Current Australian Defence Force deployments
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As of May 2007, around 3850 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel are deployed on overseas operations. An additional 500 personnel are deployed on domestic maritime security tasks.[1]
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[edit] Middle East
The ADF currently has two-large scale deployments in the Middle East and three smaller deployments. These operations are commanded from a Joint Task Force Headquarters located in Baghdad, Iraq.
[edit] Iraq
The ADF's contribution to the rehabilitation of Iraq, Operation Catalyst, forms the largest ADF deployment. ADF This deployment began in 2002 when Australian units were deployed to the Middle East to prepare for the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. As of May 2007, 1575 ADF personnel were deployed to the Middle East as part of this operation. ADF units in or near Iraq include:
- The Joint Task Force Headquarters located in Baghdad
- Overwatch Battle Group (West) located at Tallil Airbase in Dhi Qar Governorate
- Security Detachment Iraq which protects the Australian embassy in Baghdad
- 100 trainers located at different locations in Iraq
- 95 ADF personnel serving in the multi-national force headquarters and units.
- A small Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell which works with Coalition counter-Improvised Explosive Device units
- HMAS Toowoomba is the current frigate deployed to the Persian Gulf
- A detachment of three C-130 Hercules transport aircraft
- A detachment of two AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft
- A tri-service Force Level Logistic Asset, communications element and movement control group [2]
[edit] Afghanistan
In May 2007 over 500 ADF personnel were deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper, Australia's contribution to the international coalition against terrorism. This deployment began in October 2001. ADF units currently deployed to Afghanistan include:
- A National Command Element located at Kabul
- A Reconstruction Task Force in Oruzgan Province which is centred on an engineering group drawn from the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment under the command of LTCOL David Wainwright.
- 20 personnel attached to the International Security Assistance Force
- A national logistics support element located at Kandahar
- The C-130 and AP-3C aircraft and the frigate in the Persian Gulf also support Operation Slipper[3]
The Australian force in Afghanistan will be expanded to greater than 1000 personnel over 2007 and 2008 with the re-deployment of a Special Operations Task Group and the deployment of other ADF assets including a RAAF air surveillance detachment.[4]
[edit] Other deployments
In addition to the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the ADF also maintains three small contributions to peacekeeping operations in the Middle East and Africa. As of April 2007 a total of 37 ADF personnel are deployed along the borders of Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan as part of Operation Mazurka and Operation Paladin. A further 15 personnel form part of the United Nations Mission in Sudan. These operations began in 1982, 1956 and 2005 respectively.[5]
[edit] Asia-Pacific
The ADF currently has units deployed on several operations in Australia's immediate neighbourhood.
[edit] Timor Leste
Approximately 850 personnel, most of whom form part of the joint Australia-New Zealand ANZAC Battle Group, are deployed to Timor Leste on peacekeeping duties as part of Operation Astute. This deployment began in May 2006.[6]
[edit] Solomon Islands
140 personnel are in the Solomon Islands as the ADF's contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. This deployment began in July 2003.
[edit] Papua New Guinea
About 170 personnel were deployed to Papua New Guinea in late November 2007 as part of the Australian humanitarian effort in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea following heavy flooding caused by Cyclone Guba.
[edit] Domestic operations
The ADF's contribution to Australia's domestic maritime security is conducted under Operation Resolute. Operation Resolute consolidated previous ADF operations and began in July 2006. As part of Operation Resolute ADF ships, aircraft and Regional Force Surveillance Units conduct patrols in conjunction with the Australian Customs Service. This operation is commanded by the Border Protection Command which is jointly manned by members of the ADF and Customs. Approximately 500 personnel were assigned to Operation Resolute in May 2007.[7]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Australian Department of Defence. Global Operations. Accessed 8 May 2007.
- ^ Australian Department of Defence. Operation Catalyst. Accessed 7 April 2007.
- ^ Australian Department of Defence http://www.defence.gov.au/opslipper/default.htm Operation Slipper]. Accessed 14 May 2007.
- ^ Prime Minister of Australia John Howard (2007-04-10). "More troops for Afghanistan". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
- ^ Australian Department of Defence. Global Operations. Accessed 14 May 2007.
- ^ Australian Government, Department of Defence
- ^ Australian Department of Defence. Operation Resolute. Accessed 14 May 2007.
[edit] References
- Australian Department of Defence Global Operations
