Second serve
AMTG2 prepared to protect

Armed escort: Bdr Andrew Hamilton, 8/12 Mdm Regt, provides protection to members of the Japanese Iraq Reconstruction Support Group, a job that members of AMTG2 will continue. Photo by Sgt Craig Sharp

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

CAMP Smitty in southern Iraq has geared up for a hive of activity following the start of the second Al Muthanna Task Group’s (AMTG2) rotation into the MEAO.

The advance party flew out of Darwin last week, and main party groups have begun their insertion to the ADF’s regional staging post.

Comd 1 Bde Brig John Cantwell said AMTG2 was extremely well prepared for their mission.

“We were able to draw on the experience of preparing AMTG1 and the lessons learned by AMTG1 in Iraq,” he said.

“This meant that the AMTG2 preparation is very well focussed on the actual tasks and challenges they will face in Iraq. We also had some more time for their preparation, so we really put the team through their paces and added some extra polish such as language skills and cultural awareness.”

The composition of AMTG2 is largely the same as its predecessor and the change over is expected to be completed by mid-November. The Australian Army Training Team 4 (AATTI-4), which is also operating from Camp Smitty, will be replaced by AATTI-5. The total strength of the Australian troops stationed at Camp Smitty will remain fixed at 450 soldiers.

The change over at Camp Smitty will also bring a change in commanders. Current AMTG commander Lt-Col Roger Noble will be replaced by CO 5/7RAR Lt-Col Peter Short, while the Commander of AATTI-5 is Lt-Col Shaun O’Leary from HQ JOC.