Slumbering residents in the Illawarra were woken to the sound of helicopters flying over their houses the last few nights.
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The rotor blades were loud, prompting many to assume the choppers were flying very low indeed.
They were flying low, and they were very real.
It was Australian Defence Force personnel carrying out counter-terrorism training, which is taking place through November.
As well as the Illawarra, the training is also happening in Sydney, Nowra, Singleton and Beecroft Range near Currarong.
"The training will be conducted during the day and night, and involves responses to simulated terrorist scenarios," a defence spokesperson said.
"The public should not be alarmed if they see or hear military helicopters, vehicles and military personnel carrying weapons. No ammunition will be used during the training.
"People who see the training should not be concerned that any of the locations are under any form of actual threat."
The spokesperson said no information regarding the timetable of the training sessions would be provided so as to protect operational tactics, techniques and procedures.
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Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
