F-35s visit Pilbara

You wouldn’t typically expect to see F-35A Lightning II aircraft flying around in some of the most remote parts of Western Australia, but for residents and businesses in the Pilbara region, that’s exactly what happened from September 11 to 12.

CAPTION: Aircraftman Nicholas Thorpe, of 25 Squadron, and Squadron Leader James Wheeler, of 3 Squadron, speak with Eliwana mine staff during a visit to Eliwana airport in the Pilbara region of WA. Story and photos by Stephanie Hallen.

Members from 25 Squadron deployed from RAAF Base Pearce to the Roy Hill owned and operated Ginbata, and Fortescue owned and operated Eliwana airfields, awaiting the arrival of F-35 aircraft from 3 Squadron.

These visits are part of a series of activities Air Force is conducting across the north-west of WA, exploring opportunities, building relationships and exposing its people to operating from remote locations outside their home bases.

As the Royal Australian Air Force continues its operations in the north-west of WA, visits like these may soon become business as usual.

Ready to provide valuable on-the-ground support and guidance to local Roy Hill staff at Ginbata airfield was Aircraftman Finlay Austin.

“The facilities available at Ginbata airfield provided sufficient support for our F-35 aircraft, with the staff at Roy Hill going above and beyond to support our visit,” he said.

Ground support personnel from 25 Squadron reflected on the opportunity the visits provided, not only for the benefit of Air Force personnel, but also for the local mine staff who were able to get up close to the F-35A and learn more about the aircraft.

Aircraftman Nicholas Thorpe, who supported the visit to Eliwana, recapped his experience engaging with the mining community.

“The community at Eliwana mine was thrilled to have us visit for the day, with around 180 people making the trip out to the airfield to see what it is we do,” Aircraftman Thorpe said.

CAPTION: Flight Lieutenant Daniel Armstrong, 3 Squadron F-35A Lightning II pilot, speaks with Roy Hill staff during a visit to Ginbata airport in the Pilbara region of WA.

The visits also allowed 25 Squadron and 3 Squadron personnel to execute important on-site aerodrome support surveys to gauge sustainability of operations out of these airfields – without the need for a large support footprint to implement the Chief of Air Force’s agile operations directive.

Director Regional Airbase Development West Group Captain Peter Noake said the visit was an important opportunity for Air Force aviators as well as local airport staff.

“The Royal Australian Air Force is committed to developing capable and skilled aviators,” Captain Noake said.

“These types of activities provide an excellent opportunity for our aviators to work side by side with our industry partners to train as a combined force, improving our ability to deliver air power when and where required.

“The activity allows Air Combat Group and Combat Support Group aviators to develop skills to support agile operations from remote airfields.”

The visits to Ginbata and Eliwana demonstrated overall success in proving concepts in agile air operations, leveraging off civil minerals and resources infrastructure, and capabilities for combined civil-military aircraft support.

CAPTION: Flight Lieutenant Daniel Armstrong, 3 Squadron F-35A Lightning II pilot, presents Fortescue mine staff with a commemorative gift during a visit to Eliwana airport in the Pilbara region of WA.

.

.


.


.