ISIS combat veteran F-18 Hornet part of Exercise Arhhem Thunder
An RAAF F-18 combat veteran aircraft, with 33 missions in the war against ISIS under its belt, is one of the aircraft taking part in Exercise Arnhem Thunder over the Top End.
Northern Territory
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A WORLD War II tradition of paying homage to the missions aircraft completed is on show as part of Exercise Arnhem Thunder out of the Darwin RAAF Base.
A RAAF spokesman said one of their combat veteran F-18 Hornets has been credited with 33 missions against ISIS during Operation OKRA.
“During World War II symbols were painted on the sides of aircraft, usually near the cockpit or nose, to record combat missions,” he said.
“The markings depicted on the No. 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet (pictured) are a continuation of this military tradition and record bombing missions the aircraft completed as part of the Air Task Group on Operation Okra 2014 -2018.”
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The RAAF’s 24 F/A-18F Super Hornets ensure Australia’s air combat capability edge is maintained until the full introduction of the F-35A Lightning II.
After achieving Final Operational Capability in December 2012, they participated in Operation OKRA in the Middle East and have been part of a range of exercises, including Exercise Pitch Black in the Northern Territory and Exercise Bersama Shield on the Malaysian Peninsula.
Exercise Arnhem Thunder will see increased military flying in the NT with about 40 aircraft and 500 personnel deployed for the largest domestic training exercise for 2021. The program provides important force generation training with a focus on high-end collective training.
It will be the first time the RAAF has deployed an air combat package consisting of F/A-18F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler and the F-35A Lightning II aircraft together.
No. 1 Squadron, flying the F/A-18F Super Hornets, will employ live weapons as part of the integrated package for the first time in 2021. It allows for realistic training for both aircrew and maintenance personnel.
No. 6 Squadron, also from RAAF Amberley, flying the EA-18G Growlers will conduct realistic training in the electronic warfare spectrum as part of an integrated package against representative threats.
Having the various aircraft operating from the same location gives the RAAF an opportunity to plan, brief and debrief as a package and is vital training for future real-time high end engagement.
Flights this week run from 12.30pm to 5pm and 6.45pm to 10pm from today until Thursday, and from 9.30am to 1.45pm on Friday.
There are a range of COVID-19 risk mitigation measures in place for participants. Exercise Arnhem Thunder finishes on June 15.
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