Case for Operation Falconer and Operation Iraqi Freedom medallion

Date2003

Object number00044940

NameCase

MediumPlastic, leather

DimensionsOverall: 85 x 75 x 25 mm, 95.64 g

ClassificationsTools and equipment

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Sea Power Centre Australia

Terms

DescriptionOperation Falconer and Operation Iraqi Freedom were Australia's contribution to the coalition of military forces who were prepared to enforce Iraq's compliance with its international obligations to disarm. This medallion comemmorates Australia's involvement, especially with the Provision of Naval Gunfire Support with HMAS ANZAC at Al Faw Peninsula, Iraq on 21-22 March 2003.HistoryPrime Minister John Howard announced on 18th March 2003 that the Government had committed Australian Defence Force elements in the Middle East to the coalition of military forces prepared to enforce Iraq's compliance with its international obligations to disarm. Australia's contribution to the coalition is known as Operation Falconer and has to date involved about 2000 Australian Defence Force personnel. On April 17th 2003, the Minister for Defence Robert Hill announced that the Government had decided to scale back its military contribution now that the conflict is drawing to a close. 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. The HMAS ANZAC, the first of its class is capable of operating in a multi-threat environment. It was launched on 16th September 1994 and commissioned on 18th May 1996. ANZAC is fitted with an advanced package of air surveillance radars, hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems that interface with 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 ships 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 CAPT Ian Middleton, RAN, was deployed to the Persian Gulf where it assisted in the detection, deterring and intercepting 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 is Anzac's third deployment to the Northern Persian Gulf and is the 16th rotation of Navy ships as part of coalition operations since 2001. Since July 2003, Australia has deployed more than 5,180 total 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 that has 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. SignificanceOperation Falconer and Operation Iraqi Freedom were two of the major operations carried out the Australian Defence Force during the beginning of the 21st Century. For the many troops that have been deployed to Iraq and surrounding areas over the last few years, comemmoration of the first few days with the takeover of Al Faw Peninsula are a milestone. The material that the medallion is made from is unusual and is one of only 200 medallions made.