Iraqis will lead most of their military training for the first time during the latest rotation of Australian Defence Force personnel.
More than 100 ADF personnel were farewelled in Darwin on Monday, bound for the Taji base north of Baghdad.
The 10th rotation of Task Group Taji will be a milestone, with the Iraqi School of Infantry leading the majority of training for the Iraqi Security Forces, and the Australian and New Zealand contingent providing a mentoring function to the Iraqi school.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said progress in the training meant Australia was now in a position to reduce its contribution from around 250 to 120 ADF personnel.
"Together with New Zealand, Australia has trained more than 45,000 members of the ISF who have played an important role in combating Daesh in Iraq, and I was proud to see their work first-hand on my recent visit to Taji," the minister said in a statement.
Australian Associated Press
