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RAAF: Air support for USMC forces


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Hey guys,

Here's part 2 of my little series of the ADF.

The 75 Squadron based at RAAF Tindal were in Iraq for the invasion in 2003. Their role was to support US Army troops as they searched for weapons of mass destruction. As the war developed, the 75 SQN were assigned to support US Marine Corps ground troops.

The Hornets of the 75 SQN were to provide a clear path in the mobility of ground vehicles and troops as they moved west.

It is not officially known where 75 SQN were based, but it is believed that they were based at Incirlik AB in western Turkey.

History lesson over. Our sortie today is typical of what the Aussie boys did during their time in Iraq. As a USMC convoy heads to Al Asad their arrival is threatened by hostile forces. The 75 SQN was called and deployed an F/A-18 Hornet to take out enemy forces and make a gateway for Uncle Sam's boys.

Our arnament for today's sortie includes a few AIM-120s (which probably won't be needed, but taken as a precaution) and a couple of HARMs if things get nasty. Guns will be used to fire upon the enemy if necessary

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Ready to start up...

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...Hornet is alive!

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Aussie pilots view of his F/A-18 as he heads to the active

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Storming off the runway to begin our run into Iraq

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Couple layers of stratus clouds are not a hassle for this machine of war

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Word is that the weather will be foggy and possibly rainy at ground level near Al Asad

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Nearing the Syrian-Turkish border. Now into a dangerous part of the world.

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27 minutes out of Al Asad, we are given fresh intel. New satellite imagery taken before the storms in Iraq show SAM sites near our target. If confirmed, we will have to withdraw as operations at this altitude are too dangerous.

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After a quick discussion with Marine forces, they confirmed that the SAM site has moved on and is no longer a threat.

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Heading down...

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...weather doesn't look too friendly. Guns armed, HARMs on standby. Rock n roll.

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We bank over USMC forces as a sign of respect as we proceed to draw back the enemy

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"Guns, guns, guns... coming back around to the west - let me know what's happening"

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"Ark this is Charlie, forces are withdrawing - I repeat, forces are heading out. We'll move in now, keep an eye." "Roger Charlie, bingo called a few minutes ago. Will hang around as long as I can".

After hanging around for a bit it was time to head home. One final look over the soldier and a salute to the Marines and we're heading home

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"Control, this is Ark. We have the flag and are heading to home plate".

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Now over Turkey, getting close to home

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Now into the fog. No ILS available or nav aids, getting radar vectors all the way in from a U.S. controller

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Gear down...still no runway

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This is not fun. Couple miles out and no ball.

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We have the lights!

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Bit low. She'll be right. Under control.

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Ready to slap onto the tarmac

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Rainy, but a good mission. Time to head in for a de-briefing.

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MISSION RESULT

===========

Enemy casualties: 0

Friendly casualties: 0

AIM-120s fired: 0

HARMs fired: 0

Hostile forces retreated and left the outskirts of Al Asad. Mission accomplished.

This post dedicated to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force which serve or have served my country.

Hope you enjoyed!

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:good Excellent post Joe with some stunning visuals.

We were with you all the way and this is a great tribute to your countrymen and our comrades!

Well done, I will definitely be looking at this one again.

Cheers

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Joe,

You are a piece of work!!! That was awesome.

Obviously you have a fine stable of FS aircraft.

I saw the Hornet at work with the Blue Angels at an airshow earlier this year. The aircraft and the folks who fly them are pretty amazing. It was amusing to listen to the announcer repeatedly refer to it as, "...the Boeing FA-18 Hornet." As I'm sure you know, they were actually designed and built by McDonnel-Douglas but Boeing has bought them out.

It's a great aircraft, but I'm a little worried that the Navy is asking much of it. The A-6 Intruders are gone. The F-14 Tomcats are gone. The S-3 Vikings are nearly gone. About all they have left on the carriers that can do the work are the Hornets.

Hopefully the Joint Strike Fighter will not be delayed and will pick up some of the load soon.

Anyway, nice photo show. I'm sure the jarheads were appreciative.

John

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Thank you very much guys for the kind comments - happy you like them.

John, the US Navy certainly does put their Hornets under a lot of work - but they seem to be doing a fine job, a credit to the pilots who fly them and the ground crew who keep them flying.

The JSF program seems to be on track, if it's all it's said to be I'm sure it'll be one kick-ass aircraft!

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