The Australian Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) is a key asset in the conduct of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in the Afghanistan theatre of operations.
The aircraft are flown by a small contingent of Royal Australian Air Force, and Australian Army personnel from the coalition airbase at Kandahar.
They have been operating in theatre since July 2009
Heron missions principally support Australian efforts on the ground by providing intelligence information on insurgent activities directly to commanders in the tactical situation. They are operated from a ground base control station by trained pilots and can withstand a range of weather conditions.
Heron provides the commander on the ground with the benefit of having airborne ‘eyes’ on a target to help build a more accurate picture of the battlespace.
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A Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) landing at Kandahar Airfield.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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A Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) landing at Kandahar Airfield.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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A Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) landing at Kandahar Airfield.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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A Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) landing at Kandahar Airfield.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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A Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) landing at Kandahar Airfield.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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20100721adf8266070_0083
Contractors from MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates secure the Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to a tow vehicle after a mission in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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Flight Lieutenant Matthew Lunnay flies the Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the (flight control centre check) for a mission supporting coalition forces in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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Paul Arsenal a contractor from MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates conducting post flight checks during servicing on a Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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Paul Arsenal a contractor from MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates conducting post flight checks during servicing on a Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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Warrant Officer Gino Micallef supervising the maintance on one of the Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles after a mission in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 21 July 2010)
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A Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Taxies prior to Taking off for a mission to support coalition forces in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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A Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Taxies prior to Taking off for a mission to support coalition forces in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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A Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Taxies prior to Taking off for a mission to support coalition forces in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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The Royal Australian Air Force Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Taking off for a mission to support coalition forces in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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Wing Commander Tim Creevey Commanding Officer of the Heron detatchment takes a walk around the hanger of the Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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Wing Commander Tim Creevey Commanding Officer of the Heron Detachment taking a closer look of one of the Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in the hanger in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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6 Aviation Regiment Pilot Lieutenant Ben Mackey in front of a Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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6 Aviation Regiment Pilot Lieutenant Ben Mackey in front of a Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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6 Aviation Regiment Pilot Lieutenant Ben Mackey controlling the cameras and sensor equipment on the Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) during a mission supporting coalition forces in Kandahar Afghanistan. Lieutenant Mackey is the Payload Operator on this mission.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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Flight Lieutenant Steve Edwards Flying the Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for a mission supporting coalition forces in Kandahar Afghanistan.
(Date taken: 24 July 2010)
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