(as at 1 April 2007)
Operation KORU
(Timor Leste). NZDF Contribution.
The NZDF contributed a battalion group, helicopter detachment, observers and staff officers to East Timor under various operations (Operations UNAMET, INTERFET, UNTAET, UNMISET and UNOTIL) from October 1999. Following the withdrawal of the battalion group and helicopter detachment in November 2002, the NZDF contribution in support of Operation KORU consisted of UN Military Observers (UNMO) and various military advisers (MA). While this contribution continues [with one UNMO, a Chief Military Liaison Officer and two MA (Logistics and Personnel)], the NZ Government authorised the deployment of a Company Group following the riots in Dili in May 2006. This group, operating under the Australian-led Combined Joint Task Force 631, operates in support of the deployed International Police Force and conducts security patrols and check points in and around Dili. On 12 March 2007 Cabinet approved the deployment of a detachment of Iroquois helicopters to this mission (2 or 3 helicopters and crews) and announced that New Zealand would provide the Deputy Commander (a full Colonel equivalent) to the Timor Leste mission.
Operation SCORIA, UNTSO
(Middle East). Mainly Military Observers.
The United Nations Truce Supervisory Organisation (UNTSO) was established in 1948 to monitor the Arab-Israeli peace following the proclamation of the state of Israel. New Zealand first committed two officers as observers in 1954 and has gradually increased its commitment to 7 x Military Observers. These observers serve at a variety of locations in Israel, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. Cabinet approval for this mission extends to 30 September 2008. The Government has approved an 8th position, one time only and specifically to fill the post of Chief of Operations, from November 2006, and then the post of Chief of Observer Group (Damascus), from March 2008; both posts being for 12 months each.
Operation FARAD, MFO
(Sinai). Driving, Monitoring, Conducting Courses, and Training Development.
The Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) is a multi-nation commitment based in the Sinai Peninsula between Egypt and Israel. The MFO upholds conditions set down in the Treaty of Peace signed between Egypt and Israel in 1979. The MFO function is one of observation, reporting, and investigation of Treaty violations. The NZDF commitment commenced in 1982 with a detachment of helicopters. Today, New Zealand’s commitment is the provision of 26 military personnel who carry out duties, including driving tasks, driver licensing, monitoring the operation of border guards, conducting convoy courses, and training development. Cabinet approval for commitment to this mission currently extends to 1 April 2008.
Operation KOSTER, UNMIK
(Kosovo). Observer.
In June 1999 the UN Security Council authorised the establishment of an interim civil administration in war-ravaged Kosovo, the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). New Zealand currently contributes one officer, working as a Military Liaison Officer, to the UNMIK HQ in Pristina. Cabinet approval for contribution to this mission extends until 30 June 2007.
Operation ARIKI.
This operation covers all of the NZDF support to the international effort against trans-national terrorism.
Operation ENDURING FREEDOM is the United States-led military coalition effort against trans-national terrorism. The Coalition has been mandated to prosecute operations against the Al Qaeda network and other terrorist groups in the area. To conduct these operations, headquarters have been established to manage coalition military operations within Afghanistan and elsewhere. The New Zealand contribution to this international effort, under the banner of Operation ARIKI, is divided into the following Task groups:
- Task Group KEA. Task Group KEA, with Cabinet-approved extension until 30 September 2007, consists of the following deployments:
- Two NZDF staff officers and one junior NCO provide the NZDF contribution to Headquarters International Security Assistance Force (HQ ISAF) in Kabul, Afghanistan.
- Two Senior NCO instructors are attached to the United Kingdom Leadership Training Team - Afghanistan [(UKLTT (A)] based in Kabul.
- Two NZDF Warrant Officers are deployed in support of our coalition partners in Bagram, Afghanistan.
- Task Group SPEAK. Task Group SPEAK is the NZDF ongoing contribution of three staff officers as the NZ National Planning Element (NPE) with USCENTCOM in Tampa, Florida, USA. The NZ NPE coordinates the NZDF involvement in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
- Task Group CRIB. This is the establishment of a New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (NZ PRT) within Bamyan Province in Afghanistan. Currently, 109 NZDF personnel are deployed. The Government has agreed New Zealand commitment to leading this PRT until 30 September 2007.
- Task Group TIKI. On 12 March 2007, Cabinet announced that an ANZAC frigate would be deployed to the Arabian Gulf area for one month (September 2008) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
- Task Group TROY. Five NZDF personnel are deployed in the Arabian Gulf area to provide a support mechanism for all elements of the NZDF deployed in the Gulf region / Afghanistan and to assist co-located coalition partners. Cabinet has approved this mission until 30 September 2007.
- Task Group AFFIRM. In support of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Task Group AFFIRM has involved, since January 2005, the deployment of a NZDF officer of lieutenant colonel equivalent rank as a Military Liaison Officer (MLO). The NZDF MLO is the Deputy Chief of Operations at UNAMA HQ based in Kabul. Duties as MLO include the provision of the strategic interface between multi-national forces and Afghan authorities. Cabinet has approved the extension of this deployment until 30 September 2007.
- USCENTCOM Staff Officer. One staff officer is posted to the Combined Planning Group in USCENTCOM as a Ground Operations Planner. This appointment is only focused on Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Operation HAVEN
(Iraq) This operation covers all NZDF support in Iraq under United Nations Council Resolution 1483.
Task Group IRON. Currently the only NZDF contribution in Iraq is in support of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). The primary role of UNAMI is to provide advice and assistance related to Iraq’s transitional political process. Task Group IRON has involved the deployment of a NZDF officer as a Military Advisor (MA) since January 2005. The MA is based in Baghdad and provides liaison between UNAMI, the Multi-national Force and Iraqi Security Forces, as well as providing advice on military matters to the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General. Cabinet has approved the extension of this deployment (involving tours of six months) until 31 December 2007.
Operation RATA II
(Solomon Islands). Troop and Liaison Officer contribution.
During the period July-September 2003 the NZDF deployed personnel to the Solomon Islands in support of the Australian Defence Force-led Task Force 635 to assist the Government of the Solomon Islands to re-establish law and order. A total of 220 NZDF personnel were deployed to the Solomon Islands conducting security, helicopter support and humanitarian aid tasks. Since then, a NZDF officer has been permanently stationed on the Headquarters. New Zealand, in rotation with Pacific Island countries, provided a small force of infantry (up to 46 personnel at a time) on deployment for three months. The NZDF’s last troop contribution, under this arrangement, was for the three-month period February - April 2006. However, following further disturbances in the Solomon Islands in May 2006, the New Zealand Government authorised the deployment, at short notice, of a Company Group to assist in the maintenance of law and order. This group was subsequently downsized to a platoon. This platoon (currently 43 personnel) is deployed in support of the Participating Police Force (PPF) conducting presence patrols and other tasks. Cabinet approval for this mission extends to 31 March 2008.
Operation MONITOR, UNCMAC
(Republic of Korea). Three officers.
The United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) was created to supervise the Armistice Agreement of 1953, and is responsible for supervising the access, operation and security of the Demilitarised Zone in Korea. On invitation from the United Nations Command, the NZ Government, in April 2004, approved the secondment of one officer to the appointment of Assistant Operations Officer, HQ UNCMAC. Subsequently, Cabinet approved the deployment of two additional officers to this mission; both Assistant Corridor Control Officers. Cabinet has approved contributions to this mission until 31 August 2007.
Operation SUDDEN, UNMIS
(Sudan). Military Observers and a Staff Officer.
Sudan has suffered from two decades of civil war. In March 2005 the UN Security Council (under Resolution 1590) established a UN peacekeeping mission in Southern Sudan. This mission will support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A in Nairobi in January 2005. In response to a request from the UN, New Zealand has committed two Military Observers and one Staff Officer to this mission from July 2005. Cabinet has approved the extension of this deployment until 1 October 2007.
Operation LIMA, UNMACC-SL
(South Lebanon). Explosive Ordnance Disposal Survey Team and Technical Assistance Team.
In August 2006 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1701 to create conditions for the end of conflict in Lebanon. The conflict left substantial amounts of unexploded munitions scattered throughout urban and rural areas of South Lebanon. In response to a request from the UN Mine Action Service the NZ Government agreed to the deployment of NZDF personnel to the UN Mine Action Coordination Centre in South Lebanon. The deployment of 10 personnel (a four-person Explosive Ordnance Disposal Survey Team and a six-person Technical Assistance Team) deployed in February 2007 and is for a period of 12 months.
Operation STANDARD, EUFOR
(Bosnia). Staff Officers
New Zealand’s commitment to the Balkan states commenced in 1992 with UN Military Observers. In 1994 New Zealand committed the first of two Company Groups, each of about 250 personnel, to the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR). After the withdrawal of that commitment and the establishment of the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) New Zealand has committed staff officers to the SFOR (now renamed EUFOR – European Union Force) British Division HQ in Bosnia. Cabinet has approved the continued deployment of up to three officers to this mission until 31 July 2007, and has also approved the withdrawal of this contribution at that time.
Operation FORD, EUFOR
(Bosnia), Liaison and Observation Team.
In addition to Operation STANDARD, the NZDF has also contributed 20 military personnel to SFOR in Bosnia. These personnel were attached to a variety of British units for the European summer to develop and enhance training skills for the NZ Army. From 2004, the NZDF was requested to provide a Liaison and Observation Team (LOT). Cabinet approved the deployment of an 8 x person LOT to EUFOR. The tasks of the LOT are: area surveillance; area security assessment; observation of political, economic and social developments; and liaison with inter-government and NGOs. Cabinet has approved the withdrawal of this contribution on 30 April 2007.
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