HERON DETACHMENT MISSION COMPLETE - KANDAHAR Australias Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) detachment in Afghanistan flew its final mission for Operation SLIPPER from Kandahar Air Field on 30 November 2014. Heron aircraft have completed more than 27,000 mission hours during Operation SLIPPER providing high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to Australian forces and our International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) partners in southern Afghanistan since August 2009. Three Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft were based at Kandahar Air Field and operated in southern Afghanistan. About 490 Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy and AustralianArmy personnel deployed with the Heron detachment during its 15 rotations. Following the conclusion of Australia’s mission in Uruzgan in December 2013, the Heron mission was extended to support ISAF members in Regional Command – South, including support to the 2014 Afghan presidential election. Heron is Air Force’s first unmanned aerial system and notably, entered service directly into Afghanistan after Air Force and Army personnel undertook training in Canada in July 2009. All Heron detachment personnel will return to Australia by the end of December 2014.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:09:45 +0000
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