The bulk of the annual operating expenditure for the NZDF is used to prepare the force elements of the Navy, Army and Air Force for potential operational deployment. That is, the funding is spent on training the force elements to a prescribed level - the Directed Level of Operational Capability (DLOC). However, actual operational deployments (under Output Expense 16 – Operationally Deployed Forces), together with Multi-Agency Operations and Tasks (MAO&T), are the ultimate output delivery to the Government. This contributes to the achievement of New Zealand’s security outcomes.
Other than the involvement of the NZDF in current (extant) operations, the likelihood of involvement in future operations is outside of the control of the NZDF. No predictions are made as to the possible type and location of future operations that the New Zealand Government may wish the NZDF to be involved in. However, it is clear the Government is happy to maintain, generically, the current level of commitment to operational missions.
The following information provides brief histories of the current New Zealand Government-approved NZDF contributions to operational missions (as at 1 April 2010).
Brief Histories of Current New Zealand Government-Approved NZDF Contributions to Operational Missions (as at 1 April 2010)
Operation KORU (Timor-Leste).
NZDF Contribution.
The NZDF contributed a battalion group, helicopter detachment, observers and staff officers to Timor-Leste 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, 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. On 12 March 2007 Cabinet approved the deployment of a detachment of two Iroquois helicopters to this mission and announced that New Zealand would provide the Deputy Commander (a full Colonel equivalent) to the Timor-Leste mission. The helicopter detachment returned to NZ at the end of October 2008. Cabinet approval for commitment to this mission for the remaining personnel currently extends to 30 June 2011.
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 8 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 2010.
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 up to 28 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 29 February 2012.
Operation ARIKI. (This operation covers most of the NZDF support to the international effort against trans-national terrorism).
Operation ENDURING FREEDOM was the United States-led military coalition effort against trans-national terrorism. This is now the International Stabilisation Assistance Force (ISAF)/ NATO led. 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 2011, consists of the following deployments:
- Three NZDF staff officers and one junior NCO provide the NZDF contribution to Headquarters International Security Assistance Force (HQ ISAF) in Kabul, Afghanistan.
One NZDF Warrant Officer is deployed in support of our coalition partners in Bagram, Afghanistan.
- Task Group RUA. Up to two senior NCOs are currently attached to the UK Leadership Training Team - Afghanistan [UKLTT (A)]. Cabinet approval until 30 September 2011.
- Task Group SPEAK. Task Group SPEAK is the NZDF ongoing contribution of two staff officers as the NZ National Liaison Team (NLT) with USCENTCOM in Tampa, Florida, USA. The NZ NLT 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 up to 140 NZDF personnel are authorised to deploy on this mission. Cabinet approval until 30 September 2011.
- Task Group TROY. Up to six 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 approval until 30 September 2011.
- 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 and primary liaison between ISAF and the UN for the security sector reform. Cabinet approval until 30 September 2011.
- Task Group MANAAKI. As part of the New Zealand continued support to the reconstruction of Afghanistan and its commitment to ISAF, the New Zealand Government agreed to deploy a medical detachment of up to two medical specialists to operate at the Canadian led ISAF Multi-National Medical Unit at Kandahar airfield. As at the time of writing, Cabinet approval until 30 September 2010.
- 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 Wātea (Afghanistan)
NZ Special Air Service (SAS) contingent.
- Operation Wātea is the deployment of a NZSAS contingent to Afghanistan. The contingent deployed in September 2009 and will remain on deployment, using suitable rotations, for up to 18 months.
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 Bagdad 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 approval until 31 August 2011.
Operation RATA II (Solomon Islands).
Troop and Liaison Officer contribution.
During the period July-September 2003 the NZDF deployed personnel to Solomon Islands in support of the Australian Defence Force-led Combined Task Force 635 to assist the Government of Solomon Islands to re-establish law and order. A total of 220 NZDF personnel were deployed to Solomon Islands conducting security, helicopter support and humanitarian aid tasks. New Zealand, in rotation with Pacific Island countries, provided a small force of infantry (up to 50 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 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. NZDF’s commitment is deployed in support of the Participating Police Force (PPF) conducting presence patrols and other tasks. This also included a NZDF officer as Deputy Commander CTF635. Cabinet approval until 30 September 2012.
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; one Assistant Operations Corridor Control Officer and Assistant Joint Duty Officer. Cabinet approval until 31 August 2011.
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 up to three officers - two Military Observers and one Staff Officer - to this mission from July 2005. Cabinet approval until 31 August 2011.
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