SAS troops, Hornets in frame for Iraq mission

THE Abbott government is considering deploying SAS soldiers and F18 Super Hornet jet fighters to Iraq.

THE Abbott government is considering deploying SAS soldiers, F18 Super Hornet jet fighters and sophisticated airborne early- warning and control aircraft as part of a military contribution to US-led efforts in Iraq.

The government has consistently ruled out the deployment of Australian combat forces on the ground in Iraq. However, special forces such as the SAS are not conventional combat ground forces. Their deployment would not breach the government’s commitment.

In the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, Australian SAS forces were among the first allied troops to go into Iraq. They were tasked with the role of suppressing Scud missile fire from Iraq into Israel. They did not discover any Scud missiles but captured the Al Asad air base in western Iraq and a trove of ­Soviet MiG aircraft. They also disrupted Saddam Hussein’s control and command apparatus.

The SAS is regarded as among the elite of special forces in ­the world and is always kept fully equipped and at a high state of readiness. They have performed extensive missions in Afghanistan. Australian military planners are working with their US counterparts to see what assets would be possible for Australia to contribute to Iraq, and how any Australian contribution would fit within a larger US-led military campaign against the Islamic State terror group, which operates in both Iraq and Syria.

Defence Minister David Johnston said this week the Super Hornets would be a perfect fit for use with the Americans in Iraq. The Super Hornets could undertake ground attack roles or they could escort other allied planes.

The AWACs are flying super-computer and radar systems which can integrate a vast amount of information in real time.

Their primary task is the precise co-ordination of allied aircraft and providing minute targeting information so that strikes are as well targeted as possible. They could operate seamlessly with American planes.

The SAS could undertake any of a range of tasks.

Military planners believe there will certainly be a special forces contingent at the ready to rescue any allied pilot or aircrew who may be forced down over hostile territory.