ADF contribution
Australia's contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan is an important component of the Australian Government's commitment to working together with the international community to help prevent acts of terrorism around the world.

Major General Mike Hindmarsh commands all ADF units deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations including all elements assigned to Operation Catalyst and Operation Slipper.

Brigadier Stuart (S.L.) Smith is the Deputy Commander of Australian forces in Afghanistan.

The total Australian commitment in Afghanistan is now 1025.

Operation Slipper fact sheet
Australia's commitment to Operation Slipper currently includes:

• National Command Element: An ADF National Command Element (NCE) consisting of about 30 personnel is located in Kabul and includes command, security and support staff.
  
• Liaison Officers: Approximately 20 officers are serving with the ISAF Headquarters and units.
  
• Reconstruction Task Force 3: Reconstruction Task Force 3 (RTF3) is Australia's contribution to the Netherlands-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Afghanistan's Uruzgan Province.
  
• Special Operations Task Group (SOTG): The Task Group of up to 300 personnel operates in support of ISAF security operations and provides security and force protection for the RTF in Oruzgan Province. The SOTG consists of Commandos, members of the Special Air Service Regiment and enabling and support personnel.
  
• Air Force Control and Reporting Centre (CRC): The CRC of up to 75 personnel has deployed to Kandahar Airfield. The CRC will take control of a portion of the Afghan operational airspace in the second half of 2007.
  
• Force Level Logistic Asset: ADF operations in Afghanistan are sustained and supplied by a national logisitics asset located in Kandahar, consisting of approximately 60 personnel.
  
• Artillery: 15 soldiers from the Darwin-based 8/12 Medium Regiment have deployed as part of the United Kingdom’s Task Force Helmand. The Australian gunners are with the UK task force under a bilateral arrangement to further enhance the training and experience of the Australian Army’s offensive support capability.

Other ADF support to Afghanistan
The ADF also provides an officer to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

Some ADF assets and personnel assigned to Operation Catalyst (ADF contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq) are dual-assigned and also support Operation Slipper. These assets include:

• An Australian National Headquarters - Middle East Area of Operations, located in Baghdad to exercise command and control of deployed Australian Defence Force units;

• HMAS ARUNTA, under the command of Commander Timothy Brown RAN, is currently deployed to the Northern Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst. ARUNTA is tasked to assist in the protection of Iraq's offshore assets such as oil platforms, which allows Iraq to generate much needed funds to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.

ARUNTA also assists with the detection, interception and deterrence of vessels suspected of undertaking illegal activity within Iraqi waters. This is ARUNTA’s second deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf and is the 17th rotation of Navy ships as part of coalition operations since 2001.

HMAS ARUNTA is the second of the Royal Australian Navy’s eight ANZAC-class frigates, and the second ship of the name. The original ARUNTA was commissioned in 1942 during World War II and served with distinction in New Guinea and the Pacific between 1942 and 1944, the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 and Lingayen Gulf in 1945.

The name ARUNTA comes from the Arrente Aboriginal people, located in central Australia around Alice Springs. The Arrente Council presented HMAS ARUNTA with a flag displaying a Perrente lizard. The lizard is an animal from the dreamtime for the Arrente people, and is featured on HMAS ARUNTA’s Seahawk helicopter.

•  A small number of ADF personnel are employed with the Coalition Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force, designated TF Troy. TF Troy coordinates Coalition C-IED efforts focused on intelligence collection, material solutions and training for coalition forces throughout Iraq. ADF personnel serving with TF Troy also provide information that assists the Australian Counter IED Task Force that is based in Canberra.

• Two Air Force AP-3C Orion Maritime Patrol aircraft, aircrew and support staff to conduct maritime patrol missions in support of maritime interdiction forces in the Persian Gulf.

Information current at 27 March 2008