Talisman Sabre

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

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!

[LenGXV6 Member Find all posts View Profile Close LenGXV6]

Re: Talisman Sabre

Its even better when you are in the aircraft

Have landed on the back of an aircraft carrier as part of a "cross Deck" with the US Navy, now that is an experience

300k/h to 0 in less then 2 seconds, then reverse for take off - what a rush

[craig Member Find all posts View Profile Close craig]

Re: Talisman Sabre

Talisman Sabre is a joint exercise which is held off the Queensland coast. The yank Aircraft carrier hasn't come around to Queensland, it is operating off Darwin and providing air support for it.

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Talisman Sabre

Talisman Sabre is a joint exercise which is held off the Queensland coast.

Actually, it involves multiple sites. The following is from the Exercise's Public Affairs website:

Where is Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 being held?
Exercise Talisman Saber 2009 is conducted at designated ADF training facilities throughout Queensland, Northern Territory and within the Australian Maritime Zones of Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone. Key sites include the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (Central Queensland), Townsville Field Training Area, Delamere Range Facility (Northern Territory), Bradshaw Field Training Area (Northern Territory), Mount Bundey Training Area (Northern Territory), the air space over the northern part of the Northern Territory, port facilities in Queensland (Brisbane, Gladstone and Alma Ports); and designated marine areas within Coral, Timor and Arafura Seas which are adjacent to International Waters.

[craig Member Find all posts View Profile Close craig]

Re: Talisman Sabre

Talisman Sabre is a a beach landing exercise that has the beach assualt around Shoal Water Bay in Queensland. You also get the B52's that also come and play and drop bombs.
The majority of the exercise is in Queensland.
The Yanks did not want to bring the aircraft carrier down the coast that far.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Talisman Sabre

The exercise has it's own website:

http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/exercises/ts09/index.htm

You'll also note the spelling of "Saber"... as it's and American led exercise... in 2011 it will revert to "Sabre" when it's our turn...


Gee... I remember bing in Katherine and Darwin for "Kangaroo 92" with the Yanks....


Mick

[adam's prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close adam's prado]

Re: Talisman Sabre

Hey guys I'm working right next to the airport at the moment it is an absolute awsome sight seeing these jets take off and land and flying around in formation. The other day I was driving home and there were 5 aircraft comming into land they would of been only 100 meters above Stuart HWY if only I had a camera. When they take off they shake our whole kitchen at work and the sound is awsome.
Adam

[hoppy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hoppy]

Re: Talisman Sabre

I spent a bit of time up there for Kangaroo 89 as part of a media story. Similar exercise.

We were about to be taken up in an FA18 jet as part of our story but the minister in Canberra knocked that idea on the head :cry: .
Had to settle for miniture cameras mounted in the cockpit.
As a consolation prize we went for a fly along the NT coast in an American Blackhawk instead and came back with branches jammed under the front wheels... Now that was low altitude flying....

[eerfree Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eerfree]

Re: Talisman Sabre

Temora Aviation Museum has just recommissioned A RAAF Sabre, I know this is off topic but it is worth a look anyway.
http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/P ... oClips.cfm

Bob

[Jacto Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jacto]

Re: Talisman Sabre

ntpryce

When we lived in Darwin in the early 90's, the military always put on an air show after their exercises had finished as a thank you and our patience for the noise, but you are right mate, it is totally awesome standing at the end of the runway while they are taking off.

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Re: Talisman Sabre

When we lived in Darwin in the early 90's, the military always put on an air show after their exercises had finished as a thank you and our patience for the noise

They still do this, but it is nothing like it used to be due to terrorism and other concerns. I also remember as a child in Darwin seeing the Mirage fighter jets and F-111 bombers engaging directly over Darwin skies. Afterburners going, twisting and turning in dog-fights. Those days, the Yanks used to bring in their Phantoms and I think we also had some Harriers burning around too.

If anyone knows the history of Darwin and it being bombed by the Japanese, you are always reassuring and pleasing to know that we have these top gun fighter pilots and their wonderful flying machines ready to protect us from possible harm.

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Talisman Sabre

Just a little more info for those interested;

Caught a news story on the US aircraft carrier currently of the north coast for this exercise.

It's the USS Essex (Nicknamed "The Iron Gator"), not actually and aircraft carrier but an amphibious assault craft. She has a crew of about 1100 enlisted and 73 officers plus 1800 Marines.

Being an assault ship she has 2 of those large hover craft the yanks use for sea assaults plus a flight deck able to carry 36 aircraft including Seahawks, Cobra and Seaknight helicopters and Harrier jets.

Next week she'll be steaming to Brisbane(powered by steam turbines btw.. not nuclear reactor)



mick