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Fresh troops head to Baghdad
Herald Sun ^ | 29th December 2004

Posted on 12/29/2004 12:02:27 AM PST by naturalman1975

ANOTHER contingent of Australian soldiers has left for Iraq as part of the next rotation of a security detachment.

Elements of the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment and the Sydney-based 1st Military Police Battalion left today to take up their new role with the Australian Embassy Security Detachment (SECDET).

They will provide protection and support to the Australian Embassy in Baghdad.

The group, which will work under Operation Catalyst, was farewelled by family and friends at a ceremony at Brisbane's Enoggera Barracks.

"All Australians should be proud of the work being undertaken by Australian troops in support of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq," the minister assisting the Minister for Defence, De-Anne Kelly, said.

"They have earned the respect and admiration of our coalition allies and have established a strong bond with the people of Iraq."

Brigadier David Chalmers, commander of the 7th Brigade, told the group during the ceremony the mission would be a success.

"This SECDET is well-trained, well-equipped, it's well-led, I'm proud of you," he said on ABC radio.

"I know you're going to do an outstanding job while you're over there.

"You're as good a team as any the army could have selected."

The soldiers will form part of a security detachment of about 120 personnel, including Australian Light Armoured Vehicles and an explosive ordnance detachment, to provide protection and escort for Australian government personnel for six months.

The detachment will also be responsible for the protection of the Australian Army Training Team Iraq.

Operation Catalyst is Australia's defence contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq.


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: deployed; godspeed; iraq

1 posted on 12/29/2004 12:02:28 AM PST by naturalman1975
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To: naturalman1975
I thought for a second your post said French troops head for Baghdad.

TIME FOR BED.
2 posted on 12/29/2004 12:06:48 AM PST by PURPLE SHARK
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