Our People in QLD
James Bolton - Packing Up and Coming Home
The 516 Diggers in the Australian Battle Group have already handed over responsibility for Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces to re-trained Iraqi security forces, and will be returning to Australia in June.
Most of the Group’s soldiers are drawn from units of the Brisbane-based 7th Brigade, including the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (Queensland Mounted Infantry), plus an infantry company from the 6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, and specialists from the 7th Combat Services Support Battalion.
As well as supporting Iraqi security forces, the Australian Battle Group is project managing many reconstruction projects. More than 20 Australian projects have been completed, with more under way. These include water and irrigation projects, rural projects to enhance crop and animal production, health clinics, and power supply initiatives. Water purification is particularly important as water-borne diseases are a major killer, especially of young children.