TRAINING HARD TO F I GHT E ASY
IN elevated, rugged country at High Range, an airman is making a decision. If he sends a radio message, high explosives will rain down on his target.
That scenario and others will be played out this week as pilots and airmen take part in a vital training exercise in Townsville that will equip them for front- line deployment against jihadist militants in Iraq.
No. 3 and No. 4 squadrons will be at the Garbutt Royal Australian Air Force base this week as part of Exercise Black Dagger.
Pilots and support crew will be training with F/ A- 18 Hornet jets and PC- 9/ A turbo- prop aircraft for the culmination of the No. 60 Joint Terminal Attack Controller course, which is designed to produce combat- ready personnel.
Wing Commander Michael Duyvene de Wit, Commanding Officer No. 4 Squadron, said the training was critical to ensure trainees were ready for combat operations.
“Many of our qualified JTACs ( Joint Terminal Attack Controllers) are already deploying to the Middle East to support the Iraqi Security Forces on Operation OKRA.
“It is vital that we send fully qualified, combat- ready personnel to as- sist in the fight against Daesh.”
During this exercise, members of the United States Marine Corps Marine Air Control Group 18 will be working alongside RAAF No. 44 Wing Joint Battlefield Airspace Controllers to control the exercise area airspace.
Wing Commander Duyvene de Wit described Townsville as one of the best training grounds in Australia. “We enjoy coming up to Towns- ville to conduct exercises as the training area allows us to combine practical and theory lessons at the same time,” he said. “The community’s support is important to us and very much appreciated.”
He said the air force was committed to ensuring a noise- conscious approach during flying activities and every effort would be made to minimise inconvenience to residents.
Defenders: inside tomorrow