Australia Commences Combat Operations in Iraq

摘要

Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft have completed their first armed combat mission over Iraq, assisting coalition operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The aircraft conducted an air interdiction and close air support mission over northern Iraq overnight. The aircraft were on-call to attack targets as identified. However, an Australian Department of Defence statement said that on this occasion the aircraft did not use their munitions and have returned to base to disarm and prepare for future sorties. The Australian Air Task Group's (AATG) KC-30A multi-role tanker transport supported the Super Hornets while the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft also flew over Iraq. The flights were completed without incident and all aircraft have returned safely to Australia's main support base in the Middle East.