Middle East – Page 6 – CONTACT magazine

Iraqi Army soldiers conduct a live-fire training exercise under the supervision of New Zealand Army soldiers at Taji Military Complex, Iraq. ADF photo.

Second attack on Camp Taji

14/03/202014/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4219 Views 0 Comments

ADF has confirmed that a rocket attack occurred at the Taji Military Complex on today at about midday local time – around 6pm Australian eastern time.

Members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces deploying as part of the next rotation the United Nations Assistance Mission – Iraq take their seats on a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III in preparation for take-off. Photo by Captain Krystelle Jones.

Australian Middle East News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF airlifts Fijians to Middle East

12/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4040 Views 0 Comments

Australia’s relationship with Fiji has strengthened with two sustainment missions for 2020 transporting Fijian peacekeepers to the Middle East in March.

An Iraqi Army soldier disarms an enemy role player during a rehearsal of the Officer and Junior Leaders Course culminating activity at Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo by Corporal David Said.

ADF Australian Middle East News Operations

Rocket attack on Australian camp in Iraq

12/03/202014/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3915 Views 0 Comments

Defence has confirmed a rocket attack occurred at the Taji Military Camp north of Baghdad on the evening of 11 March 2020 (local time).

Major General Susan Coyle addresses members of Force Protection Element 12 before their departure from Afghanistan. ADF photo.

ADF Australian Middle East News Operations

Force Protection Element 12 farewelled from Afghanistan

29/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5278 Views 0 Comments

FPE-12 has ended a 6-month deployment to Camp Qargha, Kabul, where they provided force protection to coalition advisors on a train, advise, assist mission.

A New Zealand soldier and NZLAV on patrol in north-east Bamyian province, Afghanistan. NZDF photo.

Middle East News Operations Overseas

Rule change forces NZDF tender for range clearances in Afghanistan

13/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3456 Views 0 Comments

NZDF has been forced by rule changes to carry out new clearances of firing ranges used by its PRT in the Bamyan province Afghanistan earlier this century.

Australian Middle East News Operations Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Toowoomba begins operations in Middle East

08/02/202026/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3394 Views 0 Comments

HMAS Toowoomba and her ship’s company of around 190 personnel arrived in Bahrain to commence operations in the Middle East

Friends and family watch a parade for deploying ADF personnel at Robertson Barracks, Darwin, NT. Photo by Petty Officer Peter Thompson.

ADF Australian Middle East News Operations

Farewell parade for deploying troops

07/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3666 Views 0 Comments

Friends and family of more than 200 ADF personnel about to deploy to the Middle East said their goodbyes today during a parade at Robertson Barracks.

Australian Army Signaller Jacob Gatehouse is deployed with Theatre Communications Group at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo by Corporal Nunu Campos.

Australian Australian Army Middle East News Operations

Bookworm keeps lines of communication open

03/02/202003/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2618 Views 0 Comments Task Group Taji

Self-proclaimed bookworm Sig Jacob Gatehouse has gone from reading military history to creating a chapter of his own while deployed to Iraq.

Australian Army radiologist Captain Julian Thompson was a professional artist before joining the military and now takes inspiration from his environment while deployed at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo by US Army Specialist Caroline Schofer.

Australian Australian Army Middle East News Operations

Artist sees through Iraq deployment

03/02/202003/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3492 Views 0 Comments Task Group Taji

Imagery is so much part of one officer’s life that when the X-rays of his ‘day job’ get put to bed, the brush and paints of his passion come out to play.

An Australian Army Guardian Angel provides security while officer cadets at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA) undertake instruction at Qargha, Afghanistan. Photo by Leading Seaman Craig Walton.

ADF Australian Middle East News Operations

Aussie commitment in Afghanistan cut

02/02/202003/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5806 Views 0 Comments Operation Highroad

Around 100 of the current 300 Australian Defence Force troops deployed on a training mission in Afghanistan are about to be brought home.

The crew of Mambo 21 stand in front of a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules at Baghdad International Airport. Flight Lieutenant Brendan Carraro, the aircraft captain, is pictured third from the left (wearing a cap).

Australian Middle East News Operations Royal Australian Air Force

Pilot honoured two years after Hercules near disaster

29/01/202029/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5981 Views 0 Comments

The safe resolution of an in-flight emergency over Iraq has led Flight Lieutenant Brendon Carraro to be recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Honours list.

Major Anthony Bartlett at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo by Captain Roger Brennan

Middle East Operations Overseas Thought provoking

Old warrior holds court in a biblical land

29/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3100 Views 0 Comments Task Group Taji

On New Year’s Eve, smoke wafted from a pipe at the Taji Military Complex north of Baghdad to mark another year gone and a new one’s beginning.

Major General Susan Coyle takes command of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East.

ADF Australian Middle East News Operations

Change of command in the Middle East

20/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3671 Views 0 Comments

Major General Susan Coyle has assumed command of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, taking over from Rear

Officers and sailors on HMAS Toowoomba line the upper decks as to farewell family, friends and colleagues as the ship departs for Operation Manitou from Fleet Base West, Western Australia. Photo by Leading Seaman Ronnie Baltoft.

Australian Middle East News Operations Royal Australian Navy

Toowoomba heads for Middle East patrols

13/01/202013/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2815 Views 0 Comments

Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba today departed her homeport of Fleet Base West for a six-month deployment to the Middle East.

An Iraqi Army M1A1M Abrams tank provides cover during a Junior Leaders Course combined-arms training assessment at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. Photo by Able Seaman Chris Beerens.

ADF Australian Middle East News Operations

Iran fires ‘more than a dozen missiles’ at coalition forces in Iraq

08/01/202008/01/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2783 Views 0 Comments Operation Okra, Task Group Taji

The Pentagonsays that at 1.30am local on 7 January, Iran launched more than a dozen ballistic missiles against US military and coalition forces in Iraq.