Wirraway
13th Oct 2003, 13:20
AAP
RAAF apologises for F-111 flyover
The RAAF apologised for a spectacular low-level night-time flyover of Canberra by F-111 bombers that was meant to be a celebration but instead frightened locals and puzzled police.
Hundreds of people called police and emergency services when two jets flew over Canberra at 1,000 feet (about 300 metres) on Saturday night, igniting fuel from their afterburners in a fiery display.
The flyover was part of the High Court's 100th anniversary celebrations.
RAAF spokesman Group Captain David Steele said the air force was now reviewing its procedures for such events.
"Can I just say to Canberra and the community that we deeply regret any angst that has been caused," Group Captain Steele told Canberra ABC Radio.
"We go out of our way to try and put things in place to make sure the correct people are notified, and the community is aware of an event like that, and the activity to take place.
"We obviously regret any concern and any angst that may have been caused."
Both the RAAF and the High Court issued press releases before the flyover, but Group Captain Steele agreed there should have been better communication with police.
"Obviously, the current procedure didn't work as effectively in this case, and we sure can do better in the future."
A elderly caller to the station - who gave her name as Rosemary, of Narrabundah - said she had been petrified by the flyover.
"I just sat petrified, being a wartime British child, and I thought: `It's going to crash. Someone is trying to save that plane, trying to save houses'," she said.
The Australian Federal Police said its officers had not been able to help reassure callers, because it had been told nothing about the flyover.
A spokesman said the noise frightened many who were worried about terrorism, particularly on the eve of the first anniversary of the Bali bombings.
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AAP
High Court celebrations spark terrorism concerns
The Federal Police have launched an investigation into a low-level RAAF flyover that alarmed thousands of Canberra residents last night.
The flyover, with a fuel "dump and burn", was part of celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the High Court.
An RAAF spokesman says the jets flew in from the north and across the city at an altitude of about 300 metres, performing the dump and burn for about two minutes.
There were also low-level fireworks around the National Museum, where a dinner is underway as part of the celebration.
But police say they received thousands of calls from confused people, some of whom thought the city was under terrorist attack on the eve of the Bali bombing anniversary.
Defence media spokesman Rob Care-Wickham says there was never any risk to residents.
But he was not able to comment on whether the proximity of the Bali anniversary was considered in the decision to stage the flyover.
"I can't really comment about that. That's a comment that would better be served coming from the High Court. It's their 100th anniversary, they've arranged it, they're the ones who have made any arrangement with defence," he said.
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RAAF apologises for F-111 flyover
The RAAF apologised for a spectacular low-level night-time flyover of Canberra by F-111 bombers that was meant to be a celebration but instead frightened locals and puzzled police.
Hundreds of people called police and emergency services when two jets flew over Canberra at 1,000 feet (about 300 metres) on Saturday night, igniting fuel from their afterburners in a fiery display.
The flyover was part of the High Court's 100th anniversary celebrations.
RAAF spokesman Group Captain David Steele said the air force was now reviewing its procedures for such events.
"Can I just say to Canberra and the community that we deeply regret any angst that has been caused," Group Captain Steele told Canberra ABC Radio.
"We go out of our way to try and put things in place to make sure the correct people are notified, and the community is aware of an event like that, and the activity to take place.
"We obviously regret any concern and any angst that may have been caused."
Both the RAAF and the High Court issued press releases before the flyover, but Group Captain Steele agreed there should have been better communication with police.
"Obviously, the current procedure didn't work as effectively in this case, and we sure can do better in the future."
A elderly caller to the station - who gave her name as Rosemary, of Narrabundah - said she had been petrified by the flyover.
"I just sat petrified, being a wartime British child, and I thought: `It's going to crash. Someone is trying to save that plane, trying to save houses'," she said.
The Australian Federal Police said its officers had not been able to help reassure callers, because it had been told nothing about the flyover.
A spokesman said the noise frightened many who were worried about terrorism, particularly on the eve of the first anniversary of the Bali bombings.
============================================
AAP
High Court celebrations spark terrorism concerns
The Federal Police have launched an investigation into a low-level RAAF flyover that alarmed thousands of Canberra residents last night.
The flyover, with a fuel "dump and burn", was part of celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the High Court.
An RAAF spokesman says the jets flew in from the north and across the city at an altitude of about 300 metres, performing the dump and burn for about two minutes.
There were also low-level fireworks around the National Museum, where a dinner is underway as part of the celebration.
But police say they received thousands of calls from confused people, some of whom thought the city was under terrorist attack on the eve of the Bali bombing anniversary.
Defence media spokesman Rob Care-Wickham says there was never any risk to residents.
But he was not able to comment on whether the proximity of the Bali anniversary was considered in the decision to stage the flyover.
"I can't really comment about that. That's a comment that would better be served coming from the High Court. It's their 100th anniversary, they've arranged it, they're the ones who have made any arrangement with defence," he said.
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