Whilst I support the deployment the disgustingly obvious coincidental timing of the "anti terrorist" raids is laughable. Not saying the raids shouldn't have taken place and I'm happy these bad dudes are presently locked up, but really... So staged!

And, your point?


You seemed to have missed the gravity of the situation, which is not as you describe as "laughable".


If our security people and the police have information for them to act, then they should act immediately within the newly approved powers - and I would go even further, perhaps not even wait for the niceties of the courts for warrants.


"Staged" to you, but let us avoid a Rigby type situation being perpetrated here on our streets.

Staged my ar$e. An associate in the Federal security world told me this afternoon that it was real. These guys had been under surveillance since May on this deal and it was two days ago that the ring leader received a call from his overseas "minder" to execute the plan. this was direct evidence linking the plotters and was needed to ensure prosecution of these guys.

The conspiracy theory mob need a reality check as ISIS and its hydra mantel are real...

Safe passage and good hunting to our ADF girls and boys many of whom left today...:D

I would stake money on the call from the 'minder' being triggered by the deployment announcement, so if 'staged' by anyone, it was 'staged' by ISIS/IS/ISIL.......delete where applicable.

Has there been any discussion about CSAR for the Hornet crews? Just wondering if they have dedicated aircraft operated by US (or other nation) during RAAF sorties, or are they reliant upon a shared capability?

Righto, "staged" not the best word - "deliberately timed" would be better, and yes, I believe the extraordinarily coincidental timing was quite deliberate and that people cannot see that that was so deliberate is, in my opinion, "laughable". I never said the terror plot was, and I reiterate that I'm glad these people have been locked up. I strongly believe there was political influence to have these raids happen TODAY, but of course I have no proof of that. That's my opinion, I wasn't attacking anyone else's ideas here. Play nice.

Joseph's right this whole deployment has been 'socialised' for quite a while. The proof will come when the tales of these desperadoes are heard in court (only one 22 year old charged so far?). By then it will be propaganda job done and 'we've got a war to fight no time for old news'.

RAAF will buy two more C-17's to take the total fleet to eight.

Delivery is planned for early next year. These are two of the "white tails" that Boeing has now at the end of the production line.

There will also be an order for a couple more Airbus KC-30A's announced shortly taking that fleet from five to ~7...

That 7th KC-30A I believe will be a VIP fit.
Presumably tanker capable - but with a permanent VIP cabin, and possibly a further cabin for the travelling journos.

I'm gathering that will be with a ejection mechanism, oops I mean quick release:E.