14 November 2011

Are you ready for the sound of freedom?

| johnboy
Join the conversation
48

The Australian has a piece on the defence component for Barack Obama’s visit.

TWELVE of the RAAF’s FA-18 Hornet jet fighter bombers will take turns sweeping the skies over Canberra and Darwin day and night during Barack Obama’s visit.

So now you know.

Join the conversation

48
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Bring on the jets and push it to the limit I say!

What im not keen on is the restriction placed on protesting while hes here.

When the Chinese President came to Canberra people were able to protest against China’s human rights ect, but when the POTUS arrives everything is off limits and we have armed fighter jets in the sky and half our city under surveillance?

Booo-uuurrrnnns.

LSWCHP said :

Freedom Bandit, I have your six. Studly Iceman, signing off.

Please excuse another post. I have been reading Top Gun quotes and the whole thing is so totally better than Shakespeare:

Maverick: Hard deck my ass. We nailed that son of a bitch. [gives Goose a high five]
Iceman: Wow, you guys really are cowboys.
Maverick: [Faces Iceman] What’s your problem, Kazanski?
Iceman: [Slams helmet locker’s door and faces Maverick] You’re everyone’s problem. That’s because every time you go up in the air, you’re unsafe. I don’t like you because you’re dangerous.
Maverick: That’s right! Ice…man. I am dangerous. [Iceman bites]
Jester: Maverick. [Maverick and Goose look at him], you and Goose get your butts outta that flight gear and up to Viper’s office now. [Heads out of the locker room]
Slider: Remember, boys, no points for second place.
Goose: You’re a lot brighter than you look-
Slider: Oh, you shut up.

Sounds a bit like the Riot Act.
Cockatoo signing off.

jcitizen said :

I pay $ 147.9 pl for my freedom. I wonder what they pay?

I thought freedom cost a buck-o-five?

Deref said :

Jethro said :

Cool. Seeing that I won’t be able to take the junior Jethros to actually see POTUS, at least they can see some cool fighter jets.

When the Chief Buffoon was here I tried several times to see them but couldn’t. I assume they were flying so high that they weren’t easy to spot, though they certainly made a racket.

Damnation. No chance for us plebs to actually see POTUS. And now invisible fighter jets.

PantsMan said :

NoAddedMSG said :

Funky1 said :

poetix said :

johnboy said :

While I agree it’s a generally pointless gesture that no other world leader seems to need…

A successful interception is much more likely if you’ve already got the bird up at 30k feet.

The other advantage is that we can all start talking like extras from Top Gun…

So from 3:25pm on Wednesday can we all pick corny call signs and asked to be addressed by them lol. Even better is there a “randon corny call sign” generator that RiotACT can install for that period?

If not, then I wish to be refered to as “Epileptic Pygmy” (going back to my old CB radio days lol)

Whoo! I am totally going to make everyone refer to me as “Green Mongoose” for the rest of the week.

Freedom Bandit.

Freedom Bandit, I have your six. Studly Iceman, signing off.

NoAddedMSG said :

Funky1 said :

poetix said :

johnboy said :

While I agree it’s a generally pointless gesture that no other world leader seems to need…

A successful interception is much more likely if you’ve already got the bird up at 30k feet.

The other advantage is that we can all start talking like extras from Top Gun…

So from 3:25pm on Wednesday can we all pick corny call signs and asked to be addressed by them lol. Even better is there a “randon corny call sign” generator that RiotACT can install for that period?

If not, then I wish to be refered to as “Epileptic Pygmy” (going back to my old CB radio days lol)

Whoo! I am totally going to make everyone refer to me as “Green Mongoose” for the rest of the week.

Freedom Bandit.

Funky1 said :

poetix said :

johnboy said :

While I agree it’s a generally pointless gesture that no other world leader seems to need…

A successful interception is much more likely if you’ve already got the bird up at 30k feet.

The other advantage is that we can all start talking like extras from Top Gun…

So from 3:25pm on Wednesday can we all pick corny call signs and asked to be addressed by them lol. Even better is there a “randon corny call sign” generator that RiotACT can install for that period?

If not, then I wish to be refered to as “Epileptic Pygmy” (going back to my old CB radio days lol)

Whoo! I am totally going to make everyone refer to me as “Green Mongoose” for the rest of the week.

Mysteryman said :

What is the point of this? Are they going to spot possible assassination attempts from above at 1000km/h+ ?

Yep. They will be aiming to interdict any attack from the air, particularly suicide attempts using light aircraft. Lookdown-Shootdown, and all that.

A suicide attack on the US President using a light aircraft actually occurred on 13-Sep-1994. Given that it’s happened once, there are now countermeasures in place to prevent it happening again.

You’d be absolutely astounded at the things they have countermeasures for.

Deref said :

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate?

WHY DO YOU HATE FREEDOM?

Might have something to do with the fact that the so called “supreme elite” all around the world are the only ones who actually get to experience it.

I bet you dont see them being asked if they have any fuel vouchers.

I pay $ 147.9 pl for my freedom. I wonder what they pay?

Jethro said :

Cool. Seeing that I won’t be able to take the junior Jethros to actually see POTUS, at least they can see some cool fighter jets.

When the Chief Buffoon was here I tried several times to see them but couldn’t. I assume they were flying so high that they weren’t easy to spot, though they certainly made a racket.

Cool. Seeing that I won’t be able to take the junior Jethros to actually see POTUS, at least they can see some cool fighter jets.

Fighter jets should make up for their disappointment over the invisible convoy of trucks.

Classified said :

Deref said :

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate?

WHY DO YOU HATE FREEDOM?

BECAUSE PEOPLE MISUSE IT!

Dont you mean miss it ???

taninaus said :

Ah the beauty and serenity of living in the deep south – no way they are going to make their way down here unless he is planning on visiting Tidbinbilla!

And everyone in the central area are paying for the priviledge of living in higher priced accommodation!

+1

Enjoy your insomnia, Northside suckas!

screaming banshee8:28 pm 14 Nov 11

PantsMan said :

There seems to be a dearth of veiled threats and rioters seeking directions to school book depositories.

teehee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U5vRuuIkxc&feature=related

Ah the beauty and serenity of living in the deep south – no way they are going to make their way down here unless he is planning on visiting Tidbinbilla!

And everyone in the central area are paying for the priviledge of living in higher priced accommodation!

Growling Ferret said :

Visiting Canberra is just an excuse for POTUSA to be in the country for the Presidents Cup Golf in Melbourne from Thursday to Sunday. They will wear the noise worse than us….

Except he will be 3000km+ from Melbourne

Dunno why they call him POTUS, should be PITA.

Northsidechick7:55 pm 14 Nov 11

I love the sounds of the military aircraft (grew up an army brat – the sounds of my childhood) and I’m glad we have them, so no complaining from me.

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate? Will they actually shoot at objects on the ground? Would they actually shoot down other aircraft?

As long as the’re only carrying sidewinders, they’re fine by me. Good training for our pilots post-RAAF.

Growling Ferret7:25 pm 14 Nov 11

Visiting Canberra is just an excuse for POTUSA to be in the country for the Presidents Cup Golf in Melbourne from Thursday to Sunday. They will wear the noise worse than us….

This happened during the Bush visit back in 200?. The constant drone during the night is pretty annoying.

Classified said :

PBO said :

Classified said :

Deref said :

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate?

WHY DO YOU HATE FREEDOM?

BECAUSE PEOPLE MISUSE IT!

WHEN YOU OVERUSE THE CAPSLOCK YOU ARE IN FACT SUPPORTING TERRORISTS WHO DOWNLOAD MOVIES AND SELL DRUGS TO INFANTS!

THANKYOU FOR YOUR TIMELY WARNING.

This is how Osama Bin Laden started.

I’m also woundering whether the Secret Service/CIA/NSA are currently “helping” Johnboy moderate this week. There seems to be a dearth of veiled threats and rioters seeking directions to school book depositories.

grunge_hippy5:38 pm 14 Nov 11

sepi said :

Last time the planes only appeared lap the inner north all night, the night before the big arrival. There were none to be seen during the actual daytime.

bulls***… they were lapping the skies every 30 mins when bush was here… i was on playground duty watching them fly over and timing it. the kids were all feral that week too with the constant drone.

PBO said :

Classified said :

Deref said :

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate?

WHY DO YOU HATE FREEDOM?

BECAUSE PEOPLE MISUSE IT!

WHEN YOU OVERUSE THE CAPSLOCK YOU ARE IN FACT SUPPORTING TERRORISTS WHO DOWNLOAD MOVIES AND SELL DRUGS TO INFANTS!

THANKYOU FOR YOUR TIMELY WARNING.

Classified said :

Deref said :

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate?

WHY DO YOU HATE FREEDOM?

BECAUSE PEOPLE MISUSE IT!

WHEN YOU OVERUSE THE CAPSLOCK YOU ARE IN FACT SUPPORTING TERRORISTS WHO DOWNLOAD MOVIES AND SELL DRUGS TO INFANTS!

Deref said :

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate?

WHY DO YOU HATE FREEDOM?

BECAUSE PEOPLE MISUSE IT!

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate?

WHY DO YOU HATE FREEDOM?

Classified said :

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate? Will they actually shoot at objects on the ground? Would they actually shoot down other aircraft?

They’re only here to boost Obama’s ego. If we didn’t have them, nobody would know somebody semi-important is in town.

For the love of God, I hope the jets don’t fly over Aranda – those poor people have put up with enough sound pollution of late.

Its purely a show of appreciation for the planes they made us buy off them.

Wont somebody please think of Road_Monkey, how is he ever going to watch the sunset in peace?

So what security threat do the planes actually mitigate? Will they actually shoot at objects on the ground? Would they actually shoot down other aircraft?

Last time the planes only appeared lap the inner north all night, the night before the big arrival. There were none to be seen during the actual daytime.

Gungahlin Al12:46 pm 14 Nov 11

poetix said :

I think this will be quite fun. Fighter planes are wonderful objects, unless you’re in an actual war and on the wrong side (I imagine). It’s not like they’re bombing Lyneham. Or even Gungahlin.
The only reason Canberra’s here is to be the national capital, so foreign leaders are occasionally going to visit and cause a little inconvenience/noise.

+elevenety-six
And a big chuckle for your other post too.
At 12:45 Monday I am disappointed that they haven’t started yet.

luther_bendross12:43 pm 14 Nov 11

Obama: Occupy The Sky

poetix said :

johnboy said :

While I agree it’s a generally pointless gesture that no other world leader seems to need…

A successful interception is much more likely if you’ve already got the bird up at 30k feet.

The other advantage is that we can all start talking like extras from Top Gun…

So from 3:25pm on Wednesday can we all pick corny call signs and asked to be addressed by them lol. Even better is there a “randon corny call sign” generator that RiotACT can install for that period?

If not, then I wish to be refered to as “Epileptic Pygmy” (going back to my old CB radio days lol)

Nooooooo!

Last time it was a nightmare with no sleep whatsoever all night. I was planning to be out of town this time around but we are too busy.

I think we might have to fix the dvd player and just plan to stay up all night. Unless Obama cancels again (fingers crossed).

Maybe they could shoot down the APF Kill Drone?

What is the point of this? Are they going to spot possible assassination attempts from above at 1000km/h+ ?

johnboy said :

While I agree it’s a generally pointless gesture that no other world leader seems to need…

A successful interception is much more likely if you’ve already got the bird up at 30k feet.

The other advantage is that we can all start talking like extras from Top Gun…

I am one of those people who swears and moans when the neighbours start up their lawn mower – I hate noise. But how can you not like fighter jets?! Though I don’t know if I’ll still think that when they keep going all night. Better than that helicopter though. Helicopters are always boring.

While I agree it’s a generally pointless gesture that no other world leader seems to need…

A successful interception is much more likely if you’ve already got the bird up at 30k feet.

Deref said :

Still – I’m sure we’ll all sleep more soundly knowing that if the terrists or the commies launch an air attack we’ll be protected.

Yes, the pilots of the jets will be able to watch the attack, as-will the people viewing the various radars and things that cover our airspace! It’s pointless and meaningless.

poetix said :

I think this will be quite fun. Fighter planes are wonderful objects, unless you’re in an actual war and on the wrong side (I imagine). It’s not like they’re bombing Lyneham. Or even Gungahlin.

Charnwood on the other hand… 🙂

I hope they put mufflers on them. They didn’t during the Chief Buffoon’s visit a few years ago. Noisy bloody things. Still – I’m sure we’ll all sleep more soundly knowing that if the terrists or the commies launch an air attack we’ll be protected.

And what actual benefit to safety is having jets circling constantly? It’s for show, pure and simple. Noisy show. At 3am in the morning.

I think this will be quite fun. Fighter planes are wonderful objects, unless you’re in an actual war and on the wrong side (I imagine). It’s not like they’re bombing Lyneham. Or even Gungahlin.
The only reason Canberra’s here is to be the national capital, so foreign leaders are occasionally going to visit and cause a little inconvenience/noise.

Crap. They’ve been playing silly helicopter games the past week or so (blackhawks, except they’re various shades of green) and at 2am it’s noisy as hell. Fair dinkum, security theatre at its worst.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.