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Lucky Nick is urnspired in Mid East
Volume 49, No. 18, October 04, 2007 |
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BUILD THE CRADLE: SQNLDR Nick Luck notes a training task while deployed to Iraq with the battle group helping to build a secure future for the Iraqis.
Photo by LS Phillip Cullinan |
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Helping to keep the peace in the ‘cradle of civilisation’ is an exciting challenge for SQNLDR Nick Luck from RAAF Base Williams, Laverton.
He is one of about 15 Air Force personnel deployed to southern Iraq with Australian Army Training Team-8 (AATTI-8).
A ground defence officer, SQNLDR Luck is mentoring and training officers at the Iraqi Military Academy at An Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar province during his six-month deployment.
He sees great significance in helping to train Iraqi Army officers at a place where 6,000 years earlier the Sumerians established the first-known civilisation. He is reminded daily of the ancient land in which he serves when he passes the Ziggurat of Ur, a three-storey stepped pyramid which was built in 2200BC.
“Coming from a relatively young country as Australia, it’s fascinating to be helping to keep the peace in the ‘cradle of civilisation’,” he says.
“It’s fantastic to be helping the Iraqis and contributing to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.”
SQNLDR Luck is helping the Iraqi Army develop the capability to stabilise the security situation within Iraq’s borders, which, once achieved, will result in greater peace and prosperity for the local people.
He enjoys his daily challenges.
“I am awake before sunrise. I get some breakfast and then join the convoy of military trainers that is escorted by Australian light armoured vehicles to Camp Ur, where the 3rd Brigade is based,” he says.
There, he mentors and trains Iraqi Army officers to develop leadership and staff officer skills. He is one of two Air Force officers with the AATTI-8 who are in command of Army sub-units. “It’s a very important and fulfilling job,” he says.
Prior to deploying to Iraq, he served in the MEAO in 2005, in Indonesia for Operation Sumatra Assist in 2004 and East Timor in 1999. |
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