Jets Bound for Merriwa

NEXT week residents of Merriwa, Cassilis and Sandy Hollow can expect low flying F/A-18A aircraft from Williamtown as part of Exercise Havoc Strike by the Royal Australian Air Force.

The exercise will be conducted for two weeks, on weekdays and night flying will finish at 10pm.

The Royal Australian Air Force will be conducting an exercise over Merriwa for two weeks, starting on Monday.

Air Commodore Steve Roberton said the exercise is designed to support close air support on the battlefield.

“As part of the simulated training activity, aircraft will fly overhead these towns and Air Force members will be dressed in civilian clothes and moving around the town as role players and involve simulated digging, moving equipment around and driving,” he said.

“Air Force personnel will not carry any weapons through this activity,” he said.

“There will be a small presence of military vehicles and all activities are planned to be finished by 10pm,” he said.

“Developing skills in providing air support for ground-based personnel is an important part of Defence training,” AIRCDRE Roberton said.