Deployment of ADF personnel and aircraft to the Middle East

ADF personnel and aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Beech – Defence’s support of the Australian government’s response to the Middle East conflict.

CAPTION: Australian High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus Fiona McKergow assists a woman and her family to board a bus after arriving in Larnaca, Cyrpus, by Australian-government chartered aircraft from Beirut, Lebanon. Photo by Corporal.

Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force personnel, alongside RAAF C-130J aircraft, have deployed to the region in a non-combat role.

The deployment of Australian aircraft and supporting Defence personnel is a precautionary measure to support whole-of-Australian-government contingency planning and delivery of support to Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals in the region, if required.

An official Defence statement release today, 6 October, says the ADF contingent will provide the Australian government the additional capabilities to assist Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals should the security situation deteriorate in the region.

While the official announcement of this deployment was issued on 6 October, at least one Australian TV news correspondent reported sighting the Australian aircraft in the region on Friday.

Australians in the region who are seeking Australian government support should register via DFAT’s Crisis Portal or by calling the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).

 

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