Australians at warAustralian forces were deployed in the Gulf War with the protection and support of the UN. The RAN (Royal Australian Navy) provided vessels for the multi-national naval force, acting as interceptors in the Persian Gulf to enforce the UN sanctions. The RAN clearance diving team was also dispatched for explosive and demolition tasks. In addition to naval units, Australians were attached to British and American ground formations. A small group of RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) photographers were based in Saudi Arabia, together with the Defence Intelligence Organisation. Four Australian medical teams worked with US forces. Although the ships and crew were in danger from mines and possible air attacks, Australia's war was relatively uneventful, and there were no casualties. At the war's end 75 Australian personnel were sent to northern Iraq to assist the delivery of humanitarian aid to Kurds living in the UN-declared exclusion zone, while ships of the RAN remained on station, at US request, to maintain trade sanctions.
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