 The plaque is
mounted at the entrance to Maritime Headquarters, Royal Australian Navy,
Potts Point Sydney Harbour. It was unveiled at the exact site where the
Australian Navy left its shores for the Gulf in 1990
Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. After diplomatic and economic
sanctions failed the United Nations (UN) sanctioned a multinational
military force to expel the aggressor. Australia, through the Australian
Defence Force (ADF), was a member of this coalition and provided naval
support. During the five months of operations the Royal Australian Navy
(RAN) patrolled the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. The navy enforced
trade sanctions and when offensive operations started on 17 January
1991, it formed an integral part of the multinational naval battle
group. ADF medical teams also served on a coalition hospital ship though
fortunately there were no Australian casualties. After the cease-fire on
28 February 1991 Australian naval divers assisted in the clearing of
unexploded ordnance Australia and Kuwait have always enjoyed a close
relationship and never more so than in the freeing and rebuilding of the
Kuwaiti nation after the war.
|
