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Al Muthanna Task Group
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<h2 id="role">Role</h2> <p>The Al Muthanna Task Group had two tasks: </p> <ol><li>Provide a secure environment for the <a href="/facts/Japanese_Iraq_Reconstruction_and_Support_Group/zrdItrGY">Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group</a> (JIRSG)</li> <li>Assist in the training of local <a href="/facts/Iraqi_Army/GfjLkB45">Iraqi Army</a> units so that they are able to take over the internal and external defence of their country</li></ol> <h2 id="composition">Composition</h2> <p>The AMTG was made up of around 450 personnel and consisted of: </p> <ul><li>Task Group Headquarters</li> <li>a cavalry squadron</li> <li>an infantry company</li> <li>a training team (on 6-month deployments)</li> <li>supporting elements</li></ul> <h3>Rotations</h3> <ul><li>AMTG-1: April – November 2005 (Lieutenant Colonel <a href="/facts/Roger_Noble/JwedrHrU">Roger Noble</a>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a> <ul><li>HQ, <a href="/facts/Australian_2nd_Cavalry_Regiment/MvmVWQue">2nd Cavalry Regiment</a></li> <li>C Squadron, <a href="/facts/Australian_2nd_Cavalry_Regiment/MvmVWQue">2nd Cavalry Regiment</a></li> <li>B Company, <a href="/facts/5th%2f7th_Battalion%2c_Royal_Australian_Regiment/rz703h8q">5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</a></li> <li>Support Squadron, <a href="/facts/2nd_Cavalry_Regiment_(Australia)/MvmVWQue">2nd Cavalry Regiment</a></li></ul></li> <li>AMTG-2: November 2005 – June 2006 (Lieutenant Colonel Peter Short)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> <ul><li>HQ, <a href="/facts/5th%2f7th_Battalion%2c_Royal_Australian_Regiment/rz703h8q">5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</a></li> <li>A Squadron, <a href="/facts/2nd_Cavalry_Regiment_(Australia)/MvmVWQue">2nd Cavalry Regiment</a></li> <li>C Company, <a href="/facts/5th%2f7th_Battalion%2c_Royal_Australian_Regiment/rz703h8q">5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</a></li> <li>Operational Support Company, <a href="/facts/5th%2f7th_Battalion%2c_Royal_Australian_Regiment/rz703h8q">5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</a></li></ul></li> <li>AMTG-3: June – July 2006 (Lieutenant Colonel Michael Mahy)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> <ul><li>HQ, <a href="/facts/2nd_Battalion%2c_Royal_Australian_Regiment/1t1DGNBJ">2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</a></li> <li>A Squadron, <a href="/facts/2nd%2f14th_Light_Horse_Regiment/pLSAJb4o">2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)</a></li> <li>A Company, <a href="/facts/2nd_Battalion%2c_Royal_Australian_Regiment/1t1DGNBJ">2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</a></li> <li>Support Company, <a href="/facts/2nd_Battalion%2c_Royal_Australian_Regiment/1t1DGNBJ">2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</a></li> <li>IMV Detachment, <a href="/facts/6th_Battalion%2c_Royal_Australian_Regiment/v1E0x5R1">6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</a></li></ul></li></ul> <p>There were three rotations of troops into the AMTG. The initial force operated in Iraq between April and November 2005 and was commanded by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment's headquarters. The second rotation arrived in Iraq in November 2005 and was commanded by 5/7 RAR's headquarters. The final rotation arrived in May 2005 and was commanded by 2 RAR's headquarters. </p><p>The AMTG was highly <a href="/facts/Mechanised_infantry/FUp2xWsf">mechanised</a> and operated 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (<a href="/facts/ASLAV/hcPJBV4d">ASLAVs</a>) and 10 <a href="/facts/Bushmaster_IMV/bY6fftwW">Bushmasters</a>. While the first two AMTG rotations were largely drawn from <a href="/facts/Australian_1st_Brigade/0DzUMzq8">1 Brigade</a>, the third rotation was drawn from both <a href="/facts/Australian_3rd_Brigade/tBGuKsfB">3 Brigade</a> and <a href="/facts/Australian_7th_Brigade/h6bJ05bM">7 Brigade</a>. </p><p>Members of the training teams were drawn from across the <a href="/facts/Australian_Defence_Force/zLR4MLc2">Australian Defence Force</a>. Their ranks range from private to lieutenant colonel. </p> <h2 id="later-operations">Later operations</h2> <p>While the AMTG was initially only deployed for two 6-month rotations, the Australian government announced in March 2006 that the deployment would be extended until at least the second half of 2007.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> Upon the withdrawal of Japanese reconstruction troops the Australian force was transferred to <a href="/facts/Tallil_Airbase/7fNYDkY6">Tallil Airbase</a> in <a href="/facts/Dhi_Qar_Governorate/rMvRqUBK">Dhi Qar Governorate</a>. The role of the Task Group changed to providing support to <a href="/facts/New_Iraqi_Army/GfjLkB45">Iraqi forces</a> as requested. The Task Group was renamed the <a href="/facts/Overwatch_Battle_Group_(West)/e6H4srIf">Overwatch Battle Group (West)</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="notes">Notes</h2> <ul><li>Australian Department of Defence <a href="http://www.defence.gov.au/opcatalyst/">Operation Catalyst</a>.</li> <li>Matt Brown <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20060819125321/http://ada.asn.au/defender/Winter%202005/Snapshots%20from%20Al%20Muthanna%20Province%20(Defender,%20Winter%202005).pdf">Snapshots from Al Muthanna Province</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Australia in Iraq: Battle Group Rotations". Nautilus Institute. 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2014. <a href="http://nautilus.org/passwordprotected/iraq/elements/battle-group-rotations/#axzz2vPnKdo8p" target="_blank">http://nautilus.org/passwordprotected/iraq/elements/battle-group-rotations/#axzz2vPnKdo8p</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Australia in Iraq: Battle Group Rotations". Nautilus Institute. 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2014. <a href="http://nautilus.org/passwordprotected/iraq/elements/battle-group-rotations/#axzz2vPnKdo8p" target="_blank">http://nautilus.org/passwordprotected/iraq/elements/battle-group-rotations/#axzz2vPnKdo8p</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Australia in Iraq: Battle Group Rotations". Nautilus Institute. 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2014. <a href="http://nautilus.org/passwordprotected/iraq/elements/battle-group-rotations/#axzz2vPnKdo8p" target="_blank">http://nautilus.org/passwordprotected/iraq/elements/battle-group-rotations/#axzz2vPnKdo8p</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Herington, Andrew (18 May 2006). "AMTG3 preparations complete: Next rotation to Al Muthanna Province". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper. Vol. 11, no. 43. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2014. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120205024746/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1143/topstories/story03.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20120205024746/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1143/topstories/story03.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Troops to stay in Iraq 'as long as necessary'". Australia: ABC News. 14 March 2006. <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1591145.htm" target="_blank">http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1591145.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Aussies to overwatch Iraqi forces – The Sydney Morning Herald <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/aussies-to-overwatch-iraqi-forces-nelson/2006/03/14/1142098439355.html" target="_blank">http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/aussies-to-overwatch-iraqi-forces-nelson/2006/03/14/1142098439355.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>PROVINCIAL IRAQI CONTROL – AL MUTHANNA Archived 27 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine – Defence Department <a href="http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMinTpl.cfm?CurrentId=5805" target="_blank">http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMinTpl.cfm?CurrentId=5805</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>