Orion country
No. 92 Wing is flying and maintaining two upgraded Orions in the MEAO reports FLTLT Lindsay Dooley.

An AP-3C gets the all clear to take off in the Middle East, one of two Orions deployed for Op Catalyst and Op Slipper.

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TWO AP-3Cs are operating in support of Operation Slipper. They are also conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of Operation Catalyst.

About 160 personnel – mainly from No. 92 Wing at RAAF Base Edinburgh – are in the MEAO with these aircraft.

They include administrative, logistical, ground, aircrew and other support personnel. Over 1050 personnel have been deployed during seven rotations since January 2003.

There are several coalition aircraft conducting similar maritime patrols of the Gulf to the Australian Orions, including US P-3C and UK Nimrods.

Over 3800 hours have been flown, comprising over 430 missions, and proving the success of the recently upgraded aircraft’s capability. The AP-3C is the upgraded version of the P-3C.

The upgrade included a new data management system controlling and interfacing the mission system, and new navigation, communication suite, advanced search radar and acoustic detection systems.

The combination of the new “imaging” radar with the previously fitted electronic support measures arguably give the AP-3Cs, and Australia, the best surface surveillance capability in the world.

The aim of the upgrade was to extend the operational life of the fleet to about 2015. Duty time for aircrew can be up to 18 hours, with flights usually between seven and 10 hours during day or night.

Rotations last about four months of 12- hour days, six days a week.

The crew of an AP-3C can be between 13 and 15, made up usually of two pilots, a tactical coordinator (TACO), a sensory employment manager (SEM), a navigator, two flight engineers and between five and six other operators. As well as flying the aircraft, the pilot is responsible for mission planning and is in charge of all aspects of safety.

The TACO provides effective employment of the aircraft in conjunction with the pilot. The SEM looks after the team of radar operators including acoustics, electronic surveillance measures, and electro operatives.

The SEM collects the information from the other radar operators on the Tacrail and passes that information to the TACO who acts on the information.

They determine where the aircraft should be positioned and how long they should spend there. Some of the crew are multi-trained.

The patrol activity is reported to the coalition and they decide what further action they need to take. Sometimes it is difficult to determine what has been achieved, but even negative reporting provides some important information.

Crew live in blocks accommodating 16 people, two in each room. Working in close quarters has the potential to lead to some friction at times but the current commander of the task group, Wing Commander Warren McDonald, has been impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the detachment.

He said everyone was working together well as a team and putting in 100 per cent.

The coalition provides considerable support, such as catering and force protection. Australian cooks work alongside coalition and local contract personnel to provide the variety of food to suit all tastes.

The personnel have access to a gym and a physical training instructor. One of his roles is to actively encourage members to participate on a regular basis, provide support to members sustaining any injuries and welfare support.

With not a lot to do in spare time, many members have managed to increase their fitness level since being on deployment.

SGT Lee Hussey in the made-to-measure telephone booth the members use to cut out noise and distraction.	CPL Justin Miller assists FSGT Kel Morris with the explosive ordnance disposal suit during training.	LAC David Lawson cleans under one of the aircraft.
LACW Debbie Holland, a clerk supply, escorts a contractor on base.		LAC Morgan Stewart and LAC David Lawson prepare an AP-3C for a mission in the Middle East.
Ground crew ready to unload an AP-3C after it has returned from a mission in the Middle East.	LACW Bree Ramsdale and LAC Michael Oliver work alongside local contract personnel with the AP-3C detachment in the Middle East.	FLTLT Gavin Oakley conducts a pre-flight check.
Photos by FLTLT Lindsay Dooley

 

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