Australian military planes to fly guns and ammunition to fight Islamic State group in Iraq
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Australian military aircraft will fly guns and ammunition into Iraq to help fight Islamic State militants.
Abbott said in a statement on Sunday: "The United States government has requested that Australia help to transport stores of military equipment, including arms and munitions, as part of a multi-nation effort."
He says: "Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster aircraft will join aircraft from other nations including Canada, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and the United States to conduct this important task."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He did not say when the air drops would begin, but News Corp. newspaper reported on Sunday that the transport aircraft based at al-Minhad Air Base outside Dubai could fly their first mission within days.