Two
F-105F Thunderchiefs from the 6441 Tactical Fighter Wing formate with
two Mirage IIIO from No 75 Squadron off the coast from Williamtown.
The F-105s, which were based at Yokota, Japan, arrived at Williamtown
from Guam on 3 October and returned to Guam and Yokota on 18 October
1965. These aircraft were amongst many foreign aircraft which had deployed
to Williamtown for Operation Pacific Concord One. The aircraft
depicted are F-105Fs 63-8271 and 63-8296 and Mirage IIIOs A3-15 and
A3-19. QAM's Mirage A3-16 also participated in the exercise. The photograph
was taken by Sydney Morning Herald photographer George Lipman
from an accompanying RAAF Vampire. The photo was published on 5 October
1965 which suggests that it was taken on 4 October. During
Pacific Concord it was claimed that on 12 October Flying Officer
Marjorie Cummins, WRAAF, became the first Australian woman to fly supersonic
in one of the F-105Fs piloted by Major Henry "Shark" Shudinis.
Also during the exercise it was announced that RAAF Mirages from A3-51
onwards would be completed as ground attack aircraft.
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