Commander Joint Operation, Vice Admiral David Johnson AM, RAN, recently visited the Air Task Group at the main air operating base in the Middle East Region. During the visit, VADM Johnson received an update on the air operations against the Daesh and conducted a troop engagement activity with the personnel deployed with the ATG.

The ATG is deployed as part of Operation OKRA and is operating at the request of the Iraqi Government with a US-led Global Coalition assembled to degrade and defeat Daesh. The ATG comprises six RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter aircraft, an E-7A Wedgetail airborne command and control aircraft, and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft. Additionally, the ATG has personnel working in the Combined Air and Space Operations Centre, and embedded with the ‘Kingpin’ US tactical Command and Control Unit.

The ATG is directly supported by elements of Operation ACCORDION including the Theatre Communications Group, Air Mobility Task Group, and the Expeditionary Airbase Operations Unit. There are up to 300 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed, at any one time, as part of, or in direct support of the ATG.