ANZAC Day 2008

29 April 2008
Governor-General visits Iraq Diggers

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffrey AC CVO MC, visited Australian troops located at Tallil in Southern Iraq.

During the visit, His Excellency met with Army and Royal Australian Air Force personnel who form the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and the Australian Army Training Team - Iraq.

The Governor-General thanked the troops for their professionalism and congratulated them on the success of their overwatch and training mission, wishing them well for their return to Australia.

His Excellency made particular mention of the support provided by the families back home, asking the troops to pass on his personal thanks to them.

The 516 soldiers of Overwatch Battle Group (West) 4 are mostly drawn from units of the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade. The Battle Group is comprised of the headquarters and cavalry squadrons of the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), operating Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAVs); an Infantry company from the 6th Battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR) operating Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles (IMVs); and specialists from the 7th Combat Services Support Battalion.

OBG(W) 4 is based at Tallil Air Base from where it undertakes a security overwatch role for Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar Provinces as part of a larger Coalition Force.

The security role supports the Iraqi Security Forces’ (ISF) and Provincial Government’s efforts to build a secure and stable Iraq. In this role OBG(W) 4 undertakes security patrols, develops ISF capabilities and supports reconstruction and rehabilitation projects.