Air
operations well organised
By
FLTLT Dee Scammell
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Corporal
Katie Bretherton, an Aviation Technician with No. 3 Squadron,
ensures paperwork is correct before an F/A-18 mission.
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Photo
by CPL Mark Eaton
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Leading
Aircraftwoman Errin Schumann, No. 3 Squadron Aircraft Life
Support Fitter, services an oxygen mask.
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Photo
by CPL Mark Eaton
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A
ground crew member of No. 6 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley
works on an F-111.
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Photo
by LAC Greg Pierce
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An
explosive ordnance specialist prepares an F-111 for a sortie.
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Photo
by CPL Cindy Ipsen
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An
F-111 is readied for action as part of Exercise Crocodile
03.
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Photo
by CPL Cindy Ipsen
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A
Hornet pilot from No. 3 Squadron responds to a quick alert
call.
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Photo
by LAC Rob Mitchell
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An
aircrew member of No. 6 Squadron conducts pre-flight checks.
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Photo
by LAC Greg Pierce
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Ground
crew from No. 3 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown perform
pre-flight checks on an F/A-18 during Exercise Crocodile
03, held in north and central Queensland from September
2-25.
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Photo
by LAC Rob Mitchell
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An
F/A-18 pilot from No. 3 Squadron waits for clearance to
take off from RAAF Base Townsville.
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Photo
by LAC Rob Mitchell
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Hornets
from No. 3 Squadron depart on an early morning mission.
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Photo
by CPL Mark Eaton
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A
Hornet from 3SQN hurtles past prominent Townsville landmark
Castle Hill on a mission.
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Photo
by CPL Mark Eaton
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NOT
many people can tell you what a CAOC is let alone what one does,
but the CAOC, or Combined Air Operations Centre, was the vital
air component that contributed to the success of Exercise Crocodile
03.
The air operations during the exercise ranged from strategic and
tactical airlift support for the Parachute Battalion Group from
C-130s to the tactical insertion of troops and resupply from Caribous.
Meanwhile, P-3C Orions did maritime patrol and a PC-9 provided
Forward Air Control for close air support and precision strikes
by F-111s and F/A-18s.
Throughout, the CAOC ensured the taskings were performed effectively
and in coordination with the sea and land battles that took place
in the Townsville, Gladstone and Shoalwater Bay Training Areas.
Located in the Joint Operations Area of the Enoggera-based Command
Task Force Headquarters, the CAOC was the senior agency of the
Tactical Air Control System for the exercise. It was the major
organisation that planned, controlled and coordinated air operations
within the Combined Force Area of Operations.
The CAOC had the unique role of commanding the entire air power
rather than just administering an Air Tasking Order.
The entry operation, consisting of simultaneous airborne and amphibious
landings by Australian forces and concurrent tactical deployments
of US Marine forces, highlighted the importance of the CAOC’s
embedded Army Battlefield Coordination Detachment and US Marine
Liaison Officers.
Together they provided the vital role of facilitating the flow
of information between the components and coalition forces involved
in the exercise.
Wing Commander Peter Lloyd, the Director of the CAOC, said Croc
03 had been the most successful air operations centre that he
had commanded to date as it had exercised the full range of capabilities
on hand.
He attributed the success of the CAOC to its high-quality, professional
staff.
Click
on the following links for more information...
Now
that’s a fine drop
Controlled
descent
ADGs
confront hostile forces
