Townsville may add to deployment NATO to get troop boost

THE Defence Department is yet to determine if any Townsville soldiers will be among a new group of 30 to deploy to Afghanistan following a commitment to send more troops to the region.

Defence Minister Marise Payne on Monday confirmed the Government would send more troops to Afghanistan in response to a NATO request.

But which base the troops will come from, what role they will play and when they will deploy is yet to be determined.

The Defence Department yesterday refused to reveal how many Townsville- based soldiers were currently deployed in the Middle East nor how many 3rd Brigade members with Task Group Taji 5 had already left Australia.

“Australia has agreed to de- ploy an additional 30 Australian Defence Force ( ADF) personnel to the NATO- led train, advise and assist mission in Afghanistan,” a Defence spokesman said.

“This will increase the number of deployed personnel from 270 to 300.

“A substantial number of ADF personnel from Townsville will deploy with Task Group Taji 5.”

Troops from Task Group Taji- 5 were last month officially farewelled at Lavarack Barracks in front of family and friends.

Some 300 Australian Defence Force personnel, predominantly drawn from the Army’s 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, were scheduled to deploy in stages over the next few weeks to Iraq as Task Group Taji – Rotation Five ( TGT- 5) under Operation OKRA.

Convoys will depart tomorrow and Friday from Lavarack Barracks between 6am and 6pm, travelling to the Townsville Field Training Area to participate in Exercise Brolga Strike.

Major movements will be along University Rd, the Townsville Ring Rd and Herveys Range Rd.

“There will be a safe distance maintained between vehicles at all times and they will be travelling in groups of 10 and under,” a Defence spokesman said.

“The ADF appreciates the patience of all road users.”

The exercise, involving about 3000 soldiers, is the final 3rd Brigade training activity prior to international Exercise Talisman Saber 17 next month at Shoalwater Bay.

That major exercise will certify 3rd Brigade as the Ready Combat Brigade assigned to support Australia’s operational land force commitments and contingency requirements.