Top Guns take off for training exercise in North West Cape skies

The skies near Exmouth will look like a scene out of Top Gun with four Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter aircraft taking part in a training exercise along the North West Cape peninsula.

Up to four Royal Australian Air Force Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter aircraft from No. 79 Squadron will conduct training from RAAF Base Learmonth, located 30km south of Exmouth

The training exercise began Friday and will run until September 15.

A statement by the Department of Defence said operating from airfields such as RAAF Base Learmonth was an essential capability for 79SQN to be able to fulfil its mission to conduct both introductory fighter coursec and support other elements of the Australian Defence Force.

The flying is subject to change due to variables such as air traffic control requirements, weather and other aviation considerations.

Noise reduction and the environment are vital considerations in the planning and conduct of military flying.

The Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter prepares qualified Air Force pilots for conversion to F/A-18A and F/A-18B Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets.

It comes after training operations were conducted over Derby from August 22 to 25 with up to 18 aircraft flying out of RAAF Base Curtin in support of Exercise Pitch Black.

The exercise saw more than 100 aircraft and 2500 personnel from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, the US and the UK, take part.

Derby locals were treated to a flying display by F-35 and F-35A Lightning II, the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft, on August 24.

Information on aircraft noise and flying activities is available at www.defence.gov.au/aircraftnoise or by calling 1300 333 362.