Operation Okra

Operation Okra
Part of the American-led intervention in Iraq (2014–present), Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War and Military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft conduct air-to-air refuelling with a RAAF KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft by night over the skies of Iraq
Location	Iraq and Syria
Commanded by	Major General John Frewen
Objective	Australia's contribution to the War against ISIL
Date	31 August 2014 – present (2 years, 7 months, 1 week and 1 day)
Executed by	Australian Army Royal Australian Air Force
Outcome	Ongoing

Operation Okra is the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The force is part of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East. The operation commenced on 31 August 2014, and its initial stated aim was to combat ISIL threats in Iraq. In September 2015, the Australian airstrikes were extended to Syria.

The Australian government announced on 14 September 2014 that an Air Task Group (ATG) of up to eight F/A-18F Super Hornets, an E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, and a KC-30A air-to-air refuelling tanker, along with a Special Operations Task Force, would be deployed to the Middle East in preparation for possible operations against ISIL forces. The ATG commenced operations on 1 October, and on 3 October, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that his country would commence airstrikes. Australian forces operate from Al Minhad Air Base located in the United Arab Emirates. Australian aircraft have also been reported to have been operated out of Al Dhafra Air Base south of Abu Dhabi. An Australian Army training team known as Task Group Taji was deployed to Iraq in April 2015 to assist with training the regular Iraqi Security Forces. The force is part of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, originally under the command of Major General Craig Orme. Orme handed over command of JTF 633 to Rear Admiral Trevor Jones in December 2014.

Airstrikes were extended to Syria in September 2015.

In late 2015 the United States Government asked the Australian Government, along with other members of the coalition, to expand its military commitment to the war. The Australian Government rejected this request in January 2016, but stated that it would increase the number of Australian personnel attached to the coalition headquarters from 20 to 30 and was considering increasing the amount of humanitarian aid it provides to people affected by the war in Iraq and Syria.