Update 11.15am: Defence has confirmed the flyover planned for this morning has been cancelled.
Earlier:
A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130J Hercules is due to fly over an Anzac commemoration service at North Richmond this morning (April 24).
“The Hercules will overfly the service at Ron Middleton VC Gardens at 11am, at an altitude of 75 metres, approaching from the north,” a RAAF statement said.
Ron Middleton VC Gardens is an aged care centre for 80 residents in North Richmond, with many of those attending the service on Tuesday unable to attend other Anzac services this week.
The centre is named for Pilot Officer Rawdon Hume ‘Ron’ Middleton, a pilot with the RAAF during the Second World War. During a bombing mission over Occupied Europe on November 28 and 29, 1942, Pilot Officer Middleton’s four-engine Stirling bomber was heavily damaged by enemy fire, the RAAF stated.
“Despite grave injuries to himself and fellow crew, Pilot Officer Middleton was able to fly the Stirling to England, allowing several of his crew to parachute to safety,” the staterment said.
“Pilot Officer Middleton was then killed when he ditched his aircraft in the English Channel, and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions.”
Approximately 2300 Australian Defence Force members are currently deployed on operations, upholding the Anzac spirit whilst serving Australia's national interests overseas.
The RAAF currently has a detachment of two C-130J Hercules deployed in the Middle East Region, supporting Australian Defence Force throughout the theatre.
Whilst the C-130J was introduced to RAAF service in 1999, generations of Defence personnel have operated and supported different models of the Hercules since December 1958.
Today’s flypast is subject to variables including weather and operational availability, and could be cancelled at at short notice, the RAAF stated.
