Australia launches first airstrike in Iraq with jet fighter bombing Islamic State facility

CANBERRA, Australia – Defense officials say an Australian jet fighter has made the country's first airstrike against an Islamic State target in Iraq since the Australian government committed its air force to combat missions last week.

An Australian Defense Force statement said on Thursday: "Two bombs were dropped from an F/A-18F Super Hornet on to an ISIL facility" overnight.

It added that: "All aircraft exited the target area safely and returned to base."

Defense did not say what type of facility had been attacked or where in northern Iraq it was.

Australia has six Super Hornets based in the United Arab Emirates.

Defense Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin said Wednesday the Australian Super Hornets had flown several missions over northern Iraq without firing their weapons.