US PILOTS RAPT WITH VIEW ON FLYING VISIT
UNITED States pilots at the helm of the world’s best stealth planes say Townsville is one of the most picturesque cities they have ever flown over and they want to come back for another visit.
Five Alaska- based F- 22 Raptors made the one hour and 45 minute journey back and forth between RAAF Base Townsville and RAAF Base Tindal near Katherine, in the Northern Territory, last week as part of training activities.
The jets, valued at about $ 900 million each, also travelled with a United States Air Force C17 and Boeing KC- 135 Stratotanker to help with refuelling along the way.
USAF 90th Fighter Squadron Commander Lieutenant Colonel David Skalicky said the unit was in Townsville during World War II, with the new generation of pilots happy to return.
“Townsville is an incredible location with the fantastic terrain, the hills and the water over to the island,” he said.
“It was beautiful flying in and out seeing the town. Everyone really opened up the base and the town for us, which was really cool.”
RAAF F/ A- 18 Hornet pilot Flight Lieutenant William Grady is flying with the 90th Fighter Squadron and was proud to return home to Australia to show off the F- 22s.
“It was a great opportunity for the US guys here to fly with F- 18s,” he said. “The two aircraft are both so different but are incredibly capable and they have an ability to have a symbiotic relationship.”