Australian contribution to the 2003 invasion of Iraq included 14 F/A-18 Hornet fighters). Combat forces committed to Operation Falconer for the 2003 Invasion were withdrawn during 2003. Under the name Operation Catalyst, Australian combat troops were redeployed to Iraq in 2005, however, and assumed responsibility for supporting Iraqi security forces in one of Iraq's southern provinces. These troops began withdrawing from Iraq on 1 June 2008 and were completely withdrawn by 28 July 2009. A headquarters staff of about 60 personnel under the command of Brigadier Maurie McNarn. Planning for the deployment of ADF units to the Middle East began in mid-2002 when Australian officers were attached to
Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan behalf of more Afghan units." U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis confirmed on September 18, 2017 that the United States will send over 3,000 additional troops to Afghanistan. The extra troops brought the total number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan to more than 14,000 and bolstered the Afghan military in its fight against the Taliban, al Qaeda and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan describes the draw down of United States Armed Forces in the Afghanistan war and the plans after its post-2014 presence when most combat