raaf royal_australian_air_force group raaf fighter bomber aircraft formed february merging attempt improve speed raaf deploy combat aircraft current commander group formation aircraft deployed operation formed australian contribution invasion iraq worked operation guardian protection providing larger ground crew strike force iraq tasks included support operation melbourne commonwealth games participation exercises australia united_states aircraft group performed domestic security tasks participated overseas exercises comprises wings wing raaf headquartered commands squadron based squadron based operational conversion unit based squadron provides technical training specific flight training wing raaf headquartered commands squadron based squadron based squadron based wing raaf headquartered commands squadron based squadron based based air_force super hawk squadrons aircraft equipped fighter attack aircraft trainers forward air control training aircraft establishment purpose created january merging force element groups hawk tasked deliver core capabilities hope allow raaf quickly deploy combat aircraft fighter strike elements continue operate units time provide opportunity raaf test organisation required deliver range combat capabilities responsibilities bases force element groups air_force aircraft support personnel based australia air_force super hawk squadrons aircraft wings located raaf base near brisbane queensland near newcastle new_south_wales near perth western australia near northern territory headquarters located training operational history maintains busy training schedule air ground crew super hawk group tasks included support operation melbourne commonwealth games participation exercises australia united_states operation detachment australian fighter aircraft provided air defence military base island campaign called operation initial detachment provided squadron raaf december february detachment replaced detachment squadron raaf deployed february australian units deployed united_states_air_force commented favourably raaf contingent deployment operation guardian operation guardian squadron deployed protect march south east queensland pilots given permission destroy hostile aircraft happened time australian peace time deemed necessary september attacks months earlier operation squadron deployed february australian contribution invasion iraq operation squadron equipped recently serviced aircraft drawn wing squadrons squadrons provided pilots bolster numbers squadron squadron saw action iraq war provided air defence high value assets control aircraft close air support ground troops attacked iraqi targets squadron flew combat missions war dropped laser guided bombs squadron prohibited operating near baghdad electronic warfare suite judged sufficient heavily defended air space squadron rules engagement banned conducting close air support urban areas squadron conducted final combat mission april aircraft returned structure located elements based western australia aircraft personnel commander current commander previously commanded wing wings control took position commander january components wing wing raaf headquartered commands squadron based flying aircraft squadron based flying aircraft squadron provides technical training specific flight training wing conducts operational training ground air hawk nos squadrons operational conversion unit currently increasing role providing training maintenance personnel air_force bases australia wing headquartered commands operational conversion unit based flying aircraft squadron based flying aircraft squadron based flying aircraft squadron based flying aircraft wing responsible provision combat air power australian coalition forces defensive counter air operations squadrons nos squadrons wing wing raaf headquartered commands squadron squadron based raaf base flying aircraft based flying aircraft squadron aircraft conversion unit combat unit wing strikes designated targets conducts reconnaissance nos squadrons forward training unit aircraft equipped fighter attack aircraft trainers forward air control training aircraft aircraft different role fighter aircraft modern weather strike fighter jets designed attack ground aerial targets australia built 1980s early 1990s currently upgraded improve capabilities extend service lives operates total single seat fighter seat variant mainly pilot training planning replace lightning onwards dedicated strike aircraft raaf service considered superior ability acquire track moving ground targets continue upgraded delivered training aircraft british advanced jet trainer flew operations hawks trainers aircraft limited air air land strike capability equipped aircraft variant single engine low wing tandem seat training aircraft modified perform forward air control tasks upgrade upgrade program commenced project sought continues seek ability current fleet aircraft associated support systems upgrade project set time run project conducted phases project established upgrade fleet combine allow aircraft effectively perform air defence tasks project conducted main phases phase concluded phases currently production phase phase incorporation upgraded radios mission computers gps navigation systems upgraded identification friend foe structural modifications upgrades added following weapon system support systems operational flight trainer mission planning system mps phase phase broken separate sections phase radar upgrade phase incorporated link secure data link multi function information distribution system cockpit colour displays tactical air moving map capability operational flight program phase added electronic warfare suite upgrade radar warning receiver radio frequency phase upgraded following support systems upgraded replaced operational flight trainer replaced training system mps miscellaneous support equipment simulated aircraft maintenance training system replaced phase phase broken separate parts phase project fleet undergo structural refurbishment program number aircraft undergoing replacement centre barrels adjacent structural components addition phase started aaa ongoing minor projects undertaken ensure fleet continue perform air defence tasks planned withdrawal date timeline signed september prime contract signed june aircraft modification started mid completed modified aircraft delivered june purchase new radars announced august commonwealth accepted sales case october prototype modification commenced august production modified aircraft completed august aircraft completed august phase multi purpose upgrade remaining equipment installed time frame phase systems announced phase commercial contract targeting pod receive targeting pods phase prototype activities completed january production installation commenced april completion expected phase activities completed installation set commence january completion expected conducted conjunction installations activities commence february completion expected january production installation begin july completion expected dependent number undertaken
Air Combat Group RAAF