 AASM 75 + |
 UNTAG Medal |
UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG): 1989 - 1990
Australian Deployment Dates: 18 Feb 1989 to 10 Apr 1990.
Strength: 592 total comprising 2 rotations. Contingents consisted of Royal Australian Engineers from
17 Construction Squadron, one RAAF officer, 5 Military Police, and a 3 person Signals Detachment.
Area of Operations (AO): Namibia.
Purpose: In April 1989, the UN established
UNTAG in Namibia, South Western Africa, and to a limited extent in neighbouring
countries. This was to supervise the return of refugees, the holding of a general
election, the withdrawal of South African forces and Namibia's transition to
independence. The Australians were armed only with personal weapons during the
entire mission.
Comments: The Australian Contingent mainly consisted
of Army Engineers. From 26 October to 20 November 1989, the Australian
Electoral Commission provided an electoral organisation expert and 27 electoral
supervisors. The Australian Federal Police contributed a fingerprint expert
in order to assist in the conduct of the general election which was held in early November, 1989.
The Australians were vital to the success
of the mission as the Australian engineer and British signals advance parties
were the only troops on the ground when the ceasefire collapsed in early April
1989. They were hurriedly redeployed to bolster a renegotiated ceasefire by
supervising the withdrawal of SWAPO guerillas from Namibia. The Second
contingent's engineering and local security activities were also instrumental in
the successful return of thousands of refugees and the conduct of the general
election.
Contingent members were originally awarded the Australian Service Medal however this descision was reversed and, on 26 July 2001 the award was upgraded to the Australian Active Service Medal.
Veteran Entitlement Act (VEA) : Schedule 2; 18 Feb 1989 to 10 Apr 1990.
Service Type: Warlike.
Gazette: S303 of 26 Jul 01
Awards & Qualifying Periods:
AASM 75 + |
UNTAG Medal |