The sixth-generation bomber is currently undertaking engine testing in California that has been described as an “essential milestone” on the path to an eventual first flight.
The apprentices, who have graduated from Aviation Australia’s (AA) 80-day Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance, will join BDA’s F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler maintenance program at RAAF Base Amberley.
The in-cockpit footage was taken from a display at the Gold Coast Pacific Airshow last month and has already clocked up more than more than 300,000 views.
In total, six of the aircraft type will take part in Exercise Bushido Guardian 23 at Komatsu Air Base, halfway between Kanazawa and Fukui City, in the country’s centre.
The flypast, which also included a Globemaster, marked the opening of the annual Riverfire display, which itself heralded the start of the three-week Brisbane Festival.
The KC-30A multi-role tanker transport refuelled seven F-16 Fighting Falcons during 60 flying sorties within Indonesian airspace from 6 to 12 August.