FLIGHT TRAINING THE FOUNDATION OF THE FUTURE AIR FORCE

The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP today visited RAAF base Pearce in Western Australia the home of the RAAF’s Number 2 Flying Training School (2FTS).

The Minister toured the 2 FTS facilities and their PC-9 training aircraft.

“Flying Training is the foundation of the future air force outlined in the Defence White Paper. Some of these pilots will go on to fly the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that we have planned to bolster our air combat fleet,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

The Defence White Paper outlines a range of key capability enhancements for the Air Force including 100 Joint Strike Fighters, new Maritime Patrol Aircraft, long range Uninhabited Surveillance Aircraft and a new fleet of battlefield transport aircraft.

While at RAAF Pearce the Minister also visited 130 Squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. 130 Squadron is an advanced flying training unit that flies the advanced Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft and utilises the facilities at RAAF Pearce as part of a cooperative agreement with the Australian Government.

“Singapore is a key ally in the Asia Pacific region and cooperating to maintain and enhance their capabilities benefits the security and stability of the region. Our cooperation here in Western Australia is a concrete example of that,” the Minister said.

Media contacts:

Clare Enyi (Joel Fitzgibbon):                               02 6277 7800 or 0404 893 565

Defence Media Liaison:                                       02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664