A couple of impressive Royal Australian Air Force jets have dazzled Sunshine Coast locals during training exercises.
Two Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft and crews from Number 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley conducted familiarisation flights into Sunshine Coast Airport on Tuesday and Wednesday.
They practised landing and refuelling, enabling the local airport operators to understand the specific requirements of military aircraft.
The Department of Defence stated that the visit was crucial.
“The 2024 National Defence Strategy prioritises Defence’s ability to operate from a comprehensive network of RAAF bases and to utilise the expansive network of regional airports, private aerodromes and airstrips across northern Australia,” it stated.
“Defence is looking beyond existing Defence facilities and plans to work with industry stakeholders to access a wider network of airfields.”
Their were also reports from locals, and what appeared to be footage, of a large C-17A Globemaster III, although Defence was yet to confirm this.
Sunshine Coast Airport stated that it was “exciting” to have “special visitors”.
Their presence had aviation enthusiasts in a buzz and people in the area were stunned by their impact.
Impressive photos and video were captured by local John van Berkel.
“Always a pleasure and a privilege when the RAAF drops in to visit our little airport,” he said on social media.
Others expressed their delight.
“Watching it circle around, pretty cool,” JM Dod said.
“My daughter was so very excited to see them,” Margaret Wade added.
“So many cars pulling over and slowing down when they first landed,” Tash Cassidy said.
“Could hear the roar from Mountain Creek,” Emma Denton exclaimed.
“And growl they did! Holy heck. Loud,” Caroline Sharp said.
The RAAF is an electronic attack aircraft capable of disrupting, deceiving or denying military electronic systems, including radars and communications.
Growlers can support a wide range of Defence tasks and help to reduce risk and improve situational awareness. It provides a complementary capability to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
Twelve Growlers are controlled by No. 6 Squadron and operate alongside air, land and sea forces. They were declared operational in 2019.
They’re 18.3m long, have a wingspan of 13.7m and weigh 15,000kg when empty.
Their engines are two F414-GE-400 turbofans (with 44,000lb thrust each).
They can reach a height of 50,000 feet (15,240m) and a maximum speed of 1960kmh.
They have low and high-band jamming pods and electro-magnetic spectrum dominance.
Their weapons can include AGM-88 anti-radiation missiles, AIM-120 air-to-air missiles and AIM-9X ‘Sidewinder’ short range air-to-air missiles.
The C-17A Globemaster is a high-wing, four-engine heavy transport aircraft that is able to carry up to 77 tonnes of cargo.
It can rapidly deploy troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world.
It is fitted with a ramp that allows it to airdrop cargo in-flight, and it can operate from unsurfaced runways as short as 3500 feet. It can also be used to conduct aeromedical evacuation missions.
Australia introduced an initial fleet of four C-17As between 2006 and 2008, and more were acquired in 2011, 2012, and 2015.
Eight are based at RAAF Base Amberley. They have supported personnel on deployments and been an integral part of disaster relief and humanitarian missions.
Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for our FREE daily news email.
