Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2003/Operation Falconer

A sailors perspective on Iraq

By LSBM 'Kid' McClellan

Being part of Kanimba's boarding party for the work up to Operation Falconer, I had been aware of the great deal of boardings conducted by Australian warships prior to our entry into the area of operations. As a result I expected a large workload upon arrival in the area. While I had experience in the boarding team on my last deployment, on this occasion the nature of boardings had changed somewhat.

The closer we got to war with Iraq, the boardings which I had been familiar with during Operation Slipper shifted focus. From enforcing UN sanctions through the form of maritime interception the rules had changed to one that was more concerned with the clearing of the areas leading into the Khawr Abd Allah (KAA) pending possible conflict.

As Operation Slipper evolved into Operation Falconer and approval was being finalised for combat operation in Iraq, the waterways around the North Arabian Gulf took on an almost eerie feeling.

Conducting patrols in RHIB's 15 to 20 nautical miles from Kanimbla using vectors given by the operation room, it soon became evident that the local boating community had received our message to clear the Khawr Abd Allah. Waterways that had been previously teeming with vessels were completely barren leading up to the bombardment of the Al Faw peninsular and the military action against Iraq.

Now with our rules of engagement changed, it became clearly evident that we were now at war. From a boarding party point of view it became increasingly obvious that our role had changed.

Intelligence had suggested that opposition military forces had no doubt been utilising, sea mines to keep coalition forces out of the Khawr Abd Allah; a fact we were constantly aware of each time we were on the water.

As the conflict continued, it became apparent that our role had definitely moved to one that was more closely likened to something I had only thought about or seen in movies.

We continued to receive reports that vessels had been booby trapped and the likelihood that any vessel we boarded could have personnel who were willing to use deadly force to protect themselves or their cargo.

While we kept our spirits up and tried to remain in a positive frame of mind you could tell that underneath all were aware of the increasing dangers.

As we conducted more boardings we began to discover more military personnel and weapons. In one particular instance Kanimbla captured a number of tugs holding sea mines ready to deploy and a cache of machine guns and other small arms and ammunition.

We began to realise that, while we may not be in the thick of the battle ashore, our role in the war was vital and in no way free from danger.

This period of the operation was perhaps the most memorable for me for a number of reasons. Firstly it was decided that the different Coalition boarding teams from the United States, Britain and Australia would operate off Kanimbla for these operations.

This provided us with a unique opportunity to work with these men and women who, despite popular opinion, are fantastic operators from whom we learned a great deal.

It was particularly heart-warming to recognise the gratitude that the American forces felt for the Australians and the British as a result of our willingness to help them in a war against terror.

Working and meeting highly motivated and well-trained people on a group level as well as an individual perspective helped me realise both the effectiveness of coalition defence personnel and also gain an appreciation of the similar values from which we all derived our ideals and sense of duty.

I think the opportunity to be a part of this conflict with people who had volunteered themselves to achieve something that they could see as being beneficial to the rest of the world is something that will stay with me for life.

Another thing that will always stay with me, apart from the feeling of being on a gunline in a 7.2m RHIB, is the smiles on the faces on the local fisherman when they came back into the waterways surrounding the North Arabian Gulf following the conflict.

Also the gratitude displayed toward our team when we were on the water. Each dhow we came across had a story to tell of someone who had been murdered, taken away, had limbs removed or was beaten as a result of the oppression they faced at the hands of Saddam's regime.

No matter what they were saying back home or whether you agreed with the conflict, I will always know that in some way we made a difference. In some way we made a change that was reflected in the faces of common people who still have to survive in this Middle Eastern region.