Australian soldiers supported by an ASLAV-25 patrol along a railway line near Camp Smitty during routine foot patrols in Al Muthanna Province.

The Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG) is a battlegroup that forms Australia's main ground force contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq. The AMTG was established in April 2005 and currently appears likely to remain in Iraq well into 2006. Image File history File linksMetadata AMTG.jpg Summary Sourced from: http://www. ... Image File history File linksMetadata AMTG.jpg Summary Sourced from: http://www. ... The battlegroup is the basic building block of an armys fighting formation. ... Original 2003 March 21 list Coalition of the Willing is a phrase which has been used by the administration of US President George W. Bush to refer to the nations whose governments militarilly supported the United States position in the Iraq disarmament crisis and later the 2003 invasion of Iraq...

Role

The Al Muthanna Task Group has two tasks:

1. Provide a secure environment for the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group (JIRSG)
2. Assist in the training of local Iraqi Army units so that they are able to take over the internal and external defence of their country

In 2004, the Japanese government ordered a deployment of troops to Iraq at the behest of the United States: A contingent of the Japan Self-Defense Forces was sent in order to assist the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq. ... The New Iraqi Army is being developed by the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) as a component of the military of Iraq with the ultimate task of assuming responsibility for all Iraqi land-based military operations following the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. ...

Composition

The AMTG is made up of around 450 personnel and consists of:

• Task Group Headquarters
• a cavalry squadron from 2nd Cavalry Regiment
• an infantry company from 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR)
• a training team (on 3-month deployments)
• supporting elements

To date, there have been two rotations of troops into the AMTG. The initial force operated in Iraq between April and November 2005 and was commanded by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment's headquarters. The current rotation arrived in Iraq in November 2005 and is commanded by 5/7 RAR's headquarters. 2nd Cavalry Regiment is a regiment of the Australian Army and is the second most senior in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. ... Soldiers and a M113 from 5/7 RAR during an exercise in 2003. ...

The AMTG is highly mechanised and operates 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and 10 Bushmasters. The AMTG is largely drawn from the Australian 1st Brigade. Mechanized infantry are infantry troops that use armoured fighting vehicles for transport and as heavy weapons support in combat. ... The Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV), is an Australian version of the Mowag Piranha. ... The Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian designed and built wheeled armoured vehicle produced by Australian Defence Industries Limited (ADI). ... 1 Brigade is a formation of the Australian Army intended as its primary mechanised unit. ...

Future deployment

While the AMTG was initially only deployed for two 6-month rotations, the Australian government announced in March 2006 that this deployment would be extended until at least the second half of 2007.[1] The Australian force will be transferred to a different sector of southern Iraq and will, presumably, operate under a new name that reflects the name of this region. The role of the Task Group will change to providing support to Iraqi forces.[2] The New Iraqi Army is being developed by the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) as a component of the military of Iraq with the ultimate task of assuming responsibility for all Iraqi land-based military operations following the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. ...

Sources:

• Australian Department of Defence Operation Catalyst.
• Matt Brown Snapshots from Al Muthanna Province