Posted on 10/27/2005 3:34:05 PM PDT by naturalman1975
THE first of 450 Australian troops to replace the task group in Iraq's southern al-Muthanna province have left Darwin.
The second rotation of troops, drawn from 5/7RAR and the First Brigade One Cavalry Regiment, headed out by air last night.
The troops have been deployed for six months, with the job of protecting Japanese engineers undertaking humanitarian work and training Iraqi security forces.
The Government has said it will review the mission when it expires in May.
Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said earlier this month it was possible the troops could be out before May.
The new mission is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Peter Short.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.