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Operation Falconer and Operation Iraqi Freedom Medallion

Date2003

Object number00044939

NameMedallion

MediumBrass

DimensionsOverall: 60 x 60 mm, 69.75 g

ClassificationsCoins and medals

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Sea Power Centre Australia

Terms

DescriptionThis is one of 200 medallions made from brass naval shell casings fired from HMAS ANZAC. These medallions were a commemoration of Australia's involvement in Operation FALCONER and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, when HMAS ANZAC provided gunfire support at the Al Faw Peninsula, Iraq on 21-22 March 2003. The casings were melted down and rolled into metal strips to be used in the medallions. HistoryOn 18 March 2003, Prime Minister John Howard announced that the Australian Government had committed Defence Force elements to the Middle East, as part of the coalition of military forces preparing to enforce Iraq's compliance with its international obligations to disarm. Australia's contribution to the coalition was known as Operation FALCONER and in 2003 involved about 2,000 Australian Defence Force personnel. On 17 April 2003, the Minister for Defence Robert Hill announced the Australian Government had decided to scale back its military effort as the conflict was drawing to a close. Despite Operation FALCONER's end in 2003, Australian Defence personnel were once more deployed in 2005 as part of Operation CATALYST. This task force only began withdrawing in June 2008. As part of Operation FALCONER two Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigates, HMA Ships ANZAC and DARWIN along with 600 personnel were sent to Iraq as part of the Multinational Interception Force enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq. HMAS ANZAC, the first of its class, is capable of operating in a multi-threat environment. It was launched on 16 September 1994 and commissioned on 18 May 1996. ANZAC is fitted with an advanced package of air surveillance radars, hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems that interface with a state-of-the-art weapons system. ANZAC is the third Royal Australian Navy ship to carry the name of an Australian legend. Because of the history of the ANZAC legend with the combined effort of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the ship's motto is 'United We Stand'. HMAS ANZAC was deployed to the Arabian Gulf in 2003 culminating in naval gunfire support of British Royal Marines landings on Al Faw Peninsula in Iraq. Afterwards HMAS ANZAC, under the command of Captain Ian Middleton, RAN, was deployed to the Persian Gulf where it assisted in the detection, deterring and interception of vessels within Iraqi waters suspected of undertaking illegal activity. Importantly, HMAS ANZAC assisted in protecting Iraq's offshore assets such as oil platforms ensuring Iraq's key economic resources were able to generate much needed funds to support reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. Its homeport is HMAS STIRLING at Garden Island, Western Australia. This was ANZAC's third deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf and the 16th rotation of RAN ships as part of coalition operations since 2001. Since July 2003, Australia has deployed more than 5,180 personnel to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. These forces have been deployed to support rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Southern Iraq and to provide force security. Each contingent deployed has consisted of approximately 760 personnel including: Headquarters Joint Task Force, Force Level Logistics Assets, Embassy Security Detachment, Camp Victory Embedded Staff, International Zone Embedded Staff, Headquarters Multi-National Division - Southeast Embedded Staff and Overwatch Security Forces for Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar Provinces. From January to November 2006, Australian Forces were located in the Al Muthanna Province providing force security for the Japanese reconstruction forces in As Samawah, Iraq. Upon Al Muthanna Province being turned over to Provincial Iraqi Control (PIC) these Australian forces reverted to an overwatch mission. In September 2006 the Italian forces in Dhi Qar Province declared the province ready for PIC and announced the upcoming withdrawal of all Italian military forces in Iraq. In November 2006 the Australian forces relocated to Talil Air Base in An Nasariyah in order to provide overwatch forces for Dhi Qar Province. SignificanceThis medallion represents Australia's involvement in Iraq operations during the beginning of the 21st century. For many troops it is a commemoration of HMAS ANZAC's role in the first few days of action and the takeover of the Al Faw Peninsula.