Queenslanders have witnessed history as Air Force aircrews flew the Heron remotely-piloted unmanned aircraft system out of RAAF Base Amberley for the very first time.

The Heron has been operating from RAAF Base Amberley and flying in military airspace alongside C-17A Globemaster III, F/A-18F Super Hornets and KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft.The Heron is flown with fully qualified military pilots who have extensive experience on both manned and remotely piloted aircraft.

Wing Commander Matthew Bowers, Commanding Officer of No 5 Flight said the two-week flying schedule involved a series of scenarios that has tested the crew.

“Over the past few months our crews have been preparing for operations from a major Australian Air Force base alongside other Air Force platforms,” he said.

“The Heron plays a pivotal role in Battlespace Awareness‚ and it has the ability to deliver air power effects in the support of our national security interests.”

Air Force currently operates two Heron aircraft, and the flights from Amberley are regarded as another step in the evolution of remotely piloted aircraft operations in Australia and on deployments.

During operations in Afghanistan, the Heron aircraft completed more than 27,000 mission hours providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to Australian forces and International Security Assistance Force partners. The Heron flew its final mission from Kandahar Airfield on 30 November 2014.

In our next edition we talk to the men and women who fly this remarkable aircraft.