Shelter for Strike Element Hornets

12/10/2016

12/10/2016: Maintenance personnel with Air Task group 630 are able to escape the heat and distraction on the flightline at Australia’s main air operations base in the Middle East.

A 4K Hangar – so named because it covers an area of 4000 square feet – has been constructed to allow maintenance on F/A-18 Hornets deployed for Operation Okra.

The hangar was constructed by Joint Task Force 633’s Combat Support Unit, and Airfield Engineers from No. 65 Squadron.

The ATG, Task Group 630 of Operation Okra, is operating at the request of the Iraqi Government within a US-led coalition assembled to disrupt and degrade Daesh operations in the Middle East Region (MER).

The ATG comprises six RAAF F/A-18A Hornet fighter aircraft, an E-7A Wedgetail airborne command and control aircraft, and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport air-to-air refueling aircraft.

Additionally, the ATG has personnel working in the Combined Air and Space Operations Centre, and embedded with the ‘Kingpin’ US tactical Command and Control Unit.

The ATG is directly supported by elements of Operation ACCORDION including the Theatre Communications Group, Air Mobility Task Group, and the Combat Support Unit, whose mission is to provide airbase and aviation operational support to sustain air operations in the MER.

There are up to 350 personnel deployed, at any one time, as part of, or in direct support of the ATG.

Credit: Australian Ministry of Defence:11/22/16