Australian contribution to the 1991 Gulf War
Encyclopedia
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, also known as Operation Desert Storm. While the Australian forces did not see combat, they did play a significant role in enforcing the sanctions
International sanctions
International sanctions are actions taken by countries against others for political reasons, either unilaterally or multilaterally.There are several types of sanctions....
put in place against Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
following the invasion of Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, as well as other small support contributions to Operation Desert Storm.
Overview
Australia's contribution to the 1991 Gulf War centred around a Naval Task Group which formed part of the multi-national fleet in the Persian GulfPersian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
and Gulf of Oman
Gulf of Oman
The Gulf of Oman or Sea of Oman is a strait that connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, which then runs to the Persian Gulf. It is generally included as a branch of the Persian Gulf, not as an arm of the Arabian Sea. On the north coast is Pakistan and Iran...
, under Operation Damask. In addition, medical teams were deployed aboard a US hospital ship
Hospital ship
A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital; most are operated by the military forces of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones....
and a naval clearance diving team
Clearance Diving Team (RAN)
The Clearance Diving Teams of the Royal Australian Navy also act as commando frogmen: they consist of naval personnel who are qualified in diving, demolitions, underwater repairs, and reconnaissance...
took part in de-mining Kuwait's port facilities at the end of the war. Following the end of the war Australia deployed a medical unit on Operation Habitat
Operation Habitat
The 1991 uprisings in Iraq were a series of anti-governmental intifada in Southern and Northern Iraq during the aftermath of the Gulf War in March–April 1991...
to northern Iraq as part of Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II were military operations by the United States and some of its Gulf War allies, starting in April 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War and deliver humanitarian aid to them.-Operation...
. Royal Australian Navy warships were periodically deployed to the Persian Gulf to enforce sanctions against Iraq until the 2003 Invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
. While there were proposals to deploy other units (including an apparent US request for RF-111 reconnaissance aircraft) these proposals came to nothing and no Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
or Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
combat units were deployed. While some publications suggest that the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) took part in the war, this is not correct (though the SASR was brought to a higher state of readiness and a very small number of personnel on exchange to the British SAS saw action).
Royal Australian Navy
Operation Damask I (6 September 1990 – 3 December 1990)Task Group 627.4
- HMAS AdelaideHMAS Adelaide (FFG 01)HMAS Adelaide was the lead ship of the Adelaide class of guided missile frigates built for the Royal Australian Navy, based on the United States Navy's Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates...
- 1 S-70B-2 SeahawkSikorsky S-70The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the U.S. Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Blackhawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service...
, SITU816 Squadron RAN816 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron that started out as a Royal Navy unit 816 Naval Air Squadron.-Current roles:816 is currently active as a helicopter squadron equipped with S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters...
and 1 AS-350BA Squirrel, 723 Squadron723 Squadron RAN723 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron.-History:723 Squadron was first commissioned into the RAN on 7 April 1952 and was equipped with one Dakota, one Wirraway, one Sea Otter and two Sea Fury aircraft...
- 1 S-70B-2 Seahawk
- HMAS DarwinHMAS Darwin (FFG 04)HMAS Darwin , named for the capital city of the Northern Territory, is an Adelaide class guided-missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy . One of four ships ordered from the United States, Darwin entered service in 1984. During her career, she has operated in the Persian Gulf, as part of the...
- 1 S-70B-2 Seahawk, SITU and 1 AS-350BA Squirrel, 723 Squadron
- HMAS SuccessHMAS Success (AOR-304)HMAS Success is a Durance class multi-product replenishment oiler serving in the Royal Australian Navy . Built at Cockatoo Island Dockyard in Sydney, Australia, during the 1980s, she is the only ship of the class to be constructed outside of France, and the only one to originally not serve in the...
(6 September 1990 – 25 January 1991)- Detachment, 111 Battery (Light), 16th Air Defence Regiment16th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Australian ArtilleryThe 16th Air Defence Regiment is the youngest regiment of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. As the Australian Defence Force's only Ground Based Air Defence unit the Regiment is responsible for protecting a wide range of military assets during wartime, ranging from Army units in the field...
- 1 AS-350BA Squirrel, 723 Squadron
- Detachment, 111 Battery (Light), 16th Air Defence Regiment
Operation Damask II (3 December 1990 – 28 May 1991)
Task Group 627.4
- HMAS BrisbaneHMAS Brisbane (D-41)HMAS Brisbane was one of three Perth class guided missile destroyers to serve in the Royal Australian Navy . The United States-designed ship was laid down at Bay City, Michigan in 1965, launched in 1966 and commissioned into the RAN in 1967...
(until 26 March 1991) - HMAS SydneyHMAS Sydney (FFG 03)HMAS Sydney is an Adelaide class guided missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy . The frigate one of six modified s ordered from 1977 onwards, and the third of four to be constructed in the United States of America...
(until 26 March 1991)- 1 S-70B-2 Seahawk, SITU, 1 AS-350BA Squirrel, 723 Squadron
- HMAS WestraliaHMAS Westralia (O 195)HMAS Westralia was a modified Leaf class replenishment oiler which served with the Royal Australian Navy from 1989 to 2006. Formerly RFA Appleleaf , she served in with the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary from 1975 to 1989. The ship was initially leased to the RAN, then purchased outright in 1994...
(26 January 1991 – June 1991)- Detachment, 111 Battery (Light), 16th Air Defence Regiment16th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Australian ArtilleryThe 16th Air Defence Regiment is the youngest regiment of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. As the Australian Defence Force's only Ground Based Air Defence unit the Regiment is responsible for protecting a wide range of military assets during wartime, ranging from Army units in the field...
- Detachment, 111 Battery (Light), 16th Air Defence Regiment
Operation Damask III (13 June 1991 – 4 September 1991)
- HMAS DarwinHMAS Darwin (FFG 04)HMAS Darwin , named for the capital city of the Northern Territory, is an Adelaide class guided-missile frigate of the Royal Australian Navy . One of four ships ordered from the United States, Darwin entered service in 1984. During her career, she has operated in the Persian Gulf, as part of the...
- 1 S-70B-2 Seahawk, 816 Squadron816 Squadron RAN816 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron that started out as a Royal Navy unit 816 Naval Air Squadron.-Current roles:816 is currently active as a helicopter squadron equipped with S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters...
and 1 AS-350BA Squirrel, 723 Squadron
- 1 S-70B-2 Seahawk, 816 Squadron
Other Deployments
- Logistic Support Element (Muscat, Oman)
- Logistic Support Detachment Bahrain
- Logistic Support Detachment Dubai
Task Group Medical Support Elements (served aboard USS Comfort
USNS Comfort (T-AH-20)
USNS Comfort is the third United States Navy ship to bear the name Comfort, and the second to join the navy fleet. The USNS prefix identifies the Comfort as a non-commissioned ship owned by the U.S. Navy and crewed by civilians. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, USNS Comfort and her...
)
- TGMSE 1 (13 September 1990 – 4 January 1991)
- TGMSE 2 (31 December 1990 – 15 March 1991)
- TGMSE 3 (13 January 1991 – 15 March 1991)
Clearance Diving Team 3 operated in the theatre from 27 January 1991 to 10 May 1991. It was involved in mine clearing operations in Kuwait from 5 March to 19 April 1991.
Royal Australian Air Force
RAAF C-130 aircraft from No. 36No. 36 Squadron RAAF
No. 36 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It currently operates C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from RAAF Base Amberley. The Squadron has seen active service flying transport aircraft during World War II, the Berlin Airlift, Korean War, Vietnam War and the invasion of Iraq...
and No. 37
No. 37 Squadron RAAF
No. 37 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. Formed in July 1943 at RAAF Station Laverton, Victoria, it currently operates C-130H and C-130J Hercules aircraft from RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales. The unit saw active service flying C-60 Lodestars and C-47 Dakotas in...
Squadrons provided a shuttle service between Australia and the Persian Gulf. Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
aircraft from No. 33 Squadron
No. 33 Squadron RAAF
No. 33 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It was formed in 1942 for service during World War II. Following the completion of hostilities the squadron was disbanded in 1946. In 1981 the squadron was re-raised as a flight-sized organisation before being expanded to a full...
and VIP aircraft from No. 34 Squadron
No. 34 Squadron RAAF
No. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It is currently based at Canberra International Airport in the Australian capital Canberra, where it operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s.-History:...
also flew to the Middle East. A small team of RAAF photo-interpreters was posted to Saudi Arabia. Intelligence analysts from the RAAF and Defence Intelligence Organisation
Defence Intelligence Organisation
The Defence Intelligence Organisation is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for assessing intelligence obtained from or provided by other Australian and foreign intelligence agencies, supporting Defence and Government decision-making and the planning and conduct of Australian...
were also posted to Saudi Arabia.
Australian Army
The only formed Australian Army units to participate in the Persian Gulf War were anti-aircraft missile teams from the 16th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery16th Air Defence Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
The 16th Air Defence Regiment is the youngest regiment of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery. As the Australian Defence Force's only Ground Based Air Defence unit the Regiment is responsible for protecting a wide range of military assets during wartime, ranging from Army units in the field...
who, equipped with RBS 70
RBS 70
RBS 70 is a man-portable air-defense system designed for anti-aircraft warfare in all climate zones and with little to no support from other forces. Originally designed and manufactured by the Swedish defence firm of Bofors Defence...
missiles, provided point defence to HMAS Success and HMAS Westralia. A small number of Australians (mainly Army officers) on exchange to US and British units saw action in the Persian Gulf with those units.
Operation Provide Comfort/Operation Habitat (16 May 1991 – 30 June 1991)
The Australian Army and Air Force provided personnel to Operation HabitatOperation Habitat
The 1991 uprisings in Iraq were a series of anti-governmental intifada in Southern and Northern Iraq during the aftermath of the Gulf War in March–April 1991...
, the Australian contribution to Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II were military operations by the United States and some of its Gulf War allies, starting in April 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War and deliver humanitarian aid to them.-Operation...
, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Kurds living in the UN-declared exclusion zone in northern Iraq. http://www.defence.gov.au/raaf/history/airforce_history/gulfwar.htm
- Australian Medical Unit (Gir-I-Pit , Northern Iraq)
- Headquarters and Administrative Support Group
- Four Medical Teams
- Dental Team
- Preventative Medical Section
- Engineer Section