Al Muthanna Task Group
Encyclopedia
The Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG) was a battlegroup
that formed Australia's main ground force contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq
. The AMTG was established in April 2005 and ceased to exist in July 2006 when the Australian force was relocated to Dhi Qar Governorate as Overwatch Battle Group (West)
.
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.
The AMTG was highly mechanised and operated 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV
s) and 10 Bushmasters
. While the first two AMTG rotations were largely drawn from 1 Brigade
, the third rotation was drawn from both 3 Brigade
and 7 Brigade
.
Members of the training teams were drawn from across the Australian Defence Force
. Their ranks range from Private to Lieutenant Colonel.
.
Battlegroup (army)
A battlegroup , or task force in modern military theory, is the basic building block of an army's fighting force. A battlegroup is formed around an infantry battalion or armoured regiment, which is usually commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel...
that formed Australia's main ground force contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq
Multinational force in Iraq
The Multi-National Force – Iraq was a military command, led by the United States, which was responsible for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Multi-National Force – Iraq replaced the previous force, Combined Joint Task Force 7, on 15 May 2004, and was later itself reorganized into its successor, United...
. The AMTG was established in April 2005 and ceased to exist in July 2006 when the Australian force was relocated to Dhi Qar Governorate as Overwatch Battle Group (West)
Overwatch Battle Group (West)
Overwatch Battle Group was an Australian Army battlegroup that represented Australia's largest contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq. The Battle Group was established in July 2006 and was based at Tallil Airbase in Dhi Qar Governorate....
.
Role
The Al Muthanna Task Group had two tasks:- Provide a secure environment for the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group (JIRSG)
- Assist in the training of local Iraqi ArmyIraqi ArmyThe Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
units so that they are able to take over the internal and external defence of their country
Composition
The AMTG was made up of around 450 personnel and consisted of:- Task Group Headquarters
- a cavalry squadron
- an infantry company
- a training team (on 6-month deployments)
- supporting elements
Units
- AMTG-1
- HQ, 2nd Cavalry RegimentAustralian 2nd Cavalry RegimentThe 2nd Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the Australian Army. The second most senior regiment in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, 2 CAV serves in an armoured reconnaissance role and is attached to the 1st Brigade, based in Darwin in the Northern Territory.-History:The regiment was...
- C Squadron, 2nd Cavalry RegimentAustralian 2nd Cavalry RegimentThe 2nd Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the Australian Army. The second most senior regiment in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, 2 CAV serves in an armoured reconnaissance role and is attached to the 1st Brigade, based in Darwin in the Northern Territory.-History:The regiment was...
- B Company, 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian RegimentThe 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. The battalion was based at Robertson Barracks in Palmerston, Northern Territory and formed part of the 1st Brigade. It was formed in 1973 by linking both the 5th and 7th Battalions of the...
- Support Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
- HQ, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
- AMTG-2
- HQ, 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian RegimentThe 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. The battalion was based at Robertson Barracks in Palmerston, Northern Territory and formed part of the 1st Brigade. It was formed in 1973 by linking both the 5th and 7th Battalions of the...
- A Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
- C Company, 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian RegimentThe 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. The battalion was based at Robertson Barracks in Palmerston, Northern Territory and formed part of the 1st Brigade. It was formed in 1973 by linking both the 5th and 7th Battalions of the...
- Operational Support Company, 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian RegimentThe 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment was a mechanised infantry battalion of the Australian Army. The battalion was based at Robertson Barracks in Palmerston, Northern Territory and formed part of the 1st Brigade. It was formed in 1973 by linking both the 5th and 7th Battalions of the...
- HQ, 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
- AMTG-3http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1143/topstories/story03.htm
- HQ, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 2 RAR was first formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and since then it has seen active service during the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War...
- A Squadron, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)2nd/14th Light Horse RegimentThe 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment is a regiment of the Australian Army and forms part of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. The regiment was formed in 1952 though sentimentally traces its lineage to 1860...
- A Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 2 RAR was first formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and since then it has seen active service during the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War...
- Support Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 2 RAR was first formed as the Australian 66th Battalion in 1945 and since then it has seen active service during the Korean War, Malayan Emergency and Vietnam War...
- IMV Detachment, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a motorised 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 and Iraq...
- HQ, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
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.
The AMTG was highly mechanised and operated 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV
ASLAV
The Australian Service Light Armoured Vehicle , is an Australian version of the Light Armoured Vehicle designed and manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for the U.S. Marines. The initial design was the MOWAG Piranha 8x8, however the vehicle was re-designed to meet North American...
s) and 10 Bushmasters
Bushmaster IMV
The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built wheeled armoured vehicle. It was originally designed by Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd under a licence agreement with Perry Engineering in Adelaide; that licence was sold, with permission granted by...
. While the first two AMTG rotations were largely drawn from 1 Brigade
Australian 1st Brigade
1st Brigade is a formation of the Australian Army intended as its primary mechanised formation. Raised for service initially in 1914 for service during World War I, the brigade fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front before being disbanded in mid-1919. In 1921, the 1st Brigade was re-raised as...
, the third rotation was drawn from both 3 Brigade
Australian 3rd Brigade
The 3rd Brigade is a combined arms brigade of the Australian Army, based around the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment . It was originally formed in 1914 for service during World War I, taking part in the fighting at Gallipoli and on the Western Front in Europe...
and 7 Brigade
Australian 7th Brigade
7th Brigade is a combined arms formation or brigade of the Australian Army. The Brigade was first raised in 1915 as part of the First Australian Imperial Force and saw action at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during World War I. Following the end of the war the brigade was disbanded before...
.
Members of the training teams were drawn from across the Australian Defence Force
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
. Their ranks range from Private to Lieutenant Colonel.
Later operations
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. Upon the withdrawal of Japanese reconstruction troops the Australian force was transferred to Tallil Airbase in Dhi Qar Governorate. The role of the Task Group changed to providing support to Iraqi forces as requested. The Task Group was renamed the Overwatch Battle Group (West)Overwatch Battle Group (West)
Overwatch Battle Group was an Australian Army battlegroup that represented Australia's largest contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq. The Battle Group was established in July 2006 and was based at Tallil Airbase in Dhi Qar Governorate....
.