Defence Force personnel from Australia and New Zealand are training members of the Iraqi Ninewah Police to secure and hold areas liberated from the Daesh terrorist group in northern Iraq. They are deployed on active service to Iraq as part of Task Group Taji 4.
Operation OKRA's Air Task Group (ATG) of is operaties at the request of the Iraqi Government within a US-led international coalition assembled to disrupt and degrade Islamic State in the Middle East.
The past week saw Prime Minister Turnbull rack up plenty of frequent flyer miles on his United States focused world tour. Starting with a visit to Iraq the Prime Minister then spend time in Afghanistan before moving onto to Washington and, finally Hawaii.
Here are some of the news highlights from the week of travel.
Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert has paid tribute to the men and women of the Australian Defence Force during a visit to the Middle East region on the 100th anniversary of Anzac.
On Tuesday the Australian Government confirmed that about 300 ADF personnel, drawn largely from the Army’s 7th Brigade based in Brisbane, will be committed to the international Building Partner Capacity (BPC) training mission in Iraq.
Operation OKRA is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the coalition operation against Islamic State in Iraq. Operation OKRA is closely coordinated with the Iraqi government, Gulf nations and a broad coalition of international partners.
Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today that Australian U.S. and coalition defence forces have continued to pound Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
New Zealand's Prime Minister has leaked Australian Government plans to send additional ADF troops to Iraq during a statement in NZ Parliament. This expansion of Operation OKRA could bring the number of Australian troops in Iraq to 400.
Under questioning the Chief of the Australian Defence Force Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin avoided confirming the news.
"I and my New Zealand counterpart have worked very closely on developing options that were put to both governments," he told a Senate committee.
"The Government of Australia is yet to make a final decision."
It is expected that Prime Minister Tony Abbott will announce the deployment some time this week.
Video update on Operation Impact. The Canadian contribution to the coalition fight against ISIL in Iraq. 16 Feb 2015. Captain Paul Forget reports that operations have ISIS under pressure. Watch video here and read transcript.