Wedgetail finished with the Middle East

The RAAF E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft has completed its final rotation in support of Operation Okra.

CAPTION: Aircrew prepare for the final operational mission of the RAAF E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft on Operation Okra in the Middle East. Photo by Corporal Carla Armenti.

The air-battlespace-management aircraft has been conducting airborne surveillance operations in the airspace over Syria and Iraq as part of the coalition to defeat Daesh.

As part of Australia’s Air Task Group in the Middle East, the E-7A has provided control of the tactical movement of aircraft in a busy airspace with partners from the American, British, French and Italian air forces.

The Australian Defence Force says it will work alongside Coalition and NATO partners with future deployments of the KC-30 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, but on a non-continuous basis.

The KC-30 tanker will recommence air-to-air refuelling operations in the skies over Iraq and Syria later this year.

RAAF’s fighter jets were withdrawn from theatre in January last year.

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