RAAF personnel deployed to international coalition based in Kyrgyzstan

The first detachment of about 70 personnel from No 84 Wing arrived at Manas airport outside Bishkek, the capital of the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan, as part of the international coalition formed in response to terrorist attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001. Operating from Ganci Air Base, a tent city set up alongside the Manas airfield, the RAAF detachment’s two B-707 aerial tankers provided an air-to-air refuelling capability for the more than 350 coalition fighter aircraft striking into Afghanistan, seeking to topple the Taliban regime there which had provided a terrorist haven. The detachment included air and ground crews from No 33 Squadron, and personnel from 84 Wing, No 1 Combat Communications Squadron and No 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron. A changeover of replacement personnel arrived in June, before the detachment withdrew in September.