Overview

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was a critical asset in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in Afghanistan. From 2009 to 2014, the Heron detachment provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) support to Australian and Coalition forces on the ground, contributing to the mission’s success and helping to keep our soldiers safe. A Bird’s Eye View provides an in-depth look at the RAAF Heron detachment’s operations in Afghanistan, offering a rare glimpse into the world of UAV operations in a complex and challenging environment. It provides a detailed account of the Heron’s capabilities, the challenges faced by the detachment and the contributions made by the men and women who served in this vital role. Through the personal accounts of those who served in the Heron integrated project team and the Heron detachment, readers will gain a better understanding of the impact of the Heron UAV on the mission in Afghanistan. They will also gain insights into the unique challenges faced by those who operate UAVs and the critical role they play in modern warfare. A Bird’s Eye View is a tribute to the courage, dedication and professionalism of the RAAF Heron detachment and a testament to the enduring spirit of the Australian Defence Force. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the RAAF, the role of UAVs in modern warfare and the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform.

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9781923144835

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Steve ‘Dicky’ Campbell-Wright has served in the Australian Defence Force for more than 40 years in a variety of roles – as an infantryman, musician, administrator, educator, staff officer, editor and historian. He has played a leading role in Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli, Turkey, and he led the Australian Defence Force participation in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Sydney in 2010. In 2017–18, he deployed to the Middle East Region, where he supported the Air Task Group in the bombing campaigns over Iraq and Syria. His 2014 book, An Interesting Point, marked the centenary of military aviation in Australia and traces the origins of Australian air power. He holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne and has post-graduate qualifications in museum studies from Deakin University. He also serves on the Heritage Council of Victoria as an historian. AZ Pascoe is an Australian writer working on Gadigal land in Sydney’s southwest. She joined the Australian Army at 17 as a soldier before commissioning as an artillery officer and subsequently served as a Shadow UAS Troop Commander in Afghanistan in 2013. As of 2021, she is studying towards a Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) degree and writing wherever possible. Passionate about language in all forms, she is aided (or hindered) by two cheeky little cat-muses in her creative pursuits: editing her first fantasy novel, writing a biography, and exploring ideas within short stories. Her work is inspired by the fragility of relationships, everything uniquely Australian and those subtle moments in life that are so vital, but so easily missed.

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