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| F/A-18F Super Hornet |
Royal Australian Air Force personnel will play an important role as fighter jets take to the skies for the East Coast Air Defence Exercise (ECADEX 11) next week.
The exercise will commence on Monday 28 November and will run until Friday 9 December, with essential work-up training being conducted this week.
Commander Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Mel Hupfeld, said, “ECADEX 11 is a vital training exercise for Air Force personnel, to maintain operational capability and to practice key air defence skills.
“The exercise also provides an opportunity for Air Force personnel to practise their skills at maintaining the integrity of Australian airspace and protecting vital infrastructure, such as a shipping port or an airfield.”
The majority of the aircraft assets and personnel will be operating out of their home bases at RAAF Williamtown (NSW) and RAAF Amberley (QLD) for the duration of the exercise.
Exercise flying will be conducted in the east coast military training area off the central coast of New South Wales with some exercise flying occurring inside the promulgated Williamtown low flying area.
The exercise scenario is designed to test both passive and active air defence capabilities where a ‘Blue’ or friendly force will protect the integrity of Australian air space and vital infrastructure against attack from a ‘Red’ or opposing force.
Up to 30 military aircraft from Amberley, Williamtown and Tindal (NT) will participate in the bi-annual exercise, including F/A-18F Super Hornets, F/A-18 Classic Hornets, Mk127 Hawk lead-in fighters and a Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.
Exercises such as these provide vital training for crew and ground personnel in preparation for domestic and overseas operations. ECADEX will also provide the opportunity to further develop integration of Air Force’s new capabilities, such as the Wedgetail and Super Hornets.
“Air Force is committed to minimising the impact of ECADEX on the local community, whilst still achieving essential training objectives in preparing our personnel to support Australia’s operational commitments and preserving the nation’s security,” Air Commodore Hupfeld said.
“We appreciate the ongoing community support for our need to conduct this vital training.”