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More trainers for Iraq
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington

Volume 11, No. 61, March 08, 2007
 
Trainer: WO2 Michael Groves during his time in Iraq.
SENDING an additional 70 trainers to Iraq will help the Iraqi security forces (ISF) conduct operations to make conditions safer for their people, according to an instructor who served in Iraq.

WO2 Michael Groves, 25/49 RQR, was part of the Australian Army Training Team-Iraq (4) in 2005. He said training the ISF was a rewarding experience.

“In our company team there were five of us with a mission statement to assist and train ISF 3 Coy in southern Iraq,” WO2 Groves said.

“When the ISF saw we weren’t trying to teach them only our way of doing things, but giving them a different perspective, they were happy for us to be there.”

On February 20 Defence Minister Brendan Nelson announced the deployment of 50 logistics personnel and 20 training instructors, who were expected to deploy in May.

“The logistics team will be deployed for six months to help train and mentor Iraqi personnel in logistics, an area where Australian expertise can make a vital contribution,” Dr Nelson said.

He said the deployment of more military trainers would build on the success of previous training teams.

“The training teams help develop a broad range of military capabilities such as combat operations and logistics,” he said. “The Australian Army Training Team-Iraq currently contributes to training the Iraqi army with a team of about 30 instructors working at the Iraqi Basic Training Centre near Tallil.”

In Iraq, WO2 Groves served as a platoon adviser and he and his team were tasked to go on operational tasks with the ISF and mould training activities to the Iraqis’ needs.

“For example, if they went out on a dismounted patrol then we would go with and advise them,” he said. “As a sergeant, I advised the platoon commander on TTPs if we got attacked, just to make sure things went smoother for him and his men.”