Environment Dept approves F-35 ops

Before the RAAF could fly new ultra-modern F-35 Lightning fighters, it needed to get official environmental approval.

The federal environment department has now given the go-ahead after the RAAF took into account submissions from those living near the main F-35 base, Williamstown near Newcastle, and undertook to keep the noise down.

Australia plans to acquire up to 100 of the aircraft but the first won't arrive until 2018.