By FLTLT Phoebe Keynes
Volume
48, No. 8, May 18, 2006
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| MAGNIFICENT: The Orion detachment celebrates 8000 flying hours in support of MEAO Operations. |
| Photo by FLTLT Phoebe Keynes |
THE Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) detachment of Orions celebrated a big achievement last month in an environment of extreme temperatures and conditions.
The Orion detachment clocked 8000 flying hours in support of Operations Falconer, Catalyst and Slipper.
“The Task Group has earned an excellent reputation with its Coalition partners for its adaptability, flexibility and, above all, the very high quality product it produces,” said Commander of the Orion detachment, WGCDR Tony McCormack.
The Orion’s capabilities, teamed with a highly trained and motivated crew, make for an extremely effective asset for Coalition Forces. The crews consistently perform at a level which is considered the corner-stone of maritime flying in the MEAO.
The weather does not always work in favour of the maintenance crews as they work through the day and night to ensure the aircraft are serviceable.
So far this year, the detachment has endured three days of torrential rain, which left the working and living facilities flooded, not to mention the occasional dust storm, one of which reduced visibility to several metres.
Now that summer has arrived in the MEAO, with daily temperatures in excess of 40 C, the heat is a factor that has to be worked into the maintenance crews schedule to ensure they meet their deadlines safely.
Throughout these conditions, the ‘quiet achievers’ of aviation continue their mission.
“To fly 8000 hours with a 90 percent mission success rate is a magnificent achievement. It’s taken a lot of hard work by a lot of people over the past three years and everyone who has served in the Task Group should be very proud to have been part of it,” WGCDR McCormack said.
Since commencing operations in January 2003, the Orions have flown more than 840 missions over Iraq and the Persian Gulf.
