U.S. Flew Spy Drone Missions from Australia
September 3rd, 2012Via: ABC:
The United States flew highly classified Global Hawk spy drone missions from the Royal Australian Air Force base at Edinburgh in South Australia from late 2001 until at least 2006.
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Global Hawk’s American manufacturer, Northrop Grumman, provided civilian ground crews to service the drones at the RAAF base.
This isn’t very surprising. In fact, I’d be more surprised if the U.S. WASN’T running drone missions from allied countries. I’m sure part of the deal is sharing at least some of the gathered intel, and Australia doubtless wants intel on China, so… . “And so it goes…”