Our People in SA
CPL James Gosling - SOLDIER'S THIRD TOUR OF IRAQ
Corporal G osling, 29, recently deployed with the Overwatch Battle Group (West) 3 to Tallil Air Base, in Dhi Qar province, which is about 350 km south of Baghdad.
Corporal Gosling is two months into his six month deployment, which marks his t hird tour of Iraq since 2004.
The veteran soldier lives in Darwin, where he is posted with the Army, but comes from Mount Gambier in South Australia.
Corporal Gosling said when you are surrounded by so much history "you can't help but wonder how the descendants of such an ancient culture will remember us ADF peacekeepers?"
Corporal Gosling is a section commander in the Battle Group Reserve which serves as the Quick Response Force (QRF) and consists of a dozen Australian Light Armoured Vehicles as well as Bushmaster Infantry Mobility Vehicles.
"My family is very proud of me for doing such an important job," he said.
He said he is confident of doing Australia proud because of the extensive training the Battle Group did in the months before deploying to Iraq and because of the leadership skills of the officers.
His impressive service history includes a tour of East Timor in 2003 and three deployments to Iraq in 2004 with SECDET 4, 2005-2006 with the Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG) and 2007. Corporal Gosling is currently based in Darwin with the 5 th Royal Australian Regiment.
He said summer in Darwin is mild compared to summer in Iraq, where the temperature will peak at about 55 degrees celsius by mid August.
Corporal James Gosling joined the Army on 18 October 1996, because he was looking for a challenge, adventure and an opportunity to help people less fortunate.
Although Corporal Gosling is enjoying his deployment, he is looking forward to the day when he returns to Darwin to see his wife, Jaclyn, and two-year-old son Ethan.
"I miss my wife and son more than anything," he said.
He is also looking forward to visiting his parents, Joan and Trevor, who live in Mount Gambier in South Australia.
Corporal G osling is one of the 515-members of the Overwatch Battle Group (West)-3 that deployed to southern Iraq in late May, with the mission to provide security overwatch in Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces.
The majority of troops serving in the Battle Group are drawn from the 2 nd Calvary Regiment and the 5th Battalion which are based at Robertson Barracks in Darwin.
OBG(W)-3 is part of the ADF's contribution to Operation Catalyst which is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.
Working with the Iraqi Government, the ADF continues to contribute to contribute to Multi-National Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq, assist national recovery programs and facilitate the transition to Iraqi self-government.
Operation Catalyst currently comprises up to 1575 ADF personnel.