MEDIA RELEASE
SENATOR THE HON ROBERT HILL
Minister for Defence
Leader of the Government in the Senate
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday, 9 June 2004
109/2004
RAAF 75 SQUADRON HONOURED FOR IRAQ SERVICE
Defence Minister Robert Hill today congratulated the Royal Australian Air Force’s
Number 75 Squadron who operate the F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft on their award
for meritorious service in Iraq.
The squadron was presented with a Meritorious Unit Citation at a special parade at
RAAF base Tindal near Katherine in the Northern Territory.
Senator Hill said the award recognised that the squadron punched well above its
weight in coalition operations.
“The Iraq conflict was the first time Australian fighter aircraft had been tasked to
conduct offensive operations against another force since the Korean War,” Senator
Hill said.
“75 Squadron deployed to the Middle East with no combat experience in any of their
ranks. It is a testament to their professionalism and dedication to duty that the
Hornets successfully conducted over 160 combat missions in a complex and
dangerous air environment.
“All members of 75 Squadron can be proud of their efforts both in the air and on
the ground.”
Administrator of the Northern Territory, Ted Egan, officially reviewed the parade
today.
Also in attendance were Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mal Brough,
who represented the Prime Minister and Senator Nigel Scullion, who represented
the Minister for Defence, along with Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Angus
Houston, AFC, AO.
The parade formally recognised the achievements of 75 Squadron during the ADF’s
Operation Falconer where approximately 250 airmen and women deployed with a
squadron of 14 F/A-18 Royal Australian Air Force fighter aircraft.
MEDIA NOTE:
A full copy of the citation is attached.
Media contacts
Catherine Fitzpatrick
David Moore
Defence Media Liaison
(Senator Hill)
(Mr Brough)
02 6277 7800
02 6265 3343
www.defence.gov.au
0405 351 245
0417 774 724
0408 498 664
2
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
TO BE AWARDED THE MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION
OPERATION FALCONER LIST 2003
NUMBER 75 SQUADRON
For sustained outstanding service during warlike operations, in the Middle
East Area of operations, over Iraq during Operation FALCONER.
Number 75 Squadron deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations in February
2003. This operation was the first time that Australian fighter aircraft had been
tasked to conduct offensive operations against another force since the Korean War
and as such, Number 75 Squadron deployed with no latent combat experience in
any of their ranks. The rapid and highly successful integration into Coalition
operations and the outstanding success of Australian fighter operations during
Operation FALCONER, is a testament to the meritorious achievements of Number
75 Squadron.
Because of operational security imperatives, the majority of Number 75 Squadron
had little warning of the impending deployment, and there was little time to prepare
aircrew and support personnel for warlike operations. In addition, supplementary
aircrew and Squadron support personnel from other Australian fighter squadrons
had to be integrated into Number 75 Squadron to meet the expected mission
requirements. Number 75 Squadron met all of these significant challenges and
provided a highly proficient, effective and motivated force in support of Coalition
operations to disarm Iraq.
Number 75 Squadron flew over 3,000 hours in the five months encompassing the
commitment to Operations BASTILLE and FALCONER, equivalent to one year of
normal squadron flying hours. This included 168 combat missions over Iraq,
complex and dangerous missions conducted under the constant threat and danger
of enemy aircraft, surface to air missiles and ground fire. These missions fully
exploited the capabilities of the Hornet fighter aircraft and placed great demands on
the skills of the aircrew. In addition, the long distance associated with the transit
to the area of operations and limited aircraft turn around times placed immense
and constant pressure on the ground support crew to deliver a high serviceability
rate from the 14 aircraft deployed. All personnel worked under the constant
pressure of combat operations, in a harsh physical environment and with the very
real possibility of terrorist or chemical and biological attack. The outstanding
success of Number 75 Squadron operations was due to the outstanding
commitment and tireless effort of all Squadron personnel. They demonstrated
professional and technical excellence and worked selflessly both in the air and on
the ground to ensure Number 75 Squadron maintained aircraft availability and
mission success rates that were amongst the highest of the Coalition units.
Throughout Operation FALCONER Number 75 Squadron consistently demonstrated
the highest levels of capability, competence and conduct. Although a relatively
small contribution to a much larger Coalition force, Number 75 Squadron, by dint
of exceptional performance, were viewed as equals both in the areas of base support
and in the conduct of combat air operations.
3
Number 75 Squadron’s overall performance during Operations BASTILLE and
FALCONER was in the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Air Force and
bought great credit not only to the Australian Defence Force but also to Australia as
a whole.
TO BE AWARDED THE MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION
NUMBER 75 SQUADRON
RAAF Base, TINDAL NT
For sustained outstanding service during warlike operations, in the Middle East
Area of Operations, over Iraq during Operation FALCONER.
Number 75 Squadron deployed under Operation BASTILLE to the Middle East in
February 2003. Subsequently, Operation FALCONER was the first time that
Australian fighter aircraft had been tasked to conduct offensive combat operations
against another force since the Korean War. During the period of Operation
FALCONER Number 75 Squadron successfully mounted 168 combat missions in
the complex and dangerous air environment over Iraq. The time compressed but
highly successful integration into a Coalition task force, and the outstanding
success of Australian fighter operations, against Iraqi forces, during Operation
FALCONER is a testament to the outstanding and meritorious achievements of
Number 75 Squadron in support of Coalition operations during Operation IRAQI
FREEDOM.