Overwatch Battle Group (West)

Overwatch Battle Group (West)
Overwatch Battle Group (West) personnel in April 2007
Active	2006–2008
Country	Australia
Branch	Australian Army
Type	Battlegroup
Size	Over 500 personnel
Headquarters	Tallil Air Base
Engagements	Iraq War Battle of Al Rumaythah Battle of Route Bismarck

Overwatch Battle Group (West) 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.

As the Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd pledged in the 2007 election, Australian combat forces began withdrawing from Iraq on 1 June 2008. and the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and Australian Army Training Team formally ceased combat operations on the 2 June 2008. No Australian military personnel were killed in the course of the deployment, during which the Australian contingent helped train 33,000 Iraqi soldiers. Approximately 200 Australian personnel will remain in Iraq on logistical and air surveillance duties.

Role

Overwatch Battle Group (West)'s main role was to provide support to Iraqi Security Forces in a crisis if requested by the Iraqi Government and the Multi-National Force - Iraq. Whilst it was never called upon to act in this role, the Battle Group did conduct combat and security operations within the cities of An Nasiriyah and As Samawah, the provincial capitals of Dhi Qar and Al Muthana respectively, extensive patrolling within rural areas and on Main Supply Routes (MSR's) to counter the indirect fire and improvised explosive device threat, training and mentoring of the Iraqi Army and Police, support to strike operations undertaken by United States Special Forces, and construction and re-construction work. The Battle Group's training team was responsible for providing basic training to Iraqi Army personnel at the Basic Training Centre in Tallil. Upon its formation Overwatch Battle Group (West) consisted of units which were previously assigned to the third, and final, rotation of the Al Muthanna Task Group. The Battle Group formed part of Multi-National Division (South-East). An additional 38 personnel and four Bushmaster infantry mobility vehicles were deployed in late 2006 to increase the size of the force to over 500 soldiers supported by 40 ASLAVs and 19 Bushmasters.[1].

On 26 September 2006 OBG(W) 1 was involved in the Battle of Al Rumaythah.

During the period 23–24 April 2007, OBG(W) 2 was involved in the Battle of Route Bismarck.

Rotations

An Australian cavalry scout in Iraq during October 2007

• OBG(W)-1[2]
  • HQ, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
  • A Squadron, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)
  • A Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
  • Support Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
  • IMV Detachment, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• OBG(W)-2[3]
  • HQ, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
  • B Squadron/Combat Team Eagle, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
  • D Company/Combat Team Tiger, 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
  • Combat Service Support Team
• OBG(W)-3[4]
  • HQ, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
  • A Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment
  • Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
  • Combat Support Element
  • Combat Service Support Element
• OBG(W)-4
  • HQ, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)
  • A Squadron, 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry)
  • A Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
  • Combat Support Element
  • Combat Service Support Element

References

• Australian Department of Defence press release Australian Troops Depart Camp Smitty