RAAF TO CONDUCT LIVE FIRE TRAINING EXERCISES OVER SINGLETON MILITARY BASE

Royal Australian Air Force fast jets will be conducting flying operations over Singleton Military Area from 28 September to 13 October 2020 as part of Exercise Black Dagger and Exercise Phoenix Black.

The local community can expect to see F/A-18A/B aircraft from No 77 Squadron, Hawk Lead-in-Fighter aircraft from No 76 Squadron as well as the PC-21 Forward Air Control aircraft from No 4 Squadron during the period.

No flying operations will be conducted on weekends or public holidays.

Black Dagger is the final activity for the students on No. 66 Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Course. The exercise provides the students an opportunity to coordinate aircraft and ordnance in live and simulated air to ground strikes.

Commanding Officer of No 4 Squadron, WGCDR Sean Jobson said the exercise was a critical component of JTAC training as it consolidated everything the students had learnt throughout the 5 week course.

“The JTACs will execute all phases of a typical Close Air Support mission, from the planning and briefing to the controlling and reporting.”
“Black Dagger is a ‘live fire’ activity which ensures the JTAC’s are operationally ready to utilise Air Power in support of soldiers on the battlefield.

“On this course we have 12 students from both the Army and Air Force and they will have the opportunity to control aircraft during several Close Air Support scenarios.”

“Supporting the exercise are F/A-18A/B aircraft from No 77 Squadron, Hawk Lead-in-Fighter aircraft from No 76 Squadron as well as the PC-21 Forward Air Control aircraft from No 4 Squadron.” WGCDR Jobson said.