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http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19939152-29277,00.html
Aussie troops head for new Iraq role
By Max Blenkin
July 28, 2006
AUSTRALIAN troops have lowered the flag and left Camp Smitty in Iraq's Al Muthanna province.
Their departure follows a 14-month deployment in which soldiers fired their only shots in anger in the final week, wounding an Iraqi who opened fire on their patrol.
The 470 Australian troops have now moved to Camp Terendak at the Tallil air base in the nearby Dhi Qar province, starting a new role as part of the South-East Multi-National Division.
Australian troops moved into Camp Smitty, a former Dutch base outside the Al Muthanna province capital Samawah in May last year.
They endured 50C summer days, dust and mud as they guarded Japanese military engineers and trained members of the Iraqi military.
After the recent departure of the Japanese, the last Australian and British troops left Camp Smitty on July 26, handing the facility over to the Al Muthanna Provincial Council.
Defence head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston praised members of the taskforce.
"Our three rotations of personnel to Al Muthanna have provided an outstanding contribution to the reconstruction and rehabilitation activities in the province," he said.
"Their success across a range of tasks has helped considerably with the transition of Al Muthanna to Iraqi control. All Australians can be justifiably proud of the work performed since May 2005."
At Tallil, Australian troops will provide crisis support to Iraqi security forces if requested by the Iraqi government and Iraq's Multi National Force.
What they do will also be subject to Australian government approval.
Members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will also continue training Iraqi Army personnel at the basic training centre in Tallil.
In Camp Smitty, Australian troops lived in air-conditioned tents and ate British food. In Tallil, the Australian troops will continue to live in air-conditioned accommodation but live on American food.
The ADF said troops were looking forward to their new base and new tasks but would maintain engagement with the people of Al Muthanna province.
"The men and women of the Overwatch Battle Group have built strong and trusted relationships with provincial leaders and the Iraqi Army in Al Muthanna, who they have supported and mentored throughout their deployment to that province," defence said.
"This relationship will continue through regular visits as part of their overwatch duties."
While at Camp Smitty, the Australian task group members made a significant contribution to the province through 19 community aid projects.
That included renovation of a grain silo, abattoir and media centre and establishment of a veterinary centre, ambulance station and mobile health clinic supporting a doctor, dentist and optometrist.
The departure of the Australian troops follows the transfer of security responsibility in Al Muthanna to the Iraqi government on July 13.
Aussie troops head for new Iraq role
By Max Blenkin
July 28, 2006
AUSTRALIAN troops have lowered the flag and left Camp Smitty in Iraq's Al Muthanna province.
Their departure follows a 14-month deployment in which soldiers fired their only shots in anger in the final week, wounding an Iraqi who opened fire on their patrol.
The 470 Australian troops have now moved to Camp Terendak at the Tallil air base in the nearby Dhi Qar province, starting a new role as part of the South-East Multi-National Division.
Australian troops moved into Camp Smitty, a former Dutch base outside the Al Muthanna province capital Samawah in May last year.
They endured 50C summer days, dust and mud as they guarded Japanese military engineers and trained members of the Iraqi military.
After the recent departure of the Japanese, the last Australian and British troops left Camp Smitty on July 26, handing the facility over to the Al Muthanna Provincial Council.
Defence head Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston praised members of the taskforce.
"Our three rotations of personnel to Al Muthanna have provided an outstanding contribution to the reconstruction and rehabilitation activities in the province," he said.
"Their success across a range of tasks has helped considerably with the transition of Al Muthanna to Iraqi control. All Australians can be justifiably proud of the work performed since May 2005."
At Tallil, Australian troops will provide crisis support to Iraqi security forces if requested by the Iraqi government and Iraq's Multi National Force.
What they do will also be subject to Australian government approval.
Members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will also continue training Iraqi Army personnel at the basic training centre in Tallil.
In Camp Smitty, Australian troops lived in air-conditioned tents and ate British food. In Tallil, the Australian troops will continue to live in air-conditioned accommodation but live on American food.
The ADF said troops were looking forward to their new base and new tasks but would maintain engagement with the people of Al Muthanna province.
"The men and women of the Overwatch Battle Group have built strong and trusted relationships with provincial leaders and the Iraqi Army in Al Muthanna, who they have supported and mentored throughout their deployment to that province," defence said.
"This relationship will continue through regular visits as part of their overwatch duties."
While at Camp Smitty, the Australian task group members made a significant contribution to the province through 19 community aid projects.
That included renovation of a grain silo, abattoir and media centre and establishment of a veterinary centre, ambulance station and mobile health clinic supporting a doctor, dentist and optometrist.
The departure of the Australian troops follows the transfer of security responsibility in Al Muthanna to the Iraqi government on July 13.
