Fed: Australian Hornets have new targeting policies in Iraq

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Fed: Australian Hornets have new targeting policies in Iraq

Australia's fighter jets are now providing direct support for coalition ground forces in Iraq.

Defence spokesman MIKE HANNAN says the targeting policy for Australia's squadron ofF/A-18 Hornets has evolved as the war progresses.

He says the F/A-18s initially focussed on legitimate military targets designed to damageIraq's fighting capability.

But he says coalition ground forces are now starting to dictate the nature of targetsfor the F/A-18s.

The Defence Force has so far passed on more than 16,000 messages of public supportfor Australian troops in the Gulf.

AAP RTV jg/sb/jmt

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST ADF (CANBERRA)