Military Exercise Wader 24-1. June 2024

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    Closed consultation
    QLD
    Start 15/03/2024
    AEDT 11:00
    End 29/03/2024
    AEDT 11:00

    Submit feedback to

    Joint Airspace Control Cell  Air and Space Operations Centre
    Australian Defence Force

    This activity will utilise two Temporary Restricted Areas (TRA) in the vicinity of Cowley Beach Training Area to support increased military flying.

    The issue

    • Establishment of Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) ‘SPECTRE’ and TRA ‘GHOST’ to safely segregate civil aircraft from military flying activities in the vicinity of Cowley Beach
    • Proximity of TRA’s to YIFL aerodrome, local parachuting areas and coastal scenic route adjacent to Cowley Beach
    • Proximity of TRA’s to the YIFL NDB, RNAV and GNSS approaches.

    Purpose

    The Joint Airspace Control Cell (JACC) requests feedback on the proposed TRA ‘Spectre’, and ‘Ghost’ to support ADF Amphibious Exercise WADER 2024-1 (WADER24-1).

    Proposal

    Elements of the Australian Regular Army (ARA) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be conducting Exercise ‘WADER 2024-1’ over the period 9 to 17 June 2024. Multiple ARH, UH-60, MH-60R and CH-47 helicopters, two medium-sized Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) (Scheibel S-100, RQ-7 Shadow) and multiple small UAS (Black Hornet, MRUAS, RQ-12 Wasp and RQ-20 Puma) will be operating in the proposed TRA in the vicinity of Cowley Beach Training Area (CBTA) for the duration of the exercise period.

    This activity will utilise existing Class G airspace surrounding CBTA, with the addition of the two TRA's to support increased military rotary wing (RW) and UAS operations between the shore and RAN vessels. TRA ‘SPECTRE’ is intended for RW and Small UAS operations with TRA ‘GHOST’ to be utilised for medium UAS operations. Any variation to hours of activation will be promulgated via a NOTAM amendment with not less than 24hrs notice prior to the change taking effect.

    Military aircraft and airspace controllers will monitor, and broadcast as necessary on designated civilian aviation frequencies (e.g. CTAF and aeronautical emergency frequency) at all times when WADER24-1 airspace is active. Aircraft may request transit clearance through WADER24-1 airspace via a promulgated frequency and transits will be approved on a case-by-case basis where safe to do so.

    See attachment for maps, summary of permanent and temporary airspace volumes including dimensions, and proposed airspace activation windows.

    Submitted by

    Joint Airspace Control Cell  Australian Defence Force
    adf.airspace@defence.gov.au

    Relevant documentation

    15 March 2024