Since my last Defence Force operations update to the Parliament, we’ve seen further atrocities and terrorist attacks either conducted, or inspired by, the terrorist movement known as Daesh.

Beyond Iraq and Syria, Australia’s thoughts and condolences are with the people of France, Kuwait, Tunisia, Turkey and, most recently, Saudi Arabia whose countries have suffered at the hands of Daesh terrorists.

These attacks reaffirm that Daesh is a threat not only to the Middle East, but to all countries, including Australia.

It is for this reason that the Australian Government remains committed to the international effort to disrupt, degrade and ultimately defeat Daesh.

This commitment is underscored by the Government’s decision to extend Australian Defence Force air strikes against Daesh into eastern Syria. This is a logical extension of our existing commitment in the Middle East.

As the Government announced last week, this marks the next phase of Australia’s contribution to our important campaign against Daesh.

Daesh does not respect borders and threatens the security of Iraq and the international community from its safe havens and command centres in Syria.

It controls a large amount of territory in eastern Syria that serves as a source of recruitment and oil revenues. From Syria, Daesh has been able to operate its training bases, conduct planning and preparation for attacks, and move fighters and equipment into, and out of, Iraq.

Royal Australian Air Force efforts in eastern Syria will are being directed solely at Daesh – we will not be engaging in the broader conflict in Syria.

The legal basis for Australia’s air operations in Syria remains the collective self-defence of Iraq. We strongly believe Iraq should not be left to face this horrendous threat alone.

This is why Australia is continuing its Advise and Assist and Building Partner Capacity missions to develop the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces, and continues to contribute an Air Task Group, at the request of, and to support, the Iraqi Government….

Australia’s Air Task Group remains a leading contributor of platforms, support personnel and missions flown in the coalition air campaign against Daesh.

As at 13 September, the Air Task Group had completed a total of 408 ADF airstrike missions over Iraq.

Specifically,

• Our F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft have completed 209 missions, releasing 278 weapons;
• The F/A-18 Hornet aircraft have completed 199 missions, releasing 237 weapons;
• The KC-30A air-to-air refuelling aircraft has conducted 394 missions, offloading nearly 32 million pounds of fuel to Australian and coalition aircraft; and
• The E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft has conducted 135 command and control missions.

As has been reported, the Air Task Group has completed its first strike against a Daesh target in eastern Syria, destroying an Armoured Personnel Carrier. Two of our F/A-18 Hornets identified the Personnel Carrier, hidden in a Daesh compound.

The information was reported back to the Combined Air Operations Centre via the RAAF E-7A Wedgetail. Upon receiving authorisation to proceed, one of the Hornets employed a precision guided weapon to destroy the target.