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Team Orion
Keeping the AP-3Cs flying in the Middle East is a mighty mission, involving hot days, long nights and lots of team spirit, as CAPT Chris Linden discovered.
Volume 49, No. 11, June 28, 2007 |
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The full moon hangs high in the sky and on the tarmac, under a bank of lights, the ground crews are finalising the maintenance and ground checks on an Australian AP-3C aircraft.
The mercury peaked at almost 50 degrees around midday and it’s still in the high 30’s at 9.30pm. The ground crew and support elements of Task Group 633.2 have been working feverishly all day to support the aircrew and their mission in the Middle East.
It’s been a busy few days. One of the aircraft has required maintenance on its number one engine, and the ground crew and engineers have been testing and running the engines for most of the day.
The AP-3Cs have been operating in the MEAO since 2003, conducting a broad range of missions, from overland reconnaissance in Iraq to maritime patrols in the Persian Gulf. They are tasked to support both the rehabilitation operation in Iraq (OP Catalyst) and the coalition operation against terrorism (OP Slipper).
The aircraft use their highly-advanced sensors to provide force protection to Australian and coalition forces in Iraq and help secure Iraq’s critical offshore assets, such as oil platforms. This ensures Iraq’s key economic resources are able to generate much-needed funds to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
It’s a team effort – from the Air Force cooks preparing the evening meal and the in-flight catering, to the logistics and administrative staff who work long hours to ensure the flow of food, fuel, spares and life-sustaining supplies are at hand.
Commander of the 170-strong task group, WGCDR Kevin Murray, is proud of his people. “From the airfield defence guards who provide our force protection to the logistics team and the ground crew – everyone is involved in getting our aircraft ready for the mission,” WGCDR Murray said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of our people. They have delivered 95 per cent availability, over 1000 sorties and more than 10,000 flying hours over the past four years. It’s a very impressive performance, which is highly regarded among our coalition partners.”
At 10.30pm, the flight crews arrive for their briefing. Tonight’s mission will be an intelligence surveillance reconnaissance flight of more than 10 hours covering targets in Iraq and the northern Persian Gulf.
The intelligence officer and geospatial imagery analyst explain the mission objectives and the primary, secondary and tertiary targets for surveillance. It’s a key role, searching for signs of improvised explosive devices – the greatest threat facing coalition forces in Iraq – and other insurgent activity.
The aircraft captain, tactical coordinator and sensor employment manager all provide their briefs and then it’s time for the ground crew to finalise their preparations and hand over the aircraft.
On the tarmac, the ground crew are fitting the aircraft’s defensive measures, testing the engines and other systems. One engine requires further testing and the ground crew continue their preparations – all focused on ensuring the aircraft is ready to operate safely.
After 1am, the call comes through to the flight ops room. The aircraft is ready to go. The crew boards the truck and heads to the bay where the aircraft is being fuelled.
Once the crew enter the aircraft, it’s a hive of activity. Systems are powered up, check lists are done on the flight deck, food and equipment is stowed and the flight engineers conduct their inspection of the aircraft. These preparations take a further hour-and-a-half.
The captain has a final check of the aircraft and then it’s time to take off. As the aircraft slips into the night, the ground crew move back to the flightline and continue work on the other aircraft.
Just over 10 hours later, the aircraft returns home. It has been a successful sortie. The crew completed their three main tasks and were also able to conduct a further four
ad hoc tasks on station, to support coalition activities in the region.
Once again the ground crew and support staff swing into action to maintain the aircraft and the task group’s operations. It is a team effort; a point reinforced by the aircraft captain, FLTLT Jonathan Morgan.
“The success of our mission last night depended on much more than the actions of the 14 members of flight crew,” he said.
“Getting the aircraft into the air required the support of every person here. The ground crew, logistics, support and security teams all worked seamlessly to get us in the air.”
WGCDR Murray believes the task group is a force multiplier for the coalition operations in the region. “Our coalition partners have a great deal of respect for our capability and the product we produce. This is solely due to the efforts of everyone here and their focus on the mission. The ADF can be justifiably proud of our efforts,” WGCDR Murray said. |
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LOOKS GOOD: LAC Mike Montgomery, a Reservist ADG from Cairns, inspects a visitor’s car at the task group’s vehicle check point.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden |
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IN SUPPLY: Clerk supply LACW Kate Goddard is part of the logistics chain that keeps the AP-3C crews operational.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden |
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DIRECTION: ACOs FLTLT Jim Collisson (left), and FLGOFF James Hagan discuss their flight plans in preparation for a Middle East night mission.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden
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CHARGED: CPL Paul Smyth starts up the power cart for an AP-3C to conduct maintenance after the aircraft’s return to base.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden
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NEARLY AIRBORNE: AEA SGT Stephen Pryce prepares to start pre-flight checks before a night sortie.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden
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CHECK SAFE: Ground maintenance fitter LAC Michael Snushall prepares Steyr weapons for a task group training session.
Photo by LAC Andrew Broadhead |
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FIT AND PROPER: Aircraft technican LAC Adrian Bradley completes the installation of a propeller to an AP-3C while on duty in the Middle East.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden
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ONE: Task Group 633.2 members. Photo by LAC Andrew Broadhead |
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ACTION STATIONS: Aircrew WOFF Phillip Stubbs (rear) and WOFF Dave Harper conduct their pre-flight checks onboard an AP-3C before a mission over Iraq.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden
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FIRE DUTY: CPL Jamie Levin on stand-by with the task group fire truck in the MEAO.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden
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HUNGER HELP: LACW Kelly Arnold prepares in-flight meals for the AP-3C crews in the detachment’s kitchen.
Photo by CAPT Chris Linden |
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