Exercise Diamond Storm fighter pilots take their skills into the Top End
Top End top gun returns home in RAAF exercise over Darwin. SEE THE VIDEO
Northern Territory
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TOP Gun Flight Lieutenant Michael Marriner is flying high in the Top End in this years Exercise Diamond Storm.
The born and bred Territorian pursued his childhood dream of joining the air force more than ten years ago.
Now, he’s a fighter pilot and part of the Air Force’s No. 77 Squadron.
“My grandparents both served during World War II and a love of military aircraft inspired me to join the RAAF,” he said.
“Growing up, my parents would take me to all the air force open days where I could get up close to a jet and I’ve just known from a young age that I’ve always wanted to fly fighters.”
Flt Lt Marriner was posted to No. 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal, about 300kms south of Darwin after his training and spent more than four years flying a F/A-18A Classic Hornet.
Soon after, he was posted interstate to Williamtown’s RAAF base and joined his current squadron and No. 2 Operational Conversation Unit.
Flt Lt Marriner also trained as a fighter combat instructor during that time, which qualified him as an expert in advanced tactics and techniques and an integral part of Exercise Diamond Storm.
The proud Darwin-born flight lieutenant is now flying the highly advanced multi-role supersonic stealth fighter F-35A Lightning II.
Flt Lt Marriner’s role during Exercise Diamond Storm is to help train a select number of candidates become instructors in the Air Force’s six-month Air Warfare Instructor Course across Australia.
“As instructors, the course graduates will be required to operate in a range of environments, co-operating with other Defence units and forces to accomplish their objectives.” Flt Lt Marriner said.
Exercise Diamond Storm will be visible and audible in parts of the Territory, including Darwin, Katherine, Timber Creek, the Douglas Daly region and Delamere until June 24.
Fighter pilots take their skills into the Top End night
FIGHTER aircraft taking part in Exercise Diamond Storm above the Top End have started flying night missions, taking off from and returning to RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal.
The night flights – which will continue until June 17 – will finish by 11pm each night, and there will be no night flying on Fridays or flying at all on weekends.
Exercise Director, Group Captain Matthew Harper, said night flying was essential for training.
“The Air Warfare Instructor Course trains the students to fight day or night, and in all weather conditions. In order to meet our training requirements, we need to expose the students to these conditions,” Group Captain Harper said.
“We follow noise mitigation procedures at RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal to reduce the impact of noise on the community, while also safely accomplishing our mission.
“These measures include careful management of the procedures and flight paths we fly when aircraft depart and return from the airfield. We also carefully consider the times of departure and arrival.”
Information on flying activities is available at: https://www.airforce.gov.au/operations/flying-operations/flying-activity.
Fighter Jets take to the skies for Diamond Storm
ALL eyes were on Top End’s skies on Monday as the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) Exercise Diamond Storm took flight.
The exercise concludes the third biennial air warfare instructor course following six months of exercises across Australia.
RAAF Exercise Director Group Captain Matthew Harper said Diamond Storm was an essential training activity that ensured RAAF remained ready to protect Australia’s national interests.
“The fantastic thing about coming to the Northern Territory is that we just have a huge amount of air space.
“We take the students through very specific scenarios that are really designed to test them – by the end they can bring together all of their capabilities across the joint force in order to solve some really complicated tactical problems.”
Cpt Harper thanked Territorians for their endless support in using Top End skies for their rigorous training.
Planespotters Peter Emeny from Adelaide River and Darwin local Mick Rogers watched from Amy Johnson Ave as the aircraft action commenced.
Mr Rogers said it was the sound and sight of the sophisticated aircraft that drew him in.
“I got here a bit late so I saw one F18 super hornet takeoff and an F35,” he said.
“I’ve been interested in planes since I can remember, forever, and cars and mechanical stuff.”
The avid plane enthusiast said he could close his eyes and by listening, could tell what kind of RAAF jet was gracing the sky.
“The F16 whistles, when they’re coming towards you they whistle like buggery, F18s are very high pitched and F35s are a bit deep,” he said.
“When you get to see them they’re fast and loud, they’re good.”
Mr Emeny arrived from a nearby caravan park to watch the display.
“It’s just the sheer power of the aircraft that gets people in,” he said.
Diamond Storm soon to commence
EXERCISE Diamond Storm 22 is coming to skies across the Northern Territory.
Starting on Monday, Diamond Storm will be visible and audible in Darwin, Katherine, Timber Creek, the Douglas Daly region and Delamere until June 24.
Diamond Storm concludes the third biennial air warfare instructor course following six months of exercises across Australia.
Air warfare centre commander Air Commodore Ross Bender said the Diamond Series enhanced and promoted co-operation between air force, navy and army.
“Diamond Seas and Diamond Shield brought together Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force elements in complex maritime and defensive counter air focused scenarios, providing training opportunities to practise and consolidate integrated tactics,” Air Commodore Bender said.
“As the culmination activity, Diamond Storm provides our candidates with the opportunity to apply their skills in high-end warfighting scenarios alongside international partners.”
Trainees improved their expertise through academic activities and practical exercises that delivered complex scenarios for candidates that focused on skills advancement.
“On completion of the course, our air warfare instructors will be knowledgeable and approachable experts who can integrate people, systems and combat effects across the five warfare domains: air, land, maritime, space and cyber,” Air Commodore Bender said.
“We will conduct Exercise Diamond Storm throughout the Northern Territory to operate within some of the best training environments Australia has to offer.”
The air warfare course combined exercises Diamond Seas, Diamond Shield and Diamond Storm.
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