 The Iraqi military quickly proved no match for coalition military power , and with their defeat the bulk of Australian forces were withdrawn . While Australia did not initially take part in the post @-@ war occupation of Iraq , an Australian Army light armoured <unk> — designated the Al <unk> Task Group and including 40 <unk> light armoured vehicles and infantry — was later deployed to Southern Iraq in April 2005 as part of Operation <unk> . The role of this force was to protect the Japanese engineer contingent in the region and support the training of New Iraqi Army units . The <unk> later became the <unk> Battle Group ( West ) ( <unk> ( W ) ) , following the hand back of Al <unk> province to Iraqi control . Force levels peaked at 1 @,@ 400 personnel in May 2007 including the <unk> ( W ) in Southern Iraq , the Security Detachment in Baghdad and the Australian Army Training Team — Iraq . A <unk> frigate was based in the North Persian Gulf , while RAAF assets included C @-@ <unk> <unk> and AP @-@ <unk> elements . Following the election of a new Labor government under Prime Minister Kevin <unk> the bulk of these forces were withdrawn by mid @-@ 2009 , while RAAF and <unk> operations were <unk> to other parts of the Middle East Area of Operations as part of Operation <unk> . 
