US Air Force F-22 Raptors buzz southeast ahead of Talisman Sabre
If you heard the screaming jets over southeast Queensland, chances are it was the US Air Force’s F-22 Raptors making their first run in the region. SEE VIDEO
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A DEAFENING sound sporadically filled the air over part of southeast Queensland today as US and Australian fighter jets circled each other, vying for the upper hand in a mid-air
“dogfight”.
It was a “welcome to Queensland” from Royal Australian Air Force F/A18F Superhornets and EA-18G Growler pilots to the US Air Force F-22 Raptor pilots.
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It was also part of an enhanced air co-operation activity before Exercise Talisman Sabre, which starts on Friday.
RAAF Group Captain Stephen “Chaps” Chappell said the two allies were participating in some preliminary training, enabling the US pilots to familiarise themselves with the Australian airspace.
Capt Chappell, who oversees a combined Australian-American wing of air combat electronic attack and strike platforms, said the jets likely flew about 100km from RAAF Base Amberley towards Toowoomba and Warwick, although some Moreton Bay residents also heard jets fly over their area.
Amberley USAF Group Commander, Colonel Brian “Barley” Baldwin, said it was the first time the Raptors had flown out of the southeast Queensland base.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to work on our readiness, to work on our interoperability with our best mates down here,” he said.
The single-seat twin-engine stealth tactical fighter jet has been touted as one of the best air dominance fighters in the world.
Capt Chappell said the electronic attack Growlers from Amberley’s Sixth Squadron would be aiming to jam enemy communications as part of the war games.
“They’ll be jamming the enemy comms, radar channels and other things to help gain and maintain superior situational awareness and then win the fight,” he said.
The officer said the role of pilots was to gain control of the air while ensuring the safety of ships and troops on the ground.
“Our job is to go out there and effectively fight for and gain control of the air, gain control of the electromagnetic spectrum and then start putting strike weapons down on both land and maritime enemy assets out there in the exercise,” he said.
“That’s all done so we can allow our surface guys and girls out there, be they on ships, coming ashore or fighting on land, to win the day.
“That’s our reason we’re here and the reason we exist.”
Up to 12 fifth-generation Raptors from the Alaska-based 90th Fighter Squadron will be based at Amberley for the duration of Talisman Sabre.
Paula af Uhr of Margate said she also heard some military jets fly over the bay about 10.30am and wondered if they had come from RAAF Base Amberley.
“As a former flight attendant you just know the difference in the sounds of commercial aircraft and military jets,” she said.
It was unclear whether they were the same jets from the base or if they came from one of the multiple US and Australian Navy ships that left Brisbane today.
The HMAS Adelaide was the first to leave, followed by a number of other military ships that had been in port, including the massive 333m long USS Ronald Reagan.
About 5000 sailors from the aircraft carrier enjoyed a five day port call prior to their involvement with Talisman Sabre.
The USNS John Ericsson, which provides replenishment of fuel, fleet cargo and stores to ships at sea, remains anchored off the coast of Moreton Bay.
More than 34,000 personnel from five countries are participating in Talisman Sabre this month, the eighth time the training exercise has been held.
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