Operation Okra#Joint Task Force 633 commanders

The Australian government announced on 14 September 2014 that an Air Task Group (ATG) of up to eight F/A-18F Super Hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, and a KC-30A air-to-air refuelling tanker, along with a Special Operations Task Force, would be deployed to the Middle East in preparation for possible operations against ISIL forces.{{cite news|title=RAAF headed back to Iraq|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2014/09/raaf-headed-back-to-iraq/|access-date=15 September 2014|newspaper=Australian Aviation|date=15 September 2014}} The ATG commenced operations on 1 October, and on 3 October, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that his country would commence airstrikes.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-commits-australian-forces-to-iraq-20141003-10prij.html|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Tony Abbott commits Australian forces to Iraq|date=3 October 2014|access-date=2 October 2014}}{{cite press release|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/10/02/australian-air-task-group-commences-operational-missions-over-iraq/|title=Australian Air Task Group commences operational missions over Iraq|publisher=Department of Defence|date=2 October 2014|access-date=2 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120200/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/10/02/australian-air-task-group-commences-operational-missions-over-iraq/|archive-date=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}} Australian forces operate from Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-14/australian-army-personnel-from-176-air-dispatch-squadron-load-t/5670746|title=Australian Army personnel load humanitarian aid bundles at Al Minhad Air Base|publisher=ABC News|access-date=27 September 2014}} Australian aircraft have also been reported to have flown out of Al Dhafra Air Base south of Abu Dhabi.{{cite journal|last=Frawley|first=Gerard|title=RAAF to acquire two additional KC-30s|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/07/raaf-to-acquire-two-additional-kc-30s/|access-date=4 July 2015|journal=Australian Aviation|date=1 July 2015}} An Australian Army training team known as Task Group Taji was deployed to Iraq in April 2015 to assist with training the regular Iraqi Security Forces.{{cite press release |url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/04/21/media-release-task-force-taji-farewelled-21-april-2015/ |title=Task Force Taji farewelled – 21 April 2015 |publisher=Department of Defence |date=21 April 2015 |access-date=8 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429231610/http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/04/21/media-release-task-force-taji-farewelled-21-april-2015/ |archive-date=29 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }} The force is part of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, originally under the command of Major General Craig Orme.{{cite news |last1=Grubb |first1=Ben |title=The man calling Australia's shots in the new Iraq war |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/the-man-calling-australias-shots-in-the-new-iraq-war-20141004-10qbff.html |access-date=5 October 2014 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=4 October 2014}} Orme handed over command of JTF 633 to Rear Admiral Trevor Jones in December 2014.{{cite press release |url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/12/12/change-of-australian-military-command-in-the-middle-east/ |title= Change of Australian military command in the Middle East |publisher=Department of Defence |date=12 December 2014 |access-date=5 February 2015}}

Airstrikes were extended to Syria in September 2015.{{cite news|last1=Coorey|first1=Phillip|title=Australia to take 12,000 refugees, boost aid and bomb Syria|url=http://www.afr.com/news/politics/australia-to-take-12000-refugees-boost-aid-and-bomb-syria-20150908-gji6m5|work=Australian Financial Review|date=9 September 2015|access-date=10 September 2015}}

In late 2015 the United States Government asked the Australian Government, along with other members of the coalition, to expand its military commitment to the war. The Australian Government rejected this request in January 2016, but stated that it would increase the number of Australian personnel attached to the coalition headquarters from 20 to 30 and was considering increasing the amount of humanitarian aid it provides to people affected by the war in Iraq and Syria.{{cite news|last1=Hurst|first1=Daniel|title=Malcolm Turnbull rejects US request for more Australian troops to fight Isis|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jan/13/malcolm-turnbull-rejects-us-request-for-more-australian-troops-to-fight-isis|access-date=13 January 2016|work=The Guardian|date=13 January 2016}}

The strikes within Syria were reported to have been temporarily suspended on 20 June 2017 after the US shot down a Syrian aircraft.{{cite news|last1=Borger|first1=Julian|title=Australia suspends air missions over Syria amid US-Russia tensions|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/20/raaf-suspends-air-operations-over-syria-after-russian-threat-to-coalition-forces|access-date=21 June 2017|work=The Guardian|date=20 June 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Greene|first1=Andrew|title=Syria war: RAAF temporarily halts missions after US jet shoots down Syrian bomber|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-20/raaf-suspends-syria-missions-after-shoot-down-of-syrian-bomber/8635284|website=ABC News (Australia)|publisher=ABC|access-date=20 June 2017|date=20 June 2017}} Operations over Syria resumed several days later, with an airstrike reported to have been carried out in the Middle Euphrates River Valley on 23 June 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/Okra/Docs/ATG-Report-15-28Jun17.pdf|title=Operation OKRA – ADF Airstrikes for the period 15 Jun – 28 Jun 2017|author=Headquarters Joint Operations|publisher=Department of Defence|date=4 July 2017|access-date=27 August 2017}}

Operation Okra concluded on 20 December 2024.

From August 2014 a number of C-17 and C-130J transport aircraft based in the Middle East have also been used to conduct airdrops of humanitarian aid and to airlift arms and munitions.{{cite web |first=Katharine |last=Murphy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/14/australian-troops-complete-first-humanitarian-mission-in-northern-iraq |title=Australian troops complete first humanitarian mission in northern Iraq |work=The Guardian |date=14 August 2014 |access-date=18 August 2014}}{{cite news |last=Wroe |first=David |title=SAS to Protect Crews on Arms Drops in Iraq |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sas-to-protect-crews-on-arms-drops-in-iraq-20140831-10aoyl.html |date=31 August 2014 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=Sydney |issn=0312-6315 }}{{cite press release |url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/17/adf-delivers-fourth-arms-shipment-to-iraq/ |title=ADF delivers fourth arms shipment to Iraq |date=17 September 2014 |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=17 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101103/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/17/adf-delivers-fourth-arms-shipment-to-iraq/ |archive-date=6 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite press release |url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/26/adf-delivers-fifth-shipment-to-iraq/ |title=ADF delivers fifth shipment to Iraq |date=26 September 2014 |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101559/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/26/adf-delivers-fifth-shipment-to-iraq/ |archive-date=6 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }} On the night of 13–14 August an RAAF C-130J was part of a 16-aircraft mission including US C-17s and C-130Hs and a British C-130J which delivered supplies to Yezidi civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar. A second drop was later conducted to deliver supplies to isolated civilians in the northern Iraqi town of Amirli.{{cite press release|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/stories/2014/08/jtf633-supports-herc-mercy-dash/|title=JTF633 supports Herc mercy dash|date=22 August 2014|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=25 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826160817/http://news.defence.gov.au/stories/2014/08/jtf633-supports-herc-mercy-dash/|archive-date=26 August 2014|df=dmy-all}}{{cite press release|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/08/31/australia-steps-up-assistance-to-iraqi-people/|title=Australia steps up assistance to Iraqi people|date=31 August 2014|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=17 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928213640/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/08/31/australia-steps-up-assistance-to-iraqi-people/|archive-date=28 September 2014|df=dmy-all}} Later, a C-130J was involved in the airlift arms and munitions to forces in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq in late-September.{{cite press release|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/26/adf-delivers-fifth-shipment-to-iraq/|title=ADF delivers fifth shipment to Iraq|date=26 September 2014|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006101559/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/26/adf-delivers-fifth-shipment-to-iraq/|archive-date=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}

{{further|Military intervention against ISIL order of battle}}

In late-September 2014, an Air Task Group (ATG) of 400 personnel from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was deployed to Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates as part of the coalition to combat Islamic State forces in Iraq.{{cite press release |url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/24/raaf-air-task-group-arrives-in-middle-east/ |title=RAAF Air Task Group Arrives in Middle East |publisher=Department of Defence |date=24 September 2014 |access-date=25 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140928011432/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/09/24/raaf-air-task-group-arrives-in-middle-east/ |archive-date=28 September 2014 |df=dmy-all }} The initial commitment of aircraft included: six F/A-18F Super Hornet strike aircraft from No. 1 Squadron RAAF, one E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft from No. 2 Squadron RAAF and one KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport from No. 33 Squadron RAAF.{{cite news |last1=Bree |first1=Max |title=Largest group in decades |url=http://airforcenews.realviewdigital.com/#folio=2 |work=Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force |edition=5619 |publisher=Department of Defence |location=Canberra |date=9 October 2014 |page=3 |issn=1329-8909 |access-date=7 October 2014}} The ATG began operations on 1 October 2014.{{cite press release |url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/10/02/australian-air-task-group-commences-operational-missions-over-iraq/ |title=Australian Air Task Group commences operational missions over Iraq |publisher=Department of Defence |date=2 October 2014 |access-date=2 October 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120200/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/10/02/australian-air-task-group-commences-operational-missions-over-iraq/ |archive-date=6 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

Between 6–17 October, Australian aircraft flew 54 sorties.[http://www.news.com.au/national/confirmed-australian-air-strikes-have-killed-multiple-isis-targets-in-iraq/story-fncynjr2-1227093687272 'Confirmed: Australian air strikes have killed 'multiple' ISIS targets in Iraq'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813103045/http://www.news.com.au/national/confirmed-australian-air-strikes-have-killed-multiple-isis-targets-in-iraq/story-fncynjr2-1227093687272 |date=13 August 2015 }}. news.com.au, 17 October 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2014/10/06/first-australian-air-strikes-completed-in-iraq.html|agency=Sky News Australia|title=First Australian mission completed in Iraq|date=6 October 2014|access-date=6 October 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/17/australian-air-strikes-kill-isis-fighters-on-at-least-two-occasions|title=Australian air strikes in Iraq kill Isis fighters on 'at least two' occasions|newspaper=The Guardian|date=17 October 2014|access-date=25 November 2014}} In at least two of them, a number of ISIL fighters were killed. Australian planes attacked ISIL military equipment and facilities in support of Iraqi and Kurdish troops on the ground. Vice Admiral David Johnston refused to give more details on the number of casualties or locations of airstrikes due to the "aggressive propaganda campaign" of ISIL. In late–December 2014 Australian Super Hornets were involved in assisting Kurdish ground forces free Yezidi people trapped on Mount Sinjar along with other coalition aircraft.{{cite press release|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/12/22/australian-air-strikes-support-liberation-of-mount-sinjar/|title=Australian air strikes support liberation of Mount Sinjar|date=22 December 2014|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=17 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721001627/http://news.defence.gov.au/2014/12/22/australian-air-strikes-support-liberation-of-mount-sinjar/|archive-date=21 July 2015|df=dmy-all}}

A second ATG arrived in the UAE in early-January 2015 to replace the first group of personnel and operate the aircraft originally deployed in September 2014.{{cite news |title=Second RAAF Air Task Group to deploy to the Middle East |url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/01/second-raaf-air-task-group-to-deploy-to-the-middle-east/ |work=Australian Aviation |date=6 January 2015 |access-date=10 January 2015}} Providing an operational update on 12 January 2015, the Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston, stated that Australian aircraft provide around 13 percent of coalition airstrikes in Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/02/12/press-conference-with-chief-of-joint-operations-vice-admiral-david-johnston-who-gives-an-update-of-australian-operations-in-iraq/|work=Transcript|title=Press conference with Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral David Johnston, who gives an update of Australian operations in Iraq|publisher=Department of Defence|date=12 January 2015|access-date=15 January 2015}}

Six single-seat F/A-18As from No. 75 Squadron RAAF based at Tindal deployed to the Middle East to replace the six dual-seat F/A-18Fs in March 2015.{{cite news|title=Air Task Group Deploys|url=http://airforcenews.realviewdigital.com/#folio=8|access-date=10 March 2015|work=Air Force|date=12 March 2015|page=8}}{{cite journal|title=75SQN Hornets head to Middle East|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/03/hornets-head-to-middle-east/|access-date=11 March 2015|journal=Australian Aviation|date=4 March 2015}} On 30 June 2015 the Department of Defence reported that the ATG had dropped more than 400 munitions in support of Iraqi forces since the commencement of operations with the F/A-18A Hornets and F/A-18F Super Hornets flying nearly 5000 hours, the E-7A Wedgetail completing 100 operational sorties, and the KC‑30A air-to-air refuelling aircraft providing 25 million pounds of fuel to Australian and coalition aircraft.{{cite press release|title=Australian Air Task Group achieves major milestones|publisher=Department of Defence|date=30 June 2015|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/06/30/australian-air-task-group-achieves-major-milestones/|access-date=4 July 2015}} By the end of November 2015 the F/A-18A Hornets had conducted 580 sorties over Iraq, during which they dropped 363 munitions. The aircraft also flew 18 sorties over Syria in September 2015, dropping two munitions.{{cite web|title=Air Task Group|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/Okra/ATG.asp|website=Operation Okra|publisher=Department of Defence|access-date=1 January 2016}}

Rotations from No. 77 Squadron RAAF took over the deployment in September 2015, and were in turn replaced by No. 3 Squadron RAAF in April 2016.{{cite news|last=Stevenson|first=Chloe|url=http://airforcenews.realviewdigital.com/?iid=136590#folio=4|title=Two Say Farewell to Tindal|newspaper=Air Force: The Official Newspaper of the Royal Australian Air Force|volume=58|issue=1|date=11 February 2016|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|page=4|oclc=224490713}}{{cite web|url=http://video.defence.gov.au/play/8wbWJyMjE6Eb1i65MZ1wbGoHsj_8n5MH#|title=77 SQN Completes strike rotation in the Middle East|publisher=Department of Defence|date=12 April 2016|access-date=14 April 2016|archive-date=5 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505042247/http://video.defence.gov.au/play/8wbWJyMjE6Eb1i65MZ1wbGoHsj_8n5MH|url-status=dead}}

On 18 September 2016, two F/A-18As and a E-7A Wedgetail formed part of a multi-national force consisting of US, UK, and Danish aircraft which accidentally bombed Syrian Army forces near the city of Deir ez-Zor.{{cite press release|title=Investigation into Syrian air strikes completed|url=https://news.defence.gov.au/media/media-releases/investigation-syrian-air-strikes-completed|website=Department of Defence|access-date=3 March 2017|date=30 November 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Wroe|first1=David|title=RAAF involved in accidental strikes on Syrian troops that were meant for Islamic State terrorists|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/raaf-involved-in-accidental-strikes-on-syrian-troops-that-were-meant-for-islamic-state-terrorists-20160918-griygs.html|access-date=18 September 2016|work=The Canberra Times|date=18 September 2016}}

In late-December 2017 it was announced that the strike aircraft attached to the ATG had ceased air combat operations and would return to Australia in January 2018, although the KC-30 and Wedgetail will remain in support of ongoing coalition operations.{{cite news|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/12/australian-operation-okra-air-combat-mission-to-end/|title=Australian Operation Okra Air Combat Mission to end|work=Australian Aviation |date=22 December 2017|access-date=22 December 2017}} This announcement followed the earlier recapture of the last remaining ISIL held areas of Iraq by government forces.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-42291985|title=Iraq declares war with IS is over|date=2017-12-09|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-12-09|language=en-GB}} The final RAAF strike mission was flown by two Super Hornets on 14 January 2018. By this time the Hornets and Super Hornets had conducted over 2,700 sorties.{{cite news|title=RAAF completes last strike mission over Iraq|url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2018/01/raaf-completes-last-strike-mission-over-iraq/|access-date=16 January 2018|work=Australian Aviation|date=16 January 2018}}

As of October 2018, the RAAF forces assigned to operations against ISIL had been reduced to a single aircraft. This involved alternating four month long KC-30 and Wedgetail deployments.{{cite news |title=RAAF rotates KC-30 out of Middle East deployment, Wedgetail flies in |url=http://australianaviation.com.au/2018/10/raaf-rotates-kc-30-out-of-middle-east-deployment-wedgetail-flies-in/ |access-date=26 October 2018 |work=Australian Aviation |date=26 October 2018}}

The final rotation of Air Task Group aircraft concluded in September 2020.{{cite web |title=Australian aircraft complete Middle East mission |url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/australian-aircraft-complete-middle-east-mission |website=Media release |publisher=Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC |access-date=9 September 2020 |date=9 September 2020}}

; Commanders ATG 630

• Air Commodore Steve Roberton (September 2014 – January 2015){{cite news|title=Internationally Integrated|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|date=10 December 2015|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/stories/2014/12/internationally-integrated}}{{cite news|title=Australia's Air Task Group hits 100 days of combat operations|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|date=15 January 2015}}
• Air Commodore Glen Braz (January–July 2015)
• Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham (July 2015 – January 2016)
• Air Commodore Antony Martin (January–July 2016)
• Air Commodore Philip Gordon (July 2016 – January 2017){{cite news|title=Sheer Grit|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/259462595|newspaper=Air Force News|date=11 August 2016|page=4|access-date=27 May 2024}}
• Air Commodore Mike Kitcher (January–July 2017)
• Air Commodore Terry van Haren (July 2017 – January 2018)

In August 2015, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that five RAAF exchange personnel embedded with the USAF 432d Operations Group had begun flying General Atomics MQ-9 Reapers over Syria.{{cite news |last=Wroe |first=David |title= Australian pilots begin missions over Syria, flying American Reaper drones|url= http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australian-pilots-begin-missions-over-syria-flying-american-reaper-drones-20150814-giz3hn.html |date=14 August 2015 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |location=Sydney |issn=0312-6315}}

File:An Australian trainer with Task Group Taji, observes Iraqi soldiers as they fire their M16 rifles during aperture range training.jpg

In September 2014, the Australian Army deployed a Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) of approximately 200 personnel to the United Arab Emirates in preparation for operations to advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces.{{cite news |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1338/1338.pdf |title=Support to Iraq |newspaper=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper |edition=1338 |date=9 October 2014 |publisher=Department of Defence |location=Canberra |page=3 |issn=0729-5685 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923235531/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1338/1338.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2015 |df=dmy-all }} The soldiers were expected to be deployed to Iraq when a legal framework covering their presence in the country was agreed between the Australian and Iraqi Governments.{{cite news |last1=Brissenden |first1=Michael |title=Deadly Australian air strikes dent IS morale in Iraq: Rear Admiral David Johnston |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-17/deadly-australian-air-strikes-dent-is-morale-in-iraq/5821888 |access-date=17 October 2014 |publisher=ABC News}} The majority of the initial rotation of the SOTG was made up of Charlie Company, 2nd Commando Regiment.{{Cite web |url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-01/australian-commando-unit-waits-in-uae-for-word-to-go-into-iraq/5858272 |title= Elite Australian commandos still waiting for green light to go into Iraq |date= 1 November 2014 |website= ABC News (Australia)|publisher= Australian Broadcasting Corporation |last= Brissenden|first= Michael |access-date= 1 November 2014}} The SOTG began moving into Iraq in early November.{{cite news |last1=Griffiths |first1=Emma |date=11 November 2014 |title=Australian troops 'moving into locations' in Iraq to assist with fight against Islamic State |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-11/government-left-open-possibility-of-sending-more-troops-to-iraq/5881640 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=15 November 2014}} As the Iraqi Government would not agree to sign a status of forces agreement to prevent the soldiers from being prosecuted, they entered the country using diplomatic passports instead. Iraq has agreed to grant the soldiers immunity from local laws under this arrangement, though they will be prosecuted in Australia in the event of any misconduct.{{cite news |last1=Toohey |first1=Paul |title=Australian special forces enter Iraq with diplomatic passports |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/australian-special-forces-enter-iraq-with-diplomatic-passports/story-e6frg6n6-1227122337721 |work=The Australian |date=14 November 2014 |access-date=15 November 2014}}

The role of the SOTG is to provide training to Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service, and personnel were stationed at the service's Counter-Terrorism Academy and Counter-Terrorism Training unit in January 2015, instructing in tactics, medical aid and counter improvised explosive device skills.{{cite news|title=Unique capability|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1345/1345.pdf|access-date=31 July 2016|newspaper=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper|edition=1345|date=26 February 2015|publisher=Department of Defence |location=Canberra |page=2|issn=0729-5685}} The Counter-Terrorism Service includes two brigades of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces, which fought against ISIS during 2014 at the cost of heavy casualties. Members of the service have been accused of killing prisoners and committing human rights violations. SOTG personnel are required to report any human rights violations they become aware of.{{cite news |last1=Dorling |first1=Philip|last2=Wroe |first2=David |title=Australian special forces work with Iraqi security group accused of killing prisoners, torture |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australian-special-forces-work-with-iraqi-security-group-accused-of-killing-prisoners-torture-20150109-12kuou.html |work=The Canberra Times |date=10 January 2015 |access-date=10 January 2015}}

The third SOTG rotation occurred in September 2015 with a reduced strength of 80 personnel.{{cite web|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/10/07/press-conference-with-vice-admiral-david-johnston-update-on-australian-defence-force-operations-2/|work=Transcript|title=Press conference with Vice Admiral David Johnston – Update on Australian Defence Force operations|publisher=Department of Defence|date=7 October 2015|access-date=29 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208070727/http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/10/07/press-conference-with-vice-admiral-david-johnston-update-on-australian-defence-force-operations-2/|archive-date=8 December 2015|df=dmy-all}}{{cite press release|author=Prime Minister and Minister for Defence|title=Training Iraqi law enforcement agencies|url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2016/07/20/prime-minister-minister-for-defence-joint-media-release-training-iraqi-law-enforcement-agencies/|access-date=31 July 2016|date=20 July 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731204208/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2016/07/20/prime-minister-minister-for-defence-joint-media-release-training-iraqi-law-enforcement-agencies/|archive-date=31 July 2016|df=dmy-all}}

The SOTG role is also to provide mission support with SOTG personnel stationed in Iraqi bases assisting Iraqi units which are deployed on operations through remote means. In December 2015, it was reported that SOTG personnel enabled more than 150 airstrikes in support of Counter Terrorism Service 1st Iraqi Special Operations Force Brigade's offensive liberating Ramadi resulting in the destruction of some 50 ISIL fighting positions, 16 heavy machine guns and numerous vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.{{cite press release|title=Australian Defence Force support to Iraqi Forces in Ramadi|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/12/31/australian-defence-force-support-to-iraqi-forces-in-ramadi/|access-date=31 July 2016|publisher=Department of Defence|date=31 December 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Wroe|first1=David|title=Australian troops' key role as Ramadi wrested from Islamic State|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australian-troops-key-role-as-ramadi-wrested-from-islamic-state-20151231-glxb3n.html|access-date=15 January 2016|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=31 December 2015}}

In April 2016, it was disclosed that SOTG personnel are assisting at the "divisional level" embedded with senior Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga commanders.{{cite news|last1=Toohey|first1=Paul|title=Australian special forces in Iraq 'will not creep into a combat role' in the fight against Islamic State|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/australian-special-forces-in-iraq-will-not-creep-into-a-combat-role-in-the-fight-against-islamic-state/news-story/6afb162de394d1a0e6458874408f31d0|access-date=31 July 2016|publisher=News.com.au|agency=News Corp Australia Network|date=29 April 2016}} Earlier in November 2015, it had been reported that the Australian Government had authorised SOTG personnel to advise units at battalion size and larger in the field but the Iraqi Government had not provided approval.

File:Australian soldiers attend a medals parade at Camp Taji, Iraq, Nov 15, 2017.jpg

In April 2015, a 300-strong unit known as Task Group Taji (TGT) was deployed to Iraq as part of the coalition Building Partner Capacity mission. The task group consists of a training team with command, force protection and support elements, and is tasked with training the regular Iraqi Security Forces. A New Zealand force element of approximately another 100 personnel is integrated into the unit, forming a combined task group.{{cite news |url=http://armynews.realviewdigital.com/?iid=117658#folio=2|title=Bound for Iraq |newspaper=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper |edition=1349|date=23 April 2015|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|issn=0729-5685|page=3}} The second rotation of Task Group Taji departed Australia in November 2015. The unit's departure was delayed due to problems gaining visas for the soldiers, and this caused the initial rotation's tour of duty to be extended by two weeks.{{cite news|last1=Wroe|first1=David|last2=Kenny|first2=Mark|title=Visa delays sideline Diggers as chaos deepens in Syria|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/visa-delays-sideline-diggers-as-chaos-deepens-in-syria-20151125-gl7zrc.html|access-date=29 November 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}} The third rotation arrived in Iraq during May 2016.{{cite news|last1=Hook|first1=James|title=Third rotation deploys to Iraq with confidence|edition=1374|url=http://armynews.realviewdigital.com/?iid=142504#folio=6|access-date=31 May 2016|newspaper=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|date=2 June 2016|issn=0729-5685|page=7}}

In July 2016, it was announced that the Task Group would be expanding its role training paramilitary police agencies including Iraqi Federal and Local Police and border guard forces.{{cite news|last1=Wroe|first1=David|title=Australian troops to train Iraqi paramilitary police in expansion of role|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/australian-troops-to-train-iraqi-paramilitary-police-in-expansion-of-role-20160719-gq98uy.html|access-date=31 July 2016|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 July 2016}} In addition, the Task Group will be allowed to conduct training at other secure coalition training locations, as the need arises. Also, 15 personnel from the 16th Air Land Regiment will be deployed to provide a counter rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) capability at Taji which is currently being provided by another Coalition member.{{cite web|url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2016-07-19/training-iraqi-law-enforcement-agencies|title=Training Iraqi law enforcement agencies|date=19 July 2016|publisher=Prime Minister of Australia|access-date=2 August 2016|archive-date=27 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827172005/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2016-07-19/training-iraqi-law-enforcement-agencies|url-status=dead}} 50x50px This article contains quotations from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence.

By the end of June 2018 the Task Group had trained more than 34,000 Iraqi soldiers since their mission began in early 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/key-enablers/2382-task-group-taji-7-to-lead-build-partner-capacity-mission |title=Task Group Taji-7 to lead Build Partner Capacity mission |date=4 June 2018 |work=Defence Connect |access-date=11 September 2018}} With the deployment of the tenth rotation of TGT from Darwin, the Australian government announced that it was reducing troop numbers from 250 to 120 personnel as a result of improved capacity within the Iraqi Army's training establishments. By November 2019, over 45,000 Iraqi Army personnel had been trained, and over 2,500 Australians had served with TGT.{{cite news|title=Iraqis take the lead |newspaper=Army News |edition=1454 |date=14 November 2019 |page=5}}

Task Group Taji concluded in June 2020, with the tenth rotation being the last.{{cite web |last1=Brennan |first1=Roger |title=Task Group Taji operation a success |url=https://news.defence.gov.au/international/task-group-taji-operation-success |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=10 June 2020 |date=5 June 2020}}

; Commanders

• Task Group Taji – 1 (Colonel Matt Galton), April 2015 – November 2015{{cite press release|author=Department of Defence|title=Troops to deploy to Iraq|date=15 April 2015|url=http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/04/15/troops-to-deploy-to-iraq/|access-date=6 January 2017|archive-date=3 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403034719/http://news.defence.gov.au/2015/04/15/troops-to-deploy-to-iraq/|url-status=dead}}
• Task Group Taji – 2 (Colonel Gavin Keating), November 2015 – June 2016{{cite news|work=Australian Army|publisher=Department of Defence|title=Troops bound for Iraq farewelled in Brisbane|url=https://www.army.gov.au/our-work/news-and-media/troops-bound-for-iraq-farewelled-in-brisbane|date=31 October 2015|access-date=24 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202042341/https://www.army.gov.au/our-work/news-and-media/troops-bound-for-iraq-farewelled-in-brisbane|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead}}
• Task Group Taji – 3 (Colonel Andrew Lowe), June 2016 – December 2016{{cite web|title=Task Group Taji Rotation 2 Completes Mission|publisher=Department of Defence|url=https://news.defence.gov.au/media/stories/task-group-taji-rotation-2-completes-mission|date=7 June 2016|access-date=9 June 2016}}
• Task Group Taji – 4 (Colonel Richard Vagg), December 2016 – June 2017{{cite press release|author=Department of Defence|title=Task Group Taji (Rotation 3) hands over|date=12 December 2016|access-date=15 December 2016|url=https://news.defence.gov.au/media/media-releases/task-group-taji-rotation-3-hands-over}}{{cite press release|url=https://news.defence.gov.au/media/media-releases/task-group-taji-4-completes-deployment-iraq|title=Task Group Taji 4 completes deployment in Iraq|work=Department of Defence|date=17 June 2017|access-date=28 July 2017}}
• Task Group Taji – 5 (Colonel Steve D'arcy), June 2017 – December 2017{{cite news|author=Department of Defence|title=Iraqi Army takes aim with mortars|date=11 July 2017|access-date=16 July 2017|url=https://news.defence.gov.au/media/stories/iraqi-army-takes-aim-mortars}}
• Task Group Taji – 6 (Colonel Robert Calhoun), December 2017 – June 2018{{cite news|author=Department of Defence (Canberra)|title=Task Group Taji 5 completes deployment in Iraq|date=8 December 2017|access-date=13 December 2017|url=https://news.defence.gov.au/media/media-releases/task-group-taji-5-completes-deployment-iraq}}
• Task Group Taji – 7 (Colonel Mick Say), June 2018 – December 2018
• Task Group Taji – 8 (Colonel Jason Groat), December 2018 – June 2019{{cite news|title=Task Group Taji Rotation 8 personnel return home|url=https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/minister/lreynolds/media-releases/task-group-taji-rotation-8-personnel-return-home|work=Media Release|publisher=Department of Defence|date=27 June 2019|access-date=3 July 2019}}
• Task Group Taji – 9 (Colonel Michael Bassingthwaighte), June 2019 – December 2019
• Task Group Taji – 10 (Colonel Nick Foxall), December 2019 – June 2020{{cite news |url=https://news.defence.gov.au/international/taji-10-takes-reins |title=Taji 10 takes the reins |date=13 December 2019 |publisher=Department of Defence |work=Defence News |access-date=16 December 2019}}

{{Portal|Military history of Australia|Aviation}}

• List of military operations involving Australia
• 2014 American-led intervention in Iraq
• Opération Chammal – French operation against ISIL
• Operation Shader – UK operation against ISIL
• Operation Impact – Canadian operation against ISIL
• Operation Inherent Resolve – US operation against ISIL
• Operation Martyr Yalçın – Turkish operation against ISIL

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|last1=Dias|first1=Patricia|last2=Feakin|first2=Tobias|last3=Gleiman|first3=Ken|last4=Jennings|first4=Peter|last5=Nichola|first5=Daniel|last6=Roworth|first6=Simone|last7=Schreer|first7=Benjamin|last8=Thomson|first8=Mark|title=Strike from the Air: The First 100 Days of the Campaign Against ISIL|url=https://www.aspi.org.au/publications/strike-from-the-air-the-first-100-days-of-the-campaign-against-isil/Strategy_Strike_from_the_air.pdf|year=2014|publisher=Australian Strategic Policy Institute|location=Barton, Australian Capital Territory|isbn=978-1-925229-05-9}}
• {{cite web |last1=Stevens |first1=Matt |title=Advise, Assist and Enable in Iraq: it's a Human Thing |url=https://www.cove.org.au/adaptation/article-advise-assist-and-enable-in-iraq-its-a-human-thing/ |website=The Cove |publisher=Australian Army |date=11 September 2018 |access-date=12 September 2018 |archive-date=12 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912170020/https://www.cove.org.au/adaptation/article-advise-assist-and-enable-in-iraq-its-a-human-thing/ |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite journal|last=Tanter|first=Richard|title=Australia in America's Third Iraq War|journal=The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus|url=http://japanfocus.org/-Richard-Tanter/4238|volume= 12|issue= 51, No. 3|date=22 December 2014|issn=1557-4660}}

{{commons category|Australian contribution to the military intervention against ISIL}}

• [http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/Okra/ Operation Okra], www.defence.gov.au – Sub-pages include:
• [http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/Okra/media.asp Media releases];
• [http://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/grid.fwx?ArchiveID=5003&Search=S20142974 Imagery]; and
• [http://video.defence.gov.au/#97c77d98-81cd-442c-8be5-d36366044719,0,DateAdded Videos]

{{2014 military intervention against ISIS}}

{{Australian Military History}}

{{coord missing|Iraq}}

Category:Military operations involving Australia

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Category:2015 in Australia

Category:2016 in Australia

Category:Military operations of the War in Iraq (2013–2017) involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Category:Military operations of the Syrian civil war involving the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Category:Australian involvement in the Syrian civil war

Category:Australian involvement in the War in Iraq (2013–2017)