The Australian government acted Thursday to bolster the ranks of special forces units responsible for counter-terrorism with more than 300 additional troops, in a move sure to fire speculation the country is gearing up to join a campaign against Iraq. Prime Minister John Howard also announced a new special operations command centre he said would improve Australia's capacity to use "non-conventional warfighting means" to respond to terrorist threats. In Perth to welcome home a contingent of Australian Special Air Services (SAS) troops fighting in the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, Howard said the plan would involve raising a new commando company, complete with logistics, weapons and communications support. The government will also accelerate the purchase of extra troop lift helicopters, most likely Black Hawks, to be based in Sydney. "It will send a very potent signal to the Australian community and will in a very practical sense massively improve our capacity to deal with potential terrorist threats," Howard said. He also hinted that recent increased funding to intelligence services would continue, telling troops at the SAS barracks "you haven't probably heard the last word on that".
He's on board, and Australia will continue carrying its share of the load. Good men. And true. Australian lefts, appeasers, pacifists and Islamists are probably taking the gas pipe about now... |