Invaluable contribution hailed

By Leut Greg Keely

There would have been a “void” in Coalition capabilities if Australian forces had not been deployed in Iraq, according to the United States’ top military chief.

The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, told Air Force News the ADF’s 2000-strong contribution added to the capabilities of the whole Coalition.

“As in Afghanistan, the capabilities of Australian forces continue to be a force multiplier to the Coalition,” GEN Myers said. “Their contributions have been monumental and their heroic efforts and sacrifices have been very important.”

In particular, he acknowledged the SASR’s role in securing western Iraq to prevent Scud missile launches, the work of the Air Force’s C-130s and P3 Orions in surveillance and transport, and the Navy Clearance Diving Team which cleared Umm Qasr.

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