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

Read more about this topic:  Australian Contribution To The 2003 Invasion Of Iraq

Famous quotes containing the words forces and/or committed:

    “The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of the Crown. It may be frail—its roof may shake—the wind may blow through it—the storm may enter—the rain may enter—but the King of England cannot enter!—all his forces dare not cross the threshold of the ruined tenement!”
    —William Pitt, The Elder, Lord Chatham (1708–1778)

    “But I would say to my fellows, once for all, As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail.”
    —Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)