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LAC
Trevor Marshall on patrol at Baghdad International Airport.
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Photo
by CPL Neil Ruskin
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THE
60 members of the Air Traffic Control Detachment at Baghdad International
Airport (BIAP) are scheduled to return home in mid-August.
This
follows the handover of air traffic control responsibilities
at the airport to Iraqi civilian controllers.
However,
RAAF air traffic controllers will retain a presence in Iraq as
Defence Minister Robert Hill announced that six air traffic controllers
would join other coalition controllers at Balad air base near
Baghdad.
Coalition
military aircraft will be relocated from BIAP to Balad. The Australian
contingent at Balad will help coordinate the movements of military
air traffic in Iraq.
Senator
Hill said the ATC Detachment had performed a crucial role in keeping
Baghdad International Airport open to civilian and military air
traffic.
“The
handover of responsibility to the Iraqi civilian authorities marks
an important step in Iraq’s transition and reconstruction,” Senator
Hill said.
“The
detachment has done an outstanding job and their efforts have
allowed a steady stream of humanitarian, military and civilian
supplies and personnel to flow into Iraq.
“I
commend them for their dedication and professionalism and I know
that they are very well regarded by our coalition partners.”
The
detachment, which has been in Iraq for more than a year, has handled
about 175,000 movements, an average of about 400 movements a day.
Senator
Hill also announced that an ADF medical team of up to 20 personnel
would be deployed to the MEAO to support a major coalition military
hospital.
“The
Australian medical team will most likely include a combination
of regular and specialist Reserve personnel,” he said.
He
said the ADF would continue to maintain the current strength of
about 900 personnel deployed in the MEAO on Operation Catalyst.
