By Morag MacKinnon

PERTH Australia (Reuters) – Australia will deploy military forces and aircraft to a global coalition in fighting Islamic State militants, responding to a request from the United States to become involved militarily in the conflict in Iraq and Syria.

A 600-strong force comprising some 400 airforce personnel and 200 special forces soldiers will be deployed to the United Arab Emirates and be based at a U.S. headquarters, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Sunday.

Eight super hornet fighter jets, an early warning and control aircraft and an aerial refueling aircraft will be prepared and deployed in coming days, he said.

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