TWO
P-3C Orion aircraft and a group of officers, airmen and airwomen
from RAAF Base Edinburgh’s No. 92 Wing were farewelled in
January ahead of their deployment to the Middle East to join the
international coalition against terrorism.
Minister for Defence Senator Robert Hill said the P-3 Orions would
be the “eyes and ears” of the coalition fleet in the
Persian Gulf.
Senator Hill said although the Orions had been offered to the
coalition in October 2001, they had not been required until now.
“Their task will be to work with other coalition allies in
the southern end of the Gulf in maritime surveillance work ...
to identify threats, to if necessary, support any interdiction
activity that might relate to al-Qaeda or other terrorist leadership
and also to be an asset seeking to prevent terrorist attacks from
the sea – either on maritime assets or land-based assets,
which is unfortunately the area of terrorism which has been increasing
in recent times,” Senator Hill said.
He said the deploying personnel carried “great responsibilities
as they go overseas in support of our ideals”.
“The burden also falls heavily on their families and friends,
who I recognise farewell them with both pride and anxiety,”
he said. “All Australians can be grateful for their dedication
and support.”
Chief of Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove, Chief of Air Force
Air Marshal Angus Houston and Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal
John Kindler were also at the ceremony to farewell the deploying
members and chat with families.
AIRMSHL Houston made it clear to the hundreds of people at the
farewell that he was especially proud of the men and women of
92WG.
“You will be based in a very harsh environment in the Middle
East, but I know that you are up to the challenge,” he said.
“You have been well trained, you are well prepared and I
know you are extremely dedicated to the task.”
GEN Cosgrove reiterated AIRMSHL Houston’s comments, making
special mention of the members’ families.
“This is hard for you, I know that, to wave your loved ones
goodbye on protracted missions,” he said. “This is a
long separation but they are doing enormously important work for
Australia and the international community.”
Senator Hill said the deployment of 92WG personnel reminded Australians
that the war against terrorism was ongoing.
“The Air Force has already made a significant contribution,
with the F/A-18s flying combat air patrol missions from Diego
Garcia, B707 mid-air refuelling operating from Kyrgyzstan and
C-130 Hercules providing supplies for our soldiers on the ground.
“This deployment – just over 12 months since the war
against terrorism began – is just as important as the deployments
made earlier,” he said.
For security reasons the Air Force did not disclose specific details
of operational and force capabilities or where the aircraft and
personnel would be based.
