Ready for Iraq task
Volume 11, No. 51, September 07, 2006
By Michael Brooke

Group hug: Cpl Dan Wilson, 3RAR, is farewelled by his wife, Helen, and children James, 4, Henry, 1, and William, 2, at Holsworthy. Photo by Bill Cunneen.

THE 110 members of Secdet 10 have deployed to Iraq brimming with confidence because they possess the training, professionalism and the equipment to get the job done, according to OC Secdet 10 Maj Terrence Cook.

The soldiers deployed on August 29 and Maj Cook said high operational tempo, specialised urban ops training and MREs over the past two months had prepared them for any challenge.

“Iraq remains a dangerous place but my soldiers are well equipped and supported to deal with any threat while performing their security role in Baghdad,” he said.

The Sydney-based members of Secdet 10, including soldiers from A Coy 3RAR, 1 MP Bn and 2/14 LHR, were farewelled at Holsworthy by CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, Land Commander Maj-Gen Mark Kelly, MP Danna Vale and about 400 family and friends.

The farewell was significant because CA presented the members of 3RAR with their Australian Service Medal with Solomon Islands clasp in recognition of their deployment to Honiara earlier this year to re-establish law and order.

“The guys have been working hard this year and the deployment to the Solomons has only helped our preparation for the sort of challenges that we can expect in Iraq,” Maj Cook said.

He said the members of A Coy knew what to expect because they deployed as Secdet 3 in 2004 and had learnt from the experiences of previous Secdet rotations.

“The lessons learnt that will help us the most concern the way we manoeuvre armoured vehicles around in the complex urban terrain of the AO as well as the insurgents’ TTPs – so we couldn’t be more ready,” he said.

Cpl Dan Wilson, 3RAR, was confident Secdet 10’s training would pay off. “I’m always sorry to leave the family behind but I can’t wait to get to Iraq where I can apply my trade to the best of my ability,” he said.

The Secdet 10 members were treated to morning tea, at which Mrs Vale reminded them that “Australian soldiers have proven themselves in each conflict and they have fought to be the best soldiers in the world”.

From Holsworthy, the members of Secdet 10 were bussed to the airport, where they were farewelled by Comd 7 Bde Brig Andrew Smith before flying to Baghdad.