Iran war: Australian Army’s 1st Division prepares for Middle East despite Penny Wong’s no-combat promise

The Army’s 1st Division has begun planning for deployment to the Middle East, a preliminary step that suggests Army leaders want to give the Albanese Government options to participate in the war against Iran, even though it has ruled out combat operations. A senior, confidential source said work was underway to prepare the Brisbane-based division for operations in the region, although it is unclear if the Army is working on combat options, a supporting role or contributing to some kind of peacekeeping force. Australia’s former ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, predicted on Monday the air war would soon shift to the ground, a far-more dangerous task for the US given Iran’s mountainous geography and armed forces of approximately one million personnel. “There are going to be boots on the ground; that is the expectation at the moment,” Mr Hockey told Sky News. “I wouldn’t be surprised if by the end of the next week we see some American boots on the ground.” Yes to war; no to troops A Defence Force spokesperson declined to comment on specific preparations for any Australian involvement in the war, and referred The Nightly to comments by ministers stating that the defence force is undergoing normal preparations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Sunday said Australia has been asked for assistance by countries attacked by Iran, which number 15, although declined to discuss what help might be offered. “We’ve made clear we would not participate in any ground troop deployment into Iran,” she told the ABC. The Government supports the war, which has split America’s European allies, to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons, although Ms Wong said the regime should only be replaced with the support of the Iranian people. Australia has already participated in the war, in a minor way: three Australians were on the US submarine that sunk the Iranian frigate Dena last week near Sri Lanka under personnel-sharing arrangements with the US Navy. Navy, Air Force options The 1st Division, also known as the Australian Division, is commanded by Major General Ash Collingburn and based at Gallipoli Barracks in the suburb of Enoggera. During war, it is assigned all three of the Army’s full-time combat brigades. During peace, its main role is conducting training and preparing for military operations. “That’s the job of the defence force, to plan for contingencies,” said Neil James, the executive director of the Australia Defence Association, which advocates for the defence force. “I would be absolutely astounded if there wasn’t some contingency planning going on.” Among experts, the Army is seen as the branch of the defence force least likely to join the war. The Air Force could send F-35 fighter jets to shoot down drones and cruise missiles or a converted Boeing 737 with a long-range radar used to detect enemy missiles and coordinate friendly aircraft. The Navy could send a destroyer or frigate to protect oil tankers. Both would be equipped with missiles that could shoot down other missiles and aircraft. With the Iranian Navy and Air Force badly damaged, the danger to Australian pilots and sailors would be reduced. But Iran has approximately one million full-time and reserve soldiers, making ground combat highly risky.