MAGPIES
OVER BAGHDAD
by
Michael Rondot
During
February 2003, fourteen RAAF F/A-18 Hornets flew to Al Udeid
airbase in Qatar for air operations over Iraq as part of Operation
FALCONER. This was the first overseas deployment of Australian
fighter aircraft for combat operations since July 1953 when
RAAF Meteor F8s flew their last ground attack missions of
the Korean War.
The
Australians were airborne from the start of air strikes on
20 March and continued in the thick of the action of the air
campaign until the end of combat operations on 27 April, by
which time they had flown 350 combat missions and dropped
122 laser-guided bombs. Their missions ranged from air defence
to interdiction and close air support and included operations
with Australian SAS and Commando forces, as well as numerous
missions flown in support of US Marines involved in fierce
street fighting around Baghdad and Tikrit. The Hornets returned
to Australia in May after one of the most successful combat
deployments in the history of the RAAF.
Magpies
Over Baghdad portrays a pair of 75 Squadron Hornets during
a close air support mission flown in support of US Marines
in the vicinity of Rasheed airbase near Baghdad. The leader
is tipping in to attack a target with GBU-12 laser guided
bombs whilst his wingman watches and waits for his turn to
attack. In the background, above the smoke from burning buildings,
vehicles and oil fires, the Hornets share their ‘killbox’
airspace with a USAF A-10 recovering from its attack on the
same target area whilst a pair of F-15s can be seen overhead
Baghdad. The entire scene is carefully reconstructed from
the pilot's own combat reports and reconnaissance imagery
taken during the battle for control of Baghdad to give the
painting a unique authority and accuracy.
