There is a major Australia/US military exercise being held over the NT at the moment named "Talisman Sabre".
A major part of the exercise is air combat. Each day and night, fighter jets (F16, F111, FA18 and F15s roar off from our military airport on their way to conduct some mission. Basically, one side is the attacking force while the other represents the bad guys. We have a US aircraft carrier stationed off-shore and I understand that perhaps the baddies operate from this as their base, while the good guys come from Tindal and Darwin respectively.
But the point of this thread is to say how much I enjoy seeing the aircraft fly overhead. I just watched a single F15 take-off with full afterburners on, climbing rapidly (at 50 degree angle or greater) from take-off to perhaps around 40,000ft ceiling, and then level out and shoot off for as far as I could see with my binoculars still with after-burners going for about 3-4 minutes. Obviously this guy was in a real rush to get somewhere.
Actually, from what I understand, it takes the jets only about 10-15 minutes to take-off and reach Tindal airspace when their operate at military speeds. Sure beats driving on the highway!
During the day, the aircraft often fly directly overhead passing over the runway in different formations before peeling off to form a single line in preparation for landing. The sound of the jets as they do this is excellent.
While driving back to Darwin the other day, we saw two F111 bombers flying in low formation parallel to the Stuart Highway. An awesome sight.
You can even go to the edge of the airstrip and just watch the fighters/jets roar overhead at about 300ft when taking off or landing. This is an breath taking and body shaking experience. I must go do this tomorrow, although I suspect from all the activities today (there was heaps) that the operation might be in its final stages before the re-commencement of the school term.
I've taken a few pics when I can and will post later if anyone's interested. You've got to love these big boys toys!
A major part of the exercise is air combat. Each day and night, fighter jets (F16, F111, FA18 and F15s roar off from our military airport on their way to conduct some mission. Basically, one side is the attacking force while the other represents the bad guys. We have a US aircraft carrier stationed off-shore and I understand that perhaps the baddies operate from this as their base, while the good guys come from Tindal and Darwin respectively.
But the point of this thread is to say how much I enjoy seeing the aircraft fly overhead. I just watched a single F15 take-off with full afterburners on, climbing rapidly (at 50 degree angle or greater) from take-off to perhaps around 40,000ft ceiling, and then level out and shoot off for as far as I could see with my binoculars still with after-burners going for about 3-4 minutes. Obviously this guy was in a real rush to get somewhere.
Actually, from what I understand, it takes the jets only about 10-15 minutes to take-off and reach Tindal airspace when their operate at military speeds. Sure beats driving on the highway!
During the day, the aircraft often fly directly overhead passing over the runway in different formations before peeling off to form a single line in preparation for landing. The sound of the jets as they do this is excellent.
While driving back to Darwin the other day, we saw two F111 bombers flying in low formation parallel to the Stuart Highway. An awesome sight.
You can even go to the edge of the airstrip and just watch the fighters/jets roar overhead at about 300ft when taking off or landing. This is an breath taking and body shaking experience. I must go do this tomorrow, although I suspect from all the activities today (there was heaps) that the operation might be in its final stages before the re-commencement of the school term.
I've taken a few pics when I can and will post later if anyone's interested. You've got to love these big boys toys!
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