Sunday, November 16, 2014

F18s reportedly scrambled for G20 security scare

Two F18s were scrambled in a G20 security scare on Sunday.

Fighter jets rushed to investigate an unknown radar track off Brisbane Island about 7:40am to discover it was just a boat.

Defense later released a statement to media that the two hornets had been launched from RAAF Amberley to investigate an unknown radar track.

“Upon investigation the object was identified as a ship at sea,” the statement said.

“The two aircraft then continued on their normal air patrol tasking support to the G20 Leaders Summit.”

At 8.30am, watercraft monitoring tool Ship Finder listed two vessels stationed near the coast off Bribie Island.

One was believed to be a Cape Byron Patrol vessel operated by Australian Customs. The second was listed as the Hugli Spirit, a large chemical ship from the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, police have confirmed two civilian planes were intercepted in restricted Brisbane airspace last night.

“Police spoke to the pilot of a plane that was intercepted late yesterday afternoon, south of Brisbane,” the spokesperson said.

“The man made contact with authorities after the incident, when he realised he had entered the restricted airspace.

“At no time did either aircraft pose a threat to the security of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.”

Civil Aviation Safety Authority will be investigating both incidents.

Crestmead resident Kai Draper said he witnessed a light aircraft being tailed by two Super Hornets flying low over his house south of Brisbane about 6.30pm.

The planes circled the area for about ten minutes followed by a police helicopter.

He said light aircraft often flew in and out of a nearby a private airstrip at Logan Reserve but he had never seen military aircraft in the area.

“I heard a lot of racket so  I looked out the window and saw a Super Hornet flying across,” Mr Draper said.
 

“They were pretty low and over the top of our house.

“Then I saw a little Cessna, or a little light aircraft, traveling from west to east towards a little private airstrip here.

“They hung around for about five minutes and then flew away again, and then PolAir came for a visit about 10 minutes later.”

“They just flew around in the air above him and crossed his path in front of him."


- Source:  http://www.news.com.au

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