Philip Smart | Adelaide
The Australian Air Task Group’s air combat operations against Daesh continue with precision attacks, with more than 400 weapons employed against targets to degrade Daesh capability and to support Iraqi Security Forces.
This milestone was achieved with a combination of F/A-18A Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets flying a total of some 5000 hours, the E-7A Wedgetail completing 100 operational sorties, and theKC-30A air-to-air refuelling team delivering 25 million pounds of fuel to Australian and Coalition aircraft.
Outgoing, Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, said achieving these milestones represented both the hard work of deployed personnel and the quality of the equipment they operate.
“Air Task Group milestones will continue to be achieved and they are testament to the dedication and commitment of our personnel,” AIRMSHL Brown said.
“Royal Australian Air Force aircraft are providing command and control, fuel, and precision strike effects that are empowering the Iraqi Army and ultimately enabling the Iraqi people to reclaim their country back from Daesh.”
AIRMSHL Brown said the milestones achieved by the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, E-7A Wedgetail, and F/A-18A Hornets were significant.
“To provide some perspective to the enormity of the fuel volume that the KC-30A has offloaded, 25 million pounds equates to some 14 million litres of fuel. That is a complete refuel for more than 1500 F/A-18A Hornets, achieved over Iraq by a single RAAF KC-30A aircraft,” he said.
“The E-7A Wedgetail routinely controls more than 60 aircraft in the battle space during a single mission, and when multiplied by 100 sorties it makes for a huge number of aircraft being controlled by the Australian command and control platform throughout the Operation.
“While the E-7A performs multiple functions, the singular goal of the strike aircraft is to destroy and degrade Daesh will and capacity to fight.
“With more than 400 precision weapons released by Australian Strike aircraft onto Daesh targets, since Operation OKRA began, we are giving the Iraqi forces the best possible support against Daesh.”