Australian SAS in Afghanistan
(All Photos provided by Dept of Defence)
In light of the tragic events of September 11,
2001, Australia was one of the first nations to offer military support
to the US response against terrorism. On October 5, 2001 it was announced
that the Australian government will be committing its forces in the War
against Terror. The centrepiece of this contribution was a squadron group
of approximately 150 personnel from the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).
By early December the SAS contingent had arrived
in Kandahar and were now part of the Combined Joint Special Operations
Task Force (TF 64). They were tasked by the coalition command with a wide
variety of operations, some were in cooperation with US Special Forces,
others independently. Initially the contingent were tasked with special
reconnaissance (SR) operations but were soon redirected to sensitive site
exploration missions to investigate known al-Qa'ida sites for evidence
and intel on the terrorists. During these missions, SAS patrols uncovered
terrorist training documents as well as large quantities of weapons, ammunition
and explosives.
|
SAS soldier talking to
a local guide |
SAS soldiers in their RSV
operating during the
extreme Afghan Winter |
The Australian SAS relied heavily of their Long
Range Patrol Vehicles (LRPV) and Recon Surveillance Vehicles (RSV) to move
around in the AO due to the lack of helo support from the US. However with
land mines scattered al over the place, it was inevitable that the Australian
SAS would suffer its first fatality. On February 17, 2001 Sgt Andrew Russell
was killed after the LRPV he was travelling in detonated an anti-tank mine.
Four other SAS troopers travelling in the LRPV survived the blast and immediately
gave emergency first aid to Sgt Russell but to no avail.
|
SAS LRPV (centre and right)
and RSV (left) in a harbour
|
SAS Quad bike and LRPV |
Observations made by Australian and Coalition
Special Forces during SR operations led to the launch of Operation Anaconda
in early March 2001. Australian SAS patrols were deployed to provide observation
on the enemy whilst US Army and Canadian light infantry units flushed the
enemy out during their sweep of the area. On a number of occasions, these
patrols were in direct contact with the enemy as the coalition forces assaulted
through the area. One such incident involved a patrol calling in airstrikes
and directly engaging the enemy during a CSAR mission when a CH-47D Chinook
was shot down by Taliban/al-Qa'ida forces. The patrol commander of that
patrol was later awarded with the Distinguished Service Cross for his outstanding
leadership during the CSAR mission.
Following on the success of Operation Anaconda,
the Australian SAS conducted SR missions along the Pakistani border as
part of Operation Mountain Lion. During the operation an SAS patrol in
a observation post came under fire a large force of enemy. The patrol returned
fire but were soon engaged with heavy machinegun fire and rocket propelled
grenades, as the enemy tried to overrun their position. Another SAS patrol
mounted in vehicles coming to their assistance was also engaged.
AC-130 gunship came into the aid of the SAS patrols by delivering precision
fire onto the enemy as the SAS patrols called in the enemy locations. Soon
after coalition forces comprising of US Army paratroopers from the 101st
Airborne and British Royal Marine Commandos were deployed into
the area to follow up the on Australian contacts as part of Operation Condor.
During the sweep of the area large quantities of arms and ammunition were
uncovered.
|
SAS troopers boarding a
US Army Chinook |
SAS troopers conducting
a range shoot |
By August 2002, the SAS Task Group were conducting
more overt operations in their AO, especially along the Pakistani border
to deny the enemy operating in these areas and preventing any of them re-entering
from the Pakistani border. Along with this, the task force had also devoted
resources in winning the hearts and minds of the local population. In January
2003, the Australian SAS contingent were withdrawn from Afghanistan after
13 months of operations.
Overall the operations conducted by the Australian
SAS Task Force has been an overwhelming success. Their performance
has earned them the respect of their more better known Coalition SF units
fighting in this War against Terror. Their performance has demonstrated
their ability to locate the enemy and destroy them.
|
SAS trooper manning his
post at Bagram Airbase |
SAS soldier after range
shoot |
SAS soldiers conducting
a
vehicle mounted recon |
Bibliography -
- "War on Terror", J.H Farrell, Australian
and New Zealand Defender Magazine, Issues No. 37, March 2002
- "War on Terror", J.H Farrell, Australian
and New Zealand Defender Magazine, Issues No. 38, June 2002
- "War Against Terror", J.H Farrell,
Australian and New Zealand Defender Magazine, Issues No. 39, September
2002
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