 Australian forces later joined British and American forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq . The initial contribution was also a modest one , consisting of just 2 @,@ <unk> personnel — codenamed Operation <unk> . Major force elements included special forces , <unk> and fixed wing aviation and naval units . Army units included elements from the <unk> and 4th Battalion , Royal Australian Regiment ( Commando ) , a CH @-@ 47 <unk> detachment and a number of other specialist units . <unk> units included the amphibious ship <unk> <unk> and the frigates <unk> Darwin and <unk> Anzac , while the RAAF deployed 14 F / A @-@ 18 Hornets from No. 75 Squadron , a number of AP @-@ <unk> <unk> and C @-@ 130 <unk> . The Australian Special Forces Task Force was one of the first coalition units forces to cross the border into Iraq , while for a few days , the closest ground troops to Baghdad were from the <unk> . During the invasion the RAAF also flew its first combat missions since the Vietnam War , with No. 75 Squadron flying a total of 350 sorties and dropping 122 laser @-@ guided bombs . 
