Oct 18 2001 – Australian troops, including a contingent of elite special forces soldiers, will start leaving within days to take part in the mission to capture Osama bin Laden and “exterminate” terrorist networks.
The Prime Minister, John Howard, warned that Australians could be killed or badly maimed in the conflict.
His announcement heralded a new phase in the war on terrorism, including a ground assault on Afghanistan in the depths of its bitter winter.
“The danger, particularly for those people who might go on the ground, will be very high, much higher than in East Timor,” Mr Howard said. “They will go with our best wishes, our prayers for a safe return.”
Mr Howard’s commitment followed a telephone call on Tuesday night from the US President, George Bush, and involved a bigger military deployment than had been envisaged when Australia offered its support after the September 11 attacks.
Mr Howard telephoned the Labor leader, Kim Beazley, after speaking to President Bush. Mr Beazley offered his full support.
Mr Howard warned that the campaign could last several years.
It is expected about 1,550 personnel will be deployed – most of them by mid-November.
The special forces detachment, mostly made up of Special Air Service troops, will number about 150, have no operational restrictions and may be involved in hand-to-hand fighting.
Four F/A-18s will conduct combat air patrols over US bases and ships – and possibly be used to protect Australian vessels – but there are no plans for the Australian aircraft to be used in bombing raids against Afghanistan.
Of the three frigates being deployed, HMAS Sydney will replace HMAS Anzac and prevent illegal cargoes, notably arms and oil, from moving into or out of Iraq. Its role could be extended to the counter-terrorism operation.
One frigate will guard the Australian amphibious command ship, either the Manoora or the Kanimbla, which will serve as a floating Australian headquarters. A third frigate will protect coalition ships.
While Australia will be under overall US operational command, it will have a right of veto and a large degree of command independence.
Analysts believe a likely role for two Australian P3 long-range maritime aircraft could be monitoring Iranian ships and submarines in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.
Australian aircraft are expected to be used for intercepting electronic communications.
Michael O’Connor, from the Australian Defence Association, described the deployment as “bits and pieces without a great deal of coherence”.
“Essentially it is going to be a demonstration of alliance solidarity. The Americans don’t want too much as it would just get in the way of their own operations.”
There will be an Australian commander for the local troops and Australians will have their own rules of engagement. But overarching command will come from the US.
The F/A-18s, the amphibious command ship and the frigate with helicopter capability represent a new commitment.
Mr Howard, when announcing Australia’s initial commitment to the war on terrorism on October 4, said about 1,000 personnel would be involved.
Yesterday, he said he could not “rule out the possibility that we would be asked to give more”.
He asked all Australians to think about the sacrifices and dangers faced by those who will be deployed: “They’re going to risk their lives. They’re young men. Some of them could be killed and some of them could be badly maimed.”
The Islamic community received Mr Howard’s decision to send the troops with dismay.
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils chief executive, Amjad Mehboob, said that Mr Howard, in election mode, had been trigger-happy and anxious to beat the drum of war.
Mr Beazley declared his total support for Australia’s enhanced commitment but warned that political leaders must get across to their people the message that this conflict was very different from the Gulf or Vietnam wars.
Even if there were early successes, a completely acceptable outcome was likely to take a considerable time.