Operation Slipper

Operation Slipper was the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The operation commenced in late 2001 and ended on 31 December 2014, being replaced by Operation Highroad. The scope of the operation and size of the forces deployed have varied over the course of the operation and ADF involvement has included two major activities centred on Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf. These activities have seen the deployment of naval, air and land forces that have taken part in combat and combat support operations as part of a coalition of forces from several countries including the United States, Britain and other NATO countries. In mid-2014, the operation's scope was limited by the Australian government and several components, such as the naval and logistic support operations in the Persian Gulf, were re-designated as separate operations designated "Manitou" and "Accordion".

Afghanistan

First phase

During the first phase of Operation Slipper, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) commitment to Afghanistan consisted of a Special Forces Task Group and two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boeing 707 air-to-air refuelling aircraft from No. 33 Squadron. These aircraft and associated support personnel operated from Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan and provided support to coalition aircraft operating in Afghan airspace. Two RAAF AP-3C Orion aircraft flew maritime patrol missions in support of maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gulf. These aircraft were temporarily retasked to Operations Falconer and Catalyst in 2003.