| Accession Number | P04159.058 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Parker, David Dare |
| Place made | United Arab Emirates |
| Date made | c April 2003-May 2003 |
| Conflict |
Iraq, 2003-2013 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial
This item is licensed under CC BY-NC
|
A RAAF P-3 Orion aircraft takes off from airbase on an operational flight over the Middle East, 2003
Description
An RAAF P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft takes off from Al Minhad airbase on an operational flight over the Middle East. The aircraft is powered by four Allison T56 turboprop engines and can reach a speed of 660 kilometres per hour. Two RAAF P-3 Orion aircraft were deployed to the Middle East to support the Coalition fleet through surveillance activities in the central Persian Gulf. The detachment includes approximately 150 personnel drawn from around Australia. The aircraft were used to locate and observe small vessels that could be used by the enemy for mine laying operations or launching a suicide attack. The P-3 Orion aircraft operated in the Middle East as part of the Australian commitment assembled to disarm Iraq.