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67 Australian SAS captured airbase defended by 1000

05 March 2008 in Defence, Media by Stilgherrian | 2 comments

Photograph of Australian SAS troopers in Iraq with captured Iraqi aircraft

Why do we never hear about the real work of the Australian military overseas? I’ve written about this before, but I’ve just stumbled across another example. We should have heard about this!

According to a post at the Iran Defence Forum, where I snaffled the photo, 67 Australian SAS troopers captured an Iraqi airfield defended by over 1000 troops.

The Australian SAS captured an Iraqi airfield during the invasion with over 60 intact aircraft camouflaged and buried.

A MiG-25 Foxbat fighter was amongst the captured aircraft, and apparently it’s on its way to Perth to be displayed at the SAS base there.

As I said last time, surely you, dear Department of Defence, can tell enough of the story to inspire the kiddies without “revealing operational secrets”. Hell, I’d love to record this kind of oral history! You know where to find me.

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  1. hackerdude’s avatar

    hackerdude on 06 March 2008 at 1:09 pm

    this is old news man! I first read about it in a mainstream paper (can’t recall when and in what publication) but it’s definitely been covered in the popular military magazines like “Contact” and “Australian & NZ Defender”.

    Anyhow, while exciting to know about, these operational activities are not they key things to discuss in a blog like this. Talk about the awful state of affairs of our defence acquisitions and contracts.

    And btw, your blog design is cool!

    Reply

  2. Stilgherrian’s avatar

    Stilgherrian on 06 March 2008 at 2:47 pm

    @hackerdude: You’re quite right, mea culpa. This story was reported at length at globalsecurity.org and was even in the Sydney Morning Herald in 2003. I must’ve missed it.

    I don’t pretend to be across the details of military issues, I have only a passing enthusiast’s interest. I guess you’re right, my strengths are more about the political aspects such as the disaster that is defence procurement in Australia. $1.3 billion spent on second-hand helicopters from the 1960s that aren’t up for it? That would’ve paid for Sydney’s new south-west rail line, apparently.

    Thanks for the compliment re the design — but apart from the header image all credit must go to Ben Eastaugh and Chris Sternal-Johnson for the Tarski theme for WordPress.

    Reply