Australian Aircraft Assists in Search for Missing Air Asia Flight

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has deployed a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)
AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft to assist in the Indonesian-led search for missing Air Asia flight QZ8501.

The Australian AP-3C Orion took off from Darwin this morning (Monday, 29 December, 2014)
to join the search operations.

The Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, said the ADF was ready and willing to support its Indonesian friends in the search for Air Asia flight QZ8501.

“The RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft has a well proven capability in search and rescue and carries maritime search radar coupled with infra-red and electro-optical sensors to support the visual observation capabilities provided by its highly trained crew members,” Air Chief Marshal Binskin said.

Press Release