Royal Australian Air Force's AP-3C Orion detachment achieve Middle East milestone

Someoneforyou

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2011
Messages
990
Likes
51
AF AP-3C Orions achieve Middle East milestone
AUSTRALIA - 19 AUGUST 2011

The Royal Australian Air Force's AP-3C Orion detachment has chalked up a remarkable milestone of 20,000 hours of operational missions in support of operations in the Middle East.

On Tuesday, 15 August, one of the two Orion aircraft currently in the Middle East flew an overland mission in search of insurgents in southern Afghanistan when the milestone was recorded.

The AP-3C aircraft are deployed from RAAF base Edinburgh, South Australia.

The Air Component Commander, Group Captain Paul Nicholas said approximately 2800 personnel have deployed in support of AP-3C operations in the Middle East since 2003 and this milestone was testament to both the professionalism and hard work of 92 Wing Detachments.

"The combined efforts of the AP-3Cs and the wider RAAF team have enabled the Air Component to support coalition land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and maritime operations in the Arabian Sea and surrounding maritime areas of the Middle East," Group Captain Nicholas said.

"Our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions were initially focused on maritime missions in the Arabian Gulf region and soon expanded to overland missions in support of the stabilisation of Iraq.

"Today, our commitment extends from Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to the Indian Ocean off East Africa in support of maritime security and counter-piracy operations."

Group Captain Nicholas said the achievement of the milestone was testament to the efforts of the aircrew and maintenance personnel along with the enabling efforts of Intelligence, Imagery Analysts, Operations Officers, logistics and many other combat support personnel who are essential to providing the AP-3C capability.

"Our maintenance personnel begin work on the aircraft as soon as they return from operations. Their work is professionally rewarding and their efforts have made a significant contribution to the safe and ongoing operation of these aircraft."

20,000 hours of operational missions equates to 833 days of 24-hour operations or two and a quarter years of continuous flying.

To celebrate the milestone, an Australian and British fire-fighting truck provided a traditional water canon welcome to Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE where the two AP-3C Orion aircraft are stationed.



A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C marshaller remains on standby after having marshalled the aircraft into a parking bay. Mid Caption: The Royal Australian Air Force's AP-3C Orion detachment has chalked up the remarkable milestone of 20,000 hours of operational missions in support of operations in the Middle East. On Tuesday, 15 August, one of the two Orion aircraft from Edinburgh, South Australia currently in the Middle East flew an overland mission in search of insurgents in southern Afghanistan to record the milestone. The AP-3Cs support coalition land and martime operations in the MEAO. Their commitment extends from southern Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force to the Indian ocean of East Africa in support of maritime security and counter-piracy operations.




Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C maintainers watch on as the AP-3C Orion is towed onto the tarmac to undergo flight preparations.




Source: Ministry of Defence Australia
 

Someoneforyou

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2011
Messages
990
Likes
51
Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion:

The Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion is an extremely versatile aircraft capable of:

"¢maritime surveillance

"¢anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare

"¢naval fleet support

"¢search and survivor supply.

The Orion is the workhorse of No 92 Wing, located at RAAF Base Edinburgh, near Adelaide, who are responsible for conducting long-range surveillance missions within Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone and throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

The Orion first entered military service in 1962, with the current P-3C first introduced in 1968. The significantly upgraded Australian Orions, designated AP-3C, were introduced into service in 2002 and are fitted with a variety of sensors, including digital multi-mode radar, electronic support measures, electro-optics detectors (infra-red and visual), magnetic anomaly detectors, identification friend or foe systems, and acoustic detectors.

The Orion may work alone, or in conjunction with other aircraft or ships. Wartime missions include locating and attacking enemy submarines and ships using torpedoes and Harpoon anti-shipping missiles. Orions also assist in search and rescue operations by conducting search and survivor supply (air drop) missions.

Orion flight training is conducted primarily in two simulators, the Advanced Flight Simulator and the Operational Mission Simulator.










Source: Australian Department of Defence
 

Latest Replies

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top