Top End airspace to host Crimson Dawn

Day and night, the skies of Katherine will be home to fighter aircraft activity for the next fortnight. Read what they’re training for.

Residents in Katherine will have front-row seats to supersonic fighter jets in the coming weeks as Air Force pilots prepare to duke it out in the Top End skies.

Exercise Crimson Dawn commenced on Monday as part of the final phase of an eight-month conversion course for pilots and weapon system officers and will feature the RAAF’s F/A-18F Super Hornets.

The exercise will operate from RAAF Tindal and involve day and night-time missions to Delamere Air Weapons range.

The “hornets” will use the Top End airspace to conduct a wide range of flying activities, including mission planning followed by complex serials.

Variables such as weather and air traffic control requirements may impact fly pasts and flying displays at short notice, Department of Defence confirmed.

Crimson Dawn is due to conclude on 8 December.

Originally published as Top End airspace to host Crimson Dawn