Hinterland Australian Defence Force exercise scares Conondale family
An unexpected Australian Defence Force training exercise terrified a Sunshine Coast hinterland family who hid under beds as aircraft flew low overhead. WATCH THE VIDEO
Sunshine Coast
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A breastfeeding mum was ducking for cover as she fed her newborn and crying children were hiding under beds as an unexpected defence force training exercise took place overhead.
Conondale mum-of-five Charlotte Thallon said there needed to be more warning before aircraft exercises took place, or they needed to move further west.
About 11am Friday, December 8, Mrs Thallon said the Australian Defence Force aircraft flew over their Herron Rd home.
The Conondale resident of about 15 years said she had experienced training exercises in the past but this one was terrifying.
“It was like being in Iraq, it was terrible, I’ve got a little newborn, she’s 12 weeks now,” Mrs Thallon said.
“I was breastfeeding her and had to duck for cover and cover her ears.”
She said she was telling her other children to get under their beds but her oldest son, 14-year-old Auguste Thallon, went outside and filmed the last of about eight aircraft flying overhead.
A cat is heard moaning in the video after the noise of the last plane fades.
“I had to phone around to ask ‘is there a war breaking out’?”
The aircraft was also spotted hugging the coastline by others who shared their videos to social media.
“We’re just so unprepared for something like that.”
She said her younger children were crying and hiding under beds and her Queenslander house shook during the exercise.
Mrs Thallon said she rang the Australian Defence Force to complain and was told a Facebook post had been published prior to the exercise taking place.
She said she could “not rely on Facebook” because internet service was patchy at her home.
“We need prior notice of something that is going to go on via mail,” Mrs Thallon said.
The Australian Defence Force has been contacted for comment.
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