Operation Okra Explained

Operation Okra
Partof:the American-led intervention in Iraq, Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War and the War against the Islamic State
Location:Iraq and Syria
Objective:Australia's contribution to the War against ISIL
Executed:31 August 2014 – present[1]
Executed By:Australian Army
Royal Australian Air Force
Australian Signals Directorate[2]

Operation Okra is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the military intervention against the Islamic State. The force is part of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East. The operation commenced on 31 August 2014,[3] and its initial stated aim was to combat ISIL threats in Iraq.[4] In September 2015, the Australian airstrikes were extended to Syria. In June 2017, flights in Syria were temporarily halted in response to American forces shooting down a Syrian Air Force jet, before later being resumed.

Development of the Australian contribution

Airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq

The Australian government announced on 14 September 2014 that an Air Task Group (ATG) of up to eight F/A-18F Super Hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, and a KC-30A air-to-air refuelling tanker, along with a Special Operations Task Force, would be deployed to the Middle East in preparation for possible operations against ISIL forces.[5] The ATG commenced operations on 1 October, and on 3 October, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that his country would commence airstrikes.[6] [7] Australian forces operate from Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.[8] Australian aircraft have also been reported to have flown out of Al Dhafra Air Base south of Abu Dhabi.[9] An Australian Army training team known as Task Group Taji was deployed to Iraq in April 2015 to assist with training the regular Iraqi Security Forces.[10] The force is part of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, originally under the command of Major General Craig Orme.[11] Orme handed over command of JTF 633 to Rear Admiral Trevor Jones in December 2014.[12]

Extension with airstrikes against ISIL in Syria

Airstrikes were extended to Syria in September 2015.[13]

In late 2015 the United States Government asked the Australian Government, along with other members of the coalition, to expand its military commitment to the war. The Australian Government rejected this request in January 2016, but stated that it would increase the number of Australian personnel attached to the coalition headquarters from 20 to 30 and was considering increasing the amount of humanitarian aid it provides to people affected by the war in Iraq and Syria.[14]

The strikes within Syria were reported to have been temporarily suspended on 20 June 2017 after the US shot down a Syrian aircraft.[15] [16] Operations over Syria resumed several days later, with an airstrike reported to have been carried out in the Middle Euphrates River Valley on 23 June 2017.[17]

Air force component

Humanitarian air drops and munition and arms resupply

From August 2014 a number of C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft based in the Middle East have also been used to conduct airdrops of humanitarian aid and to airlift arms and munitions.[18] [19] [20] [21] On the night of 13–14 August an RAAF C-130J was part of a 16-aircraft mission including US C-17s and C-130Hs and a British C-130J which delivered supplies to Yezidi civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar. A second drop was later conducted to deliver supplies to isolated civilians in the northern Iraqi town of Amirli.[22] [23] Later, a C-130J was involved in the airlift arms and munitions to forces in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq in late-September.[24]

Air Task Group

In late-September 2014, an Air Task Group (ATG) of 400 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was deployed to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates as part of the coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq.[25] The initial commitment of aircraft included: six F/A-18F Super Hornet strike aircraft from No. 1 Squadron RAAF, one E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft from No. 2 Squadron RAAF and one KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport from No. 33 Squadron RAAF.[26] The ATG began operations on 1 October 2014.[27]

Between 6–17 October, Australian aircraft flew 54 sorties.[28] [29] [30] In at least two of them, a number of ISIL fighters were killed.[30] Australian planes attacked ISIL military equipment and facilities in support of Iraqi and Kurdish troops on the ground.[28] [30] Vice Admiral David Johnston refused to give more details on the number of casualties or locations of airstrikes due to the "aggressive propaganda campaign" of ISIL.[30] In late–December 2014 Australian Super Hornets were involved in assisting Kurdish ground forces free Yezidi people trapped on Mount Sinjar along with other coalition aircraft.[31]

A second ATG arrived in the UAE in early-January 2015 to replace the first group of personnel and operate the aircraft originally deployed in September 2014.[32] Providing an operational update on 12 January 2015, the Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston, stated that Australian aircraft provide around 13 percent of coalition airstrikes in Iraq.[33]

Six single-seat F/A-18As from No. 75 Squadron RAAF based at Tindal deployed to the Middle East to replace the six dual-seat F/A-18Fs in March 2015.[34] [35] On 30 June 2015 the Department of Defence reported that the ATG had dropped more than 400 munitions in support of Iraqi forces since the commencement of operations with the F/A-18A Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets flying nearly 5000 hours, the E-7A Wedgetail completing 100 operational sorties, and the KC‑30A air-to-air refuelling aircraft providing 25 million pounds of fuel to Australian and coalition aircraft.[36] By the end of November 2015 the F/A-18A Hornets had conducted 580 sorties over Iraq, during which they dropped 363 munitions. The aircraft also flew 18 sorties over Syria in September 2015, dropping two munitions.[37]

Rotations from No. 77 Squadron RAAF took over the deployment in September 2015, and were in turn replaced by No. 3 Squadron RAAF in April 2016.[38] [39]

On 18 September 2016, two F/A-18As and a E-7A Wedgetail formed part of a multi-national force consisting of US, UK, and Danish aircraft which accidentally bombed Syrian Army forces near the city of Deir ez-Zor.[40] [41]

In late-December 2017 it was announced that the strike aircraft attached to the ATG had ceased air combat operations and would return to Australia in January 2018, although the KC-30 and Wedgetail will remain in support of ongoing coalition operations.[42] This announcement followed the earlier recapture of the last remaining ISIL held areas of Iraq by government forces.[43] The final RAAF strike mission was flown by two Super Hornets on 14 January 2018. By this time the Hornets and Super Hornets had conducted over 2,700 sorties.[44]

As of October 2018, the RAAF forces assigned to operations against ISIL had been reduced to a single aircraft. This involved alternating four month long KC-30 and Wedgetail deployments.[45]

The final rotation of Air Task Group aircraft concluded in September 2020.[46]

Commanders ATG 630

Exchange personnel

In August 2015, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that five RAAF exchange personnel embedded with the USAF 432d Operations Group had begun flying General Atomics MQ-9 Reapers over Syria.[50]

Army component

Special Operations Task Group

In September 2014, the Australian Army deployed a Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) of approximately 200 personnel to the United Arab Emirates in preparation for operations to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces.[51] The soldiers were expected to be deployed to Iraq when a legal framework covering their presence in the country was agreed between the Australian and Iraqi Governments.[52] The majority of the initial rotation of the SOTG was made up of Charlie Company, 2nd Commando Regiment.[53] The SOTG began moving into Iraq in early November.[54] As the Iraqi Government would not agree to sign a status of forces agreement to prevent the soldiers from being prosecuted, they entered the country using diplomatic passports instead. Iraq has agreed to grant the soldiers immunity from local laws under this arrangement, though they will be prosecuted in Australia in the event of any misconduct.[55]

The role of the SOTG is to provide training to Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service, and personnel were stationed at the service's Counter-Terrorism Academy and Counter-Terrorism Training unit in January 2015, instructing in tactics, medical aid and counter improvised explosive device skills.[56] The Counter-Terrorism Service includes two brigades of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces, which fought against ISIS during 2014 at the cost of heavy casualties. Members of the service have been accused of killing prisoners and committing human rights violations. SOTG personnel are required to report any human rights violations they become aware of.[57]

The third SOTG rotation occurred in September 2015 with a reduced strength of 80 personnel.[58] [59]

The SOTG role is also to provide mission support with SOTG personnel stationed in Iraqi bases assisting Iraqi units which are deployed on operations through remote means. In December 2015, it was reported that SOTG personnel enabled more than 150 airstrikes in support of Counter Terrorism Service 1st Iraqi Special Operations Force Brigade's offensive liberating Ramadi resulting in the destruction of some 50 ISIL fighting positions, 16 heavy machine guns and numerous vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.[60] [61]

In April 2016, it was disclosed that SOTG personnel are assisting at the "divisional level" embedded with senior Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga commanders.[62] Earlier in November 2015, it had been reported that the Australian Government had authorised SOTG personnel to advise units at battalion size and larger in the field but the Iraqi Government had not provided approval.

Task Group Taji

In April 2015, a 300-strong unit known as Task Group Taji (TGT) was deployed to Iraq as part of the coalition Building Partner Capacity mission. The task group consists of a training team with command, force protection and support elements, and is tasked with training the regular Iraqi Security Forces.[10] A New Zealand force element of approximately another 100 personnel is integrated into the unit, forming a combined task group.[63] The second rotation of Task Group Taji departed Australia in November 2015. The unit's departure was delayed due to problems gaining visas for the soldiers, and this caused the initial rotation's tour of duty to be extended by two weeks.[64] The third rotation arrived in Iraq during May 2016.[65]

In July 2016, it was announced that the Task Group would be expanding its role training paramilitary police agencies including Iraqi Federal and Local Police and border guard forces.[59] [66] In addition, the Task Group will be allowed to conduct training at other secure coalition training locations, as the need arises. Also, 15 personnel from the 16th Air Land Regiment will be deployed to provide a counter rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) capability at Taji which is currently being provided by another Coalition member.[67] By the end of June 2018 the Task Group had trained more than 34,000 Iraqi soldiers since their mission began in early 2015.[68] With the deployment of the tenth rotation of TGT from Darwin, the Australian government announced that it was reducing troop numbers from 250 to 120 personnel as a result of improved capacity within the Iraqi Army's training establishments. By November 2019, over 45,000 Iraqi Army personnel had been trained, and over 2,500 Australians had served with TGT.[69]

Task Group Taji concluded in June 2020, with the tenth rotation being the last.[70]

Commanders

Commanders

Rank Name Postnominals Service Term began Term ended Notes
Commander, Australian Contingent, Operation Slipper
Army Subsequently appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.[80]
Army Subsequently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[81]
Commander Joint Task Force 633
Army [82] Subsequently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[83]
Army
Air Force Subsequently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[84]
Navy Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[85]
Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[86]
Air Force Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[87]
Army Subsequently appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.[88]
Army Subsequently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[89]
Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[90]
Army Subsequently appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.[91]
Army
Army
Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[92]
Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[93]
Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[94]
Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[95]
Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[96]
Army Subsequently awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross.[97]
Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[98]
Navy Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[99]
Air Force Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[100]
Major General Army Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[101]
Rear Admiral Navy Subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[102]
Air Vice Marshal Air Force Subsequently awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.[103]
Rear Admiral Navy Subsequently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[104]
Major General Army Subsequently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[105]
Rear Admiral Navy Subsequently awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.[106]
Air Force Subsequently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[107]
Commander of Headquarters Middle East
Air Force [108]
Army Present

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Operation Okra. Department of Defence. 23 February 2024.
  2. Web site: How Aussie spies won propaganda war against ISIS. Maley. Paul. 25 March 2019. The Australian. 25 March 2019.
  3. News: RAAF mission against ISIS: Pilots did not drop bombs because of collateral damage risk . 8 October 2014 . News.com.au. 21 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150821160806/http://www.news.com.au/national/raaf-mission-against-isis-pilots-did-not-drop-bombs-because-of-collateral-damage-risk/story-fncynjr2-1227083688464 . dead .
  4. Web site: Operation OKRA . Defence Operations: Iraq . Department of Defence . 17 August 2014.
  5. News: RAAF headed back to Iraq. 15 September 2014. Australian Aviation. 15 September 2014.
  6. News: Tony Abbott commits Australian forces to Iraq. Sydney Morning Herald. 3 October 2014. 2 October 2014.
  7. Australian Air Task Group commences operational missions over Iraq. Department of Defence. 2 October 2014. 2 October 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120200/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/10/02/australian-air-task-group-commences-operational-missions-over-iraq/. 6 October 2014. dmy-all.
  8. Web site: Australian Army personnel load humanitarian aid bundles at Al Minhad Air Base. ABC News. 27 September 2014.
  9. Frawley. Gerard. RAAF to acquire two additional KC-30s. 4 July 2015. Australian Aviation. 1 July 2015.
  10. Task Force Taji farewelled – 21 April 2015 . Department of Defence . 21 April 2015 . 8 May 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150429231610/http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/04/21/media-release-task-force-taji-farewelled-21-april-2015/ . 29 April 2015 . dmy-all .
  11. News: Grubb . Ben . The man calling Australia's shots in the new Iraq war . 5 October 2014 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 4 October 2014.
  12. Change of Australian military command in the Middle East . Department of Defence . 12 December 2014 . 5 February 2015.
  13. News: Coorey. Phillip. Australia to take 12,000 refugees, boost aid and bomb Syria. Australian Financial Review. 9 September 2015. 10 September 2015.
  14. News: Hurst. Daniel. Malcolm Turnbull rejects US request for more Australian troops to fight Isis. 13 January 2016. The Guardian. 13 January 2016.
  15. News: Borger. Julian. Australia suspends air missions over Syria amid US-Russia tensions. 21 June 2017. The Guardian. 20 June 2017.
  16. Web site: Greene. Andrew. Syria war: RAAF temporarily halts missions after US jet shoots down Syrian bomber. ABC News (Australia). ABC. 20 June 2017. 20 June 2017.
  17. Web site: Operation OKRA – ADF Airstrikes for the period 15 Jun – 28 Jun 2017. Headquarters Joint Operations. Department of Defence. 4 July 2017. 27 August 2017.
  18. Web site: Katharine . Murphy. Australian troops complete first humanitarian mission in northern Iraq . The Guardian . 14 August 2014 . 18 August 2014.
  19. News: Wroe . David . SAS to Protect Crews on Arms Drops in Iraq . 31 August 2014 . The Sydney Morning Herald . Sydney . 0312-6315 .
  20. ADF delivers fourth arms shipment to Iraq . 17 September 2014 . Department of Defence . 17 September 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101103/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/17/adf-delivers-fourth-arms-shipment-to-iraq/ . 6 October 2014 . dmy-all .
  21. ADF delivers fifth shipment to Iraq . 26 September 2014 . Department of Defence . 6 October 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101559/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/26/adf-delivers-fifth-shipment-to-iraq/ . 6 October 2014 . dmy-all .
  22. JTF633 supports Herc mercy dash. 22 August 2014. Department of Defence. 25 August 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140826160817/http://news.defence.gov.au/stories/2014/08/jtf633-supports-herc-mercy-dash/. 26 August 2014. dmy-all.
  23. Australia steps up assistance to Iraqi people. 31 August 2014. Department of Defence. 17 September 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140928213640/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/08/31/australia-steps-up-assistance-to-iraqi-people/. 28 September 2014. dmy-all.
  24. ADF delivers fifth shipment to Iraq. 26 September 2014. Department of Defence. 6 October 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101559/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/26/adf-delivers-fifth-shipment-to-iraq/. 6 October 2014. dmy-all.
  25. RAAF Air Task Group Arrives in Middle East . Department of Defence . 24 September 2014 . 25 September 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140928011432/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/24/raaf-air-task-group-arrives-in-middle-east/ . 28 September 2014 . dmy-all .
  26. News: Bree . Max . Largest group in decades . Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force . 5619 . Department of Defence . Canberra . 9 October 2014 . 3 . 1329-8909 . 7 October 2014.
  27. Australian Air Task Group commences operational missions over Iraq . Department of Defence . 2 October 2014 . 2 October 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120200/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/10/02/australian-air-task-group-commences-operational-missions-over-iraq/ . 6 October 2014 . dmy-all .
  28. http://www.news.com.au/national/confirmed-australian-air-strikes-have-killed-multiple-isis-targets-in-iraq/story-fncynjr2-1227093687272 'Confirmed: Australian air strikes have killed 'multiple' ISIS targets in Iraq'
  29. News: First Australian mission completed in Iraq. Sky News Australia. 6 October 2014. 6 October 2014.
  30. News: Australian air strikes in Iraq kill Isis fighters on 'at least two' occasions. The Guardian. 17 October 2014. 25 November 2014.
  31. Australian air strikes support liberation of Mount Sinjar. 22 December 2014. Department of Defence. 17 July 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150721001627/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/12/22/australian-air-strikes-support-liberation-of-mount-sinjar/. 21 July 2015. dmy-all.
  32. News: Second RAAF Air Task Group to deploy to the Middle East . Australian Aviation . 6 January 2015 . 10 January 2015.
  33. Web site: Press conference with Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral David Johnston, who gives an update of Australian operations in Iraq. Transcript. Department of Defence. 12 January 2015. 15 January 2015.
  34. News: Air Task Group Deploys. 10 March 2015. Air Force. 12 March 2015. 8.
  35. 75SQN Hornets head to Middle East. 11 March 2015. Australian Aviation. 4 March 2015.
  36. Australian Air Task Group achieves major milestones. Department of Defence. 30 June 2015. 4 July 2015.
  37. Web site: Air Task Group. Operation Okra. Department of Defence. 1 January 2016.
  38. News: Stevenson. Chloe. Two Say Farewell to Tindal. Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force. 58. 1. 11 February 2016. Department of Defence. Canberra. 4. 224490713.
  39. Web site: 77 SQN Completes strike rotation in the Middle East. Department of Defence. 12 April 2016. 14 April 2016. 5 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160505042247/http://video.defence.gov.au/play/8wbWJyMjE6Eb1i65MZ1wbGoHsj_8n5MH. dead.
  40. Investigation into Syrian air strikes completed. Department of Defence. 3 March 2017. 30 November 2016.
  41. News: Wroe. David. RAAF involved in accidental strikes on Syrian troops that were meant for Islamic State terrorists. 18 September 2016. The Canberra Times. 18 September 2016.
  42. News: Australian Operation Okra Air Combat Mission to end. Australian Aviation . 22 December 2017. 22 December 2017.
  43. News: Iraq declares war with IS is over. 2017-12-09. BBC News. 2017-12-09. en-GB.
  44. News: RAAF completes last strike mission over Iraq. 16 January 2018. Australian Aviation. 16 January 2018.
  45. News: RAAF rotates KC-30 out of Middle East deployment, Wedgetail flies in . 26 October 2018 . Australian Aviation . 26 October 2018.
  46. Web site: Australian aircraft complete Middle East mission . Media release . Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC . 9 September 2020 . 9 September 2020.
  47. News: Internationally Integrated. Department of Defence. Canberra. 10 December 2015.
  48. News: Australia's Air Task Group hits 100 days of combat operations. Department of Defence. Canberra. 15 January 2015.
  49. News: Sheer Grit. Air Force News. 11 August 2016. 4. 27 May 2024.
  50. News: Wroe . David . Australian pilots begin missions over Syria, flying American Reaper drones. 14 August 2015 . The Sydney Morning Herald . Sydney . 0312-6315.
  51. News: Support to Iraq . Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper . 1338 . 9 October 2014 . Department of Defence . Canberra . 3 . 0729-5685 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923235531/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1338/1338.pdf . 23 September 2015 . dmy-all .
  52. News: Brissenden . Michael . Deadly Australian air strikes dent IS morale in Iraq: Rear Admiral David Johnston . 17 October 2014 . ABC News.
  53. Web site: Elite Australian commandos still waiting for green light to go into Iraq . 1 November 2014 . ABC News (Australia). Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Brissenden. Michael . 1 November 2014.
  54. News: Griffiths . Emma . 11 November 2014 . Australian troops 'moving into locations' in Iraq to assist with fight against Islamic State . ABC News . 15 November 2014.
  55. News: Toohey . Paul . Australian special forces enter Iraq with diplomatic passports . The Australian . 14 November 2014 . 15 November 2014.
  56. News: Unique capability. 31 July 2016. Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper. 1345. 26 February 2015. Department of Defence . Canberra . 2. 0729-5685.
  57. News: Dorling . Philip. Wroe . David . Australian special forces work with Iraqi security group accused of killing prisoners, torture . The Canberra Times . 10 January 2015 . 10 January 2015.
  58. Web site: Press conference with Vice Admiral David Johnston – Update on Australian Defence Force operations. Transcript. Department of Defence. 7 October 2015. 29 November 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208070727/http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/10/07/press-conference-with-vice-admiral-david-johnston-update-on-australian-defence-force-operations-2/. 8 December 2015. dmy-all.
  59. Prime Minister and Minister for Defence. Training Iraqi law enforcement agencies. 31 July 2016. 20 July 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160731204208/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2016/07/20/prime-minister-minister-for-defence-joint-media-release-training-iraqi-law-enforcement-agencies/. 31 July 2016. dmy-all.
  60. Australian Defence Force support to Iraqi Forces in Ramadi. 31 July 2016. Department of Defence. 31 December 2015.
  61. News: Wroe. David. Australian troops' key role as Ramadi wrested from Islamic State. 15 January 2016. The Sydney Morning Herald. 31 December 2015.
  62. News: Toohey. Paul. Australian special forces in Iraq 'will not creep into a combat role' in the fight against Islamic State. 31 July 2016. News.com.au. News Corp Australia Network. 29 April 2016.
  63. News: Bound for Iraq . Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper . 1349. 23 April 2015. Department of Defence. Canberra. 0729-5685. 3.
  64. News: Wroe. David. Kenny. Mark. Visa delays sideline Diggers as chaos deepens in Syria. 29 November 2015. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  65. News: Hook. James. Third rotation deploys to Iraq with confidence. 1374. 31 May 2016. Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper. Department of Defence. Canberra. 2 June 2016. 0729-5685. 7.
  66. News: Wroe. David. Australian troops to train Iraqi paramilitary police in expansion of role. 31 July 2016. The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 July 2016.
  67. Web site: Training Iraqi law enforcement agencies. 19 July 2016. Prime Minister of Australia. 2 August 2016. 27 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160827172005/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2016-07-19/training-iraqi-law-enforcement-agencies. dead. This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence.
  68. Web site: Task Group Taji-7 to lead Build Partner Capacity mission . 4 June 2018 . Defence Connect . 11 September 2018.
  69. News: Iraqis take the lead . Army News . 1454 . 14 November 2019 . 5.
  70. Web site: Brennan . Roger . Task Group Taji operation a success . Department of Defence . 10 June 2020 . 5 June 2020.
  71. Department of Defence. Troops to deploy to Iraq. 15 April 2015. 6 January 2017. 3 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160403034719/http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/04/15/troops-to-deploy-to-iraq/. dead.
  72. News: Australian Army. Department of Defence. Troops bound for Iraq farewelled in Brisbane. 31 October 2015. 24 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202042341/https://www.army.gov.au/our-work/news-and-media/troops-bound-for-iraq-farewelled-in-brisbane. 2 February 2017. dead.
  73. Web site: Task Group Taji Rotation 2 Completes Mission. Department of Defence. 7 June 2016. 9 June 2016.
  74. Department of Defence. Task Group Taji (Rotation 3) hands over. 12 December 2016. 15 December 2016.
  75. Task Group Taji 4 completes deployment in Iraq. Department of Defence. 17 June 2017. 28 July 2017.
  76. News: Department of Defence. Iraqi Army takes aim with mortars. 11 July 2017. 16 July 2017.
  77. News: Department of Defence (Canberra). Task Group Taji 5 completes deployment in Iraq. 8 December 2017. 13 December 2017.
  78. News: Task Group Taji Rotation 8 personnel return home. Media Release. Department of Defence. 27 June 2019. 3 July 2019.
  79. News: Taji 10 takes the reins . 13 December 2019 . Department of Defence . Defence News . 16 December 2019.
  80. Web site: Officer of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  81. Web site: Member of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  82. Web site: Commanders, Joint Task Force 633 – Australian National Headquarters Middle East Area of Operations, and JTF 633 . Nautilus Institute . 9 July 2024.
  83. Web site: Member of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  84. Web site: Member of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  85. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  86. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  87. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  88. Web site: Officer of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  89. Web site: Member of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  90. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  91. Web site: Officer of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 14 July 2024.
  92. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  93. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  94. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  95. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  96. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  97. Web site: Bar to the Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  98. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  99. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  100. Web site: Australian Honours Lists . Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia . 11 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142443/https://www.gg.gov.au/queens-birthday-2018-honours-list . 12 June 2018 . dead .
  101. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  102. Web site: Distinguished Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  103. Web site: Conspicuous Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  104. Web site: Member of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  105. Web site: Member of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  106. Web site: Conspicuous Service Cross . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  107. Web site: Member of the Order of Australia . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 9 July 2024.
  108. News: Army Colonel assumes Middle East command . 9 July 2024 . Defence Connect . 7 April 2022.

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