27 October 2023
The Australian Government has deployed additional ADF personnel and aircraft to the Middle East as part of Operation Beech.
Operation Beech is Defence’s support to the Australian Government response to the Hamas-Israel conflict.
Deploying in a non-combat role, Australian Army personnel from Townsville and Brisbane, and two Royal Australian Air Force C-130J aircraft from Sydney, will join a C-17A Globemaster heavy transport aircraft and the ADF contingent already in the region.
The deployment of Australian aircraft and supporting Defence personnel is a precautionary measure to support whole-of-Australian Government contingency planning and delivery of support to Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals, in the region, if required.
The ADF contingent provides the Australian Government the additional capabilities to assist Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals should the security situation deteriorate in the region.
More than 800 Australians have now been airlifted from Israel since the first Australian Government-assisted departure flight on October 13.
Australians in the region who are seeking Australian Government support should register via DFAT’s Crisis Portal or by calling the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to provide updates to registered Australians.
