Patrol goes on amid storm

Australian security personnel battle a Middle East dust storm during a joint training exercise that involved the US and Royal Air Forces.

By WO2 Al Green

SECURITY personnel from the Air Forces of Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom battled extreme weather conditions to participate in a joint training patrol while on deployment in the Middle East.

Operation Falconer has demanded high levels of cooperation between the Royal Australian Air Force, United States Air Force and Royal Air Force (RAF) as their aircraft, pilots and support personnel operate side-by-side in a war to bring to an end to weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

The joint training patrol was designed to familiarise members in the techniques and procedures used by each nation in keeping airbases safe and secure.

The training patrol turned out be a challenging exercise due to a violent dust storm. It hit with sudden fury as the airmen patrolled the flightline where the three nations’ jets were housed.

As ground crews struggled to secure the aircraft, the security patrol was able to stay on task using the accompanying Security Force vehicle – the ubiquitous Humvee – to provide a little shelter from the severity of the storm.

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