RAAF in Operation Okra: The Role of Air Task Group Armament Technicians

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
10/10/2015

10/10/2015: Air Task Group Armament Technicians build precision guidance munitions for Australian F/A-18A Hornets to conduct close air support operations in Iraq as part of the international coalition formed to disrupt and degrade the Da’esh threat.

Australia’s Air Task Group (ATG) as part of Operation OKRA comprises six RAAF F/A-18A Hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft. Nearly 400 personnel have deployed to the Middle East as part of, or in direct support of the ATG.

 

Operation OKRA is the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the international effort to combat the Daesh terrorist threat in Iraq. Australia’s contribution is being closely coordinated with the Iraqi government, Gulf nations and a broad coalition of international partners.

 

According to interviews conducted in Australia in August 2015, the modified Aussie Hornets and their ROEs have seen the RAAF deliver JDAMs as fast or faster than any other Air Force to their intended targets.

Credit: Australian MoD:8/21/15

Norwegian Engineers Contribute to Baltic Defense

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
10/04/2015

10/04/2015: Engineers from the Norwegian Army assist the 500th Engineer Company, 15th Engineer Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade in constructing breaching training walls and a military vehicle road to enhance the capabilities of their Estonian Allies near Tapa, Estonia.

The US Army is participating as well.

Credit:7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment:8/18/15

 

2D LAAD Red Flag

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
10/03/2015

10/03/2015: U.S. Marines assigned to 2d Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion, Bravo Battery, establish a simulated defensive position in support of Red Flag at Tonopah Test Range, Nev., July 23, 2015.

Red Flag is an advanced aerial combat exercise to train U.S., NATO, and other allied countries for air combat situations.

Credit:2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera:7/23/15

 Also see our interview with 2nd LAAD:

 http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/visiting-2nd-marine-air-wing-shaping-a-21s-century-role-for-the-low-altitude-air-defense-command/

 

 

U.S. Marines Share Tactics with Foreign Militaries

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
10/01/2015

10/01/2015: U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing team 2/6, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) teach vehicle checkpoint security and military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) during a military-to-military training exercise at Davis Air field, N.C., July 23, 2015.

The training was designed to increase the Marines proficiency in working with foreign militaries.

Marines with the 26th MEU and sailors with the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group are being evaluated by Expeditionary Operations Training Group (EOTG) during a scenario-based amphibious integration exercise in preparation for a deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleets areas of operation later this fall.

Credit:26th Marine Expeditionary Unit:7/23/15

U.S. Marines Fly Night Strikes in Southwest Asia

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
09/26/2015

09/26/2015: U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force—Crisis Response—Central Command, prepare and launch F/A-18s for night strike missions in Southwest Asia, July 15, 2015.

The pilots of VMFA-232 fly a combination of kinetic strike missions, close air support and reconnaissance sorties supporting USSCENTCOM and its area of operations.

Credit: Marine Forces Central Command – Forward:7/15/15

 

U.S. Marines Launch for F/A-18 strikes in Southwest Asia

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
09/24/2015

09/24/2015: U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force—Crisis Response—Central Command, prepare and launch F/A-18s for strike missions in Southwest Asia, June 30 – July 8, 2015.

The pilots of VMFA-232 fly a combination of kinetic strike missions, close air support and reconnaissance sorties supporting USSCENTCOM and its area of operations.

Credit: Marine Forces Central Command – Forward:7/16/15