Overwatch Battle Group (West)

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Australian soldiers and a Bushmaster IMV outside the Provincial Joint Operations Centre in Al Khidr in August 2006.

Overwatch Battle Group (West) is an Australian Army battlegroup and represents Australia's largest contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq. The Battle Group was established in July 2006 and is based at Tallil Airbase in Dhi Qar Governorate.

[edit] Role

Overwatch Battle Group (West)'s main role is to provide support to Iraqi Security Forces in a crisis if requested by the Iraqi Government and the Multi-National Force - Iraq. The Battle Group's training team is 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 forms 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]

[edit] Rotations

• 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
• 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

[edit] References

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

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