Posted on 07/31/2004 2:23:34 PM PDT by NCjim
The Federal Government yesterday committed fresh troops to Iraq, taking Australia's involvement in the strife-torn country well into 2005.
The 53-strong Australian Army contingent training Iraqis for their own military and police force will be extended for another six months.
A new training squad of 50 to 60 soldiers from Townsville will leave for Iraq in the next few weeks. The second army training team will overlap the existing squad for six weeks..
Defence Minister Robert Hill said that for the first time a medical team of 20 personnel would be sent to Iraq to support a major coalition military hospital.
Since the start of the Iraq war on 19 March, 2003, injured coalition soldiers had been stabilised and flown all the way to US bases in Germany for major medical operations.
"The Australian medical team will most likely include a combination of regular and specialist reserve personnel," Senator Hill said.
The 65 military air-traffic controllers who have been working at Baghdad Airport for the past year will be brought home within two weeks.
Senator Hill said a new squad of six Royal Australian Air Force air-traffic controllers would be sent to integrate with coalition forces at Balad Air Base near Baghdad.
"These Australian personnel will continue to co-ordinate the movements of military aircraft in the area following the successful handover of control to Iraqi air-traffic controllers at Baghdad International Airport," he said.
The total number of 880 Australian military personnel in Iraq will not change over the next six months.
Senator Hill said the Australian controllers had played a crucial role in keeping Baghdad Airport open to civilian and military aircraft.
Ausies are the BEST! I have a shrimp on the barby for them.
Australia is a true ally. Given that they fought in Vietnam, I would guess that they have been alongside the U.S. Army in more wars even than us Brits.
The big question is now the election there this spring (our autumn). The Liberals have shown their comitment to freedom in Iraq, but if Labor get in it could all change.
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