Australian Contingent – The War on Terrorism (Afghanistan)

Australia: 2001 –

 Strength: 1550.  HMA Ships CANBERRA KANIMBLA, ANZAC, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, ADELAIDE.  1 SAS Sabre Sqn (150 incl 152 Sig Sqn), 4 F/A18 Hornets, 2 B707-338C Tankers (Refuellers), 2 RAAF P3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft, HQ & Force Liaison Staff.

 Area of Operations:  The Persian Gulf, Kuwait, Diego Garcia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan

                 After the Terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre, New York, which took almost 5000 civilian and military lives on the 11th of September, 2001, President George Bush declared war on Terrorists and countries that house & train terrorists.  The 11th of September attack was suspected to be the long-term plan of attack by Osama Bin Laden, who was a Saudi Arabian Engineer, living in exile in Afghanistan and worked closely with the Al-Queda extremist Islamic Group.  The Taliban (Afghanistan’s extremist Islamic group) considered Osama Bin Laden and the Al-Queda group as “Guests” in their country.  After US pressure on the President of Pakistan, the Taliban were given a deadline to surrender Osama Bin Laden or face the consequences.

                 The Taliban subsequently refused and British, German, US and Australian (SASR) Special Forces Teams were inserted into Afghanistan and were supported by the biggest air bombing campaign the world has seen.  However, it appears that Osama Bin Laden escaped.  Osama Bin Laden is currently the world’s most wanted man.

                The RAN Task Force was despatched to the Persian Gulf to assist UN Sanctions against Iraq.  The RAN Task Force provided the commander of the UN Flotilla in January 2002, operating out of a US Warship commanding British, Canadian, US and Australian naval forces in the Persian Gulf. 

 Killed:   (1) Sergeant Andrew Russell (SASR), 16th of February 2002.

Wounded: 1(mine).

 VEA: TBC

 Awards: AASM more TBC


 

       

 

  
AASM 1975 - Present

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