The sound of a jet engines roared overhead as two F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft whipped past a coastal tourist icon this week.
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The planes were transitioning between Royal Australian Air Force base in Williamtown, NSW, and Evans Head Air Weapons range near Ballina on Thursday, a Defence spokesperson said.
Lee Burdett managed to grab a glimpse and a well-timed video of the jets heading along the coast at Tacking Point lighthouse, at Port Macquarie.
"It was quite loud and there was a lot of people who were whale watching, they were pretty surprised by the aircraft coming through," Ms Burdett said.
"My parents managed to see them as they went over Dunbogan Beach but they were a bit too excited to get some video.
"I have previously seen the older F-18s at an open day at Williamtown, I sat in the cockpit of one and surprisingly they are quite uncomfortable inside. It's very tight.
"It makes you wonder how pilots sit in quite a basic, hard seat for hours and hours on end during operations or training."
Fast jet operations will occur at the Evans Head Air Weapons Range for gunnery and bombing practice from July 22 to November 12 this year, according to the Royal Australian Air Force website.
For more information about upcoming jet activity CLICK HERE.