15 May 2003
RAAF Contingent Return to Tindal

The first RAAF F/A-18 Hornets returned to their home base at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory late on 14 May after four months active service in the Middle East.
The rest of approximately 250 personnel will be returning Thursday 15 May and the whole contingent will be formally welcomed home by the Prime Minister John Howard at noon when they disembark from their Boeing 767 in front of their joyful families.
This is the first group of Australian service personnel to return from Operation Falconer in the Middle East.
They were welcomed home with a personal hand shake from the Prime Minister John Howard and were then joined by their families on the tarmac as the RAAF Band played.

Read media release: Hornets come home

	JPAU14MAY03AR02 The first RAAF F/A-18 Hornets returned to their home base at RAAF Tindal late on 14 May after four months active service in the Middle East. (Date taken: 14 May 2003) Low-Res | Hi-Res
	JPAU15MAY03AR02 The Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet Detachment that served in Operation Falconer in the Middle East returned to a hero's welcome today at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory. (Date taken: 15 May 2003) Low-res | Hi-Res
	JPAU15MAY03AR01 The Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet Detachment that served in Operation Falconer in the Middle East returned to a hero's welcome today at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory. (Date taken: 15 May 2003) Low-res | Hi-Res
	JPAU15MAY03AR04 SGT Tony Collie with his six year old son Steven at the Welcom home celebrations at the Northern Territory's, RAAF base Tindal. (Date taken: 15 May 2003) Low-res | Hi-Res
	JPAU15MAY03AR03 The Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet Detachment that served in Operation Falconer in the Middle East returned to a hero's welcome today at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory. (Date taken: 15 May 2003) Low-res | Hi-Res
	JPAU15MAY03AR07 CPL Paul Wilsch, RAAF, with his two year old daughter Jessica. Paul deployed on his daughter's birthday. (Date taken: 15 May 2003) Low-res | Hi-Res
	JPAU15MAY03AR05 The Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet Detachment that served in Operation Falconer in the Middle East returned to a hero's welcome today at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory. (Date taken: 15 May 2003) Low-res | Hi-Res
	JPAU15MAY03AR08 Prime Minister John Howard with Tindal Base Commander Group Captain Corrie Metz. (Date taken: 15 May 2003) Low-res | Hi-Res
	JPAU15MAY03AR06 The Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18 Hornet Detachment that served in Operation Falconer in the Middle East returned to a hero's welcome today at RAAF Tindal in the Northern Territory. (Date taken: 15 May 2003) Low-res | Hi-Res