Australia has officially concluded Operation Steadfast, marking the final chapter in more than two decades of Australian Defence Force involvement in Iraq.
Established in 2018, the operation was Australia's contribution to NATO's efforts to strengthen the Iraqi Security Forces after the defeat of Daesh.
Australian officers were embedded in key headquarters positions that shaped NATO's planning, coordination and long-term capacity-building across Iraq's defence institutions.
Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Major General Hugh McAslan, who visited Baghdad for the closing ceremony on November 30, said it was the culmination of a significant Australian commitment in Iraq over the past two decades.
"From 2003, through the counter-ISIS mission from 2014, and then into building partner capacity through the NATO Mission in Iraq, the ability of Australians, albeit in modest numbers, to hold absolutely key positions is testament to the quality of our people," Major General McAslan said.
Unlike earlier deployments under Operation Okra, Steadfast was not a tactical training mission, but placed Australian personnel inside a 32-nation NATO headquarters.
Major General McAslan said Australia's impact was recognised throughout the headquarters.
"It comes down to professionalism, military knowledge and the ability to work effectively with partners from many nations," he said.
Beyond their headquarters responsibilities, Australian personnel worked alongside NATO counterparts to help Iraq address challenges such as governance, corruption, training systems and institutional reform.
'Where Iraq is today is a reflection of the success of those missions over the years.'
Commander of the Australian Contingent Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Stocker said the Iran-Israel 12-day war underscored the importance of this deeper work.
"It really drove home to the Iraqi Security Forces the requirement to develop a systems approach to training," Lieutenant Colonel Stocker said.
Major General McAslan said Operation Steadfast concluded at a time when Iraq's security environment had significantly improved.
"Coming into Baghdad, the development is evident," he said.
"The city has been rebuilt and rejuvenated; it's a very different environment to 2014."
Lieutenant Colonel Stocker said for those who served in Iraq during turbulent periods, the transformation was striking.
"My personal reflection, having been here in 2016 and 2017, is Baghdad is a very different looking city today," he said.
"The fact that the Iraqis are confident in their own security is a reflection of how far the country has come."
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Major General McAslan said: "Today concludes a very long Australian contribution in Iraq, well over two decades.
"Where Iraq is today is a reflection of the success of those missions over the years."
