Casualties
To date no Australian servicemen have been killed in action during Operation Falconer or Operation Catalyst, although three have died in accidents or during service with British forces; many more have been wounded. Additionally as many as six Australians have been killed whilst working as private security contractors. [16]
Paul Pardoel, 35, was a Flight Lieutenant serving as a Navigator in the RAF. He died when his C-130 Hercules from No 47 Squadron crashed in Iraq on 30 January 2005 killing all ten crew aboard. He was an Australian citizen serving in the British Armed Forces, having transferred from the RAAF in 2002. He was originally from Victoria. [17]
David Nary, 42, was Warrant Officer with the Australian Special Air Service Regiment. He was killed on 05 November 2005 after being struck by a vehicle during a training exercise in Kuwait prior to deployment to Iraq. [18]
Jake Kovco, 25, was a Private soldier serving in the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment. He was part of the SECDET in Baghdad when he was killed on 21 April 2006 from a gunshot wound to the head that was believed to have been accidently self-inflicted. [19]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_contribution_to_the_2003_invasion_of_Iraq#Casualties
Iraq War
Main article: Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq
Australia was one of the countries to provide combat forces for the US-led invasion of Iraq. In Australia it was known as Operation Falconer. In all Australia contributed some 2,000 personnel. The Army contribution to this was 500 soldiers, including:
3 CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the 5th Aviation Regiment for troop-lift
An SAS Squadron
Specialist troops from the Incident Response Regiment
A quick reaction support force from 4RAR (Commando)
Following the end of major combat operations, Australia announced a withdrawal of most of its forces in Iraq. It left behind approximately 950 troops in the theatre. These included naval forces, support troops (such as air traffic controllers) and a security detachment of about 75 soldiers in strength to defend key Australian interests. The security detachment included:
A troop of 3 ASLAVs (Australian Light Armoured Vehicles) and 15 soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment
An infantry platoon of 35 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
Communications and logistics element from the 3rd Brigade
Soldiers from the 1st Military Police Battalion
In February 2005, Prime Minister John Howard announced an increase in the Australian presence by about 450 in order to provide protection for Japanese troops and assist in training Iraqi troops. This force, designated the Al Muthanna Task Group, was deployed to Southern Iraq in May 2005. After Al Muthanna province gained provincial control in mid 2006, the Australian force transitioned into a new role and was retitled the Overwatch Battle Group (West). OBG(W) relocated its forward operating base (FOB) from Camp Smitty (outskirts of As Samawah, Al Muthanna province) to Tallil Air Base (outskirts of Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar province) effectively co-locating with the Australian Army Training Team Iraq (AATTI). Australia's contribution to operations in Southern Iraq involved combat overwatch of both Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar province, conduct of CIMIC operations and provision of support and training to the Iraqi Security Forces. After the Labor Government gained power in late 2007, a partial pullout of Australian forces from Iraq to applease election promises was realised when OBG(W) ceased operations and returned to Australia in mid 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_contribution_to_the_2003_invasion_of_Iraq