| Accession Number | P04159.104 |
|---|---|
| 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
|
Inside an RAAF P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft prior to an operational flight. Sergeant (Sgt) ...
Description
Inside an RAAF P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft prior to an operational flight. Sergeant (Sgt) Colin Griffiths (right), is seated at the Electronic Support Measures (ESM) Station, he and two unidentified members of the aircrew are completing the aircrafts pre-flight checks. This is one of two RAAF P-3 Orions to operate in 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.