Arrival of two RAAF F35 jets

[Cliff Cook]

As the two RAAF F35 jets arrived at Avalon Airport in time for the Air Show today, so I am wondering that do they fly all the way down from Luke Air Force Base Airport in Phoenix Arizona and are they use refuelling in the air or else? It would be much appreciated. I think the news media probably did not say about these F35 jets were refuelled in the air or stopover during the flight on their delivery.

From Cliff Cook.

[MarkR]

They arrived from Amberley where they had been based since Monday.

The two jets were due to be ferried to Amberley via Hawaii and Guam accompanied by a RAAF KC-30A tanker-transport, and they are due to be officially revealed at the Avalon Airshow on Friday.

http://australianaviation.com.au/201...-avalon-debut/

[Glennm]

For anyone in the Newcastle Area today..ie..Sunday 5th March. The F35 will be doing a flypast of the Newcastle area today at Around 1600 to check out its new home at Williamtown. Supposed to fly low over the coastal area.

[MarkR]

I believe the two F35s are not flying today.

[Glennm]

It that confirmed is it. The Newcastle media was abuzz about it yesterday and told everyone to line the foreshore. There will be a lot of disappointed people.

[MarkR]

http://www.airforce.gov.au/Operation...PMdufiX/RBJSoR

Updated to F-35A departure from Avalon
Due to weather in Amberley the F-35A will now depart Avalon Air Show on Monday, 6 March rather than Sunday, 5 March as previously scheduled.

It is well documented that the F-35A aircraft requires modifications for lightning protection and these modifications have not yet been completed on the two visiting Australian aircraft. As safety is Air Force’s priority, the aircraft will not fly in conditions where lightning is present. Prior to return to Australia, the Australian F-35A will be modified with lightning protection.

While the visiting F-35A aircraft belong to Australia, they are currently placed within a training pool in the United States and the specific movements of the aircraft are authorised by the United States. Authorisation has been given for the aircraft to ferry to RAAF Base Amberley, from RAAF Base Amberley to Avalon, and then return from Avalon to RAAF Base Amberley before returning to the United States. Following a late notice request by the Royal Australian Air Force, the USAF supported and approved an Avalon to Avalon event yesterday. Approval to fly at Avalon on Sunday was not requested by the Royal Australian Air Force and, therefore, with the weather events in Amberley, we are unfortunately unable to seek that authorisation.