Iraq conflict: Australian Super Hornet drops two bombs on Islamic State targets in Iraq
October 9, 2014, 5:28 pm
Australia's military campaign against Islamic State militants has stepped up with the bombing of targets in Iraq overnight.
Two bombs were dropped from an F/A-18F Super Hornet onto what Defence described as an "ISIL facility".
A Defence statement said all aircraft left the target area safely and returned to base.
Pilots of the Super Hornet jet fighters had aborted one of their previous air strikes because of concerns about causing civilian casualties.
The ADF is working with other Western and Middle Eastern nations to push back the terrorist group that has taken ground in Iraq and Syria.
Australia has contributed six F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets, a surveillance aircraft, a refueler, 200 special forces soldiers, and 400 military support staff to the US-led mission.
The special forces contingent is on standby waiting for authorities to agree on a final legal framework for it to be deployed in Iraq.
The US Central Command said the recent bombing in Iraq had targeted checkpoints, vehicles and fighting positions in several cities.
The US and other nations have also bombed parts of Syria and said Kurdish militia are managing to hold the besieged city of Kobane.
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Iraq conflict: Australian Super Hornet drops two bombs on Islamic State targets in Iraq