Operation Okra Archives - CONTACT magazine

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft receives fuel from a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport over Iraq as part of the Air Task Group for Operation Okra. Story by Warrant Officer Class 2 Max Bree. Photos by Sergeant Mick Davis.

Air-to-air refuellers kept Operation Okra flying

05/03/202520/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 896 Views 0 Comments F/A-18F Super Hornet, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, Operation Okra

Flying a Classic Hornet loaded with bombs over Iraq in 2016, Air Commodore Philip Gordon had a problem. CAPTION: A Royal

A small group of ADF personnel, including Commander of the Australian Contingent Colonel Mark Coyle, centre, close off Australia’s commitment to Operation Okra at Aussie House inside US military base Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Story by Lieutenant Commander Max Logan.

Australian Army Middle East News

Flag comes down, soldiers come home

28/02/202501/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1279 Views 0 Comments Middle East Region, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

The Australian flag descended at Combined Joint Task Force – Middle East in Kuwait for the final time in December,

Australian Army Captain Anthony Davis, left, instructs Iraqi soldiers of the Taji Military Complex's Non-Commissioned Officer Academy as they practise fire and movement towards a notional enemy position at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Story and photos by Sergeant Matthew Bickerton.

Australian Army Middle East News

Op Okra proved worth of combined-arms training

18/02/202523/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1236 Views 0 Comments 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Daesh, Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

A decade ago, Daesh seized large territories across north-western Iraq and eastern Syria, taking advantage of the Syrian civil war

The Royal Australian Navy medical team deployed on active service to Iraq. Story by Corporal Jacob Joseph. Photo by Leading Seaman Jake Badior.

History Middle East News Royal Australian Navy

Sub-lieutenant captures history

29/01/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 922 Views 0 Comments Middle East, Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

After more than 10 years, the last ADF servicemen and women deployed under Operation Okra left the Middle East late

ADF Middle East News

Operation Okra in Iraq officially ends

29/12/202429/12/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5871 Views 0 Comments Iraq, Operation Okra

Operation Okra, the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to the international coalition against Daesh in Iraq and Syria, has concluded with

Australian Army Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Wheadon, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve Deputy Director of Sustainment, stands before the mural at Aussie House inside US military base Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Story and photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People

Chance meeting leads to Australian Army career

22/01/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2105 Views 0 Comments Operation Okra

Lieutenant Colonel Wendy Wheadon probably couldn’t have guessed a chance meeting with a young Australian Army officer in the UK

Australian Army surgeon Major Daniel Chan is part of the Australian Surgical Team deployed to the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Centre in Iraq. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Sharing is the currency of deployment

05/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1433 Views 0 Comments Iraq, Operation Okra

An Australian Army general surgeon has swapped more than knowledge and experiences with his foreign counterparts during a deployment to

Air Force perioperative nurse Flying Officer Cheryl Brophy is deployed to Iraq and is working at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Centre. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

COVID support part of deployment

02/11/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1678 Views 0 Comments COVID-19, Iraq, Operation Okra

As part of her deployment to Iraq, RAAF nursing officer Flying Officer Cheryl Brophy is providing COVID-19 support to contractors

Navy neurosurgeon Lieutenant Commander Andrew Davidson is deployed to Iraq at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Centre. Story by Flight Lieutenant Clarice Hurren. Photo by Sergeant Glen McCarthy.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing

Navy surgeon enjoying time in the sand

31/10/2021 Posted by Mike Hughes 1772 Views 0 Comments Iraq, Operation Okra

A deployment to Iraq is providing Navy neurosurgeon Lieutenant Commander Andrew Davidson with some unique challenges. CAPTION: Navy neurosurgeon Lieutenant

An Iraqi Army M1A1M Abrams tank provides cover during a Junior Leaders Course combined-arms training assessment at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo by Able Seaman Chris Beerens.

ADF Australian Middle East News Operations

Iran fires ‘more than a dozen missiles’ at coalition forces in Iraq

08/01/202008/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2105 Views 0 Comments Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

The Pentagonsays that at 1.30am local on 7 January, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq.