Lower Clarence residents will hear the sound of Royal Australian Air Force supersonic fighter jets in the skies over the next two months as squadrons conduct training exercises from the Evans Head Air Weapons Range.
The training of pilots in the Number 1 Squadron and the Number 2 Operational Conversion Unit involved training flights and air-to-ground bombing training in both F/A -18F Super Hornets and F-35A Lightning II jets during April and May.
The RAAF said the training activities may involve up to 2 waves (sessions) per day of application pattern and live gunnery, which may involve the use of lasers.
The squadrons involved are from the RAAF Amberley base west of Brisbane (F/A-18F Super Hornet) and the RAAF base at Williamtown, north of Newcastle (F-35A Lightning II).
Locals are reminded that access to the range remains restricted, as a safety measure due to the possibility of unexploded ordnance on site, regardless of any activities being conducted.
For safety reasons, the Southern Defence Practice Area (overwater) will be closed from 10 am to 5 pm during all training except where specifically indicated.
Defence personnel display red flags to indicate live firing activities and conduct patrols to assure public safety.
Scheduled training might change due to weather or other considerations.
Planned future training will be conducted from 10am to 5pm between May 13 and 17 and May 20 and 24 with Super Hornet jets conducting low level flying, bombing and gunnery training.
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 10 April 2024.
