Families welcome back RAAF pilots from Middle East mission

Despite their camouflage uniforms, there was no hiding from the spotlight for air force personnel fresh from wrapping up Australia’s strike operations against Islamic State in the Middle East.

Six Super Hornets touched down at the RAAF Amberley air base in Queensland on Wednesday, marking the end of three-and-a-half years of sorties against IS targets in Iraq and Syria.

The federal government announced their withdrawal late last year, shortly after Iraq’s prime minister declared victory over the militant group.

 

There were emotional scenes at the RAAF Amberley air base in Queensland on Wednesday as air force personnel were reunited with their loved ones after three and a half years away

Children sprinted across the tarmac to greet the returning officers from their long stint abroad

Children sprinted across the tarmac to greet the returning officers from their long stint abroad

There were abundant tears as children welcomed back their fathers - who had been fighting IS in Iraq and Syria  

There were abundant tears as children welcomed back their fathers – who had been fighting IS in Iraq and Syria  

One officer was greeted by an excited young girl, believed to be his daughter, as he touched down 

One officer was greeted by an excited young girl, believed to be his daughter, as he touched down 

At its peak, the so-called IS caliphate controlled most of eastern Syria and about one-third of Iraq’s territory.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other dignitaries were on hand to welcome the group home and pay tribute to their courage and dedication.

‘Thank you for your service. Australia is proud of you,’ Mr Turnbull said.

The prime minister said Australia’s contribution to the war effort had helped discredit IS propaganda, which proclaimed it would ultimately ‘stable horses in the Vatican and sweep across Europe’.

He also acknowledged the sacrifices of the families left behind while their loved ones were on deployment, but joked some personnel will be put back on lawn mowing duties now they’re home. 

Several officers appeared to be sharing their first cuddle from children born while they were away

Several officers appeared to be sharing their first cuddle from children born while they were away

A pair of young girls grasped their father in firm embraces as their emotional mother watched on

A pair of young girls grasped their father in firm embraces as their emotional mother watched on

 A young girl couldn't wait to hug her father, sprinting across the tarmac before leaping into his arms

 A young girl couldn’t wait to hug her father, sprinting across the tarmac before leaping into his arms

The air force personnel created a heroic scene as they strode across the tarmac smiling and carrying their baggage

The air force personnel created a heroic scene as they strode across the tarmac smiling and carrying their baggage

Six Super Hornets touched down at the RAAF Amberley air base in Queensland to a warm reception from family and the prime minister

Six Super Hornets touched down at the RAAF Amberley air base in Queensland to a warm reception from family and the prime minister

Their arrival home marked the end of three-and-a-half years of sorties against IS targets in Iraq and Syria

Their arrival home marked the end of three-and-a-half years of sorties against IS targets in Iraq and Syria

An air-to-air refueller tanker and a Globemaster transport aircraft also returned to the air base.

As well as fighter pilots and weapons operators, aircraft maintenance workers and armament technicians (‘gunnies’) who assemble the precision-guided bombs were among the returning servicemen and women.

The return does not mark the end of Australia’s military commitment in the fight against IS, with the Wedgetail air battlespace management aircraft, on an operational pause, expected to recommence sorties early this year.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Australian troops based out of Taji in Iraq will continue to train and mentor Iraqi soldiers.

As well as fighter pilots and weapons operators, aircraft maintenance workers and armament technicians were among returning personnel 

As well as fighter pilots and weapons operators, aircraft maintenance workers and armament technicians were among returning personnel 

The return does not mark the end of Australia's military commitment in the fight against IS, with it expected to continue early this year

The return does not mark the end of Australia’s military commitment in the fight against IS, with it expected to continue early this year

Hundreds of Australian troops based out of Taji in Iraq will continue to train and mentor Iraqi soldiers.

Hundreds of Australian troops based out of Taji in Iraq will continue to train and mentor Iraqi soldiers.

Australia’s air contribution to the fight against IS has not been without controversies.

An Australian Super Hornet was responsible for an air strike in west Mosul in Iraq which may have killed a child last June.

In a separate incident in March, Australian military personnel were involved in the target decision-making process of a botched air strike in which seven civilians were killed or injured, including a child.

The previous year, two Australian fighter jets dropped six bombs as a part of a bungled coalition air strike which hit Syrian government irregular forces rather than Islamic State.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other dignitaries were on hand to welcome the group home and pay tribute to their courage and dedication

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other dignitaries were on hand to welcome the group home and pay tribute to their courage and dedication

Mr Turnbull acknowledged the sacrifices of the families left behind,and joked some personnel would be put back on lawn mowing duties now they were home

Mr Turnbull acknowledged the sacrifices of the families left behind,and joked some personnel would be put back on lawn mowing duties now they were home

RAAF OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND SYRIA 

* The Super Hornets have flown more than 21,800 flying hours, dropping more than 2400 precision-guided bombs on about 2799 sorties in the past three years.

* The air-to-air refueller tanker has flown 9400 hours on about 1200 sorties, and transferred about 42 million litres of fuel.

* The Wedgetail air battlespace management aircraft has clocked up more than 5000 flying hours and 400 sorties. 

 



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