Introduction

RA Sigs on Operations

The ADF is currently engaged on more operational fronts than at any single time since the Vietnam War, with an increasing reliance on RA Sigs to provide rapid and effective communications at all levels.

The following is a summary of some of the Operations RA Sigs members have served on an is by no means an exhaustive list.

RA Sigs members also provide critical support from within Australia, for domestic operations as well as deployments offshore.

Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans' Association

The Australian Peacekeeper and Peacemaker Veterans' Association (APPVA), is a veteran non-profit organisation of profession of arms and services that encompasses all operations that have involved Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces Servicemen and Women, Federal and State Police, Philanthropic Organisations (Everyman's Welfare Service, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc) and Defence Civilians.

Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Veteran's Association - APPVA

Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project

To create a national memorial that will appropriately honour the sacrifice of Australian Peacekeepers in the service of international peace and security, and recognise the courage and professionalism of Australian Peacekeepers in the face of the particular challenges of their operations. The Memorial will be the focus for recognising the continuing significant contribution by Australians to international peacekeeping

Australian Peacekeeping Memorial Project - APMP Home

Vietnam

Royal Australian Signal Corps in Vietnam

HQ 145 Signal Squadron 709 Signal Troop 25 May 65 - 20 Nov 67
527 Signal Troop 14 Sep 65 - 5 Jul 67, absorbed into 145 Signal Squadron
547 Signal Troop 1 Apr 66 - 23 Dec 71
581 Signal Troop
552 Signal Troop
506 Signal Troop
520 Signal Troop
HQ 110 Signal Squadron
HQ Signal Squadron
704 Signal Troop
557 Signal Troop
561 Signal Troop
532 Signal Troop
503 Signal Troop
103 Signal Squadron 1 Apr 66 - 5 Jul 67
104 Signal Squadron (TF) 2 Mar 67 - 15 Dec 71, replaced 103 Signal Squadron
110 Signal Squadron 2 Mar 67 - 12 Mar 72, replaced 145 Signal Squadron
Det 152 Signal Squadron (SAS) 31 Aug 66 - 15 Oct 71
AAAGV Signal Detachment 12 Mar - Dec 72

Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans

The Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans lists approximately 61 000 men and women who served in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Vietnam, or in the waters adjacent to Vietnam, during the conflict between 23 May 1962 and 29 April 1975.

Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans

Timor Leste

ADF Operations in Timor-Leste

Since first deploying in 1999 as part of the UN Assistance Mission to Timor-Leste and subsequently leading the United Nations mandated International Force in East Timor (INTERFET), the ADF has maintained a constant commitment to the government and people of Timor-Leste.

Over the years the ADF's contribution to Timor-Leste has undergone significant change since its early involvement that saw the deployment of over 4500 ADF personnel.

Currently the ADF contributes to Timor-Leste in two ways by providing support to the on-going United Nations (UN) mission and through the provision of direct support to the Timorese Defence Force under the ADF's regional Defence Cooperation Program (DCP).

ADF's UN contribution

As a result of progress made by the Timor-Leste Government, the UN Security Council ceased peacekeeping operations earlier last year. In its place a special political mission to the UN office was established to assist the Timor-Leste Government. This mission included 15 military officers from contributing nations. The ADF provides three officers to the UN mission and has codenamed this contribution Operation Chiron.

Previous ADF contributions to UN missions in Timor-Leste include:

Operation Faber,
Operation Warden,
Operation Tanager, and
Operation Citadel
Operation Spire
Defence Cooperation

The Defence Cooperation Program has been operating since early 2001 and is an Australian regional engagement initiative to assist the development of the Timor-Leste Defence Force through military training, advice and support. The Defence Cooperation Program is conducted independently of the ADF military commitment to the UN's mission in Timor-Leste.

The Defence Cooperation Program conducts a range of activities and projects with the Timor-Leste Defence Force, embracing training and advisory roles such as:

* English language instruction to prepare military personnel for further military education and training opportunities.

* Leadership training, development and skills enhancement for junior military personnel.

* Higher-level staff training in the areas of command, leadership and discipline and military planning, logistics and administration
Communications, equipment and management training to support the military command network.

* Senior level secretariat and military advice, including capability and force development, military doctrine, financial, communications and finance and budget coordination advice.

The Australian Government has allocated up to $40 million over an initial five-year period to support the Defence Cooperation Program in Timor-Leste.

This level of expenditure is expected to continue again over the next five-year period. A major Australian contribution under the Program is the recent $7.5 million construction of a training centre for the Timor-Leste Defence Force at Metinaro.

Currently, about 30 Defence personnel are deployed to Timor-Leste to support this Program. These personnel are located in Dili, Metinaro and Los Palos.

Interfet

In East Timor, for the first time, Australia organized and led a multinational peacekeeping operation. Interfet, which landed in East Timor in September 1999, was highly successful in quelling militia violence against the East Timorese people. Twenty-two nations contributed forces to Interfet, but more than half the troops were Australians. In February 2000, Interfet handed over to a United Nations operation, which now faces the enormous task of helping the East Timorese restore their society and create a nation from scratch.

The RASigs contribution was significant and consisted of the first (and largest) deployment of the newly issued PARAKEET BTN. The following units deployed as part of INTERFET from Sep 99 until Mar 00:

1 JSU supporting HQ INTERFET
7 Sig Regt supporting HQ INTERFET
103 Sig Sqn supporting 3 Bde / Sector West
145 Sig Sqn supporting the Force Logistic Support Group

Individual augmentees from LHQ, 110 Sig Sqn, and other units deployed to provide specialist assistance during INTERFET and in particular for the commercialisation project.

Following the transition to UNTAET in 2000, formed units were replaced with individual assignments to operate and maintain the newly installed commercial communications architecture.

Operation Citadel

• Operation Citadel was Australia's contribution to the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) Peacekeeping Force, the original mandate for which expired on 20 May 2004. In line with UN plans, the ADF contribution has been drawing down, and most ADF personnel assigned to Operation Citadel have returned to Australia.
• Australian Defence Force personnel who served in Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor) as part of Operation Citadel conducted a broad range of functions and tasks. They were spread throughout Timor-Leste, serving with six Australian force elements.
• These were:
• The Australian National Command Element in Dili;
• The Australian Combined Battalion Group located in the west of Timor-Leste and based at Moleana;
• The Australian Defence Force personnel who are part of the UNMISET Peacekeeping Force Headquarters in Dili;
• United Nations Military Observers throughout Timor-Leste, and
• A 5th Aviation Regiment Detachment of three S70 Blackhawk helicopters based at Moleana.
• The United Nations Security Council on 14 May 2004 adopted a resolution to extend the UNMISET mandate for six months, with a view to subsequently extending it further for a final period of six months, until 20 May 2005. The Australian Government agreed to offer further support and committed about 100 ADF personnel to the revised UN Peace Keeping Force, maintaining about 25% of the total military presence.

Operation Spire

The new ADF contribution was known as Operation Spire and personnel undertook headquarters, communications, logistics and engineering and military liaison tasks. Colonel Robbie Van Kampen also filled the Deputy Force Commander position within the UN Peace Keeping Force Headquarters. Lieutenant Colonel Brian Cox was the Australian National Command Element Commander, based in Dili.

ADF personnel serving as part of the Defence Cooperation Program remain based in Metinaro and Los Palos, and provide training and logistics support to the Timor-Leste Defence Force.

Operation Chiron / Defence Cooperation Program

Since first deploying in 1999 as part of the UN Assistance Mission to East Timor, the ADF has always maintained a constant commitment to the government and people of Timor-Leste.

Currently the ADF contributes to Timor-Leste through Operation Chiron which provides support to the United Nations Office in Timor Leste (UNOTIL) and through the provision of direct support to the Timorese Defence Force under the ADF's regional Defence Cooperation Program (DCP).

The Website for the United Nations Office in Timor Leste is located here.

Operation Astute

East Timor's Foreign Minister, Jose Ramos Horta, and Brigadier Michael Slater talk prior to a press conference in Dili.

This article is taken from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Online Media room on the DRN.

The (ADF) is continuing its rapid build up in Timor Leste. The arrival of HMAS Manoora yesterday and HMAS Tobruk today has delivered additional vehicles and logistics support, which has further enhanced the responsiveness of ADF forces.

The deployment under the command of Brigadier Michael Slater now includes approximately 1300 ground troops. Ground forces are actively engaged in security operations in Dili, including acting against outbreaks of communal and gang violence.

There are currently 3000 ADF personnel working in direct support of Operation ASTUTE. Of these, approximately 2000 are deployed in the Timor Leste area as part of the ground forces, air support element, or on supporting ships. The remainder are performing important support functions in places like Darwin, Townsville and Sydney.

As well as securing key areas in Dili, the Australian forces have continued to facilitate the evacuation of Australian and other approved foreign nationals. To date Australian forces have assisted in the repatriation of 491 Australians and other foreign nationals, while simultaneously continuing to provide a vital air bridge between Darwin and Timor Leste.

The ADF has successfully secured priority areas that include the Comorro Airport, the UN Headquarters and the Police Headquarters. ADF forces have also been deployed to the Presidential Palace and Parliamentary Complex to counter localised violence.

The Dili wharf precinct is secure and under ADF control. In securing the port a number of weapons from gangs in the area were confiscated. The weapons included hand-made knives, swords and small arms. Disembarkation of follow-on forces and equipment arriving by sea continues within the wharf precinct.

As well as direct military action, ADF personnel are visiting churches and other areas where displaced Timorese citizens have gathered for safety, to inform them of ADF intentions.

A current break up of key forces now deployed to Timor Leste includes:


An Infantry Battalion Group based on the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment;


A Commando Company Group from the 4th Battalion (Commando), The Royal Australian Regiment;


Eight Australian Army Black Hawk helicopters and crews;


Two Royal Australian Navy Sea King helicopters and crews;


The Amphibious Landing Ship HMAS Kanimbla is on station in Dili Harbour. It is able to provide medical, communications, accommodation and logistics support as required;


The Amphibious Landing Ship HMAS Manoora and the Heavy Landing Ship HMAS Tobruk are in Dili Harbour. They continue to unload personnel and equipment, including armoured personnel carriers, trucks and associated support vehicles;

The Landing Craft Heavy HMAS Balikpapan is situated to the north of Dili and her sister ship HMAS Tarakan is currently preparing in Darwin.
Both the Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Adelaide and the Auxiliary Oiler HMAS Success have completed their assigned tasks and are returning to routine operations not linked to Operation ASTUTE.
The rapid deployment of ADF forces to Timor results from the high state of readiness of ADF personnel and the effective preparations and pre-deployments during the previous three weeks.

A major logistics campaign is ongoing to ensure that the efforts of ground forces can be sustained.

Media contact:

Defence Media Liaison (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

Cambodia

United Nations Mission in Cambodia

Increasingly peacekeeping goes beyond simply monitoring a ceasefire or maintaining security. To restore what we would regard as a civilised life to a state torn apart by conflict requires security, policing, justice, a free political life, economic infrastructure, and much more. Civilians as well as the military will play a major role.

In Cambodia, the United Nations attempted an ambitious operation and for a time took over responsibility for the state. Australia had played a major role in helping to arrive at a political settlement, and provided the force commander for the operation which followed.

Australian soldiers in Cambodia

Australia's main contribution to the United Nations operation in Cambodia was the 500-strong Force Communications Unit. These signallers were a vital part of the operation in a country in which almost all communications infrastructure had broken down. With their base in Phnom Penh, the Australians were scattered throughout Cambodia, posted in small groups at local headquarters and provincial and district capitals. Individual signallers spent up to a month at a time with small groups of military observers from other countries at isolated border crossing points.

In addition to the signallers, Australia provided a movement control group, a small number of civilian police, and six Army Blackhawk helicopters. About fifty staff from the Australian Electoral Commission helped to register and educate voters, and in the actual running of the May 1993 election.
After years of civil war, Cambodia was littered with millions of landmines. For some years, Australian de-miners worked as technical advisors with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre. Even today, more than fifty Cambodians a month are killed or injured by landmines.

United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia

The site below is dedicated to all the Australian and international UNAMIC, UNTAC and extraction teams that took part in peacekeeping operations in Cambodia between 1991-1994.

This site is maintained by Simon Woolley - Webmaster and UNTAC veteran. Whilst this site is a personal site and the views therein do not necessarily reflect that of the Department of Defence, it is nonethelss an useful portal for keeping in touch with other veterans.

UNTAC and UNAMIC Web site - Home Page

Middle East

Op BASTILLE / FALCONER

Elements from a number of RASigs units deployed in 2002 - 2003 in support of the Australian National HQ - MEAO and subordinate force elements. Personnel and equipment was deployed from several units, as well as some individual augmentees.

With the transition to Op CATALYST in 2003 a number of the elements re-deployed whilst the remaining PARAKEET network was commercialised. Individual personnel assignments also came into effect. This arrangement is still current.

Operation Catalyst

Operation Catalyst is Australia's Defence contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq. Operation Catalyst commenced on 16 July 2003 following Operation Falconer and Operation Bastille.

Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to Multinational Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs. Visit site

Operation Slipper

Operation Slipper is the ADF's contribution to the international coalition against terrorism.

This contribution is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world.

Images from Operation Slipper

20 September 2006
Images from Operation Slipper

A contingent of some 200 Australian Defence Personnel has arrived in Afghanistan as part of Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team under the NATO International Security Assistance Force's stage III expansion into Southern Afghanistan.
Australia's contribution, known as the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF), will be a mix of engineers and security personnel deployed to Afghanistan for up to two years and will work on reconstruction and community-based projects as part of Australia's commitment to assisting Afghanistan achieve a stable and secure future.
The small Australian contingent is the RTF advance party and will be working in Afghanistan preparing the camp, conducting planning for RTF construction and trade training projects, and setting up the logistics supply chain for when the main body arrives later in the year.
The majority of the task force is drawn from the Darwin area and made up of personnel from the 1st Combat Engineer Regiment based in Darwin which will provide combat engineers and tradesmen (carpenters, plumbers, electricians and plant operators) to undertake the majority of the RTF's construction activities. This will include skills training for the local population to ensure the benefits of the deployment continue well after our personnel have returned home.
The Australian protective force for the RTF is provided by the Brisbane-based Motorised Infantry of the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, equipped with Bushmaster vehicles; the 5th/7th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment also with the Bushmaster; and the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment with ASLAV light armoured vehicles. Command, logistics and support elements have come from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade.


This article and following photos are courtesy of the Defence Online Media room.

Operation Paladin

Operation Paladin is Australia's contribution to the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) that was established in 1948 to supervise the truce agreed at the conclusion of the first Arab/Israeli War.

Involving Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, Australian personnel have supported this operation since 1956. Members of the Australian contingent may be employed in a variety of roles including staff officers in the UNTSO Headquarters in Jerusalem, military observers in a variety of locations.

Sumatra

Operation Sumatra Assist

Following both the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and the March earthquake, the Department of Defence proved to be an important part of the Australian Government's national humanitarian relief effort to Indonesia.

Defence's support for the tsunami relief effort was known as Operation Sumatra Assist.

Sudan

Operation Azure

Operation Azure is the deployment of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Sudan known as the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).

The contribution includes military observers and personnel who specialise in air movements and logistic support.

The UN Security Council authorised the establishment of UNMIS on 24 March 2005 under Resolution 1590, after the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to end a civil war lasting more than 20 years.

Solomon Islands

Operation Anode

Operation Anode is the name of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). RAMSI's assistance is known as Operation HELPEM FREN (Pidgin English for 'Helping Friend').

RAMSI's mission is to assist the Solomon Islands' Government in restoring law and order. The military component of RAMSI comprises of personnel from five troop contributing nations. They are; Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.

The main task for the military component is to provide security for RAMSI's multinational Participating Police Force.

Bougainville

RA Sigs contribution to peace in Bougainville

RA Sigs members assisted with various activities on Bougainville. These members deployed either with their unit or individually.

Sinai

Operation Mazurka

Operation Mazurka is Australia's contribution to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai. The MFO is a non-UN organisation established in 1981 to oversee the Camp David Accords of 1978 and the Egypt/Israel Peace Treaty of 1979.

The MFO is maintained by 11 participating nations including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Fiji and France. Australia's involvement in the MFO began in early 1982 with the formation of an Australia-New Zealand combined helicopter squadron. Both nations were founding contributors to the force, and continue to support the MFO today.

ADF members assist in the peace process by monitoring the border, preparing daily operational briefings and supporting the Headquarters.