Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

The majority of Australian Defence Force personnel deployed to the Middle East as part of the coalition to disarm Iraq will return home soon, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.

Senator Hill said the Government had decided to scale back its military contribution now the conflict was drawing to a close.

"Australia has provided highly effective specialist military capabilities to support the coalition's efforts to disarm Iraq," Senator Hill said.

"We should be proud of the contribution of the Australian Defence Force towards eliminating the threat to international security posed by weapons of mass destruction.

"Much of their work is done - we are now able to plan to bring home many of our 2000 personnel who have been deployed on Operation Falconer."

Force elements returning from the Middle East during May will be:

• About 600 personnel embarked on Royal Australian Navy frigates HMAS Anzac and Darwin.
• About 250 airmen and women and support crews deployed with a squadron of 14 F/A-18 Royal Australian Air Force Hornet fighter aircraft.

• The Special Air Service squadron and some of the Combat Service Support Group that provides logistic support necessary for the Special Forces Task Group.

• A Navy clearance diver team capable of locating, rendering safe and disposing of mines.

Due home in June are approximately 350 sailors and soldiers embarked on the sea transport ship HMAS Kanimbla with a Sea King helicopter, Army landing craft and Army air defence detachment and a specialist explosives ordnance team.

Senator Hill said there was still a role for Australia to contribute to the ongoing coalition efforts to bring stability and humanitarian aid to Iraq.

Some ADF elements will remain in the Middle East to support the transition from combat operations to the Coalition Provisional Authority. These include:

• Frigate HMAS Sydney with a Naval task group command element and a logistics support element.
• An Army Commando task group supported by CH-47 troop-lift helicopters, specialist troops to deal with the threat of weapons of mass destruction and combat service support personnel.

• Two C130 Hercules transport aircraft and two P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft supported by air operations personnel.

• A restructured Australian National Headquarters and logistics element.

In addition to contributing a Defence team of 12 civilian and military weapons of mass destruction specialists and Royal Australian Air Force air traffic controllers to support air operations at Baghdad International Airport, another two mid-ranking ADF officers will be attached to the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance to complement the existing deployment of an ADF colonel.

"The Government has decided to maintain the above ADF elements in the Middle East to provide effective support as Iraq enters a critical transitional phase," Senator Hill said.

"We have already announce that we will not be providing a large peacekeeping force in Iraq. But today's announcement provides ADF personnel for niche capabilities in important areas.

"The Australian Defence Force personnel who remain on duty in Iraq and the Persian Gulf have important tasks to perform and they deserve our ongoing support."

Senator Hill said welcome home functions would be held for returning personnel and their families. Further details would be announced at an appropriate time.