RAAF Base Tindal and successfully execute missions has been extremely rewarding.  

“From an armament perspective, my team have successfully prepared and loaded close to 150 munitions and 7000 rounds of bullets for deployment from F-35A Lightning II aircraft,” he said.

“Arnhem Thunder has given the aircraft armament technicians the ability to improve their competency and confidence in their ability to load and unload aircraft in an unfamiliar environment.”

Operating alongside aircraft from 75 Squadron, the F-35A Lightning II aircraft conducted missions throughout the Northern Territory airspace, with live weapons drops occurring at the Delamere Air Weapons Range.

3 Squadron Detachment Commander, Squadron Leader Grant Burr, said the restricted airspace around RAAF Base Tindal provided 3 Squadron and 75 Squadron the ideal training venue for realistic live weapons employment.

“Exercise Arnhem Thunder has provided us with an opportunity to rehearse fifth-generation tactics and practise with the majority of air-surface weapon types carried by the F-35A,” Squadron Leader Burr said.

“We have improved proficiency in rapid rearming of aircraft, increased qualifications for armament personnel and achieved category upgrades for aircrew.”