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. ...

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)

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

While there have been hundreds of contributors to F-111.net during the three years since it's inception, some individuals must be mentioned in particular for their time and efforts. These people include (in alphabetical order): Joe Arnold, Joe Baugher, Steve Bosang, David de Botton, Philippe Colin, Peter Davies, David Dixon, John Freedman, Ad De Graaff, Steve Hyre, Mike Kaplan, Carlo Kopp, Curt Lenz, Doug Loeffler, Don Logan, Cedric Mitchell, David Riddel, Jim Rotramel, Robert Styger, Tony Thornborough, Stephen Thrum and Annie Waite. Notes for Contributors
Extra special thanks to Doc Servo for much of the historical data on this site, and his support for the F-111 heritage.

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