Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In recent weeks over Territory skies Exercise Pitch Black was in full flight, with 21 nations, 140 aircraft and 4,000 crew. Unfortunately, an Italian pilot encountered some complications with his jet aircraft, but he ejected safely over the Daly River region. Troops from the North-West Mobile Force, known as NORFORCE, were conducting patrolling not that far away, in Territory terms. They became aware of the pilot ejecting. He'd parachuted into heavy bush. The NORFORCE patrol responded quickly with a search-and-rescue mission. They navigated their way to the pilot using a combination of GPS, compasses and maps.

Their valued contribution is one that I am extremely proud to report to the House today. Indeed, I was proud to serve with NORFORCE when I was in the Army. They're based in my electorate of Solomon. They act as the eyes and ears in the north—all over the Territory, actually, and out to the Kimberley—in much the same way as the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment does in Far North Queensland and the Pilbara Regiment does in the West. Thanks to the efforts of these troops and other responders, the pilot was found safe, and he made a full recovery.