Mentoring Task Force One

Last updated
Mentoring Task Force One
Australian-Afgan Army patrol April 2010.jpg
MTF-1 and Afghan soldiers patrol through a poppy field in April 2010
Active2009–2010
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Branch Army
Type Combined arms battle group
Size750 personnel
Part ofCombined Team Uruzgan
Garrison/HQForward Operating Base Ripley, Tarin Kowt
Engagements War in Afghanistan
Decorations Meritorious Unit Citation

Mentoring Task Force One (MTF-1) was a combined arms battle group formed by the Australian Army for deployment as part of Operation Slipper during the War in Afghanistan. Formed in 2009 from the 7th Brigade, the unit consisted of infantry, engineers, cavalry, artillery and logistic elements from 55 different units, but was predominately based on the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR). Based at Forward Operating Base Ripley outside of Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan Province as part of a multinational brigade known as Combined Team Uruzgan, MTF-1 was tasked with counter-insurgency operations in conjunction with United States, Dutch and other coalition forces, operating from a number of patrol bases in the Mirabad, Baluchi and Chora valleys. MTF-1 served in Afghanistan from January to October 2010.

Contents

History

Formed in 2009 for deployment as part of Operation Slipper during the War in Afghanistan, Mentoring Task Force One (MTF-1) was raised from the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade. The 750-strong combined arms battle group consisted of infantry, engineers, cavalry, artillery and logistic elements from 55 different units, but was primarily based on the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR). [1] Based at Forward Operating Base Ripley outside of Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan Province as part of a multinational brigade known as Combined Team Uruzgan, MTF-1 was tasked with counter-insurgency operations in conjunction United States, Dutch and other coalition forces, operating from a number of patrol bases in the Mirabad, Baluchi and Chora valleys. [2]

After completing mission-specific training in Australia, MTF-1 arrived in Afghanistan in January 2010. Initially commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain, MTF-1 formally took over responsibility for the area of operations (AO) from Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force Two in February. [3] Partnered with the 4th Brigade, 205th Corps of the Afghan National Army (ANA), MTF-1 operated throughout Uruzgan Province, with their AO extended west into the Tangi Valley following the Dutch withdrawal in August, while it also provided convoy escort and force protection in support of ANA resupply convoys into neighboring Kandahar Province. [1] After the Dutch withdrawal, MTF-1 assumed responsibility for the Operational Coordination Centre - Provincial (OCCP) which reported to OCCR South to coordinate whole of government delivery of security, development and governance in partnership with the Governor. The Australian led OCCP managed Provincial planning and execution of all activities and elections, the coalition alignment (US/ANP, AUS/ANA, AFP, NDS etc), Provincial Governor development activities in the districts and coordination of UNDP/NGOs aligned to local aspirations. Meanwhile, following a change in command Blain subsequently handed over to Lieutenant Colonel Mark Jennings on 21 June 2010. [4]

Resupply convoy from MTF-1 in Afghanistan in 2010. Australian resupply convoy in Uruzgan province Apr 2010.png
Resupply convoy from MTF-1 in Afghanistan in 2010.

During its eight-month deployment MTF-1 conducted over 1,700 patrols involving more than 560 small-arms fire incidents, locating over 100 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and more than 250 weapons and explosives caches. Involved in sustained operations, MTF-1 suffered nearly 40 battle casualties, including six killed in action, the majority from IEDs. [5] While attached to MTF-1, soldiers from Combat Team Delta (based on D Company, 6 RAR) took part in heavy fighting during the Battle of Derapet in Deh Rahwod on 24 August 2010, sustaining one killed. Corporal Daniel Keighran was later awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia for his role in the battle, the first member of the Royal Australian Regiment to receive such an award. [6]

MTF-1 handed over authority to Mentoring Task Force Two and returned to Australia in October and November 2010. [7] On 20 November, the task force marched through Brisbane's central business district along with other deployed units from the 7th Brigade, as the returning soldiers were officially welcomed home in the biggest such parade since the end of the Vietnam War. [7] MTF-1 was subsequently awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours for "sustained outstanding service in warlike operations on Operation Slipper in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, between 20 January and 30 October 2010". [5] A number of other members of the task force were also decorated for their service with MTF-1, including both Blain and Jennings, who were each awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. [8]

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Combat Operations: Afghanistan". Australian and New Zealand Defender (71). Brisbane: Fullbore Magazines: 36. Spring 2010. ISSN   1322-039X.
  2. ↑ Dennis et al 2008, p. 9.
  3. ↑ "Changing of Guard for Australian Soldiers – Mission Continues". Department of Defence. 16 February 2010. Archived from the original on 18 February 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  4. ↑ "Lieutenant Colonel Jason Blain Farewell". Department of Defence. 28 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  5. 1 2 "MUC – 1MTF: Full citation text" (PDF). Australian Government. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Victoria Cross citation for Corporal Daniel Keighran". news.com.au. News Limited. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  7. 1 2 "March in Brisbane to welcome soldiers who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor". The Courier Mail. Brisbane: News Limited. 20 November 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  8. ↑ "Australia Day 2012 Honours List: Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)" (PDF). Australian Government. 26 January 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2013.

Related Research Articles

Military history of Australia during the War in Afghanistan Australian contribution to the war in Afghanistan

The Australian contribution to the war in Afghanistan has been known as Operation Slipper (2001–2014) and Operation Highroad (2015–2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Australian Regiment</span> Administrative regiment for regular infantry battalions of the Australian Army

The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) is the parent administrative regiment for regular infantry battalions of the Australian Army and is the senior infantry regiment of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. It was originally formed in 1948 as a three battalion regiment; however, since then its size has fluctuated as battalions have been raised, amalgamated or disbanded in accordance with the Australian government's strategic requirements. Currently, the regiment consists of seven battalions and has fulfilled various roles including those of light, parachute, motorised and mechanised infantry. Throughout its existence, units of the Royal Australian Regiment have deployed on operations in Japan, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, Somalia, Rwanda, Cambodia, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army

6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in Brisbane, Queensland, on 6 June 1965 and has since then served in a number of overseas deployments and conflicts including South Vietnam, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. During the Vietnam War, the battalion earned a US Presidential Unit Citation from the United States when members from 'D' Company participated in the Battle of Long Tan on 18–19 August 1966. The battalion is currently based at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane and forms part of the 7th Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry battalion

The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army, based in Kapyong Lines, Townsville as part of the 3rd Brigade. 3 RAR traces its lineage to 1945 and has seen operational service in Japan, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, South Vietnam, Rifle Company Butterworth, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Infantry battalion of the Australian Army

1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 1 RAR was first formed as the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion of the 34th Brigade (Australia) on Balikpapan in 1945 and since then has been deployed on active service during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Vietnam War, Unified Task Force in Somalia, East Timor, Iraq War and Afghanistan. Additionally, the battalion has deployed on peacekeeping and other operations to a number of countries including Japan, Rifle Company Butterworth, Timor Leste, Solomon Islands, Tonga and the Philippines. 1 RAR remains one of the Australian Army's most readily deployed units sending individuals and detachments to domestic, regional and other enduring operations. The battalion is currently based in Coral Lines at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, Queensland, where it forms part of the 3rd Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry battalion

The 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is an amphibious light infantry battalion of the Australian Army part of the 1st Division Amphibious Task Group based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army unit

The 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally formed in 1973 by linking together both the 8th and 9th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment. Over the next twenty-four years the battalion would remain on the Australian Order of Battle based at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane, Queensland, until it was disbanded in 1997 amid a number of Defence-wide cutbacks introduced by the Howard government. In 2006 it was announced that the battalion would be re-raised as part of a plan to expand the size of the Army and since then it established itself as a fully deployable motorised infantry battalion as part of 7th Brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multi National Base Tarin Kot</span> Temporary Dutch military base on the outskirts of Tarinkot

Multi National Base Tarin Kot is a former International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) installation, used after the Netherlands Armed Forces' departure by the Afghan National Army. The base was located on the outskirts of Tarinkot, the capital of Uruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry unit

The 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular motorised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. Originally established in 1965 it would serve two tours of South Vietnam before it was linked with the 7th Battalion to form the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in 1973. In late 2006 the two units were de-linked, and 5 RAR again joined the Australian Army's order of battle in its own right. It has since served in Iraq, East Timor and Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment</span> Australian Army infantry battalion

The 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular infantry battalion of the Australian Army. It was originally raised in 1965 as part of Australia's commitment to the Vietnam War and it eventually served two tours in Vietnam in 1967 and 1971. In 1973, following Australia's withdrawal from the conflict, the battalion was amalgamated with the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment to form the 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

The Battle of Firebase Anaconda was a military engagement that took place on August 8, 2007, during the War in Afghanistan. A group of roughly 75 Afghan militants mounted a rare frontal assault on a United States' Firebase Anaconda, but was repulsed with approximately 20 fatalities. No Americans were killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2007</span>

US and NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) operations, alongside Afghan National Army forces, continued against the Taliban through 2007.

The 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER) is an Australian Army combat engineer regiment located at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, Queensland. It is part of the Australian 7th Brigade, attached to Forces Command (Australia).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Commando Regiment (Australia)</span> Unit of the Australian Army

The 2nd Commando Regiment is a special forces unit of the Australian Army and is part of Special Operations Command. The regiment was established on 19 June 2009 when the 4th Battalion RAR (Commando) was renamed. It is based at Holsworthy, New South Wales. The 2nd Commando Regiment trains and has served with coalition special forces units, and is highly regarded by these units. The regiment has been involved in operations in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, where it was used in a direct action warfighting role. It has also been involved in domestic security operations including the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the 2014 G20 Leaders Summit. The regiment is the Command's capability lead for strike and recovery.

The Battle of Derapet was fought near the village of Derapet in the Tangi Valley in Deh Rahwod, Orūzgān Province, southern Afghanistan, between a combined Australian Army and Afghan National Army patrol and Taliban forces on 24 August 2010. Australian forces had only recently taken over responsibility for Deh Rahwod as part of a major expansion of their area of operations which took place following the Dutch withdrawal from Afghanistan in August. The combined coalition patrol included 20 Australians and 20 Afghan National Army troops. The small Australian force from 1st Mentoring Task Force (MTF-1) based in Tarin Kowt included two sections of dismounted infantry and two ASLAV-25 guncars and was tasked with a fighting patrol to find and inflict damage on insurgent forces known to be in the area.

The First and Second Battles of Kakarak were fought near the village of Kakarak in the West Dorafshan district of Orūzgān Province, in southern Afghanistan. The fighting took place between Australian forces from the 1st Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF-1) and Taliban fighters, with the area considered to be one of the last Taliban outposts in the area. During the first action on the morning of 16 March a six-man Australian Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) operating with Afghan National Army (ANA) troops was contacted by a numerically superior Taliban force near the village. In the ensuing battle one Australian was killed before close air support from Dutch AH-64D Apache helicopter gunships and US aircraft allowed them to withdraw after inflicting heavy casualties on the Taliban insurgents.

The 7th Combat Service Support Battalion is an Australian Army administration and logistics battalion which provides transport, supply and maintenance support services to units of the 7th Brigade. The battalion is made up of both Regular personnel and has recently been involved in deployments to Timor Leste, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Battle of Doan was a ground battle in the War in Afghanistan fought in Doan Village on 9 September 2011 between forces of the Taliban and elements of the Afghan National Army accompanied by units of the Australian Army deployed under Operation Slipper. The Taliban fired harassing fire at an Australian and Afghan patrol near the village of Doan, in Oruzgan Province, an I.E.D causing the loss of one Australian vehicle, with one soldier wounded. One person was arrested, while casualties on the Taliban side are unknown.

The 2006 Dutch-Australian offensive was a military operation carried out in Afghanistan by a combined force of Dutch and Australian troops that commenced in late April 2006 and concluded on 16 July 2006. The force entered the Taliban-controlled Chora District and Balochistan region, both of which are located north-east of the provincial capital, Tarin Kowt. The offensive's goal was to protect Tarin Kowt, the site of a soon-to-be base, from a potential Taliban attack.

References

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.