Australian ship heads for Gulf

Australia is giving full support to the US

An Australian naval transport ship has left Sydney on its way to join the US-led war on terrorism.

Hundreds of family and friends gathered at the Garden Island Naval Base on Sydney Harbour to wave goodbye to the 220 crew of the HMAS Kanimbla.

We're not completely sure exactly where she'll end up

Commodore Max Hancock

The warship will complete training exercises off the coast, before stopping briefly in Perth in Western Australia, from where it will set off for the Gulf.

Australia has pledged about 1,550 military personnel to help the US military action in Afghanistan, including about 150 elite troops, four fighter aircraft, two frigates and two refuelling aircraft.

The Kanimbla is primarily a command vessel but is also capable of carrying up to 500 troops. Its exact role in the conflict has not been made clear.

"There's a bit of uncertainty in the world at the moment and we're not completely sure exactly where she'll end up, exactly how long she'll be there, or exactly what she'll be doing," said the navy's Deputy Maritime Commander, Commodore Max Hancock.

"But what we are doing is preparing her to be ready to provide all the range of capabilities the government needs."

Security

The Navy refused to let the media interview the sailors or their families because of security concerns.

Australia's contribution

150 Special Air Services troops

Two B707 tanker refuelling aircraft

Two P3 long-range maritime planes

Two navy frigates

One amphibious command ship

An Australian navy frigate, the HMAS Anzac, is already in the Gulf.

Also on Monday, Prime Minister John Howard and Labor opposition leader Kim Beazley put aside politics to bid farewell to elite Special Air Service (SAS) troops from their base in Swanbourne, just outside Perth.

The show of unity came at the start of the third week in the general election campaign. Australians go to the polls on 10 November.

Security was tight at Swanbourne and no journalists were allowed access amid concerns to protect the identities of the troops.

Army footage and audio of the ceremony was due to be released later in the day.