Damon Mcknight
Australian troops have been deployed in several countries in recent years, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, as part of international coalitions and peacekeeping operations. In Afghanistan, Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have been involved in counter-terrorism efforts, while in Iraq, they have contributed to the war against the Islamic State and protected the Australian embassy in Baghdad. Australian troops have also served alongside New Zealanders in Iraq, providing training to local forces. Additionally, the ADF maintains small contributions to peacekeeping operations in the Middle East and Africa, with personnel deployed along the borders of Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries where Australian troops are currently serving | Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Sudan, Australia's neighbourhood countries |
| Number of ADF personnel deployed to Afghanistan in March 2011 | 1550 |
| Australian troops serving alongside | Counterparts from New Zealand |
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What You'll Learn
Australian troops in Iraq
Australia joined a U.S.-led coalition in the Iraq War. Australia provided one of the four most substantial combat force contingents during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. The initial Australian force consisted of three Royal Australian Navy ships, a 500-strong special forces task group, two AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft, two B707 Air-to-Air refuelling aircraft, C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, and No. 75 Squadron RAAF (including 14 F/A-18 Hornet fighters). The cost of the Iraq War to Australian taxpayers is estimated to have exceeded AUD 5 billion.
The SAS successfully entered Iraq by vehicle and United States helicopters and secured their area of responsibility after a week of fighting. Following this, the SAS patrolled the highways in the area to block the escape of members of the Iraqi government and to prevent enemy foreign fighters from entering the country. The SAS Squadron concentrated on capturing the Al Asad Airbase, and after securing the airbase, they were reinforced by 4 RAR and the IRR elements. The Special Forces Task Group remained at Al Asad until the end of the war, and the 4 RAR platoon was deployed to Baghdad to protect Australian diplomats.
These troops began withdrawing from Iraq on 1 June 2008 and were completely withdrawn by 28 July 2009. No Australian military personnel were killed in direct combat action during Operation Falconer or Operation Catalyst. However, one Australian soldier died in 2015 as a direct result of injuries sustained in an IED blast in 2004, and three died in accidents or during service with British forces.
In 2020, Australia was still committed to the US-led coalition fight against the Islamic State in Iraq, known as Operation Okra, with a budget of $241 million for that financial year. There were 450 Australian personnel stationed in the Middle East as part of Operation Okra, including Task Group Taji, which was established in 2015 to train Iraqi forces. RAAF aircraft conducted air strikes in Iraq and provided airborne command, control, and air-to-air refuelling for coalition forces. The special forces advised the Iraqi Army, and the training unit trained Iraqi soldiers. The RAAF combat aircraft completed operations in January 2018, and the other aircraft were withdrawn in September 2020. The Army training force departed in mid-2020.
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Australian troops in Afghanistan
Australia's involvement in Afghanistan, known as Operation Slipper, commenced in late 2001. The Australian Government invoked the ANZUS Treaty days after the 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, committing to sending military personnel to join US forces in Afghanistan. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) deployed over 1,100 personnel to Afghanistan between 1 October 2001 and 30 June 2002. The peak number of Australian troops in Afghanistan was 1,600.
The Australian contingent formed part of the International Security Assistance Force, a multinational mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. These operations aimed to help stabilize Afghanistan and combat terrorism by preventing the country from becoming a training ground for terrorist organizations, such as Al Qaeda. The ADF's focus was on expeditionary operations, with the Army's main combat formations consisting of three brigades.
In 2013, Australian troops transitioned from combat to advisory and training roles. They focused on mentoring the Afghan National Army's 4th Brigade. In December 2013, Australia's prime minister, Tony Abbott, announced that the last Australian troops had left Uruzgan province, with around 400 troops remaining in Afghanistan in training and support roles.
By 2020, most ADF personnel had been withdrawn from Afghanistan, marking the end of Australia's military involvement in the conflict. However, some personnel remained until 2021, continuing to support Afghanistan through diplomatic and development efforts. Tragically, more than 40 Australians lost their lives and 263 were wounded as a result of their service in the war in Afghanistan.
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ADF peacekeeping in the Middle East
Australians have been involved in more conflicts as peacekeepers than as belligerents. Australian involvement in international peacekeeping began in 1947 when a small contingent was deployed to the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) as military observers under the United Nations Good Offices Commission during the Indonesian National Revolution.
In 1989, Australia's commitment to peacekeeping expanded with the deployment of a sizeable engineer force to Namibia. Throughout the 1990s, Australia made further contributions to peacekeeping operations in various places, including the Middle East, Cambodia, and Rwanda. In 1999, Australia took the lead in deploying a force of around 6,000 personnel to East Timor during its emergence as an independent nation. Between 2003 and 2013, a total of 7,270 Australian personnel rotated through the Solomon Islands as part of the Regional Assistance Mission.
In the early 2000s, Australia deployed thousands of personnel to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in warfighting roles. In August 2014, RAAF combat forces, an Army special forces task force, and an Army training unit were deployed to the Middle East during Operation Okra as part of the international war against the Islamic State. The RAAF aircraft conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, provided airborne command and control, and facilitated air-to-air refuelling for coalition forces. The special forces advised the Iraqi Army, and the training unit trained Iraqi soldiers. The RAAF combat aircraft completed operations in January 2018, and the other aircraft were withdrawn in September 2020. The Army training force departed in mid-2020.
Headquarters Middle East (HQME) is a small team based at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It has supported ADF missions and contingencies since 2003 and became Operation Accordion in 2014. HQME facilitates logistics, communications, and support for up to 12 current operations while serving as a scalable hub. It maintains Australia's strategic relationships within the region, especially with the UAE. Since the 2021 Afghanistan drawdown, Australia has maintained a smaller force at Al Minhad Air Base, focusing on strategic access and regional crisis response.
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ADF peacekeeping in Africa
Australian Defence Force (ADF) peacekeeping efforts in Africa have been diverse, with the nation participating in both United Nations-sponsored missions and ad hoc coalitions. Australia has been involved in more conflicts as peacekeepers than as belligerents, although it has only been a moderately energetic peacekeeper in comparative international terms. Australians have served continuously in peacekeeping roles for 60 years, since 1947 when they were among the first group of UN military observers in Indonesia.
Generally, Australia's commitments have been limited, consisting of small numbers of high-level and technical support troops (e.g. signals, engineers, or medical units) or observers and police. However, this pattern changed with the deployment of 600 engineers to Namibia in 1989–90 as part of UNTAG. From the mid-1990s onwards, Australia has been involved in a series of high-profile operations, deploying significantly large units of combat troops in support of missions in Cambodia, Rwanda, Somalia, and East Timor.
Between 1994 and 2003, military observers were sent to Bougainville as part of a peace monitoring mission, first as the South Pacific Peacekeeping Force and then the Truce and Peace Monitoring Groups. In 1999, Australia's involvement in peacekeeping intensified when it took the lead in deploying a force of around 6,000 personnel to East Timor during the country's emergence as an independent nation. Further commitments to East Timor were made throughout the following decade during episodes of unrest.
In addition, smaller-scale commitments were made to missions in Africa, including Sierra Leone. Between 2003 and 2013, a total of 7,270 Australian personnel rotated through the Solomon Islands as part of the Regional Assistance Mission.
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ADF operations in Australia's neighbourhood
Australia has been involved in numerous military operations around the world, including in its immediate neighbourhood. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been deployed to several countries in the region, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Solomon Islands.
In Afghanistan, the ADF has been involved in counter-terrorism efforts as part of Operation Slipper, with approximately 1550 personnel deployed to the country in March 2011. The ADF has also contributed to the international war against the Islamic State in Iraq, with RAAF combat forces, an Army special forces task force, and an Army training unit deployed to the country. The ADF's role in Iraq has included conducting airstrikes, providing advice and training to the Iraqi Army, and protecting the Australian embassy in Baghdad (Operation Kruger).
In the Solomon Islands, the ADF has contributed to the Regional Assistance Mission, with 140 personnel deployed to the country since July 2003. Additionally, the ADF has maintained small contributions to peacekeeping operations in the Middle East and Africa, including along the borders of Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan as part of Operation Mazurka.
The ADF's focus on expeditionary operations and its broad funding target are generally supported by both the ALP and the Liberal-National Coalition. The ADF's activities have included large-scale domestic deployments, such as providing security for major events and responding to natural disasters like the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2020, Australian troops were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, the ADF maintains small contributions to peacekeeping operations in the Middle East and Africa.
As of June 2020, Australia had 300 troops in Iraq, designated as Task Group Taji.
Australian troops are in Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper, Australia's contribution to the international coalition against terrorism.
