Up, up and away

Air Force welcomed its newest F-35A Lightning II trainee fast jet pilots to Townsville as 2 Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU) took to the skies for Exercise High Sierra 24.

CAPTION: An F-35A Lightning II aircraft from 2 Operational Conversion Unit takes to the sky for a mission during Exercise High Sierra, RAAF Base Townsville. Story by Flying Officer Madeleine Magee. Photos by Sergeant Andrew Eddie.

Trainees were tested in an unfamiliar environment where they focused on high-complexity air combat activities and perfecting interoperability with other RAAF capabilities including the E-7A Wedgetail and KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport.

The exercise incorporates air-to-air and air-to-surface weapon training including the delivery of live high explosive ordnance into designated training areas.

2OCU instructor Flight Lieutenant Bryce Woollett said the combination of the unfamiliar environment and the integration of capabilities provided the ideal training experience.

“Exercise High Sierra, conducted from Townsville, is the capstone event of the F-35A Lightning II conversion course. It aims to push new pilots to their limits in complex missions, with live weapons in a realistic combat environment,” Flight Lieutenant Woollett said.

“The exercise is ultimately designed to prepare them to join frontline squadrons, where they will be ready to conduct combat operations.

“For our new pilots, it comes at the end of four years of extensive pilot training, beginning with their first training in the PC-21, all the way through to their graduation as an F-35A Lightning II fighter pilot.”

CAPTION: A team of armament fitters carefully unload weapons from an F-35A Lightning II aircraft from No.2 Operational Conversion Unit post mission during Exercise High Sierra, RAAF Base Townsville.

Exercise High Sierra 24-2 and the concurrent activity, Exercise Crimson Dawn 24, round out a big year for the RAAF in northern Australia. Since June, RAAF Bases Townsville and Darwin have hosted several exercises, many involving regional partners.

These exercises provide an opportunity to test key airbase operational functions that are essential for Defence’s projection of air power from Australia’s northern bases.

Exercise High Sierra 24 Director Wing Commander Philip Eldridge thanked the Townsville community for their hospitality and highlighted the need for similar activities to continue operating out of the RAAF’s northern bases.

“We understand that Townsville and surrounding regions see a lot of military exercise activity, and we are incredibly appreciative of the amazing support we receive from the people of Townsville and this region,” Wing Commander Eldridge said.

“The Townsville region provides training opportunities for our aircrew that are second to none and exercises like High Sierra 24-2 and others in northern Australia are key enablers of our National Defence Strategy.”

CAPTION: An F-35A Lightning II pilot stands with the aircraft during Exercise High Sierra.

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