[AU] Defence support for Bush visit

Monday, 20 October 2003
134/2003

DEFENCE SUPPORT TO US PRESIDENT'S VISIT

The Australian Defence Force will provide a comprehensive package of
security support for the United States President's visit to Australia
this week, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.

"Defence will play a key security role along with other Commonwealth and
Australian Capital Territory government agencies for President Bush's
visit - providing a range of counter terrorism measures," Senator Hill said.

Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft will escort
the President's aircraft and mount an aerial patrol over Canberra, in
arrangements similar to those we had for the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting last year. A Defence radar is also in place at
Tuggeranong to complement a range of aviation security measures.

The heightened security measures will necessitate some airspace
restrictions over Canberra. Defence is working with Airservices
Australia to minimise disruption to aviation activities but the RAAF
operations will not affect routine civilian aircraft movements.

A number of specialist capabilities will also be on standby, such as the
Tactical Assault Group (East). These highly trained military personnel
may be called on in response to an incident that police and emergency
services do not have the capacity to deal with.

"While there is no known specific threat of terrorism in Australia, the
Government has a responsibility to ensure that visiting dignitaries are
afforded appropriate protection," Senator Hill said.

"The F/A-18 fighter aircraft patrols and additional Defence support to
the visit are a prudent security measures to help ensure a safe and
successful Presidential visit."

Senator Hill said the F/A-18 pilots would operate under rules of
engagement, in a similar way to the procedures put in place for CHOGM.
They would also operate on routes and at heights to lessen any noise
impact. In the days leading up to President Bush's visit, Defence will
bring equipment and personnel to the Canberra region. Residents might
notice additional aircraft and helicopter movements, such as the Hornets
overhead today. There is no need to be concerned by this.

[I'm intrigued by the last paragraph since this is a security operation!]

PACC 304/03 Tuesday, 21 October, 2003

RAAF F/A-18 AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS FROM HMAS ALBATROSS

From Wednesday 22 October, F/A-18 fighter aircraft will be operating
from HMAS Albatross for a 48-hour period in support of the President of
the United States' visit to Australia.

The Royal Australian Air Force expects the aircraft to be operating on
an hourly basis from the airfield.

There will be increased activity and noise from the aircraft during this
time and residents are advised that there is no need for concern.

HMAS Albatross and the RAAF have made every effort to minimise the
impact of aircraft movements on local residents.

Interested public can best view the aircraft taking off and landing from
the Australian Museum of Flight, Albatross Road, HMAS Albatross.

On Tue, 21 Oct 2003 19:21:58 +1000, David Bromage
wrote:

[I'm intrigued by the last paragraph since this is a security operation!]

Interested public can best view the aircraft taking off and landing from
the Australian Museum of Flight, Albatross Road, HMAS Albatross.

Observing operations at Nowra would be a low level risk for something
occurring at Canberra.


Dave

There hasn't been much talk about the time the VC-25 is due to arrive in
CBR, but media speculation is that it's thought to be around 21.30.

Anybody seen any C-5s yet?

Cheers
David

In article , David Bromage wrote:
[I'm intrigued by the last paragraph since this is a security operation!]

PACC 304/03 Tuesday, 21 October, 2003

RAAF F/A-18 AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS FROM HMAS ALBATROSS

From Wednesday 22 October, F/A-18 fighter aircraft will be operating
from HMAS Albatross for a 48-hour period in support of the President of
the United States' visit to Australia.

The Royal Australian Air Force expects the aircraft to be operating on
an hourly basis from the airfield.

There will be increased activity and noise from the aircraft during this
time and residents are advised that there is no need for concern.

HMAS Albatross and the RAAF have made every effort to minimise the
impact of aircraft movements on local residents.

Interested public can best view the aircraft taking off and landing from
the Australian Museum of Flight, Albatross Road, HMAS Albatross.


That operation from Albatross must be the overflying jet here in CBR that
hasnt stopped since Bush arrived. About every minute it can be heard above
the CBR suburbs.

At first I thought it must have been delayed RPTs getting out after the
arrival but on and on it goes.

How utterly boring for the pilots and alarmingly expensive for the taxpayer.

"simon" wrote in message
...
In article , David Bromage
wrote:
[I'm intrigued by the last paragraph since this is a security operation!]

PACC 304/03 Tuesday, 21 October, 2003

RAAF F/A-18 AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS FROM HMAS ALBATROSS

From Wednesday 22 October, F/A-18 fighter aircraft will be operating
from HMAS Albatross for a 48-hour period in support of the President of
the United States' visit to Australia.

The Royal Australian Air Force expects the aircraft to be operating on
an hourly basis from the airfield.

There will be increased activity and noise from the aircraft during this
time and residents are advised that there is no need for concern.

HMAS Albatross and the RAAF have made every effort to minimise the
impact of aircraft movements on local residents.

Interested public can best view the aircraft taking off and landing from
the Australian Museum of Flight, Albatross Road, HMAS Albatross.


That operation from Albatross must be the overflying jet here in CBR that
hasnt stopped since Bush arrived. About every minute it can be heard
above
the CBR suburbs.

At first I thought it must have been delayed RPTs getting out after the
arrival but on and on it goes.

How utterly boring for the pilots and alarmingly expensive for the
taxpayer.

How is flying real CAP over Canberra more 'alarmingly expensive' for the
taxpayer than training by flying CAP up near Darwin?

If something happens, its a reasonable precaution.

If nothing happens, Its good training.

Arrived around 21.30.

TV news earlier in the evening shows a 5 microsecond shot of commercial
747 landing at CBR with the White House press corps. Didn't see it long
enough to see which airline it was.

Cheers
David

simon wrote:
That operation from Albatross must be the overflying jet here in CBR
that
hasnt stopped since Bush arrived. About every minute it can be heard
above
the CBR suburbs.

If we had the Wedgetail there would be one of them up at all times oo
during this visit too.

Cheers
David