This is the lead we have been waiting for!
We had to travel to Newcastle (NSW) to meet what could be the definitive informant on Australia's secret Black Hornet Squadron.
Newcastle is the major city next to the RAAF Base Williamtown, which operates 3 of Australia's declared Hornet Squadrons.
We were tipped off that we could find people who would know more about the inner workings of the RAAF's Hornet fleet at a secret meeting point known to insider circles as... RAAF Base Finnegans.
Here we met a former Aircraft Technician named Ray. What he told and showed me was not only shocking... but the exact evidence we have all been looking for.
"All the Techo's know about the Black Hornet Squadron. It's a simple case of Mathematics.
We bought 74 hornets right. We've lost 4 to accidents.
3, 75 and 77 sqn have 12 hornets each, right! 2OCU has 18 hornets, got it.
Thats 12+12+12+18
that equals 44 jets! + the 4 we've lost and the 2 at ARDU. That's 50 jets. 8 are at contractors at any one time undergoing upgrades... that's 66 jets.... now you don't have to be a rocketeer to ask where are the other 12 jets.
The Black Squadron mate. Everyone in the loop at the RAAF knows about it."
Ray wasn't done yet. He was only beginning to wind up...
"All techos want to work at the Black Squadron. When you hear of a techo getting posted to "DG Pers". They're going Black mate. Never to be heard of again!"
I had heard of the mysterious "DG Pers" posting, but I had never imagined it was connected with the secret Black Squadron. My guess is that like the SAS, this posting isn't suited for everyone. If you don't volunteer for it, you really have to be a special trooper to have it selected for you.
I picked my jaw up off the dirty and sticky dance floor, but Ray wasn't finished yet.
"They've still got a Black Squadron of F-111's too ya know. They're buried at the moment to keep em out of sight, but they are fully serviceable and will still work once dug up and dusted off. They're buried in an unused section of the mines at Coober Pedy"
Could these mounds be the secret hiding location of Australia's Black F-111 squadron?
The ability to use the long and straight Stuart Hwy as a runway makes practical sense.
I was absolutely gob smacked. Not only has he confirmed the existence of the Black Hornet Squadron, but also that a secret nuclear powered Black F-111 Squadron has been put into hiding for use at a later date. But Rays revelations didn't stop there. He had one more amazing claim. I nearly fell off my Bar Stool.
"They've also acquired a small fleet of F22 Raptors for the Future Black Squadron."
I couldn't believe my ears. I almost didn't want to believe him. Was he playing me for a fool. The United States won't sell Raptors to Texas let alone Australia.
"The Hornets are getting old, and everyone knows the JSF's will never fly. So the RAAF had no choice but to make a secret deal with Obama to get Raptors for the Black Squadron.
The deal was so secret even congress doesn't know about it.
When we flew them into the paint shop, I had to personally paint them using Matt Black Export Quality Rattle Packs. It's amazing stuff. It's the same stuff people use on their cars to make them invisible to Police and it's great at hiding rust"
He must have seen the look of disbelief on my face.
"Yep mate, and I can back everything with these photos I've got in me pocket"
I trembled at what I was about to see. He put down the schooner he was drinking from and then pulled out three photos and handed them to me.
Finally, the most compelling evidence of the Black Squadrons existence. You won't believe your eyes!
The Black Squadrons F111's being hidden out at Coober Pedy in an old mine. Painted in light grey for burial, we assume this was to keep the D9 Dozer operator none the wiser.
Exclusive photo of Australia's secret F-22 Raptor which will replace the Black Squadrons aging Fleet of Hornets.
And here is what we have all been waiting for!
A Hornet undergoing transformation in the Tindal Fly in- Fly Out Paint Shop. The top secret painters are beginning to apply the special matt black "Export Quality" radar absorbing paint. This paint is now known for its use at the Black Hornet Squadrons as well as on cars at Mount Druitt.
After exchanging the photos and finishing of his schooner of Fosters, Ray gave me a nod of approval for my thorough investigative work, before slipping off into the crowd who were singing and stumbling around to a bad rendition of Khe San.
