image-1 = images/TaskGroupTaiji/1.jpg
title-1 =
description-1 = New Zealand Army Warrant Officer Class One Chad Hally (left), Regimental Sergeant Major of Task Group Taji 9, salutes Australian Army Colonel Jason Groat, CSC, DSM, Commander Task Group Taji 8, to open the Transfer of Authority parade at Taji Military Complex. The transfer of authority took place on 24 June 2019. (Image credit - US Army Reserve Cpl. Tamara Cummings)
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image-2 = images/TaskGroupTaiji/2.jpg
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description-2 = NZDF soldier Corporal Sam Prosser, deployed to Iraq, performs a ceremonial challenge to the newly arrived NZDF members of Task Group Taji 9 during a welcoming ceremony at the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. New Zealand and Australian members of Task Group Taji 8 have performed the Haka to welcome new members of Task Group Taji 9 (TGT-9) to the Taji Military Complex, 20 kilometres north of Baghdad, Iraq. (Image credit - Defence)
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description-3 = Australian Army soldiers, deployed with Task Group Taji 8, observe Iraqi Army soldiers as they complete the final objective during the Mission Rehearsal Exercises at the Taji Military Complex. About 2,000 soldiers from the Iraqi Army (IA) 55 Brigade have successfully completed a series of Mission Rehearsal Exercises at the Taji Military Complex. (Image credit - Defence)
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description-4 = Iraqi Army soldiers prepare to enter a building during the Mission Rehearsal Exercises at the Taji Military Complex. Over 44,000 the number of members of the Iraqi security forces (ISF) have received training from Task Group Taji since it became fully operational in May 2015. (Image credit - Defence)
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image-5 = images/TaskGroupTaiji/5.jpg
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description-5 = Australian Army officer Captain Ryan Abil (left), deployed with Task Group Taji 8, chats with an Iraqi Army soldier before they conduct the Mission Rehearsal Exercises at the Taji Military Complex. Now in its eighth rotation, Task Group Taji is the Australian, New Zealand and Singaporean led Task Group overseeing the delivery of training to the ISF via the School of Infantry NCO II, (SINCO II) at the complex. (Image credit - Defence)
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description-6 = Australian Army medical officer Captain Joshua Lazarus describes the steps of basic trauma care to Spanish Army air crew, who are members of Task Force Toro, during a medical training session at the Taji Medical Treatment Facility in the Taji Military Complex, Iraq.(Image credit - Defence)
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description-7 = Spanish Army air crew from Task Force Toro treat a simulated casualty in black-out conditions under instruction from Australian Defence Force and US Army medical personnel during a medical training session at the Taji Medical Treatment Facility in the Taji Military Complex, Iraq. (Image credit - Defence)
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description-8 = An Iraqi Army soldier fires his weapon while conducting the urban fighting component of the Mission Rehearsal Exercises. (Image credit - Defence)
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description-9 = Australian Army Colonel Michael Bassingthwaighte, DSM, Commander Task Group Taji 9 (left), watches on as the ceremonial flag is raised during the Transfer of Authority parade. (Image credit - US Army Reserve Cpl. Tamara Cummings)
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description-10 = An Iraqi Army soldier takes up a firing position while conducting the rural fighting component of the Mission Rehearsal Exercises.(Image credit - Defence)
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description-11 = Director of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve Training Directorate, Brigadier General Nicola Terzano (left), observes as Australian Army Colonel Jason Groat, CSC, DSM (centre), Commander Task Group Taji 8, hands over command to Colonel Michael Bassingthwaighte, DSM, Commander Task Group Taji 9, during the Transfer of Authority parade (Image credit - US Army Reserve Cpl. Tamara Cummings)
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Photo Essay: Task Group Taji Rotation 8 personnel return home
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Around 100 members of Task Group Taji Rotation 8 have touched down in Brisbane following their successful deployment to Iraq.
Around 100 members of Task Group Taji Rotation 8 have touched down in Brisbane following their successful deployment to Iraq.
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The returning personnel were welcomed back by Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds, who acknowledged the important role the Task Group had played for the past seven months, helping to train and develop the Iraqi security forces (ISF) alongside the New Zealand Defence Force and Singaporean Armed Forces.
“The latest rotation of the Task Group achieved significant milestones, working with Iraqi Army instructors to help train more than 6,000 soldiers from the ISF,” Minister Reynolds said.
“These soldiers will now go out into the provinces and significantly improve the ability of the ISF to secure and stabilise areas of Iraq liberated from Daesh.”
The Task Group enabled the opening of the Iraqi Army School of Infantry Non-Commissioned Officers II, with initial operating capability achieved ahead of schedule.
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Outgoing Commander of Task Group Taji 8, Colonel Jason Groat, said the mission had made a critical contribution to the capability of the ISF.
“The achievement means the Iraqi School of Infantry now conducts more than 75 per cent of its training without the need for any coalition assistance,” COL Groat said.
“It’s an achievement we are all very proud of and we share in the success of the ISF.”
Task Group Taji 8 handed over responsibility to Task Group Taji Rotation 9 at a Transfer of Authority Parade at the Taji Military Complex on 24 June 2019.
Commander of Task Group Taji 9, Colonel Michael Bassingthwaighte, said the incoming ADF and NZDF personnel will work hard to build on the important work of Task Group Taji 8.
“All members of Task Group Taji 8 have done an excellent job in supporting the Iraqi School of Infantry to achieve initial operating capability,” COL Bassingthwaighte said.
For images of the handover, and activities carried out by Task Group Taji 8, please scroll through the image gallery above.
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