Laying the foundations

Col John Mansell with an Iraqi army MP outside the Iraq Defence Ministry. Photo by WOFF Dave Pang

By Capt Darren Curtis
Volume 11, No. 38, March 8, 2006

DEFENCE Attache to the Australian Embassy in Baghdad Col John Mansell feels like he’s almost taken on the role of a builder. The former CoS of Special Operations is laying the foundations for a strong bond between the ADF and the new Iraqi Defence Force.

Col Mansell spends a large part of every day in the new Iraqi Ministry of Defence Complex in Baghdad networking among the powerbrokers in the recently established chain of command.
“We’re establishing a growing relationship between our defence forces.

The Iraqis appreciate the balance Australians provide and different opinions to other coalition partners – the alternative options we put forward often strike a chord with them,” he said.

The Iraqi army has already been exposed to our drills and discipline practices through the good work of our training teams and the Iraqis want to expand the program further.”