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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Jan 5, 2009 - 8:24:33 PM |
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| A group of Australian Soldiers get ready to go out on mission from Forward Operating Base Union III March 1. The "Diggers" escort the Australian ambassador and diplomats while they travel in the International Zone and the streets of Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
Blackanthem Military News, FORWARD OPERATING BASE UNION III, Iraq – While thousands of Soldiers are slated to arrive to Iraq due to the security push the announced by the president, one small group of troops from the "land down under" have been quietly answering their own call to duty all the while.
Infantry and cavalrymen from the Australian Army’s Security Detachment 10 have been operating out of Baghdad's International Zone for almost six months now, acting as security for their ambassador and diplomats. During their six months in Iraq, they've learned what it's like to be a versatile force and how to get the job done while having a little fun.
They said it's not the job they expected, but they are trained and ready for anything.
"Our job is to watch the ambassador and our diplomatic mission while he travels around Baghdad," said Lance Cpl. Guy Lalor, a Brisbane native and crew commander for the security team. "It's different to what … you think of when you think of joining Cav and Army. It's a completely different role."
Anytime the ambassador has to travel, he's escorted by the combined arms team. Although it's not what they thought a rotation into the notorious capital city would be like, they've almost completed their six-month tour.
Detachment commander, Maj. Terrence Cook, said that it's been a good rotation overall. They've learned a lot from their experiences and they've come away virtually unharmed.
Lt. Scott Klima, a troop leader from Darwin, said that the threat they face is about the same as any other coalition force. Roadside bombs have been the biggest threat while traveling around the city; however, they've also helped the troopers make friends with American units.
Klima said that a strong professional and friendly relationship has spurred from the Australians calling upon American explosive ordnance disposal teams.
"We've built up a good relationship with all the guys we've worked with," said Klima.
The Australian Army has always held good relations with the U.S. Army, ever since they fought side by side in World War I. They've not only fought together, but often they trained together in Australia and America.
They're no strangers to being out in the "bush." They've trained with some of the most elite units in the world like the U.S. Army Rangers and the British Special Forces.
While in Iraq, the side-by-side training hasn't stopped. Many of the medics with the detachment regularly go to the Combat Support Hospital in the IZ to work and train with their coalition counterparts. Cook said that it's even more commendable since they do it on their free time.
Cook said that although the unit is well trained, disciplined and battle-proven, it's still just a little different than most other Australian units.
The small unit is composed of both infantry and cavalry troops from the 3rd Battalion (Parachute), Royal Australian Regiment, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and the 2/ 14th Light Horse of the Queensland Mounted Infantry.
The mixed unit of little more than 100 troops isn't much different from their American counterparts living right across the base. Both have important roles to fulfill for themselves and their countries, and both the Australians and members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division have a strong history of war fighting and honor.
The Australian Army has played a vital role in every major conflict starting from its creation in the battlefields of South Africa, where it was born, up to the war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan today.
Recently, the detachment celebrated the Australian Army's 106th birthday with a celebration in their mess hall.
"We know how to have fun and be relaxed," said Cook. "But when the mission starts, the guys are as focused as anybody."
Joining the Australian Army is basically the same as joining the American. Soldiers are bound to a four-year contract, and afterward, they can reenlist for as long as they like.
"People say they join the Army to see the world, and that's still the case today," said Lalor.
The “Diggers” have always been willing to travel to serve their country. They've been to Africa, both World Wars, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam and the Middle East.
Cook said that as long as the war on terror is ongoing, they'll be here doing their part.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Pvt. Jason Fiesley, an Australian trooper with Security Detachment 10 based at Forward Operating Base Union III, Baghdad, provides security outside the International Zone March 1. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
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| An Australian Soldier scans the area while one of the Army's trucks rolls into the compound they visited in Baghdad March 1. The Australians perform escorting duties for their ambassador and diplomats while they travel in and around the Iraqi capital. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
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| An Australian trooper wears the patch of his unit assigned to escorting duties in Baghdad. Security Detachment 10 works out of the International Zone in Baghdad and escorts the Australian ambassador while he travels in and around the capital. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alexis Harrison, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs) |
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