RAAF team arrives at Busselton Margaret River Airport for ‘Exercise Southern Sunrise’

Six RAAF PC-21 aircraft, about 40 Australian Defence Force members, and many additional support personnel have arrived in Busselton for “Exercise Southern Sunrise”, running until March 1. The team will be operating from the Busselton Margaret River Airport, and for the trainees on the exercise this is their first time operating away from a military base. Leading the exercise is Flt-Lt Daniel Kruger, who grew up in Busselton and was inspired by the RAAF aircraft that would fly low and fast over his school. “It was my childhood dream to become a RAAF pilot,” Flt-Lt Kruger said. “I have been really fortunate to realise that dream and fly C-130J-30 (Hercules), EA-18G Growler, and I have been deployed all over the world, conducting hundreds of operational missions helping people. I am looking forward to catching up with school friends, and Mum and Dad while I am in Busselton.” The team have made the short journey from their normal base of operations at RAAF Pearce. Flt-Lt Kruger explained that the closest military flying base was Exmouth, and this was typically where this kind of training would normally be conducted. However, it is currently cyclone season. “Conducting the exercise at Busselton during this time of the year allows much more flying to be completed,” he said. Exercise Southern Sunrise is the first opportunity for the trainees to work out of a different environment. “The facilities here are perfect, its a really realistic environment for us to expose the trainees to something similar to what they may experience in an operational deployment,” Flt-Lt Kruger said. Over the course of the exercise the trainees will be coached in aerobatics and formation flying. Formation flying training teaches trainee pilots the basics of formation station maintenance, re-joins and combat manoeuvring. This takes their military training to the next level because the trainee need to learn new skills while maintaining safe separation from other aircraft. Managing aircraft noise has been a major consideration in planning the flight operations for the exercise and the team will be minimising the impact to the community by flying over water, avoiding built up areas, and climbing to high level when they can. Most of the flight training operations will be conducted above 5000 feet and away from built up areas to minimise any impact on the local community. The Qualified Flying Instructors working with the trainees on this exercise are a mix of male and female, and between them they have a vast amount of experience having flown fast jets, VIP transport, Roulettes aerobatic displays, navy helicopters, tankers, tactical transport, airborne early warning and control, and maritime aircraft. Flt-Lt Kruger explained the exercise was not just about honing the flying skills. “A big part of this exercise will be engaging with the community, and building relationships with the people of Busselton and the South West region,” he said. “For me it’s really special checking out places I have childhood memories of where I went to school, favourite surf spots and holidays locations. “Some of the crew are already talking about doing some diving off the Jetty.” Flt-Lt Kruger explained that the team were extremely grateful to Busselton and the SW region for assisting the ADF to undertake the training. “We really hope to be welcomed back for future Ex-Southern Sunrise,” he said. “We also hope you have opportunity to make the team feel welcome during their short stay.”