ADF - Current Operations and Deployments....

As of May 2007 approx 3850 ADF Personnel are deployed overseas...

IRAQ

The Australian Government was a strong and uncritical supporter of United States policy during the Iraq disarmament crisis and one of only four nations to commit combat forces to the 2003 invasion of Iraq in any substantial numbers, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. It is now known that part of the Australian contingent of the Coalition were among the first forces to enter Iraq after the official "execute" order.[1] Australian forces committed to the conflict included three Royal Australian Navy ships, 500 special forces troops, P-3 Orion patrol and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and RAAF 75 Squadron equipped with 14 F/A-18 Hornet fighters. Combat forces committed to Operation Falconer for the 2003 Invasion were withdrawn during 2003. John Howard has yet to announce a withdrawal of Australian troops who are participating in the follow on mission to the invasion (known as Operation Catalyst), and has declined to give a deadline, stating that Australian troops will remain for as long as they are required. To read links go Here

Before anyone has a chance to say there were no WMD found in Iraq and therefore no legitimate need for us to enter the country, you have to remember half the world was convinced of the presence of these weapons. That there were no WMD found in quantity in Iraq ws no reason to leave. From the minute we entered Iraq we made a commitment to the inoocent Iraqi Civillians who were desperate to rid themselves of the tyranny and barbaric treatment metered out to them by Sadaam Hussein, his family and supporters.

In any war, no matter what your standing and politics, there is one fact that remains true. War evolves. As you enter a country and are living amongst both the innocents and the enemy, your view of the war you are fighting will change. As a Soldier see's first hand both the horror and how they can assist the victims rebuild shattered lives, their perspective changes. They are then left trying to explain to a world that doesn't want to hear, about the good they are doing, the progress they are making.

There is no doubt that the war in Iraq has changed and has evolved. From a mission to find and destroy WMD it has become a war to help build hope, to rebuild a shattered country and restore peace and democracy. For those of us who realise that at times, you must prepare for war if you truly want peace, we stand by, we support those who fight and the victims when we can and we pray for the outcomes to justify the war. We share the Soldiers positive outlooks as they strive to make real progress in a country torn apart by war for a very long time.

Forces committed A headquarters staff of about 60 personnel under the command of Brigadier Maurie McNarn. Royal Australian Navy The frigates HMAS Anzac and HMAS Darwin, which were already on-station as part of the Multinational Interception Force enforcing economic sanctions against Iraq before the invasion plan was entered into. Each ship carried a single Seahawk helicopter from 816 Squadron RAN[1] The transport ship HMAS Kanimbla carrying 350 crew and soldiers, including embarked Australian Army LCM-8 landing craft and an anti-aircraft contingent, a Sea King helicopter from 817 Squadron RAN, and a bomb disposal team. A detachment from the Army's 16th Air Defence Regiment provided point defence to the Kanimbla. Clearance Diving Team Three, which worked alongside divers from several nations to clear Iraqi ports of mines. Royal Australian Air Force No. 75 Squadron, operating 14 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets together with 250 command, coordination, support and aircrew personnel. Three C-130H Hercules transport aircraft from No. 36 Squadron RAAF and 150 support personnel. Two AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft and 150 support personnel (these aircraft may have operated in the electronic intelligence gathering role). Australian Army A 500-strong special forces task group consisting of: Forward Command Element Special Forces Task Group 1st Squadron Group, Australian Special Air Service Regiment Platoon (+), 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando) D Troop, Incident Response Regiment Combat Service Support Group Troop, C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment (3 CH-47 Chinook) 2 LCM-8 Landing Craft, 70/71 Troop Water Transport Squadron To read links go Here

No civillian will every truly comprehend the theatre of war. In sheer size alone, in numbers of Defence Personel, in equipment and the requirements for the day to day runnings of operations. Australias contribution to this is significant and warranted. By contributing to the fight in Iraq they are assisting in preventing that fight from being brought to our shores.

Operations by Australian Forces In keeping with its relatively small size, the Australian force only made a limited contribution to Coalition operations during the invasion of Iraq. The Australian contribution was also geographically dispersed, with the Australian forces forming part of larger US and British units rather than a concentrated Australian unit. No Australian personnel were killed, wounded or taken prisoner during the war.

Maritime operations Prior to the outbreak of war the Australian naval force in the Persian Gulf continued to enforce the sanctions against Iraq. These operations were conducted by boarding parties from the RAN warships and the AP-3 Orion patrol aircraft.[2] Upon the outbreak of war the RAN's focus shifted to supporting the coalition land forces and clearing the approaches to Iraqi ports. HMAS Anzac provided gunfire support to Royal Marines during fighting on the Al-Faw Peninsula and the Clearance Diving Team took part in clearing the approaches to Umm Qasr. Boarding operations continued during the war, and on 20 March boarding parties from the HMAS Kanimbla seized an Iraqi ship carrying 86 naval mines.[3] Army LCM-8 Landing Craft were used as forward deployment and support platforms for the Navy boarding parties and were the first regular Maritime assets to the port of Umm Qasr, moving as far north as Basara on the inland waterways collecting intelligence for allied forces. LCM-8 Assets were utilised by British and American forces for various cargo transportation duties during the course of the war. To read links go Here

If you take the time to follow the links at the bottom of each test box you will find a substantial amount of additional information on these and other related topics.

Please remember, if you chose not to support the Troops at least do it due to an informed opinion. It really doesn't take much to do a search and read some information and this small effort may just change your perspective a little.

A_C