Notice that additional British forces were deploying to the region (large numbers of RAF personnel were already deployed in Kuwait, Turkey and elsewhere in the region on Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch) was given in three separate Commons statements by Geoff Hoon Secretary of State for Defence.

Unlike the United States who called their equivalent military deployment Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Ministry of Defence uses a computer to generate its names so that they carry no overtly political connotations.

The commander of the operation was Air Marshal Brian Burridge, with Major General Peter Wall acting as his chief of staff.

The Royal Navy commander was Rear Admiral David Snelson who had his headquarters ashore in Bahrain.

On 11 July 2003, 1st Armoured Division handed control over south-east Iraq to 3rd Mechanised Division, Major General Wall was succeeded by Major General Graeme Lamb as commander of British ground forces in Iraq.

Unlike the invasion period, by then there was a substantial presence from many nations other than America, Britain, Australia and Poland.

In addition to British troops, 3rd Division now commanded Italian, Dutch, Danish, Czech, Lithuanian, Norwegian, and New Zealand forces.

Most of the RAF aircraft left the area with a few retained for patrols over Iraq and support of ground forces.

British naval forces also returned to more usual levels, with two surface combatants, a tanker and a repair ship present in early July.

[10] 1 Mechanised Brigade provided HQ and troops for Op TELIC 10, deploying to Iraq in June 2007.

Some 120 Challenger 2 main battle tanks, 150 Warrior infantry fighting vehicles, 32 L131 self-propelled 155 mm howitzers, and 36 L118 105 mm towed howitzers were deployed with the land forces, with reconnaissance vehicles, and everything else that makes a modern mechanised and armoured force function.

34 Field Hospital was made up of regular troops from their base in Strensall just outside York and members for volunteer reserve units from all over the country.

In effect the hospital was based on the front line of the British area of responsibility and was the furthest forward medical unit in recent history.

Casualties would often miss out the regimental aid posts and dressing stations and go straight to the hospital.