Talisman Sabre 2021: Training activity aircraft keep Far North residents awake

The loud thunder of aircraft kept Far North residents up from their beauty sleep overnight, with some reporting their house was shaking - and it might not be over yet.

THE sounds of “intense” and “heightened” defence training kept Far Northerners up on Wednesday night, and there is a possibility it’s not over yet.

Residents across the Far North took to social media questioning why a “large aircraft” was flying over their part of the region.

Earlville resident Joan Hunter said: “Helicopter just about landing on our roof, anyone know what’s happening?”

Another commenter Melinda Abbot reported two choppers flying over Kanimbla.

“Very low and very loud,” she said.

An ADF spokesman said the specific aircraft flying over the Far North had not been confirmed, but said it was in relation to the Tailsman Sabre training. Picture here aMH-60R helicopter, ‘Nomad’, departs for an air warfare serial, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021. Picture: ADF

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“Hey military, little kids are trying to sleep,” Jane Sharp said.

There were also reports of the aircraft further west with Mareeba resident Michelle Graham asking the question: “Did anyone hear a very large aircraft fly over Mareeba last night at 10.40pm?”

In response Annaleise Young said she certainly heard and felt the sounds.

“Holy snapping ducks yes … our house was vibrating it was that low at Speewah,” she said.

An Australian Defence spokesman confirmed the aircraft were part of the Talisman Sabre training activities between the Australian Defence Force and United State military, which is set to wrap up on Saturday.

“They’re in their final phase and as we get into the pointy end, the activities become more widespread and more intense.

Australian Army soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, exit a CH-47 Chinook, during air mobile and stability operations training at the Combat Training Centre – Jungle Training Wing, Tully, Queensland. Picture: ADF

“I believe most of the activities around the Far North are planned for the nights, and there possibly could be more.

Exercise Talisman Sabre Director Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham said Australian personnel were looking forward to showing their US colleagues Queensland’s Far North.

“Our US colleagues don’t get the opportunity to train in Far North Queensland very often, so we’re all looking forward to working together to build our joint capability and showing them a bit of the country,” Air Commodore Bellingham said.

“We acknowledge these activities may result in some noise disturbance for Cairns, Innisfail, Atherton and Mareeba residents. Defence is working closely with the local Queensland police and council to ensure residents are aware of the training, which will be conducted during the day and at night.”

“The public should not be alarmed if they see or hear military aircraft, vehicles and military personnel carrying weapons. Blank ammunition may be used during some aspects of the training.

“People who see the training should not be concerned that any of the locations are under any form of actual threat.”

Exercise Talisman Sabre is the country’s largest bilateral training activity with the United States.

The exercise has brought about 1800 military personnel from the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to Australia, with France, India and Indonesia participating as observer nations.

Did you hear the aircraft at your place? Let us know in the comments below.

Originally published as Talisman Sabre 2021: Training activity aircraft keep Far North residents awake