RAAF AP-3Cs hit 20,000 hours of Middle East operations

19/08/11 By Greg Waldron SOURCE:Flight International

Australia's Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orion aircraft have reached 20,000 hours of operational missions in the Middle East theatre.

The milestone was achieved on 15 August, during a mission flown over Afghanistan in search of insurgents, said Australia's Department of Defence.

The Royal Australian Air Force has two Orion's stationed at the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. The aircraft are deployed from RAAF Edinburgh, South Australia.

"The combined efforts of the AP-3Cs and the wider RAAF team have enabled the Air Component to support coalition land operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and maritime operations in the Arabian Sea and surrounding maritime areas of the Middle East," said RAAF Group Captain Nicholas.