Up to eleven Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A Hornets will arrive in Townsville to support Exercise Black Dagger and Exercise Nigrum Pugio.
The aircraft and personnel from Number 75 Squadron (No. 75SQN) based at RAAF Base Tindal will arrive around midday on Friday 13 September and fly in close formation off the coast across from The Strand.
Exercise Black Dagger and Exercise Nigrum Pugio are real-time mission scenarios that will graduate combat-ready Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) qualified personnel in support of Australian Defence Force operational requirements. No. 75SQN is participating in air support elements.
Commanding Officer No. 75SQN, Wing Commander Pete Robinson said the special arrival provided an important opportunity to give back to the community.
"The formation flypast represents an important opportunity to show our sincere appreciation to the people of Townsville for their support to our past and current operations," Wing Commander Robinson said.
"No. 75SQN has a special connection to Townsville as the Squadron was formed there in 1942.
"Residents and visitors at Magnetic Island will also be able to view all the aircraft fly around the island before joining into a close formation flypast of The Strand, at a height of 1000 feet and flying at a speed of 550kph from East to West."
No. 75SQN aircraft will operate from RAAF Base Townsville for the next 3 weeks, with flying operations being conducted between 9:30am and 11pm.
Every effort will be made to minimise noise disturbance to the local community during these operations.
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