NZDF Building Partner Capacity Mission Personnel in Iraq
The New Zealand Defence Force Building Partner Capacity training mission contingent is in place at Taji Military Complex
in Iraq.
The Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Tim Keating says the team is on the ground preparing to use its skills to
train Iraqi Security Forces.
“This will cover a broad range of individual and organisational military skills, including basic weapons. It also
includes the planning of operations; and medical and logistics support to operations.
“Our Defence Force has a strong track record of achieving good training outcomes. We work alongside and in partnership
with other nations – in this case working very closely with Iraqi security forces on agreed outcomes and delivery of
training.”
A comprehensive pre-deployment training strategy was designed by a team of specialists including linguists, security
force assistance, training evaluation, coaching and mentoring and irregular warfare. The design team also looked deeply
into cross-cultural adult training and cross-cultural adult learning.
The New Zealand contingent will emphasise and model the Profession of Arms behaviours, demonstrating how a modern and
professional defence force operates.
The Government announced in February the deployment of up to 143 New Zealand Defence Force personnel on a combined
mission with the Australian Defence Force to help build the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces, in order for the
Iraqi Security Forces to tackle the threat of ISIS.
The Building Partner Capacity mission is a non-combat mission for a two year period, with a review to be conducted after
nine months.
As well as a main body contingent in Taji, which includes force protection elements, there are several NZDF staff
officers in other locations in Iraq. For reasons of operational security, NZDF will not be releasing exact numbers or
locations of personnel.
ENDS