Australian forces in key mop-up role

Australian Special Forces have served with distinction in Afghanistan

CANBERRA, Australia (CNN) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard likes to say that the September 11 attacks were as much an assault on his nation as they were on the United States.

As fate would have it, Howard was in Washington at the time of the attacks and was able to immediately -- and personally -- offer Australian support to the U.S. for any military action that might ensue.

Once back in Canberra, the government enacted a clause of a 50-year old defense pact between the United States, Australia and New Zealand -- the ANZUS treaty -- whereby the nations agree to assist any partner which comes under military threat.

Along with the United Kingdom, Australia was one of the first countries to commit troops to the coalition action in Afghanistan.

Given Australia's small population -- just 19 million -- and its limited military resources, the commitment of 150 elite Special Air Services forces and a further 1,400 armed forces to the campaign is considerable.

The armed forces contribution, which began in November last year, also includes F/A-18 fighter aircraft, several navy frigates, a transport ship, long-range maritime patrol aircraft and refueling aircraft.

So far, the Australian forces in Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf have served with distinction, culminating in the awarding of the U.S. Bronze star medal to Australian lieutenant colonel Rowan Tink for his outstanding contribution to operation Enduring Freedom.

Tink was commander of the Australian special forces in Afghanistan before returning to Australia in July.

A third rotation of troops to Afghanistan took place in August, and despite commitments to peacekeeping in East Timor and maritime border patrols in the north, Australia shows no sign of diminishing its support.

Highly valued

"The work being done by Australian Special Forces soldiers as part of the war against terrorism is vital to destroying terrorist networks in Afghanistan and providing the stable foundation needed for the country's transition to peace," says Australia's Minister for Defense Senator Robert Hill.

Hill says Australia's Special Forces soldiers are instrumental in reporting attempts by Taliban and al Qaeda elements to re-group and their work is highly valued.

He told media earlier this month the nature of military operations in Afghanistan had changed since Australian Special Forces soldiers were first deployed there.

"The focus is shifting away from destroying concentrations of al Qaeda and Taliban forces in Afghanistan -- a job now almost complete -- to tracking down any remnants and preventing them from regrouping," he said.

"In some respects this work is more complex and difficult. But it is no less important."

Action 'probable'

While Australia's involvement in Afghanistan has received bi-partisan political support, contributing to any action against Iraq is proving more problematic.

Recent polls have shown the majority of Australians do not support the concept of a first-strike against Iraq without considerably more evidence of Saddam Hussein's evil intent.

The main opposition Labor Party wants the issue to be fully debated in parliament before any decision on Iraq is made.

The government is maintaining it is premature to be discussing Australia's position on Iraq, even though Howard has said he believes such action to be "probable."

Senior government figures have privately indicated that it was "almost inconceivable" that Australia would not contribute military to support to a U.S.-led campaign against Iraq if asked.