Overwatch Battle Group (West)
Encyclopedia
Overwatch Battle Group was an Australian Army
battlegroup
that represented Australia's largest contribution
to the Multinational force in Iraq
. The Battle Group was established in July 2006 and was based at Tallil Airbase in Dhi Qar Governorate.
As the Labor Party
led by Kevin Rudd
pledged in the 2007 election, Australian combat forces began withdrawing from Iraq on 1 June 2008. and the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and Australian Army Training Team formally ceased combat operations on the 2 June 2008. No Australian military personnel were killed in the course of the deployment, during which the Australian contingent helped train 33,000 Iraqi soldiers. Approximately 200 Australian personnel will remain in Iraq on logistical and air surveillance duties.
in a crisis if requested by the Iraqi Government and the Multi-National Force - Iraq
. Whilst it was never called upon to act in this role, the Battle Group did conduct combat and security operations within the cities of An Nasiriyah and As Samawah, the provincial capitals of Dhi Qar and Al Muthana respectively, extensive patrolling within rural areas and on Main Supply Route
s (MSR's) to counter the indirect fire and improvised explosive device threat, training and mentoring of the Iraqi Army and Police, support to strike operations undertaken by United States Special Forces, and construction and re-construction work. The Battle Group's training team was responsible for providing basic training to Iraqi Army
personnel at the Basic Training Centre in Tallil.
Upon its formation Overwatch Battle Group (West) consisted of units which were previously assigned to the third, and final, rotation of the Al Muthanna Task Group
. The Battle Group formed part of Multi-National Division (South-East)
. An additional 38 personnel and four Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles
were deployed in late 2006 to increase the size of the force to over 500 soldiers supported by 40 ASLAV
s and 19 Bushmasters.http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=5977.
On 26 September 2006 OBG(W) 1 was involved in the Battle of Al Rumaythah
.
During the period 23–24 April 2007, OBG(W) 2 was involved in the Battle of Route Bismarck
.
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...
battlegroup
Battlegroup (army)
A battlegroup , or task force in modern military theory, is the basic building block of an army's fighting force. A battlegroup is formed around an infantry battalion or armoured regiment, which is usually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel...
that represented Australia's largest contribution
Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
The Howard Government supported the disarmament of Iraq during the Iraq disarmament crisis. Australia later provided one of the four most substantial combat force contingents during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, under the operational codename Operation Falconer. Part of its contingent were among the...
to the Multinational force in Iraq
Multinational force in Iraq
The Multi-National Force – Iraq was a military command, led by the United States, which was responsible for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Multi-National Force – Iraq replaced the previous force, Combined Joint Task Force 7, on 15 May 2004, and was later itself reorganized into its successor, United...
. The Battle Group was established in July 2006 and was based at Tallil Airbase in Dhi Qar Governorate.
As the Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
led by Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
pledged in the 2007 election, Australian combat forces began withdrawing from Iraq on 1 June 2008. and the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and Australian Army Training Team formally ceased combat operations on the 2 June 2008. No Australian military personnel were killed in the course of the deployment, during which the Australian contingent helped train 33,000 Iraqi soldiers. Approximately 200 Australian personnel will remain in Iraq on logistical and air surveillance duties.
Role
Overwatch Battle Group (West)'s main role was to provide support to Iraqi Security ForcesIraqi Security Forces
The Iraqi Armed Forces are the military forces of the Government of Iraq. They consist of the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Air Force, and the Iraqi Navy....
in a crisis if requested by the Iraqi Government and the Multi-National Force - Iraq
Multinational force in Iraq
The Multi-National Force – Iraq was a military command, led by the United States, which was responsible for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Multi-National Force – Iraq replaced the previous force, Combined Joint Task Force 7, on 15 May 2004, and was later itself reorganized into its successor, United...
. Whilst it was never called upon to act in this role, the Battle Group did conduct combat and security operations within the cities of An Nasiriyah and As Samawah, the provincial capitals of Dhi Qar and Al Muthana respectively, extensive patrolling within rural areas and on Main Supply Route
Main Supply Route
A Main Supply Route is the route or routes designated within an area of operations upon which the bulk of traffic flows in support of military operations....
s (MSR's) to counter the indirect fire and improvised explosive device threat, training and mentoring of the Iraqi Army and Police, support to strike operations undertaken by United States Special Forces, and construction and re-construction work. The Battle Group's training team was responsible for providing basic training to Iraqi Army
Iraqi Army
The Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
personnel at the Basic Training Centre in Tallil.
Upon its formation Overwatch Battle Group (West) consisted of units which were previously assigned to the third, and final, rotation of the Al Muthanna Task Group
Al Muthanna Task Group
The Al Muthanna Task Group was a battlegroup that formed Australia's main ground force contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq. The AMTG was established in April 2005 and ceased to exist in July 2006 when the Australian force was relocated to Dhi Qar Governorate as Overwatch Battle Group...
. The Battle Group formed part of Multi-National Division (South-East)
Multi-National Division (South-East) (Iraq)
Multi-National Division was a British commanded division responsible for security in the south east of Iraq from 2003 to 2009. It was responsible for the large city of Basra and its headquarters were located at Basra Airport. The division was initially responsible for the governorates of Al...
. An additional 38 personnel and four Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles
Bushmaster IMV
The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built wheeled armoured vehicle. It was originally designed by Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd under a licence agreement with Perry Engineering in Adelaide; that licence was sold, with permission granted by...
were deployed in late 2006 to increase the size of the force to over 500 soldiers supported by 40 ASLAV
ASLAV
The Australian Service Light Armoured Vehicle , is an Australian version of the Light Armoured Vehicle designed and manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for the U.S. Marines. The initial design was the MOWAG Piranha 8x8, however the vehicle was re-designed to meet North American...
s and 19 Bushmasters.http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=5977.
On 26 September 2006 OBG(W) 1 was involved in the Battle of Al Rumaythah
Battle of Al Rumaythah
The Battle of Al Rumaythah was fought during the morning in the Iraqi town of Al Rumaythah in Al Muthanna province between Australian forces of the Overwatch Battle Group and unidentified Iraqi insurgents...
.
During the period 23–24 April 2007, OBG(W) 2 was involved in the Battle of Route Bismarck
Battle of Route Bismarck
The Battle of Route Bismarck was a series of military engagements fought between Australian forces from Overwatch Battle Group 2 in southern Iraq, and Anti-coalition insurgents over the period 23–24 April 2007. The engagements occurred on Route Bismarck, the Secondary Supply Route within Dhi Qar...
.
Rotations
- OBG(W)-1http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1143/topstories/story03.htm
- HQ, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 2 RAR was first formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and since then it has seen active service during the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War...
- A Squadron, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)2nd/14th Light Horse RegimentThe 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment is a regiment of the Australian Army and forms part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. The regiment was formed in 1952 though sentimentally traces its lineage to 1860...
- A Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 2 RAR was first formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and since then it has seen active service during the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War...
- Support Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 2 RAR was first formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and since then it has seen active service during the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War...
- IMV Detachment, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor and Iraq...
- HQ, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
- OBG(W)-2http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqDetailsOfBritishAndCoalitionForces.htm
- HQ, 2nd Cavalry RegimentAustralian 2nd Cavalry RegimentThe 2nd Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the Australian Army. The second most senior regiment in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, 2 CAV serves in an armoured reconnaissance role and is attached to the 1st Brigade, based in Darwin in the Northern Territory.-History:The regiment was...
- B Squadron/Combat Team Eagle, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
- D Company/Combat Team Tiger, 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian RegimentThe 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. The battalion was based at Robertson Barracks in Palmerston, Northern Territory and formed part of the 1st Brigade. It was formed in 1973 by linking both the 5th and 7th Battalions of the...
- Combat Service Support Team
- HQ, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
- OBG(W)-3http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1166/topstories/story3.htm
- HQ, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
- A Squadron, 2nd Cavalry RegimentAustralian 2nd Cavalry RegimentThe 2nd Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the Australian Army. The second most senior regiment in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, 2 CAV serves in an armoured reconnaissance role and is attached to the 1st Brigade, based in Darwin in the Northern Territory.-History:The regiment was...
- Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
- Combat Support Element
- Combat Service Support Element
- OBG(W)-4
- HQ, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)2nd/14th Light Horse RegimentThe 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment is a regiment of the Australian Army and forms part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. The regiment was formed in 1952 though sentimentally traces its lineage to 1860...
- A Squadron, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)
- A Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor and Iraq...
- Combat Support Element
- Combat Service Support Element
- HQ, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)