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In
brief
New Iraq commander
AIR-Cdre Greg Evans has been appointed as Commander of the Australian
Forces in the Middle East Area of Operations.
Air-Cdre Evans will replace Brig Peter Hutchinson, who has commanded
the Australian contingent since May this year.
Minister for Defence Robert Hill praised Brig Hutchinson for his
command and leadership and underscored the importance of Air-Cdre
Evans’ appointment.
He said AirCdre Evans assumes command at a critical stage of the
rebuilding of Iraq, particularly as it prepares for the first democratically
held elections in decades, an event that will stand as a pivotal
moment in Iraq’s history.
US simulate casualties
US ARMY medics are preparing for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan
with the next level in real-time simulated combat casualties; a
new full body mannequin designed to do almost everything a real
body can.
The training is intended to give US soldier-medics a taste of combat
before facing it in real life, using realistic simulations incorporating
the look, sounds and smells of war.
During training, students encounter the simulated casualties in
scenarios designed to emphasise lessons being learnt in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
UK chef competition
BRITISH Army Chefs battled for honour using spatulas and whisks
rather than rifles and bayonets recently in one of the British Army’s
most prestigious military catering events.
The aim of the 3rd UK Division’s recent Improvised Catering
Competition, was for military masterchefs to practice and enhance
their field cookery skills and techniques.
The event included setting up a field kitchen and producing a three-course
meal for five soldiers from fresh rations given to the cooks on
the day, with a strict time-limit of two hours and 30 minutes.
Black Watch move
THE British Black Watch Battle Group completed its 30-day mission
in North Babil on December 2, and returned south to near Basrah
on December 3-4.
As with the move north, US forces provided support during the journey.
The Battle Group’s deployment had succeeded in freeing up US
Marine Corps troops for the operation to eliminate insurgents massed
in Fallujah, and the Black Watch and Queen’s Dragoon Guards
patrols across the routes leading to and from the pockets of insurgency
hampered enemy movement, while providing reassurance to the peaceful
majority of the local population during the run-up to the planned
elections.
The Black Watch’s area has now been taken over by two US battalions
and one Iraqi battalion.
Request for training
NATIONAL Security Adviser Qassim Da’ud has asked Australia
to consider training intelligence officials as well as continue
the training of police and military forces during a recent meeting
with Defence Minister Robert Hill discussing the progress of rebuilding
Iraq.
Minister Hill met with the Iraq Interim Minister as part of the
recent International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) Gulf
Summit in Bahrain.
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