| Place | Middle East: Iraq |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL33939 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Munition |
| Physical description | Brass |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United States of America |
| Date made | c 2003 |
| Conflict |
Iraq, 2003-2013 |
20 mm M103 Gatling Gun Cartridge case : Sergeant J Trenberth, 1 Squadron RAAF
Description
Brass 20mm shell casing with 'TRENDY' written in red pen on the side. The side of the casing has a stamp which has been partially rubbed off. Visible is '20MM M103'.
History / Summary
Sergeant Jeff Trenberth of 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron went to Iraq in 2003 for three months, before the outbreak of the Gulf War in support of Operation Bastille. Operation Bastille was an operation within Operation Slipper. It involved the deployment of force elements and the preparations for possible combat in Iraq.
With the invasion of Iraq on 20 March 2003, Operation Bastille became Operation Falconer. The deployment of 14F/A -18A Hornets of 75 Squadron RAAF to a potential war zone had great significance for the RAAF, as Australian fighter aircraft had not seen action since June 1960.
The No 75 Sqn Hornets were airborne from the start of Operation Falconer, as it was code named by the Australian Defence Force. This 20mm Gatling Gun cartridge was fired at 20,000ft upon Tikrit Airport on the 13th April 2003 at an Iraqi aircraft from one of two Australian FA18's, either A/C Tail No A21-020 or A.C Tail No A21-027.