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Australian and American air assets will take to the skies over Surfers Paradise in mid-August for the inaugural Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, featuring an array of allied fighter aircraft and a parachute demonstration from active United States Navy SEALs.
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The first-year event promises to set itself apart from other Australian airshows offering “high tempo and diverse hospitality offerings”, event founder Kevin Elliott said.
During the airshow, flight displays are scheduled to occur less than 60 seconds apart providing constant aerial performances over the three days.
Meanwhile, attendees will have the opportunity to watch the performance from the comfort of an “amazing” venue on Surfers Paradise.
The event organisers hope that the airshow, which features air power assets from both the Royal Australian Air Force and the United States Air Force, will deepen the bonds between the two partner nations while stimulating interest among attendees to consider a career within the Australian Defence Force.
“We are bringing this event to Australia at the ideal time to support the ADF’s current recruiting efforts,” said Elliott.
“Furthermore, a successful inaugural Pacific Airshow will only strengthen the attraction to like-minded partner forces from the region and around the world.
“Our team has committed to making Pacific Airshow the largest annual event on the Gold Coast, providing a highly visible platform for demonstrating the strength of alliances, partnerships, and hosting foreign dignitaries.”
The RAAF F/A 18F Super Hornet, RAAF C-17A Globemaster III and the RAAF C130 Hercules will be on display at the airshow.
The event is also scheduled to feature a display of the Air Force Roulettes, the Royal Australian Air Force’s aerobatic display team which specialise in manoeuvred flying at low altitudes.
Of those capabilities from the United States Air Force, attendees will have the opportunity to view the US Air Force PACAD F-16 Demo Team, the KC-135R Stratotanker Demo Team, US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey Demo, C-17A Globemaster III, and C-5M Super Galaxy.
The United States is also scheduled to deploy the US Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Demonstration Team.
The Leap Frogs form part of the United States Naval Special Warfare Command, and according to the US Navy, is made up of active-duty Navy SEALs, special warfare combatant-craft crewmen and auxiliary personnel.
