Posted on 03/03/2003 6:50:00 AM PST by smpc
AUSTRALIAN troops will be at the front line of any attack on Iraq, according to the first media reports to come out of the Middle East.
Australian soldiers, interviewed in two of the five countries where the nation's military personnel are reported to be serving, sent heartfelt messages to their families through a Today Tonight report aired on Channel Seven last night.
Nigel, from Brisbane, said: "I'd like to say hello to my wife and two kids and my parents.
"I hope you are all looking after yourselves and I'll catch up with you soon."
The Australian Defence Force had come under fire for their blanket silence over the whereabouts of Australian troops and only recently softened their position. Today Tonight reporter David Richardson said he was surprised by the openness of the American media compared with Australia's guarded approach. Unable to get any Australian contacts, the reporter went searching for Australians when taken on a military base tour by the Americans, and stumbled across the Aussies.
Richardson said the interviews and the footage of the soldiers revealed Australians were right at the front line.
"These guys are going to be, as the Yanks say, on the pointy end of the spear."
Commander of the Australian forces in the Middle East, Brigadier Maurie McNarn, told the program the "very nature" of the Australian units were front line.
"Each of them has specific tasks and skills, and they'll be employed according to those skills, and they'll be employed in those areas by Australian decision," Brig McNarn said.
Australian military personnel are based in five Gulf countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
They always stand with us.
Becki
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