General Information

Operation SLIPPER
Operation SLIPPER is Australia's military contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, maritime security in the Middle East Area of Operations and countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

Major General Stuart Lyle (S.L) Smith, AM commands all ADF units deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) assigned to Operation SLIPPER. Major General Smith assumed command on 17 January 2012.

Under Operation SLIPPER, Australian forces contribute to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.  ISAF seeks to bring security, stability and prosperity to Afghanistan and aims at preventing the country from again becoming a safe haven for international terrorists.

Australia’s military commitment to Afghanistan operates as part of the NATO – led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) as a peace-enforcement mission under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and at the invitation of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) and under the United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1833.

Around 1550 ADF personnel are based within Afghanistan as part of Operation SLIPPER, while about 800 personnel are deployed across the broader Middle East Area of Operations.

Australia has maintained a continuous maritime contribution to Operation SLIPPER, which currently consists of the ANZAC Class Frigate HMAS Parramatta – Commanding Officer Commander Guy Blackburn.

Australia’s military contribution to Afghanistan is part of the Government’s comprehensive approach to supporting global security and Australian national security by countering terrorism and supporting efforts to prevent Afghanistan from being used as a safe-haven and training ground for terrorism.

Operation PALATE II
Operation PALATE II is the ADF contribution to the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA). UNAMA is a political mission which was established on 28 March 2002 by UN Security Council Resolution 1401 to promote reconciliation and rapprochement, and manage humanitarian relief, recovery, and reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Two Australian Army Officers serve as military advisers within the UNAMA Military Adviser Unit. Their duties include maintaining contact and liaison with all military forces throughout Afghanistan on behalf of UNAMA. The ADF officers are based in Kabul and Kandahar.