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Australian pilots began flying US MQ-9 Reaper drones over Syria to fight against IS.

| 2015
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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Australia
 
 
 
Australian pilots began flying US MQ-9 Reaper drones over Syria to fight against IS
 
Royal Australian Air Force pilots have begun flying American MQ-9 Reaper drones over Syria, taking for the first time Australia's involvement in the fight against the so-called Islamic State from Iraq into the more complex neighbouring country, unveiled today The Sidney Morning Herald.
     
Royal Australian Air Force pilots have begun flying American MQ-9 Reaper drones over Syria, taking for the first time Australia's involvement in the fight against the so-called Islamic State from Iraq into the more complex neighbouring country, unveiled today The Sidney Morning Herald.A MQ-9 Reaper from USAF 42nd Attack Squadron, 432nd Operations Group
(Credit: Paul Ridgeway)
     
An Australian Defence spokesman has told Fairfax Media that five RAAF personnel are embedded with the United States Air Force's 432nd Operations Group, which flies armed MQ-9 Reaper drones.

"While the focus for [Australian Defence Force] operations to counter Daesh remains Iraq, a small number of Royal Australian Air Force personnel are now contributing directly to coalition operations to counter Daesh in Syria as well as Iraq, consistent with long-standing arrangements for ADF personnel embedded in US units," the spokesman said, using the alternative name for the Islamic State.

He said five RAAF personnel attached to the USAF were "performing operational duties with their parent unit as MQ-9 Unmanned Aircraft System pilots and sensor operators".
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"The MQ-9 UAS comprises an armed remotely piloted aircraft that can also conduct remote intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations," he said.

The 432nd Operations Group flies the drones out of Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.

Their involvement marks the first time Australian personnel have been directly involved in the air campaign against the Islamic State in Syria.

However this is likely to be expanded, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott on Thursday confirming Australia was in talks with allies about expanding its current air strikes in Iraq into neighbouring Syria. Fairfax Media understands such an expansion is likely to be approved.

The US, Canada, Britain and several Arab countries are already carrying out air strikes in Syria, in the US's case often using drones.

Such an attack is believed to have killed notorious Sydney jihadist Mohamed Elomar in June.

The RAAF's main operations currently involve carrying out air strikes in Iraq. Six Australia Hornet fighter planes are conducting the air raids. They are supported by a KC-30 aerial refueller and a Wedgetail command and control surveillance and radar aircraft.

These two support aircraft have also been supporting allied combat planes, including some that have carried out strikes in Syria, though the Australians have always stayed in Iraqi air space.

(Source: The Sidney Morning Herald)
 

 

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