Panic in Sydney! (Well almost!)
Thread Starter
Terrorist alert over midair aircraft exercise sparks apology
The beat-up from hell!!!
Nice work guys...
May 16 2002
AAP
The Australian Defence Department today apologised for a mid-air photography exercise that caused alarm across Sydney.
A US aeroplane, looking strikingly similar to a passenger jet, was tailed closely by a Royal Australian Air Force jet above Sydney skies just after 11am (AEST).
Talkback radio phone lines were flooded with calls from Sydneysiders worried that it was a terrorist incident unfolding.
The defence department today said the Australian Hawk trainer jet was merely flying close to take photos of the US plane, an RC 135.
''We do apologise to the people of Sydney that we didn't inform them," said defence spokesman Tim Bloomfield.
''Normally we advise the public.
''I would say it was an opportunity (that) became available to take some photographs."
Nice work guys...
May 16 2002
AAP
The Australian Defence Department today apologised for a mid-air photography exercise that caused alarm across Sydney.
A US aeroplane, looking strikingly similar to a passenger jet, was tailed closely by a Royal Australian Air Force jet above Sydney skies just after 11am (AEST).
Talkback radio phone lines were flooded with calls from Sydneysiders worried that it was a terrorist incident unfolding.
The defence department today said the Australian Hawk trainer jet was merely flying close to take photos of the US plane, an RC 135.
''We do apologise to the people of Sydney that we didn't inform them," said defence spokesman Tim Bloomfield.
''Normally we advise the public.
''I would say it was an opportunity (that) became available to take some photographs."
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Sydney
Age: 54
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good God... have we (the Australian public) really reached the level of paranoia required to make this into an 'incident'???? 
Next thing you know we'll have 'breaking news' stories about military aircraft doing low level operations in the Windsor, Elizabeth, Raymond Terrace and Ipswich areas....
Hopefully the knee jerk reaction won't be to ban all overflight of urban areas by military aircraft
Next thing you know we'll have 'breaking news' stories about military aircraft doing low level operations in the Windsor, Elizabeth, Raymond Terrace and Ipswich areas....
Hopefully the knee jerk reaction won't be to ban all overflight of urban areas by military aircraft
How sensitive the general public has become to aircraft manoeuvring overhead. At end of 2001 a senior Melbourne school teacher saw an aircraft circling overhead and interpretted it as something terrible - and evacuated the school. Yes ....it was a PC9 orbiting at 1000ft AGL prior to conducting an approved display! You really have to wonder!
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: The Shire
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From SMH http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/...415025914.html
Yeah, against the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge & CBD. Get real!
The photographs were being taken for training purposes so air force personnel would better understand and recognise the American jet, Mr Bloomfield said.
From the SMH
I don't know about that - I've flown with students at 2FTS who'll show you what close is.
Admittedly though, somebody should have told someone about this.
Lab technician Domenic Greco told AAP he was ''unnerved" when he saw the planes in the sky above North Ryde in northern Sydney, where he works. The planes were ''as close as you could get in the air", he said.
Admittedly though, somebody should have told someone about this.
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: God's own Earth
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Panic in Sydney! (Well almost!)
Just wanted to start up a conversation about the scare in Sydney today. If you are unaware of this news there were fears of a terrorist attack in Sydney Australia because there was a plane circling around the city for 15 min. It looked like a passenger liner, and people phoned in the radio stations. It turned out only to be an Australian Air Force Jet and was carrying out an aeriel excerice. It was also accompanied by an Australian Air Force Hawk Trainer Jet. Check out the story here:http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapc....ap/index.html
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: In command
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great to see the RAAF spending its money wisely! When the Senate passes the recent Federal Budget with all of that extra ADF funding, I expect we will see many more RAAF joy flights for the "boys".
I hope the ADF don't start abusing tax payers money in the same manner that the politicians, Local, State, and Federal, do.
I hope the ADF don't start abusing tax payers money in the same manner that the politicians, Local, State, and Federal, do.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I watched it fly around the harbour today - it looked great! It did not even remotely look like a terrorist attack (further reinforced by the giant USAF star on its side). I fear Australia's IQ may have dropped below the American populations level. (A scary thought)
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Here and there
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For my 2c worth, IsDon summed up this situation best.
My current job has me dealing as a first point of contact with the general public for army in WA. The ignorance and stupidity is mindblowing but always a good laugh.
I'll lay a ctn of VB that Domenic Greco the aviation expert from North Ryde didn't give a fat rat's about the planes being close together but siezed an opportunity to get his name in print
Never under-estimate the power of stupid people in large groups!
I'll lay a ctn of VB that Domenic Greco the aviation expert from North Ryde didn't give a fat rat's about the planes being close together but siezed an opportunity to get his name in print
Army, Navy, Air Force....
What do you mean, + G, 'start abusing'?
Like any other government outfit, it's been happening for years!
It raises one point about doing any training in the public eye, though; if anything you do looks remotely like fun, even if it's perfectly legitimate training, you can expect the 'fun police' from above to give you a call and order you to desist!
Like any other government outfit, it's been happening for years!
It raises one point about doing any training in the public eye, though; if anything you do looks remotely like fun, even if it's perfectly legitimate training, you can expect the 'fun police' from above to give you a call and order you to desist!