Mobile force packs a punch

By IAN McPHEDRAN Defence Reporter
February 23, 2005
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1258&storyid=2708632

THE Australian task force in southern Iraq will be able to deploy more than 250 heavily armed troops at any one time in high-speed armoured vehicles across Al Muthanna province.

About 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs) and 100 crew members, plus 350 other mainly Darwin-based troops, will sail to the southern port city of Basra on one of the navy's amphibious warships, HMAS Kanimbla or HMAS Manoora.

The force will consist of a 120-strong rifle company from 5/7 RAR, a headquarters of about 40 officers and soldiers, about 30 technical and support staff, military trainers plus a small medical and military police detachment.

A number of the brigade's Kiowa reconnaissance helicopters may also be deployed.
There will be no special forces troops in the force.

The contingent will depart in early May and will be on station in the provincial capital of Samawah, 300km from Basra, towards the end of the month. It will boost the number of Australian troops in Iraq to about 750 and in the region to 1350.

They include a 120-strong security detachment in Baghdad and 54 military trainers, 20 medical staff and headquarters staff in Iraq plus 220 navy and 280 RAAF staff around the Middle East.
The First Brigade is able to deploy at short notice, using the latest vehicles and equipment to conduct a variety of tasks ranging from combat to peacekeeping.

The force's main firepower will come from the 40 ASLAVs which are armed with a 25mm chain gun and a 7.62mm machine gun. The chain gun can be armed with explosive or armour-piercing ammunition and can engage targets at 2000m.

The vehicles are equipped with thermal imaging night-fighting equipment and can travel at speeds of up to 100km/h with a range of about 600km and exceptional off-road performance.
The amphibious vehicles can be configured for a number of roles including personnel carrier (seven fully equipped troops), command, surveillance, combat support and ambulance.

The ASLAVs, which offer much more protection than the American Humvee, have provided excellent protection for Diggers working in Baghdad and have protected several lives during car-bomb attacks.
The troops will be armed with mortars, heavy machine guns and the standard infantry Steyr 7.62mm assault rifle.