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RAAF F-111s Deploy To Red Flag (Nevada, USA)
(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

4 Apr 2006

AUSSIE F-111s SINK NORTH KOREAN SHIP OFF AUSTRALIAN COAST
(from Australian News.com.au 23 Mar 06). THE North Korean freighter used to smuggle 150kg of heroin into Australia three years ago now rests on the ocean's bottom, after being destroyed by a pair of laser-guided bombs. Four F-111 strike bombers flying from RAAF Amberley in Queensland proved dead on target as the 3500-tonne freighter drifted 140km off Jervis Bay this morning. Two 800kg (2000lbs) precision guided bombs struck the Pong Su's hull with massive blasts, showering debris over a wide area. The vessel sank quickly into deep water. The Pong Su was seized off the New South Wales coast in April 2003 after a four-day chase involving Australian soldiers, police and Customs officers after it was spotted dropping a cargo of drugs along the Victorian ....
SINKING SENDS STRONG MESSAGE: Ruddock
(from abc.net.au 23 Mar 06)
25 Mar 06 VIDEO HEREfrom ABC News).
Federal Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says the sinking of the North Korean ship, the Pong Su, shows there is a high price to pay for shipping drugs into Australia. The Pong Su was seized by the Federal Police in 2003 carrying 125 kilograms of heroin. An Air Force F-111 today bombed the vessel, sending it to the bottom of the ocean, 140 kilometres off the south coast of New South Wales. Mr Ruddock says this sends a clear message to people involved in transporting drugs. "That there are potentially very significant costs not only in terms of sentences that people might be committed to, but also the forfeiture of the proceeds of any crime and the forfeiture and destruction of vessels that are used to transport such goods to Australia," he said. Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Mick Keelty also says the sinking of the Pong Su sends a strong message to criminals who may try to smuggle illegal drugs into Australia. ...

More of Ronald Wong's artwork within...

F-111.net, in association with Crystal Publishing, is proud to present a CD-ROM product containing the historic flight manuals (dash-1's) of the
YF-111A, F-111B, FB-111A, F-111D,
F-111E and F-111F in text searchable PDF format. See dash-1

PS WANTED - F-111F pg 1-181 thru 1-188 25Mar77 to Change 4 18May79 (missing from the above pub)

BERRYLLIUM ISSUES Chris Bradshaw of the Naval Tankermans Association would like to talk to any F-111 maintenance personnel about personal safety equipment and precautions used when handling or working around Berryllium components. Email webmaster@F-111.net (29 Jan 05).

It is with regret that
F-111.net announces the passing of one of the pioneers of F-111 operations, Col Ivan Dethman (Ret). Col Ike Dethman was the charismatic Commander of Det 1 428th TFS which, in 1968, deployed to RTAFB Tahkli (Thailand) for COMBAT LANCER, the first combat operations for the F-111 in the Viet Nam war. Further details on the Remembrances page.

Bill Hamilton
It is with regret that F-111.net advises of the passing of another F-111 Veteran of SEA. Bill 'Wimpy' Hamilton was reported to have succumbed to a brief liver illness and passed away on the weekend. Bill was aged 64. Details of a memorial service are currently unknown, but those wishing information may email (webmaster_UK@F-111.net). F-111.net will intend to pass details once known.....
RED FLAG 2006
(from Australian DoD Press Release). Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter jet aviators and their Air Combat Group colleagues have taken off for the United States of America for advanced training at one of the world's best tactical combat training facilities as part of Exercise Red Flag 06. The seven F/A-18 Hornet, six F-111 aircraft and 270 personnel will deploy for Red Flag in stages from 26 January 2006, with exercise flying running from 6 to 17 February. Red Flag provides a significant component of training for RAAF aircrew is it provides complex air combat scenarios involving coalition fighter, strike and surveillance assets that will hone their skills at one of the best tactical combat training facilities in the world.
'COL Lynn Lovegren' F-111.net regrets to advise of the passing of COL Lynn Lovegrenn, an ex-F-111A radar navigator/WSO who saw combat in SEA. COL Lovegrnn's obituary can be found here. (Thanks to Bob & Ginny Bragaw for the notice, 3 Oct 05).

'Buy a Brick' for the 8th AFB Barksdale Museum. Update to Museums Page. (21 Aug 05)

F-111 Deseal Reseal Report Released by the Australian Defence Force - Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel. "The results of the Health Study point to an association between exposure to chemicals used in the F-111 Deseal/Reseal programs and a number of adverse health outcomes presenting in some personnel who were involved in these programs." Link to Report (27 Oct 04).

F-111s Flying at Nellis Once Again. RAAF F/A-18s and F-111s have arrived at Nellis AFB for RED FLAG (22 Oct 04). Photos wanted!!

Emasculating the RAAF, RAAF F-111s Face Early Retirement. see Flight International May 2004

Is the JSF Right for Australia? Pt1 - F-35 vs F/A-22
See April 2004 Australian Aviation magazine!!

DivX MPEG4 Music Videos (and new links to Matt's videos) here.

If this cell is blank, the news java-applet has been inhibited by your browser settings. The news updates can be viewed in text format here

Another Aussie DoD F-111 Video
(3.8MB mpg)

STRIKE FORCE MERGE
HISTORY - 1 - 2
JJ McKENZIE 70's Gallery
30th Anniv MERCHANDISE

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Extra special thanks to Doc Servo for much of the historical data on this site, and his support for the F-111 heritage.

CARLO KOPP's Technical Writings
SCALEDOWN AUSSIE DECALS ON-TARGET

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