Minister returns to Baghdad and Camp Taji
Hon Gerry Brownlee
Minister of Defence
22 March
2017
Media Statement
Minister
returns to Baghdad and Camp Taji
Defence
Minister Gerry Brownlee has paid his third visit to NZ
Defence Force troops training members of the Iraqi Security
Forces at Camp Taji, near Baghdad.
Mr Brownlee
arrived back in Dubai this morning, accompanied by Chief of
the Defence Force Lt Gen Tim Keating.
“Once again
I’ve been impressed by the way our trainers are able to
connect with the Iraqi Security Forces,” Mr Brownlee
says.
New Zealand has 106 trainers, force
protection elements and other regular force soldiers at Camp
Taji, and a small number of other troops at coalition bases
across the region.
“Our trainers have a good
rapport with the Iraqis, and they’re respected by them,
which is always pleasing to witness,” Mr Brownlee
says.
“Task Group Taji has now trained well over
20,000 troops and we’re seeing a number of groups
returning to upskill, as well as an evolution in the
training audience. As predicted when I last visited, Task
Group Taji is now training significant numbers of holding
forces such as the Iraqi Federal Police.
“The
need for these different forces to maintain civil order in
now liberated towns and cities across Iraq is a real sign of
the success of the counter-Daesh coalition
campaign.
“This allows regular troops from the
Iraqi Security Forces to be deployed ridding Daesh from the
few but notable remaining areas of Iraq where they have a
presence, such as Mosul.”
While in Iraq Mr
Brownlee received briefings at coalition headquarters in
Baghdad from senior members of the counter-Daesh coalition,
including New Zealand’s Brigadier Hugh McAslan, Deputy
Commanding General of the Combined Joint Forces Land
Component Command, Operation Inherent Resolve.
Mr
Brownlee also met with the President of the Republic of
Iraq, Fuad Masum, who passed on the Government of Iraq’s
appreciation for New Zealand’s support.
Prior to
visiting Iraq Mr Brownlee met and discussed regional issues
and mutual state interests with His Excellency Mohammed Bin
Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defense of the
United Arab Emirates in
Dubai.