AUSSIES GRADUATE FIRST ISIS FIGHTERS

T O W N S V I L L E s o l d i e r s have graduated their first class of Filipino soldiers through a new urban close combat training course as part of their deployment to help defeat ISIS in the region.

Operation Augury is a counter- terrorism effort by the Australian Defence Force and is part of the Gov- ernment’s effort to work closely with the Philippines in its fight against terrorism.

Lieutenant Colonel Ben McLennan is Commander of the Operation’s Joint Task Force 629, which is predominantly made up of about 80 soldiers from Townsville’s 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.

He said one of the ADF’s key missions was to help the Filipino soldiers and marines become more capable at fighting in urban environments of the type they were confronted with during the Marawi siege this year.

“They did an outstanding job and proved themselves to be an extraordinarily capable fighting force, especially considering their training and experience has historically centred on jungle warfare rather than fighting in urban environments,” he said.

Lt- Col McLennan said for the Australian Army a majority of experience in the past 15 years had been gained fighting in urban environments in the Middle East.

“That’s why we are here: to share that experience and knowledge with our Filipino partners,” he said.

“We want them to benefit from what we’ve learned.”

The next JTF 629 urban warfare course will begin in the Philippines in early December. The Bulletin understands Townsville soldiers will return home in the days before Christmas. It is understood a decision is yet to be made on whether a second rotation of ADF troops will be sent back next year to continue the training.