Cape York Weekly Edition 015

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Cape York Weekly FREE – #015 | Monday, December 14, 2020

Editor: Matt Nicholls 0477 450 558 | editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au

Military exercise to incorporate Cape York base

Scherger gears up By MATT NICHOLLS

HUNDREDS of Australian and American troops could descend on Cape York next year as part of a major military exercise. Cape York Weekly understands that RAAF Base Scherger, on the outskirts of Weipa, has been put on notice to host part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 21, a biennial joint program between Australia and the United States. TS21 is the largest bilateral combined training activity between the Australian Defence Force and US military. It is designed to test the nations’ respective forces in planning and conducting Combined and Joint Task Force operations and improve the combat readiness and interoperability between Australian and US forces. Talisman Sabre is conducted every two years and involves more than 10,000 military personnel. In 2017, troops from Canada, New Zealand and Japan took part in the exercise, which saw 30,000 personnel deployed to Australian training areas. A spokesperson for ADF would not comment on the involvement of RAAF Base Scherger in next year’s planned TS21 exercise. The Defence website lists the Cape York Air Force base as a site that is likely to play a role. However, on-the-ground sources have told Cape York Weekly that military officials have been visiting Scherger regularly this year in readiness for the operation. Continued – Page 2

Weipa copped a massive downpour on Friday afternoon, creating some massive puddles around the town. This was taken at the Rocky Point service station.

WET SEASON ARRIVES

Roadworkers sealing a new patch of the PDR near Laura had to scramble last week after a massive storm came through the region.

RAINFALL SINCE OCTOBER 1 A RAINY Christmas is on the cards for Cape York residents as the wet Aurukun Airport – 129.0mm Bramwell Station – 251.4mm season lobbed in the Peninsula Coen Airport – 41.0mm last week. Cooktown Airport – 179.2mm Afternoon storms evolved into Horn Island – 146.4mm regular cloud cover in parts of the Kowanyama Airport – 143.2mm Cape, which means more rain is Lockhart River Airport – 112.0mm on the way. This is backed up by Lotus Bird Lodge – 63.6mm the Bureau of Meteorology, which Maitland Downs – 34mm says Cape residents should be Merluna Station – 149.8mm prepared for more rain activity. Moreton Telegraph Station – 194.8mm The week’s biggest downpour Piccaninny Plains Station – 107.5mm was recorded at Weipa Airport RAAF Base Scherger – 247.8mm after 92.6mm of rain dumped on Southwell Station – 121.8mm the Western Cape community in a Weipa Airport – 265.8mm seven-hour period on Saturday. Weipa Eastern Avenue – 312.1mm


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