Afghan Control Centre officially handed over
“I AM immensely proud of the contribution that the Australian Control and Reporting Centre, CRC ‘Taipan’, has made to Coalition operations in Afghanistan.”
These were the parting words of Wing Commander Stuart ‘Clarry’ Briese (41 Wing) before handing over command of the CRC in Kandahar to US forces after two years in control.
Around 35 of the 68 CRC personnel - on their way home after watching over the skies of war-torn Afghanistan - are attached to RAAF Base Williamtown.
“The CRC has helped saved the lives of Coalition troops by directing Close Air Support aircraft, providing the air picture to the aircraft and other operations centres via data links,” said departing WGCDR Briese.
“Australian personnel have also carefully managed air refuelling so that Close Air Support aircraft could stay where they were needed for longer.
“This was only made possible through the combined effort of Air Combat Officers and Air Surveillance Operators; technicians; the medic; the chaplain; the command team; and logistics, intelligence, force protection, and administration staff.
“Every member has been vital to our success.”
‘Taipan’ has overseen the air surveillance and air battle management of all Afghan airspace for coalition forces since August 2007. A ceremony marking the end of operations was held at Camp Palomino on July 9 and attended by Commander Joint Task Force, Major General Mark Kelly, United States Air Force Commander 451st Expeditionary Air Wing, Brigadier General Guy Walsh, Australian Air Component Commander, Group Captain Gary Martin, and Deputy Commander Support Command Kandahar Air Field, Group Captain Barry Thompson.
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