News Review: Heron logs 2,500 flying hours | ADM De 2010/Jan 2011

The RAAF’s Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) detachment in Kandahar has celebrated the milestone of 2,500 flying hours. 

The Heron RPA provides direct operational support to Australian and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops on the ground in Afghanistan as well as providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) information to commanders.

“The Heron is an essential component to the modern battlefield with its capabilities and assists in saving lives by identifying threats to soldiers on the ground and providing them with vital information,” the Heron Detachment Commander, Wing Commander Robert Morris, said.

Australian personnel have been training and flying operational missions with the Canadian Forces since 2009.

RAAF Heron operations began in January 2010 and are currently contracted till the end of 2011.