Security a priority

Keeping cool: Capt Yoshio Sakaguchi, Japanese Self Defence Force, and Maj Brad Kilpatrick, AMTG, enjoy the common language of a cold drink. Photos by Cpl Cameron Jamieson

Common purpose: Commander AMTG Lt-Col Roger Noble meets Col Ota Kiyohiko, Japanese Self Defence Force, at their compound just outside As Samawah. Lt-Col Noble said the Australian troops would do their utmost to assist the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction Support Group achieve their mission.

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

THE Commander of the Australian forces in the Middle East has said Australian troops are proud to be able to work alongside the Japanese military engineers in the Al Muthanna province in Iraq.

At a recent visit to the Al Muthanna Task Group’s transit base, Air Commodore Greg Evans spoke of how the Australian troops would assist the Japanese to concentrate on their specialist task while the Australians patrolled the region.

“A key part of our work is to make sure the province remains secure so that the Japanese humanitarian mission can continue,” he said.

“There is no doubt that the Japanese are very capable of defending themselves, as they are very well equipped.

“But we will conduct patrols to make sure the province remains secure so the Japanese engineers can get on with their work.”

Air-Cdre Evans said the deployment of the Japanese contingent was very significant, as it was the first time the Japanese Government has committed its self-defence forces overseas in a security environment like that in Iraq.

He said the Australian troops would do their utmost to assist the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction Support Group achieve their mission.

“My Japanese counterpart has made it very clear that the Japanese are committed to making their deployment a success,” he said.

“And we are very proud to be working with them.”