The Australian Defence Force will be helping Sydneysiders celebrate Australia Day with a range of displays around Sydney Harbour. Activities involving the Defence Force on Tuesday, 26 January 2010 include:

Airforce Hercules cockpit

• 6:00am – 9:00am: The Royal Australian Air Force Balloon will be offering free tethered flights to the public at Parramatta Park.

• Midday: Guns from the Sydney-based the 23rd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, will fire a 21 Gun Salute from the Fleet Steps, Farm Cove.

•12:15pm and 12:45pm: A Navy Sea King helicopter from 817 Squadron based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra on the NSW south coast will perform two search and rescue displays in the harbour. The first at Farm Cove at 12:15pm and the second at Athol Bay near Bradleys Head at 12:45pm

• 1:45pm – 2:00pm: A Navy Sea King helicopter will fly a giant Australian Flag over Sydney Harbour.

• 2:00pm: Three F/A-18 Hornets from RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, will entertain spectators with a flypast over Sydney Harbour east to west and then west to east at an altitude of 1000 feet before departing via Sydney Heads and the northern beaches to Newcastle.

• 2:30pm: Members of the Australian Army’s Parachute Training School’s Display Team, The Red Berets, will conduct a display over Sydney Harbour, parachuting from an altitude of 4000 feet and landing near the Sydney Opera House.

• 3:00pm: An F-111 long range strike jet from RAAF Base Amberley near Brisbane will fly over Sydney Harbour from east to west at an altitude of 750 feet and then on to Parramatta at an altitude of 1000 feet. This may be the last opportunity for Sydney to experience a flypast by the RAAF F-111 as the aircraft is being withdrawn from service this year.

• 4:00pm: A C-130 Hercules from RAAF Base Richmond will conduct a flypast over Sydney Harbour, approaching from the east and departing to the west.

• From 4:00pm: The Australian Army Band will perform during the Jazz on the Water Concert programme at Pyrmont Point Park and Johnstons Bay.