ADF increases maritime patrol aircraft contribution to AirAsia aircraft search

The Australian Defence Force has deployed two Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C maritime patrol aircraft to provide continuing assistance to the Indonesian-led search for the missing AirAsia aircraft.
 
Today's flights follow yesterday’s mission where a single Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) AP-3C Orion aircraft launched from RAAF Base Darwin.
 
The two aircraft departed Darwin this morning to search two areas immediately north of Banka Island, which is located between Belitung Island and South Sumatra.
 
The search areas were assigned by Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) which is leading the search operation.
 
The two Orions are expected to land at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth following today's sorties to allow the RAAF aircrews to spend more time in the search area and to provide the necessary facilities to support the aircraft.
 
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