Attack on America
PM offers military support to fight terror
Howard backs US
Prime Minister John Howard has offered Australian military support for any US retaliation against those responsible for the terrorist attacks.
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Mr Howard said Australia "should not delude ourselves" that it was immune to terrorism. He said our country must join the fight.
"This is an occasion where America must understand that she's got friends." Mr Howard said before ending his visit to the US.
Early Australian support would include communications and intelligence back-up.
Other options are an increased naval presence, such as during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 when two warships, a support vessel and specialist navy divers were sent to the Persian Gulf. Royal Australian Navy ships havepatrolled the Gulf, enforcing a UN blockade of Iraq, since 1991.
Australia's military response this time would first involve navy ships, medical and intelligence support and then the Special Air Service regiment.
AUSTRALIA is yet to receive a request from the United States for military help in its war against terrorism, Prime Minister John Howard has said.
Mr Howard repeated his pledge to assist within the nation's capabilities.
"No, we haven't received any request from the United States yet," Mr Howard told reporters.
"If we do, we'll consider it sympathetically but it depends on what it is.
"I've indicated in the past and I repeat today that we are willing to participate and help the United States within the limit and according to our capabilities.
America wants Australian troops
By IAN McPHEDRAN, defence reporter
25sep01
THE United States will ask Australia to send ground troops to join the war against terrorism.
The National Security Committee of Cabinet will discuss the request to supply troops possibly as early as today.
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld wants Australia's special forces to join the war, it is understood.
It is believed the US wants our special forces to operate as they did in Operation Desert Fox in the Gulf in 1998.
In that conflict, about 110 troops from the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth were deployed with allied forces.
The 500 SAS troopers are trained through exchange programs to work alongside international forces including the British SAS, US Navy SEALs and US Army Delta Force.
Other available elements of Australia's special forces include the Melbourne-Sydney based 1 Commando Regiment and the Sydney-based 4 Battalion (Commando).
The total commando force is about 700 troops.
Elements of the 4 Battalion are in East Timor, but are due to pull out next month.
The request comes as US military forces take position around Afghanistan, the home of fugitive terrorist Osama bin Laden.
At least 630 US warplanes will join the battle against international terror – three times more than America deployed in the war against Iraq's Saddam Hussein.
Four US aircraft carriers are moving into position in the Gulf with a 41-ship battle fleet.
Afghanistan's Taliban fighters have responded by building bunkers, setting up anti-aircraft batteries and arming men in key border areas.
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The Herald Sun understands Mr Rumsfeld's request was to be passed to Defence Minister Peter Reith either late yesterday or today.
Mr Reith will order Defence Chief Admiral Chris Barrie to consider whether the Australian Defence Force can meet the request.
Admiral Barrie will formulate a response with his service chiefs, before joining Mr Reith to brief the National Security Committee of Cabinet, possibly as early as today.
An announcement on the latest overseas military action would then be made by Prime Minister John Howard.
"Responding to the request could take time," a Government source said.
The Government may be reluctant to provide too many SAS troops in case of a terrorist attack against Australia. It is unlikely the counter terrorist squadron would be deployed.
Australia's commandos are the heavy hitters of special forces, used to clear an area of enemy and make way for advancing forces. They are experts in rope work, mountaineering and marine insertions.
Sources said the most important aspect of the US request was the timing and exit strategy.
The army is now stretched, with deployments in East Timor and Bougainville, and would not want to commit to an indefinite coalition deployment in Afghanistan or elsewhere.
With its massive strike capability, it is unlikely the Americans would require air support.
The only Australian aircraft suited to an operation against a low-tech enemy would be the RAAF's F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters, based at Williamtown in NSW and Tindal near Darwin.
Military action against bin Laden and his sponsors is imminent after Afghanistan's Taliban militia refused to hand him over.