DESPITE being more than 3500 kilometres from their home airspace, RAAF Base Tindal is viewed as a “home away from home” for the personnel of No. 2 Squadron.
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The squadron was in the Northern Territory for Exercise Talisman Sabre this month and Squadron Leader Glenn Salmon told the Katherine Times that the local facilities utilised as the squadron’s forward operating base during the exercise almost trumped those at RAAF Base Williamtown, where the squadron is situated.
“We’ve got two bunkers, a hanger and the tarmac here,” he explained.
“It’s a home away from home and, in some ways, it’s a better set up than our home base.”
Sqn Ldr Salmon pilots the unmistakable E-7A Wedgetail, which acts as one of the most formidable airborne early warning and control platforms in the world.
The aircraft, which has a “surfboard” radar on its fuselage, is based on the Boeing 737-700 – which is operated by many commercial airlines – and carries a flight crew of three and a contingent of 10 mission specialists.
Sqn Ldr Salmon said the vast Top End skies allowed for “freedom” in planning missions during the multinational exercise.
“There’s a huge chunk of airspace up here,” he said.
“With the Wedgetail, its about the pilots putting the plane in the right spot for the radar, and keeping it out of range of threats.”