| Accession Number | P04159.077 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Negative |
| Maker |
Parker, David Dare |
| Place made | Qatar |
| 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
|
Pre flight preparation on a RAAF P3 Orion, Middle East Area of Operations, 2003
Description
Two unidentified members of the ground crew at Al Minhad Airbase, prepare an RAAF P-3 Orion aircraft for the next operational flight. Approximately 150 personnel were deployed with two P-3 Orion aircraft to the Middle East. The aircraft is powered by four Allison T56 turboprop engines and can reach a speed of 660 kilometres per hour. The detachment's main role was to support the Coalition fleet through surveillance activities in the central Persian Gulf. 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.