Image Gallery: April 2007
Prime Minister's visit to RAAF Base Williamtown
18 April 2007
Prime Minister John Howard today visited RAAF Base Williamtown, meeting members of the RAAF's Surveillance and Response Group (SRG) and Air Combat Group (ACG).
SRG members will make up the majority of a RAAF deployment to Afghanistan, announced on 10 April. The detachment of about 75 personnel will manage the combat air operations over an assigned area of Afghanistan.
The RAAF detachment will provide continuous air surveillance of the assigned area, and coordinate all coalition combat air operations in that area.
This deployment is another demonstration of advanced ADF capability that will make a significant contribution to the coalition effort in Afghanistan.
RAAF Air Combat Officers (ACO) are among the most capable air battle managers in the world.
This deployment will give Australian ACOs the opportunity to demonstrate that capability and also develop and expand on their knowledge and relationships with Coalition partners.
The detachment will be based at Kandahar Airfield and will take over from a US squadron in mid year.
The RAAF is planning to deploy one of its Lockheed Martin TPS-77 radars and a Mobile Control and Reporting Centre. The TPS-77 radar has proved to be an outstanding system since its introduction into service in 2005.
| 20070327raaf8165233_0001 Views of a Tactical Air Defence Radar that will be part of the deployment to Afghanistan. (Date taken: 27 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070327raaf8165233_0005 Views of a Tactical Air Defence Radar that will be part of the deployment to Afghanistan. (Date taken: 27 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070327raaf8165233_0007 Views of a Tactical Air Defence Radar that will be part of the deployment to Afghanistan. (Date taken: 27 March 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8182715_0014 Prime Minister John Howard inspects the stairway guard provided by personnel from RAAF Base Williamtown. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8182715_0015 Prime Minister John Howard inspects the stairway guard provided by personnel from RAAF Base Williamtown. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8182715_0018 Prime Minister John Howard briefly stops to talk with Leading Aircraftwoman Meghan Hall, a TPO clerk with 3 Squadron. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8182715_0022 Prime Minister John Howard talking with Wing Commander Paul Turner who is the Commander 41Wing initial deployment team. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8182715_0030 Prime Minister John Howard meets with Leading Aircraftman Craig Gallard, an Air Surveillance Operator with No.3 Control and Reporting Unit, which is deploying with the 41 Wing Initial Deployment Team. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8182715_0069 Prime Minister John Howard and local member for Paterson Mr Bob Baldwin MP talking with members from 2 Squadron. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8182715_0086 Prime Minister John Howard with members of No.3 Control and reporting Unit who are to be deployed overseas (L-R) Aircraftman Richard Mullens, Leading Aircraftman Craig Gallard, Flight Sergeant Peter Ferguson and Flight Lieutenant Robert Vine. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8182715_0093 Prime Minister John Howard and local member for Paterson Mr Bob Baldwin MP talking with Sergeant Norm Christopher at RAAF Base Williamtown. With Sergeant Christopher is 'Idol' from the breeding stock at RAAF Security and Fire School. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8185933_0002 Prime Minister John Howard visits the Eastern Region Operation Centre and speaks with personnel who are about to deploy overseas. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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| 20070418raaf8185933_0006 Prime Minister John Howard visits the Eastern Region Operation Centre and speaks to Wing Commander Paul Turner, who is Commander of the 41 Wing initial deployment team, about to deploy overseas. (Date taken: 18 April 2007) Low Res | High Res |
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