Operation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force (ADF)contribution to the International Coalition against Terrorism. The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing. ADF particpation included two major activities centred on Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf.
Australian particpation in Afghanistan included a Special Air Service (Special Forces) Task group and two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing 707 air-to-air refuelling aircraft. These aircraft and associated support personnel operated from Manas, Kyrgyzstan and provided support to coalition aircraft operating in Afghan airspace. RAAF C130 Hercules transport aircraft were also involved in providing logistic support for deployed forces. The ADF commitment in Afghanistan concluded in December 2002 when the Special Air Service Task Group was withdrawn.
Since October 2001 the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has maintained a continuous presence in and around Iraqi territorial waters as part of Operation Slipper and subsequent operations. There were four major rotations of RAN ships to this area of operations between December 2001 and March 2003. The primary focus of these rotations was to conduct Maritime Interception Operations as part of a US, Australian and British force enforcing United Nations Security Council resolutions against Iraq. The first rotation consisted of Her Majesty's Australian Ships (HMAS) Sydney, Adelaide and Kanimbla. These ships were followed in February 2002 by HMA Ships Canberra, Newcastle and Manoora and again in July 2002 by HMA Ships Arunta and Melbourne. The final Operation Slipper rotation was in November 2002 with HMA Ships Anzac and Darwin; these ships remained and partcipated in the combat phase of the 2003 Iraq War which was codenamed Operation Falconer.
There were numerous highlights and the Australian ships pioneered a number of techniques that increased the effectiveness of Maritime Interception Force operations leading to them intercepting and boarding approximately 1700 vessels during the period. Four Australian naval officers commanded the multi national force at various times during the course of the operation.
As well as ground troops, approximately 100 Leopard tanks and artillery, it also operates helicopters: Blackhawk, Chinook, and has taken delivery of the first of 22 Eurocopter Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (with the last of the UH-1 Iroquois serving with distinction in Aceh for humanitarian relief after 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake before removal from service).
Other notable operations include peacekeeping on Bougainville and in the Solomon Islands, which are ongoing as of May 2004.
The first of these new battalions, to be operational by 2008, will be formed by the de-amalgamation of 5/7 RAR into the reformed 5th Battalion and 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
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