Orions hit 1000 mark
Op Relex achievement

Orions hit 1000 mark
(MPEG video 4.44 MB)

By CPL Simone Liebelt

SGT Evan Edwards, of No. 11 Squadron, at a sensor station during a sortie as part of recent exercises off Western Australia. No. 92 Wing’s ability to contribute to other operations and exercises has been a feature of its commitment to Op Relex.

Photos by CPL Craig Eager

LAC Darren Hobbs, an aircraft technician with No. 11 Squadron, inspects an Orion deployed to RAAF Base Darwin as part of Operation Relex.

NO. 92 Wing has flown the equivalent of 75 trips around the world to reach 1000 sorties on Operation Relex.

Orion crews have clocked up more than 8200 hours and 1.6 million nautical miles as part of the national surveillance task since it began in September 2001.

Officer Commanding No. 92 Wing Group Captain Warren Ludwig said reaching the 1000th Op Relex sortie was a feat for the Wing because of its demanding schedule of national and international operational and training tasks.

“92 Wing’s achievement of 1000 sorties on this operation represents a considerable milestone, although higher milestones will be attained as the operation continues,” GPCAPT Ludwig said.

“When considered in conjunction with 92 Wing’s ongoing commitments to Operations Catalyst, Slipper, Gateway and Solania, and a busy exercise program, this achievement is all the more significant.

“Of course, behind this milestone rests the legacy of a great deal of time spent away from home by 92 Wing’s personnel and the demands that time away from home places on family and partners.”

Despite its commitment to Op Relex, the Wing has maintained its high-end warfighting skills through participation in a range of exercises, including RIMPAC in Hawaii, the Fincastle maritime warfare competition, Joint Tactical Fleet Exercise in San Diego, Five Power Defence Agreement exercises from Butterworth, and Australian-based exercises involving the Navy.

Op Relex is a coordinated, systematic search of the waters off the north and northwest coasts of Australia to detect, report and apprehend any illegal activity within the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone. Coastwatch forms part of the search plan through regular surveillance flights and the Navy ships support the aircraft.

A standard 92WG deployment as part of Op Relex is two to three weeks long and consists of one AP-3C, 13 aircrew and 20 maintenance and support personnel stationed at RAAF Base Darwin, with another crew on standby at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Headquarters Northern Command and No. 321 Combat Support Squadron also provide regular support to the high-priority operation.

An average sortie will last eight hours, and search an area of about 140,000 square miles.

Crews complete between four and six sorties a week, during which they search and identify all contacts within their assigned area and report all illegal and suspicious activity. They also provide assistance to vessels, such as dropping batteries for a sailor’s GPS navigation aid, and assist in search and rescue activities when needed.

GPCAPT Ludwig has commended all the personnel involved in Op Relex for their flexibility and dedication.

“What is most notable is the way 92 Wing crews have flexibly integrated with Coastwatch to maintain a comprehensive and secure coverage of the north and northwest approaches to Australia,” he said.

“This arrangement has been managed through Headquarters Northern Command, Maritime Command and Air Command, and this cooperation has required both 92 Wing and Coastwatch to back each other up when aircraft unserviceability or crew unavailability has arisen.

“Another noteworthy aspect is the way support has been provided when surge operations have been required.

The ability of 92 Wing to generate up to three aircraft and four crews to maintain continuous operations has been extraordinary. The ability of 321CSS and CSIG to support these operations has also been a highlight.”

.