Luke Warner

You may not have heard of Squadron Leader Luke “Warners” Warner, but you probably remember that time back in 2006 when he and the pilot belly landed an F-111 at RAAF Base Amberley.

Growing up on the coast at Nelson Bay, NSW, Luke Warner spent his spare time fishing, surfing and water skiing with family, and supporting his father’s Lions Club activities.

Luke completed his schooling in Newcastle and undertook his tertiary education at the Australian Defence Force Academy after joining the ADF.

Squadron Leader Luke Warner has the unique record of being one of two aircrew to have landed an F-111 on its belly.

Etched forever in his memory, the 2006 wheels-up landing was filmed by local media and became a news story across the world, highlighting the skills and abilities of the Royal Australian Air Force personnel to perform in any situation.

“We had been advised by the RAAF Amberley control tower that our left wheel had fallen off on take-off,” said Squadron Leader Warner.

“It was pretty frightening at the time – we flew for four hours around RAAF Base Amberley burning fuel while pilots and support staff both in Australia and the United States worked in simulators to develop the best landing plan.

“As time passed we were pretty comfortable with what we wanted the plan to be, but waited for a decision on the recommended landing approach.

“After a number of practice runs we landed, catching the arrestor cable and with sparks flying everywhere, and significant fuel still on board, we jumped from the jet as quickly as we could as there was a real chance of an explosion.