B4 anyone starts posting things like what is the jet ranger doing overhead the HMAS BNE while explosives were going off (see photo above by imabell). ACFT only looks like it is overhead HMAS BNE. Stand off distance/exclusion zone (ROZ for the mil dudes) was 1 km laterally and 1000 ft vertically. (I was in a B2 taking some footage for the 6 o'clock news while the fire works show was on).
Everything went to plan (except timings) and all crews acted extremely professionally during the show. Good show award to the acting controller at MC during his shift as he coorded approx 7-8 helos at 500 ft and approx 15 plankies at 1000 ft in contra rotating ccts, while maintaing OPS norms on all machines and Departures and arrivals from the main RWY 18 during the scuttling (Virgin & Jet Star).
Well done that man.
The HMAS BNE will be a great dive, can't wait to do a PADI refresher and get some.
GIS.
