Fresh training roles
Volume 11, No. 45, June 15, 2006

SOLDIERS deployed to Iraq have received two new training tasks.

AMTG has just successfully completed 12 months of training and mentoring Iraqi soldiers, prompting the Australian Government to reassess its continued contribution to training the Iraqi Army.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson announced that about 30 personnel from AMTG would replace British instructors at the Basic Training Centre (BTC) at Tallil, where they would mentor and assist Iraqi Army instructors.

“There will also be a small ADF contingent based at the Counter Insurgency (COIN) Academy at Taji, near Baghdad,” Dr Nelson said.

The COIN Academy will train both Coalition and Iraqi personnel in tactics, techniques and procedures to defeat insurgency.

“These training activities provide a significant contribution to the stability and rehabilitation of Iraq by producing a more capable and professional Iraqi Army,” Dr Nelson said.