The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) had a significant presence in the Middle East over the past three decades. The first RAN deployment to the region was in response to the First Gulf War.
Gulf War (‘First Gulf War’)
Australia was one of the first nations to join the United Nations (UN) force that responded to Iraq’s 2 August 1990 invasion of its neighbour, Kuwait. Four Australian guided-missile frigates, HMA Ships Sydney (IV), Adelaide (II), Brisbane (II) and Darwin, along with the replenishment ship HMAS Success and the tanker HMAS Westralia, served in Gulf waters. A small number of Royal Australian Air Force personnel and several Defence Force medical teams also deployed to the Gulf. There were no Australian casualties.
In addition to blockade duties and providing anti-aircraft screening for United States Navy carriers, a RAN clearance diving team assisted with mine clearance. UN Forces achieved victory after just 43 days of fighting on land. The RAN maintained a presence in the Gulf or Red Sea for a further ten years as part of the multinational Maritime Interception Force ensuring Iraq’s compliance with UN sanctions.
Iraq War (‘Second Gulf War’)
Three Australian guided-missile frigates, HMA Ships Anzac (III), Darwin and Sydney (IV), the landing platform amphibious, HMAS Kanimbla (II), along with Fleet Air Arm Squadrons 816 and 817 deployed to the Iraq War of 2003 to 2011. These ships and squadrons provided screening for coalition naval vessels, gunfire support to ground forces, anti-terrorism and anti-piracy protection, and boarded and inspected vessels.
Selected feature histories: