AUSTRALIAN aircraft have joined the war against the Islamic State terrorist armies with two RAAF aircraft set to fly their first missions over Iraq today.

Updating Parliament on Australia’s role at 2pm, Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed the first aircraft, including a E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWAC) would today start flying in support of US led coalition missions over Iraq.

The two aircraft would fly support roles for US led Coalition missions, and have been given clearance for an initial non-combat role.

“Australian air strikes await final clearance by the Iraqi government and our own,” the PM said,

“We have not yet made the final decision to commit our forces to combat.”

Combat roles for RAAF fighter jets are expected to join strikes against targets as this weekend with senior brass believed to be preparing a possible October 5 mission start date.

The Daily Telegraph has learned that RAAF super hornets and other air support combat are on standby for deployment into Iraq from this coming Sunday.

Mr Abbott cited beheadings and sexual slavery as only the beginning of the terror if “ISIL had its way”.

“This apocalyptic death cult has declared war on the world and it must be resisted,” he said.

Although no final decision has been made by Prime Minister Tony Abbott or his National Security Committee on committing Australian forces to actual combat action, senior intelligence sources have confirmed that the ADF has been given a possible mission start date of Sunday October 5 – the day of the NRL grand final.

type_quote_start This apocalyptic death cult has declared war on the world and it must be resisted type_quote_end

All Australian assets including eight FA/18 super hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWAC) and a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker and Transport aircraft are now pre-deployed in the United Arab Emirates along with an SAS team already in Iraq advising the Iraqi military.

The PM’s office has refused to confirm when a decision might be made and said no date for committing forces had been fixed.

However, senior intelligence sources claimed that mission planning had begun around a possible deployment into Iraq of October 5.

The next National Security Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, although it is possible that it could be brought forward.

A special meeting of Cabinet would follow straight after to tick off on the NSC approval. The Opposition would then be informed.

Australian super hornets could then be seeing action within 48 hours of the NSC authorizing the use of force.

Australia would be joining a US led Coalition of 20 countries that have pledged direct military support to destroy the terrorist armies of ISIL – which now calls itself the Islamic State – including France, Saudi, the UAE, Bahrain, UK, Germany, Canada, Italy, Lebanon and Turkey

The US State Department has now issued a list of 62 countries that are offering military, humanitarian or political support for the mission against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

It suggested Australia had already agreed to participate in US led airstrikes. However, it is still unclear whether Australian combat operations would be confined to Iraq. The Government has not ruled out the possibility of air strikes in Syria as well.