Second Maritime Interception Force (MIF II): 1991 - 2003

Op Damask III

Australian Deployment Dates: 1 March 1991 to 15 July 2003.

Strength: 2,000 +. One Royal Australian Navy ship per rotation.

Area of Operations (AO): The Persian Gulf, the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea.

Purpose: Following the liberation of Kuwait UN sanctions continued against Iraq, because it continued to defy Security Council Resolutions.  HMAS Westralia remained in the Arabian Gulf supporting these sanctions and was replaced by HMAS Darwin in mid June 1991. In October 1991, HMAS Sydney replaced Darwin.

Comments: Since then HMAS Darwin, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Parramatta have rotated on six-month deployments.

Veteran Entitlement Act (VEA) : Schedule 3; 1 March 1991 to 15 July 2003.

Service Type: Non-warlike.

Gazette: S408 of 18 Aug 98

Awards & Qualifying Periods:

• Australian Service Medal (ASM) (1975-Present) with Clasp “KUWAIT”. Posted 7 days; Visitor / TDY - 30 days.

ASM 75 +

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