Currently enjoying our biennial three week air show, known locally as Exercise Pitch Black.
They started back when the RAAF flew Mirages, the Kiwis still had Skyhawks and USAF B-52's were commonplace.
This is year we have RAAF Hornets, Growlers and Rhinos, Wedgetail, C-17, KC-30, C-130, C-27 and PC-9 (FAC).
Joining in are USAF F16's and FA-18's, USMC F-16's and Ospreys, Indonesian F-16's, Thai Gripens, Singaporean F-15's and F-16's, Indian Su-30's, French Rafales, Malaysian A400, Canadian C-130 and assorted others.
Last week included flypasts pasts by most types of our Mindle Beach Sunset Market, culminating in a sneak, low level high speed pass by one of the Classic Hornets. Shock and Awe was reportedly an understatement.
Saturday was was an open day at the RAAF Base with static displays only, sadly. OH&S has killed off the flying displays for now.
For or the next two weeks, we'll have two or three waves launch most days, with ops running to 2300 each night.
Large gatherings of spectators gather at the end of the runway to watch the departures and arrivals.
And it doesn't cost us spectators a cent.
