Townsville RAAF base gets ready for Exercise Crimson Dawn
All eyes might be on the skies above NQ next week as Exercise Crimson Dawn roars into life but it will be the willing hands of 27 Squadron that help give the exercise flight. Here’s when you might catch a flyover.
Townsville
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All eyes might be on the skies above Townsville next week as Exercise Crimson Dawn roars into life but it will be the willing hands of 27 Squadron that help give the exercise flight.
Exercise Crimson Dawn takes flight from RAAF Base Townsville from Monday for ten days aiming to graduate the newest generation of Pilots and Weapon System Officers (WSO) on the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
Deployed from RAAF Base Amberley, aircrew will refine mission-planning skills developed over the six-month F/A-18F conversion course.
Commanding Officer of 27 Squadron and the Senior ADF Officer for RAAF Townsville and RAAF Scherger Wing Commander Luke Headley said the squadron would provide critical support for the Super Hornets during the upcoming exercise.
“27 Squadron provides a significant amount of support to these fast jet exercises and this includes air movements, aviation refuelling, aircraft arrestor system and air base security,” he said.
‘The squadron support that’s provided to these exercises enables the projection of air power. Without all the individual elements like air movements, aviation refuelling, the aircraft arrestor system and air base security we wouldn’t be able to run these exercises.
“The 27 Squadron motto is in readiness, so with that in mind, we will continue to stage a platform here in Northeast Australia that enables the squadron and our guests to thrive.
“The people of 27 Squadron are extremely proud of what of what we do and achieve and it’s wonderful to be able to support the exercises that come through RAAF Base Townsville.”
Aircraft will operate on weekdays during daylight flying hours for the duration of Exercise Crimson Dawn from June 17-26.
“Here at RAAF Base Townsville we thank the local community for their ongoing support and understanding during this period of increased flying activity.”
During the exercise there will also be a low fly past over part of Cairns on Wednesday June 19 between approximately 2.20pm-2.45pm.
A single aircraft will conduct a low-level fly past the Cairns Esplanade, as part of Exercise Crimson Dawn 24. The aircraft will fly over Yorkey’s Knob, and then fly at low-level in a southbound direction over the Cairns coast before turning left over the bay to fly past the Esplanade a second time.
Proof is in the pudding with working dogs
Military Working Dog Handler Corporal Renee Cahill with her trusted companion Dejzr will help provide security during Exercise Crimson Dawn.
“We’ll be providing security for assets on the base. That works on a 24 hour rotation.
“Without security on the ground. They (aircraft) basically can’t stop over here and rest their assets overnight.
“With the F/A-18F Super Hornets they need constant security checks so Exercise Crimson Dawn wouldn’t be able to operate without us.”
The corporal said she was proud of her on-base role.
“Our type of job, especially working with dogs is something that you can’t lie about. Your proof is in the pudding with the dogs.
“Your hard work that you put in you see in the dogs with their response to you - their loyalty to you.
“So very proud. Very, very proud.”
She said they regularly had to stop members of the community from trying to take a closer look at visiting aircraft on base.
“We have civilians coming along Ingham Road and wanting to take photos.”
She said there was clear warnings on signs on the base perimeter, especially along Ingham Road, that photography of the base was not allowed.
Safety first on the ground and in the air
Having to utilise the RAAF Base Townsville arrestor cable system for an emergency landing is not a job Aircraftsman Benjamin Cole takes lightly.
If a RAAF jet needs to make an emergency landing at the base it can use a hook on the aircraft to help stop the jet – similar to those used on aircraft carriers.
The ground mechanical engineer said arrester system was the last line of safety for a jet if needed.
“They can take a cable that is strung across the airfield, and it basically catches and allows them to land safely if there’s any failures with their aircraft.”
He said it was of vital importance ahead of Exercise Crimson Dawn.
We will be on morning and night shifts. It’s a vital piece of equipment and very simple to maintain once you understand how it all works.”
He said he was proud of his job.
“This this is an important job, and it’s not seen by many people.
“Many people will look at the jets and think wow, that’s great and they’re the front runners.
“But all the support that we do behind the scenes in terms of ensuring all the equipment to help maintain them and help make sure the pilots get down on the ground safely - it’s a very, very proud accomplishment that we get to do every day.”
Keep fast jets in the air
Keeping the F/A-18F Super Hornets fuelled up and ready to go for Exercise Crimson Dawn is the responsibility of Corporal Joshua Howe and his team.
As the 27 Squadron fuel manager he is looking forward to the pressure of helping to keep the fast jets in the air.
“We’ll be out there refuelling them and making sure everything runs smooth.”
He said despite the pressure job safety was always paramount.
“That’s a critical part of our job where we make sure that we have the correct PPE and making sure that the team is clear on the directions of what occurs if any fuel spills happens.”
He said he and his team were proud of their role within the squadron.
“We’ve had a lot of appreciation from a lot of squadrons to say that we’re doing a great job so that I guess that really helps out where like they see the level of work that you’re doing and they appreciate it.”
Ready in an emergency
Pilots need oxygen so Leading Aircraftsman Jarrod Eaton and his team will have a critical role in the upcoming exercise.
As one of 27 Squadron’s oxy maintainers he can quickly provide oxygen to pilots in emergencies and he had already had RAAF personnel who are up from RAAF Base Amberley checking out his equipment.
“We’ve had them out a few times already just looking at all the equipment CNN, if they can use it, use it on the planes.”
Originally published as Townsville RAAF base gets ready for Exercise Crimson Dawn
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