The following tables list ADF operations conducted in 2003-04, in line with the Government's strategic objectives of contributing to the security of the immediate neighbourhood, support to wider interests and peacetime national tasks.
Table 2.6 Operations Contributing to the Security of the Immediate Neighbourhood
| Operation |
Forces |
Objective and status |
Gateway
1981 - continuing
|
Air Force |
Objective: To conduct northern Indian Ocean and South China Sea maritime surveillance patrols.
Status: Current.
Contribution: Operation Gateway continued to be conducted at a reduced rate of effort due to assets being assigned to Operations Relex II, Slipper and Falconer, and the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft upgrade program. |
Bel Isi II
April 1998 -
26 August 2003
|
ADF |
Objective: To support the United Nations Peace Monitoring Group to monitor and report on the maintenance of the cease-fire in Bougainville by contributing specialist medical, logistic, communications and transport capabilities.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: The ADF provided support to the United Nations Peace Monitoring Group in Bougainville. Support included 35 ADF personnel and a Navy landing craft supported by a weekly Air Force C-130 air logistic support service and commercial shipping from Townsville. Operation Bel Isi II ceased on 26 August 2003. |
Citadel
May 2002 - 19 May 2004
|
ADF |
Objective: To contribute to the United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: Support to United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor continued, with approximately 440 personnel deployed. |
Anode
July 2003 - continuing
|
ADF |
Objective: To support the coalition police forces in restoring the rule of law in the Solomon Islands.
Status: Current.
Contribution: As at the end of June 2004, Australia's contribution in restoring the rule of law in the Solomon Islands included headquarters staff, a minor war vessel, an engineering element and an infantry platoon. A total of 361 ADF personnel were deployed on Operation Anode at 30 June 2004. |
Spire
May 2004 - continuing
|
ADF |
Objective: ADF contribution to an extension of the United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor mandate for the mission in East Timor.
Status: Current.
Contribution: Australia's contribution to Operation Spire is 100 logistics support personnel, mainly employed in engineering, maintenance and transport roles and supported by an Australian National Command Element. |
Table 2.7 Operations Supporting Wider Interests
|
The ADF was involved with, and continues to contribute to, international coalitions of forces beyond the immediate neighbourhood. These operations ranged from peacekeeping to high-intensity conflict.
|
| Operation |
Forces |
Objective and status |
Paladin
June 1956 - continuing
|
Army |
Objective: To contribute to the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation in the Middle East. This force of unarmed military observers supervises, observes and reports on the various cease-fire arrangements, truces and peace treaties negotiated between Israel and neighbouring Arab nations since 1948.
Status: Current.
Contribution: 11 military observers are currently deployed with the United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation. |
Mazurka
September 1982 - continuing
|
ADF |
Objective: To provide personnel to the Multinational Force and Observers to monitor the security arrangements in the Sinai.
Status: Current.
Contribution: A contribution of 25 military personnel to the Multinational Force and Observers continue to monitor security arrangements. |
Osier
March 1997 - June 2004
|
Army and
Air Force |
Objective: To deploy ADF personnel as part of the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, and the Kosovo Force in Kosovo. In both cases, personnel serve as individuals attached to United Kingdom forces.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: Eight military personnel were deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina with the Multinational Division South-West and Kosovo Force in specialist appointments. |
Pomelo
January 2001 - continuing
|
Army |
Objective: To contribute to UN peacekeeping efforts in Africa as part of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia/Eritrea.
Status: Current.
Contribution: Two military personnel continue to contribute to United Nations peacekeeping efforts. This contribution is expected to end in early 2005. |
Slipper
October 2001 - continuing
|
ADF |
Objective: To contribute to the United States-led operation against international terrorism and the multinational maritime interception force in the Persian Gulf.
Status: Current.
Contribution: The ADF contribution to the Middle Eastern area of operations supporting the war against terrorism continued. Deployed forces included:
- an Australian National Headquarters element;
- a maritime element of 1 frigate;
- an aviation element of 2 P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft; and
- 1 Army officer working in a coalition headquarters in Afghanistan. |
Falconer
March 2003 - 24 July 2003
|
ADF |
Objective: To contribute to the United States-led coalition operation against Iraq.
Status: Completed on 24 July 2003 when the ongoing commitment to the United States-led operations was transitioned to Operation Catalyst.
Contribution: The ADF contribution deployed to the Middle Eastern area of operations included:
- an Australian National Headquarters element;
- a special operations element; a maritime element, including 2 frigates, an amphibious ship, a clearance diving team and 2 P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft; and
- an aviation element, including 14 F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, 2 C-130 Hercules aircraft, and three Chinook heavy lift helicopters. |
Palate
April 2003 - June 2004
|
Army |
Objective: To contribute to the United Nations assistance mission in Afghanistan.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: One military member was deployed to UN assistance mission. |
Catalyst
(following Falconer)
July 2003 - continuing
|
ADF |
Objective: To contribute to the United States-led coalition for stabilisation and recovery operations in Iraq.
Status: Commenced 16 July 2003.
Contribution: The ADF contribution deployed to the Middle Eastern area of operations has comprised approximately 880 personnel on average. Forces included:
- an Australian National Headquarters element;
- a maritime element of 1 frigate;
- aviation elements, including 2 C-130 Hercules aircraft, 2
P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and an air traffic control detachment;
- a security detachment to provide force protection and escort to the Australian Mission in Iraq;
- a contingent of ADF and civilian personnel working as embedded staff in various coalition headquarters; and
- 2 ADF training teams supporting training of the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Coastal Defence Force. |
Table 2.8 Operations for Peacetime National Tasks
|
The ADF was called upon to undertake a number of regular and occasional tasks in support of national interests over 2003-04. These included specific and ongoing commitments to coastal surveillance, support to the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs and support to the Australia Customs Service.
|
| Operation |
Forces |
Objective and status |
Estes
1980 - continuing |
Navy |
Objective: To conduct surface patrols in Bass Strait.
Status: Current.
Contribution: This operation is being reviewed with an intent to incorporate it into an Australian Theatre Surveillance Campaign. |
Solania
1988 - continuing |
Navy and Air Force |
Objective: To conduct South West Pacific maritime surveillance patrols.
Status: Current.
Contribution: Operation Solania was conducted at a reduced rate of effort due to higher operational commitments. One Solania patrol was conducted in early 2004. |
Burbage
1995 - June 2004 |
Navy and Air Force |
Objective: To conduct Indian Ocean maritime surveillance patrols.
Status: Ceased.
Contribution: The intent and tasks of this operation have been incorporated into Operation Cranberry. |
Osteal
1995 - June 2004 |
Navy and Air Force |
Objective: To conduct Coral Sea maritime surveillance patrols.
Status: Ceased.
Contribution: The intent and tasks of this operation have been incorporated into Operation Cranberry. |
Mellin
1995 - June 2004 |
Navy and Air Force |
Objective: To contribute to Torres Strait and Timor Gap maritime surveillance patrols.
Status: Ceased.
Contribution: The intent and tasks of this operation have been incorporated into Operation Cranberry. |
Beachcomber
1996 - June 2004 |
Navy and Army |
Objective: To collect beach information in Australia for operational planning.
Status: Ceased.
Contribution: The capability of this operation has been incorporated into amphibious exercises. |
Prowler
1996 - June 2004 |
Navy and Army |
Objective: To collect military geographic information in northern Australia.
Status: Ceased.
Contribution: The capability of this operation has been incorporated into amphibious exercises. |
Cranberry
June 1997 - continuing |
ADF |
Objective: To coordinate the intelligence and provide surveillance information to the civil authorities that are operating in northern Australia.
Status: Current.
Contribution: Surveillance continued to be conducted using a range of ADF assets including Fremantle-class patrol boats, P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft and Regional Force Surveillance Units. |
Mistral
1998 - continuing |
Navy and Air Force |
Objective: To support Australian sovereign rights and fisheries law enforcement in the Southern Ocean by supporting the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Australian Customs Southern Ocean fisheries patrols.
Status: Current.
Contribution: This is the overarching operation covering ADF support to surveillance and patrol of the Southern Ocean. |
Gaberdine
August 2001 - June 2004 |
ADF |
Objective: To provide support to the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to manage any increase in unauthorised boat arrivals.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: The ADF provided logistic and transportation support to the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs including tents, construction and facilities support. |
Relex II
March 2002 - continuing |
ADF |
Objective: To conduct air and surface patrols across Australia's northern approaches to deter unauthorised boat arrivals.
Status: Current.
Contribution: The ADF continued to provide support to the whole-of-government effort to deter unauthorised arrivals by sea in Australia's north-west approaches. ADF support included:
- 1 frigate, one amphibious ship;
- 2 P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft;
- up to 6 Fremantle-class patrol boats; and
- up to 3 Army transit security elements. |
Gemsbok
August - October 2003 |
Navy and Air Force |
Objective: ADF support to Coastwatch and Australian Fisheries Management Authority-led, and Republic of South Africa assisted, apprehension of the foreign fishing vessel Viarsa 1 in the Southern Ocean.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: The Navy provided a team to return Viarsa 1 to Australia after being apprehended by Australian Fisheries Management personnel with the assistance of the South African Defence Force. The Air Force provided C-130 aircraft to transport personnel to South Africa. |
Scrummage
September - November 2003 |
ADF |
Objective: ADF support to the Rugby World Cup.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: Ceremonial, protocol and security support. |
Miata
October 2003 |
ADF |
Objective: ADF support to the visit to Australia by the President of United States of America.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: Security support. |
Fluent
October 2003 |
ADF |
Objective: ADF support to the visit to Australia by the President of the People's Republic of China.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: Security support. |
Iran Assist
December 2003 - January 2004 |
Air Force |
Objective: To provide disaster relief to the government of Iran in the aftermath of an earthquake.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: The Air Force provided one C-130 Hercules aircraft to support the Australian Agency for International Development to transport humanitarian aid to Iran. |
Niue Assist
January 2004 |
Army and Air Force |
Objective: To provide disaster relief and medical support to the Pacific island of Niue in the aftermath of Cyclone Heta.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: An Air Force C-130 aircraft transported a 17 member medical team to Niue to provide health care and environmental health from 9-23 January 2004. |
Vanuatu Assist
February - March 2004 |
Air Force |
Objective: To provide disaster relief to Vanuatu in the aftermath of Cyclone Ivy.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: 2 C-130 Hercules aircraft supported Emergency Management Australia and the Australian Agency for International Development by transporting humanitarian stores and a liaison officer to Vanuatu. |
Nauru Assist
April 2004 |
Air Force |
Objective: To provide assistance in the disposal of World War II-era unexploded ordnance.
Status: Completed.
Contribution: The Air Force provided a two-person explosive ordnance demolition team. |