Files reveal RAAF base forced to restrict airspace for police stunt

Internal memos lay bare the extent the RAAF had to scramble to restrict airspace from its busiest base to keep police and a state premier happy.

The RAAF had to scramble to restrict air space about one of its busiest bases in Australia for police to conduct a bizarre publicity stunt, despite warnings it presented “a significant risk”.

The Western Australian Police Force last year moved to tighten gun laws and to flag the campaign made an online purchase of a high-powered 0.50 calibre Browning Machine Gun (BMG) rifle for a media live fire demonstration.

But documents now released under Freedom of Information show police were given repeated warnings including from its own officers, the SAS and RAAF about the proposed stunt, on a range not certified for such firings.

WA Premier Mark McGowan, Police Minister Paul Papalia and then police commissioner now WA Governor Chris Dawson attend a media event to announce their crackdown on weapons with the .50 Cal weapon WA Police purchased for the event. Picture: Twitter WA_Police

Critically, the internal memos between various stakeholders cited an air danger risk for flights in the area that would require special management by RAAF Base Pearce, noted as one of the nation’s busiest hubs for air movements with more than 100,000 aircraft moves a year.

In one document, an SAS Regiment warrant officer noted “he considers the activity would be extremely unsafe and would pose serious risk to property and persons” which as a serving ADF member he “cannot support”.

RAAF Air Traffic Controller Flight Lieutenant Vanessa Stothart, from 453 Squadron, at RAAF Base Pearce, 45km north east of Perth, which handles more than 100,000 aircraft movements annually. Picture: LSIS Ronnie Baltoft

In another email from an RAAF Pearce squadron leader he flagged “the impact to flying operations is significant for a non-ADF and non-priority activity” as he appealed for other rifle ranges which he nominated to be considered.

He vented how he had been trying desk phone and mobiles of WA Police “with no luck” to co-ordinate air traffic control and squadron movements and with the “short notice and lack of information it is presenting a significant safety operational risk at this time”.

Ground support crew watch on as a Hawk 127 from No. 79 Squadron taxies to the runway to conduct a training flight at RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia. Picture: LSIS Ronnie Baltoft

But they then had to issue an urgent Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) – for danger to a height of 18,000ft for flights about the air base and inbound from Perth for two days between 0800 and 1500hrs to avoid ricochet threat – as the event went ahead with Premier Mark McGowan in attendance with other MPs and the now WA Governor Chris Dawson.

WA Police said yesterday its range assessed it for safe use for its demonstration of the .50 Cal weapon which cost $8500.

“All of the issues were addressed with mitigation strategies suggested by a subject matter expert in the use of these types of weapons and ranges, including a direct line of communications with RAAF Pearce for the duration of the demonstration,” a spokeswoman said.

Defence officials representing India, the UK and Singapore discus Air Force capabilities and training at RAAF Pearce, Perth in May last year. Picture: CPL Robert Whitmore

National Shooting Council vice president Peter Zabrdac said the stunt was a misfire from the moment they used taxpayer funds to oddly buy a weapon to firing it at a range that was not certified for such use.

“It was an orchestrated media event to create fear in the community … they were clearly told it was too risky but they went ahead and did it anyway,” Mr Zabrdac said.

“There was a very, very high risk of ricochets and therefore injury to members of the public, press and police attending because of the type of targets they were shooting at … they were very lucky to get away with it with no-one being injured, killed or worse for this little sh*t show.”