Thirst-quenching MRTT home from ops
The latest rotation of Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A multi role tanker transport aircraft returned to Australia last month following a successful four-month deployment to the Middle East.
CAPTION: A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft refuels a French Air Force Dassault Rafale fighter on operations in the Middle East. Photo by Sergeant Mark Doran.
The aircraft completed 95 missions, equating to 776 hours of flying time over Iraq and Syria, refuelling Coalition strike aircraft with 5.6 million pounds of fuel.
Commander of the Australian Air Task Element Wing Commander Craig Stallard said the tanker’s contribution was highly valued by Coalition partners.
“Over the past four months, the KC-30A carried out air-to-air refuelling operations with American, British, French and Italian fighter aircraft,” Wing Commander Stallard said.
“The reliability and large air-to-air refuelling capability of the KC-30A has given the Coalition persistence and efficiency in the fight against Daesh.”
Director of Coalition Air Operations US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Fletcher said the KC-30A contribution had been warmly received.
“The KC-30A’s air-to-air refuelling has meant that we can provide our strike aircraft with more time in the area of operations,” Lieutenant Colonel Fletcher said.
“These are aircraft conducting vital counter-Daesh operations and supporting Coalition troops on the ground.”
Coinciding with the return to Australia of the KC-30A, an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft arrived in the Middle East in early October.
The E-7A controls the tactical movement of aircraft over Iraq and Syria to ensure safety and mission success.
The Australian Defence Force deploys the Wedgetail and the KC-30A to the Middle East on a rotational basis as part of Australia’s contribution to the fight against Daesh.
- Reporting on this event was delayed initially by Defence, then by CONTACT’s attention to Invictus Games coverage.
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