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The RAAF has trained with live weaponry and F-35A Lightning II aircraft over the Northern Territory as part of Exercise Arnhem Thunder 25.
The exercise, which wrapped up last month, involved collective training and offensive counter air activity at RAAF Bases Tindal and Darwin, including live weapon drops at the Delamere Air Weapons Range and coordination with the Surveillance and Control Training Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown.
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“This year, 3 Squadron has deployed to RAAF Base Tindal to work alongside 75 Squadron to rehearse 5th generation tactics and deliver the majority of air-surface weapon variants able to be carried by the F-35A,” said 3 Squadron Detachment Commander Squadron Leader Grant Burr.
“Operating out of the Northern Territory provides an environment to rehearse dispersed operations and operate armed aircraft in challenging physical conditions.
“The massive size of the Northern Territory airspace provides our aircraft with freedom of movement and is the ideal training venue for realistic live weapons employment against a credible adversary.”
The exercise also provided training on the E-7A Wedgetail, with 2 Squadron Detachment Commander Steven Walsh saying it offered “excellent force generation opportunities” including live flying and control events for mission crew.
“During this exercise we have graduated six new E-7A air battle managers, including four United States Air Force [USAF] members and two electronic support measures operators, which also included one USAF member,” he said.
“Deploying to, and operating from, remote locations provides 2 Squadron personnel an opportunity to test all facets of our day-to-day operations when away from our home base.
“It allows us to validate procedures as a deployed capability, constantly learning lessons and applying them to future iterations, thereby ensuring we are ready to deploy and operate at a moment’s notice.”
According to Squadron Leader Burr, these training activities help maintain the ADF’s preparedness requirements.
“To meet the challenges of our strategic environment, operating from our northern bases improves our ability to project force from northern Australia.”
“We would like to thank the local Katherine and Darwin community for their continued and unwavering support as we execute our purpose of defending Australia and its national interests.”
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