Australian Contribution To The 2003 Invasion of Iraq - Forces Committed

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.
    • 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 attached to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-West (CJSOTF-W)
        • 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

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