No . 81 Wing became part of RAAF Air Command 's new Air Combat Group when TFG merged with Strike Reconnaissance Group in February 2002 . The following year , 14 Hornets from No . 75 Squadron deployed to the Middle East to support the invasion of Iraq , escorting high-value Coalition aircraft and later providing close air support to ground troops and air interdiction against Iraqi forces , the first time the RAAF had delivered bombs in anger since the Vietnam War . The Hornets were led by Wing Commander Mel Hupfeld , who became Officer Commanding No . 81 Wing in 2006 – 07 , Commander Air Combat Group in 2009 – 12 , and subsequently Air Commander Australia . The Hornets have also continued to play an air defence role in securing high-profile events in Australia , including the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne , the 2007 APEC meeting in Sydney , and the 2011 visit by US President Barack Obama . In March 2015 , six F/A -18 As from No . 75 Squadron deployed to the Middle East under Operation Okra , as part of the military intervention against ISIL . The aircraft replaced a detachment of six F/A -18 F Super Hornets from No. 1 Squadron ; the Chief of Air Force , Air Marshal Geoff Brown , announced that each of the " classic " Hornet squadrons would rotate through the region for combat operations every six months before the Super Hornets returned , for the duration of the deployment . No . 77 Squadron took over from No . 75 Squadron in September 2015 , and handed over to the next rotation from No . 3 Squadron in April 2016
2007 APEC meeting
APEC Australia 2007
No. 81 Wing RAAF