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Combined Task Force 150 and Operation OCEAN SHIELD
Introduction Australia has deployed Navy ships to US-led task groups in the Middle East since the Gulf War in 1990, principally in the western Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Aden. In addition, ADF personnel have been deployed to various multinational command and logistics facilities in the region. As of 2015, these […]
Introduction: Australia in Iraq 2014 –
In September 2014 the Australian government announced the deployment of an 600-person ADF contingent as part of a US-led coalition to attack Islamic State in Syria and the Levant (ISIL) forces in Iraq. The deployment has subsequently expanded in size and in mission. The first deployment was made up of 400 personnel in an Air Task Group and 200 […]
al-Asad Air Base
Introduction Location: Anbar Province, near the city of al-Baghdadi. 33° 48′ 0″ N, 42° 26′ 0″ E 33.8, 42.433333 Wikimapia Coalition ground troops operating as trainers for Iraqi forces have been based at Al-Asad since 2014. In February 2015 320 US Marines were reportedly based at al-Asad, and in March 2015, the Australian government announced that 300 Australian specialist trainers would be […]
Camp Taji
Introduction Location: Camp Taji is located 30 kms north of Baghdad, at 33° 31′ 46″ N, 44° 16′ 39″ E (33.529444, 44.2775) in the rural district of Taji (التاجي). Originally a Republican Guard base, it is now a joint base for both Iraqi and foreign, principally United States, forces, as well as private security contractors. In February 2015, New Zealand prime minister […]
Joint New Zealand-Australian training mission
Introduction On 24 February 2015, New Zealand prime minister John Key announced that up to 143 New Zealand troops would be sent to Iraq to help train Iraqi forces. Most would be deployed to Taji, he said, and would be part of a joint training mission with Australian forces. The head of the New Zealand […]
Baghdad Diplomatic Security Centre
Introduction In late November 2014, most of the 200 Australian Special Forces Task Group personnel were relocated from Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE to the Baghdad Diplomatic Security Centre in the Baghdad Airport Precinct. At that point the SATG was conducting assistance for close air support of Iraqi operations, and was preparing to move […]
Australia in Iraq (2003 – 2008)
We appreciate your patience while this page is under construction, bringing together material relating to the Australian deployments to Iraq between 2003 and 2008.
Status of Forces Agreement – Iraq (2014)
According to News Corp correspondent Paul Toohey, while elements of the Iraqi government had expressed concerns about agreements to allow foreign ground troops into the country, including Australia Special Operations Task Group, “the Australian F/A-18F Super Hornets flying combat missions over Iraq operate under an agreement separate to the planned SoFA. It was negotiated between Baghdad […]
Special Operations Task Group
The Special Forces Task Group, initially made up of “up to 200 personnel” deployed in September 2014 was located initially at Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE. No details of the make-up of the SOTG were released, but according to Paul Toohey of News Corporation, the SOTG is “under the leadership of the 2nd Commando Regiment“. The […]