A_C

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

AFGHANISTAN

Australian and Afghan soldiers prepare to depart on a joint patrol in September 2005.

Operation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the International Coalition against Terrorism. The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing. ADF participation included two major activities centred on Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf.

Go Here to see links

First phase

A No. 33 Squadron B-707 refueling a US Navy F/A-18 in 2002.

Australian participation in Afghanistan included a Special Forces Task group and two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing 707 air-to-air refuelling aircraft from No. 33 Squadron. These aircraft and associated support personnel operated from Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan and provided support to coalition aircraft operating in Afghan airspace. RAAF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were also involved in providing logistic support for deployed forces. The initial ADF commitment in Afghanistan concluded in December 2002 when the Special Air Service Task Group was withdrawn. Following this date Australia’s total contribution to efforts in Afghanistan was a single officer attached to the Coalition’s mine clearing force.

Australian SAS Squadron deployments

Note: all dates are approximate

1 Squadron Group, SASR (October 2001-April 2002)
3 Squadron Group, SASR (April 2002-July/August 2002)
2 Squadron Group, SASR (July/August 2002-November 2002)

A Troop from the Special Air Service of New Zealand was attached to each Australian SAS Squadron Group. It’s unclear whether the New Zealand SAS Troop was rotated at the same times as the Australian units.

Go Here to read links

Second phase

An Australian Surveillance Reconnaissance Vehicle (SRV) patrols outside the perimeter of a forward operating base in Afghanistan on September 17, 2005.

An Australian Special Forces Task Group was re-deployed to Afghanistan in August or September 2005. This Task Group consisted of elements from the SASR, 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Commando), the Incident Response Regiment and logistic support personnel. As well as heavily modified land rovers, the Special Forces Task Group was also equipped with some Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles. A detachment of two CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the 5th Aviation Regiment was deployed to Afghanistan in March 2006 to support the Special Forces Task Group. The Australian Special Forces Task Group was withdrawn from Afghanistan in September 2006 and the helicopter detachment returned to Australia in April 2007.

Go Here to read links

Third phase

A Reconstruction Taskforce based around the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment with protective elements from the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and 2nd Cavalry Regiment began arriving in Orūzgān Province in southern Afghanistan in early September 2006. The Australian Reconstruction Taskforce forms part of a Dutch-led Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Prime Minister John Howard has announced plans to deploy 300 special forces to support the Reconstruction Taskforce. In addition to radar crews, logistics and intelligence officers, and security personnel, this will bring the number of Australian forces in Afghanistan up to about 950 in mid-2007 and 1000 by mid-2008.^[1]

Go Here to read Links

Now, quite a while ago (back in february) I had a little rant on Tanker Brothers. It was in retaliation to a Troll who, like all other Trolls, had all the 'Facts'. Ever wonder why we are in Afghanistan??

Well here are some facts for you....

Al-Qaeda or Al-Qaida or Al-Qa'ida (Arabic: القاعدة al-qāʕida, trans. 'the base') is the name given to an international alliance of militant Islamist organizations established in 1988 by Osama bin Laden. Al-Qaeda's ideology can be placed within the salafist strain of Sunni-Islam, but also has been heavily influenced by wahabism. Osama bin-Laden oversees al-Qaeda's finances and, with Ayman al-Zawahiri, provides ideological and strategic guidance. Al-Qaeda's objectives include the elimination of foreign influence in Muslim countries, eradication of those deemed to be "infidels", elimination of Israel, and the creation of a new Islamic caliphate.^[1]

Link

Ok, you DID read that right.

Al-Qaedas objectives:

Elimination of foreign influence in Muslim Countries
Eradication of those deemed to be infidels (that's us guys!!)
Elimination of Israel
The creation of a new Islamic Caliphate.

Al Qaeda Training Camps in Afghanistan and the Pakistani border regions are alleged to have trained militant Muslims from around the world. Despite the perception of some people, al-Qaeda members are ethnically diverse and connected by their radical version of Islam. An ever-expanding network of supporters thus enjoyed a safe haven in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan until the Taliban were defeated by a combination of local forces and United States air power in 2001

These would be the camps that David Hicks was found at.

In 1996, Osama bin Laden moved to Afghanistan from Sudan. When the Taliban came to power, bin Laden was able to forge an alliance between the Taliban and his Al-Qaeda organization. It is understood that al-Qaeda-trained fighters known as the 055 Brigade were integrated with the Taliban army between 1997 and 2001. The Taliban and bin Laden had very close connections, which were formalized by a marriage of one of bin Laden's sons to Omar's daughter. During Osama bin Laden's stay in Afghanistan, he had helped finance the Taliban.

Ok, no link between Al-Qaeda and the Taliban huh?? I beg to differ.

On September 20, 2001 after an investigation by the FBI the U.S. concluded that Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden were behind the September 11, 2001 attacks. The U.S. made a five point ultimatum to the Taliban:

Deliver to the US all of the leaders of Al Qaeda;
Release all imprisoned foreign nationals;
Close immediately every terrorist training camp;
Hand over every terrorist and their supporters to appropriate authorities;
Give the United States full access to terrorist training camps for inspection.^[17]

The Taliban rejected this ultimatum on September 21, 2001, stating there was no evidence in their possession linking Bin Laden to the September 11 attacks.

So, the 'Religious Taliban Government', chose to protect Al-Qaeda, a recognised Terrorist Organisation as opposed to working in conjunction with the US to rid their country of this terrorist scourge.

In 1996, al-Qaeda announced its jihad to expel foreign troops and interests from what they felt were Islamic lands. Bin Laden issued a fatwa^[39], which amounted to a public declaration of war against the United States and any of its allies, and began to focus al-Qaeda's resources towards attacking the United States and its interests.

On February 23, 1998, Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, a leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad, along with three other Islamist leaders, co-signed and issued a fatwa (binding religious edict) under the banner of the World Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders (al-Jabhah al-Islamiyya al-'Alamiyya li-Qital al-Yahud wal-Salibiyyin) declaring:

“

[t]he ruling to kill the Americans and their allies- civilians and military— is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it, in order to liberate the al-Aqsa Mosque (in Jerusalem) and the holy mosque (in Makka) from their grip, and in order for their armies to move out of all the lands of Islam, defeated and unable to threaten any Muslim. This is in accordance with the words of Almighty Allah, 'and fight the pagans all together as they fight you all together,' and 'fight them until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah'.^[40]

”

Neither bin Laden nor al-Zawahiri possessed the traditional Islamic scholarly qualifications to issue a fatwa of any kind; however, they rejected the authority of the contemporary ulema (seen as the paid servants of jahiliyya rulers) and took it upon themselves.^[41] 1998 was also the year of the first major terrorist attack reliably attributed to al-Qaeda- the U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa, resulting in upward of 300 deaths. A barrage of missiles launched by the U.S. military in response devastated an al-Qaeda base in Khost, Afghanistan, but the network's capacity was unharmed.

Now, I understand that the TERRORISTS perception of what is fair and just in relation to Non Muslims occupying traditionally Muslim countries and areas is going to be different to that of a Westerner. However, the concept of a Caliphate Rule is not. The idea here is that these terrorist organisations, with the support of certain governments, such as the former Taliban government, will slowly take back control of all traditionally Muslim countries to start with. When they are strong and sufficiently backed financially, the plan is to unleash Jihad on the Western World. This is not a new concept, infact it has it's foundations in the very beginnings of civilisation. I also think it is important to remember that while the majority of the population of these countries is Muslim, not ALL the people are. However, if these terrorist organisations are successful, that will be a right these people will no longer retain. It will be convert or die.

This isn't about 'Westernising' the world. It is about world domination. The world under a Caliphate Rule. As terrorists groups become braver they are sending out both written and recorded messages warning of their intent to eradicate 'Western Dogs'.

On September 22, 2001, the United Arab Emirates and later Saudi Arabia withdrew their recognition of the Taliban as the legal government of Afghanistan, leaving neighboring Pakistan as the only remaining country with diplomatic ties. On October 4, 2001, it is believed that the Taliban covertly offered to turn bin Laden over to Pakistan for trial in an international tribunal that operated according to Islamic Sharia law.^[23] Pakistan, recently recast as an ally of the west, is believed to have rejected the offer (even though they did still recognize Afghanistan). On October 7, 2001, before the onset of military operations, the Taliban made an open offer to try bin Laden in Afghanistan in an Islamic court.^[24] This counter offer was immediately rejected by the U.S. as insufficient.

Ok, nobody formally printed invitations. When the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia withdrew their support of the Taliban Government in Afghanistan it paved the way for a Coalition enterance, with the support of local (non Taliban) government and the Northern Alliance.

Shortly afterward, on October 7, 2001, the United States, aided by the United Kingdom, Canada, and supported by a coalition of other countries including several from the NATO alliance, initiated military actions in Afghanistan, code named Operation Enduring Freedom, and bombed Taliban and Al Qaeda related camps.^[25]^[26] The stated intent of military operations was to remove the Taliban from power because of the Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden for his involvement in the September 11 attacks, and disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations.^[27] On October 14 the Taliban openly counteroffered to hand bin Laden over to a third country for trial, but only if the Taliban were given evidence of bin Laden's involvement in 9/11.^[28] The U.S. rejected this offer as an insufficient public relations ploy and continued military operations.

The ground war was mainly fought by the Northern Alliance, the remaining elements of the anti-Taliban forces which the Taliban had routed over the previous years but had never been able to entirely destroy. Mazari Sharif fell to U.S.-Northern Alliance forces on November 9, leading to a cascade of provinces falling with minimal resistance, and many local forces switching loyalties from the Taliban to the Northern Alliance. On the night of November 12, the Taliban retreated south in an orderly fashion from Kabul. This was sufficiently orderly, that on November 15, they released eight Western aid workers after three months in captivity (see Attacks on humanitarian workers). By November 13 the Taliban had withdrawn from both Kabul and Jalalabad. Finally, in early December, the Taliban gave up their last city stronghold of Kandahar and retired to the hilly wilderness along the Afghanistan - Pakistan border, where they remain today as a guerrilla warfare operation, drawing new recruits and developing plans for a restoration of power.

So, it was not by the invitation of the Taliban (for obvious reasons) that the Coalition entered Afghanistan. However, neither does it equate to a US initiated 'Invasion'. The US had worked with the Northern Alliance to assist them in removing Al Qaeda networks and their support networks, including the Taliban from within Afghanistan.

As for the progress in Afghanistan try reading....

09 August 2006

TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER
THE HON JOHN HOWARD MP
STATEMENT TO PARLIAMENT ON THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE COMMITMENT TO AFGHANISTAN,
PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA

E&OE…

The purpose of this Statement is to inform the House of the Government’s decision to send to Afghanistan an additional 150 troops of the ADF to reinforce the Reconstruction Task Force and to provide enhanced force protection. The Statement will also provide the Parliament with the Government’s latest assessment of the security situation in Afghanistan and the challenges facing the Karzai Government and the Coalition.

The Afghan people are working to achieve stability, peace and democracy, after many years of violence and extremism. For Afghanistan, the path to security will be long and hard, with many challenges lying ahead. But Afghanistan will not have to face these challenges alone. Australia, along with many others in the international community, is there to assist the Afghan people.

We have already witnessed what happens when the global community turns its back on extremism. Afghanistan was neglected for too long, condemning the Afghan people to decades of war and poverty. But the world is now much more aware of the dangers of ignoring extremism and fundamentalism. The stability of Afghanistan has wider implications for global security and it is for this reason that the Australian Government is committed to ensuring that Afghanistan achieves long term peace.

Afghanistan’s social indicators remain sobering. At 46 years, Afghan life expectancy is one of the world’s lowest, and at least 20 years lower than that of all Afghanistan’s neighbours. One in five children still die before the age of five, and the country has some of the world’s lowest literacy rates. In addition, 3.4 million Afghans remain outside their country and there is much room for improvement in the country’s human rights situation.

Afghanistan is still one of the world’s poorest countries. Decades of war destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure and severely disrupted economic activity, including in agriculture. Criminal and terrorist activity continues to hamper economic growth, and the expansion of the drug trade remains of very deep concern. Sustained economic growth will be required to make a significant dent in the country’s chronic poverty.

These problems are complex and will not be solved quickly. But Australia cannot and will not abandon Afghanistan. We need to remain committed to supporting this fledgling democracy.

Through our aid programme we are working with Afghans, international organisations including the United Nations, and our other international partners to support Afghanistan’s transition from conflict to stability, peace and democracy.

At the London Conference in January 2006 the Government committed $55 million in development assistance to Afghanistan through to 2007. This is part of a commitment of up to $150 million over the next five years. These funds will go towards improving security, rebuilding institutions, protecting human rights, especially for women and girls, and improving the delivery of essential services to ordinary Afghans. It builds on the $110 million we have disbursed since 2001 to assist in reconstruction and development.

Our efforts, and those of our coalition partners, are bearing fruit. Afghans have embraced democracy and open, democratic institutions are developing. Afghanistan now has a democratic constitution and a democratically elected president and parliament. The country’s first parliamentary elections in 30 years were held in September 2005. 6.4 million Afghans, representing over 50 per cent of registered voters, turned out to elect representatives to the Lower House, and the 34 provincial councils.

In an encouraging sign for the inclusiveness of Afghanistan’s burgeoning civil society, women featured prominently in these elections. 68 women were elected to the Lower House, taking 27 per cent of available seats. 121 women were elected to provincial councils, representing almost 30 per cent of available seats at this level.

The Afghan Government has made education of women and girls a priority in an effort to overcome the legacy of the Taliban. With the entry of women into Afghanistan’s parliament and provincial councils, Afghans now have an additional opportunity to address the injustices of the past.

Just as democracy is becoming more deeply rooted in Afghanistan, economic recovery is providing new economic opportunities. Real GDP is expected to grow by almost 12 per cent in 2006. This builds on strong growth rates over the past few years, even if from a low base.

The ordinary people of Afghanistan are benefiting directly from these developments. Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001 a UNICEF immunisation programme has vaccinated over 2.3 million children under the age of five against polio, almost eradicating that disease.

The indicators of progress in Afghanistan are promising, but significant challenges remain. Afghan society is still predominantly rural in character and the country’s democratic institutions, though developing, remain fragile. And the struggle against extremists continues.

The level of violence has increased in Afghanistan in recent months as the Taliban and other terrorist groups, including Al Qaida, seek to chip away at the credibility of the Afghan government and prevent reconstruction taking place. Security beyond Kabul, particularly in the east and south, is the worst since the Taliban fell. Suicide bombings have increased.

Australia, as the House will know, made a significant contribution to Coalition operations in Afghanistan following the terrorist attacks on New York in Washington in September 2001. With the completion of that particular task, our forces returned home, with the thanks of all Australians. It is worth noting in light of the negative and opportunistic comments now being made by some in the Opposition that at the time that decision was made the then Leader of the Opposition, Mr Crean, warmly welcomed the Government’s decision, arguing that it was a vindication of his call for Australia to fight terrorism closer to home, in our region, in Australia. They were the words of the then Leader of the Opposition, welcoming the Government’s decision to bring home our forces then, and it gives the lie to the opportunistic comment emanating, as is apparent from his interjection, from the Member for Griffith at this time.

Following a reassessment of the security situation in Afghanistan by the Coalition in 2005, the Government decided to again send troops to Afghanistan. We now have about 200 personnel serving in the Special Forces Task Group in Afghanistan. This Task Group is providing reconnaissance, surveillance and other specialised capabilities to the Coalition's operations against Al Qaida and the Taliban, who continue to threaten Afghanistan’s fragile stability. In dangerous circumstances, the Special Forces have, as always, done a magnificent job.

Two ADF Chinook helicopters and about 110 personnel are also currently operating in Afghanistan. This capability provides aero-medical evacuation, air mobility and logistic support to Australian troops and Coalition partners. As I announced in May, the Chinooks will continue to operate in Afghanistan until April 2007 providing vital airlift support.

But the struggle against the Taliban and its fundamentalist allies is far from over. The international community, including Australia, continues to have a crucial role to play in assisting the Afghan government meet its security challenges. The security challenge is twofold: first to provide a secure environment to allow Afghans to rebuild their society free from violence and extremism; and secondly to strengthen Afghanistan’s institutions so that they can provide a stronger framework for democratisation, religious tolerance and economic growth.

Of course, the two elements are linked. Removal of the immediate dangers facing the Afghan people is essential, but so too is ensuring that Afghanistan has the infrastructure and institutions to support its democratically elected government and dealing with those who may attempt to threaten Afghanistan’s democracy and security in the future. It is because of this that the Australian Government has committed an ADF Reconstruction Task Force to support the Netherlands led Provincial Reconstruction Team. The ADF will work with the Netherlands as part of Phase III of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force expansion into southern Afghanistan.

This Reconstruction Task Force will work in Oruzgan Province, in southern Afghanistan, on reconstruction and community based projects with the aim of building the long-term viability of Afghan communities. The Task Force will undertake construction projects, provide project management skills, and deliver trade training for the local population. These activities will ensure that the benefits of the deployment continue long after our personnel have returned.

The Reconstruction Task Force will be in Afghanistan at the invitation of the Government of Afghanistan. It will work in Oruzgan for a period of two years.

The Reconstruction Task Force will perform a vital role in what is a dangerous environment. The Government is aware of the risks faced by the Australian Defence Force in Afghanistan and is committed to ensuring that the Reconstruction Task Force is fully equipped and resourced to conduct this highly important task.

After careful consideration, the Government has decided to increase the size of the Reconstruction Task Force from 240 personnel to 270. This will enhance the security, robustness and flexibility of the Task Force.

The Government has also decided that the Reconstruction Task Force deployment will include an infantry company group of about 120 personnel to provide enhanced force protection. After six months, the security situation in Oruzgan will be reviewed and the Task Force structure will be reconsidered in the light of that review. The additional deployments will bring the total Reconstruction Task Force strength to approx 400.

The Reconstruction Task Force will be made up of a number of elements - command, security and protection, engineering, administrative support and tactical intelligence services. The force will be equipped with a number of Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles and a number of Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs). The Reconstruction Task Force will be drawn primarily from the 1st Brigade in Darwin and will be under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mick Ryan.

The Australian Task Force will have its own headquarters and will operate under the national command of Australia’s Joint Task Force in the Middle East Area of Operations. ADF units and personnel deployed in Afghanistan remain under Australian national command.

The Reconstruction Task Force will work closely with the Netherlands and other NATO partners. The Government is very pleased with Dutch planning and preparations and very impressed with the military capability of the Dutch forces that are being deployed to Afghanistan. We are very confident that we will be able to work closely with them.

Advance elements of the Reconstruction Task Force will start to deploy into Afghanistan during this August to commence preparation of base facilities and logistic support infrastructure. These elements will be followed by the majority of the Reconstruction Task Force deploying in September with the final elements expected to deploy in November of this year.

Afghanistan remains a dangerous place, and any military operation conducted there carries significant risks. The possibility of ADF casualties cannot be discounted. I ask all Australians to support the members of the Australian Defence Force who are serving their country by helping to create an environment of security and stability in Afghanistan. I understand that this is a difficult time for them and their families and I ask all of you to keep these brave and dedicated men and women in your thoughts and prayers.