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CONTACT magazine

Exercise High Sierra

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.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

Up, up and away for new pilots

13/12/202421/12/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2690 Views 0 Comments Exercise Crimson Dawn, Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville

The Royal Australian Air Force welcomed its newest F-35A Lightning II trainee fast jet pilots to Townsville as 2 Operational

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An F-35A Lightning II arriving at RAAF Base Townsville ready to participate in Exercise High Sierra. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rob Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

New pilots challenged on High Sierra

05/12/202311/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2145 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville, RAAF Williamtown

RAAF personnel and aircraft were deployed to RAAF Base Townsville to conduct the final phase of Exercise High Sierra at

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Corporal Hannah Graham winds in the earthing cable before heading out to refuel. Story b y Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.
ADF People 

Refuelling fast jets in record time

19/07/202323/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1807 Views 0 Comments Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Townsville

As a wave of eight fast jets land, Corporal Hannah Graham dispatches tankers to refuel the aircraft – enabling redeployment

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Leading Aircraftman Harry Williamson, a ground support equipment technician from 27 Squadron, works in the engine bay of a G-Wagon at RAAF Base Townsville. Story by Flying Officer Aarron Dann. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Ryan Howell.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

Providing crucial air power in the north

14/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1911 Views 0 Comments Black Dagger, Combat Support Group (CSG), Exercise High Sierra, No. 27 Squadron, RAAF Curtin, RAAF Townsville

RAAF Base Townsville is one of seven bases supporting the Northern Air Campaign 2023 (NAC23), a surge period of concurrent

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An Air Force Hawk 127 and F-35A Lightning II prepare to take off during Exercise High Sierra at RAAF Base Townsville in Queensland. Story by Flying Officer Sharon Sebastian. All photos by LAC Ryan Howell.
News Royal Australian Air Force 

New F-35 pilots graduate

04/07/202305/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2311 Views 0 Comments Exercise High Sierra, F-35A Lightning II, No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Townsville

Exercise High Sierra is back gracing Townsville airspace once again, following a two-year hiatus, to graduate the latest cadre of

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