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Super Hornet Acceptance Flight

The first group of Air Force's next-generation Super Hornets will arrive in Australia later this month.

The Super Hornets arrival will represent a major leap in Air Force capability. They are Australia's first new air combat aircraft in 25 years.

A detachment of aircrew and maintenance personnel from RAAF's No. 1 Squadron is currently at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, preparing the aircraft for the series of flights to Australia.

Defence image gallery

http://www.AirForce.gov.au/Index.aspx#news

12 Mar 2010 04:01:16 GMT

SUPER HORNET TRAINING SUPPORT SERVICES CONTRACT

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, announced today that Raytheon Australia has been awarded the Training Support Services Contract to support Super Hornet training systems at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley.

“The signing of the Super Hornet Training Support Services Contract is worth approximately $21.5 million over three years, and secures about 25 jobs at RAAF Base Amberley for that period,” Mr Combet said.

“The contract is vital foreffective support of the Air Force’s fleet of Super Hornets when they begin arriving at RAAF Base Amberley this year.”

 “Raytheon Australia will provide maintenance, logistics, and training services to support the Super Hornet flight simulators, visual environment maintenance trainers and electronic classrooms.”

“Australia is acquiring 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets to aid the transition to a mature Joint Strike Fighter capability, and allow Air Force to retire the F-111 fleet in December 2010.”

“The Super Hornet project is on budget and running ahead of schedule.  The first Australian Super Hornets will arrive in late March 2010.  The remaining aircraft will be progressively introduced throughout the remainder of 2010 and 2011,” MrCombet said.

Shayne Neumann, the Federal Member for Blair, said that the contract signing further strengthens the partnership between the RAAF, industry and the Ipswich area community.

“I am very pleased that this contract will support local jobs and help maintain our air combat capability.” Mr Neumann said.

Media contacts:

Rod Hilton (Greg Combet)                                   02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Jessica Hill (Shayne Neumann)                           07 3201 5300 or 0488 076 420
Defence Media Liaison:                                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

Original (Defence website)

http://www.AirForce.gov.au/Index.aspx#news

12 Mar 2010 01:03:43 GMT

Exercise Red Flag, a roaring success

Exercise Red Flag is off to a successful start for the Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet team with the first week of flying complete.

Eight Australian fighter jets joined F-22 Raptors, F-16 Falcons, F-15 Eagles, GR-9 Harriers, KC-135 Stratotanker and B-1 Lancers to simulate air combat warfare scenarios with the US and UK for the two week exercise that commenced on 22 February.

Red Flag Deputy Director, Group Captain Gavin Turnbull, said the Australian aircrews have learnt a lot from flying with our coalition partners.

“Red Flag is the most advanced international air combat training activity in the world. It provides our aircrew with the most realistic and demanding tactical training available,” said Group Captain Turnbull.

The coalition combine forces to eliminate the ‘enemy’ by setting out to destroy up to 30 adversary bombers whilst also protecting a high priority strategic asset, such as an airfield.

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from RAAF Williamtown’s 4 Squadron are providing essential air to ground support from the range.

Commanding Officer and Exercise Mission Commander for 77 Squadron, Wing Commander Glen Beck, said aircrew are pushed to their limits during Red Flag.

“Defeating surface to air missile systems forming a real world Integrated Air Defence System while keeping aggressor squadron F16, F15 and F5 fighters off your back and de-conflicting your own force can become quite complicated” said Commanding Officer Beck.

Australia participates in Red Flag annually as part of a long term tactical training program, which is essential in maintaining combat skills and readiness levels for air, ground and support crews.

Red Flag concludes on 5 March with Australian personnel arriving back home from 8 March.

Image Gallery

9 Mar 2010 04:31:25 GMT

Super Hornets preparing for flight to Australia

The first group of Air Force’s next-generation Super Hornets will arrive in Australia later this month, Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin announced today.

The Super Hornets arrival will represent a major leap in Air Force capability.  They are Australia’s first new air combat aircraft in 25 years.

A detachment of aircrew and maintenance personnel from RAAF’s No. 1 Squadron is currently at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, preparing the aircraft for the series of flights to Australia.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter for Air Force. The Super Hornet is a true multi-role aircraft that, when flown and supported by RAAF’s high-calibre people, will ensure Australia’s regional air combat capability edge through to the introduction of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,” Air Marshal Binskin said.

“Reaching this stage of the project on time and on budget has been due to a great partnership between the Royal Australian Air Force, Defence Materiel Organisation, United States Navy, The Boeing Company and their industry partners, General Electric, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon.

“The next few weeks will be a very busy time for the Super Hornet aircrew and maintainers at Lemoore.  The detachment is conducting acceptance flights and ground tests on each of the aircraft.

“Another key task for the detachment will be working with an air-to-air tanker, conducting day and night refuelling flights to ensure they are ready for the journey to Australia,” Air Marshal Binskin said.

Air Force is acquiring 24 Super Hornets which will progressively arrive at their home base, RAAF Amberley near Ipswich, during 2010 and 2011.

The Super Hornets are an interim replacement for the ageing F-111s.  The F-111s have served Australia well, but are now approaching the end of their operational life, and will be retired at the end of this year.

Details of the Super Hornet welcome activities are being finalised and will be announced closer to the arrival time.

Media note:  Imagery is available at http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2010/Mar/20100303/index.htm

Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664

4 Mar 2010 22:20:49 GMT

Australian Air Traffic Controller Officers support Haiti

Five Air Force Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, continue to provide valuable operational support to the US Air Force in the wake of the devastating earthquake on the 12th January.

The detachment arrived in early February and their contribution is helping to alleviate the pressure and improve safety at the main airport in Haiti, through which much of the air traffic for this aid operation is passing.

As the permanent Air Traffic Control Tower in Port-au-Prince airfield was destroyed in the earthquake, the ATCOs are working out of a temporary mobile air traffic control tower, assisting in ground control services.

Officer in charge of the detachment, Flight Lieutenant Matthew Ferguson – McLellan from RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, said the opportunity to provide support and represent Australia was a rewarding experience.

Image gallery

4 Mar 2010 22:02:41 GMT

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