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Discovery Air Defence Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Air Inc., announced on Nov. 14 that it has now flown its first fast jet training mission in support of the Australian Defence Force’s Fast Jet Trial contract.
Two DA Defence upgraded Alpha Jets and four Air Affairs Learjets participated in air-to-air missions as Red Air aggressors near RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales. The jets were participating in the Royal Australian Air Force 81 Wing workups for future exercises.
“This inaugural fast jet mission is a great milestone for everyone involved in our new Australian program,” said Steven “Bunt” Nierlich, DA Defence program manager and a highly-experienced former CF-18 pilot.
“Discovery Air Defence and Air Affairs Australia are committed to delivering the world’s best adversary training to the Australian Defence Force.”
“This mission marks the achievement of initial operating capability (IOC) in our Australian fast jet program,” said Paul Bouchard, president of DA Defence.
“Working closely with our partner Air Affairs Australia, also an expert in providing both jet and unmanned target services, we look forward to training the Australian Defence Force with highly-representative adversary threats beyond this trial and into the future.”
DA Defence is an experienced provider of turnkey tactical airborne training. With eight main operating bases across three continents, DA Defence operates the world’s largest privately-owned fleet of aggressor and combat support aircraft.
With an unparalleled safety record, including 66,000 accident-free flight hours, DA Defence, along with its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Top Aces Corp., is the exclusive contracted airborne training service provider to the Canadian, German, and Australian armed forces.
DA Defence’s unique mix of modern fighter and special mission aircraft equipped with representative fourth generation threat capabilities delivers the mission profiles, flexibility, and availability demanded by the world’s leading air forces.
