Australian Super Hornets have dropped two bombs on Islamic State jihadist targets in Iraq.
On a mission ... Two heavily armed RAAF Super Hornets and one RAAF KC-30A Refueler flew over northern Iraq. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
AUSTRALIA'S sole mission in which bombs were dropped on an Islamic State target resulted in its destruction, with the successful attack recorded by aircraft cameras.
Commander of Australia's Air Task Group in the Middle East, Air Commodore Steve Roberton, said this target was initially located and clearly identified by Iraqi Security Forces.
One of four RAAF Super Hornets on patrol over Iraq on October 8 then released two GBU-12 laser-guided bombs against what was described only as an IS facility
"We certainly got the target," Air Commodore Roberton told reporters.
"I can confirm it definitely was destroyed and that was confirmed by a number of different sources."
Since combat operations were launched last week, Super Hornets have flown most days, mostly with two aircraft but with four on two days.
On a mission ... A Super Hornet fighter jet has carried out Australia's first bombing raid in Iraq, targeting a "facility" of the Islamist State group. Picture: AFP. Source: AFP
The October 8 attack was preceded by the complex process conducted at the US Combined Air Operations Centre to assess the target and ensure it complied with targeting rules of the Iraqi government and Australia's rules of engagement.
Only then was approval granted.
"It was a very, very complex mission, especially for our first one to employ weapons," Air Commodore Roberton said, adding that feeds from aircraft sensors and cockpit displays were recorded.
That includes imagery from the aircraft's ATFLIR (Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared) targeting pod, which includes a day and night camera used for designating targets for laser-guided bombs.
The US releases some so-called "bomb camera" imagery but Australia hasn't. Defence policy is not to disclose this imagery.
Air Commodore Roberton said there was a robust process for assessing whether the correct target was hit and what damage was inflicted.
Successful mission ... a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet loaded with explosive ordnance at Australia's main base in the Middle East for its first combat mission in Iraq. Picture: AFP Source: AFP
The Air Task Group comprises the six Super Hornets, a KC-30A airborne tanker and an E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft. All have been flying regularly in operations over Iraq.
Even though Australian aircraft have dropped bombs just once, much was still being achieved, he said.
"In some of the areas ... simply making IS elements go to ground has been more difficult for employment of weapons from the air but has actually made it a lot easier for the Iraqi security forces," he said.
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