4 April 2024
A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail and contingent of nearly 100 personnel were deployed in Germany for the past five months to protect humanitarian and military assistance bound for Ukraine.
Commander of the Task Element Wing Commander Darrin Lindsay said the mission success rate was equal to similar missions in Iraq and Syria.
“I’m really proud of what the crew has been able to achieve, and to hear [Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton] say that he’d been receiving praise and heightened interest in the superior capabilities of Australia’s E-7A Wedgetail while he’s been visiting Europe is really pleasing to hear,” Wing Commander Lindsay said.
Lieutenant General Bilton visited Ramstein Air Base on March 17 and thanked the deployed contingent for their dedication to the mission.
“Your deployment and your work here has been welcomed and commented on at the highest levels during my visit to Europe. You have built a strong reputation within NATO that I’m sure that they’ll want to see more of the platform,” Lieutenant General Bilton told the contingent.
Wing Commander Lindsay said the deployment to Germany was an opportunity for the Air Force to complement other Operation Kudu missions, such as the training and logistical supply mission to provide protection of the logistic hubs.
“It is a testament to how well the team have come together that the reputation of the E-7A Wedgetail has flourished across Europe,” he said.
“Through ingenuity and initiative, the team has overcome the initial integration challenges that occur as we began operations, as a non-NATO partner within NATO airspace.
“We have been working closely with the US and NATO partners, particularly as we provide critical support to the force protection of the flow of equipment and logistics capabilities through Poland into Ukraine.”
'It is a testament to how well the team have come together that the reputation of the E-7A Wedgetail has flourished across Europe.'
The Deputy Commander of United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Lieutenant General John D. Lamontagne, visited the Australian contingent and boarded an E-7A Wedgetail flight.
Lieutenant General Lamontagne said partnering with the Australians on the Eastern Flank had been invaluable.
“The E-7A Wedgetail has significantly enhanced our situational awareness and bolstered interoperability with advanced command and control aircraft,” he said.
“I want to extend my gratitude to the Aussies and Wing Commander Darrin Lindsay and team for their exceptional service.”
Also during this deployment, in a first for the Wedgetail, the Australian contingent tested and implemented new de-icing and anti-icing procedures.
“That was a massive accomplishment before Christmas. The team were able to produce, test and verify publications for cold weather operations within weeks of establishment in Germany,” Wing Commander Lindsay said.
This documentation will now stand ready for the next E-7A operations within a cold environment.
“In establishing a footprint here, bringing in a lot of equipment, using that equipment and integrating with US personnel and equipment, we’ve all had to overcome subtle differences of work styles and culture – it’s to everyone’s credit that they were able to do that,” he said.
“The team formed as one operating unit even though our people here come from units across Canberra, Adelaide and mostly Newcastle. Those external to 2 Squadron have melded right into the team and together they had grown a community here at Ramstein that supports the E-7A.
“We can take home a lot of good lessons regarding integrating with new nations. Initially, it presents challenges but then similarities appear and integration can occur, whether its maintenance workforce or aircrew, we are all taking home lessons learned.”
Wing Commander Lindsay said the crew were also thankful for opportunities to get out and about and meet the locals and see some of the surrounding countryside.
“It’s been a great opportunity to come to Europe, understand the European culture, integrate with the civilians and military within Germany and other nations nearby, which we don’t have the opportunity to do normally in Australia due to the size and tyranny of distance,” he said.
“The achievements of this detachment is only enabled through our families and friends back in Australia.
“As we now reflect upon our critical enabling role here in Germany, understanding the great accomplishments the team have achieved, I wish to recognise the continued support and sacrifices our family and friends have made.
“Each team member has forgone key moments with family and friends over the past few months to achieve the successes here in Germany.”
