Pair of US issue desert combat boots : Major T F Gellel, Headquarters, Special Air Service Group, Kuwait

Pair of Wellco sand coloured combat desert boots fitted with a RoSearch-marked vulcanized direct moulded sole (DMS) made from nitrile rubber with a self-cleaning high traction tread design. The uppers are made from suede cowhide and nylon Cordura, with metal lace hooks and padded upper collar. Sole impressed with 11 1/2 W shoe size. Fitted with khaki nylon laces.

Part of a uniform issued to members of the Australian Special Air Service (SAS) Group which deployed to Kuwait in February 1998 as part of Operation Pollard. This particular style – jacket, trousers, boots and bush hat - is American made and features the then current desert camouflage pattern which was issued to Australians in lieu of a desert pattern which Australian Armed forces then lacked. This example was supplied to 555630 Major Timothy Fidock Gellel, who states ‘I was a major at that time and served as the Regiment’s Regimental Intelligence Officer. … The uniform was worn widely by the SAS troops who were conducting training in the field, but those of us in the headquarters [(Special Operations Command & Control element) wore them but seldomly because we preferred to distinguish ourselves from the other – mainly US – special forces elements that we were working with : I actually wore the boots more often during my deployment to Afghanistan over the northern summer of 2006’. Operation Pollard deployed to Kuwait from 15 February until June 1998 with a B707 Air Refueller and crew and an SAS Squadron; a total of 200 personnel, supporting a larger US led force. Commanded by Brigadier Mike Hindmarsh, it was deployed in response to Iraq's refusal to allow UNSCOM inspectors access to Presidential sites. The force was withdrawn in June 1998 when UNSCOM inspectors were granted access to the requested sites.