My personal opinion is that we should have the same ROEs as coalition partners if we take part in the same missions. If that is unacceptable, we should not take part and the politicians will have to put up with appearing less committed than other nations.

RAAF C-130J op in Iraq
 

AN Australian aircraft has completed the first delivery of aid to northern Iraq.

There is a very good argument to be made that the recent activities by C-17 crews and others in Europe was not a flag waving exercise.
There are many folks in Australia, the Netherlands, the UK and Malaysia who would argue the exercise had merit.

Trackmaster, I whole heartedly agree, they aren't flag waving ops, they are carried out by consummate professionals, to a level that always elicits the highest praise from our fellow coalition partners.

Just like offensive ops would be, if our politicans allowed it.

Track

I didn't mean flag waving in a derogatory sense, although reading back over my post it might have come across like that.

Then add everything Surplus said.

So ... ummmm ... who's recovering the ADE and canopies for 39 ADE to clean and repack? :E

Sorry, couldn't resist. MY coat please André!

Last time the Hornets were there:
http://iforce.co.nz/i/qm0c4rbr.0zu.jpg

The RAAF needs a new PR agent. Fox News/CNN only talk of USAF/RAF drops..

Defence minister announced RAAF to add two more C-17's [out to 8 ] and two more KC-30's [out to 7]. One KC-30 to be also VIP configured!:D

I wonder if they are getting a good deal from Boeing since the C-17 line is closing soon?

One day hopefully you will all be allowed to read what the the fast jet guys actually did in Iraq when they were permitted to use their skill set.
Then you might come on here and make a few informed judgements.

(my bold)

And that is exactly what we were talking about, when they were permitted to use their skill set. I don't know how many times it needs to be said, but this is not about questioning their ability or bravery, but it's about the reluctance of politicians to commit to offensive operations.

Some of us don't need to read about it, we were there too.

So what part of the fighter ops wasn't conducting offensive air? They were not dropping bombs in an empty desert in 2003.
I agree it doesn't happen much, but it was as offensive as it gets without carpet bombing cities and it was authorised by the politicians.
I add this to counter this thread of it never happens because the politicians won't let it.
Well it happened and they did.

Oz

I think most know what went on back then and have no problem with it
but that still leaves Afghanistan.

And OK, let's say the FA-18's are needed to defend Aus even if Afghanistan was a low threat environment
to use our aircraft, that still leaves the Tigers to support Aussie troops.


BTW, the fact that what did occur was kept quite well hidden says a lot about the way Pollies want think perceived.
I can understand not releasing target imagery but not much else was made public. It's almost like they don't want people to know they were waging war.

So... am I mistaken in thinking that I read somewhere that there were RAAF Pigs deployed to Afghanistan?
I had thought they were, on something that was at the time not widely discussed.
But then I may be wrong.

The info is around but, yes I guess we won't see it released until this conflict is over. So maybe a hundred years or so...
I think a lot of the reason we didn't see to much FJ stiff from Oz in the sandpit is there just isn't that much for them to hit that is FJ suitable. I agree the Tiger would be an ideal asset, but I don't think it was ready for us in the timeframe.

Ozbiggles.

Who are the F18s defending Aus from, NZ?

Perhaps you should look in the other direction...

I didn't know there was anyone left from the 1930s Cessnapete. I'm sure that's the foresight that had us sending our airmen to their deaths in Wirraways up against Zeros.
I will take you all the way back to the late 90s, a little place called Timor that could have gone either way.
There is a little saying don't bring a knife to a gunfight, I'm not sure your argument will even count as the sheath.
But please if you have an argument for Australia not having a fast jet fleet, let's hear it.

Oz

Do you really think indo would have taken it further ?

Even if they had wanted to ?