19-749: The Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG) was a battlegroup that formed Australia's main ground force contribution to the Multinational force in Iraq . The AMTG was established in April 2005 and ceased to exist in July 2006 when the Australian force was relocated to Dhi Qar Governorate as Overwatch Battle Group (West) . The Al Muthanna Task Group had two tasks: The AMTG was made up of around 450 personnel and consisted of: There were three rotations of troops into
38-437: A green backing was suggested which was to be for internal duties. This version was never authorised and the yellow badge was awarded for all operational deployments. The badge consisted of a dagger with three diagonal lightning bolts in red across it. A subdued version was produced for wear on nutria (brown's) uniforms. With the introduction of camouflage, a new version was produced on green thatching. This knifepoint always faced
57-463: A little larger in composition than a task force. It is composition mix of all elements for specific war purpose against Pakistan . Offensive elements comprise independent armed brigade groups (usually composed of armour units) and independent offensive brigade groups (usually composed of infantry); the Indian Army has substantially reduced the time it took to deploy its forces on its borders. In
76-490: A reconnaissance troop, a low-level air defence detachment, an anti-tank section, engineering detachment, and artillery support. Battlegroups are often subdivided into company groups (called "teams" in the U.S. Army) consisting of a single infantry company supported by a tank troop and various other support units. India , with the adoption of the Cold Start Doctrine , has come up with independent brigade groups
95-456: Is expected to perform. The organization of a battlegroup is flexible and can be restructured quickly to cope with any situation changes. Typically, an offensive battlegroup may be structured around an armoured regiment, with two squadrons of main battle tanks supported by an infantry company ; conversely, a more defensive battlegroup may be structured around an infantry battalion, with two companies and an armoured squadron. In support would be
114-409: Is the basic building block of an army 's fighting force. A battlegroup is formed around an infantry battalion or armoured regiment , which is usually commanded by a lieutenant colonel . The battalion or regiment also provides the command and staff element of a battlegroup, which is complemented with an appropriate mix of armour, infantry, and support personnel and weaponry relevant to the task it
133-668: Is usually named after its major constituent; for example, the Canadian Army's "1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group" (shortened to "1 RCR Battle Group") on an operational tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2007–08, and the British Army's "3 Para Battle Group" that was operational in Afghanistan in 2011. Most nations form battlegroups as required for operational or training purposes. When not deployed,
152-599: The AMTG. The initial force operated in Iraq between April and November 2005 and was commanded by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment's headquarters. The second rotation arrived in Iraq in November 2005 and was commanded by 5/7 RAR's headquarters. The final rotation arrived in May 2005 and was commanded by 2 RAR's headquarters. The AMTG was highly mechanised and operated 40 Australian Light Armoured Vehicles ( ASLAVs ) and 10 Bushmasters . While
171-588: The Army Battle School. During this time, C Army amended the organisation of the Battle School to execute two functions concurrently: 61 Mech was primarily involved in these operations. By 2005, 61 Mech was disbanded and its infantry elements merged into 8 South African Infantry Battalion at Upington after moving from Lohatla . The Armour and Artillery components were merged into other existing regular units of their respective corps. 61 Mech
190-561: The Battle Group was renamed 61 Mechanised Battalion and became part of the regular order of battle. 61 Mech served for over a decade in the territory fighting both a guerrilla war against the South-West Africa People's Organisation , as well as taking part in conventional operations against Cuban and Angolan forces. A tactical headquarters for 61 Mech was initially established at Otavi but during April 1979 this
209-761: The South African Army development of semi-independent battlegroups developed mainly out of Task Force Juliet's experiences with a focus on high mobility speed and distance in the vastness of the South West African/Southern Angolan theater. These mechanized battlegroups resorted under 60 Brigade such as 61 Mechanised Battalion Group . In the British Army , an armoured or mechanised division could expect to have as many as twelve separate battlegroups at its disposal, with three or four in each brigade. A Commonwealth battle group
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#1732776327347228-489: The South West African border, with a mechanized assault force. This attack formed part of Operation Reindeer during which paratroopers attacked a separate target at Cassinga, some 300 km into Angola. After Operation Reindeer it was decided to establish a permanent conventional mechanized combat unit in the operational area and Commandant Johann Dippenaar was appointed to set up this unit. By January 1979,
247-696: The deployment would be extended until at least the second half of 2007. Upon the withdrawal of Japanese reconstruction troops the Australian force was transferred to Tallil Airbase in Dhi Qar Governorate . The role of the Task Group changed to providing support to Iraqi forces as requested. The Task Group was renamed the Overwatch Battle Group (West) . Battlegroup (army) A battlegroup (British/Commonwealth term) or task force (U.S. term) in modern military theory
266-500: The elements that would make up a battlegroup remain with their parent units. However, some nations maintain permanently formed battlegroups – a notable example is Norway , three of whose four major combat units are all-arms battlegroups. 61 Mechanised Battalion Group 61 Mechanised Battalion Group was a unit of the South African Infantry Corps ; although it was classed as mechanized infantry , it
285-529: The first two AMTG rotations were largely drawn from 1 Brigade , the third rotation was drawn from both 3 Brigade and 7 Brigade . Members of the training teams were drawn from across the Australian Defence Force . Their ranks range from private to lieutenant colonel. While the AMTG was initially only deployed for two 6-month rotations, the Australian government announced in March 2006 that
304-458: The heart of the wearer. Each company or element in the Battalion (group) had its own flag and identifying badge. From 61 Mech's success, 62 Mechanised Battalion Group and 63 Mechanised Battalion Group , were developed, encompassing similar battlegroup principles. Theoretically the three units would have formed 60 Brigade, South Africa's highly mobile brigade level response to
323-664: Was a combined arms force consisting of infantry, armour and artillery. General Constand Viljoen , Chief of the Army, formulated a plan in 1978 to introduce a mechanized combat group to Ovamboland in the then South West Africa, to conduct operations against SWAPO. Combat Group Juliet was then formed under the command of Commandant Frank Bestbier . The Battle Group first saw action in Operation Reindeer in early May 1978, launching an attack on SWAPO's Western Front headquarters and logistics base, at Chetequera, 15 km north of
342-579: Was moved to Tsumeb. 61 Mech was eventually resettled at Omuthiya, with a base headquarters in Tsumeb. 61 Mech was primarily involved in these operations. During September 1991 61 Mech Bn Gp, which was based at Rooikop in Namibia, resettled at the Army Battle School in Lohatla, South Africa. 61 Mech remained part of C Army's Reserve, under operational command of 60 Brigade HQ and administratively supported by
361-538: Was organised along the following lines: 61 Mech was primarily tasked as the Army's Immediate Response Unit , due to its versatility. 61 Mech awarded a small badge called the Operational Badge for those in or attached to the unit who deployed with the unit on operational duties. The badge had a yellow backing and was awarded initially only for cross border operations into Angola. A subsequent version with
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