Good to see the Oz Knucks aren't put off by the incipid "greenies" who will always complain about a well planned and safe beat up. Pity Auntie Helen got rid of our A4's and stopped the purchase of the F16's otherwise I may have stayed in the mob. At least we got some good use out of the ex RAN A4's which served us well until the fleet was mothballed, (thanks Ham, Binny and Danny for the great jets)
Theres nothing better to warm the cockles of your heart and instill a bit of 'National Pride' than the sound and smell of jet fighter at low level.
You'll always get 9 positive comments for every negative one in these situations so keep it up.
There's plenty of incipid greenies here in Oz who will sieze on any opportunity (real or imagined) to complain about military aviation. Believe it or not we had people in Brisbane complaining about the Blackhawks tasked for flood relief during the recent floods up there.
Quite often they direct their complaints directly to the nearest member of parliament, resulting in the sh!t flowing downhill. More frustratingly many senior ADF officers concerned take the path of least resistance by giving the guys on front line a hard time rather than growing a pair and telling the whinging git concerned top nob off.
I have experienced the great pleasure of telling a pompous doctor where to stick it after he complained about our unit's activities. But then, I don't give a rats about promotion.
However having said that, I thank God we don't have Helen! Juliar is too busy looking over her shoulder for the knife!